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Show Hilltop Times November 10. 2004 HillAFB 5-day weather outlook www.alrfield-ops. hill.af.mll/osw/weather Today 44° High/ 32° Low Mostly cloudy Thursday 46° High/30° Low Partly cloudy Friday Ogden ALC commander visits AOR Trip meant to gauge service and say thanks by 1st Lt. Caroline Wellman Ogden ALC Public Affairs Maj. Gen. Kevin J. Sullivan, Ogden ALC commander, recently spent a week and a half visits ing seven deployment locations in the Middle East and Southwest Asia in an effort to improve the customer support the Ogden Air Logistics Center provides warfighters. General Sullivan, along with Maj. Gen.Terry Gabreski, Oklahoma City ALC commander, talked directly to deployed personnel about logistics issues and ways to improve the centers' responsiveness to customers. The purpose of the visit was threefold, said General Sullivan. "We wanted to find out how we can do a better job of supporting our folks who are deployed, and the systems we either manPhoto by Capt. Joseph Gardenhour age or repair; to understand the Munitions Airmen from the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing help Maj. Gen. Kevin J. Sullivan, Ogden ALC commander, install a GBU-38 JDAM tail kit conditions they're operating support visit to CENTCOM. on a MK-82 bomb at At Udeid Air Base, Qatar during a recent customer in...; and to say thanks for all was a problem with non-duty make sure that we're here to changes could occur. "We need to make sure that the good work that they're doingday support. The center com- support a seven day week oper- "What it could mean is that wewe're extremely responsive to over there." manders plan to address this ation." take more calls to item managersany type of request that's comOverall, the Ogden Air Logis- issue by making sure that deployed It's not perfectly clear why on the weekend," he said. "We ing out of people involved in tics Center is doing its job well, personnel know how to get in that's not happening, General don't know for sure, but that Operation Enduring Freedom touch with the proper people, Sullivan said, because 24-hour could be happening. Clearly, or Operation Iraqi Freedom. indicated General Sullivan. "In general, the feedback on to include item managers, any- points of contact exist "Butwhatthey are having requests that These people are at war,... and all of the ALC's performance time day or night. we do know is that in some cases,are going unanswered and my when they have a question, we we don't seem to be connecting sense is that they're probably have an obligation to make sure was very good," General Sulli- 'We have 24-hour points of conwe get an answer as quickly as van said. "Specifically, we got tact at the ALCs, but sometimesthe dots where there's a ques- going unanswered because somesome good feedback on our A- those numbers aren't widely tion in theater...with the item how we're not getting the ques- possible." 10 people and some good feed- known. So one of the things we'd manager who can answer the tion to that IM." "We don't want to be unreback on our F-16 folks, particularly like to be able to fix is to makequestion," he said. If s important for Air Force andsponsive to the people we supregarding requests for engi- sure that the people who need Although General Sullivan Department of Defense per- port in the states. We respond neering assistance." help know how to get help, 24 plans to improve the center's sonnel here to understand the to all the people we support, but The one consistent concern hours a day, seven days a week,"responsiveness, he doesn't envi- support the logistics centers are when it's a guy who's wearing a expressed by deployed logistics he said. "They're working a sion major changes here as a providing to deployed person- flak vest and a helmet, it should personnel at several of the bases seven day week, so we have to result, but admits that minor nel. General Sullivan said. be much more urgent." The importance of caring for self, others Don't neglect yourself Lookout for suicide signs our body and mind - that determines our them, but ask them how they are sense of purpose, ties us to our ances- by Beth Young doing and really listen." 75th Medical Operations Squadron tors, and links us to future generations. Hilltop Times staff One Hill employee who experienced commander We need to stay connected through med- In the days and hours before peothe suicide of a co-worker said that Our lives have become very compli- itation, prayer, or self-exploration on a ple kill themselves, they usually give nobody in the office knew of the cocated. There have been increases in our regular basis to develop this spiritual clues and warning signs. worker's problems. operations tempo due to recent world side. "Our suicide rate is skyrocketing... "He was not the type who warmed events and we are already forced to accept The body must also be challenged as We lost 57 people to suicide in the up to others. He really isolated himthe increasing responsibility associated well as maintained. Regular exercise thatpast year — a dramatic, and tragic, self," said Paul Belts. "But none of with our career progression. Fewer peo- focuses on development of physical increase from last year," said Air us made the effort to be friends with ple are there to help us do the job, and strength, coordination, speed and flex- Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. him. I feel there is an element of ibility is essential for our overall growthJumper in his latest "Sight Picture." we face ever-changing technological chalblame there. The lesson I carried lenges. We are forced to handle more as a person. We need Because suicide is rarely away was to be more sensitive to othand more tasks, take on greater respon- to consider what is a spur-of-the-moment ers. Try to be nicer." sibility and balance ever-increasing num-best for our body in decision, those closest Wingman Day Although talking to someone about bers of priorities. Under these circumstances, the long run and not to people thinking