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Show iua I V Thursday, June 17, 2004 Twice Monthly the air in Changes 388th Fighter Wing supplement to the Hilltop Times Colonel Lofgren takes command of the OG ture, and training to ensure the U.S. has the best trained and equipped fighting force. I had a unique perspective on By Capt. Monica Bland 388th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Col. Jeffrey Lofgren, 388th Operations Group Commander, assumed command June 7. What are your thoughts on transitioning from your previous assignment as both the chief of joint simulation, modeling and analysis and chief of joint studies management strategic planning branch at the Pentagon to the operations group commander of the 388 FW? In my previous assignment I had the chance to work with all the services on joint issues ranging from the FA-2- 2 to Defense Planning Guidance. What I learned on the joint staff is how each service differs in their approach to preparation for mission accomplishment through the procurement of transformational technologies, manpower struc how leadership envisioned integrating these capabilities into a joint force to provide combatant commanders with flexible, integrated airpower. What do you think prepared you most for your transition? All the experiences I've had throughout my career contributed to my preparation to be the 388th Operations Group commander. From schools to various staff and command positions and flying the 6 I've learned how to work complex issues between different organizations, which will in turn help me work effectively here. What was your first impression of the wing? The 388th FW is on the leading edge of providing a unique and much needed capability with Forward Air Controller Airborne qualified pilots and deploy- - "Because our mission is vitally tions group commander? I have three goals as the commander: Make sure the 388th OG is ready to execute our mission, that we do it as a highly trained team, and that we devel What do you think you and your experiences bring to the group and in turn, the wing? I have had a chance to lead great Airmen at all levels in the Air Force and have been flying the my entire career. These experiences will help me See Changes page B like we will fight - Col. Jeffrey Lofgren 388th Operations Group commander Col. Jeffrey Lofgren ,- reenlistees survey results - fa 1 The following members of the 388th Fighter Wing reenlisted in May. released 388th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Master Sgt. Scotty Barnhart Staff Sgt. Richard Finger Staff Sgt. Samuel Johnson Senior Airman Roderick Archield By Staff Sgt. Nakita Carlisle 388th Fighter Wing , Public Affairs fU Results from the 2003 Air Force Climate Survey, which was conducted Oct. 1 through Nov. 23, have been analyzed, and final reports have been released to unit-levleaders for of 388th Equipment Maintenance Squadron Tech. Sgt. Mark Sellnow Staff Sgt. John Biery el action. K 388th Maintenance Operations Squadron Tech. Sgt. Randy Dean Photo by Senior Airman Madelyn Waychott Tech. Sgt. Derryl Wilson 388th pilots wear FAC-- patch for the first time since Vietnam A 388th Operations Support Squadron Tech. Sgt. Emma Dycus 729th Air Control Squadron Master Sgt. Robert Regan Tech. Sgt. Brian Zwerdling Patch reflects past mission; wing trains Get recognized via Hometown News Have you recently been promoted or received an award? Have you returned from a deployment or been assigned to Hill Air Force Base? By filling out a hometown news release (DD Form 2266) you can let family and friends in your hometown know what achievements you've made through the local newspaper. Forms can be obtained from the 388th Fighter Wing affairs large crowd watches the 12th Air Force demonstration team, which flies out of the 4th Fighter Squadron here, at Hill Air Force Base's first two-da- y air show Saturday and Sunday. Events included static displays of aircraft from throughout the Air Force and Army, vintage and modern aircraft and race plane flyovers, a jet truck and the Air Force Thunderbirds. The last air show Hill hosted was in 2001. A 388th Component Maintenance Squadron public office, Building 120, suite 113. F-- Climate Keeping their eyes on the sky May peo- and do it with a positive attitude." I expect them to stay focused on the mission, train able tactical air control. The old adage of "flexibility is the key to airpower" has never been more true, and the 388th OG is leading the way in versatility. What are your goals as the opera atti- Because our mission is vitally important, I expect them to stay focused on the mission, train like we will fight and do it with a positive attitude. What is your leadership style? I have been influenced by the great leaders I've had the opportunity to work for during my career. My leadership style is to provide clear direction and then empower those who work for me to use their creativity and ideas to accomplish the task. important, F-1- op and cultivate a positive, can-d- o tude toward everything we do. What do you expect from the ple of the 388th OG? for airborne forward air control duties By Master Sgt. Sonja Whittington 388th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Although it's not officially a mission of the 388th Fighter Wing, 20 pilots are now able to perform missions as airborne forward air controllers. "In a way, we're regaining an old mission," said Lt. Col. 388th Nelson Cabot, deputy Group Operations" commander. FAC-as it's known, is not a formal part of the wing's operational mission A, capability statement now but Ceremony" June 1, the quali- it was in the past. The 388th performed that mission from Korat AB, Thailand, with F-during the Vietnam era. But the need for FAC-- with patches they can wear to show they are certified for the FAC-mission on Fridays, when they wear unofficial 4s A fied pilots were presented A "This mission requires guys who can think fast on their feet. They need to be able to e analyze a situation and think 'here's what I need to do, and here's what I need to tell the other guys.'" Cabot real-tim- - Lt. Col. Nelson 388th Operations Group deputy commander dwindled as the war wound down. By the time the wing arrived at Hill Air Force Base in 1975, that mission capability had disappeared from the books. a "Patching During patches on their flight suits. The patch is historical in significance; it reflects the wing's mission during the Vietnam war. Present at the patching ceremony were retired Maj. Gen. L.D. Johnston, who flew as a FAC-with the 388th from Korat in 1971 and 1972, and Col. Sam retired Hollenbeck, who was the wing's deputy for operations during the Vietnam era. According to Colonel a Hollenbeck, becoming FAC-- A was an honor reserved A for the most experienced pilots. He said they were interviewed and personally selected for that mission. The same criteria were used to select the 20 pilots from today's wing, said Colonel Cabot. "This mission requires guys who can think fast on their feet," he said. "They need to be able to anae and lyze a situation think 'here's what I need to do and here's what I need to tell the other guys." Airborne forward air controllers not only can locate a target that is unseen by other forces, they also can either destroy the target or coordi-Se- e real-tim- FAC'A page B "As the leaders of the world's greatest air and space force, we share a commitment to continually seek improvement. The survey results give our leaders targets for improvement from the people who know best our Airmen," said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper. "For the survey to be a true success, leaders must now take this information and use it to focus their efforts within their organizations. I urge leaders to brief the results to their members and then translate that information into action." Out of the almost 3,000 people in the wing, just over 1 ,400 people from the wing participated in the survey, said Master Sgt. Duane Martin, 388th Fighter Wing manpower superintendent. Air Force-wid- e the survey included active duty. Reserve, Guard and nonappro-priated-fun- d civilians. More than 50 percent of the total force took the survey. "I think it's up to the leadership to take the feedback to improve Hill Air Force Base and the 388th Fighter Wing," said Sergeant Martin. The survey addressed job characteristics, unit resources, core values, supervision, unit chain of command, training and development and job enhancement. It also focused on teamwork, participation and involvement, recognition, unit flexibility, general satisfaction and unit performance outcomes. "It allows people to voice their opinions," said Sergeant Martin. The Air Force Manpower Agency's survey team worked witMexperts at the U.S. Air See Survey page D |