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Show i 3r 0 - ...jikrr ... ... sA - T 1 ...Y..N ( i ' k.. '. .,'. - . I 419th Fighter Wing Supplement to the Hilltop Times Hill AFB, Utah Employer appreciation day postponed due to wing's busy schedule by Stephanie 0 84056-54- 1 Volume 1 9 Number 4, April 1 5, 2004 Easter Bunny arrives early for families of deployed members Johns 419th FW Public Affairs Office support of civilian employers is detrimental to the of the Air Force Reserve's mission. The 419th Wing acknowledges this support as well as the many sacrifices made by employers of reservists. To pay tribute to these employers, each year the 419th FW hosts an Employer Appreciation Day. The day is comprised of a full day of events, including lunch, tours, mission brief and a ride aboard a KC-13- 5 Stratotanker to watch an aerial refueling mission of the wing's However, this year, wing officials have decided to cancel this year's employer day due to the heavy schedule of events coming up in 2004. "It takes months of planning to organize an enjoyable and beneficial employer's day," said Maj. James R. Wilson, 419th FW chief of public affairs. "Preparing for the Operational Readiness Inspection has been our top priority for the last several months and has taken a lot of our focus and time." "We've got a lot on our plates," said Col. Wayne Conroy, 419th FW commander. "The ORI in May is only the beginning for what's in store for the wing this year, we will be involved in the base air show in June, the Air Force Reserve Command Band is schedule to perform in September, hosting the 10th Air Force Chief's Conference to name a few." Due to unstable weather conditions during the fall and winter, the 419th FW Employer Appreciation Day has generally been scheduled during the spring and summer months. "The highlight of the day is the aerial refueling mission," said Major Wilson. "Weather conditions are a factor we have to consider when planning for the employer day. Summer time seems to have a less possibility for bad weather." Traditional reservists are highly encouraged to nominate their civilian employer when the nomination forms come out in the HeadUp newspaper. "We've always received a lot of positive feedback after we've hosted an employer day, so we know it's a worth-whil- e cause," said Major Wilson. "But in order for us to put on a quality event for our employers, we need more time to devote to the planning process. This year, we just don't have that kind of time." Wing officials say 419th Employer Appreciation Day should be back on schedule for 2005. Reservists can find nomination forms in the HeadsUp newspaper once the date of the event is determined. The mm 's. . i i (b (I i 7) Newsline TSP Open Season The Thrift Savings Plan open season is under way. Civilian and military employees can sign up for, or change, their TSP con30. tribution amounts during the 'open season' Apr. This open season applies only to regular TSP contributions. It does not include TSP catch-u- p contributions, as they are not tied to open seasons, according to Janet Thomas, of Air Force Personnel Center's civilian benefits and entitlements service 15-Ju- ne Photo by Maj. James R. Wilson team. TSP offers investors the chance for lower taxes each year they contribute while not having to pay taxes on earnings until they reach retirement. The five TSP funds are: the Government Securities Investment (G) Fund; the Common Stock Index Investment (C) Fund; the Fixed Income Index Investment (F) Fund; the Small Capitalization Stock Index Investment (S) Fund; and the International Stock Index Investment (I) Fund. Contributions electionschanges made between Apr. IS and June 12 will take effect June 13, for both military and civilian personnel, changes made on or after June 13 will become effective at the beginning of the pay period following the one in which the election is made for civilians and the following month for military. For more information on TSP contact the 419th 4 Military Personnel Flight customer service office at or visit the TSP website at http:www.tsp.gov 777-002- Hill AFB Air Show Hill Air Force Base will host an air show on June 12-1The airshow is open to the public and admission is free. Events include a variety of aircraft for public viewing. Food, drink and souvenir booths and the Air Force Thunderbirds will perform their air show flying maneuvers. For more information contact the Hill AFB Air Show Hotline 3. - at 777-746- 9. th Wing declares itself ready, inspectors set to arrive "You can only make one first impression, so make it count" Colonel Conroy said. "That includes more than just dress and 419th FW Public Affairs Office appearance, weight standards, customs and courtesies, and always remembering to wear your seat belt. The inspectors than 100 evaluators and observers will arrive will check and crosscheck all documentation to ensure you are Air Force Base May 3 to conduct an complying with instructions. If you state you're in compliance Readiness Inspection on the 419th with something, be prepared to prove it." Officials are also reminding members of the Fighter Wing. ' ; 7 importance of a positive attitude. The Air Force requires units to undergo "If an IG member says this is the way it should be to ensure Readiness Inspections Operational "...Th3 entire then make sure it is done the next opportunity done, they are prepared to perform those duties which 41 Chief Master Sgt. Scott Hennessey, 419th you get," war. be times of required during might Command Chief Master Sergeant said. "Never itfcrfccd rcsily Inspectors are specifically looking at the ability argue a point with the inspectors." of the wing's 1,400 reservists to deploy and The chief wants everyone to know the inspections receive troops as well as its ability to defend its don't end with the conclusion of the Phase n. home station. "The IG team will still be compiling data and "People just need to do their job just as contacts with supervisors and commaking since first we Coi. Wayne Conroy, began preparthey've been doing manders as they sort through their findings," 18 Col. months for this FW ing ago," inspection commander 41S3i the said. "The game isn't over by a long chief said. Wayne Conroy, 419th FW commander, shot at this stage." , "Don't do something unusual or different for Colonel Conroy agreed and emphasized the the benefit of the IG team. Use your checklists importance of the esprit de corps that has developed while preparing for and technical orders just as you would in your normal, daily the common challenges the ORI will present routine." "Our members have their games faces on," the colonel said. "The The evaluators, who are based at Air Combat Command hard to get to this point Now, I think Headquarters in Langley, Va., have broken the inspection in entire 419th has worked really to demonstrating once again that forward transiwith a looking four three everyone's to about each two phases, days lasting we are vigilant, disciplined warriors." tion day in the middle of the phases. by Maj. James R. Wilson More hs hcrdtoctto Volunteers needed The 67th Aerial Port Squadron is looking for individuals who would like to volunteer to help families of the recently deployed reservists. Individuals who are interested in helping, contact Senior 7. Master Sgt Liz Atisme, 67th APS first sergeant, at 777-250- Pay inquiries Samantha Picinich shares her Easter plans with Lt. Col. Jean Combs, 67th Aerial Port Squadron commander, before getting an early present from Peter Cotton Tail (a.k.a. Col. Wayne Conroy, 419th Fighter Wing commander). More than 30 children whose parents are assigned to the 67th APS and serving overseas spent the day at Centennial Park April 3, playing games, having their picture taken with the Easter bunny and searching for plastic eggs filled with goodies. Wing officials organized the event to show their appreciation for the support families have provided to the 50 squadron members who departed Utah on Feb. 14 for a tour of duty at locations in Iraq and Russia. e 24 Military members may call (800) hours a day to find out the date of their last paycheck and Individuals will receive a Personal other data. Identification Number the first time they use the system. 755-74- 13 toll-fre- - mmmm Unless otherwise indicated, all photos are U.S. Air Force photos. Advertisements contained herein do not constitute an endorsement by the Department of Defense, the Department of the Air Force or Hill AFB, Utah. Everything advertised is available without regard to race, color, religion, sex or other nonmerit factors of the purchase, user or patron. |