OCR Text |
Show HILLTOP TIMES Hilltop 10 T IME S January 8. 2015 New commander takes reins of 12th AF, AFSOUTH 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern) Public Affairs DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. — Lieutenant Gen. Chris Nowland took the reins of 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern) in a ceremony Dec. 19 at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz. "I am very humbled to have an opportunity to affect the 12th Air Force community in helping to produce the ready warriors needed to fight the threats faced by our nation," the general said. "I look forward to working with our community leaders across all of the wings to help make our 12th Air Force community stronger and more resilient while fostering an attitude of thinking of others, which really translates into being a good wingman." Nowland takes over from Lt. Gen. Tod Wolters, who will become the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Plans and Requirements, Headquarters U.S. Air Museum From 9 especially when you get to know the great men and women who have given so much to preserve our freedoms. It truly is a unique experience." Clark said sometimes the knowledge and experience of the museum's volunteers is used not in interacting with patrons, but with restoring aircraft that date back to WWII. "For example, we recently partnered with a local Junior Reserve Officer 'fraining Corps program and the instructor and his students are all volunteers," Clark said. "They are assisting in the restoration of a B-29 bomber, the impressive airframe that trained at Wendover Field during WWII and was used to defeat the Japanese. This instructor and his students will help us preserve one of the few remaining B-29s for years to come." The mission of the Hill Aerospace Museum is to portray the history of Hill Air Force Base and Utah Military From 1 The 2015 BAS rates for military members will increase by 2.9 percent over last year. The new rates are $367.92 per month for enlisted members and $253.38 per month for officers. The annual adjustments to BAS — a monthly nontaxable cash payment to military members intended to be used to buy food — are linked to changes in food prices as measured by the annual change in the U.S. Department of Agriculture Cost of Food at Home Index. From the beginning of October 2013 through the end of September 2014, the index rose by 2.9 percent, forming the basis for the increased BAS rates. Force, Washington, D.C. Air Combat Command Commander Gen. Hawk Carlisle presided over the ceremony. Nowland comes to Arizona from Miami, where he was the Chief of Staff, U.S. Southern Command. In that job, he was responsible for successfully integrating and synchronizing the efforts of nine directorates and 16 special staff offices in support of the combatant commander's Theater Campaign Plan. His familiarity with the AFSOUTH mission gives him unique insight into the challenges and opportunities which now await him as the organization's new leader. "We are all products of our past experiences," he said. "Over these past 29 years I've walked a mile in some of your shoes. Clearly I have not experienced all of your [occupations], but we do all share common attributes. I understand how hard our Airmen work and thank you for your strong work ethic, but I also remember how much fun your walk can be." In the new position, Nowland will wear two hats, one as commander of Air Forces Southern which fosters cooperation with partner-nation air forces throughout the 31-counntry area of responsibility comprising Latin America and the Caribbean. Also, as commander of 12th Air Force, he will be responsible for the combat readiness of eight activeduty wings, including the 355th Fighter Wing also located at DavisMonthan, and one direct reporting unit. 12th Air Force's subordinate commands operate more than 680 aircraft with more than 55,000 uniformed and civilian Airmen. The general is a 1985 graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy. He has commanded at the squadron and wing levels, and has more than 3,600 flying hours primarily in the F-15A/C/D, T-37B, T38A/C and A/T-38B. aviation through the collection, preservation, and presentation of historically and culturally significant artifacts and materials in an informative and educational method, Clark said. In order to execute this extensive mission, it is necessary for the museum to implement a robust volunteer program. "We average 80 plus volunteers on our staff at any given time. Functions executed by these valuable individuals include, but are not limited to research, security, education, tours, greeter, restoration, and gift shop support," he said. In terms of kids