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Show Hilltop Times April 0. 2003 $ 1 Commentary us make the best Systems, training, people by Col. Mike Williams Director, Space and 01 Systems As I watch our ongoing military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, I am humbled to realize the obvious: that you and I are in the best Air Force, in fact, we are in the best military, that the world has ever known. Why? Because we have the best systems, the best training, and of course, the best people. The Best Systems Whether it is a Global Hawk or Predator Hellfire-arme- d unmanned air vehicles, a stealth bomber, or a satellite guided JDAM Joint Direct Attack Munitions; it is easy to find examples of the best of the best in military hardware. But our excellence goes much deeper than that. Look at how we are now supporting our front line Army and Marine troops with close air support. In both Afghanistan and Iraq we are providing close air supr l and port using JDAM s delivered by long range, 2 aircraft. Ten years ago, no one would have thought it possible to conduct close air support from a "strategic" bomber dropping bombs from 40,000 feet! It is not just the best systems; it is the best integration of new and old systems to deliver combat capability undreamed of just a few years ago. B-- 2 B-- long-loite- B-5- The Best Training We have all heard of Red Flag, where our air combat forces get a very realistic test of their skills and expose them to combat-like operations. But we also have other exercises to train other elements of the force. For example, at Silver Flag, where experts get a chance to test and refine their skills in supporting deployed base operations. These and hundreds of other training activities ensure that when we need to conduct our mission, we are ready. Civil Engineers and Services Viewpoint The Best People This is the easy one, because you and I see it every day. Whether it is the trusted Security Forces airman at the front gate, the wise chief, the energetic second lieutenant, or the dedicated civilian committed to getting that critical part ordered and delivered, we work with the absolute best! I frequently chat with friends who have departed the active Air Force. Time and again, the number one thing they say they miss is the dedicated, loyal, hard working team that makes up the U.S. Air Force. Whether military, civilian or industry partner, you are a key member to the success of this great military. Whether military, The Best, and getting better civilian or industry partner, you are a key member to Are we perfect? No! Can we be better? You bet! That is why our supervisors and our commanders want our good ideas. Our senior leadership describes the need to transform. You and I are the experts in our specific areas so we need to think up those things that will allow the Air Force to conduct its various missions in a smarter, more efficient, more effective way. Our Air Force is counting on us! We have the best systems, the best training, and the best peo-p!And we are on track to be even better. It is easy to see why we like to say "No One Comes Close." You and I are a critical part of the best Air Force, the best military, the world has ever known. Thanks for being on the A Team! the success of this great military e. Col. Mike Williams Col. Mike Williams Letters Free will use keeps us free I sit here in my kitchen while the sun shines through my patio door. I'm looking around and thinking about the food that's in my fridge, the dishes in my cupboard, even of the microwave in the corner. I think of my bedroom, the bed I have, then my bathroom and the hot arid cold water I control when I want to take a shower. Then there's night time, when I crawl under my blanket for a quiet nights sleep. If it gets too hot, I can go turn on the air conditioner. The things I've just mentioned are everyday things I usually utilize without thought or care. Why today do I think with detail? Because of my great America. Our troops are on foreign soil of their own another "detail" we free will. Free will never think deeply of, we just utilize it. Stop for just a moment and wonder what thoughts our military brothers and sisters have. Is it of going for a walk on this sunny day? Maybe taking a quick nap? How about what to eat for lunch? I think not. They have lots of thoughts I'm sure. But believe it's more along the lines of "what food ration will there be today?" or perhaps "maybe I'll get sleep tomorrow night, posdepensibly a shower, be it hot or cold dant on the temperature of the day." I'll put my life on it that they're thinking "I miss my loved ones so very much, but I have a job to do, and I will not stop until it's complete." Why so different? I mentioned earlier, free will. While I sit and think of how I'm gonna go get groceries and get home in time to get ready for work, my fellow Americans who exercised their right of free will and joined the U.S. Armed Forces, are thinking of how they will maintain that free will and negotiate free will for others. So when I sit on my couch tonight to relax and watch TV, I will be thinking of our troops sitting in the hot sand watching for the I enemy. And when I lay my head down tonight for bed, I will be thinking of our troops waiting for the chance to lay their head on the desert sand for a quick nap listening to sirens and blasts, while the other keeps look out. And when I say my prayers tonight, I will pray for our troops to remain courageously strong, proud and determined, so that they may come home soon. could also remember to pray for us. Your thoughts and 'thank you's' are probably the most important tiling that we could receive from anywhere. We love you as much as you love us and we all look forward to coming home to the best country in the world!" The 86th Air Mobility Squadron commander, wrote that the cookies arrived in Northern Iraq and "were greatly enjoyed by all the Air Force people here building an air base! no run"The field here is very austere showers water, nothing. electricity, ning our United States Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marines. And thank God Bless you for using your free will for me. Jamie L. Mitchell Family member Troops enjoy cookies, prayers My thanks to the generous members of the Hill AFB and Layton communities who purchased boxes of Girl Scout cookies for us to send to our troops overseas. The cookies were put onto aircraft leaving Hill AFB early last week and have been very well received! An Air Force master sergeant at Rhein-MaiAB, Germany, an location, wrote that they are fixing planes to fly items to the soldiers. "We send them food, water, cots, Band-Aid- s (I hope they never need them), mail and anything else that can fit in the airplanes. You'd be surprised what we can fit in those jets!" the sergeant said in an "We here at Rhein-Maithank you for your thoughts and would like to ask you if, in addition to the delicious cookies, you We eat MREs two times a day and have water to drink but no one is complaining at all," the commander wrote, "it is our job and we are glad to do it for the war effort. Your generosity and concern and prayers are greatly appreciated. It is good to know those in the U.S. are behind us. Please tell n en-rou- te (everyone) involved that an entire Air Force squadron is very thankful for packages you sent to us. It absolutely made our day! Take care, God Bless you, and God Bless America." Thank you for supporting the Girl Scout cookie sale and helping us to help our troops overseas! n Annie Brock Adult Girl Scout Street Views Hill 'How are you using your income tax refund?' OO . '. . . Uq V : i V vV o I, Kurt Hair Mark Heatwole Sharon Brunson Aircraft parts repair Commodities Division Aircraft mechanic Commodities Division Aircraft Worker Commodities Division "We already spent it back in February. I think we paid some bills and we went to Wendover." I (P "I bought a Winnebago a 33 footer. I'm going to Oregon and back east, anywhere but here." "I paid off a bill that I really wanted paid and was happy to see it done. It was somea thing fun though Senior Airman Daniel Julian Senior Airman Carlos Luckett Visual imaging and intrusion detection systems 367th TRSS Media Visual imaging and intrusion detection systems 367th TRSS Media Production Flight Production Flight "I used it to pay for my fiancee's engagement ring." "I already spent mine. Nothing special I paid off some old debts but it felt good to get rid of them." "Air Force people building the world's most respected Air and Space Force nmrn iiricrnun -- Quality Systems for America's Air Force Hilltop Times Published by Ogden Publishing Corp., a private firm in no way connected with the U.S. Air Force, under exclusive written contract with Hill AFB. This commercial enterprise Air Force newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the Workgroup manager 367th TRSS Support Flight "I am saving it to go home to South Carolina this summer." Global Power and Reach for America. U.S. military services. Contents of the Hilltop Times are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense or the Department of the Air Force. 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