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Show B June 17,2004 Getting involved early can stop tragedies before they even start COMME By Maj. John What took me years to learn, I share with you. can hope What we do on and off duty impacts how we support the mission. Since I have been here we have experienced several suicides, multiple alcohol related incidents and a few serious vehicle accidents. Every Cartwright 388 Maintenance Operations Squadron commander When I was a young offi- cer, I used to think about things that I bet most Airmen have thought about at one time or another, like, "why do I care what someone does on their own time when not at work?" I hated when my leadership would tell me to get involved with my Airmen downtown and off duty. I thought, "I have my own life to worry about and things I want to do." I did not want to get involved with them and their ' lives. How wrong I was! I had really missed the big picture on what it is to be an Airman in the Air Force. It took me several years and some growing up to learn that there is more to life than just the mission; that we are truly a family both on and off duty, and involvement truly does support the mission and its success or failure. 7 "There is more to life incident has somehow disrupt- than just the mission; we are truly a family both on and off duty." ed the mission. In aircraft mishap investigation school, they teach us that in every circumstance there is a chain of events that, if broken, will stop the incident from occurring. I truly believe this is the case, but the hard part is identifying the broken link. This is where involvement corhes in. As Airmen, we are challenged to take care of our folks. This charge goes out to all Airmen, noncommissioned officers and officers. We must know our Airmen so we can identify problems before they occur. What you must do is get involved in the lives of Airmen who work for, or with, you everyday. Know what their challenges, problems, and concerns are. - Maj. John Cartwright 388th MPS commander This does not imply that you have to hang out with them all the time, or party until the cows come home, but rather identify with them and understand what they are going through, both at home and at work. Then mentor them to follow the right path to sound decisions. It also means that we are each other's wingman, no matter what shop we work in, because we are all part of the 388th FW and the Air Force. Out on the town we must take care of each other - if we see one of our own in trouble then we must rescue them and pull them out of the problem they find themselves in. On the road, we have to remember that we represent the Air Force and our way of life. One bad incident witnessed by civilians can give them the From page page A- - nate with other aircraft or ground troops to destroy the target. To qualify for the FAC-"Friday patch," pilots go through rigorous training. The minimum training requirement is 52 hours of academics and 9 airborne sorties encompassing both direct and indirect support. A large portion of the academics and airborne training is taught at the Air Ground Operations School at Nellis AFB, Nev., during the joint firepower course. The instruction there is not specific to the F- 16 but the pilots learn to communicate and inte grate with the Army and other ground troops. A i r b o r n e A conducted home at and during to exercises such A i as r Warrior i And due to the capabilities of the Block 40 on the 388th ramp, the fit F-1- of f the FAC-- Colonel Jeffrey G. Lofgren graduated from the United States Air Force Academy in 1984 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering. seemed ideal, t h e colonel said. "Our Education: 1984 - Bachelors of Science in Mechanical Engineering, USAFA, Colorado Springs, Colo. 1994 - Masters Degree in Aerospace Science Technology, Embry Riddle University, Prescott, Ariz. 2001 - National War College, Washington D.C. 2001 - Masters in National Security Strategy, National War College, Washington D.C. Assignments: 1 . 1 984, student, Columbus AFB, Miss. 2. 1985, 56 Tactical Training Wing, MacDill AFB, Fla. 3. 1986, Nellis AFB, Nev. 4. 1985, 3 14th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron, Luke AFB, Ariz. 5. 1991, 58 Tactical Training Squadron, Luke AFB, Ariz. 6. 1992, 389th Fighter Squadron, Mountain Home AFB, Idaho target ing pods and laser guided are bombs techniques learned at the tools school. The concept of an airborne forward air con troller has bandied around the Air Force for many years. The mission was done in varying degrees during Operation Desert Storm in 1991 and, more recently, during Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Lessons learned and observations during those two operations pointed out that the battlefields of today are quite different from those of the old Cold War - Biography: A mission when the pilots put into the practice A- mentor the leadership in the 388th OG to continue to grow the Air Force's future leaders. What do you think is the greatest challenge for the group? Staying sharp and ready over extended periods of time. We will have to be dedicated, focused and uphold the highest standards of professionalism and safety. To do this, it is important to develop a positive attitude towards what we do and why we do it, to ensure we maintain the best team, ready at a moment's notice to defend our nation at home and abroad. What do you enjoy doing during era when large masses of troops formed and met on a