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Show B Hf, Country May 26, 2005 It's a great time to serve for 388th FW Airmen By Lt. Col. Chris Weggeman 421st Fighter Squadron commander On July 3rd, 2003,1 took command of the 421st Fighter Squadron in a hot and dusty hardened aircraft facility at AI Udeid Air Base, Qatar. From the centerpiece of my charge to the courageous combat proven veterans in front of me, bravely executing their mission in the oppressive desert environment was a great time to serve our country and our Air Force. Over the course of the next two years, the Airmen of the 388th Fighter Wing have made my belief in that concept more resolute. Not since the victorious era of the "greatest generation" has the service and sacrifice of an Airman had such a vital and lasting impact on the preservation of the inalienable rights bestowed upon every citizen of our great nation. One could say Air Force job satisfaction is at an all time high. Airmen of the 388th FW have answered their nation's calling delivering relevant, decisive and persistent air power wherever and whenever called upon. The result is a homeland where freedom : remains absolute and a far away land where 25 million men, women and children once again sow the seeds of freedom and • endeavor to restore peace and prosperity to an oppressed region. As this freedom grows it has already spread and taken root elsewhere, dissolving tyranny and illuminating a path towards harmony for all to follow. This is what your service is doing. It's a great time to serve! Our nation called upon you to champion its cause and you answered that calling time and again with skill and determination. I have had the distinct honor of commanding more than 2,000 sor- ' However, no 388th FW Airman serves alone, or suffers alone, and comfort is always found in our wing's embrace." - Lt. Col. Chris Weggeman 421st Fighter Squadron commander ties in our nation's war on terror and as I said two years ago, the page has now turned. Once upon a time, terrorists roamed free and oppression plagued millions. Now, thanks to you, terrorist regimes are being destroyed and millions of people once again drink from freedom's chalice. It's a great time to serve! We have trained hard over the last two years, guided by clarity of purpose and supported by a wing unified in action. I truly believe there is no mission or tasking the Airmen of the 388th FW will not dominate. For us, 'liberty or death' is not just something we chant, it's something we do. Those arrogant enough to chal- 12th Air Force commander: Enjoy the summer but take care of each other where a buddy can step in and stop a potential accident. A lone Airman cannot survive in comMemorial Day marks the beginning of bat for long. The same holds for life; be summer and our "101 Critical Days of there for each other, especially when one Summer," campaign which runs through of us "misplaces" our judgment. Labor Day. Since 2002, the Air Force has averaged 33 fatal accidents per summer and 12th Air I encourage everyone to get out and enjoy summer's fun Force can claim three of outdoor activities, these as their own. water sports and During last year's "101 vacationing. Critical Days of Summer" campaign. Hill However, as you plan AFB sustained 10 total recreational activities I ask you to think mishaps but, fortunately, through the potential no fatalities. dangers that come My goal for "zero with those activities. mishaps" is achievable only if you take the time Use common to know the Airmen next sense, followed by the excellent risk to you — their hobbies, management techinterests and risky niques we've been behaviors. Commanders taught in the Air and supervisors at every level must stay abreast Force. of what their people are Set the example. Lt. Gen. Mark Schmidt doing this summer and Confront risky take appropriate action to behavior and poor judgment head-on. If you see or perceive a mitigate risk or, if necessary, simply stop questionable situation, I expect you to be a the activity. It comes down to each of us being personally responsible and applying leader and step in as needed. sound risk management techniques in our Don't be the person standing at a memorial service asking yourself why you day-to-day activities both on and off duty. didn't intervene. It is vital to the well-being of our Looking the other way when your Airmen and our organization that we combuddy gets in the car or boat after drinking plete the "101 Days" with no serious accitoo much alcohol isn't being a buddy at dents. all. Showing off on a motorcycle, or just Let's get out there and have a fun and being loo fatigued to drive, are other areas safe summer. lenge freedom have already felt the lethal conviction inherent in our battle cry. Make no mistake, you arc an integral part of a lean, relevant fighting machine whose razor sharp edge is forged from your excellence and unrelenting personal courage. I hope you take tremendous pride in what we've accomplished over the last 2 to 3 years because the global implications of your service are real, lasting and vital to the preservation of America and human endeavor across the globe. It's a great time to serve! We all know that freedom is not free and the costs inherent in our service have placed heavy burdens on our