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Show COMMENTARY Victims of tragedy still need help Hilltop Times January 12, 2006 placed, deceased people in the streets; confusion; devastation of property; and, an outcry of, Dec. 26 marked the one year "Where are the U.S. troops?" anniversary of one of the most The U.S. military again redevastating natural disasters ceived a lot of criticism in the ever to pierce the heart of 12 press, but being in a similar countries in Southeast Asia. situation and seeing first-hand It's hard to believe that it has all the preparations and logistialready been a year since the cal planning that goes into an Tsunami killed more than enormous relief operation, I 300,000 people and irrevocaknew something like the Kably changed the lives of scores of others who lost family memtrina aftermath would take bers, their homes and livelitime. hoods. In the case of both these disasters, the U.S. military reAs I think back to this difficult sponded quickly and played a time, I remember returning to key role in initial rescue and reAndersen AFB, Guam from covery operations. We can all my technical training school be proud of our efforts. Ameriin Maryland, days before the cans, as usual, have been very disaster struck. My husband generous as well and donations and I celebrated the holidays Courtesy photo and while hearing the news the Tsunami survivors wait for Air Force members to unload relief sup- to help the victims of both tragnext day, I knew the Air Force plies. edies have poured in. would be deploying forces from Unfortunately, things are the Pacific Command area of still not back to normal for several other aerial porters news. The international news responsibility to help with the the people most affected. Our were deploying to Thailand to was mocking the U.S. Forces. situation. Little did I know, that "Where is the U.S.?" and I thoughts and prayers still need help. I was excited that a husI would become part of the Air remember saying out loud, to go out to these people, and band and wife team could take Force forces deploying first. so do our financial contribuon this humanitarian effort to"We're right here — we are As a second lieutenant, I also tions. Four out of five people gether. coming." found myself being the first Eventually the publicity of the in the Southeast Asia areas afI remember how difficult it public affairs officer on the fected by the Tsunami are still tragedy was also expressed to was to set up the Combined ground — paving the way for living in tents, and our broththe masses and overwhelming Support Force 536. Everyone media operations in this effort. ers and sisters in the areas afsupport from the United States was running around; it was Even though I had just refected by Katrina are also still and other countries poured in hectic and a logistical nightturned from a three-month struggling, and trying to pick more than $1 billion in donamare. But rest assured, when separation from my husband up the pieces of their lives and tions. Air Force people work together and had only spent one day continue on. I was disheartened, however, you can count on the job getwith him, I was ready to turn These people still need our when in late September our ting done. around and deploy to Thailand. help to rebuild their lives! To own country was hit with HurWhen I was finally able to call Since my husband, Ben, is an help, please consider visiting ricane Katrina which caused my husband on the phone, I told aerial porter, he loaded our www.redcross.org and making him how bad we needed people levies in New Orleans to capequipment and got to send me a donation. Our military supwith his expertise in theater. In size. In viewing the news, it off on the aircraft with a perport can continue on! was a familiar scene — disthe first couple of days we had BY 1ST LT. GENEVE DAVID 75th Air Base Wing Public Affairs What are you doing to keep Martin Luther King's dream alive? Senior Airman Joyce Garrett 388th Equipment Maintenance Squadron Munitions Storage Dispatcher "In general, respect your fellow man and treat everyone as an equal." Senior Airman Lucas Skillman 75th Logistics Readiness Squadron Petroleum and Oil Lubricants "Being in the Air Force does it for me. We work with many different cultures and types of people in this job." Staff Sgt. Clint Hinton 388th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron General Crew Chief "I defend the freedoms as a member of the military that give individuals like Martin Luther King Jr. the right to have the opinions that have helped us so much as a nation. Jessica Hasty Youth Center School-Age Program Assistant "This year I have planned an informative lesson for the youth members including facts about Martin Luther King Jr. such as a timeline about his life, major accomplishments, photos and excerpts from his most popular speeches." Fred Crew Youth Center School-Age Program Assistant sonal