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Show HILLTOP TIMES Join pilots in the danger zone with 'Red Flag' movie BY CATHERINE CORNETT Hilltop Times correspondent C ue the "Top Gun" theme music as "Fighter Pilot: Operation Red Flag" is headed to IMAX theaters and Thanksgiving Point in connection with Air Force Week Salt Lake City 2009. The movie starts out perhaps a bit cheesy, with the narrator, Capt. John Stratton, talking about his grandfather who was also a fighter pilot. However, it quickly develops into an almost actionthemed vide,o as Operation Red Flag is described to viewers. More than 100 pilots from six countries around the world, including Germany, England and Canada, have traveled to Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., to participate in the world's largest air combat exercise. As the pilots cruise across the barren landscape of the Nevada desert, they are trained in combat against other aircraft as well as against ground forces. As is expected, "Fighter Pilot: Operation Red Flag" depicts many gorgeous and breath-tak- HOURS From page 1 Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron F-16 crew chief. "She's a warhorse." "What makes this groundbreaking achievement more significant is the fact that it was achieved in combat," Glindmeyer said. Those sentiments were echoed by the commander whose pilots have flown this jet in combat. "Our Block 40 F-16s are workhorses in today's operations," said Lt. Col, Todd Dozier, 4th EFS commander. "The fact that these aircraft have spent so many hours supporting combat operations over Iraq is a testament to the hard work, dedication and professionalism of our maintainers." From August 2007 to October 2008, this particular F-16 logged ing scenes as the pilots undergo evasive maneuvers, drop dummy weapons and avoid a mid-air collision. However, one of the things that sets "Fighter Pilot: Operation Red Flag" apart from other aerial combat movies is that it also takes a peek behind the scenes. Director Stephen Low is not afraid to hop into the surveillance plane for several up close and personal shots of those directing and monitoring this massive mock air battle. Low also keeps things real while we follow mechanics and engineers as they work to ready planes for battle and make repairs as quickly and thoroughly as possible. We also learn a little bit about those who construct the very real bombs the pilots will carry with them on the last day of exercise. Through the glamorous and even so-called "unglamorous," more than 1,400 combat hours under the banner of all three of the 388th Fighter Wing's deployed fighter squadrons. Once again deployed, the F-16 has been true to form, leading the 4th EFS fleet with yet another 350 combat flight hours. "The F-16 is an amazing aircraft — to have flown so many hours and to be capable of adjusting roles based on the theater of operations in which it is employed," said Col. Roger Rostvold, 388th Maintenance Group commander. "The hard work of the maintainers throughout our group's maintenance complex and rvfcfae-outstanding civilian workforce at the F-16 depot repair line are -tally evident in its accomplish- v ments." According to Lockheed Martin officials, the F-16's forecasted design life is 8,000 flying hours. However, Air Force officials expect the F-16 to be in service be- FACTORS From pagei Team Hill work force is a major goal and there are several programs designed to improve the total health and wellness of our workers through the four pillars of wellness, which include: Physical, Mental, Social and Spiritual wellness. Chini is also a lead member of the • Integrated Delivery System, which is a collection of helping agencies from around the base such as the Airman and Family Readiness Center, Mental Health and the Base Chapel. "The goal of this organization is to ensure that these programs have good visibility and for us to fill in any gaps we might discover," the colonel said. Chini added that over the years the base has done a much better job of coordinating and disseminating information to both military and civilians about all of the programs that are available to them. While the military and civilians all work together as part of Team Hill, there are different avenues that have to be taken for them to seek assistance .from these programs. For active duty members and dependents, there are resources available through the AFRC, Military One Source, the Chapel and Mental Health. These services include financial and legal counseling, relationship counseling, alcohol and substance abuse help. While Mental Health can provide psychological education to all military and Department of Defense civilians, civilians are then referred to the Employment Assistance Program for support or treatment. Burpee said the EAP has almost all of Low keeps the audience's attention as he depicts what life as a fighter pilot is really about. Sorry, "Top Gun," but there's a lot more to piloting than just fancy maneuvers. As Operation Red Flag continues, Capt. Stratton is surprised with a new task: He must play a downed pilot in need of rescue during the next combat simulation. As the enemy force moves in, Stratton's fellow pilots hurry to rescue their comrade, while he himself gets a very real taste of what it's like to play cat and mouse with the enemy. Despite a somewhat cheesy introduction and similar ending, "Fighter Pilot: Operation Red Flag" is a very realistic and aweinspiring depiction of all of the thought, time and effort that goes into an aerial battle. The IMAX and big screen versions are sure to have you leaving the theater with butterflies in your stomach and a new appreciation for the pilots, the ground crews and everyone else who readies our pilots for battle. yond the year 2020 — which will take the aircraft well beyond its forecasted 8,000 flight hours. "Maintenance and fleet health definitely become more challenging as the aircraft age and manning shrinks; just ask anyone who owns an older automobile," said Capt. Erik Schmid, 4th Aircraft Maintenance Unit officer-incharge. "Our maintainers on the line have responded and will be ready to keep these aircraft flying for as long as necessary. It has been an honor to serve alongside maintainers as this milestone is truly a representation of their hard work." "Seven thousand hours~on air airframe doesn't just magically (occur^on its own," said Senior -. Master Sgt. Rob Webster, 4th AMU senior NCO-in-charge. *'Fof the aircraft to have reached this milestone is a testament to the