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Show Supplement to the Hilltop Times B AFB, Utah Hill 84056-541- 0 Volume 17 Number 11, November 21. 2001 B Spending time with the younger people iNewslinecH 1 B Promotions The following wing members have been promoted to the rank indicated. To chief master sergeant: Kerry Robbins. To master sergeant: Darran Bragg, Bart Campbell, Jon Christensen, Catherine Clifford, Ronald Diedrich, Terrie Gould, Kevin Parsons, George Romero, William Siegel, and Doran B Olympic pins The last series of 419th Fighter Wing Olympic pins are now available. Only 1,000 were made of this series and it has an aircraft along with the 419th FW patch and Salt Lake City Olympic F-1- ;3yiribor , . aircraft There are a few of the 6 All well. are as left pins pins Olympic $7 each and can be purchased through Chief Master Sgt. Marva Harper, 419th FW Command Chief Master Sgt. Chief Master Sgt. Harper's office is located in Building 593, Room 105 or call her at F-1- 775-242- 6. B Employment law Reservists who are called to active duty to assist in the campaign against terrorism will have a job to go home to when their; tour of duty ends. The Uniformed Services Employment and Rights Act gives active and reserve members the right to go back to the job they held prior to fulfilling their military duty. The National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve provides representatives who mediate issues between military members and their civilian employers. ESGR staff members can be reached at (801) 584-43- or 88 96th.esgrusarec-emh2.army.mi- by at l. Members of the' 419th FW who are mobilized may also contact the unit's ESGR liaison, Chief Master Sgt Marva Harper at with any issue concerning re775-242- 6, employment. B Scholarship Air Force Reserve Command's Top 3 Association is accepting applications for a $500 college scholarship. The scholarship, by the United States Automobile Association, is open to enlisted members in pay grades E-- 8 and below as well as their families. Applicants, or the sponsors in the case of family members who apply, must be in good standing with the Reserve. Students must be enrolled during the current semester or quarter in an associate's, bachelor's or master's degree program at a regionally accredited college or university and have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or above. For more information, contact Senior Master Sgt. Joe Miller at commercial (478) 0 or DSN 327-024- 497-024- 0. B Olympic volunteers The 419th FW Public Affairs Office would like to get the names of wing members who are helping out in any of the 2002 Olympic events. If you have been chosen to carry the Olympic torch or as a volunteer for the Olympics, please contact Capt James Wilson or Stephanie Johns at 777-2713. L V Smith. To technical sergeant: Lance Degraw, Aaron Hafer, Jeffrey Hartman, Richard Harms, Michael Holmes, Devin Jones, Jason Moss, Allen Phillips, Richelle Williams and Michelle Williamson. To staff sergeant: Brian Green and Sally Fong. To senior airman: Kaycee Anderson, Rachel Anderson, Joshua Boucher, Carl Bowers, Jr., Joshua Brandt, Scott Dansie, Jayson Householder, Jenny Johnson, Justin Keck, Teresa KiUen, Jeffrey Kimbro, Jason Leek, Terran Long, Andrew Mahana, Stepphania Mahdi, Justin Maughan, Anita Merrill, Lovisa Nelson, Jason. Rasmussen, Ricardo Rivera, Ivanosky Robleto, Ariana Rodriguez, Richard Ruesch, Charles Russell, Michael Sizemore, David Michelle Sweatland, Walkenhorst, Sean Whitedandoy, and Justin Young. To airman first class: Blayde Crocket, Daniel Hunter, and Mathew Muir. 'VvV v During a 419th Family Support Group meeting for family members of deployed reservists, Maj. Jeff Nusser, Forces 419th Security Squadron commander, visits with the children of a reservist from the 419th SFS. Their father was activated during the Presidential call-uon October 24. The children, starting from left, Matt, Katy and Joseph, attended the support group meeting with their mother Sheri. p 3 Photo by Stephanie Johns President calls up members of the 419th Fighter Wing when transitioning to the leadership Expeditionary Aerospace Force are already paying big dividends in preparing family members for deployments. "The spouses have been awesome," said Maj. Jeff Nusser, 419th Security Forces Squadron commander. "They were as prepared as anyone could be for what will likely be a long-terdeployment. Some folks had to resolve last minute details concerning finances and legal . by Capt. James R. Wilson 419th FW Public Affairs Office President Bush called approximately 70 members of the 419th Fighter Wing to active duty on Oct. 24 to aid in the nation's campaign against terrorism. The call-u- p affected roughly 50 members of the 419th Security Forces Squadron and 20 members from the 419th Civil Engineer Squadron. As part of the mobilization process, the reservists were transferred administratively from Air Force Reserve Command to Air Combat Command. After the tasking order reached wing officials, members of each squadron were notified to report to the base within 24 hours and were sent to unspecified locations shortly m "They'll do what they're asked to do until the job is done. I'm sure the holidays are going to be difficult for both the reservists and their families. But we're a tight bunch and we'll be able to cope." thereafter. "Our nation has a history of Citizen Airmen stepping up and answering the nation's call to duty," said Lt. Col. James