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Show April Sergeant retires, continues tradition of focusing on family COMMANDERS continued from pg. A He has ccuTimanded the 419th Civil Engineer Squadron. Squadron and the 419th Mission Support Squadron. Maj. Mark Pantone replaces Colonel Dalpias as commander of the 419th CLSS and returns to the organization w here he began his Reserve career. He joined the 419th CLSS as a maintenance officer in 1996. After two years of learning the aircraft maintenance trade, he was promoted to the Chief of Maintenance position with the unit "The men and women in CLSS are a great group of by Senior Airman Lara Gale 419th FW Public Affairs Office By the time Master Sgt. Mel Ahrens' son and daughter were ready to head out into the world, they knew how to fly fish, they knew how to shoot guns and hoops, they knew how to get a stick shift up a hill, and they knew they wanted to be in the Air Force. When Sergeant Ahrens retired from his position with the 419th Logistics Group March 23, Staff Sgt Denise Flory and her brother Capt. David Ahrens wanted to make sure he was for the military career that helped them shape their lives. "It's been 30 year more than 30 years," Sergeant Flory said. "He definitely deserves this." She and her brother arranged for a U.S. flag to be flown over Lackland Air Force Base, Texas and another over the capitol in Washington, D.C., symbolizing the opening and closing of their father's career. At the ceremony itself. Captain Ahrens secured the Meritorious Service Medal to Sergeant Ahrens' uniform after Sergeant Flory read the citation, and remained on the stage to return his father's final salute. Sergeant Ahrens wasn't expecting anything but a ceremony, but the Ahrens' kids have always brought pleasant surprises, he said. As the young Ahrens grew up, Sergeant Ahrens and his wife stayed busy supporting their children's interests soccer, riding in horse shows, fly fishing, camping. They always excelled, he said. But through it all, the military tradition was always an undercurrent in their lives. Sergeant Flory said. "We knew he loved it, we could see that," she said. She remembers family day, and Captain Ahrens remembers being fascinated with his dad's shop when he was brought for a visit. It was the subtle experiences that left the most lasting impressions, Sergeant Flory said. 4, 2002 professionals with incredible capability, said Major Pantone. "The CLSS has a distinct and powerful culture and a unique mission Aircraft Battle Damage Repair which encompasses several logistical functions such as maintenance, supply, and transportation. This combination provides tremendous capability to the wing and gaining commands." Major Pantone is also a native of Ogden, Utah. He spent three years as an enlisted member with the Utah Air National Guard before earning his commissioh in 1984. His first assignment was as an air weapons control officer with the 106th Tactical Control Squadron in Salt Lake City. Following a stint with the 922nd Civil Engineer Squadron at Offutt Air Force Base. Neb,, he transferred to the 466th Civil Engineer Squadron at McChord Air Force Base, Wash. Maj. Cathy Bullard moved into the top position with the 419th LSS after having spent the past 14 months as chief of the 419th Services Flight. "I'm very excited about the challenge I'll have leading a bigger unit and leading a unit in the logistics group," said Major Bullard. "I'm looking forward to getting to know each person personally and learning their goals and expectations." Photo by Randy Lyons Though new to the logistics business. Major Bullard is fast at work learning the mission and gauging the health of the squadron. Her initial impression is a favorable one. "I've talked to a lot of people about the LSS, and everything I've heard is good," said the major. "I know they're a cohesive group who know their jobs well and succeed when faced with a challenge." Major Bullard graduated from the University of Florida where she also earned a commission from the school's at Luke ROTC program. She spent four years on active-dut- y, Air Force Base as an adjutant, scheduler and training officer. The Portsmouth, Va., native served as the executive officer for the 466th Fighter Squadron from 1991-199For the next six years, she worked as the executive officer, port Capt. David Ahrens pins the Meritorious Service Medal on his father, Master Sgt. Mel Ahrens, during a retirement ceremony March 23. "I remember when he got back from Turkey one time, he told us about the people there and their way of life," she said. "I just remember thinking, wow. This is something that happens in the world. And I think it did change the way I saw things." By the time she was 19, it changed her perspective enough she made the decision to join, waved to her parents, and headed to basic training. Capt. Ahrens, 5 years her senior, was well into his career by then; he started planning his way into an ROTC scholarship before he hit high school. The avionics shop is still decorated with pencil-sketc- h artwork of airplanes he gave previous wing commander Brig. Gen. Forrest Winebarger in thanks for a letter of recommendation that helped secure him the scholarship. Now both work in intelligence shops in different states, and when their parents run around for them now, it's usually for a promotion or an award ceremony. Their grandfather served in the Army Air Corps in World War II, so the military line in the Ahrens family now spans three generations. "Who knows w hat your kids are going to do when they get older," said Sergeant Ahrens. "I feel very fortunate. I'm proud this is what they chose. I don't think I could be more prouder of two people in the world." 