OCR Text |
Show B Heads Up April 21, 2005 Wing must continue to rise to the occasion in today's era of transformation nization structure, roles, and relationships. By Col. Jack Reed First, although the associate wing construct has not 419th Maintenance Group commanderbeen previously tried at the wing level in the fighter "The old order changcth, yielding place to new..." Alfred Tennyson, Idylls of the King: The Passing of Arthur, Line 408. And so it is in the Air Force, the Air Force Reserve, and especially the 4l9th Fighter Wing, as we respond to new threats within familiar restrictions imposed by a limited budget, mature systems, and declining numbers of personnel. The Future Total Force initiative, announced in November 2004, is the Air Force's attempt to maximize combat capability by leveraging the inherent strengths of airpower and technology to create a more lethal, flexible, responsive yet cost-effective force. In the context of FTF, the 419th Fighter Wing is tasked to take the lead in doing what has not been done before, to create an active duty - associate fighter wing integrating our unique capabilities with the 388th FW. The challenge of creating a new organization presents great opportunities for each of us, and not surprisingly, generates some uncertainty about orga- world, it is a familiar and successful organization in the airlift, special operations, and airborne warning and control communities. Consequently, we are not starling with a blank slate. Wing leadership intends to review how other active duty - associate wings arc structured and function, with the aim of using .and adapting what we can to the fighter mission, and hopefully, avoiding missteps along the way. Second, the mission of the 419th Fighter Wing, to fly, fight and win, will not change. But, how we accomplish the mission within the associate wing concept will be a work in progress. In the near term, there will be no change at all; if you have served on previous Air Expeditionary Force rotations, you should expect no surprises on the upcoming deployments. But, the manner in which future AEF and Expeditionary Combat Support commitments are managed and filled is one of the many areas where we don't as yet have a clear roadmap. To the extent we can chart our own course, we will do so keeping in mind the unique nature of service in the Air Force Reserve. Third, and fortunately, we have enjoyed a professional and productive relationship with the men and women of the 388lh Fighter Wing. They are just as interested as we are in successfully implementing this new concept. Properly implemented, the associate wing construct will enhance the combat capability of each organization and strengthen the relationship we have with our active duty counterparts at all levels. Keep focused on the processes and events within your control. In light of the uncertainty resulting from FTF, it would be easy to lose sight of why we are here, but we don't have that luxury. In the next 15 months, the wing faces a Phase II Operational Readiness Exercise, a Phase I ORE, AEF deployments and higher headquarters directed inspections and evaluations. Each of us must remain responsible and accountable for our portion of the wing mission, we must do so safely, and we must take care of each other while doing so. Col. Jack Reed Summer - A season to exercise off-duty safety always appoint a designated driver. Traveling - Be sober, vigilant and well-rested. Ensure everyone wears a seatbelt. Watercraft - Know your craft and use personal floatation devices. Use caution when operating boats and jet skis, staying away from other boaters, swimmers and jet skiers. WASHINGTON— "There are no second acts in American lives," F. Scott Fitzgerald once wrote. Motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles - Don't operate without Memorial Day Weekend signals the start of summer, traditional- proper training and personal protective equipment. Always remain ly a time of fun and sun. During the 101 Critical Days of Summer, vigilant and drive defensively. we sometimes try to do too much because of the extra sunlight. Outdoor activities - Before and after athletic activity, take a Here arc suggestions on how to keep healthy and safe this sum- short moderale-to-brisk walk to improve circulation rather than stretching, which experts say contributes to muscle strain. Know mer: your limits and don't overdo it. Avoid prolonged exposure to the ' Alcohol consumption - Don't drink and operate vehicles - ausun, use sunscreens and drink plenty of water. tomobiles, boats, jet skis, etc. If you drink, do it moderately and By Lt Gen. John A. Bradley Commander of Air Force Reserve Command Inside the Keserve Airlift squadron retires, but may come back MARCH AIR RESERVE BASE, Calif. — The 730th Airlift Squadron retired from service March 19, 62 years after it first stood up as a bombardment unit during World War II. March Field's remaining four C-I41 Starlifter cargo aircraft will retire from service in April. The unit has flown Starlifters for 37 years. Plans call for the squadron to surface again in two years at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, flying C-17 Globemaster IN aircraft. C-17s are also coming to March Field later this year to be flown by the 729th AS, the lone remaining cargo unit in the 452nd Air Mobility Wing. Many 730th people have already received C-17 training and will join the 729th AS, while others have chosen to retire or seek other jobs within Air Force Reserve Command. For more information on this story, visit the Air Force Reserve Command's web page at http://www.afrc.af.mil/ afrcnews/05035.asp Swimming - Swim with a buddy in known waters and don't drink. In the past few years we've been made more aware of the need for diligent force protection. We need to apply this same kind of vigilance