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Show Supplement to the Hilltop Times Thursday JLmericds JLirmen (Defending our Nation at Home and Abroad... Liberty or<Death\June 8, 2006 'Black Widows' deploy for more combat AF permits nonchargeable leave for adoptions BY AIRMAN 1ST CLASS STEFANIE TORRES 388th Fighter Wing Public Affairs The 'Black Widows' were the first active duty F-16 RANDOLPH AIR FORCE unit to deploy to Balad Air BASE, Texas -- Airmen Base, Iraq. This is their adopting children may now third deployment supporting be authorized up to 21 days of nonchargeable leave per Operation Iraqi Freedom calendar year. and the second deployment A qualifying adoption is defined as the member being eligible for adoption reimbursement of qualified adoption expenses such as adoption, placement, legal and medical fees under Section 1052, Title 10 United States Code. Title 32 Guard are not authorized adoption leave unless federalized under Title 10 for more than 29 consecutive days. Reserve members must also be on active duty for more than 29 consecutive days prior to taking adoption leave. Airmen will submit their leave requests on an Air Force Form 988 indicating permissive temporary duty and using the statement . "Adoption Leave per HQ AFPC/DPS Memorandum dated May 19, 2006" until the revised Air Force Instruction is published. Airmen should contact their commander's support staff or call the Air Force Contact Center at (800) 616-3775, option 1,1, 2 or DSN 665-5000 for more information. to Balad. The 421st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron deployed at the beginning of May for a four-month Air and Space Expeditionary Force deployment. They have been given a chance to see their efforts put into effect and look at the constant change that Iraq has gone through Aircraft Maintenance Unit thanks to the U.S. military. "We are a nation at war. I under the leadership of Capt. am excited we can be a part of Mark Sloan. "Without maintenance the Global War on Terror and the reshaping of Iraq," said and the operations support Lt. Col. Mark Cline, the 421st Airmen, we would only EFS commander. have a bunch of expensive static displays and Type A The 421st EFS has personalities," said Colonel approximately 200 Airmen deployednowtolraq, including Cline. the 421st Expeditionary The squadron is working Fighter Wing honors flag at Retreat around the clock flying an average of 10 sorties a day. Their job in Iraq is to cover the Soldiers, Marines, Sailors and Airmen on the ground. They do this-by executing NonTraditional Intel, Surveillance and Reconnaissance using the LITENING Advanced See 421st, B Win kjcks 9 off 101 Critical Days of Summer BY AIRMAN 1ST CLASS STEFANIE TORRES 388th Fighter Wing Public Affairs The 388th Fighter Wing kicked off the 101 Critical Days of Summer' safety campaign by organizing a wing fun run, a safety briefing given by Airmen, a safety fair and a flight safety meeting. "The purpose of the campaign is to heighten awareness of summer activities and the hazards they pose during the warm summer months of increased outdoor activity," said Master Sgt. Michael Williams, 388th Fighter Wing safety office. The 101 Critical Days of Air Force Summer began Memorial mandates virtual Day and ends Labor Day. Photo by Airman 1st Class Stefante Torres outprocessing Members of the 388th Fighter Wing participated in a retreat ceremony Wednesday, May 31. Team Hill units take turns The wing started the day off by running a mile and a monthly holding the retreat ceremony outside of the 75th Air Base Wing command building. All Airmen undergoing half together on the runway permanent change-ofto promote fitness. Some station moves, retirements BY AIRMAN 1ST CLASS single day." Airmen were given a choice to or separations are now STEFANIE TORRES The retreat ceremony, to the finish or complete race required to use the Virtual 388th Fighter Wing Public Affairs outlined in AFMAN 36-2203, their physical fitness tests Outprocessing application "Drill and Ceremonies," before the run. available through the Virtual Members of the 388th takes place at the base Military Personnel Flight. The wing also completed Fighter Wing participated in a flagstaff and follows detailed Airmen can enter the vMPF a FOD walk of the runway, formal retreat ceremony held drill procedures. Retreat by logging onto the Air Force in front of the 75th Air Base is sounded at a specified taxiway and ramps. The Personnel Center's secure Wing headquarters, Bldg. time designated by the base Foreign Object Damage walk Web site where they can view 180, May 31 at 5 p.m. commander over the public is to remove debris to ensure their vOP