Vol. 50, No. 10

Sunday

October 28

Wing’s

First 

Weather 

Recruit

The

Next 162nd

Command

Chief

4 9 10

Story on Page 3

Flying combat missions from Arizona

An MQ-1B Predator sits on display at the Arizona Air National Guard’ s 214th Reconnaissance Group 

activation ceremony at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. The 214th, activated Aug. 29, flies combat 

missions over Iraq and Afghanistan via satellite in support of the Global War on Terrorism. 

Photo by Senior Airman Christina Kinsey
Page  

This funded Air Force newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the 

U.S. military services. Contents of El Tigre News are not necessarily the official 

views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense or 

the Department of the Air Force. The editorial content is edited, prepared and 

provided by the Public Affairs office of the 162nd Fighter Wing, Tucson International 

Airport, Arizona. All photos are Air National Guard photographs unless otherwise 

indicated.

Submisson Deadline: First Friday after primary UTA

General Moisio

Commander.............. Brig. Gen. Patrick J. Moisio

Chief of Public Affairs......... Capt. Gabe Johnson

Deputy Public Affairs Chief....1st Lt. Dan Dodson

NCOIC Public Affairs.......Tech. Sgt. Angela Walz

Staff Writer ...............Staff Sgt. Desiree Twombly

Photographer .................Master Sgt. David Neve

Photographer ............. Senior Airman Sarah Flint

by Brig. Gen. Rick Moisio

Commander

Take time to enjoy two special corners of our base

This month I want to fill you in on 

a couple of things that you may 

not know very much about but 

should. These are just a few of the 

unique things that make the 162nd

a distinct unit a pretty neat place to 

make your career.

Our Wing Memorial is a very 

special place on the base; a beautiful site seen by everyone who comes 

through our gate. The memorial is a 

vision come true for retired Master 

Sgt. John Salazar and it pays tribute 

to members of the 162nd who passed 

away while assigned to the unit, 

those who have died after retirement, and a few very special friends 

who are remembered because of 

their service to our unit.

There are 175 names inscribed 

on the two memorial monoliths. 

In less than ten months so far this 

year Sergeant Salazar has had to 

commission the addition of thirteen 

new names, more additions than in 

any other full year in the past. If 

you haven’t taken the time to view 

the memorial lately, you may bring 

back a few fond memories with a 

brief stop. 

The entire memorial park is 

financially supported by the memorial fund, a 501(c)3 fund created 

as John began the work to bring 

his dream to fruition. Though the 

flags are purchased with unit funds, 

the flowers, the monoliths, and the 

inscriptions are all purchased with 

donations to the memorial fund. 

Each name inscribed on the memorial costs $75. Though the fund is 

solvent for now, your tax deductible 

donation to the Tucson Air Guard 

Memorial Fund would be most 

welcome by the committee. 

Another unique place on our base 

is the library. Each time I introduce 

a new Winning Supervisor class, I 

ask if they are aware of our library. 

Few are, but since most of you also 

say that the El Tigre News is one of 

our best communication venues, 

everyone will now know all about 

the library! 

The library is located in the 

Headquarters office area, formerly 

the clinic, in Building 1. There 

are approximately 700 books and 

pamphlets as well as videos and 

other reference materials relating 

to many different topics. There 

are books on leadership, history, 

culture, numerous health and selfimprovement areas, inspiration, job 

interviewing, business and finance. 

We even have brand new books on 

the lean concepts which are being 

used with great success in a few of 

our sections (see Med Group article 

on page 7). 

You can access a list of titles 

in alphabetical order on the base 

intranet. Go to Headquarters, 

Military Equal Opportunity, then 

Self-help library. If you wish to 

check out a book, simply fill out one 

of the big pink cards that you’ll see 

in the library area and then please 

remember to return your book. Maj. 

Sandy Wilson is watching over our 

library and is there full time. Tech. 