off duty during the 101 Critical Days of Summer. Most mishaps involve one or more of the following factors: alcohol, fatigue, darkness, bad weather, poor judgment, inappropriate risk-taking. Let's use common sense, plan ahead and be prepared. An "it-will-never-happcn-to-me" attitude is not a guarantee but rather a recipe for disaster. Take care of your family and of your Air Force Reserve family. Be alert and prevent incidents that could cause a lifetime of regrets. Let's all enjoy the months of summer, but let's enjoy our off-duty time responsibly. (AFRC News Service) Services Flight a vital 419th Fighter Wing team asset By Jennifer-Lyn Harter 419th Fighter Wing Public Affairs bers will feel more at home. Services also organize ping pong, card, and dart tournaments and other events. When required. Services may have to perform wartime mortuary duties. In the event that this happens, they identify the deceased, then transport and return them to home station. "The Services function is key to the Air Force being fully expeditionary. The professionalism and skills of these men and women enable today's Air Force to operate in virtually any environment," said Col. James D. Robinson, 419th Mis- sion Support Group commander. "The Services job is a high demand job," said Colonel Robinson. "Providing food and shelter has always been essential to any successfulemployment of military forces." According to the Headquarters Air Force Services website. Morale, Welfare, and Recreation programs and Services programs were first introduced during the Revolutionary War. The Air Force merged the two entities in 1992 and eventually renamed the program Services to reflect their mission. Air Force Services performs a number of vital functions and benefitsthat military members often take for granted. Many people see services specialists on reserve weekends, preparing food in the dining facility. Yet it's during deployments when members truly realize the value of the services offered. They often measure time in terms of breakfast lunch and dinner; they spend countless hours in the gym, working off nervous energy; and when they have time, they look forward Reserve names its outstanding Airmen, first to socializing with friends in sergeant the [recreation] tent. ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga.— Headquarters Air Force Reserve Command announced the command's Outstand"The Services career is a ing Airmen of the Year and First Sergeant of the Year during a broad career field," said Staff banquet here April 7. Sgt. Jenny Smith, 4l9th SerRepresenting AFRC at Air Force-level competition are: vices Flight. Airman - Senior Airman Erik R. Hofmeyer, 919th Special Services Flight members Operations Wing, Eglin AFB Field 3, Fla. prepare and serve food in NCO - Tech. Sgt. Amy D. Hatcher, Electronic Systems Centhe dining facility, work in ter, Hanscom AFB, Mass. the fitness center, arrange Senior NCO-Senior Master Sgt. Anthony J. Ritlwager, 514th lodging, and when necessary, Maintenance Squadron, McGuire AFB, N.J. assist with wartime mortuary First sergeant - Master Sgt. David R. Henry, 908th Aircraft duties. However, members Maintenance Squadron, Maxwell AFB, Ala. must also prepare for their wartime mission during Unit Training Assemblies. They must be trained in every aspect of their career field and can be ready to deploy in 48 hours if necessary. "Many of the things we do have a direct impact on the overall morale of the wing," said Sergeant Smith. Services two biggest responsibilities are providing food and lodging for members assigned to the unit. They distribute Meals Ready to Eat and train to operate the mobile kitchen trailer during deployments and Operational Readiness Inspections. The Services Flight can Courtesy photo also set up and maintain fitness facilities and equipment if mobilized and sent to a Courtesy photo "bare base" location. They Ms. Susan Kidman discusses a budgetary issue with another member further boost morale by mainStaff Sgt. Mark Waltz, 419th Services Flight, provides Instruction on how to do a proper leg raise at the of the 419th Fighter Wing. Ms. Kidman is the chief of Financial taining a recreational center Hess Fitness Center. When not training with the 419th Fighter Wing, members of the services flight often Management here, overseeing the operations and maintenance with televisions, movies to augment their active duty counterparts at Hill Air Force Base by working at the lodging office, fitness budget, pay issues, government credit cards and other financial rent, and pool tables so memcenter or other services facilities. matters. Financial management Air Force Reserve Command Mission Statement 7b provide Citizen Airmen to defend the United States and protect its interests through aerospace power. 419th Fighter Wing Mission Statement To Fly, Fight and Win! Heads Up Editorial content is edited, prepared and provided by the 419th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office. DEADLINE for submission of articles 419th FW STAFF is 10 working days before each scheduled wing unit training assembly. Articles should be typed and double-spaced on a 60-character line. Col. Gary M. Batinich ;. . .Commander HeadsUp is a Reserve supplement to the Hilltop Times, published by Ogden Publishing Corp,, a private firm in no way connected with Maj. James R. Wilson Chief of Public Affairs the U.S. Air Force, under exclusive written contract with the Ogden ALC Public Affairs Office. This civilian enterprise Air Force newspaper Senior Airman Lara Gale ..., Staff Writer is an authorized publication for Air Force Reserve members of the U.S. military services. Contents of HeadsUp are not necessarily the Senior Airman Nathan Greer Staff Writer official views of or endorsed by the U.S. government, the Department of Defense or the Air Force. |