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Show Fighter Country July 21, 2005 Goodwill tour visits communities around UTTR By Master Sgt. Terry Nelson 388th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Residents of three small outlying communities under the Utah Test and Training Range had the opportunity to talk with the 388th Range Squadron commander and F-16 pilots June 21-23. The 388th RANS sponsored the three-day community outreach tour to Wendover and Callao, Utah, and Montello, Nev. This year's outreach tour was a team effort which included Col. Douglas Reed, 388th RANS commander, Mr. Jerry Angus, chief of air space management and scheduling, Clyde Rcxroad, operations flight chief, Ll. Col. Chris Funk, 419th Operations Group commander (Reserve) and Capt. Todd (T.J.) Kreutzer, 34th Fighter Squadron pilot. The first stop on the tour was Montello, Nev., about 60 miles northwest of Wendover. The group was met by 20-30 Montello residents who were given informal briefings by Co!. Reed and Lt. Col. Funk. "It was a rewarding experience to visit with the folks who reside in communities underneath UTTR airspace," said Col. Reed. "Our goal was to explain the activities on the UTTR and listen to their concerns in an attempt to improve community relations. I heard nothing but positive feedback from the citizens who attended our meetings." A long time Montello resident, known only as Short}', who has hosted the tour group the past few years, welcomed everyone into his establishment. "We love it when you guys fly over, we really enjoy seeing the airplanes," Shorty said. "I just wish you guys would come by more often, we really enjoy it when you stop by." Captain Kreutzer was the most popular member of the group in Montello, showing children his flight gear, including an anti-G suit with his helmet. "The best part of going on this tour was the opportunity to talk to the kids. There is never a shortage of volunteers (children) to help demo the flight equipment," said Capt. Kreutzer. "I think we portray a positive image for them and that's important for us to do." The first day of the tour concluded with Montello residents watching videos of aircraft on the UTTR and wing aerial footage while the tour group was treated to a home-cooked meal by Shorty. Callao, Utah, which can only be reached by driving 75 miles south of Wendover along a dirt and gravel road, was the next stop on the outreach tour. The group was met by Callao residents Cecil and Annette Garland, who have hosted the group at their ranch the past four years. "We really enjoy it and look forward to hosting the guys every year," said Mr. Garland. Due to the possibility of inclement weather, this year's gathering of 35 people took place at the school house where Annette is the principal, overseeing the towns' 15 students. Colonel Reed and Lieutenant Colonel Funk spoke informally to the group and guests watched UTTR and wing aerial footage. Captain Kreutzer was again the center of attention as he donned his flight gear and talked to children. He also provided residents with an eye-opening slide show of images he had taken on his recent deployment to Iraq. "It was really nice of the captain to show us photos from Iraq, it really provided us insight as to what is really going on over there," said Mr. Garland. Sentiments from the Callao residents who attended the event said they now have a much better understanding of the range and flying operations. "We used to get so upset at the noise the airplanes made that we really didn't like the military," said Mr. Garland. "Over the past few years, since the guys started coming out to visit with us, we have been able to voice our concerns about the noise, and every time we call in a complaint they fix the problem." "It was a great opportunity for the Callao residents to voice their Pholos by Mr, Jeny Angus Top: Capt. T.J. Kreutzer, 34th Fighter Squadron pilot, talks with a gathering of 35 Callao, Utah residents during a recent goodwill tour which visited communities around the Utah Test and Training Range. Left: Captain Kreutzer shows residents of Wendover, Utah some of his flying gear during the recent tour. Right: Captain Kreutzer talks about his recent deployment to Iraq during the community outreach tour June 21-23. concerns about the recent noise from ongoing F-22 tests as well as concerns they have about water rights with respect to Las Vegas drilling wells," said Lt. Col Funk. "The people were very friendly and there were no upset individuals. The tour concluded with briefings at the Wendover airport, where Jim Peterson, the airport manager and several members of the Wendover fire department heard briefings from Col. Reed, Lt. Col Funk and Capt. Kreulzer. The outreach tour began four years ago, after numerous noise complaints from residents who live in the outlying communities of the UTTR. "Since we began these tours people have a better understanding of what we do on the UTTR and we have had significantly less noise complaints," Mr. Angus said. "On our first trip out here, there was a lot of animosity and the residents were not at all happy to see us, but after four years of constant visits they really look forward to seeing us. The mission of the UTTR is to 'Test Weapons and Train Warriors. We couldn't do this important task without the support of communities and great Americans living near and around the range." The group is already planning next