goodbye. I knew he was a little disappointed, but we both knew this was for a good cause and the Air Force would be saving lives. After a seven hour flight, we arrived late that evening in Utapao, Thailand. I remember getting ready the following morning, while watching the vast amounts of supplies coming in; we just didn't have the aerial porters and their equipment with us to download the tons of essential supplies that would eventually save lives. I told him we really needed him here. The next day, my husband told me via e-mail that he and Every part counts in AF puzzle What enables a crew of people who haven't flown together before to successfully maALI BASE, Iraq — Descending into neuver an aircraft to accomplish a combat Baghdad, my C-130 Hercules crew premission? . pares for landing. I believe the answer boils down to the The copilot coordinates with air traffic professional integrity of the crewmembers control while the navigator ensures we fol- and the support Airmen on the ground. low desired ground track to the field. The This professional integrity comes from flight engineer runs checklists and the knowing your job, performing your duties loadmasters scan for threats. We keep our to the best of your ability and constantly speed up as long as possible, configure striving to improve your skills. close to the airfield and the plane settles From my perspective as a C-130 pilot, I onto the runway. know that each crewmember is trained in Through all the maneuvering, coordispecific duties and must be able to perform nating and flying I have a sense of deja vu those duties proficiently. The training and — with a twist. I've done all this before, checklists are standardized. Everybody but never with this group of people. It's the knows what to expect and what's expected same, yet different. " from them, regardless of whether they've I arrived at All Base the last week in De- flown together or not cember and soon set out on my first OperEach piece of the puzzle is important, ation Iraqi Freedom mission in more than unique and irreplaceable. a year. While it was far from my first time My part of the puzzle (and yours) fits flying in combat, it was my first time flying into the overall puzzle: Each Air Force in combat with this crew. In fact, it was my Specialty Code having its own unique first time flying with this crew — ever. pieces and each AFSC irreplaceable to the I knew little more about them than their total mission. name, rank and crew position. This will Professional integrity allows us to trust change over the duration of the deploythat others are doing their jobs correctly, ment, of course. But one might wonder: and to accept their product as flawless. BY CAPT. JULIE W0KATY-K02MA 777th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron "I encourage the youth and my own kids to live their own dreams and strive for their goals, much like Martin Luther King Jr. had done." I count on the professional integrity of maintenance Airmen, intel Airmen and air terminal operations center Airmen in my job — to name-a few. Being able to trust in their abilities and integrity saves crucial time in a combat zone. This trust is vital to mission accomplishment. Professional integrity also involves challenging yourself to stay at the top of your game and never growing complacent. The enemy and their weapons are constantly changing. Every Airman must stay ahead of these changes to win the war. Staying in the books and keeping up to speed on latest tactics, techniques and procedures keeps our skills sharp and up to date. Knowing that you work hard to be your best at your job and trusting others to do the same, that's the professional integrity that allows us to show up in a combat zone and complete a mission with people we have never worked with. It distinguishes professional warfighters from ordinary citizens. No matter how your duties fit into the puzzle, you are vital to the Air Force mission. Wherever your piece of the puzzle fits, work hard to bring the entire picture together for mission accomplishment. L Act ion Line 777-7000 • action.line.pa@hill.af.mil Capt. Alex Jack Base Chapel Chaplain Col. Sharon Dunbar "Through being part of the Air Force Chapel because here you find people of all races, denominations, educational and economic backgrounds coming together to worship and serve the Lord Jesus Christ." 75th ABVV Commander Phone numbers — The . .:$j base agencies listed can be ' contacted directly if you have a complaint or a problem ,{ with their services: 1 Security Forces 777-5550 24-hr. Crisis Information... 777-3056 Services... 777-4134 Base Restaurants 777-2043 in answering questions and solving problems When you call or send an e-mail, your before calling the Action Line. This will comments will be recorded and staffed through the agency responsible for action. help me better serve your interests. 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