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Show HILLTOP TIMES Honorary commanders learn about the 388th Fighter Wing 6 TIMES March 29, 2012 follows: Rep. Brad Wilson, 388th FW commander; Stan Kaminski, 388th FW vice commander; Rep. Todd Kiser, 388th FW command chief; Brett Mills, 388th Maintenance Group; Dr. Brian Brzowski, 388th Operations Group; Russell Maughan, 388th Component Maintenance Squadron; Michael Caldwell, 4th Fighter Squadron; Damon Kirchmeirer, 421st Fighter Squadron; Syracuse Mayor Jamie Nagle, 388th Equipment Maintenance Squadron; Karen Burnett, 388th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron; Kearston Cutrubus, 388th Maintenance Operations Squadron; and Dwight Baldwin, 729th Air Control Squadron. The honorary commander program is an entry-level program for community leaders who wish to learn more about the missions and people in the 388th FW. The honoraries serve for two years, creating ties with the 388th FW and having active involvement with designated squadrons. BY ANDREA V. MASON 388th Fighter Wing Public Affairs L ALEX R. LLOYD/U.S. Air Force As part of an interactive tour of the 388th Fighter Wing, eight honorary commanders and their guests paid a visit to the phase dock at Hill Air Force Base to see an F-16 engine in repair March 23. Col. Rick LeBlanc, the 388th FW vice commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Mark Batzer, command chief, hosted the tour of the wing and its operations and maintenance groups. CFO From page 1 of last summer's debate on raising the national borrowing limit. An even more challenging issue is what lies ahead if sequestration goes into effect. When the super committee in Congress was set up to discuss financial strategy and find a way to balance the ends and means, "a hammer" was written into law to try to motivate the committee to a resolution. That hammer, the sequestration, in essence puts a 10 percent cut on all discretionary federal spending in effect in January of next year. Since the super committee did not reach a deal, sequestration is still a real possibility for the near future. Morin noted that in the event the sequestration does occur, exempting the payroll for the military is a likely option for implementation. The result would be a 13 percent reduction across the board for DoD and the Air Force. However, sequestration can still be avoided. "We have got several months and there are a whole series of things that have to come to conclusion or fruition by the end of this calendar year that should help to drive Congress to get a deal," he added. In this current economic climate, Morin noted, "What we need to look at is how can we provide the nation air power which is innovative, effective, flexible, resilient, and which meets the requirements that the president and presidents of the future may call upon." Even with the cuts, Morin explained that in inflation adjusted dollars, the Department of Defense budget remains higher than the Vietnam War and the Reagan era. Turning to Air Force cost estimating efforts, Morin explained the Air Force and DoD budget planners need to avoid too many pricing risks in determining the costs of new programs. He warned that if there were further squeezes on down the line, they would be harder to recover from, especially if sequestration goes into effect. "If we get too heroic now and the hammer comes down we risk not having anywhere to go," Morin said. To plan for the reductions, the Air Force balanced three components to avoid a hollow Air Force: force structure, modernization and readiness. "We need to retain our long range strike capability and maintain and modernize the legacy fleet," he said. He emphasized the Minuteman III as another essential component in maintaining the Air Force's effectiveness. Achieving auditability of the Air Force's financial statements is key to implementing the new budget realities. It allows commanders to make better use of resources and increases public trust that the Air Force is a good steward of taxpayer funds. "The court of public opinion is a big deal," the assistant secretary emphasized as he recounted some of the pressures from Congress to resolve the issue. His most key message he had to give to his financial managers he said was this: "It's a lot easier to plan than execute." earning about the F-16 Fighting Falcon and just how ready the 388th Fighter Wing is to deploy anywhere, anytime was part of the experience for eight honorary commanders and their guests during an interactive tour March 23. The day entailed highlights from the wing featuring the maintenance and operations group as well. Tour activities included F-16 flight simulators, phase dock, emergency aircraft egress, the base's air traffic control tower, an engine run in a test cell and an overview on the Utah Test and Training Range. "While I have been on the base for several tours in the past, the one on Friday was outstanding," said Vaughn Jacobsen, the 388th Range Squadron honorary commander. Jacobsen is one of 13 honorary commanders in the 388th FW. The others are as "If we get too heroic now and the hammer comes down we risk not having anywhere to go." JAMIE MORIN, Chief Financial Officer for the Air Force -7111I S. Strong Audi The Best selection of New and Certified Pre-Owned models in years!! Great Discounts for All Military Personnel My name is Brian Steenblik and after 25 years of Active Duty Service I have decided to follow my passion and sell cars at Strong Audi. Call 801-736-0386 or come in and ask for Brian S or aka:"Steamy: 111111 `. RESTAU RANT & PERSONALIZED CATERING Now SERVING BREAKFAST! 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