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Show HILLTOP TIMES Hilltop TIMES Nov. 10, 2011 HEROES From page 1 freedoms?"' said Thad. "That's really my purpose, my mission, my obsession." Mark was an air combat controller, part of the 21st Special Tactices Squadron, a squadron known in the Air Force for their red berets. Thad spoke about his brother's courage and dedication to his job and the patriotism he so ferverently believed in. He spoke of Mark's first and only deployment and his command of the trade he was said to have loved so dearly. Thad painted a picture of a man who, despite earning a degree, and despite countless recommendations to do otherwise, entered as an enlisted member of the U.S. Air Force. Mark was described as someone who wanted to be in the grit of things. His comrades described him as one who ran towards the sound of fire, never away. In a helmet cam video from Mark's perspective during an mission in which he and his comrades were receiving fire, Mark was clearly shown as a leader within the operation. He asserted himself as someone who was sure of what he was doing, commanding the situation. Mark was awarded a Bronze Star with valor after actions taken in August 2010 during ground combat with the enemy. He was also given the Purple SENIOR AIRMAN MELISSA DEARSTONE/U.S. Air Force Thad Forester, brother of Senior Airman Mark Forester, speaks on "Honoring the Heroes" at the Base Theater on Nov. 7. Forester not only highlighted his brother's sacrifice, he talked about some of his brother's fellow Airmen. Heart posthumously and was submitted for a Silver Star after he died in a close-range firefight, trying to recover the body of his shot-down combat medic, Calvin Harrison. Thad made it a quest to find as much information as he could about his brother and what he did. He shared every step of that journey of discovery, including showing the audience the flag his brother had wrapped under RESTRUCTURE From page 1 Global Base Support effort reduced 127 positions, to equal the 261 position reduction during FY12 and FY13. By reducing overhead costs and restructuring the way it manages the Air Force's research and development, test and evaluation, acquisition and sustainment of weapon systems and nuclear support, AFMC will provide better support to the war-fighter and use taxpayer dollars more efficiently. "We owe it to the war-fighter and the American taxpayer," said Gen. Donald Hoffman, AFMC commander. "In these times of tight budgets, our success will depend on a fundamental change in culture across our command. This is an opportunity to do things better and replace a culture of perceived endless money with one of efficiency, savings and restraint." The restructure will be implemented by Oct. 1, 2012. AFMC will move away from its traditional, management-staff model, with a center and headquarters staff on each AFMC base. By creating a "lead" center for each of its five mission areas, it will streamline the way it accomplishes its work without harming its ability to perform its mission. In addition, the restructure better integrates the command workforce. "We'll approach our business in a more integrated fashion rather than thinking separately about research, test, acquisition or sustainment in a center-by-center, base-by-base mindset. The restructure will drive us to more standardized processes," Hoffman said. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center Under the new structure, the command's acquisition mission will be led by a single organization, the new Air Force Life Cycle Management Center headquartered at Wright-Patterson AFB. The AFLCMC will consolidate the missions now performed by the Aeronautical Systems Center at Wright-Patterson, the Electronic Systems Center at Hanscom AFB, Mass., and the Air Armament Center at Eglin AFB, Fla. These three acquisition workforces will report directly to AFLCMC, eliminating layers of management overhead. Also joining AFLCMC will be the new Air Force Security Assistance and Cooperation Directorate, formerly the Air Force Security Assistance Center. It will continue its foreign military sales mission from its his body armor at the time he was killed — holes, fragmented bullets, gunpowder and all Not only did Thad share about his brother's service, but chose to highlight what he dubbed "Great Americans." He highlighted Calvin Harrison, the man whose body Mark went into recover, as a good man responding to the call he felt to do something greater with his life. Thad also spoke about sever- "These important initiatives will mean reductions in our civilian workforce by approximately 261 positions over the next two years. Our efforts to date to reduce costs through hiring restrictions will help reduce the impact to our existing workforce." MAJ. GEN. ANDREW BUSCH, Ogden Air Logistics Center commander Wright-Patterson location. Program executive officers (PEOs) will remain at their respective bases and continue to report to the Under Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition at the Pentagon. Also, the current Aerospace Sustainment Directorate program offices at Robins AFB, Ga.; Tinker AFB, Okla., and Hill AFB will align to a respective PEO while mission work remains at these locations. Air Force Sustainment Center The command's maintenance and supply mission will be led by the new Air Force Sustainment Center to be located at Tinker AFB. The AFSC will consolidate oversight of most missions now performed at the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center at Tinker AFB; the Warner Robins ALC at Robins AFB; and the Ogden ALC at Hill AFB. Like the current acquisition centers, the three ALC headquarters will stand down and their combined workforce will report to the new AFSC. Each location will continue to operate one of the Air Force's three air depots, to be named the Oklahoma City, Warner Robins and Ogden Air Logistics Complexes, respectively. Maintenance wings at each location will stand down and all subordinate groups will directly report to their respective Air Logistics Complex. The current Aerospace Sustainment Directorates will become the Aerospace Sustainment