4. mortuary affairs officer and communications squadron commander for the 940th Air Refueling Wing at Beale Air Force Base, Calif. 419th units contribute to Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom missions by Senior Airman Lara Gale 419 FW Public Affairs Office Security Forces, firefighters and aerial porters from the 419th Fighter Wing are among the nearly 82,000 Reserve and National Guard members currently on active duty supporting Operations Noble Eagle and Enduring Freedom stateside and overseas. The entire 419th Security Forces Squadron and roughly 20 firefighters from the 419th Civil Engineer Squadron were mobilized in early October. They've been deployed on a nearly continual basis ever since mostly within the United States where they're augmenting active-dut- y units at Air Combat Command bases that have members deployed overseas. Deployments have sent members of the 419th SFS to three stateside locations since October. In between deployments, most of the squadron supports the 75th Security Forces Squadron at Hill Air Force Base. Taskings through the end of 2002 will send some overseas in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Others will deploy to U.S. bases supporting the homeland defense mission under Operation Noble Eagle, according to Senior Master Sgt. Adam Barber, 419th Security Forces Squadron combat intelligence specialist. He and a skeleton crew keep track of the squadron at the 419th managing the deployments, helping with dependent needs, and handling pay, promotions, training, and other administrative duties. nferacfive technology replacing FormFlow WASHINGTON The program Air Force people use to fili out electronic forruS on computers has been around since the early 1 v 990s, but it will soon be a thing of the past The conversion is scheduled to begin in July with the 100 most commonly used forms, By year's end, about 14,000 forms used by Air Force people in nearly a dozen functional areas will be converted, though officials expect it will take nearly five years to realize the full potential of the conversion. "FormFlow was technology when it was was old the but proprietary; you couldn't add system implemented, Ms. said customize it," to it or Carolyn Watkins-Taylo- r, Air Force the of director Departmental Publishing Office at D.C. Force Air Base, Boiling "When we looked at FormFlow technology, we realized it "We always knew was obsolete," said Ms. Watkins-Taylo- r. that we were heading toward something more database-interacti." and something more The new format will have expanded options for getting said. Within and giving information, Ms. Watkins-Taylo- r boxes on the form information the system, the automated like the to source a information of will link automatically In the what sees customer on the datiba.se. cases, a Web or many but will instead like a be a series of look not will form, screen state-of-the-- ve Web-based- prompts. The language the program is written in. has a small enough footprint it can be used with pagers and personal data assistants. Forms can be Silled out on these und uploaded to the Internet later, making the technology portable for the office, flightline or battlefield. Building a form like a staff summary sheet or performance report will be easier because the formatting will be built in. The user will simply respond to prompts. The system will automatically forward the application to other users for their review and digital signatures. Public key interface technology will assure security by encrypting the signatures. "Morale is very high," said Maj. Jeff Nusser, 419th Security Forces Squadron commander. "Their enthusiasm has exceeded greatest expectations." Senior Airman Naomi Miller, 419th Security Forces Fire Team member, is in a rare situation. She recently joined the Air Force Reserve and graduated from Security Forces technical school this past winter. After graduating from technical school, she immediately received orders calling her to active duty. "It's nice to be a part of it," said Airman Miller. "It's nice to know you're making a difference in some way." 419m firefighters have also joined the list of Reserve Command members who have been mobilized. The firefighters have been supporting Shaw AFB, S.C. and Ellsworth AFB, S.D. since October, said Maj. Randy Hill, commander of the 419th CES. Some of these reservists have since deployed overseas with the remainder expected to go soon. Both squadrons have been working to smooth out kinks inherent to mobilization, and offering support and keeping communication flowing between families and their deployed loved-one- s. "The important thing is the job is being done," said Major Hill. "Demonstrating their true selflessness and professionalism, our firefighters answered the call without hesitation." "We didn't have any trouble with our people reporting after they received the call, he