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Show 2 TIMES July 22, 2010 Hilltop TIMES Weekly Since 1948 Hilltop Times Editorial Staff: Lee Carter... Standard-Examiner publisher Mary Lou Gorny Hilltop Times Editor Catherine McNally Hilltop Times Writer Lee Anne Hensley Hilltop Times Correspondent Deadlines: Editorial and news items are due by noon on the Friday prior to the Thursday print date, To submit news items e-mail hilltoptimesOstandard.net or call (801) 625-4273. For Classified Advertising, call {801) 625-4300. For Retail Advertising, call (801) 625-4388. The Hilttop Times is published by Ogden Publishing Corporation, a private firm in no way connected with the U.S. Air Force, under, and in compliance with, a Memorandum of Understanding with Hill Air Force Base. The content of the Hilltop Times does not necessarily represent the views of, nor is it endorsed by, the U.S. Government the Department of Defense, the Department of the Air Force or Hill Air Force Base (collectively, the Government). The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the Government of the products or services advertised. Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation or any other nonmerit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. Editorial content is edited, prepared and provided by the Standard-Examiner, 332 Standard Way, Ogden, Utah, 84404. Additional editorial content is provided by various military and civilian wire services and Hill Air Force Base public affairs departments. COMMENTARY For the purposes of this account, I'll call him 'Rick' Then Rick drove out to a remote part of the base, put a gun to his head and ended his life. 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing It's been many years since I cared for Rick's devastated wife, his grieving children, OINT BASE BALAD, Iraq — I'll call and his friends and co-workers. Despite the him "Rick." time, I have never forgotten Rick or the seriIn the words of his military friends and co-workers, Rick was one of the greatest ous damage that suicide leaves in its wake. Suicide is about more than just an abrupt, guys you'd ever want to meet: A hard working noncommissioned officer in a high opera- untimely end to a human life. It is about tions tempo unit, a family man, a compassion- unanswered questions, unfulfilled dreams, possibilities that will never be, a struggle for ate friend always seeking opportunities to closure that may never come. help others in his unit succeed. As one child (now an adult) said of his Rick was humble, they said. He would never take credit for his talents, instead call- mother's suicide, "For years, I thought that one of the reasons she killed herself was being it a "team effort.";, His supervisors noticed, at times, that Rick cause she couldn't get us to brush our teeth or other things we were supposed to do." was unusually hard on himself and seemed He'll never really know the answer, and depressed about his job abilities, despite the will struggle to find one, just as Rick's circle opinion to the contrary of the entire superof relationships struggles to this day to unvisory chain. Then, quite suddenly, Rick's derstand. attitude perked up. He seemed to enjoy his Is there good news? Absolutely. Rick's job. Gone were the self-criticisms that had death taught me early in my career that plagued him in the past. His friends noticed, there is a simple but powerful tool to prevent and remarked about the positive change. Within a week or two, Rick requested leave suicide from taking another life and leaving so he could take his family on a dream vaca- behind its human wreckage. That tool is you! tion. Word was that it was the best vacation As service members, we would fight to the death to save our wingman from death at the he and his family had ever enjoyed together. hands of the enemy. When we fight, we fight Upon his return from leave, Rick quietly slipped out of his home and into his office in for each other. Whether the firefight is with the pre-dawn hours, telling his wife there was an external foe or an internal battle against an emotionally crushing problem, we are the unfinished business he had to complete. She instrument of help that can rescue our friend thought nothing of it, as Rick often gave up and all those who love and care for him or his free time for work needs. Rick carefully her. How? By simply remembering and stacked project binders and folders on his implementing the ACE plan. desk with notes to co-workers of what was unfinished and how to complete each project. A - Ask your friend how he is doing. Most BY CHAPLAIN (MAJ.) JONATHAN WADE J TEAM HILL IN ACTION Report suspicious activity v!3 the AFOSl EAGLE EYES program When you call or send an e-mail, your comDial: 777-3056 ments will be recorded and staffed through the / 3057/5058. agency responsible for action. Watch - Report Please give your supervisor and chain of comProtect mand the opportunity to work with you in answering questions and solving problems beforeForce Protection calling the Action Line. This will help me better is Our Business serve your interests. Items of basewtde interest- Everyone is a will be published in the Hilltop Times. Sensor 777-7000 action.line.pa@hill.af.mil Call (801) 6254273 with story ideas or comments, or contact the editor, Mary Lou Gomy, at mgomy@standard.net Call (801) 625-4300 for Classified Advertising or (801) 6254388 for Retail Advertising. * — Phone numbers—The base agencies listed can be contacted directly if you have ^complaint or a problem with their services: : TODD CROMAR/U.S. Air Force Col. Scott J. Zobrist, 388th Fighter Wing commander, passes the guidon to Col. Michael Costello, 388th Maintenance Group commander, during the Assumption of Command ceremony. Chief RoberOThiel, the 388th Maintenance Group Chief, assisted in the ceremony^jf// Learn how to weight train in a class specifically designed for women, July 29, from 11 a.m. to noon at the Health and Wellness Center. You will be taught how to safely and effectively use resistance training to better your health and performance levels. Call the HAWC at (801) 777-1215 to reserve your spot. THINK SAFETY Hill's Total 2010 s* DUIs:30 's Last DUI: * Unit Involved: 75$6, Airmen Against Drinking and Driving provide rides when designated drivers are unavailable. Call 777-1111 to request a ride anytime. Hours of operation: Fridays-Saturdays 10 p.m.