and teens, the museum has a myriad of educational and fun activities executed by education specialists in the Aerospace Center for Education Learning Center throughout the week. Here they get to learn about the sciences that go into aviation, and much more. "We also hold a drawing activity on weekends, where a retired newspaper cartoonist teaches children how to draw aircraft with a fun twist," Clark said. "For adults and kids we execute Plane Talk on Saturdays during the fall and winter months." Plane Talk is a speaker series related to the heritage of Hill Air Force Base, the United States Air Force, other military branches, and many other subjects related aerospace and the defense industry. Just recently, former senator Jake Garn and Berlin Airlift pilot Gail Halverson spoke to patrons. "This year will mark the 75th anniversary of Hill Air Force Base. Today, many people don't know this base was named after Maj. Ployer P. Hill, an extraordinary test pilot, when they broke ground so many years ago," Clark said. "To commemorate this anniversary and honor Maj. Hill, the museum will open a new 24' storyboard exhibit that honors the base's namesake in February. It is going to be very exciting." Beginning next year, the Hill Aerospace Museum's operating schedule will change. The new hours of operation will be Monday through Saturday The DOD also released its 2015 CONUS COLA rates. Roughly 12,000 members will see a decrease in their CONUS COLA payments, while some 7,000 members will see an increase or no change, and 4,000 members will no longer receive a CONUS COLA payment. CONUS COLA is a taxable supplemental allowance designed to help offset higher prices in high-cost locations, and rates vary based on location, pay grade, years of service and dependent status. Rates can increase or decrease depending on the prices in a specific duty location compared to prices in an average CONUS location. Service members can calculate their allowance by using the CONUS COLA calculator located at http://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/site/ conusCalc.cfm. (Portions of this article were taken from an AFNS report) STAFF SGT. ADAM GRANT/U.S. Air Force Gen. Hawk Carlise, Air Combat Command commander, passes the 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern) guidon to Lt. Gen. Chris Nowland, 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern) commander, as he assumes command during a ceremony at DavisMonthan AFB, Ariz., Dec. 19. The passing of the guidon marks the beginning of Nowland's tour as commander of 12th Air Force. from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission is free. For more information or if you would like to be a volunteer, call 801-777-6818. .54. '1.47 a 7:-7 1-A• r."Th $ 6 MAI DMISSION GUN COLLACTOGS ASSOCIATION ARA AFFI I $100 OFF January 10 & 11, 2015 Sat. 9-5; Sun. 9-4 with this ad WEBER COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS, OGDEN, UT EAST OF 1-15, EXIT 346 • 1000 N. 1200 W. Information (801)486-5174 mrsormion.rms 801-393-9419 South Adams Ave. Ogden, UT 84405 (Across from Ogden Regional Modica! Center) Michael A. Blamires DDS Specializing in Family and Cosmetic Dentistry NOW ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS Most insurances accepted, including most Federal Plans • Crowns & Bridges • Veneers • Teeth Whitening • • •• $49 Exam, X-rays and .4. • • • • • Cleaning New patients only. One Coupon Per Person. Not valid with any other offer. Restrictions apply. Expires 12/31/14. • • • • • • e • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Cosmetic Dentistry • Fillings • Dentures FREE Lifetime Teeth Whitening New patients only. One Coupon Per Person. Not valid with any other offer. Restrictions apply. Expires 12/31/14. •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• $25 Off Any Dental Procedures • New patients only. One Coupon Per • Person. Not valid with any other offer. • Restrictions apply. Expires 12/31/14. • Military Discount: 10% off any procedure not covered by your insurance 1770 E. * -/--7. Ec 1. nap woomE3H GOLD • SILVER • INVESTMENTS 5484 3,4" * 2,4 't7 A-4 7-T LZ,IITV[10.1:111M We appraise, buy and sell estate items • Hill AFB Job Openings Site Internal civilian announcements are posted on the USAJOBS web site. Announcements for bargaining unit positions are posted any week day. The website is www.usajobs.gov. On the home page type "HILL" in the box titled "What". In the box titled "Where" type "UT" and hit the Search Jobs button. To view all vacancies that are currently open, under "Refine Your Results", top left hand section, select the "Jobs for Federal Employees" bubble. *, *' Combe Rd. Ste. #3 South Ogden 801-528-9535 www.dainesdental.com 4‘T |