OCR Text |
Show HeadsUp June 24, 2004 Physical fitness By Col. James Robinson 419th Mission Support Group commander should be a way of life push time for a regular fitness program to the bottom o of the list. to-d- Ready or not, the new fitness program has rolled out Air Force-wid- e. No doubt you've heard about the new fitness program the past few months, and I'm sure there are mixed reactions to the changes in fitness standards. Those of you who have a regular fitness program as part of your daily routine probably aren't too concerned about the If a regular fitness changes. regime isn't part of your lifestyle, you most likely have some concerns and rightfully so. This isn't the annual three-mil- e walk that we've had in the past. It's more rigorous, but it is achievable with only a relatively minor lifestyle change to establish and stick with a regular exercise program. With the press of busy schedules, it's far too easy to However, can program have beneficial To effects. name a few: it program, maybe can Getting ready to meet the new standards won't happen If you haven't overnight. already started a regular exercise program, get started today and then stick with it. We all have busy lives, trying to meet demands of competing employers, families and the military. However, many people in high demandhigh-stres- s have discovered the benefits of a regular exercise program in dealing with stress (even the President of the United States finds time for regular exercise.). The 21st Century Air Force is expeditionary. That means deployments can be in austere locations under stressful conditions. Successfully completing the mission is much easier for a force that truly is "fit to fight." reduce incidence heart given the sig-- n disease, diai f i c a n t betes and stress; as well changes in the Air Force and as improve it's mission, funcmental the new Air tion as we age. Force fitness While the old weight and program is the Colonel Robinson fitness right thing to pro do. Take an honest look at it, gram encouraged regular physand there really aren't any negical activity, the new program atives to the new program. It pretty much demands it. For does away with the old weight those of you who, like me, and body fat program that washave had fitness low on your n't the best fitness indicator priority list, consider the new and for program a wakeup call that quite frankly, will push you to make a regureservists, did little to encourlar exercise program a priority age fitness. Additionally, there have with the goal of meeting the been numerous studies over new standards. If the the past decades that have prethealth benefits haven't been enough to get you ty much made it indisputable that even a moderate exercise started in a regular exercise IK above-mention- ed this new, ongoing evaluation of your fitness level will be the motivation you need to get kick-starte- d. General: Reserve fully engaged in war on terror aw By Maj. James R. Wilson 419th FW Public Affairs Office SALT LAKE CITY, Utah - Members of the Air Force Reserve have performed in almost every mission area within the Air Force since the terrorist attacks of 1 . That message and several others on the achievements and future challenges facing the Air Force Reserve Command were among the issues discussed June 10 at the 2004 Reserve Officer's Association Convention. "It's hard to believe it's been 33 months since Maj. Gen. John Batbie, commander of Air Force Reserve Command said. "It seems like we've been performing some of these missions which were established as a result of the attacks for a lifetime." In his "State of the Air Force Reserve" speech, the general highlighted reservists' increasing role in the Total Force while also discussing current and future challenges facing the command "We've been very busy," he said. "We've mobilized members from every unit in the Air Force Reserve" in order to meet the needs of the nation and the demands of the war on terror. Air Force Reservists have flown a multitude of combat missions into Afghanistan and Iraq demonstrating once again why the com' mand can be considered as a force of choice. "The technology associated with the LITENING II targeting pod put us one step ahead of our active-dut- y counterparts," General 9-- 11 i 1 I r ! i A-1- Reserve's strategic airlift community. "The men and women in strategic airlift have been doing a great job," said General Batbie. "Two of our wings 446th Airlift Wing, McChord Air Force Base, Wash., and 3 5th Airlift Wing, Charleston Air Force Base, S.C. provided 45 percent of the aircrews for the C-missions in Operation Iraqi Freedom. We mobilized every unit we had" as well as some of our C-- 5 units. "The KC-1- 0 and KC-13- 5 crews have provided a lot of the airlift for the 'air bridge' coming home as well," the general said. Reservists were also highly visible in special operations, combat rescue and space operations. While some reservists have already been recognized for their performance in supporting contingency operations, others have not due to the clandestine nature of their missions. "Fortunately, we're at the point now where we can begin releasing some information on the contributions of our Special Operations Forces," the general