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Show April 11, 2002 Raptors host Fuujins, say thanks for OSS flagship Airman 1st Class Nakita Carlisle 'The purpose of Monday was By 388th Fighter Wing Public Affairs The 388th Operational Support Squadron "Raptors" organized a Family Photo day and Burger burn Monday afternoon to show its appreciation to the 4th Fighter Squadron for their generous support in getting them a flagship. The 4th FS was gracious enough to repaint the tail of one of their and allow OSS the opportunity to have a flagship, said Lt. Col. Paul Strickland, OSS commander. Monday's event brought members of the two squadrons together in front of the 4th FS hangar, where burgers, chips and drinks were served. The people attending also had the opportunity to bring their, families out and have a photo taken of them in front of their squadron's F-1- 6s jet. twofold," said Colonel Strickland. "One, to allow the OG, the wing and OSS personnel to go out and take a family photograph in front of their flagship and take a Raptor squadron photograph in front of our aircraft. Two, it was a way to say thanks to the 4th FS." "I think it was a good idea and a good way to show our appreciation to the 4th FS," said Airman 1st Class Kanisha Williams, OSS administrative apprentice and UAC president. The Raptors Unit Advisory Council played a large role, along with many others, m setting up Monday's events, from coordinating the event to providing the lunch. "I am extremely pleased about having the opportunity for the Raptors to have a flagship and I think that's important," said Colonel Strickland. "Sometimes, in my experience, the operational sup port aspect of the Air Force is not connected to the purpose; they are behind the scenes. This is one small way to give those people behind the scenes a little bit more hands-o- n attachment to the operational side of it. "Some programs we use, like the incentive rides and familiarization rides, unfortunately happen in ones and twos and to individuals; they are great motivators and incentive, but there is something to be said for a squadron to understand that they have their fingerprints on a specific airplane and that's very, very important." People throughout OSS and the wing were glad to have the opportunity to have photos taken of themselves, and their families. "Since I am not part of a fighter squadron and have never been a part of one, I am thankful that we are getting the opportunity to take a photo in front of the jet, because I ' ,, jr. yL. VCJtm' v Photo By Airman 1st Cass I L,rMM (Left) Staff Sgt. LaRue Holliday, 388th Fighter Wing Information management, and Airman 1st Class Adrian Viveros, 388th Operational Support Squadron Intelligence systems administator, grab lunch at the Burger Bum Monday afternoon. never had the chance to before," said Airman Williams. Monday's events lasted from noon to 4 p.m. to allow time for individuals and families to have their pho tos taken. Photographs, Matthew Sgt. Communication Staff 75th Squadron base taken by Lohr, photographer, were free. Show of support Airborne continued from Page B 1998, wasn't totally committed to either plan at this point, he admits, but "the flight swayed me." So bright and early on Monday, March 1 8, the duo took off into clear skies, a small U.S. flag tucked away with the colonel's flight gear. As the 6 headed toward the Utah Test and Training Range, the colonel cleared the communications channel and held up the flag. Airman Taylor recited the oath of enlistment going about 350 miles an hour over the west desert of Utah. Then the fun began. "The best part of the flight was when we completely rolled over and did loops," said the new reenlistee. The hour and a half long flight was a training flight for the colonel but a totally new experience for the airman. "We were the 'enemy' and (the other aircraft in the area) attacked us and we were 'killed.' Then we went to the range and dropped bombs," said Airman Taylor. "It was awesome pulling G's -I've never felt anything like that before," he said. The experience was memorable for Colonel Young as well. "It was definitely a high point for me to F-1- - reenlist someone flying in an aircraft I love," he said. "I was kind of concerned about how he would feel while we were flying but he was psyched the whole time." The incentive flight ended all too quickly for Airman Taylor. "I didn't realize the time (we were in the air). I was having fun out there." When the ship returned to the 388th Fighter Wing ramp here, Airman Taylor and Colonel Young signed the reenlistment paperwork on the fuel pod tank of the aircraft. At least one member of Airman Taylor's family shared his excitement about the flight. "My mom thought I was crazy (to reenlist in the aircraft) but my dad was all for it," he explained. "I called my parents after I flew. Dad wanted the whole scoop. My parents wanted me to reenlist. They didn't want me to enlist originally but now they wanted me to." Airman Taylor, who recently for his Aerospace deployed Expeditionary Force tasking, is giving four more years to the Air Force. "I'm doing my part," he said. "I'm not actually working on the aircraft but the information part of (the Air Force mission). Deployed airmen get treats from kids By Tech. Sgt. Sortja C.R. Whittington 388th Fighter Wing Public Affairs A conversation over the dinner table turned into sweet reminders of home for 388th Fighter Wing expeditionary combat support deployers in March. Although the 421st Fighter Squadron had its scheduled Aerospace Expeditionary Force deployment cancelled so it could support Operation Noble Eagle, more than 30 people from the wing were still tasked to provide combat support to Operation Southern Watch for AEF 1. These individual taskings were for one or two people at a time to go to locations covering the spectrum of OSW locations. Maj. Sam Shaneyfelt, 388th Operations Support Squadron, was explaining this to his family when his daughter Kristen got an idea. She wanted to send a bit of home to these individuals. So she spearheaded a campaign at her school, Uintah Elementary in South Ogden, to gather candy and send it to the people from her father's unit who were away from home for Easter. With support from their teachers, the 