Rain Snow Rain Cadets get vocal 42 25 35 27 26 12 Page 14 Vol. 47 No. 49 December 7, 2007 orium em In M An Academy ci- vilian employee died here in a hit-and-run incident. Mrs. Donna Head, 65, of Monument, Colo., was struck by a vehicle in the parking lot outside of the Donna Head Community Center, around 9 a.m., Monday. Witnesses called 911 immediately, and paramedics from the Academy Fire Department and AMR responded. Flight for Life was dispatched and landed near the scene, but Mrs. Head died before a medical evacuation could take place. She was the Family Program Flight Chief in the Academy’s 10th Services Division, overseeing the Child Develop- ment Center, Youth Center, the Family Photo by Dave Ahlschwede Home Day Care program and commu- Armed and immunized nity activities. Mrs. Head had worked at the Academy since 1991, was an active Airman 1st Class Maria Macalinga from the 10th Medical Operations Squadron administers a flu shot Tuesday to Maj. Ken Picha of the 306th Operations Support Squadron. Getting the flu vaccine is the best way to reduce supporter of Academy basketball and the risk of getting the flu. The Academy hospital immunization clinic offers walk-in vaccinations Monday active in the cadet sponsor program. through Friday between 7:30-11 a.m. and 1-4 p.m. The pediatric clinic offers walk-in vaccinations Monday She is survived by her husband, retired through Friday between 1-4 p.m. Brig. Gen. James Head, former vice dean of the faculty. The Air Force Office of Special Investigations and Colorado State Patrol Gate guards change contractors, uniforms are investigating. A civilian dependent was arrested Monday in this case. By Ann Patton added, bringing to about 80 the Prosecution will be handled by the Academy Spirit staff number of gate security guards on District Attorney’s office. the Academy. The funeral service is today at 1 The faces may be the same but All potential security guards p.m. in the Academy Cemetery. A the uniforms aren’t. are screened thoroughly and church service will immediately follow On Saturday the Chenega undergo background checks. at 2:15 p.m. at First Lutheran Church, Corporation, based in Anchorage, Training is rigorous and 1515 N. Cascade Avenue, in Colorado Alaska, took over management of continues after the hiring process. Springs. the Academy’s security gates from “They are trained just like we (For more on the life of Donna Head, AKAL Security. see next week’s Academy Spirit.) are,” said 10th Security Forces’ Tech. The one-year renewable Sgt. Andrea Blanchetti. contract was re-bid and is centrally Guards receive training in managed out of Lackland Air Force entry controller duties, use of force, Base, Texas. badge recognition, practical exer- Most of the former AKAL cises and use and maintenance of Photo by Ann Patton employees were retained by the 9 millimeter Beretta sidearm. Chenega security guard Ben Nordyke carefully Chenega, and six new hires were See GATE, Page 4 checks ID’s at the north gate New program jump starts spouse careers By Butch Wehry 6248 W. Pine Loop. “Funding is up to $3,000 per year UCI Tip of the Week Page 3 Academy Spirit staff Participants need to pre-register by with a two year maximum,” said Ms. calling 333-3168. Jeannie Lopez, Airman and Family INSIDE Military spouses are due for a career This program, announced Nov. 14, Readiness Center’s Career Focus Commentary 2 break starting in January. is for short-term education and certifi- Volunteer Program coordinator. News 3 An informational orientation on cation in in-demand career fields such as This program will enable military Features 12 the Military Spouse Career Advancement finance, technology, healthcare, education spouses to develop the skills needed to Sports 16 Initiative for all interested spouses and construction trades. successfully start, navigate and advance Community 19 will be Thursday at 2 p.m. at the Colorado is one of eight states partic- their careers. Classifieds 20 Airman and Family Readiness Center, ipating in this program. See CAREERS, Page 4 2 December 7, 2007 Directorate of Public Affairs mission: To responsibly inform and educate the Academy community and the public about the Air Force Academy Lt. Gen. John Regni — The changing face of Airmen’s battle space Academy Superintendent Maj. Brett Ashworth — Director of Public Affairs By Chief Master Sgt. Stefney Dunson Investigation. Some missions involved and how you’ve trained, start thinking in Staff. Sgt. Tim Jenkins — Cadet Wing superintendent the movement of supplies and fuels, terms of integrating yourself into Joint NCOIC, Internal Information while others involved escorting civil Operations. While preparing for an ILO Wayne Amann — Editor [email protected] Acronyms like ILO, RFF, HRC and engineer troops into local markets to or RFF deployment, strive for the best Butch Wehry — Senior