Robinson, 419th Support Group commander. "These reservists--lik- e many before them are doing something about the problems our country is facing." To succeed in their mission, mobilized reservists will need the support of their families, civilian employers and members of the unit left behind. "Previous mobilizations have taught us the importance of employer and family readiness initiatives," said Colonel Robinson. "Our employers directly support our combat readiness as well. They've made significant sacrifices to enable our members to serve in the past and continue to do so today." Programs implemented by the wing's - Maj. Jeff Nusser, 419th Security Forces Squadron commander arrangements, but these issues were all worked out." One of the more difficult aspects surrounding this mobilization is the fact that no one knows exactly how long the reservists will be on active duty. Under the terms of a partial mobilization, reservists can be called to active-dut- y for anywhere from a few weeks to as much as 24 months. "We're willing to contribute as long as we're needed," said Major Nusser. "We've been called to active duty for one year and understand we may be extended for another year. Of course, there's always a chance we could come home Right now, early if our work is complete. everyone is prepared to serve the full year and more if necessary." In all probability, the mobilization will have 419th reservists serving their country through the holidays away from hearth and home. "They'll do what they're asked to do until the job is done," said Major Nusser. I'm sure the holidays are going to be difficult for both the reservists and their families. But we're a tight bunch, and we'll be able to cope." The civil engineers who were deployed were also focused and ready for any mission that comes their way. "Their spirits are high," said Maj. Randy Hill, 419th Civil Engineer Squadron commander. "They're ready to do their duty and to defend their country and loved ones against the terrorist threat. Most of the members reported with family members so they could keep them informed and spend some precious time together before they were mobilized." He viewed this mobilization as a signal for other members who are filling mobility positions throughout the wing. "This tasking tells our members that we had all better be ready to be called," he said. "When the call comes, there's very little time to get your affairs in order if you're not prepared. It's our as past generations of Americans have duty-j- ust answered the call-- to defend our way of life for ourselves, our families, and future generations of this great country." The last time the Reserve underwent a partial mobilization was Jan. 18, 1991, during Operation Desert Storm, when more than 265,0(X) Guard and Reserve members were activated. Payroll deductions beginning for delinquent travel cardholders by Capt. James R. Wilson 419th FW Public Affairs Office Air Force has approved measure which will finance officials from the 419th Fighter Wing to begin involuntary payroll deductions against members who allow their travel card account to become delinquent. The In October, the Defense Finance and Accounting Service began involuntary payroll deductions for almost 8,000 Air Force people who are more than 120 days delinquent on their government travel charge card accounts. This new measure is intended to curb late payments and prevent credit card misuse. "By and large, 419th members who place charges on the government travel card pay their bills on time," said Ms. Ilene Before any payroll deduction Financial begins, Bank of America will 419th Brown, Management Analyst, "However, notify each cardholder, once an we do have some account reaches 90 members whose " The preferred option days past due, and accounts are not in offer them one of two is for delinquent is This good standing. cardholds to pay their options to settle the fair that account voluntarily. warning balances off in full. further action is being Members who cannot the If account taken against those pay off their accounts balance remains past due, Bank of America can begin making abusing the system." less than will send one final Currently, monthly payments to five percent of 419th letter to the debtor the bank through the cardholders have which states unless payroll deduction delinquent accounts. payment is received system." with 30 days, salary However, those unpaid balances translate into - Ms. Ilene Brown, 419th offset will almost 14 percent of Financial Management commence. the total money owed "The Analyst preferred to Bank of America by for is option 419th members being in arrears. delinquent cardholders to pay their "That number is simply too balances off in full," said Ms. Brown. "Members who cannot high," said Ms. Brown. pay off their accounts can begin making monthly payments to the bank through the payroll deduction system." These deductions, up to 15 percent of a person's disposable income, will help Bank of America recoup the millions of dollars that cardholders owe on their past due accounts, said Michael Weber, Air Force Travel Card Program manager at the Pentagon. "Last month alone, Bank of America wrote off $161,000 from delinquent Air Force cardholders," Weber said. By voluntarily settling a past due account, Bank of America will permit the cardholder to restore their government travel charge See Bank, cont'd on page B 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. )PY |