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Show December 2,1999 Commentary... Give omf nu Mom s flag th e respect it aeserves ' ' By Senior Master Sgt. Allen Niksich 34th Fighter Squadron first sergeant n made to make this country the great nation that we are. It becomes all too easy to forget how we became a great nation and become oblivious to how easily we could be as many other less fortunate nations. It now becomes our responsibility to continue to display our pride and appreciation to all of those who served before us. In the coming year at Hill AFB, military members of all ranks will have the opportunity to participate in the military custom of Retreat. The Retreat Ceremony serves as a signal to the end of the official duty day, but more importantly, serves as n June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress passed a resolution that established the Stars and Stripes as a symbol of the struggles and freedom of a new people in a new land. A law in April 1818, required a star be added for each new state on the 4th of July following a new state's admission. A 48 star flag emerged with the admission of Arizona and New Mexico in 1912. Alaska added a 49th star in 1959 and Hawaii paved the way for our current 50 star flag in 1 960. These are just a few facts in the illustrious history of our national symbol, the U.S. Flag. Have you ever been present at a ceremony where a World War II, Korean Conflict, Vietnam, or Persian Gulf veteran was present when the U.S. Flag was raised or lowered? If you have, I think you'd agree with me that veterans pay much more respect to our national symbol than the average American. In general, we as military members, whether we have seen combat or not, devote more respect to our flag than the typical American because of our commitment and dedication to serve our country. the near future, I have concerns Tn the way Americans and even JLmembers of the military will show their respect and honor for our flag. There are no more World War I veterans and the average World War II veteran, who withstood shellfire at Omaha Beach or Iwo Jima, is in his mid-70- s to early 80s. As we lose these American heroes at an ever increasing pace, we lose their stories of true dedication and perseverance, along with the true meaning of patriotism and respect for our flag they so humbly dedicated their lives to. With their absence, there is a loss of society's knowledge of the struggles and sacrifices a ceremony for paying respect to our U.S. flag. Retreat is actually conducted each week day and is performed by a three person detail. Both military and civilian personnel should render proper courtesies to the flag when outdoors. When in uniform, either in formation or as an individual, you should face the flag (or the direction of the music if you cannot see the flag), and come to parade rest. Upon the first note of the National Anthem, you should come to the position of attention and salute until the last note Air Force photo of the anthem. Civilians and military members not in uniform should stand at attention with their right hand over their heart for the National Anthem. Men and boys should always remove their hats throughout the ceremony. there are many people, military alike, who choose to run Unfortunately, the sound of Retreat. When all those who came before make this tell decision, you you scheduled to get six Air Force By Staff Sgt. Cynthia Miller Air Force Print News a modernization pro- gram to maintain its edge on military strength and air dominance. - WASHINGTON The Air Force will acquire six test 2 aircraft in 2002 with funds provided by Congress in the budget resolution passed Oct. 5. In the resolution, Congress delayed production of the F-from December 1999 to December 2000, and cut funding by cost and $560 million to make the Air Force justify the its technology. prove Instead of getting six production aircraft to complete operational testing, the Air Force will now receive six test aircraft. "These six airplanes will be operational test and evaluation airplanes, because they come from research and development funds, but they will be production airplanes," said Maj. Gen. Claude Bolton, executive officer for fighter and bomber programs. "You won't be able to tell the difference between what that aircraft will look like in a year or two, vice what it was going to look like before we had to change the 'color' of money," he said. With an aging fleet of and the ability of adversaries and allies to match technology, the Air Force has embarked on According to Bolton, 1 5 is on par with four other aircraft, includ- - -- F-2- the ing the Russian 22 MiG-2- 9 5, and the Euro-fighte- r. "There's cnly so much you can do after 30 years ro F-1- 5s F-- 22 fleet. Bolton said he expects the 2 to give the United States the edge in air dominance for the next 30 years or more. The is designed to face modern adversarial aircraft F-- 15 5s, F-2- F-- 22 equipped with advanced in F-2- 2s air-to-a- ir missile systems and Hidden Heroes... I lilllllllKil: it:! tlilf ;I:S '111; llf i'if mSBW'BSi lllilllii 1!: Name: Noah Rosales Rank: senior airman Job: pneudraulics technician Unit: 388th Maintenance Squadron h Time in Service: 9 years Major volunteering projects within the last year: president of base enlisted advisory council and regular visits to the Veterans' Hospital Why do you volunteer? "I get a lot out of volunteering and like helping people." I , 2. 