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Show B Fighter^- Country October 13,2005 F/A-22 Raptor key to maintaining air dominance Commentary by Lt Col. Jim Hecker 27th Fighter Squadron commander CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- The Air Force is about to go operational with the F/A-22 Raptor. The Raptor will allow the Air Force to maintain air dominance, an essential ingredient to all war plans. For the past 30 years, the F-15 Eagle has done a superb job gaining and maintaining air dominance. In Operation Desert Storm, the Eagle had 34 victories and added another four in Operation Allied Force ~ securing air dominance in both conflicts. Due to the Eagle's overwhelming success, the enemy refused to even take off during Operation Enduring Freedom. April 15, 1953, is an important day in Air Force history that all Airmen should remember. By the end of this commentary you will realize why. As Airmen, we should take great pride in our ability to provide sister services the freedom to maneuver in the air and on the ground. Regarding air superiority, retired Gen. Charles Homer once said, "Everything is possible if you have it —* little is possible if you lose it." This was very apparent, as the Iraqi Air Force was unable to gain air superiority and left their Army open to attack by coalition forces, leading to the infamous "highway of death" during Operation Desert Storm. As we move forward, leaders in other countries are seeing the vaJue of air dominance and are investing capital to improve their fighters and air defense systems. Their fighters are beginning to reach parity with the F-!5C and threaten our ability to guarantee air dominance to our sister services. In addition, those leaders arc putting in place complex integrated air defense systems, including sophisticated surface-to-air missiles, which also threaten air dominance. The F/A-22 Raptor will ensure we have the ability to gain and maintain air dominance against these advanced threats. Thankfully, many people saw the need for the Raptor several years ago. The F/A-22 began as a concept in the early 1970's. A proposal for an advanced tactical fighter was submitted in October 1985, and a 54-month demonstration/validation program began between the YF-22 and YF-23, the original designations of the F/A-22. In "''''. .' ••;: Y.".-/ August 1991, the YF-22 was declared the winner and began flight-testing at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. Since then, test missions have flown at Nellis AFB, Nev. and training missions at Tyndall AFB, Fla. The 27th Fighter Squadron here received its first com•• I bat coded aircraft May 12 and is preparing for initial operational capability (IOC). On April 15. 1953, two American artillerymen were attacked by enemy aircraft during the Korean War and lost their lives. This event was the last time an enemy aircraft killed an American soldier on the ground. It has been a great 52 years. As Airmen, you should take pride in your achievement and let's go for another 52. (Courtesy of Air Force Print News) Editor's Note: The 27th FS, of the 1st FW at Langley AFB, Va. will deploy here for two weeks in an effort to achieve IOC with the F/A-22 by December 2005. J i• i• •. -. _•_,•„•( .'* The Airmen of the 27th Fighter Squadron and the 1st Fighter Wing at Langley AFB, Va., are honored and privileged to have the opportunity to bring the Raptor to IOC. We realize there is a long list of Airmen who have contributed to the program in the past and continue to contribute now. If it was not for your efforts, the Raptor would not be where it is today -- our hats are off to you. Your hard work and dedication have guaranteed our armed forces air dominance in the future. Now back to the important day. 4fl 'V ill iS nmm \^^ ^ ^^ • MNEL >. i'ift 'fftiafetJ U.S. Air Force pholo Judson Brohmor The Air Force's new superiority fighter will dominate the future air combat arena by Integrating advanced avionics, stealth and supercruise. A night out with a fighter wing Exercise 388th Fighter Wing to hold awards banquet to honor outstanding Airmen, units By 1st Lt. Adrienne Stahl 421st Aircraft Maintenance Unit The 388th Fighter Wing will be cleaning up and dressing up for the 2005 Annual Maintenance Professional Awards Banquet scheduled for 6 p.m. Oct. 28. An old tradition that went by the wayside, the