Sgt. Allen Quinton has helped 

immensely, including setting up the 

intranet database.

So that’s it. Now you know 

everything you need to know about 

two heretofore little known areas of 

our wing. Make use of the library if 

you wish, and enjoy the memories 

stirred at the Memorial. 
 Page 

Arizona activates ANG Predator unit at D-M

by Capt. Gabe Johnson

Public Affairs

DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE 

BASE, Ariz. – The Arizona National Guard activated one of the 

first Air National Guard MQ-1B 

Predator units in a ceremony here 

Aug 29.

The newly-recognized 214th

Reconnaissance Group flies the 

unmanned aerial vehicle in daily 

combat missions via satellite, and 

represents a new era for the Air 

National Guard and Arizona. 

“This is a terrific day for all of 

us,” said Maj. Gen. Michael Shira, 

Arizona Air National Guard commander. “There are things we can 

do with this airplane that we haven’t 

even thought of yet. This is the 

future,” said the general.

According to General Shira, the 

Arizona National Guard worked 

for more than two years to make 

the mission a reality. The combat 

theater’s requests for the Predator 

are well above what can be provided 

at the current operations level. 

“This is just the beginning of the 

Guard’s role in helping to meet the 

needs of those in harm’s way,” he 

said.

Since July 16, the 214th has 

flown the Predator over Iraq and 

Afghanistan from ground control 

stations in Tucson.

Currently, the unit flies one combat orbit over Iraq on a continual 

basis flying 20 hours per day, seven 

days per week. Predator operations 

provide troops on the ground with 

both daylight and infrared video 

of selected targets. In addition, the 

aircraft is equipped with two laserguided AGM-114 Hellfire missiles. 

“It has been a huge endeavor, but 

has been very rewarding,” said Maj. 

Gen. David Rataczak, Arizona’s 

Adjutant General. “It’s a unique 

environment you work in. My hat is 

off to you because you accomplish 

a combat mission, under stress and 

then go home to your families at 

night.”

Unit members also expressed 

pride in accepting their new mission.

 “This is a great unit and a great 

mission,” said Staff Sgt. Nicolette 

Sebastian, a Predator sensor operator. “It allows me to help the war 

effort directly from home where I am 

still able to spend time with my son. 

I am proud to do all I can for this 

mission because being a part of this 

team has done so much for me.”

The 214th Reconnaissance Group 

is a product of the Guard’s expanding role in the Total Force which was 

outlined by the Secretary of the Air 

Force and Chief of Staff of the Air 

Force on Nov. 25, 2004. 

The vision of senior Air Force 

leaders called for the standup of 

MQ-1 Predator flying units in the 

Air Guard to help fill worldwide 

requirements for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.

Arizona Air National Guard 

Predator operations will first fill 

worldwide theater requirements, but 

will also likely evolve into providing 

direct defense for the homeland in 

conjunction with the Department 

of Homeland Security and U.S. 

Northern Command.

A permanent facility at DavisMonthan is scheduled for completion in 2009, and hangar facilities at 

Fort Huachuca, Ariz., in 2011. Once 

the aircraft are delivered to Fort 

Huachuca, crews at D-M will launch 

local sorties from the Southern 

Arizona Army air field.

The 162nd Fighter Wing will 

remain greatly involved with this 

new mission as it continues to provide the 214th with administrative 

assistance as well as personnel, 

communications, civil engineering, 

intelligence, finance and logistics.

Maj. Gen. Michael Shira, the Arizona Air National Guard commander, 

passes the 214th Reconnaissance Group guidon to new 214th 

RG Commander Lt. Col. Gregg Davies during the unit’s activation 

ceremony here Aug. 29. This mission of the 214th RG is to provide 

combat qualified MQ-1B Predator aircrews in support of the Global 

War on Terrorism.

Photo by Senior Airman Christina Kinsey
Page  

Wing enlists first Airman into weather flight

The 162nd Fighter Wing’s new 

weather flight inducted its first 

non-prior servicemember during 

an enlistment ceremony here Sept. 