added. "Many of our firefighters expressed to me that they wanted to be a part of the war effort. They felt it was their duty to be out there." Those aren't the only 419th FW units to be mobilized in recent . months. The 67th Aerial Port Squadron sent volunteers to augment the 75th ABW immediately after the Sept. 1 1 attacks and help send out a search and rescue team. Since then, a fluctuating crew of never fewer than 10 volunteers has handled more than 13.5 million pounds of cargo in support of the war effort. Some have been on active duty since late limit September and are hoping to get orders extended past the 270-da- y for Reserve members on volunteer status. Even members of the 419th military personnel flight were activated. So far, two administrative specialists have been activated and are serving at ML Home AFB, Id. The Reserve has been an integral part of the war effort, said Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz at a breakfast meeting with the Reserve and Guard Caucus early in March, w here he thanked Guard and Reserve members for their participation in the war effort. "It's a fact that we couldn't do what we have done in this campaign against terrorism so far and what we will have to continue to do for some time to come without our citizen soldiers," he said. "Looking to the future, one of our major priorities is to transform our forces to meet the threats of the 21st Century. And as we look to the future, there is no question we will continue to depend on the Reserve Component forces." Pentagon considers changes to Combat Air Patrols A WASHINGTON changed "vastly security environment" is behind proposed changes to the combat air patrols of Operation Noble Eagle, Defense Department officials said March 18. "What we are looking at is a different mix of combat air patrols, strip alerts and those sorts of things that will change and adapt as circumstances change and adapt," said Pentagon spokeswoman Torie Clark. Ms. Clark stressed the plan is not yet finished, but defense officials were compelled to consider changes that have been put in place since the Sept. 11 attacks. She said the new federal Office of Homeland Security now coordinates many aspects of protection. This includes better security at airports and things like hardened cockpit doors. "The overall picture is changing, and it is appropriate to take a look at the combat air patrol and say, 'What's appropriate at different times?'" she said. North American Aerospace Defense Command officials said that since Sept. 11 pilots have flown more than 19,000 CAP sorties. There are 13,000 military personnel involved and 250 aircraft available on any day supporting this effort. Defense officials said the cost of the combat air patrol' program from Sept. 11 through the end of January was slightly over $500 million. Joint Staff spokesman Brig. Gen. John Rosa said that since Sept. 11, the combat air patrol program has been a tiered effort that is, planes were flying missions, other 'planes 'were on strip alert, and others were at various levels of readiness. Defense officials "made it a point to never tell folks where we're going to be or when we're going to be there," he said. "It only makes common sense." General Rosa said that based on the security improvements, the department is proposing another tiered approach of combat air patrols, random patrols and strip alerts. "Exactly what those tiers are and where they are going to be and what's going to happen" are things that remain to be decided, he said. Air Force Reserve members could be affected by the changes to Operation Noble Eagle taskings. Reserve assets are among the 120 fighter aircraft currently providing homeland defense at 26 locations throughout the United States. Maintainers and pilots from the 419th Fighter Wing are no strangers to the CAP missions having conducted k numerous sorties in support of Noble Eagle for a the Christmas Forces period during holidays. (American Press Service contributed to this article) two-wee- Plane's pilot sends note WASHINGTON Pentagon spokeswoman Torie Clarke did not expect to get a note from the plane's pilot while flying back to Washington after giving a speech in Los Angeles recently. "Nice to have you on board," the pilot wrote. "I work at headquarters for the Air Force as the crisis action team duty officer. Just finished duty yesterday as a reservist. I'm working about 15 to 18 days per month for the military, which is keeping me pretty busy, a small price to pay for keeping our way of life secure." It was signed, "Capt. Rich Lepman from United Airlines. Or, Lt. Col. Rich Lepman from the U.S. Air Force Reserve." During a meeting in the Pentagon in March, Clarke said the note reminded her of the incredible job the National Guard and Reserve are doing in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Operation Noble Eagle, the stateside homeland security effort. Ms. Clarke said 79,000 Guard and Reserve members have been activated to date and are now providing a variety of critical services. "They are serving in Afghanistan. They are serving in Guantanamo Bay. They are working here at home," Ms. Clarke told reporters. "We reafly appreciate what they do. We appreciate the support they get from their employers and their families, and we just wanted to thank them." |