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Show Command motorcycle helmets were contributing factors in some of these incidents. The reality is that mishaps are more likely during the summer months because people are outdoors more often, Whether at work or play, there are steps we all can take to help reduce the risks associated with outdoor activities. The first step in reducing the potential for accidents is in By Col. Mike Hostage 388th Fighter Wing commander message By Gen. Dick Hawley Air Combat Command commander LANGLEYAIR FORCE BASE, Va. (ACCNS) - Every year, America honors those who gave their lives so that we can live in freedom. People across our great nation will bow their heads in thanks to our fallen heroes. This is the time we remember their valor in time of conflict and their voice in the time of decision. They secured the privileges of our constitutional foundations and liberties. The price they paid was high. Memorial Day also marks the beginning of summer. Many of us are making vacation plans and going on outings with families and friends. During the planning of these activities, I encourage each of you to give some extra thought to managing the risks associated with our summertime activities. Your diligence is critical to saving lives and preventing injuries. Our people continue to experience high operations tempo as we fight to preserve freedom around the globe. This high optempo increases the chances of summertime accidents, both on and off duty. During this year's "101 Critical Days of Summer," (May 6) let's make operational risk management a top priority. Each of you makes important contributions to Air Combat Command's mission success. We cannot afford to lose any of you if we are to continue to be effective guardians of America's freedoms. 31-Se- days ymryier saifety sends holiday pt. As the spring season moves closer to summer and temperatures increase along the Wasatch Front, so do the chances for personal injury. The period from Memorial Day to Labor Day dubbed the 101 Critical Days of Summer has arrived bringing understanding the hazards associated with particular tasks. with it various hazards and opportunities for mishaps, For example, someone riding a jet ski for the first time Around this time each year, safety offices throughout should know the Air Force take the on the water, only ride offensive in reminding with a life preserver and select commanders and flight a speed commensurate with chiefs to develop safety of 388th his or her skill level. These awareness programs. aren't terribly complex issues However, the truth is should to consider. However, failure that safety is everyone's to contemplate any of the responsibility. Col. Mike Hostage above could results in serious From airman to colo388th Fighter Wing commander nel, each member of the consequences. 388th Fighter Wing Knowing our limitations right-of-way-rul- es "From airmen to colonel, each member the Fighter Wing make it a priority to prevent accidents before they occur.' should make it a priority to prevent accidents before they occur. This team effort is critical to protecting the Air Force's most important resources its people. Unfortunately, the 388th lost a close member of its family in the F-- 1 6 mishap last November. Even one fatal- ity is too many and should serve as a reminder that we are all shareholders in this process. Our efforts were a bit more favorable concerning ground-relate- d mishaps. But while the wing sustained zero fatal accidents last year, Air Combat Command lost eight members which comprised 40 percent of the total Alcohol, excessive driv- ground mishaps Air Force-wid- e. ing speed, fatigue, and people not wearing seat belts or can also reduce the potential for accidents. Opting for a road-tri- p to Las Vegas on a Friday, after having worked for a full day, is probably a good example of the "Super- man" mentality. This mindset has also been referred to as the "It Can't Happen to Me" syndrome. In other words, don't put yourself in a position where an accident or inci- dent is likely to occur. The focus of the 101 Critical Days of Summer is to use common sense in our decision making every day. We all can accept a certain degree of risk, but understanding the hazards first and knowing our limitations will help ensure the 388th enjoys another year without ground mishaps or serious injuries to our people. Kosovar refugees make United States home By 1st Lt. Mike Nachshen Deputy Cheif, Public Affairs MCGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE, N.J. -- 1 was on the flight line helping escort about 325 reporters when Tower Air 747, call sign Kosovo One, touched down May 5 at 4:18 p.m. As the plane descended with a manifest of more than 400 Kosovar refugees, a hush fell over the assembled reporters. The only sound was that of the aircraft's wheels making contact with the tarmac. lat struck me was that I was watching his tory in the making, and that I was playing a small (extremely small) part in this momen tous event. A