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Show 2 COMMENTARY I Wimp TIMES November 4, 2010 Debt to veterans can never fully be repaid ES 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 hilltoptimes@standard.net or call (801) 625-4273. For Classified Advertising, call (801) 625-4300. For Retail Advertising, call (801) 625-4388. The Hilltop 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, BY GEN. DONALD HOFFMAN Commander, Air Force Materiel Command W RIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio — Despite the rhetoric and divisiveness we witnessed during this election year, there is one topic where Congress historically votes with one voice: supporting our military and our veterans. In early October, Congress approved the Veterans Benefits Act of 2010. This comprehensive bill encompasses a wide spectrum of benefits — from the rights of active-duty troops, to veterans' employment programs — previously covered by multiple individual pieces of legislation. On Oct. 13 President Obama signed the Veterans Benefits Act of 2010 into law, signaling the solidarity of our nation's leaders in recognizing the importance of supporting our military veterans. In 2009, this spirit of giving back to our veterans came to fruition in the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Introduced in August 2009, this bill provides financial support for education and housing, and marked a historical Gen. Hoffman first: the opportunity to transfer unused educational benefits to spouses or dependents. These actions by our president and Congress represent not just the respect which our country has for its veterans, but also recognition and thanks to all who serve. As a nation we've asked so many veterans to risk their well-being and their lives in stepping up to the military actions directed by our commanders-in-chief. The United States is doing a better job of remembering and caring for its veterans. Although these legislative efforts are significant and valued by our veterans, what they really value is recognition as simple as a "thank you" from family, friends and even strangers. I am always humbled when an elementary school child comes up to me and says, "Thank you for giving me my freedom." Even though I know she has been trained to say that to those in uniform, and may not know the difference between a corporal and a general, the fact that her teachers or parents instructed her is significant. It reflects the high esteem America's population has for those who have served and continue to serve. Happy Veterans Day, America. 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 777-7000 action.line.pa@hill.af.mil 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. Call 801-625-4273 with story ideas or comments, or contact the editor, Mary Lou Gorny, at mgorny@standard.net . Call 801-625-4300 for Classified Advertising or 801-625-4388 for Retail Advertising. LANCE CHEUNG/U.S. Air Force Erin C. Conaton smiles during an interview with the Defense Media Activity at the Cocoa Beach Pier, during Air Force Week Cocoa Beach, Florida on Oct. 26. Conaton is the Under Secretary of the Air Force, Washington D.C. Report suspicious activity via the AFOSI EAGLE EYES program Energy initiatives, space capabilities top priorities for Air Force BY STAFF SGT. MARESHAH HAYNES Defense Media Activity San Antonio HAWC Nest Fitness Tip from the Health and Wellness Center "Break Free from the Bondage of your Headaches" with this class Tuesday, Nov. 9 from 11 a.m. to noon. Learn about the different types, causes, treatments and how to prevent them. Call the Health and Wellness Center to reserve your seat in the class at (801) 777-1215. THINK SAFETY Hill's Total 2010 DUIs: 36 Hill's Last DUI: Oct. 24 Unit Involved: 75th seametet 9ofteea 5 9ceeri/teia 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. When you call or send an e-mail, your comments will be recorded and staffed through the agency responsible for action. Please give your supervisor and chain of command the opportunity to work with you in answering questions and solving problems before calling the Action Line. This will help me better serve your i nterests. Items of basewide interest will be published in the Hilltop Times. C OCOA BEACH, Fla. — When the Air Force saves energy, it also saves money, the environment and possibly even lives, according to Under Secretary of the Air Force Erin C. Conaton. Conaton discussed ongoing service energy initiatives, as well as Air Force space programs, during a visit Oct. 27 for Air Force Week Cocoa Beach 2010. "Every gallon of fuel that we have to take over to Afghanistan is one more gallon of fuel that has to be moved by convoy, in potentially dangerous situations," Conaton said. "So our first imperative is to reduce our use of energy so that we're not putting people at risk in delivering it to the warfighter." This is also a time when Air Force officials are focused on making every dollar count, she said. "Every dollar we're not spending on fuel is a dollar we can spend on benefits for our Airmen and their families, on readiness and on new weapons systems," Conaton said. "So for both those reasons, I think it's really important to focus on energy in addition to all the environmental and greater societal benefits that go with it." The Air Force's energy initiatives include an effort to shift the way Airmen think about both their personal energy footprint and that of the service, she said. "We've got a strategic plan in the Air Force that talks about reducing de- mand, increasing supply and changing the culture," Conaton said. "We're trying to spend as little as possible on energy and find ways to decrease that demand while finding alternative sources for that supply." Officials are looking at solar arrays, wind-power systems and both synthetic and bio-fuels for aircraft, the undersecretary said. "The Air Force is the largest consumer of energy in the Department of Defense, which itself is the largest consumer in the federal government," she said. "During a time when budgets are tight, we want to decrease the amount of money we're spending on fuel and increase the amount we're spending on Airmen, their families and our readiness." In preparation for a "greener" Air Force, officials have been making strides to prepare for the day when commercial vendors are ready to supply synthetic and bio-fuel to the service on a larger scale. Since 2006, Air Force engineers have certified different airframes on synthetic fuels and, in the last six months, certified the A-10 Thunderbolt II on a bio-fuel mix, Conaton said. As Air Force officials make progress with energy consumption, they also continue to maintain excellence in space, the undersecretary said. "Space is not just something the Air Force relies upon," Conaton said. "It is something the nation relies upon, and certainly something our joint warfighting partners rely upon." Dial: 777-3056 / 3057/ 3058. Watch - Report - Protect Force Protection is Our Business - Everyone isa Sensor Phone numbers 4 The base agencies listed can be contacted directly if you have a complaint or a problem with their services: Security Forces 24-hr. Crisis Information Force Support Squadron Base Restaurants Retirement/Compensation (civilian) Social Actions Employer Relations Military Pay Civilian Pay Air Force Suggestion Program Hill Straight Talk IG Complaints (for appointment) IG Complaints (after hours) 777-3056 777-3056 777-4134 777-2043 777-6142 777-3516 777-7129 777-1851 777-6246 777-6901 777-9696 777-5305 777-5361 Fraud, Waste or Abuse (recording) Loud Noise (complaints) 75th Medical Group Civil Engineering Hill Pride Hotline Public Affairs Military Housing Maintenance Safety Office Safety Office Hotline Union AFOSI Narcotics Hotline Family Assistance Center (when activated) 777-5361 1-877-885-9595 777-4918 777-1856 777-7433 777-5333 825-9392 777-3333 586-9300 777-3257 777-1852 777-3090 AIRMAN AIRMAN TO Where are you from? Port Angeles, Wash. What is your favorite quote? "Money exists only as an idea, but without the belief in money it becomes worthless paper," - My college economics professor. Airman 1st Class Nicholas Alder 2nd Combat Camera Squadron What is your favorite color? Blue. Who is your hero and why? Liam Neeson, because I like him as an actor and despite his age, he always does very good roles. What are your hobbies? Competitive rifle shooting, target shooting, snowboarding, paint ball. Pretty much a little of everything. What is your favorite thing about your job? I like the autonomy of my job. My job is to see everyone else's job. What is your favorite food? Seafood. Who is your favorite football team? New Orleans Saints. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go and why? I would go to the coast of Spain because I hear it is beautiful and I would love to see it. What are your future goals? To finish out my endegree and go to work for a defense company. gineering |