about suicide may be uncomfortable, whether it is easy to lose sight of one of our high-just what is our short- At the request of Gen. suicide — friends, fam- it's a close friend or casual co-worker, est priorities; we must take care of our- lived pleasure in ily, even co-workers — it can be the difference between life selves! choosing our diets Gregory Martin, AFMC comare the best defense in and death. No one wants to be left mander, all installations will preventing this tragedy. with the guilt that they could have We have an obligation of service to ourand habits. It makes conduct a "Wingman Day." "We need to watch out done something to prevent a suicide, units and our country. It is our sworn no sense to work on Hill's wingman day is schedfor one another," said and didn't. duty. Yet we can't succeed in that duty helping develop youruled for Nov. 19. Col. Sharon Dunbar, 75th "We need to be a team and take care unless we first accept that we have a mind by studyAir Base Wing comresponsibility to ourselves as well. The ing/preparing for of one another," Colonel Dunbar said. 1 "Every Air Force officer, enlistexams, while at the mander, at her recent core value of "service before self does "Because we're a very small, closenot mean that the "self is unimportant same time destroy- ed and civilian has a wingman Commander's Call. "It knit Air Force, we have the opporcould be somebody who tunity to better take care of one or can be ignored. We cannot even start ing your body with and there should be no doubt to be of service to someone else unless tobacco and excess about our responsibility to one may be haying a tough another." alcohol. Many may another. You are not operating day, somebody who may There is hope for those who get we are healthy, whole and capable. Effecattend church on a alone," General Martin said. need a couple words of help. According to the Suicide Awaretively taking care of ourselves in a rapidly encouragement or some- ness Voices of Education website, changing environment requires paying weekly basis to mainbody who may need a attention to the three main parts of who tain their spiritual Wingman day should focus 80 percent of people who seek treattrip over to see the chap- ment for depression are treated sucwe are: Our mind, our spirit, and our well-being, yet fail on four major areas. to keep regular medlain." body. cessfully. ical appointments The mind must be nurtured and chal• Recognition and celebraIt's not enough to notice "Airmen — be good wingmen. Take lenged. Our minds can suffer when we to maintain their changes in one's behav- care of yourself and those around tion of unit accomplishments are not in a state of learning and dis- physical health. ior, such as talk of killing you. Step in when your wingman • Discussion of the stressors covery, just as our bodies can waste awayTaking care of our- that come with success needs help. Signs of stress and suithemselves or being with a lack of regular exercise. We mustselves means takcide should not be dismissed... The • Re-emphasis of the support depressed. It's imporstimulate the mind with new ideas and ing care of our wholeservices available tant to reach out to any- needless loss of one Airman is one experiences to grow. Avoid falling into self- our mind, spirit • The importance of Airmen one displaying signs of loss too many. Look out for each other routines based solely on convenience - and body. Neglect being good wingmen in the — look out for your wingman," Gen depression or suicide. like constantly watching TV- and try of any one of these tradition of those who came Jumper said. The American Associnew activities that encourage original- areas will make us before us. ation of Suicidology rec- Resources: ity or creativity. We also need to know feel incomplete, ommends that when On base: how to mentally relax, just as our bod- unfulfilled, and less talking to someone who Life Skills Support Center, Bldg. ies need physical rest. Take a walk in the positive. The end may be suicidal, be direct, 545, 777-7909 woods, or make time to daydream and result of an unbaldon't judge and be willHill's behavioral health clinic a let your mind wander freely, if only for anced life means we cannot reach our ing to listen. Also don't be afraid to Family Support Center, Bldg. 308N, few minutes. Get enough sleep, which full potential, and our jobs, families andseek help, even if sworn to secrecy, 777-4681 your mind needs as much as your body mission may ultimately suffer. Those there are many agencies both on and Helps military members and their to recuperate. who say "I don't have the time" are the off base to turn to. families adapt to Air Force life Just as we tend to our mind, we must very ones who need to make the time It's also important to reach out Hill AFB Chapel Bldg. 475, 777also nurture our spiritual side. We all for themselves. Simplify your life by get-beyond well-known associates, to 2106 have beliefs and values that act to focus ting rid of the unnecessary clutter afterothers who may not have close friends. Everyone is welcome to call for work, and reset your priorities to address "Many people who attempt suicide help, including those with no reliour actions and give meaning to our lives, regardless of any particular religious that part of you that is being neglected. are very private people," said Dave gious affiliation. affiliation. Whether we call it our soul, In doing so, we will have richer and more Larsen, Hill Organizational Health Organizational Health Center, Bldg. our inner self, or our spirit, there is a partproductive lives, as well as a stronger Center director. "They don't share 150, 777-6970 or 586-1046 of us that transcends our physical and military and civilian force serving our their personal problems. You don't Assists management in creating a emotional being - something beyond nation's defense. have to become best friends with healthier workplace. by Col. Joseph D. Dye 53° High/ 33° Low Partly cloudy Saturday 55° High/ 34° Low Partly to mostly cloudy Sunday 54° High/ 32° Low Partly cloudy |