families and loved ones, oftentimes eclipsing the greater good incurred. However, no 388th FW Airman serves alone, or suffers alone, and comfort is always found in our wing's embrace. We are each other's wingmen, and the strength and perseverance I've witnessed from our family is the very bed-rock supporting the foundation of our excellence in action. The human bond we've nurtured fills our hearts and minds with pride, satisfaction and a deep sense of purpose. You must find comfort knowing that your service has made our country and our world a better and safer place for all. I can think of no act more selfless. It's a great time to serve! These are challenging times for the 388th FW as our wing fuels a fast-paced operational tempo preserving the initiative in the global war on terrorism. You have served diligently and unconditionally, earning the highest respect our nation can offer. Heroes one and all. It's a great time lo serve for me because I have had the honor and privilege of serving with you, the finest Airmen the Air Force has to offer. I will never forget your courage, sacrifice or the profound impact you've made on preserving our nation's liberties at home and abroad ... liberty or death! Smiling faces By Lt. Gen. Mark Schmidt 12th Air Force Commander Courtesy photo An Iraqi girl takes an armful of donations provided through Operation Sole Train. The 388th Fighter Wing particpated in a collection drive providing new shoes, socks and school supplies to Iraqi children 12 years and younger. Promotions given to fill critically manned career fields WASHINGTON — Airmen in 17 Air Force specialties will be given a leg up for promotion this year in an attempt to fill manning shortfalls in their career fields. As part of the chronic critical shortage skills program, Airmen testing for staff, technical or master sergeants during the 2005 promotion cycle, and who are in 17 career fields, will be promoted at 1.2 times the Air Force average. For example, if the Air Force average for a particular promotion is 15 percent, then the critical skills would be promoted at a promotion rate of 18 percent. Career fields are considered for placement on the list when the number of staff, technical and master sergeants is below and projected to remain below 90 percent, said Reese Lang, the Air Force • Combat Control (1C2X1). enlisted skills manager. Once placed on the list, the specialty remains on it for at least two years and until noncommissioned offi- Q Command Post (1C3X1). cers manning in the career fields is above 95 percent. • Aerospace Control and Warning Systems (1C5X1X). "Basically this is lo help these career fields that have NCO short- • Space System Operations (1C6X1). ages," Mr. Lang said. Q Intelligence Applications (1N0X1). "And this is done every year for the NCO promotion cycle. It is • Imagery Analysis (1N1X1). part of the promotion cycle." Q Network Intelligence Analysis (1N4X1). Specialties on the 2005 list are: LJ Electronic Signals Intelligence Exploitation (1N5X1). • Loadmaster(lA2Xl) Q Electronic Systems Security Assessment (1N6X1). Q Airborne Communications and Electronics Systems (1A3XI) aPararescue(IT2Xl). Q Airborne Battle Management (1A4X1X). a Weather (1W0X1X). • Airborne Cryptologic Linguist (1A8X1X) a F-16, F-117, RQ-1, CV-22 Avionics Systems (2A3X2). Q Air Traffic Control (1C1X1) (Courtesy of Air Force Print News) Published for People Like... Staff Sgt. David Crane Unit: 388th Equipment Maintenance Squadron Job: Aerospace ground equipment craftsman Fighter^Country Editorial Staff Col. Robert Beletic Commander Capt. Monica Bland Chief, Public Affairs Airman Stefanie Torres Editor Time in Service: Seven and a half years Most recent accomplishments: I got my Community College of the Air Force degree. Goals: To make tech and get my bachelor's degree. If I could change one thing at Hill, what would it be? 1 would change parking. Parking is sparse in most places here. The Fighter Country is a supplement to the Hilltop Times, published by MorMedia, Inc.. e private firm In no way connected with the U.S. Air Force, under exclusive written contract with (he Ogden Air Logistics Center Public Affairs Office. This civilian'enterprise Air Force newspaper is nn authorized publication for members of the U.S. military services. Contents of Fighter Country are not necessarily the official views ot. or endorsed by. the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense ot the Department ol tho Air Force Unless otherwise indicated, all photos are U.S. AJr Force photos. Advertisements contained herein do not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense, tho U.S. Air Force or Hill AFB, Everything advertised Is available without regard to race, color, religion, sex. or other nonmerit (actor of the purchaser, user or patron. Tho Fighter Country Is edited, prepared and provided by the 386th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office, 5887 DAve., Suite 113. HIM AFB UT. 84056-5017, Story submissions Tor the Fighter Country can be brought by the office, e-mailed to Ihe editor at flghtor.countrye.hill.af.mil or faxed to 777-2923. Deadline lor submissions to Fighter Country is no later than Monday, noon, two weeks prior to publication. For more information, call the public affairs office at 777-3200. |