Maintenance Professional Awards Banquet was reinstated in 2004 to 388th FW's truly outstanding Airmen and annual award with a night of recognition. •VfjVJ; "We are honored to have (retired) Lt. Gen. Leo Marquez as the guest speaker for the evening," said 2nd Lt. Emil Daily, 388th Component Maintenance Squadron Avionics Flight commander and coordinator for General Marquez's visit. "This is a very exciting time for maintainers, as General Marquez is widely considered *the Godfather' of the modern-day 'cradle-to-grave' maintenance concept." As the namesake for one of the most prestigious awards a maintaincr can be presented. General Marquez personally bestows this award to each recipient. The award recognizes outstanding performers in the following areas: aircraft maintenance, munitions and missile maintenance, and communications-electronics maintenance. Another prestigious award that will be presented at the banquet is the Lance P. Sijan Leadership Award. This award is named in honor of the late Capt. Lance P. Sijan, who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery in evading capture by the North Vietnamese and during his eventual captivity as a prisoner of war. This award recognizes the accomplishments of individuals who demonstrate the highest qualities of leadership in the performance of their duties and the conduct of their lives. Two other significant awards are the Gen. Lew Allen Jr. Trophy and the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Thomas N. Barnes Award. The Gen. Lew Allen Jr. Trophy recognizes top performers in the officer and senior noncommissioned officer categories directly involved in aircraft sortie generation. The CMSAF Thomas N. Barnes Award recognizes the top aircraft maintenance crew chief of the year based on the individual's contributions to the Air Force operational mission. Knucklebuster of the Year, Support Professional of the Year, and Maintenance Professional of the Year are some other highly coveted awards that recognize individuals who go above and beyond in their area of expertise, on the flightlinc and behind the scenes. The Weapons Load Crew Team of the Year recognizes the top Load Crew Team and their expert skill, profiency, and precision in making our aircraft ready for combat. The Squadron of the Year and Aircraft Maintenance Unit of the Year awards are presented last at the banquet. "All of the squadrons, the 421st Black Widows, the 34th Rude Rams and the 4th FighthV Fuujins have had a very busy year in maintenance," said Capt. Lindsay Droz, 421st AMU officer in charge. 'They have endured two deployments to Balad AB, Iraq, and a six-week runway-closure deployment to Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., and Tyndall AFB, Fla., resulting in 3,695 sorties and 7,123.8 hours flown in FY05. Needless to say. the competition will be pretty tough." "The Banquet was an overwhelming success last year and we are expecting a showing of 800 people for this year's edition." said Droz. event-^ill be held at the Hilton Garden Inn/Davis irericeCeriter tylain Ball Roojn in Layton. Social hour begins at 6 p.m. and the dinner will start at approximately 7 p.m. On the menu are chicken with beef medallions, a vegetable side dish, salad arid dessert. To purchase your tickets, contact one of the following ticket representatives by Oct. 21. Banquet Representatives - i-. Maintenance Group: .-;... Capt. Teresa Dutcher ;. x Operations Group: : ;:jj; ' Chief Master Sgt. Frank Levand 421st AMU/Fighter Squadron: 1st Lt. Adrienne Stahl or Master Sgt. Robert Kelley m^ty ' 34th AMTJ/FS: ;feR;:*•• "Vi .. 1st Lt. Tonya Andrews "' '|§y~ : 4thAMU/FS: m r £^(~i;'J\ ':•'. 1st Lt. Yogi Lebby ' Equipment Maintenance Squadron: 2nd Lt. Patrick Sergeant Senior Master Sgt. Tom Wooldridge Component Maintenance Squadron: 2nd Lt. Emil Daily or Master Sgt. Steven Pechota Maintenance Operations Squadron: Master Sgt. Frank Wheeler . .