2s, 22 STARS; we cannot protect other force packages; and consequently, we can't help our colleagues on the ground or on the water." mmmm MMMmmm First place, small W-- 2002 against integrated air defense systems with improved surface-to-a- ir missiles. "That is a threat we have not faced yet with the F-- 1 5," Bolton said. "And we don't want to, because the results would not be good. "What will allow us to face that threat is the That's what it was designed to do. So we'll be able to continue what we've enjoyed, which is air dominance. That's not just going up and controlling part of the sky, but going up and totally dominating the air battle to the point where if someone does come up, they know we can take them down." The six slated for delivery in 2002, will cost the Air Force nearly $85 million per plane, and will be based atNellis Air Force Base, Nev. is an essential investment to achieve air domi"The F-nance. It is the key enabler for 2 1 st century combat operations," Bolton said. "The reason the Air Force is pushing so hard on this aircraft is that it is truly a cornerstone for us," the general said. "If we don't control the air, we cannot protect AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System); we cannot protect Joint F-2- with an air frame," the Air Force photo general said. "We've kill ratio with the (F- had a to enemy fire. That's 15). We've not lost any obviously something we want to continue into the next century." The Air Force plans to buy 339 aircraft to replace the 1 00.5-to-ze- Y F-2- and MiG-3the French Mirage 2000 F-2- 2's F-1- F-- , you ...those who fought and died to gain freedoms and liberties you enjoy today ...that you take your freedom and liberties for granted and you ignore not just the flag, but your nation and those who dedicated their lives to ensuring future generations of Americans would enjoy even better lives than the generations before them. As early as the creation of our very first flag, flying the flag at half mast was a sign of mourning; when a service man or woman dies on active duty or after honorable discharge from service, a flag is presented to their family; and is the most well known flag in the world. The Retreat Ceremony is a culmination of these and many other customs and courtesies related to our nation's past and journey to the present. By showing your respect for the flag, you show your respect and admiration to those who proudly served, and continue to serve, the land of the free and the home of the brave. 'ou and I know what the Stars and Stripes symbolize. My kids know the meaning behind our flag and I hope yours do too. When I attend a professional sporting event (go Jazz), I am always humbled by the singing of the National Anthem and how everyone in the arena (even non-Jaz- z fans) come together in in Yet I doubt the avermoment time. for that one unity age American experiences the same proud chill I feel as I reflect on what the flag means to me, and I pray you know the chill of which I speak. Henry Ward Beecher once said, "A thoughtful mind, when it sees a nation's flag, sees not the flag, but the nation itself." We owe it to our forefathers and veterans who came before us to pay respect to our flag whenever possible. By showing our respect, we are thanking every veteran who literally paved the way for the freedom and liberties we enjoy in our personal lives, and the successes we experience in our military endeavors today. All too soon the day will come when we will be yesterday's heroes. If we are serving today for the right reasons, we will want honor, not for ourselves, but for the nation and her flag that we proudly, honorably and diligently defended. God Bless America! commercial-enterpris- e 1997 and 1998 Air Combat Command newspaper Contest Editorial Staff Col. Mike Hostage 1st Lt. Erin Shuler Staff Sgt. Sonja Whittington Airman 1st Class Cindy Huston Commander Chief, Public Affairs NCOIC, Public Affairs Editor Fighter Country is a 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 theOgden 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 7. 3, Hill AFB UT, 84056-50- 1 Office, 5887 D.Ave., Suite to the editor cindy.hus-ton(- J. Story submissions for Fighter Country can be brought by the office, hill. af.mil or fax to 777-292Deadline 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 |