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Show 12 H.VTrDWs MISSION. Jan. 11,1991 Crews train today, for combat tomorrow? I've ever seen. Everyone is working together as a team. We've never been more ready for combat than we are Air Force now," said the veteran. This is the second time within the span cf a year that Colonel Scott, the former 4th TFS commander, has led a compared to this," Captain Craig said. "There we knew we weren't going into combat. Everything we do here is oriented toward combat." Major Goodfellow, an instructor pilot from the 4th TFS, agreed. "Getting ordnance on target is what matters. If w e don't, 21-ye- it doesn't matter how well w e squadron into a combat zone. But, he's yet to fly a combat mission. "There's no gold stars here," he said with a grin as he tugged at his fiightsuit sleeve with six embroidered stars sewn on it. Each silver star indicates that at least r block was one hour of each flown during combat. Last December, the 4 th TFS was on temporary duty identificato Panama for an anti-drution and surveillance test when Operation Just Cause kicked off. This year, he led the 4th's Fightin Fuujins on the did in refueling," he said. The major described what he and the wing's other pilots might face as "a few minutes of sheer terror separated by hours of pure boredom." It's an expression often used by pilots. "Flying the aircraft is secondary to employing it," he explained. "It's taken for granted that you can get the aircraft where it's supposed to go." Getting ordnance on target all the while avoiding or attacking its defenses accounts for the "sheer terror." But the fear is pushed into the recesses of his mind. It has to be to survive. "In the back of my mind there's a little fear." he admitted. "That's human. The test of a person is how well he or she handles it. When I fly, I do what I'm trained to do. I'm too busy to let it override normal air-to-a- ir cial interest in the outcome. Should war be declared, they will literally bet by 1st Lt. Jennifer Fay 366th TFW Public Affairs deployed The pilot taxis to the runway and blasts into the night, his Fighting Falflame from the con spewing a afterburner. Tonight, it's just another training mission for Maj. Scott Goodfellow something he's done a thousand times before. Anytime now. it could be another story. The skills honed during this and other training missions he's flown in the past 12 years could make the difference between coming back from a successful mission and not coming back at all. It's a thought that's in the back of his mind each time he flies but even more so now. Less th;?n a week away is the Jan. 15 deadline issued by the United Nations for Iraqi troops to leave Kuwait. The outcome of Saddam Hussein's decision to withdraw or remain in Kuwaitand possibly fight against forces aligned with the Saudi Arabia arid its neighbors is of keen interest around the world. The men who will pilot the 388th in comTactical Fighter Wing's have to a spe should come it that, bat, 12-fo- multi-nation- al F-1- 6s their lives on their skills during each mission. But, facing an adversary in the air or artillery from the ground is not something they dwell on. Being shot at is "a risk I face. Sure I think about it. It keeps you alert," said Capt. Bill Craig, a pilot in the 421st Tactical Fighter Squadron. "If you don't, you're a danger to the other peoanti-aircra- ft ple around you." But, Captain Craig pointed out, barealistic training on a sis and during exercises such as Red Flag and Green Flag prepares pilots for what they could expect to face during wartime. "I feel comfortable enough with the situation to know what to expect," he said. But one thing is definitely different. "At the Utah Test and Training Range (where the 388th TFW normally trains) you know nobody is going to shoot at you. Here, that may be a different story." That difference simulated threats vs. real ones keeps the pilots focused on the mission at hand. "Other deployments we've gone on such as Ecuador and Panama were vacations day-to-da- y 500-hou- g deployment to Operation Though few of the wing's pilots have combat experience, that won't detract from their ability to fly and fight, according to Lt. Col. Alan Scott. As the assistant deputy commander for operations, he oversees both of the wing's fighter squadrons deployed here. And he likes what he sees. "We came over here ready to fight on short notice," he said. "The wing's pilots are as ready, experienced and proficient as sharpness. Today, it's training. Tomorrow, it may not be. THE GREAT AMERICAN INVESTMENT ' mm i SMIT0S for Eye Shadows, Lipsticks, Blushes Fragrances and more! at... i- - v m 1 it V4 German Restaurant I Authentic German Gourmet Cooking in Old World Atmosphere NEW PRIVATE PARTY ROOMSGIFTS SHOP Our Entrees Start at HOURS: Tues. 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