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Show Fuujins deployed living in the spotlight The Fighting Fuujins and people from other 388th in December to SouthFighter Wing units deployed west Asia is support of Operation SOUTHERN WATCH. Lt. Col. Larry Thompson, 4th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron commander, said the deployment is is coming together as going well because everyone a a team. Below is only sample the deployed people. Stage performance Former president of the United States George Bush poses with several people from the deployed 4th Fighter Squadron. President Bush visited the deployed airmen in January. we present provide weekly briefings on 'current events,' and history of discussions on the background issues t 'onlinued from Page A the region." operations. The people attend mission briefings, observe aircraft launch and recovery operations and attend While knowing and understanding the mission is impormission debriefings. "It has been a great vay to bring airmen a the local team together as well as show our partners how tant, the recreation services offer the deployed stresses of deployment. we do the mission and how their support fits into that way to relieve some of the daily is a There chapel, a cardio gym, a strength mission. It has been a resounding success and has enhanced Aerotraining gym, and many other athletic facilities. the team atmosphere here," he said. bic classes are conducted regularly. The dining facility serves four meals each day and g efforts help maintain a posiWhile sandwiches and other light foods are available 24 hours tive morale, the second, and perhaps most important faca day. Colonel Thompson said the food is excellent. tor is the support from home. "No one can dispute that The recreation center has video games, pool and ping without the support of our family and friends back home, pong, as well as a pizza place for an alternative to the we would not be able to accomplish the mission here," dining hall. The rec. center also plays movies on the said Colonel Thompson. local access cable (which also has 20 other cable He said there are many parents, husbands, wives, channels). daughters and sons who are patiently waiting back home. education center. Colonel There is a "The families left behind also understand the importance Thompson said some Fuuijns are taking college classes. of their loved one's role in the mission here and supOn top of the services that morale welfare and recreport it through their sacrifices of lost family time, missed ation people supply. Colonel Thompson said everyone birthdays, and in our case, missed major holidays. also may venture off base and experience the culture of "The fact is, in many cases, the folks left back home the local hosts or sample a taste of home at one of the are the ones making the most sacrifices and dealing with chain restaurants. U.S. many the daily struggles without their partner, parent or child. "The MWR programs are critical, but I think it's imporWithout this support, patience and understanding, all the tant to understand that the average airman today is much mission importance and MWR programs would clearly too to be happy merely because of cable sophisticated ring hollow." TV or a good food," the colonel said. He explained that while the MWR facilities at the Colonel Thompson said it is critical everyone on the deployed location are good for morale, the airmen underFuujin team understand why they are deployed and standing of the mission and support from home are the that they stay current on what is going on. "We not only true reasons the deployment is doing so well. 4th EFS Time away from work full-servi- ce Support from home team-buildin- full-servi- ce Staying informed A few Fuujins formed a band to perform live at their deployed location in Southwest Asia. The band, called LGB, has played one. concert for the base and has plans for another in February. At the end of January, they played rock and roll music for more than an hour in front of 200 screaming, crazy Fuujins and others from the base. Colonel Thompson said the band is great for morale and a way to keep busy. The band is made up of three crew chiefs and a 1 pilot: Capt. Chris Kott and Airman st Class Garret Loconti play lead guitar. Airman Loconti also performs as lead vocalist.- Airman 1st Class Dave Tyler plays bass guitar and is backup vocalist. Airman 1 st Class Ben Kuthbert plays on drums and also performs as backup vocalist. - Births Two babies were born to airmen deployed with the 4th Fighter Squadron. Noah Edward Moffiet was born to Senior Airman Michael A. Moffiet Jan. 25. Noah weighed 7 pounds, 1 3 ounces at birth. Airman Moffiet s wife is in Washington state while her husband is deployed. Danielle Grace Layman was born to Staff Sgt. Timothy Layman Jan. 19. Danielle was 8 pounds, 2 ounces at birth. The baby was born in Layton to Jennifer Saxton. mark their Leaving mark in Southwest their left have airman Several Asia by painting a mural on a concrete barrier. Senior Airman Joseph Carrender, 4th Fighter Squadron crew chief, and Senior Airman Jason Burke, 4th FS avionics'specialist painted the Jersey Barrier Mural. Safety is commanders number one priority By Col. John Weida 388th Fighter Wing Commander In the last few weeks, I have had the opportunity to meet many of you. I continue to be impressed, yet not surprised, by the level of professionalism and skill you all exemplify. Above aircraft, bombs and other equipment, you truly are the wing's most valuable assets. To have even one person injured killed in the line of duty is unacceptable. I want to take this opportunity to stress the importance of working safely and smartly. Our goal in the wing is simply stated: To engage and destroy the enemy as a combat team. However, it is not simply immiB accomplished. If we injure our people, or damage our aircraft and equipment through unsafe practices on duty or off, we are doing the enemy's job for him. To successfully accomplish our mission we must all know our jobs and work to learn and improve each day. Having the technical competence to complete a job, no matter how big or small, is essential for safe operations. Know your limits and the limits of your We must all act with discipline. We all have choices we make everyday. We must all choose the right way, even though it may not be the easiest, cheapest or quickest. Cutting corners in an opera- rs. tion as intricate as the wing's can be deadly. We must all pay a great deal of attention to detail in everything we do. Finally, we must all focus on the big picture. This includes not only taking care of yourself, but also taking care of your family and each other. One of the very unique and valuable qualities of the Air Force is the adopted family that came with every enlistment and commissioning. Be a part of that family. Take care of it and it will take care of you. At peace or war, risk should be commensurate with gain. In peacetime there is no mission or task worth personal injury or damage of equipment. Keep focused, remain disciplined and we will continue to achieve or goals safely. Hidden Heroes... Name: Duane Martin Rank: technical sergeant Job: manpower analyst Unit: 388th Fighter Wing Time in Service: 15 years Major volunteer projects over the past year: Senior vice president for Airmen Against Drinking and Driving. Why do you volunteer? Its the right thing to do. At the end of my life, I want to hear well done good and faithful son. First place, small 1997 and 1998 commercial-enterpris- e newspaper Air Combat Command Contest Editorial Staff Col. John Weida 1st Lt. Erin Shuler. Senior Airman Brian Bahret Airman 1st Class Cindy Huston Commander chief. Public Affairs Chief Command Information Command Information assistant Fighter C ountry 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 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 C ountry 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. F'ghter Country is edited, prepared and provided by the 388th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office, 5887 D. Ave., Suite 113, Hill AFB UT, 84056-501Story submissions for Fighter t ountry can be to brian. bahret?). hill.af.mil brought by the office, ax to 777 2923. Deadline for submissions to Fighter Country is no later than Monday, noon, two wee s prior to publication. For more information, call the public affairs office at 777-320- |