few moments later, the first refugees began departing the plane and boarding buses that would take them to their temporary home at nearby Fort Dix. I was less than 100 feet from the refugees, and was able to see their faces as they stepped off the plane. The first person I saw walk down the stairs was a little boy, probably 7 or 8 years old. His face and clothes were dirty; he clutched a ragged teddy bear in his right hand and a small blue plastic bag in his right at that moment in time, which was everything he owned. He squinted into the bright light at the hundreds of reporters, VIPs and uniformed people there and made his way wide-bodie- d W - is toward the bus". Then a woman, holding the hands of her two small children, walked off the plane, followed by a man bent with old age who wore a traditional skullcap on his head. I think I must have got a speck of dust in my eyes, because they started to water and wouldn't stop. About an hour later, I was in a gym in the Fort Dix Kosovar compound, informally dubbed "The Village." I watched small children play. They ran around, wrestled with each other, played tag, and did everything they could to drive their mothers nuts. What really struck me was that these kids, despite what they'd been through, played the same way American kids do. Then, the floor of the gym was swarming with large men wearing black suits and sunglasses, speaking into hand-hel- d microphones and looking everywhere for bad guys. 1 1.VA "oments later, first lady Hillary Clinton took the mike. She talked for about 1 0 minutes -- 1 .don't remember everything she said, because what stands out in my mind happened after she started to leave. As she headed toward the door, the refugees stood up, and started chanting "U-S-Everyone was on his or her feet, from little old ladies in babushka scarves to teen-agewearing blue jeans and Miami Dolphin jackets. The gym was shaking from their enthu- A, U-S-- rs published for people like tamd t . siastic clapping and. , I'm sure they felt relief and gratitude because they were no longer in harm's way, but I also think they felt something more. I think these people were genuinely ecstatic about being in America, a country that espouses the values of liberty, equality and justice, a country with laws that protect people against the kind of hatred the Kosovars escaped. a country willing to take a stand, and lead NATO allies against a brutal dictator who thug-lik- e tactics to accomplish his goals. It's probably safe to say that every other airman and soldier in the gym was caught up in the pep-rall- y feel of the moment. Several GIs were shouting and clapping along with the refugees. I also think there must have been a lot of dust in the room, because the three soldiers standing next to me were rubbing their eyes. As I listened to these people who had been chased out of their homeland fill the gym with their voices, I realized that this was why I had joined the Air Force to serve my country and makethe world a better, safer place. I have never felt more proud to wear my uniform, and I have never felt so proud to be a citizen of America the greatest country in the world. (Courtesy of American Forces Press Service) foot-stompin- And - - rtn hi 'il kimnm First place, small Name: Regina Monroe Rank: technical sergeant Job: chief of commander's support staff Unit: 4th Fighter Squadron Hometown: Indianapolis, Ind. Time in Service: 16 years 5 months Most recent accomplishment: "I received V x f V- vt rS- -'' mi ::.::: ' w--m-- v w f 'Wt'.'jx.':.-,:...... ..i'-..-..ii.-- -: J my associate's degree in administrative management" What would I change at Hill AFB: "I would change people's attitude towards one another and make it so everyone is working from the same sheet of music." g. 1997 and 1998 Air v- a rH -- commercial-enterpris- Var-Ir mi i LaJ - Yil V3$S e newspaper Combat Command Media Contest Editorial Staff Col. Mike Hostage . .. Capt. James R. Wilson Senior Airman Sara Banda Airman 1st Class Cindy Huston .... . Chief, Chief, Commander Public Affairs Community Relations Editor Fighter Country is t supplement to the Hilltop Times, published by MorMedia, Inc., a private firm in no way connected with the U.S. Air Force, under exclusive written contract with the Ogden Air Logistics Center Public Affairs Office. This commercial enterprise Air Force newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the U.S. military services. Contents of Fighter Country 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. Unless otherwise indicated, all photos are U.S. Air Force photos. Fighter Country is edited, prepared and provided by the 388th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office. 5RR7 D. Ave., Suite 113, Hill AFB UT, 84056-501- 7. Story submissions for Fighter Country am be brought by the office, to the editor cindy huston hiUjif.mil or fax to Deadline for submissions to Fighter Country is no later than Monday, noon, two weeks prior to publication. For more information, call the public affairs office at |