said. "You'll start to see these individuals receive due recognition for their actions very soon." The Air Force Reserve has also assumed a vital role in the Homeland Defense mission not only by flying combat air patrols, but also by providing trained security forces members to stateside and overseas locations. "I don't believe anyone ever envisioned a day when there would be a threat to our own bases," he said. "At one time or another, the Reserve has mobilized each and every one of our security forces 1 17 C-1- 9m3$ (ft AF Reserve commander selection still at Senate ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, C,a. - Maj. Gen. John A. Bradley's nomination as chief of Air Force Reserve and commander of Air Force Reserve Command continues its way through the confirmation process in Washington. D C. Maj. Gen. John J. Batbie Jr., AFRC vice Air To THE VOICE is a suggestion program established by the 419th Fighter Wing Human Relations Development Council. The program's objectives are to enhance organizational effectiveness, query leadership, solicit input on issues, and provide input on creative ways to accomplish the unit's mission. 419th members can make an input in THE VOICE by filling out a form located at the back of one of the provided mailboxes located in throughout the wing or by Major Barbara Godsey, performance planner, at barbara.godseyhill.af.mil. Once suggestions are submitted, wing officials will meet to discuss them and take action if needed. Submissions to the voice which affect a majority of wing members may be published in future issues of the HeadsUp. 8A Reserve requires individuals to have the Department Form 28 1 3 signed by their private dentist as part of their annual health assessment This form is an open checkbook for local dentists because now they will not sign them until all work on teeth is performed which includes the minor stuff. Now many reservists are backed in a comer at the mercy of the dentist which reaps significant financial rewards. Is there a way to have a dentist evaluate the condition of our teeth who does nofrhave any financial incentive? of zx All reservists are required to have a yearly dental exam. If an individual fails to complete a dental exam, he or she will eventually be put in P4 status. P4 means you can't participate in the reserve for pay or points. Members are removed from P4 status once the dental exam has been completed or the DD Form 28 1 3 has been submitted. The base clinic currently only has one dentist Reservists who do not get the DD Form signed may go to the clinic and see him for an evaluation. However, members who have a long physical scheduled maintain priority which often results in a long wait for this evaluation. , Reservists are scheduled for a short physical (dental and immunizations only) six months prior to their birthday. If members have an appointment to see their dentist during this time, they can request the short physical for the month after their dental exam. Please understand dental exams must be completed or the DD Form 2813 turned in by the month of the individual's birthday. Failure to comply with this timeframe could result in the member being placed into P4 status. If you can't afford to go to the dentist because you don't have insurance, TriCare has a dental insurance program. The cost is $9.07 a month for 419th member. If you want to enroll your family, it will be an additional cost. The website is www.ucci.com, click on the the TriCare button. . y An unusually large demand for the flu vaccine this season led to a shortage of some vaccine supplies among many civilian health care providers. I'd like to know if it's possible for the wing to donate a portion of our supply to the community only to be used for children under 12 years old. Even if the Reserve does not receive accolades for the gesture, it should be done for compassionate service. . f Batbie said. The Litening II Pod has several advantages over its predecessor the LANTIRN, including a chargcd-couple- d device camera. The result is a clear picture of targets as well a zoom capability. "Our members went one step further by putting them on 0 and 2 aircraft. We've now got aircrews dropping bombs from 35,000 feet and performing close air support missions in the The general went on to illustrate contributions made by the THE VOICE xm. The flu vaccine at Hill Air Force Base is utilized primarily for military membership either by reservists in the 419th or active-dut- y members. We usually do not have a surplus in vaccine. Should an excess exist, the Air Force is prohibited from distributing it to the off-bacommunity. Medical officials are authorized and often do provide the vaccine to Hill's civilian work force as long as individuals agree to sign a form releasing the Air Force from any liability. se Photo by Maj. James R. Wilson Maj. Gen. John Batbie, commander of Air Force Reserve command, cusses contributions reservists are making in the war on terrorism disdur- ing the Reserve Officer's Association convention in Salt Lake City June 10. units. As you might imagine, this has resulted in a great deal of tur- moil." This type of extended duty presents problems for the command as it tries to both recruit and retain members