Divisions reporting to their respective Logistics Complex. The Air Force Global Logistics Support Center headquarters at Scott AFB, Ill., responsible for Air Forcewide supply chain management, will stand down. "These important initiatives will mean reductions in our civilian workforce by approximately 261 positions al others Mark knew, including Rob Gutierrez who, after being shot in the chest and leg during a mission to take down the No. 2 Taliban target in the region, called in airstrikes 20 feet from his team before letting the medic re-inflate his lung. Both Gutierrez's ear drums are blown from the sound of the weapons that hit so close to his team. The call saved himself and the special forces team he was at- over the next two years," said Maj. Gen. Andrew Busch, Ogden ALC commander. "Our efforts to date to reduce costs through hiring restrictions will help reduce the impact to our existing workforce. Additionally, we will use all personnel management options available including normal attrition, voluntary early retirement and incentive opportunities to further minimize the impact to our personnel. "We greatly appreciate the community's support and understanding as we implement these cost saving initiatives," said Busch. "Hill AFB will continue to play a key role in Air Force logistics and critical support to the warfighter." The 635th Supply Chain Operations Wing at Scott AFB will align to the AFSC. The 448th Supply Chain Management Wing will become the 448th Supply Chain Operations Wing at Tinker and also align to the AFSC. The 591st Supply Chain Management Group at Wright-Patterson, which was a direct report to the AFGLSC, will stand down and become a Logistics Operations Division. The command's test mission will also be consolidated. The center for test management will be the new Air Force Test Center at Edwards AFB, Calif., presently the Air Force Flight Test Center. The 46th Test Wing at Eglin AFB, Fla., and the Arnold Engineering and Development Center at Arnold AFB, Tenn., to be renamed the Arnold Engineering and Development Complex, will report to the AFTC, along with the 412th Test Wing, at Edwards. The Air Force Research Laboratory, headquartered at Wright-Patterson, will continue in its role as the cornmand's center for science, technology, research and development. AFMC's nuclear support mission will continue to be led by the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center at Kirtland AFB, N.M. All centers will be led by general officers. The AFLCMC and AFSC commanders will each be a three-star general. AFRL, the AFTC and the AFNWC will each be led by a two-star. The Air Logistics Complexes at Tinker, Robins and Hill will be led by one-star generals, as will the test wings at Eglin and Edwards. The AFSAC commander at Wright-Patterson will become a director and remain a one-star. AFMC will use all personnel management options available to mitigate impacts on civilian employees, to include using normal attrition and early retirement and incentive opportunities where possible. 3 tached with. For his actions, Gutierrez was awarded the Air Force Cross, the highest honor outside the Medal of Honor. Yet another Airman Thad chose to highlight was Johnnie Yellock II. Yellock is a combat controller who, in July of 2011, had his vehicle hit by an IED, crushing his legs. Yellock had to undergo many reconstructive surgeries and is currently recovering from his accident, learning to walk again. Mark Forester's family has made a commitment to share his story and keep his legacy going. They started a foundation and a scholarship fund for the high school Mark attended for students that show the same qualities and ideals as Mark did. The foundation is aptly named the Mark A. Forester Foundation. Thad and his wife were connected to Brian Garrett at Zions Bank who works with the military affairs area for the bank. Garrett and Thad planned out their trip to Utah with four stops: the first at the Salt Lake City Council Chambers early Monday morning, at Hill around lunch and then at the State Capitol in the evening to the Top of Utah Military Affairs Committee. On Tuesday, Thad spoke at the Zions Bank building to the company's employees. Thad finished the presentation at Hill by asking the audience one question, "How will you honor our heroes?" WEBER STATE itArakl Weber State to host military appreciation game BY NATHAN SIMMONS 75th ABW Public Affairs A irmen and their families are invited to a free Weber State University football game this Veteran's Day weekend. The university is planning to pay tribute to the military when the Wildcats face the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks Saturday, Nov. 12, at 1:30 p.m. at Stewart Stadium. Col. Sarah Zabel, 75th Air Base Wing commander, will be an honorary captain for Weber State and will be performing the coin toss with the 75th ABW coin. Staff Sgt. Bruce Williams, 419th Logistics Readiness Squadron, will be singing the national anthem, the Hill Honor Guard will present the colors and the 388th Fighter Wing will perform a flyover prior to kickoff. The event is designed to honor those who have served and those who are currently serving our armed forces. Fittingly, Zabel will perform an enlistment ceremony at halftime, swearing new recruits into the Air Force. "Weber State and Hill Air Force Base enjoy strong ties, and to show our appreciation for the military's service, we are offering complimentary admission, compliments of SelectHealth, for all military personnel and their families to all Weber State athletic events leading up to the military appreciation football game on Nov. 12," said Ron Goch, assistant athletic director at Weber State. "This includes all volleyball, basketball and football home events; all that's required is a military ID." All of Team Hill is encouraged to attend the game and cheer on the Wildcats while we honor those in uniform. Weber State has given the base 5,000 vouchers good for two free admissions to the game. Vouchers for free admission will be distributed through the chiefs and first sergeants. Check with your leadership for more information on obtaining a voucher. |