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Show Sptmbr c 19. 2002 POWs, missing heroes show true meaning of patriotism By Gen. Hal M. Hornburg Commander, Air Combat Command LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. -- Friday, Sept. 20, is National POWMIA Recognition Day, a time for us to pay special tribute to all Americans who were taken prisoner of war or are missing in action. On that day we reaffirm our commitment to those still missing and renew our pledge to make every effort to obtain the answers to their fate. We can do no less for these American heroes and their families. We owe these men and women a debt of our most sincere gratitude. We have an obligation to remember their courage, their determination and their valiant that define our w ay of life. We can never repay the debt principles they fought to those principles maintain - patriotism. By their actions, they showed us the true meaning of dedication to duty and self-sacrific- e. But remembrance alone is not enough. It is our sacred duty to honor and uphold the Security forces protect fiightline we owe history's brave men and women; but we can, and must, continue to honor their memories and their families for the tremendous sacrifices they've made for this nation. Our nation relies on us to defend its liberty. We are powerful and we are prepared. We will never let this great nation be intimidated, The cost of freedom Remains high; it's a price that has been paid in the blood of America's soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen. Despite this staggering cost, however, we must persevere to forever ensure the sacrifices made by these noble men and w omen were not in vain. On every day, I encourage you to remember and honor our POWs and our fellow warriors w ho are still unaccounted for. They deserve our deepest reverence and thanks for all they have sacrificed for this country and for our freedom. (Courtesy ofACC News) New programs speed information to warfighter By Capt. Amie Brockway Air Combat Command Public Affairs LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. - Access to accurate target information is something every warfighter wants. Some recently tested Air Force programs will ensure they get just that - only faster. These initiatives were tested at the Joint Expeditionary Force Experiment 2002, held at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., in August. JEFX '02 made great headway on many programs that will speed information to the warfighter, said Lt. Gen Tom Hobbins, 12th Air Force commander and joint air and space forces component commander for JEFX '02. The JFACC is the commander of air and space forces from all U.S. military services involved in a conflict. JEFX '02 allowed testers to examine the kill chain, which is the ability to find, fix, track, target, engage and assess targets. They were looking for faster ways to get the right information to those who need it. One involved the location of people and resources in the air and space operations center, where people plan all the air and space operations for a conflict. Planners also studied the incorporation of space assets like satellites in the decision-makin- g process, giving the JFACC direct control over space assets. One of the biggest successes at JEFX came when planners found they could shorten the time needed to move from the "fix" to the "target" portion of the kill chain. . "The time we fixed the location of a target, which was to the time we gained moving and minutes. approval to strike it was reduced to single-dig- it Allied Force it During Operation (in 1999), would take several hours from finding the target to striking it. -- 9 -- sensor-to-shoot- S3 V - f r I - " . - - 1 , - . -- . l ' - - ' , , ,.'V.'.-- - - i i . . - V . fft er sensor-to-shoot- 'v, .1 .iA.' " K ' w ' ' . t, . - J.':: ' 4, n - l'r- '' v ,.4 - time-sensitiv- .nwT Pftoto (y Airman Madetyn Waychotf Snior Airman Daryl Dinner, 75th Security Forces, practices handcuffing an "Intruder" on the 388th Fighter Wing ramp, while Airman 1st Class David Jensen, 75th SF, stands guard. Security forces keep watch over the fiightline 24 hours a day, every day of the year, taking on the job of protecting the equipment, planes and the lives of airmen. er e, See Program page D Motorcycle safety course required for all riders By Senior Airman Naklta Carlisle 388th Fighter Wing Public Affairs You're riding down the highway on your motorcycle, and you notice a potentially dangerous situation. What do you do? How do you avoid getting into an accident? The Air Force requires all Air Force military personnel who operate a motorcycle (on or off duty, on or off a Department of Defense installation) are required to attend or to have attended an approved motorcycle rider safety course. New riders take a beginners course before they ever take a motorcycle out on the road. Where as, the more experienced riders take an Experienced Riders Course. "Colonel Stephen Hoog, 388 FW commander has established the policy that all 388 FW personnel who complete the Basic Riders Course attend the Experienced Riders Course within six to 12 months," said Master Sgt. Joan Behrend, 388th FW safety superintendent The BRC is taught locally by Utah Rider Education in Ogden and at the Salt "Lake Community College in Salt Lake City and the ERC is taught on base twice a month to base personnel from April through Oct During the ERC taught on base by Terry Olsen, Ogden Air Logistics Center Safety Office motorcycle training coordinator, students refresh their skills, learn on how to react to hazardous situations and identify bad habits they might have developed over the years. "Forty:three members from the wing during the months of April through August this year went through the training," said Sergeant Behrend. The ERC is taught every other Friday. The course is broken into two parts, four hours each. In the morning, riders learn the different aspects about a motorcycle, why it does what it does, what motorcycle basics and capabilities. They also learn about requirements and regulations, strategies to overcome dangerous situations and the limitations of the rider and motorcycles. Also the instructor compares Utah laws and regulations with those of the military. During the afternoon riders get a hands-o- n learning experience to the proper way to handle a motorcycle, balance, brakes and turns. Also, instructor correct any bad habits riders may have. "We teach people hazard awareness, mishap awareness and attitude adjustment" said Mr. Olsen, who has been teaching motorcycle safety for 21 years. "We want to make sure these people come home at night" But not everything can be learned in a classroom, Mr. Olsen said. "The things an instructor can't teach is experience and common sense." As some riders may already know Utah does not have a helmet law. "However," Sergeant Behrend said, "if you are in the military you must wear a helmet on or off base, driver or passenger period!" During the 101 Critical Days of Summer 2002, eight airmen lost their lives to motorcycle accidents, more than doubling the three deaths during the 101 Critical Days of Summer 2001 . The goal of the motorcycle courses is to reduce the number of tragedies through education and awareness. "Riding a motorcycle is a risk but an acceptable risk," said Mr. Olsen. "Just remember, before you get on your motorcycle ask yourself if you're ready to go. Are you ready to ride?" For more information on motorcycle safety contact the 388th FW safety office at or the Utah Rider Education in Ogden at or the Salt Lake Community College at 777-34- 02 957-392- 2, 394-656- 4. Wanted: Wing coin design 1' V'- 1' 'Uiyfc,. - The 388th Fighter Wing is offering an opportunity for airmen to exercise their creative skills. The wing is creating a coin, and is looking for any and all designs that represent the entire wing. Stan Sanders, 388th FW command chief master sergeant. "We want to remedy that, and make the coin available for everyone." The coins will tentatively be sold for five dollars apiece, and can be bought for per- "Designs need to be turned in to me by the end of September, and the final choice will be made in October," said 2nd Lt. Aaron Cooper, 388th Operations Support away parties. "I know we have a lot of people in this wing with great artistic ability, and now they have a chance to use that talent," said Chief Sanders. For more information please contact Lieutenant Cooper in the 388th OSS at Squadron section commander. "The reason we're creating the wing coin is because people call all the time wanting to purchase one," said Chief Master Sgt. sonal use, or for use on plaques or going 777-314- 9. |