Staff Writer HRI have become part of the Airman’s purchase items necessary to keep the mental and physical shape possible. [email protected] vernacular. If they aren’t familiar to you, base running. The last thing you’ll want to worry Ann Patton — Staff Writer [email protected] keep reading. Today, when an Airman is tasked for about, which you have full control over, Denise Navoy — Graphic Designer Our battle space continues to change. an In-lieu of (ILO) or a Request for Forces is your ability to keep-up with the rigors More and more, it involves areas outside The Academy Spirit is published by Colorado (RFF) deployment, there’s a strong possi- of operating in a hostile environment. Springs Military Newspaper Group, a private firm in no the confines of the base or what is known bility they’ll be assigned to or directly Another leadership challenge is to way connected with the U.S. Air Force, under exclusive as “outside the wire.” supporting an Army unit and will be blend yourself into the operation while written contract with the U.S. Air Force Academy. This civilian enterprise Air Force newspaper is an authorized Today, in Afghanistan and Iraq, the “outside the wire” for much of their tour. not sacrificing your ability to operate at publication for members of the U.S. military services. typical Air Force base isn’t solely an in- Such missions dictate we prepare to live the same level you performed at in the Air Contents of the Academy Spirit are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. government, garrison force. Air Force units are and work in closer proximity to the Force. the Department of Defense or the Department of the supplying, supporting and executing the enemy. As a chief, I should be prepared to Air Force. The appearance of advertising in this publication, mission while in or near hostile fire areas. Terms like High Risk for Capture lead at the Sergeants Major level when including inserts or supplements, does not constitute Coming from a support background, (HRC) and High Risk for Isolation (HRI) reporting for duty. Acquire all available endorsement by the Department of Defense, the Department of the Air Force, or Colorado Springs I recall in 1982 my first supervisor spoke are exactly what they seem. Two questions information on Joint Doctrine, leadership Military Newspaper Group, of the products or services about his involvement in the Vietnam come to mind; why are we assigning Air views and perspective from senior lead- advertised. Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage War and described the closest he got “to Force personnel these taskings, and how ership within the other component and without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national ori- the action” was the Philippines, Thailand do we train and prepare for such an study the mission. gin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation or any other nonmerit factor of the purchaser, and Japan. assignment? Just as important is knowing and user or patron. The printer reserves the right to reject By contrast, while stationed in The answer to the first lies in the understanding the culture and attitudes any advertisements. Editorial content is edited, prepared and provided Kirkuk, Iraq in 2003, I worked alongside first three lines of the Airman’s Creed, “I of the local population you’ll be by the U.S. Air Force Academy Directorate of Public soldiers assigned to the 173rd Infantry am an American Airman, I am a Warrior, supporting. Affairs. The editor reserves the right to edit articles to conform to Air Force policy and Associated Press Division. While our base was secured I have answered my Nation’s Call.” Second, As our expeditionary roles evolve, style. All photos are U.S. Air Force photos unless other- behind concertina wire and barriers, we unlike the first days of this war when we we must hold true to the words in the wise indicated. still found ourselves under mortar attacks were regularly sending non-combat Airman’s Creed: “My mission is to fly, Submissions from insurgents. At that time, some Air specialties “outside the wire,” there is fight, and win. I am faithful to a proud Force specialties, which weren’t tradi- Send submissions to: HQ USAFA/PAI, 2304 Cadet comprehensive training that better heritage, a tradition of honor and a legacy Drive, Suite 3100, U.S. Air Force Academy, CO 80840- tionally combat related career fields, were prepares you for ILO and RFF billets. of valor.” 5016 or deliver to Suite 3100 in Harmon Hall. already serving “outside the wire.” Deadline for free classified ads on a space-avail- This training usually involves four to Yet, we need to embrace the part of able basis is 12 noon every Tuesday for that week’s Our security forces not only eight weeks of combat skills training and our mission involving Air Force boots on publication date.