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Show n U Supplement to the Hilltop Times 3 i 419th Fighter Wing Mission: To Fly, Fight and Win! Hill AFB, Utah 84056-541- 0 Volume 15 Number 12, November 24, 1999 Wing promotions The 4 -- .. following 9th Fighter Wing members have been promoted to the ranks indicated: Senior Master Sergeant: David D. Cunningham and Greg Stafford. 1 Tech. Sgt. Rob Vigesaa, 419th Civil Engineer Squadron, checks gauges Technical Sergeant: William R. Allison, Judith A. Hawkins, Sheryl L. Hatch, Scott D. Nuss and Brian C. Schlager. Staff Sergeant: Eric C. Christensen, Robert A. Fares, Rhett A. Ferguson, Lynn M. Force, Jason A. Moss, James E. Muscato, Wende J. Thornton and Andrew M. Sunderland. on an air conditioning system his unit installed ':!)! ' y a' ..r ' at Kadena Air Base, ., Japan. The cooling system was necessary to repair a VV ,jfS-'-..- well-traffick- ed Automatic Teller Machine on base. According to Senior Airman: Gabriella M.Austin, Bartholomew N. Bates, Krista Clayson, Stephen W. N. Cole, Edward L. Fisher, Maximilliano D. Heredia, Rebecca L. Howard, Natalie Kelly, Donalin Martin, Rachele A. Monteleone, Robert A. Morgan, Janine C. Shreve, Alex L. Thomas, Brian L. Weese and Jason B. White. Airman: Kevin C. Webb. Kadena officials, the machine was once among the top ten of most quented ATMs in entire Air Force. fre- the Q. CD O Wing Hearing Protection Policy The 4 9th . Fighter Wing's policy on hearing protection has been revised due to recent changes in environmental regulations. Effective immediately, single hearing protection is required when operating on the wing controlled ramp with any aircraft running or when within 25 feet of running aircraft. Double hearing protection is required within 35 feet (essentially the wingspan of an of operating aircraft engines. Disposable foam plugs are recommended as the first level of protection, and ear muffscommunication headset as the second level. In an environment where personnel are required to wear a hooded gas mask andor helmet, single foam earplugs are sufficient. However, while working on or within 35 feet of an aircraft with operating engines, individuals must remove helmets for FOD prevention and don earmuffs or communication headsets as the second level of hearing protection. Earplugs will be worn within 60 feet of operating powered AGE equipment. Double protection will be used when operating - 60 power units or MJ-1- 4 bomb lift trucks, as noise levels at the operator's position exceed 103 dBA. For additional information on this policy, contact the Bioenvironmental Engineering Office at 8 or the 419th FW safety office at 1 419th FW 'supports' Kadena 1 F-1- Gerald Yearsley, 419th Support Group commander. by Capt. James R. Wilson 419th FW Public Affairs Office experi-encewith- 6) KADENA AIR BASE, JAPAN - Nearly 80 members of the 41 9th Fighter Wing participated in a precedent-settin- g deployment to Kadena Air Base, Japan, Oct. 23 through Nov. 5. In previous deployments, the focus has often been on the number of sorties flown or, in some cases, bombs dropped. Not so this time. In this case, a summary of man hours expended or work orders completed tells the story of just how effective reservists can be to the active-dut- y . " , force. Yet their contributions were not specifically in support of Kadena's Operations Group or Logistics Group-Ratherit was the 1 8th Support Group that was the luck beneficiary of their labor. In the past, elements of the 419th Support Group have deployed, but rarely does the group perform temporary duty at an overseas location as a entity. In that regard, this was a rare opportunity, and one that proved mutually benefi- ,. self-containe- , d, self-sufficie- nt 777-814- "We have a tremendous amount of skill and our support group. The areas that we addressed were all critical needs for this base." Members assigned to the 1 8th Fighter Wing at Kadena were not the only ones who benefited though. "In some cases, our people had the opportunity to use computer software or equipment that is different from we may have at Hill. But the biggest single payback for us from this deployment is retention." ' At a time when many Reserve units are beset'with shortages in critical specialties and job functions, the 419th continues to work diligently at keeping it's best and brightest. The wing's senior leadership is confident that deployments