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Show Trw TIMES "'V"' "T" TT t Hilltop TIMES May 30, 2013 5 BAKER From page 1 changes in the Air Force in his career as those made in the last five years or even the last two. "Flexibility during change is how you survive in austere times," said Baker. "You have to be able to adapt quickly. He emphasized those key factors would be with the Air Force for some time because of the economic situation that likely would continue. "The national debt is the most important piece of news in our lifetime," said the general as he encouraged everyone to follow the topic in the news, to read extensively about it and to understand it. He said the secretary of defense and the Joint Chiefs of Staff have identified the number one challenge our nation faces. "Our number one threat — they used the word `threat' — is our national debt," he said. "It is going up $37,000 a second. "This is one of those serious issues that we are facing today and you need to know about it and be smart on it if you are going to survive in an austere climate," he explained. He also cited the lack of a two-year fiscal budget. "We are spending money at Fiscal Year '12 levels and everybody knows that inflation alone grows each and every year," he said, and that this restricted spending level doesn't even include sequestration. "We are not even going to have as much in FY '13." Also the Overseas Contingency Operations funds are being cut. That is a $1.8 billion cut, he said, adding that it is tough to take that large of a cut so fast. Then there is sequestration, a word hardly heard just a few years ago unless a lawyer was talking about the need to sequester a jury. "We just took a $1 trillion cut (through sequestration) of which (the military) had to take $500 billion over the next 10 years," he explained. Baker explained "we have had less money, but we have never come down so fast." But even beyond that, there were other important implications. "As a complex, we accomplish roughly 25,000 hours of maintenance per day, so a furlough of 11 days adds up to a TODD CROMAR/U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. H. Brent Baker Sr., Ogden Air Logistics Complex commander, reviews some of the impacts during sequestration budget actions and background information for the Ogden ALC, during his presentation at the Base Theater on May 10. significant loss in production," the general said. "We operate with more than 7,000 civilian employees in 11 geographic locations. Cuts in projected aircraft inductions will disrupt the balanced machine." In addition, the cut in flying hours or aircraft across the Air Force will also reduce the commodities repaired by the Ogden ALC. "Between furlough days and the elimination of overtime, which is often used to meet temporary requirements, the financial impact will be incredibly difficult for families and will have an economic impact on the community," Baker said. After the review of economic challenges he refocused on how to survive in these times. Communication needs to take place in order to collaborate, he indicated. "We have to focus on other areas for savings even if we might not think we have to." "This climate is hard," he said. "We have to focus on what's smart. We have to look at what other folks do well. We are on a mission." He also noted the need to "We have had a lot more significant challenges in our (nation's past) and we will get through it." MAJ. GEN. H. BRENT BAKER SR., Ogden Air Logistics Complex commander Questions and answers remain focused on speed, quality, reducing costs, safety and the fact that the workforce is ultimately supporting military members and civilians, who are in harm's way, every day. He reminded everyone of the Wingman program and suggested everyone have a good support system in place. Baker also gave out training information and encouraged everyone to increase their training including the educational, leadership and Air Force acculturation courses offered at Hill. "We have had a lot more significant challenges in our (nation's past) and we will get through it. I hope some of those things I have said will tendees can also try their hand at rappelling and enter drawings for a variety of prizes. Highlighting the event is a flag ceremony at noon which will be accompanied by an aerial flyby featuring World War II aircraft. And for those who enjoy the freedom of the open road, there is a motorcycle ride Saturday morning. Beginning at 10 a.m. at Moon Dog's Café in Layton, riders will take a ride over Trapper's Loop around Pineview Reservoir and over the North Ogden Divide. The ride will end at the park at 11:45 a.m., in time for the flag ceremony. Enjoy a picnic at the family friendly event by selecting from the many food vendors and support a great cause. Layton Commons Park is located at 465 Watch Drive in Layton. Moon Dog's Café is located at 792 W. Hill Field Road in Layton. The Utah Veterans Memorial Park is located at 17111 S. Camp Williams Road, Bluffdale. If there continue to be small cuts at Hill, what happens to Services? The base has cut down on a lot of excess capacity and there are very few services on this base that are not being looked at for reductions. It's just the fact of where we are. For the base library, Services is asking the local community to help, including having college students majoring in Library Science run our facility. The dining facility on the flightline is closed and other dining facilities have closed. The dining facility for the military has cut back its hours and they are going to adjust that. But I am going to say that if you don't use it ... a lot of things will be scaled down. Areas that will never be cut include fitness, child care and medical. All other services will probably see some changes in the coming years. Will assistance be offered to Hill civilians during the furlough? Among the first to offer assistance are several local banks who have offered