year's visit for earlier in the year so there is the opportunity to talk to students at local schools. Hopefully next year's visit will have an impact on students who could become future Air Force leaders. "We are fortunate to have such good understanding neighbors in these remote communities," said Col. Reed. "I was surprised to see so many people who want to better experience the sound of freedom." '.r! With a will, there's always a "'•I By Senior Airman Stacia Zachary 43rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs (U.S. Air Force pholo by Senior Airman Slocia Zachary) POPE AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. - Senior Airman Brian Graack shows off a picture of himself a short time before he got the ultimatum to lose weight and get in shape or get out of the Air Force. Since training for his sixth and finally successful fitness test, Airman Graack scored a good rating, as opposed to past poor ratings. He is assigned to the 43rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. POPE AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- With the prospect of being kicked out of the Air Force for failing to meet fitness standards, Senior Airman Brian Graack, of the 43rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, was forced with a tough decision: shape up or ship out. With five failed fitness tests looming in his past and with scores averaging between 30 to 40 points -- a poor rating -- Airman Graack had more than just a little work to do if he wanted to remain in the Air Force. With his current weight issues and inability to meet the new fitness benchmark, Airman Graack had six weeks of preparation before his sixth and final test. He needed to score a marginal rating — more man 70 points — to stay in the Air Force. "It finally dawned on me that this was it, and if I didn't pass the fitness test and got kicked out, I had no backup plan on how I was going to support my wife and baby daughter," he said. "I decided I needed to do whatever it took to stay in the Air Force." With help from his wife, Angela, coworkers and a strict fitness and nutrition regimen, Airman Graack set off to lose weight, get in shape and pass the fit test. While weight gain can be gradual and not altogether noticeable until an excess amount has been packed on, many can relate to Airman Graack's recent struggle with weight. "I was a wrestler in high school, and I really never struggled with weight issues until my wife got pregnant with our daughter," he said. "I guess you could say I went pound for pound with her while she was pregnant, and self and his place in the Air Force. I never got back in shape after my daughter's birth. No excuse, really." "1 feel better about myself," he said. "My attitude has changed so much, and I am With the excuses out of the way and a more focused and better able to do my job. game plan in motion. Airman Graack was detenu ined to work out twice a day and It's amazing what weight can do to a perbreak his habit of drinking sodas by replacson's self-esteem." ing all fluids with water only. With Airman Graack's position now His wife was in charge of the diet while secure, he has time to focus on the Air Force Airman Graack's mission. friend, Senior Airman ======^^=^== .^^===_= Throughout his struggle Trent Blair, of the 43rd to get fit, his squadron's Operations Group, 7 decided I needed to Airmen have applauded his helped motivate him efforts. do whatever it took to on the running track. "This recent physical fitness strife has had a pos"My wife was my stay in the Air Force." itive rather than negative rock," he said. "She -- Senior Airman effect on (Airman) cleaned the house out Brian Graack Graack," said Staff Sgt. of all things tempting 43rd Aircraft Maintenance Richard Bullard, 43rd to eat and made Squadron AMXS tool journeyman healthy meals for =^=^= and the Airman Graack's lunch and dinner. I ==^^== mostly ate fruits and supervisor. vegetables, some red meat and a lot of "While I provided motivation and allotchicken. All fast food and fried foods were ted him additional time for training, it was off-limits to me." ultimately his drive to stay in the Air Force With healthy, low-fat foods filling up his that made him successful." breakfast, lunch and dinner hours. Airman While the burden was Airman Graack's Graack's other focus was centered on exerto bear, he did not do it alone, nor did he cise. accomplish it without Air Force notice. His ability to meet his goal left a lasting impres"I (exercised) twice a day, and I took sion on those he works with. mock fitness tests one to two times a week," he said. "At nights, Trent would run with me "I'm impressed with his determination to on a 3-mile route past (a local college). pass the test and get on with his Air Force Little by little, the runs got easier." career," Sergeant Bullard said. "He has always been an outstanding With six weeks of preparation up. worker. He is an example of giving someAirman Graack was poised to take his test. thing your entire attention until the goal is Forty-five pounds leaner, he finally passed met." his test with a 71, nearly 40 points higher than less than a month before. "I am only going to get better, and next time around I plan on scoring an excellent Not only has he shed the weight, but (on the test)," Airman Graack said. Airman Graack said he has also shed the lack of confidence he had about both him(Courtesy of Air Force Print News) J |
