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Show HILLTOP TIMES TIMES June 26, 2008 VISIT A / SAM SHORE/US. Air Force Above, left: Vicki Carlson, wife of Gen. Bruce Carlson, asks a question about the new memorial park of U.S. Air Force Col. Linda Medler, 75th Air Base Wing Commander. Standing beside Carlson is Lynne Candler and retired U.S. Air Force Col. Andy Medler. The park was part of the tour Vicki Carlson took while her husband was at Hill AFB on an official visit. Above, right: Vicki Carlson thanks Steve Tasker for giving her a tour of rail operations at Hill AFB during their visit on June 23. She toured operations at the base while her husband was conducting an official visit. Bobby Day is-pictured in the background of the photo. personnel played strong role in latest F-16 software upgrades BY COL. MARK BEIERLE 508th Aircraft Sustainment Group Commander T he war fighting capability of the F-16 is heavily dependent on software. Keeping pace and implementing new technology into the F-16 is a challenging and dynamic task. This task has been met with the latest F-16 Block 25/30/32 Software Capabilities Upgrade 6 (SCU6) Operational Flight Program (OFP) which released to the field Nov. 21. This update incorporates capabilities that enhance the aircraft weapons delivery precision, lethality and pilot situational awareness. The SCU6 update was a very complex program that fielded on time and within budget. Units hosting these aircraft are currently repfogramming avionics, installing new hardware and becoming familiar with the new war fighting capabilities. F-16 software requirements are directed by Air Combat Command, Air National Guard and the Air Force Reserve Command. This software upgrade involved several Hill Air Force Base organizations and contractors. The 309th Software Maintenance Group performed systems design, software code and integration tests for the SCU6 upgrade. These efforts included integration of nine on-board computer systems. The 309th worked 293,688 hours and produced 844,934 lines of source code during development of the SCU6 OFP. Program management responsibilities were accomplished by the 501st Aircraft Sustainment Squadron under "SCU6 is seen as the most comprehensive software modification yet to F-16 Block 30 aircraft. It will give the jet an advanced capability that we have long been waiting for." COL MICKEY MCPARTLAND, Air National Guard Advisor's Office the direction of the 508th Aircraft Sustainment Group. SCU6 software was released to the field with complete technical data and maintenance support. Technical orders and time compliance technical orders were developed by on-site LM Aero contractors. Flight testing of the entire SCU6 integration effort was successfully completed by Air National Guard Air Force Reserve Command Test Center in Tlicson, Ariz. A total of 1,050 flight hours and 767 test sorties were flown. As part of this effort, a total of 69 upgrades were incorporated into the aircraft. Some significant enhancements for the warfighter are: Advanced Identification Friend or Foe (AIFF — new hardware), full integration of the 500 pound Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM), full integration of Air-to-Air Missile (AIM-9X) Hybrid Mode, capability to carry two smart weapons per station with the BRU-57 Smart Rack, and improved accuracy of Laser Guided Weapons. During development, multiple urgent operational needs were incorporated in addition to the 69 agreed Thousands of Thanks party at mall T anger Outlet Mall in Park City will be hosting a "Thousands of Thanks to our Troops" event July 4-5. The mall will be having a party for all members of the military that weekend. Those who show their active military ID at the mall center will be given a free $10 Tanger Outlet gift card and a free coupon book, which is normally sold for $5. There will also be drinks, snacks, prizes and give-aways to show appreciation to the military and their familes. Also, in a nationwide program, Tanger Outlet Centers all over the country are again collecting cards and letters to send to the troops. There will be a card-making station set up at the mall so kids and families can participate. to updates. Despite these additional tasks, the update was successfully completed on time and under budget which is evidence of the dedication and teamwork of the military, government civilian and contractor workforce assigned to this effort. Pilots at Great Falls Air National Guard base commented after a recent deployment that "this update is the best upgrade yet at providing precision position data through the AIFF system to join coalition aircraft in all weather." Test pilots in T\icson, Ariz., commented that "the situational awareness this update provides reduces pilot workload." Col. Mickey McPartland from the Air National Guard Advisor's Office stated, "SCU6 is seen as the most comprehensive software modification yet to F-16 Block 30 aircraft. It will give the jet an advanced capability that we have long been waiting for. The Air National Guard has been waiting for this software release for some time." Upgrades such as SCU6 serve a vital role in bridging the gap between aging aircraft platforms and newer replacement programs such as the F-22 and the Joint Strike Fighter. As these new platforms phase in, the SCU6 upgrade will enable the F-16 to perform its war fighting role with precision and effectiveness. 4-^r--> '---'-'-I Do you like © Vacation days? €> Holidays? O Race days? NTRA.com FREE T-SHIRT* Hill AFB - IG Summer Meet begins this Saturday, June 28. Celebrate Opening Day with us and receive a FREE T-Shirt!* On Sunday, we'll be giving out coupons for Porter's Fireworks. Every Saturday j & Sunday, June 28 -August 17, first race starts at 1:05pm. tWETMtsoflnterest ' 11/* TIP f\ HP TI.1 LBETAJC11-18 August Aw you prepariy toMowrtng An proc—i—? An you using your Technical Data Manual? DMyouravtowfcofractaMkrfonotodonHQAFMCflQdwUiJtoui? Did you comptato aetlona required from last inspsctfon? DM you Implsimnt plan to comet inspsctlon dtoerapandaa? HavayoupiwsnlsdallpracMcastostoptspaatdswwts? •ffllh paid admisiian, •nhlle supplies /ait Military FREE Admission every /fart1 Day HIVA Valid Military or Base ID.! DOWNS For a complete details of our 2008 Events & Giveaways go to www.wyoniingdovvns.com 866-681-RACE • EXIT 3 TO HWY 89 NORTH IN EVANSTON |