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Show ffiif B iHa i'in'ri'rMJfw EcMsfiajfflassf September 21, 2000 nereis prompts By Tropically deployed ... who charted every detail of the war; the services folks, without whom our war Judy Lemmons 388th Fighter Wing Protocol fighters couldnt keep mentally and phys- On Aug. 27, 1990, I stood looking out the window of my second story office at the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing, watching the aircrew from the 4th TFS, carrying their mobility bags over their shoulders-- a sight I had watched many times before during exercises. However, never with the impact it had on me that morning 1 0 years ago . . . this was real. This was war. This was the beginning of Desert Shield and Desert Storm and the tears flowed freely. My heart cried that day in August. The freedom I enjoy every day of my life, was brought to the forefront of my every emotion as I watched them leave. To me, my loss that day was minimal compared to the loss felt by their wives, their husbands, their children, their mothers and their fathers. Time has dimmed those feelings somewhat, that is, until yesterday. . .Thursday, Sept. 14, day three of Team Hills oper- ational readiness exercise. I had the opportunity to participate in the exercise for an eight-hoperiod, wearing BDUs, processing through the TFA, donning chem gear, enduring Alarm Black under attack, observing up close and personal the sense of urgency. Even though it was an exercise ... I was scared. I was participating in Combat Protocol, escorting our LOGSTAR, a local community leader, Davis County Sheriff, Mr. Bud Cox. I observed a team effort I hadnt before considered. 1 thought to fight a war you needed only a pilot, a plane and a crew chief. Nothing else mattered. Nothing else made a difference. I was wrong. We observed the command post, those ur ically alert; the chaplain, who provides the spiritual guidance we sometimes take for granted; the security forces, who pro- tect our valuable resources; and the medics, who perform first aid. To each one of you, my personal thanks for all you do. As a civilian, I dont routinely have my personal life disrupted by recalls, deployments, permanent change of station moves, and Anthrax shots. I am not on call 247 and I dont have to worry about leaving my family with the uncertainty of my return and Im not speaking about the routine uncertainties of life that we all face. I am so proud to be part of a winning team that has chosen to go in harms way for me. Even as I write, 388th troops are spread to all comers of the globe, protecting my choices. I get a lump in my throat every time I watch our fly, I maintenance our time observe every crews preparing their jet, every time I participate in a flag ceremony, every day when I hear our National Anthem played. Im one of the lucky ones, surrounded by those who are proud to wear the uniform, who do their job day in and day out, who show and share their pride. As I walked to my car, exhausted from F-1- 6s the experience, sweating from every pore, (and I hadnt even done anything,) I felt a sense of guilt as I drove out in my air conditioned car, catching a glimpse of those airmen through my rear view mirror, remembering once again the feel- ing I felt 10 years ago. ..a tear rolled down my cheek. Thank you Team Hill and good luck on the ORI! Above, Airman 1st Class Garold Alexander, a crew chief with the 34th Fighter Squadron, checks through the technical orders for the F-Falcon while it is being refueled. The Rude Rams deployed about 60 people in 16 to the Caribbean island for Coronet Nighthawk, a counter-narcotioperation supported by U.S. Southern Air Forces. The deployment is the units tasking for Air Expeditionary Force 10. The squadron is the unit in the Air Force to fill this first active-dut- y The 34th mission. Fighter Squadron is scheduled to return from their tropical deployment in early December. (Photo by Tech. Sgt. William Freeman) mid-Augu- st cs Right, the 34th FS deployed to Curacao, a small island off the northern coast of South America. An estimated 220,000 people live on Curacao which sees an average temperature of 83 degrees Fahrenheit. Celebrate diversity on daily basis By Lt. Col. Ismael Burgos Jr. 388th Fighter Wing, Inspector General Bom in New York City from Puerto Rican parents. Im proud of my Hispanic heritage. Many Hispanics only know about their heritage because of their relatives who were born abroad and occasional trips to the mother land. I was lucky enough that my parents returned to Puerto Rico when I was 6 years old and learned first hand about my culture and traditions. Back in Puerto Rico is were I got and mastered my accent and where I learned English as a second language. Joining the United States Air Force was a dream come true. Defending my country against all enemies, foreign and domestic, is my call. Where else but in the United Stated Air Force can a small Puerto Rican guy with a thick accent and only knowing English as a second language realize his dream and make it to the top. Dedication, hard work, and perseverance made me the officer I am today, not to forget all those outstanding officers and NCOs who corrected me every time I pronounced a word incorrectly or used the wrong syntax. Thank you Colonel Pierto for telling me to slow down while I talk, to Master Sgt. Getting for letting me know that I get a hair cut not take one and to Navy Name: William Doss Rank: technical sergeant Job: NCOIC commander support First place, small 1997 and 1998 commercial-enterpris- e newspaper Air Combat Command Contest Editorial Staff Col. John Weida Capt. Erin Shuler. staff Unit: 388th Operations Support Staff Sgt. Brian Bahret Airman 1st Class Cindy Huston Squadron Time in Service: 16 years Goals: leam to play violin, see more of the world Most recent accomplishments: increased my faith in God Captain Smart for sitting down with me and teaching me proper grammar. These people never laugh at me or put me down; on the contrary, they celebrated my heritage by understanding, correcting and helping me integrate into the American society and culture. Hispanic heritage, as for any other culture to include European, should be celebrated every day by sitting down and listening to each other. Helping each other understand where are they coming from and why we think that way. Going to a luncheon and a golf tournament once a year is fine if our purpose is to say We support their heritage but the real support is a two way street and it comes on a daily basis. The best way to celebrate any heritage is to understand and help each other. Commander chief. Public Affairs Chief, Command Information Command Information assistant FighicrCounti r is a supplement to the Httllop Vinn', published by MorMedia, Ine , a private firm m no way conncetcd with the U S Air Force, under exclusive written contract with the Ogden Air Logistics Center Public Adairs Office This commercial enterprise Air Force newspaper is an authorized publication for members ol the U S military services Contents ot Fightei Counii i are not necessarily the official views of. or endorsed by the U S Government, the Department of Defense or the Department ol the Air Force Unless otherwise indicated, all pholos arc U S Air f orcc pholos Fighter Country is edited, prepared and provided by the 388th Fightei Wing Public Allairs Office. 5X87 D Avc , Suite 13, Hill AFU UT. 84056-50- 1 7 Story submissions for Fightei Count! i can be brought by the to the editor at office, fighter country() hill af mil or lax to 777-292- 3 Deadline for submissions to righle, Count, i ,s no later than Monday, noon two weeks prior to publication For more mlormation, call the public aftairs office at 0 |