debt-relief services and furlough lending. Other companies, like the hardware chains, are offering parttime jobs for affected civilians. Now that the base is set up with a separate wing commander and complex, who is responsible if the base takes a loss? There's no doubt in my mind that ultimately it would be me. As the senior ranking officer on the base I feel a responsibility for how things are run. I may not own it, but I have a great interest in it, and I would ultimately be held responsible. NEWS BRIEFS FREEDOM From page 1 stay with you — being flexible, staying educated and being informed," he said. "We need your leadership! We are going to get through these issues but it won't just be by chance. We will need to stay involved, understand the issues, bring out great ideas and really come up with solutions that will really make a difference." Fire hydrant tests to start June 3 The 75th Civil Engineer Squadron Utility Shop will be conducting annual Fire Hydrant Flow Testing on Monday, June 3, through Friday, July 7, for the main base water system including: Wardleigh Road, 6th Street, and Balmer Street. These areas include: all base housing areas, all AAFES and DECA facilities, and West Area facilities, 11005, 1200s and 15005. Additionally, the munitions storage areas will be flushed and tested. Facilities adjacent to the areas where fire hydrants are being flushed and tested may experience temporary periods of discolored water. Please allow faucets to flush for several minutes to clear if your facility experiences discolored water. Please use caution when driving vehicles near the testing areas and avoid flowing and standing water. For more information on the Hill AFB Water System Operations and Maintenance Programs contact, William Kopfman at 801-777-3647. Utah Firearm Concealed Carry Permit Class On June 4, at the Rod and Gun Club, Building 2707, a Utah Firearm Concealed Carry Permit class will be held from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Fingerprints and photos are included. Do not bring any firearms to class. To sign up, prepay at Outdoor Recreation, $25 for active duty, retired or Reserve military, $35 for civilians. For more information call 801-777-2225. Gerrity summer library programs Summer Reading Program Registration, through May 31, will help get your kids reading and help their skills stay sharp throughout the summer. Register now for this free program open to all. Stop by the library to sign up. Story Hour on Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., is designed for preschoolers and features stories and activities that foster literacy and a love of reading. CGOC Golf Tourney fundraiser July 12 The Company Grade Officer Council ninth annual Golf Tournament will be July 12 at the Hubbard Memorial Golf Course with a 7:30 a.m. shotgun start. Price is $65 per person. Lunch and drinks are included. Please sign up by July 1. Proceeds will go to Habitat for Humanity and an ROTC Scholarship Fund. For information, contact Nate Gano at 801-586-7098 or email Hill. cgoc@gmail.com . Free bridal gowns for military brides Brides Across America, Operation Wedding Gown, will salute the troops and honor the nation's heroes this July while making dreams come true for military brides. The nonprofit organization will host its seventh annual bridal gown giveaway at salons nationwide. Events are taking place from July 7 to July 15. The program has donated more than 10,000 wedding gowns from prominent designers. Designers such as Impressions, Kristie Kellie, Anthropology's, BHLDN, Enzoani, Nicole Miller and many more have donated hundreds of wedding gowns for the cause. In order to qualify, brides or their fiancé must be serving in the military; either currently deployed or deployed within the last five years to Iraq, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Libya, Korea, Qatar, Kuwait or Japan. Identification and deployment papers must be presented at the event to qualify. For military brides who want more information, please visit www. bridesacrossamerica.com on how to qualify. Brides must pre-register to participate in this event. Craigslist holds contest for veterans nonprofits SAN FRANCISCO — In honor of Memorial Day, craigslist founder Craig Newmark and The Rahr Foundation launched the "Veterans Charity Challenge" to raise funds for nonprofit organizations benefiting veterans and their military families. The Challenge will run from May 23 at noon (EDT) through July 3 at noon (EDT) on Edward Norton's CrowdRise and will award $100,000 in donation prizes. Using the CrowdRise platform, fundraising teams participating in the Veterans Charity Challenge will raise and keep funds, plus compete with each other to win additional cash prizes based on how much they raise for their charity. The nonprofit that raises the most money by the end of the Challenge will receive a $35,000 donation from Craig Newmark and The Rahr Foundation on behalf of the Veterans Charity Challenge. Second place will receive a $25,000 donation. Third place will receive a $15,000 donation. An additional $25,000 will be given to charities throughout the campaign in Bonus Challenges. "I think if someone's willing to serve and even risk his or her life for me, I should give back," said Craig Newmark, founder of craigslist and craigconnects. "And it's not only those who serve, it's also family members who give up a lot for all of us." Any nonprofit organization benefiting veterans and their military families can join the 44 confirmed nonprofits participating in the Challenge. For further information visit www. crowdrise.com/veteranschallenge. LOA Golf Tourney to support scholars The ninth annual Logistics Officer Association Golf Tournament will be June 7 at 8 a.m. at the Hubbard Goff Course. This event is open to anyone who wants to play. For details, contact Capt. James Harris at 801-586-2736 or via email at james. harris@hill.af.mil . All proceeds go to a scholarship fund. |