battlefield. Today's battle scene has changed too. Instead of masses of troops, the enemy can be a few individuals with a more mobile attack method. There are some unique perspectives that airborne controllers can provide to these scenarios, said Colonel Cabot. "Airborne adds quite a different dimension," he said. "In addition to providing the perspective of being airborne, we can travel far distances in little to no time." r is training Someone once said, "Never put off to tomorrow what you can do today." This is so important when it comes to being involved with the lives of our Airmen as friends, peers and subordinates. Don't let your focus on your desires, the mission, or other interest make you miss out. Remember that once the sequence is complete and the event has taken place, you don't want to be the one who says, "I should have gotten involved. Strive to be the strong link in the chain for our fellow Airmen. Sometimes all it takes is that one person to be proactive in someone's life to make a difference. It is always better to be involved in the lives of our friends, peers and subordinates than to have regrets later in life. There's no room for "what if I had....", in regards to our most sacred national resource - the Airmen. Be proactive and always remember we are a family supporting an important mission in defense of our country and we need everyone here to be successful. Changes FAC-- A From impression that all Airmen act that way. What I learned is that we are all part of the team and we have to balance the mission with people and their needs. When you take care of one, you take care of the other. Sometimes this is hard, but we have to strive for a good balance. Some ways to accomplish this are to go and see where our Airmen live and what they do during their off duty time. When you are there, ask yourself if you would like to live in their conditions, talk to them about what they are doing and how they feel about things. Then take what you learn and do something with it. Knowledge is only as good as what you do about it. One thing I have learned since I have been a commander here is that tomorrow will never come. Don't say to yourself, I will check up on them tomorrow or talk to them tomorrow. You won't. Tomorrow will be filled with different challenges and problems for you to solve or I that allow us to accurate- ly locate targets and either destroy them (with precision) or mark them tor others to destroy, he explained. While the wing isn't tasked by mission, Air headquarters for the FAC-Combat Command leaders know the capability exists here and "we expect it to be utilized in upcoming (Air and Space Expeditionary Force) deployments," Colonel Cabot said. A your spare time? I am very active with my family. My boys are active in sports, the outdoors and school; I like to be a part of that. I also enjoy stock market trading. With my new family, the men and women of the 388th OG, I look forward to participating in their various activities as part of the Team Hill. How many do you have in your family? My wife, Suzanne, is excited to be here and looks forward to getting to know all the great people here. We have three boys Blake, Ryan and Andrew and a cat Mickey. ' 7. 1994, 366th Operational Support Squadron, Mountain Home, AFB, Idaho 8. 1994, Headquarters Air Force, Pentagon, Washington D.C. 9. 1997, Osan Air Base, South Korea 10.1998, student, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala. 11.1998, 36th Fighter Squadron, Osan Air Base, South Korea 12.1999, 14th Fighter Squadron, Misawa Air Base, Japan 13. 2001, student, National War College, Washington D.C. 14. 2002, Pentagon, Washington D.C. Flight Information: Rating: Command Pilot Flight Hours: More than 2,800 Aircraft Flown: 8 Awards and decorations: Defense Meritorious Service Medal (one device) Meritorious Service Medal (three devices) Air Medal Aerial Achievement Medal (one device) Air Force Commendation Medal Joint Service Achievement Medal Combat Readiness Medal (four devices) C, T-3- 7, T-3- Published for People Like... Staff Sgt. Marchell Herrod Editorial Staff Unit: 388th Fighter Wing Col. Charlie Lyon Capt. Monica Bland Senior Airman Madelyn Job: Command chief executive Commander Chief, Public Affairs, Editor Waychoff Time in Service: 8 years Most recent accomplishment: I was recognized by the 12th Force command chief for outstanding performance. Goals: To finish my Community College of the Air Force this year, and work on my bachelor's in education. If I I degree could change one thing at Hill AFB what would it be: would add additional parking by building garages. multi-lev- el parking Air The Fi finer Comwry the HiUuvp Time. puNishrd by MorMedu. Inc.. a mpplciiKM pmate firm m no way connected with the US. Air Force, under written contract with die Ogden Air Loci Mies Center Public Affairs Office. an authorized puNtcation for menrfjei of the liS. military services. Tms commercial enterpme Air Force newspaper Contents of Fightrr Commrr are not necessarily the official views of. or endorsed by the S. Grjverninem. the Department of Defense or the Department of the An- Force. Unlets otherwise indicated, art photos are Abt Force photo. AdVertisemeno contained herem do not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense, the L'.S. Air Force of Hill AFB Everything advertised available without regard to race, color, religion, or other mximerrt factor of the purchaser, nser or patron. 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