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Show Hlrt im'Vih i Twice Monthly 388th Fighter Wing supplement to the Hilltop Times Thursday, August 5,1999 i 5)(2)(Q)tL mm sonde it n By to urn J Airman 1st Class Cindy Huston Editor, Fighter Country The 388th Logistics Group welcomed a new commander during a ceremony July 23 in Hangar change-of-comma- nd 37. Col. Timothy Bair replaced Col. James Gutschenritter as the group commander. Colonel Gutschenritter will move to Robins Air Force Base where he will take on his new role as the center inspector general. "This has been without a doubt the best job I've had in 24 years of Air Force service, bar none," said Colonel Gutschenritter. ' "Colonel Bair is embarking on the ride of his life, and if he enjoys it even half as much as I have, this will indeed be the highlight of his career," added the colonel. In his first speech to the members of the LG, Colonel Bair told them what being part of a logistics squadron meant to him. "The members of the logistics group are a rare breed," said Colonel Bair. "They get satisfaction in seeing a jet launched and recovered safely, from knowing their engine functioned properly or that their system would succeed in a moment of crisis. "I am extremely proud for the opportunity to stand before you today as your commander," he added. As the new logistics group commander, Colonel Bair will be faced with many new and exciting challenges, according to Col. Mike Hostage, 388th Fighter Wing commander. See COMMANDER Pige D D L Hometown News Have you recently been promoted or received an award? Have you recently returned from a deployment or just arrived to Hill? If so, have you filled out a Hometown News Release (DD Form 2266)? By filling out a HTNR, you can let family and friends in your hometown know what achievements you've made through the local newspaper. Forms can be obtained from the 388th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office, Bidg. 120, suite 113, or intranet Safety Tip If you have a history of sen- sitivities to insect bites, avoid situations where you may be stung. Have a plan in case you are stung, which should include always carrying your medication, wearing medic alert identification and notifying those you are with about your B Air Force Photo Colonel Timothy Bair assumed command of the 388th Logistics Group in a change-of-comman- ceremony July 23. d Chief of safety becomes 4th commander Squadron Fighter Cindy Huston w. Editor, Fighter Country it By Airman 1st Class Lt. Col. Larry Thompson, 388th Fighter Wing chief of safety, will replace Lt. Col. Dean Wilson as the 4th Fighter Squadron comcermander during a emony tomorrow in Hangar 37 at 10 a.m. change-of-comma- , i asrSfe ft 4r '.S& - "s. ' .. 4 & - "WIT Y nd Colonel Wilson will be moving to the 388th Operations Group. "The 4th Fighter Squadron has a long tradition of superior performance," said Colonel Thompson. "The current leadership has done an outstanding job and I'll be dedicated to help provide the Fuujin Team the environment that will continue to allow them to do their jobs and do them well." Throughout his 1 7 years in the Air Force, Colonel Thompson has accumulated more than 2,400 flying hours in Air Force aircraft primarily in the F- -l 6. He has flown combat missions in the F- -l 6, logging 35 missions in Operation Desert Storm. The colonel has received the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the Aerial Achievement Medal with four oak leaf clusters, and the Outstanding Unit Award with Valor. In addition, Colonel Thompson has received invaluable experience throughout his Adverisemensartaiied herein do notcoretSufeendoreanertbvlheC - t If Ii i - V -- I c V 3l Sq" Sgt. Sonja H hittington Lt. Col. LarryThompson, 388th FighterWing chief of safety, prepares to do an inspection crew chief. Colonel of an F- 6 with Airman Andrew Wiilis, a 421st Fighter Squadron FS commander during a Thompson is scheduled to become the new 4th ceremony tomorrow. -l career which he said he hopes to use to guide him in his new command. "I've been lucky to have had the opportunity to see policies and decisions made from both headquarters and squadron levels," said Colonel Thompson. "I think having exposure to these processes has helped me understand the importance of having someone in the middle to throw up a flag if a well intentioned policy isn't translating well when it's ap change-of-comman- d plied to our people their mission," added the colonel. The colonel believes that, for someone to be successful in the role as commander he needs to understand how his unit's mission supports the Air Force mission and how the people he is working with fit into that picture, then he must then understand the men and women in his command in order to provide them the tools and an environment to accomplish their mission. |