^i-,,^ 729th Air Control Squadron: ^ ChietMaster Sgt. Chris Hansen. v, • •; • Published for People Like... Airman 1st Class Sean Lincicome Unit: 388th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Job: crew chief From Page A critical assets to 'Base-X' ready for war. "Deploying a large number of Airmen is a complex and time consuming process," said Major Zemke. "'Although you might not feel important at the time, people are our most valuable resource and we take extra time to make sure we do it right." The Phase-II begins at Base-X when the wing takes the fight to the enemy. The wing's three fighter squadrons conduct combat operations to include hitting targets and defending the base from an air attack. While aircraft defend the base from the air, wing members work to prove that they can survive in the most hostile combat environment as they deal with enemy attacks on the ground. In these situations, each team member is important. "If you have never been through an ORI, you must realize how extremely important you are to the success of Team Hill," said Major Zemke. "You have to know what is expected from you from the time you are recalled until the Inspector General Team declares ENDEX." After observing numerous ORIs during the last three years as an IG team member for ACC, Major Zemke has a few secrets to share with the wing. 1 -A positive attitude goes a long way. "If you are performing a task with an inspector and it isn't working out, show the inspector that you really can do what is being asked of you." said the major. "In the past, other fighter wings that constantly complained about the ORI or wearing chemical gear often did not do well. You should target the ten critical ORI days in November and show the IG Team your best professional performance." 2 - Know what to do when the base comes under attack. "You are already an expert in your job, but you don't get to practice execution when the enemy is trying to stop you from succeeding. There are precise ability-to-survive-and-operate procedures to be followed after the base has been attacked," said Major Zemke. "I have seen more than one fighter wing struggle to survive when one Airman didn't report contamination, causing flying operations to1 come grinding to a halt. Every Airman is a critical sensor and you are more important than you realize in keeping your chain of command informed." 3 - Care for your fellow Airmen. "Self Aid Buddy Care will be tested as well as most of the procedures in your Airman's Manual," said Major Zemke. 'The information is so important that the Air Force has issued every person an Airman's Manual, and many of the.answers to questions 1 often get asked can easily be found by just reading it." Major Zemke is confident in the wing and the abilities of 388th Airmen. "The Airmen in today's Air Force are a cut above the rest of society and many people simply cannot do what we do," he said. "It is for this reason alone that you should be proud of what you do and how well you do it and in November, you have the chance to prove it." Fighter^Country • Editorial Staff Col. Robert Beletic Commander Capt. Rob Goza Chief, Public Affairs Airman 1st Class Stefanie Torres Editor Time in Service: Two years Goals: I want to be assigned to the Flag Ship and eventually to the Thunderbirds. Accomplishments: I received my 5-level If I could change one thing at Hill, what would it be? I would want healthier food at Fast Eddy's. ,;.; . Tho Fighter Country is a supplement to tho Hilltop Times, published by Mo/Media, Inc.. a private lirm in no way connected wilh tho U.S. Air Force, under exclusive written contract with the Ogden Air Logistics Cenler Public Affairs Ofllce. This civilian enterprise Air Force newspaper Is an authorized publication lor members ol ihe U.S. military services. Contents ol Fighter Country are not necessarily Ihe official views of. or endorsed by. the U.S. Government, iho Department of Delense or the Department of the Air Force. Unless otherwise indicated, all photos are U.S. Air Force photos. Advertisements contained herein do not constitute endorsement by the Department ol Defense, the U.S. Air Force or Hill AFB. Everything advertised is available without regard to raco. color, religion, sex. or other nonmerit factor ol ihe purchaser, user or pal/on. Tho Fighter Country Is edited, prepared and provided by the 388ih Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office, 5887 D Ave.. Suite 113. Hill AFB UT, 84056-5017. Story submissions for Ihe Fighter Country can be brought by the of lice, o-malled to the editor at llghter.counlry@.hlll.af.mil or faxed to 777-2923. Deadline for submissions to Fighter Country Is no lator than Monday, noon, two weeks prior to publication. For more Information, call the public aflairs ofllce at 777-3200. |