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Show f 1MES 3 HILLTOP TIMES May 31,2007 Hill AFB Airmen place at Air Force Lineman Rodeo petition tested the skills and abilities of teams of Air Force electricians, as they 75th Air Base Wing Public Affairs climbed 40 feet above the ground on elecClimbing to the top of 45-foot poles is all tric poles. The members of this year's team were Senior Airmen James Thompson, Luis in a day's work for 75th Civil Engineer Squadron electricians, nevertheless, these Quesada and Clint Smith. "In the pole top rescue event, they have everyday skills have recently earned a team a dummy up there and we simulate bringfrom Hill Air Force Base second place in the ing him down," Airman Thompson said. fifth annual U.S. Air Force Lineman Rodeo Although they do workplace simulaat Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas. tions, they also have some competitions just "The main reason we want to send a team is to increase our proficiency and get for fun. In the egg climb, competitors carry good experience for the guys, plus it's great a raw egg to the top of the pole in a bag and attempt to carry it back down in their mouth competition with the other major commands," said Lt. Col. Brett Crozier, 75 CES without breaking it. commander. "That Hill Air Force Base took "We were the only team who didn't break it," Airman Thompson said. second place is something we are very This is only the second year Hill Air proud of." Force Base has competed in the rodeo. Last Through several timed events, the comBY BETH YOUNG year they took fifth place. "Last year the team that came back learned a lot of lessons arid one of the members of last year's team trained this year's team which contributed to the second place," Colonel Crozier said. To rank the teams, all of the scores from each event are calculated. Airman Thompson said that for Hill AFB, it was a close second. "We lost by 10 seconds or one point," he said. "It was a good training experience for everybody and it was a lot of fun." Senior Airmen James Thompson, Luis Quesada and Clint Smith made up this year's Hill Air Force Base team who competed at the annual U.S. Air Force Lineman Rodeo at Sheppard Air Force Base, Plioio by Beih Young Commentary Vice commander looks back on 32 years BY COL AL HAWLEY 419th Fighter Wing Vice Commander I'll be hanging up my G-suit for the last time on May 5 after 32 years of service. As I look back, I realize how incredibly fortunate I have been to be able to do this job for such a long time. Because my father and grandfather were both military aviators, being an Air Force pilot was the only tiling I can ever remember wanting to be. I was so very lucky to have been able to realize that dream. It has been a long and happy adventure, and I had the opportunity to see places in the world I would never have been able to see had it not been for the Air Force. I enjoyed all of them (even the ones that were unbelievably hot). While I'm grateful to the Air Force for the travel opportunities, it is the people who have really made this a great experience. The thousands of hardworking patriotic individuals that have made it possible for me to continue to do my job as an is a total team effort. Our Air Force civilians are just as essential to getting the flying and fighting done. This includes not only the ones in the wings to which I've been assigned, but also those who work in the depots and at higher headquarters. I owe a debt to a lot of people. As I get close to the end, I find myself reflecting on how much I'll miss this job and why I had such a good time doing it. One thing that immediately comes to mind is the pleasant atmosphere knowing the aviator are the ones who deserve my gratitude. It is obvious you can't fly without the maintenance guys to fix and launch your jet. However, it is not as obvious you can't fly without the people in the pay office, the budget office, the Military Personnel Flight, and other support unit personnel. But, these professionals have been essential to keeping me and all other pilots flying. In fact, everyone in a blue suit contributes to getting the mission done. To fly, fight and win people around me have shared my belief that integrity is important. But the really big thing that sets us apart from most other vocations is that all around us we have volunteers willing do the work knowing death is a very real possibility while getting the mission done. How could anyone not feel honored to be part of an organization like that? Thank you for the opportunity to serve with you. You are what make our U.S. Air Force great! Hill AFB 'jf.-i.LJ BEFORE DIGGING OR IN AN EMERGENCY It Marks High-Pressure Underground Natural Gas Lines of Questar Gas Company. Support Team CALL BEFORE YOU DIG* State law requires that if you are doing any excavating, seismic work, road grading, building or other construction, you must notify the appropriate company two working days prior to commencing your project. A Questar Gas Company representative will come locate and mark its existing underground pipelines for you at no charge. Questar Gas is a participant in the following utility notification centers: Utah Blue Stakes 1-800-662-4111 Wyoming One-Call of Wyoming 1-800-849-2476 Idaho Dig Line 1-800-342-1585 OR CALL: Know whit* balOW Call bdort you (fln. For a list of companies operating pipelines in your area, visit www.npms.rspa.dot.gov. Be able to recognize and report pipeline hazards. The uncommon conditions below may indicate a pipeline problem or emergency. 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