maintenance professionals who work our aircraft every day." TIMES May 7, 2009 Man born with no limbs to speak at National Day of Prayer event BY MARY LOU GORNY Hilltop Times editor N ick Vujicic was born without limbs, a condition known as Tetramelia disorder. He has one small foot with two toes on his left thigh and no arms. Although life has not been easy for the Australian native, he graduated from college with a double major in accounting and financial planning and has gone on to become a highly sought after motivational speaker. He will speak at the Base Theater today at noon as part of events planned for the National Day of Prayer. Vujicic has traveled through 19 countries delivering his motivational Vujicic story. His message has been able to reach across borders to people of many faiths and situations, including those with physical disabilities and others. He has become a celebrity via transmission of his images on YouTube and his spiritual messages have lifted countless others. Vujicic's belief in the power of prayer and joy makes his choice as speaker for the event a natural fit. Local ministers who have invited him to speak elsewhere in the state of Utah report the ability of his message to reach many through the empathy of seeing him embody a life of power as he approaches life without limbs. The Rev. Greg Johnson of Standing Tbgether Evangelical Ministries of Salt Lake City and Utah coordinator for the National Prayer Day taskforce out of Colorado Springs, Colo., said interest has been high. '^Everything we've received as far as feedback from both military and civilian indicates that we're going to get great response." Johnson said the topic for Vujicic's remarks will be "The Power of Prayer." "We didn't anticipate the response would be this positive," he sakj a&he discussed early indications that there would be a full house. There is anothgf eyent this evening at " 6:30 p.m. at the State Capitol in Salt Lake City at which Vujicic will also speak. The gathering will be outside on the west lawn. Both events are free. For more information about the event at Hill Air Force Base, contact the Base Chapel at 7772106. "The Wingman culture makes it easier to recognize when someone's behaviors have changed. It helps individuals to identify changes in their co-workers, and most importantly, it helps co-workers to intervene when necessary because they have a closer relationship with each other." MAJ. MICHAEL BURPEE, 75th Medical Operations Squadron Mental Health Flight commander the same services for civilians that are available for military members ranging from financial assistance to suicide prevention. Another tool used by Hill AFB to increase suicide awareness prevention is Frontline Supervisor Training. "This training, which was developed here at Hill, is mandatory for all frontline supervisors. During the training they learn how to identify people that are in distress," Burpee said. "They also cover training for suicide prevention, domestic violence, alcohol and substance abuse, and financial problems. They also learn the resources that are available to the workforce so they know where to refer those in need." Burpee said that one of the most important steps in suicide prevention is instilling a Wingman culture. "The Wingman culture makes it easier to recognize when someone's behaviors have changed," he said. "It helps individuals to identify changes in their co-workers, and most importantly, it helps co-workers to intervene when necessary because they have a closer relationship with each other." The major added that he believes like these programs were designed to create a Wingman atmosphere and are just starting to take root. This new ethos encourages co-workers to look out for each other and to refer each other to the help they need when it is needed. One of the biggest programs Hill AFB has initiated to help watch out for its workforce is the Wingman Advocate Program. This program was collaboration between the largest unit on base, the 309th Maintenance Wing, and the 75th Medical Group, and by working together they created the first Wellness Program in the Air Force. With this program several Wellness Advocates were hired with the goal of observing the health and wellness of the workers within the 309th MXW and to help educate workers about the different wellness options that are available to them. "When we started developing this program a few years ago, we realized that there were not that many options available to the workforce other than the EAP," said Brig. Gen. John Cooper, 309th MXW commander. "We felt the workers deserved more than just a phone number to call." The Wellness Advocates were brought on board to become a liaison for the employees, and the program is getting bigger. "We started with three advocates and now have eight and should be hiring two more soon," Cooper said. In fact, this program has become such a success the other two Air Logistic Centers, Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., and Warner-Robins AFB, Ga., are in the initial stages of adopting this program. Cooper has also taken a more direct approach to determine ways to improve the morale within certain sections of the 309th MXW. He has initiated commander's calls and most importantly started conducting town hall meetings between him and the workforce. "These meetings take place without an agenda and without any supervisors present so employees feel more comfortable speaking their minds. After the meetings I take the information given to me and bring it back to my staff so they can find the solutions to any problems." One of the largest differences between the military and civilian workforce is that commanders, directors and supervisors do not have the authority to make civilians seek assistance if thoughts of suicide are suspected. "All of our workers need to know that we care about them, but they need to care enough about themselves to help themselves," said Chini. "We are willing and able to provide assistance, but they need to be willing to seek the assistance." Team Hill's workforce not only needs to help themselves, but Wingmen need to remind each other where help can be found. As the base continues to cultivate the Wingman mindset, leadership understands that it's an ongoing process. "We planted the seeds of change a few years ago and we have been nurturing it," Burpee said. "We are trying to create a cultural change and that doesn't happen overnight; however, I think it is starting to happen and it will only improve." |