7. The historical event marked the 

first time the wing recruited an Airman into the weather career field. 

Airman First Class Rebecca 

Garcia serves as a drill status 

guardsman in the flight and represents one-third of the fledging 

unit’s manpower as she shares her 

duties with two prior-service cross 

trainees.

“Her enlistment is the starting 

point and foundation for future 

members entering the unit,” said 

Master Sgt. Joseph Andrukaitis, 

Non Commissioned Officer in 

Charge (NCOIC), 162nd Weather 

Flight. “She is the first full enlistee 

to the weather flight.” 

Airman Garcia is originally from 

Tucson and works as an accountant 

at the Tucson Sheriff’s Department. 

Her husband, Staff Sgt. Adan 

Garcia is also a 162nd member and 

is assigned to the security forces 

squadron. 

 Her decision to pursue a career 

in weather was a personal one. “I 

find weather important and interesting. It’s a new path for me,” she 

said. 

Before Airman Garcia can become 

a certified member of the weather 

flight she will go through extensive 

training in multiple stages. As a 

trainee she will attend the Weather 

Forecaster Apprentice Course at 

Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., an 

eight-month course that teaches 

students the basics of meteorology 

and weather forecasting.

Upon graduation from this 

course, she will be assigned to 

the 25th Operational Weather 

Squadron at Davis-Monthan Air 

Force Base, Ariz., where she will be 

teamed with an experienced trainer 

for extensive certification, qualification and upgrade training for a 

period of 18 to 24 months.

The weather flight’s main focus is 

to support the active duty mission 

by augmenting Air Force South 

(AFSOUTH) weather operations. 

“They forecast weather for Central 

and South America,” Master Sgt. 

Andrukaitis said. 

Currently there are four operational weather squadrons in place 

throughout the U.S.; the 9th OWS 

at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., the 

15th OWS at Scott Air Force Base, 

Ill.; 26th OWS at Barksdale Air 

Force Base, La.; and the 25th OWS 

at Davis-Monthan. 

The 162nd Weather Flight is 

the sole ANG flight in the U.S. 

augmenting this type operation. 

“What it came down to was that the 

Guard unit here is close enough to 

the Operational Weather Squadron 

at Davis-Monthan, so it was chosen 

to augment the support,” concluded 

MSgt Andrukaitis.

The wing’s newest member 

couldn’t be happier about her new 

mission. “It’s been months since 

I’ve been trying to find a position 

with the unit and it feels good to 

finally be in!”

by Staff Sgt. Desiree Twombly

Public Affairs

Airman First Class Rebecca Garcia raises her right hand and takes 

the oath of enlistment at the 162nd Fighter Wing Recruiting Office. 

Airman Garcia is the first member recruited by the wing for duty in 

the weather career field.

Photo by Staff Sgt. Desiree Twombly
 Page 

Affordable, improved health plan for Guardsmen

ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. 

(AFPN) – National Guard members are now eligible to sign up for 

a more affordable Tricare Select 

Reserve health care. For many, it 

means they will pay much less than 

what they may be currently paying. 

“All drilling reservists will have 

access to the health care benefit at 

its lowest premium rate,” said Lt. 

Col. Alexander Alex, Air Force 

Reserve Command’s health benefits 

manager.

“Interested Reservists, including 

those who are currently enrolled 

in Tricare Reserve Select, must fill 

out a newly developed Defense 

Department Form 2896-1 to take 

part in this restructured program.” 

In the 2007 National Defense 

Authorization Act, Congress told 

Defense Department officials to 

restructure the plan’s three-tier payment system, which has been in 

effect since 2006. 

Under the previous system that 

ended Sept. 30, only Guardsmen 

on or recently returned from a contingency operation qualified for the 

Tricare Tier 1 health plan, the lowest 

cost premium. 