128 6th graders met the challenge and donated about 25 pounds of candy to the deployed Warriors. Students also wrote letters to the airmen away from home. Master Sgt. Timothy Brown from the 388th Operations Support Squadron mobility office provided Major Shaneyfelt the names of each individual from the 388th Fighter Wing deployed to the desert. Each person received a package from the schoolchildren. The packages from home brought a touch of care to the lonely airmen. "You are helping us in more ways than you can imagine," Staff Sgt. Jerry Pickham wrote in a letter to the schoolchildren. "Keep up the good work, and thank you, from the bottom of my heart for all of your letters and goodies." "TD. J' Photo by Tech. S0. Sona Whittington Maj. Sam Shaneyfelt thanks the 6th grade class from Uintah Elementary School in South Ogden on behalf of the deployed of candy troops from the 388th Fighter Wing for the and letters they sent More than 30 people from the wing are currently deployed to Operation Southern Watch. Quality of Life Continues from Page A "The overall project took about eight weeks to complete," The overall feeling was that if everyone wanted it bad enough, we would find a way to make it happen, said Sergeant Thomas. said Sergeant Thomas. "The workers had to replace 22,000 The perfect time to remodel finally came around October of square feet of carpet, along with repainting all the walls and 2001 when the squadron had its Aerospace Expeditionary moving furniture. It was a big undertaking." d It took quite a while to get the furniture in, said Sergeant Force deployment rotation. About of the squadron deployed to Kuwait, leaving a skeleton crew to work, said Thomas, because the furniture couldn't be ordered until Sergeant Thomas. With only a skeleton crew working, the October, the new fiscal year. offices were emptier, making remodeling an easier job. The 729th ACS received a $300 check for winning the third The remaining workers, to make the job easier, were split place quality of life award for January to March. into shifts. Some worked during the day; others worked nights "Although it's nice to get recognized for doing this, we're not doing this for the awards," said Sergeant Thomas. "This is or weekends. Each different office remodeled its own section. The remodsomething that needed to get done, and something we plan on eling started with removing the old furniture, which they gave continuing in the future. We just feel like it's a good thing to do for our people." to the defense Reutilization Management folOffice, then the tearing up old carpet If "Right now our building is so small, lowed by repainting the walls. we're rapidly running out of space for all the people we have, but, if we had to, we During the remodeling there was only officer for about would knock down walls to make our peoone 20 airmen, and a bare office with only ple more comfortable," said Colonel Xavier. "Right now we're using temporary two computers, said Airman Klatt, but and the in in our tech pad to help accommo offices got job everyone really pitched done. date everyone." "There were some people who without Mdst squadron members said they -- Lt. Col. Francis Xavier were happy with the change. 729th Air Control Squadron their help this project wouldn't have har "You could just feel the difference commander pened," said Sergeant Thomas. "Staff Sgt. the in said walked when you room," Jimmy Navarro, Master Sgt. Tom Airman Klatt. "It felt more open and welcoming, and it had a Cimenski, Senior Master Sgt. Eddie Kalil and Staff Sgt. Robert more vibrant atmosphere. Before, people felt this facility was- - McCord worked long hours to make this happen, and were n't really getting any attention. really the ones who organized the whole project. "But everyone did a wonderful job and really made this "The change made me feel like the squadron really cared Airman Klatt. said "I was more motivated squadron look great," he said. about the workers," As for the future, the 729th ACS doesn't have any more big about coming to work." office said a in the renovation The morale improved quite bit, Sergeant projects planned. "We just want to keep our workers comfortable," said Colonel Xavier. Thomas. People were feeling less cramped and more motivated. Workers seemed to feel better about what they were doing The squadron's goal is to continue upgrading their equipand where they were working. The new furniture also helped ment and do what it takes to keep their workers comfortable, he said. with efficiency in work tasks. one-thir- we had to, we would knock down walls to make our people more comfortable The candy and letters made a huge impact with the deployed troops from here. "I was really starting to feel a loss of motivation," said one deployed airman in an electronic message to the students. "But knowing that others back home really look up to what you do really makes a big difference. I really feel like I have a clearer perspective. That is priceless and I can not thank them enough. I am proud to know that I made someone feel protected." CAREERS retraining program By Tech. Sgt. Sonja C.R. Whittington 388th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Career Airmen Reenlistment Reservation System allows first-terairmen to retrain into skills where a shortage exists. Airmen stationed in the continental United States can apply no earlier than the first duty day of the month in which they complete 35 months of their current enlistment (59 months for enlistees) but no later than the last duty day of the 43rd month of their current enlistment (67 months for enlistees). Airmen stationed overseas may apply between the 15th and 9th month before their expected date to return from overseas and will enter the 35th month of service (59th for enlistees) and who will enter the 35th month of service on or before their expected date to return from overseas. The Quality Retraining Program board for selection of retraining is conducted the third week of every month. Approvals can take up to a week to update. All applicants not selected will remain as pending or cancelled (if not selected after three boards) in the system. For more information on CAREERS retraining, see Air Force Instruction Chapter 3. m ar ar ar 36-262- 6, |