to Japan and other locations in the future will convince members to stay the course. "What this says is that while this isn't a well laid cial. "The training at Kadena was excellent," said Col. concept, it's certainly doable and, most of all, it's extremely worthwhile," said Colonel Yearsley. The group that traversed to Japan was as diverse as it was large. Some of the units from the 419th represented included civil engineers, services, security See KADENA, Page C Recruiters hit sports venues 67th APS aces operational by Capt. James R. Wilson 419th FW Public Affairs Office Recruiters from the 419th Fighter Wing went into 'overtime' promoting the Air Force Reserve at a University of Utah football game before heading to a Utah Grizzlies hockey match Saturday, Nov. 13. Both events were conducted in hopes of landing new members for the 4 1 9th FW and educating the public on the reserve and its global mission. "We were particularly interested in supporting the University of Utah since the theme for the game was essentially a salute to veterans," said Master Sgt. Robert Starkey, 4 1 9th Recruiting Office. "The university is a good venue for us as several of the students are also members of the wing or involved with ROTC Reserve Office Training Program. Our goal was to get the students involved while also sharing as much information as we could about the Air Force Reserve." The game, which pitted the ' Runnin Utes' against the University of New Mexico, highlighted two area Medal of Honor recipients during a halftime ceremony. A four-shi- p of F-- 1 6s, courtesy of the 3 88th Fighter Wing, provided added recognition to veterans past and present in a flyover during the ceremonies at Rice-EcclStadium. After seeing the 'Utes' to a 52-- 7 victory es over New Mexico, the recruiters next stop in Salt Lake City. was to the "The reserve was one of several sponsors whose logo was placed on a school binder and given to the first 2,500 folks through the door," said Mr. Devin Allen, spokesman for the Utah Grizzlies. Although the Grizzlies fell to the Houster ton Aeros, the 7,200 people who showed up for Saturday's game was well above their 3-- 2, average attendance. "We had a great turnout," he said. "We feel our fan base is a great place for the reserve to find future recruits. This was kind of a one-tim- e deal, but we'd certainly welcome the idea of including the reserve in future promotions." readiness inspection by Stephanie Johns 419th FW Public Affairs Office On Nov. 1 , a team of 33 members from the 67th Aerial Port Squadron flew to Pope Air Force Base, N. C. to participate in a phase I Operational Readiness Inspection. The team, lead by Capt. Robin Korogi, spent 5 days demonstrating their ability to mobilize equipment and personnel to evaluators. "It was highly stressful the whole time we were there," said Captain Korogi. "We were being evaluated in areas which' aren't a part in of our routine training. But the higher the stress level got, the more everyone pulled together as a team." "We haven't received the official report back yet, but we were told we earned the highest rating in all five critical areas," said Senior Master Sgt. Dave Sill, 67th APS Transportation Specialist. It has been eight years since the 67th participated in an ORI, so there was a lotof preparation involved for this one. team went through "The 1 8 months of training prior to this inspection which included team building at 33-mem- Camp Williams southern Utah and force protection training. The training also included how to neutralize a location with aggressors in the area, chem- ical warfare training and ability to survive and operate training. Like Sergeant Sill, the captain was pleased with the unit's approach to the inspection. "I believe the greatest factor behind our success was that everyone came together as a team and maintained a high level of professionalism," said Captain Korogi. The mission of all aerial port units is to build pallets, load cargo and process passengers on a variety of military and commercial aircraft. Unless otherwise indicated, all photos are U.S. Air Force photos. Advertisements contained herein do not constitute an endorsement by the Department of Defense, the Department of the Air Force or Hill AFB, Utah. Everything advertised is available without regard to race, color, religion, sex or other nonmerit factors of the purchaser, user or patron. |