checklist from the address system. The base conducts formal safe aircraft take-off and individual actions menu. retreat ceremonies every Junior flag security detail landing. The vOP checklist will Wednesday alternating with members come to attention The safety briefing after include requirements based the wings on base. and move to the flagstaff the run and FOD walk on the Airman's unit and other "The Operations Group to arrange the halyards for consisted of ideas from young associated base agencies, and Wing Staff were proud proper lowering of the flag Airmen, 26 years of age and such as the transportation to honor our flag and serve in once retreat has started. management office, finance, Above: Members under, who were asked to our Air Force's time-honored Once the halyards are of the Retreat medical clinic and Tricare. come up with topics that would tradition of Retreat," said Maj. arranged, the detail's junior The checklist also will include flight detail spread Deborah Reuther, chief of members execute parade rest get their attention during the out and prepare the timeframe required for intelligence who also lec| the in unison. '101 Critical Days of Summer.' to properly fold clearing actions at each flight. FW members have 388th The topics briefed were also the flag during the location. The volu nteers for the also expressed how the topics that were responsible retreat ceremony For more information, ceremony stepped up fast. honored tradition of retreat a majority of the wing's for held outside of Airmen should contact their "We had more volunteers for brings them a sense of pride. mishaps. Bldg. 180. base military personnel this detail than we needed, "Many of the members Right: Capt. Darby flight. and that speaks volumes of present told me that it was nice This includes motorcycle For more information, read Anable grasps the character of our Airmen," to take a few quiet moments safety, sports and recreation, the Air Force Print News story the flags in his driving in adverse weather said Major Reuther. out of our busy mission to arms before giving at http://www.af.mil/news/ conditions, drinking and "It is always an honor to be still and just have pride story.asp?storyID=123019885 it to the flight show respect to our country, in each other and be humbly driving, and wearing seat commander. our fallen comrades, and reminded of what it is all belts. Airmen can update those we work with every about," said Major Reuther. "Although a majority of outdoor activities take place duty history online during off-duty hours, the Airmen will be responsible 101 Critical Days of Summer forreviewingtheir duty history safety campaign covers BY KARI TILTON Force Reserve, Pacific Air and requesting changes, activity 24/7, on or off duty," 419th Fighter Wing Public Affairs additions or deletions online Force, U.S. Air Force Europe, said Sergeant Williams. through the virtual Military and the Air Force Band also "The 388th FW had zero A Reserve transportation Personnel Flight. played during the tour. fatalities last year and the Airmen can enter the vMPF specialist from the 67th Tech. Sgt. Stan McAfee by logging onto the Air Force Aerial Port Squadron here goal for this year is to remain traveled with the group and Personnel Center's secure fatality free," he said. "There recently traveled around the was responsible for loading Web site where they can access world in 20 days in support was a significant decrease and unloading approximately their duty history under "Most of a patriotic entertainment in mishaps and fatalities Popular Applications" or "Self- tour for both active duty and 40,000 pounds of equipment. last year compared to the He also helped with set-up at Service Actions/Personal year prior. The Air Force Reserve forces. each performance venue. Data." Each Airman will be 15 less mishaps experienced The 'Patriotic World responsible for justifying The Patriotic World Tour from 2004 to 2005." Tour' featured Lee changes by providing performed shows at Incirlik Greenwood, Restless Heart, Air Base, Turkey; Kadena Wing Safety ' Day supporting documentation. New England Patriots the emphasized the importance For more information, read AB, Japan; Kunsan AB, Photo by Ken Hackman and the wingman of Airmen the Air Force Print News story cheerleaders and comedian Korea; Misawa AB, Japan; Robins AFB, GA - Members of the Air Force Reserve Command at http://www.af.mil/news/ Dick Hardwick. Musicians sponsored 2006 Patriotic World Tour prepare to board a KC-10 story.asp?storyID=123020477. from the Band of the U.S. Air See TOUR, B Extender for their around-the-world trip. See SAFETY, B Reservist travels around the world in 20 days |