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Show August 3, 2000 UAC builds trust, teamwork, morale By Staff Sgt. Brian Bahret 388th Fighter Wing Public Affairs and morale-builder- s, Squadron problem-solver- s the Unit Advisory Council is often overlooked and underrated, but UAC members insist the program, when properly used, is a tool everyone can benefit from. Senior Airman Noah Rosales, the former president of the 388th Maintenance Squadron UAC, said the ultimate goal of the UAC is to bring the squadron together and make it stronger. To do that the UAC focuses on two primary areas: solving problems people in the squadron have, and providing morale building activities for squadron people. Airman Rosales said each squadron should have a UAC comprised of at least two people, a primary and alternate representative, from every unit in the squadron. However, he added, everyone in the squadron should participate. With problem-solvinthe idea is to fix any problem at the lowest level said Staff Sgt. Mike Payne, 388th Operations Support Squadron UAC president. I can go through the action line, but dont, he said refering to the 75th Air Base Wing commanders hotline. I start with the UAC. He said the UAC offers an avenue to solve problems that many people fail to explore. For airmen who cant resolve their own problems at the lowest level or who are apprehensive of approaching their superiors, Sergeant Payne said the UAC might be a solution. Sergeant Payne said the problem-solvin- g process is simple. Airmen identify a problem and approach their UAC representative with it. The representative will bring it up at the monthly UAC meeting. He said the UAC addresses the issue to the first sergeant or, if necessary, to the squadron commander, who will take appropriate action. Airman Rosales gave an example of a problem the UAC helped resolve. For weeks, the men and women working in the munitions area were forced to detour to reach the main road leading off base. Airman Rosales said the airmen were g, Tech. Sgt. Rodney Kerns and Master Sgt. Calistro Martinez cook burgers at the 388th Operations Support Squadron Unit Advisory Council burger burn held July 27. The UAC raises money for squadron activities and events. concerned for their safety because they were forced to turn into traffic travelling at 40 miles per hour. The airmen asked the UAC to help solve the dilemma. The UAC did. Ammo was permitted to open a gate, for the duration of the construction (that was previously closed for security reasons.) The gate exited to an area where traffic flows at a slower speed. If you have a strong UAC, you can get the problems solved and build more faith in the squadron, said Airman Rosales. It shows the younger airmen their voices count -- - that builds morale. He added that the UACs help isnt limited to the work place; its available for off-duissues, too. Improving morale isnt solely accomplished by problem solving, said Sergeant ty Payne. He said UACs also help fund help gather and donate clothing, personal health care products and other goods to the homeless veterans in Ogden. He said each donation drive was successful because of the people in the squadron. Everyone needs to participate, said Sergeant Payne explaining that the UAC is not an organization solely for airmen. Its the squadron UAC, not the airmens or the NCOs UAC. If everyone comes together as a big family, you raise more money for squadron activities and you can give more benefits to the needy - in the end, you have more effect on the community. It makes you a better person all around. To find out more about your squadrons UAC, contact your first sergeant or UAC squadron functions such as picnics, and Christmas parties and also help the local community. benefit everyone in the squadron, said Sergeant Payne. He said the more money the squadron raises, the more luxuries the people in the squadron Fund-raise- rs can have. Airman Rosales said last years Christmas party was one of the 388th Maintenance Squadrons best because of the UAC. He said through various fund raisers, the squadron raised $6,000 to spend on the Christmas party. Sergeant Payne explained how UACs like the 388th OSS can be active in the community. He said in the past, the 388th OSS UAC organized clothing drives to representative. How proud a member are you? By Col. William Courts . experience levels, limited spare parts, and the high 388th Operations Group Commander How proud are you to be a part of Team Hill? I think you should be very proud!! Are you aware that the at Hill Air Force Base flew more sorties per aircraft than any F-- 1 6 in Air Combat Command during the month of June? Whats that you say, arent we doing more with less? Actually, we are doing more by using our limited assets in a smarter way. Let me explain. The mission of the United States Air Force is to fly and fight. The only way we can ensure we are ready to do that is by providing our pilots enough sorties to be proficient in the air. So the dilemma that supervisors at Hill faced was, how can we generate enough sorties while still coping with low manpower F-1- 6s ations tempo we encounter on a daily basis. ior leadership in the flying squadrons decided to look at the idea of pitting the aircraft, which means that after their first sortie, the aircraft are then refueled oper- The sen- - aircraft using the pitting concept for the remainder of this fiscal year (through Sept. 30). By arranging their sorties, it is hoped that the squadrons can fly TV enough sorties the first four days of the week ComiTlSntn so that they can fly a single go on Friday. This will hopefully allow the jets to be repaired and made ready for the next weeks flying so there is minimal weekend duty. It will also provide us an opportunity to accomplish ground training in order to be prepared to do our best in the event of war and during the Operational Readiness Inspection in October. Am I proud to be a part of Team Hill? you bet I am. We will continue to have the best trained pilots in the Air Force and will produce the greatest numbers of sorties per assigned aircraft in ACC! without the pilot shutting down the engine. Once refueled, the pilot goes off to fly a second sortie. The training is not as effective as flying two separate sorties; however, the beauty of the concept is that there is a dramatic reduction in the overall amount of work required to turn the aircraft by maintenance personnel. So what does the near future hold? The 388th Fighter Wing commander has proposed we continue to fly our Hidden Heroes... II Jllll Ifci I JI jf jl! Jt Lc Name: Lisa Lenders Rank: civilian Job: secretary Unit: 4th Fighter Squadron Time in Service: 9 Years Major volunteer projects over the past year: Habitat for Humanity and helping to serve people at the Ogden Rescue Mission Why do you volunteer? Volunteering makes me feel good. It gives me a chance to give back to the community. First place, small commercial-enterpris- e newspaper 1997 and 1998 Air Combat Command Contest Editorial Staff Col. John Weida Commander Capt. Erin Shuler Cie. Public Affairs Staff Sgt. Brian Bahret... Chief, Command Infot motion Airman st Class Cindy Huston Command Information assistant 1 Fighter Country is a supplement to the H.Htop Turn; published by Moi Media, Inc . a pm ate firm in no way connected with the U S A,r Force, under exclusive written contract with the Ogden Air Logistics Center Public Affairs Office This commercial enterprise Air Force newspaper is an authorized for members of the U S military services Contents of F.&tcr Counts 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 ed,led- - prepjred Jnd Provided by the 388lh TUn'ry Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office, 5887 D Ave, Suite 113. 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