in this and other career fields. However, recruiting and retention remains one of the commands top priorities. As of the end of May, the command had enlisted approximately 89 percent of its recruiting goal (9,600 members) for Fiscal Year 2004. "We're slightly below quota now, but summer is traditionally a difficult time to gain new members into the Reserve. We expect things to pick up soon and to achieve our recruiting goal for the year," General Batbie said. The Air Force Reserve met its recruiting goal last year, enlisting 9.103 new Airmen. If successful in obtaining this year's quota, the Reserve will have achieved its goal in each of the last four years. Another strong year of recruiting will enable officials in the command to focus on other challenges in the areas of readiness and modernization. Other critical concerns facing the command, according to the general, include forecasting future funding and obligations, improving the dental readiness among reservists as well as establishing a program to ensure members are in compliance with the new fitness standards. CgesDwi) commander, is leading the command until the Senate action is complete. General Batbie became the commander when Lt Gen. James E. Sherrard III retired on June 1. "World events, such as President Ronald Reagan's funeral, have had an impact on the confirmation process," General Batbie said. "However, we expect to hear positive news soon." The chief of Air Force Reserve serves as principal adviser on Reserve matters to the Air Force chief of staff. In the dual-hrole, the AFRC commander is responsible for supervising Air Force Reserve units with more than 75,800 reservists worldwide. General Bradley was nominated by the president on May 3. Currently, General Bradley is serving as the assistant to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for Reserve Matters in the Pentagon. at Force Reserve Command Mission Statement provide Citizen Airmen to defend the United States and protect its interests through aerospace power. DEPLOYMENTS , continued from Page A times. In the last two years, 240 wing members have supported contingency operations. The impact of extended deployments on the 419th Fighter Wing's morale and its ability to attract new recruits is unclear, according to officials in the unit. Commanders are confident, however, that members will meet the challenges of being called upon once again by the nation. "We've always been able to meet our commitment for deployments in the past, said Colonel Walker. "The problem now is that deployments are occurring more often and lasting longer." Extended tour lengths are necessary to fill shortfalls in certain career fields. Airmen in these "stressed" career fields have already been extended beyond three months. In a message released June 4, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John Jumper announced that the demands on our deployable forces have not diminished and are not expected to decline for some time. In his letter, he also acknowledged the obstacles the new policy will present for Guard and Reserve members. "I recognize longer deployments will present challenges to our Reserve Component, possibly affecting the number of AFRC volunteers, and requiring selected use of Presidential mobilization authority," said General Jumper, "We will manage these matters very carefully, ensuring equity and fairness across the Total Force." The Air Force Component Commander in the Central Command area of operations requested members deploy for longer tour lengths to allow greater continuity for expeditionary commanders. General Jumper reacted to this request by directing a change to the AEF rotational cycle and asked Major Commands to expand the pool of deployable Airmen from the current level of about 272,000. The new rotational requirements are for nearly 20,000 Airmen, roughly three times the demand prior to September II, 2001. "I have never been more proud of our Air Force and of the great men and women that bring America's resolve to the doorsteps of those who would seek to inflict harm upon us and our allies," General Jumper said. "I know you are all equal to the task, and I look forward to seeing our great Air Force continue to successfully defend American values and freedoms.'' high-dema- 419th Fighter Wing Mission Statement To Fly, Fight HeadsUp Editorial content is edited, prepared and provided by the 419th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office. DEADLINE for submission of articles is 10 working days before each scheduled wing unit training assembly. Articles should be typed and double-space-d on a Ine. HeadsUp is a Reserve supplement to the Hilltop Times, published by Ogden Publishing Corp., a private firm in no way connected with the U.S. Air Force, under exclusive written contract with the Ogden ALC Public Affairs Office. This civilian enterprise Air Force newspaper is an authorized publication for Air Force Reserve members of the U.S. military services. Contents of HeadsUp are not necessarily the official views of or endorsed by the U.S. government the Department of Defense or the Air Force. and Win! 419th FW STAFF CoL Wayne F. Conroy Maj. James R. Wilson Stephanie Johns Commander Chief of Public Affairs Editor |