- 6 a.m. Sundays 9 p.m.-midnight people will typically respond, "OK," because we use the "How ya doin'?" question as a common greeting. Take the time to ask him how he is really doing. Sometimes all a person needs is someone to listen tolthem. So, talk less, listen more and let your friend share his story with you. If you suspect he may be self-destructive, ask him directly if he is thinking of killing himself. Is that uncomfortable? Yes, but it can be the most important question you ever ask. Get over the discomfort and ask him. What if the answer to the question is "Yes?" C - Care for your friend. Don't leave him alone. Calmly control the situation by continuing to listen without judging him. Your job now is to care for your friend until you can get him to competent emergency care. Let him know that there is help available to navigate him through his troubles to a place of hope and peace. E - Escort your friend to the emergency room. His emotional wound is as life-threatening as a shrapnel wound to the heart. Don't leave your friend alone until you find the expertise to help him. He may give you many reasons he doesn't want to seek help, and you will have to be persistent and truthful. He may ask about how this affects his career and family. You can't tell him what you don't know. Let the experts handle that. What he needs now is someone to help him. Remember, you are the best tool for helping a suicidal friend or co-worker. Remember ACE. There is help, there is hope, and there is an answer. Security Forces 777-3056 24-hr. Crisis Information 777-3056 , Force Support Squadron 777-4134 Base Restaurants 777-2043 Retirement/Compensation.... 777-6142 (civilian) ; Social Actions..- _ 777-3516 Employer Relations 777-7129 : Military Pay „ 777-1851 '•• Civilian Pay J :..777-6246 Air Force Suggestion ^,.-^........777-6901 ! Program • ' t''.^-"\ Hill Straight Talk .•....;...;.........777-9696 IG Complaints 777-5305 • (for appointment) \ IG Complaints.... 777-5361 ] (after hours) Mormon trek commemorated (nxording) Loud Noise .'. 1-877-885-9595 (complaints) 75th Magical Group 777-4918 Civil Engineering 777-1856 Hill Pride Hotline 777-7433 Public Affairs „ 777-5333 Military Housing 825-9392 Maintenance Safety Office 777-3333 Safety Office Hotline 586-9300 Union 777-3257 AFOSl Narcotics Hotline ..... 777-1B52 Family Assistance Center....... 777-3090 (when activated) \K&\kk»*£&}£$;:&'--:' On July 17, 1947, this P-80 jet fighter, nicknamed the "Mormon Trail Blazer," landed at Hill Field following a commemorative flight from Iowa to begin Utah's centennial "Pioneer Days" celebration. Comparing impressively to 1847's 110-day trek, the flight took 123 minutes. BY AMY KEMP BUTLER Ogden Air Logistics Center History Office T o commemorate a century of extraordinary achievement since the historic arrival of Mormon pioneers in Utah in 1847, in 1947 a United States Army Air Forces' jet aircraft flew from Omaha, Neb., to Hill Field in a relatively uneventful 123 minutes. In July a hundred years earlier, or some 163 years ago today, courageous American trailblazers completed the journey in an entirely arduous, very eventful 110 days, at times losing and burying some of their loved ones along the way. To salute 1847's intrepid team of individuals and families, and to show a kindred spirit in teamwork and accomplishment, 1947's Airmen planned to trace the Mormon route, but pass in a minute the same ground and distance the pioneers traveled each day. Despite climbing to and flying at 30,000 feet for a time, the pilot, 1st Lt. John R. Rawson, missed that goal by 13 minutes due to some very strong, unexpected head wind. Nonetheless, the mission was considered a success. Army Air Forces' headquarters had selected Rawson to make the flight for two reasons. First, because he was the greatgrandson of William C. Rawson, who had migrated to Utah in 1850. Second, because the lieutenant was one of a relatively few people who could; that is, he was Sne of the nation's first and best jet pilots. Prior to the quick flight, Rawson had served four and Fraud, Waste or Abuse...., 777-5361 U.S. Air Force a half years with the service, including World War II duty overseas and a year and a half stateside P-80 qualified. The commemorative flight occurred as the Sons of Utah Pioneers were on the ground reenacting the feat in wagoncovered cars. While of a different sort, they too faced delays, such as overwhelming hospitality of some of Iowa's citizens. Wendell J. Ashton, president of the Sons of Utah Pioneers, said, "These people in Iowa are just too kind to us, we go into a town and they won't let us get out." Also, there were complications arising from the materiel used to replicate the original equipment — 19th century horse-power covered wagons. The material provoked engines to overheat, lengthening travel time. On the banks of the Mississippi, just prior to their departure, the Sons of the Utah Pioneers had handed Rawson copies of the Centennial Commission's official program, which the pilot delivered to the base, including to the commanding officer and Governor of Utah. Gov. Herbert B. Maw was one of many distinguished visitors attending and honored by the tribute. The flight, flight line and subsequent commemorative activities reflected the exemplary civil-military relations that had originated with the base and would go on to thrive with patriotism, hard work and a common sense of what quality is for an individual, a family, and an effort. While the commemorative flight also occurred in the mist of rapid demobilization following the Allied victory, just two months later the base and state again had cause for celebration as the installation became part of the newly established United States Air Force, on September 18,1947. The Lopkheed P-80 Shooting Star was the service's first operational jet fighter and saw extensive combat over Korea as the F-80. It flew in the first jet-versus-jet dogfight in history, which occurred during the Korean^Var on Nov. 8,1950. From 1955 to 1957, the F-80's jet trainer variant, the T-33, was assigned and flew routinely ' from and to this base. |