Most Guardsmen were in the 

Tier 3 plan and paid the highest 

monthly premiums–$247 for the 

member alone and $767.41 for 

the member and their family. This 

included people who hadn’t been in 

a contingency recently, who were 

not self-employed, who worked for 

an employer that offered a health 

care plan or who did not qualify for 

unemployment compensation. 

That all changed after Oct. 1. All 

drilling Guardsmen will now pay the 

lowest premium–$81 a month for 

single coverage. Monthly premiums 

for reservists and families will be 

$253. Tricare will adjust premiums 

annually on Jan. 1. 

“As a health-care consultant, I 

have looked at numerous plans,” 

Colonel Alex said. “And this is a 

very competitive 80/20 indemnity 

plan where the government pays 

80 percent and the member pays 20 

percent of the cost share. 

“One of its huge benefits is the 

pharmacy program,” he said. “If 

used wisely, members can get a 90-

day supply of medicine for $3 per 

prescription.” Another plus to the 

plan is its $1,000 catastrophic cap, 

among the lowest in the industry, 

according to Colonel Alex. 

“Once a member has paid $1,000 

in a fiscal year, Tricare will pay 100 

percent of the Tricare allowable cost 

after that,” said Colonel Alex. 

About 11,500 members of the 

reserve components across all services are enrolled in Tricare Reserve 

Select. They include some 2,700 Air 

Force reservists. 

Colonel Alex said these people 

will be required to re-enroll in the 

program using a DD Form 2896-1 if 

they want to keep their coverage. 

To begin the application process, 

Guardsmen should visit the Guard 

and Reserve Web portal. Note this 

is a restricted site. DOD officials 

said they are looking into a simpler 

application process. 

For more specific information, go 

to the Tricare Reserve Select Web site 

or contact the Air Reserve Personnel 

Center toll free at 800-525-0102 or 

DSN 926-6730. Online customer 

service is available by going to the 

Virtual Personnel Center-Guard 

Reserve Web site, and clicking on 

“New Request.” 

All drilling Guardsmen were 

qualified for the restructured Tricare 

Reserve Select program beginning 

Oct. 1 with one major exception: 

If they were eligible for Federal 

Employee Health Benefits or are 

currently covered under FEHB 

(either under their own eligibility or 

through a family member’s eligibility), they are not eligible to purchase 

Tricare Reserve Select. 

“We want reservists to know that 

Tricare Reserve Select is something 

they have earned through their service to their country,” said Colonel 

Alex. “It is a benefit that our senior 

leaders have worked very hard to 

obtain.” 

Colonel Alex encourages all eligible Guardsmen to visit the Tricare 

Reserve Select Web site to find out 

more information. “This Web site 

is kept very current and will be 

updated as the new Tricare Reserve 

Select restructuring takes effect,” 

he said. 
Page  

Brig. Gen. Rick 

Moisio, Lt. Gen. 

Constantin Croitoru 

and Romania’s State 

Secretary Corneliu 

Dobritoiu (right) talk 

about pilot training at 

the post orientation 

flight reception.

Romanian Air Chief visits 162nd

Photos by Master Sgt. Dave Neve

Lt. Gen. Constantin Croitoru, Romanian Air Force Chief of 

Staff, climbs into the cockpit of a 162nd Fighter Wing F-16 

for an orientation flight, Sept. 18. The Romanian Air Chief, 

accompanied by a delegation which included the Romanian 

State Secretary, spent the day surveying the wing’s 

international pilot training programs. According to Brig. Gen. 

Rick Moisio, wing commander, praise for the 162nd Fighter 

Wing’s hospitality and professionalism reached the highest 

levels serving as an endorsement of the wing’s mission to 

provide the best-trained allied partners for the United States.

 

Keeping pets SAFE as a foster parent

What began as a random 

act of kindness has 

quickly turned into a 

passion for a member of the quality assurance team here at the 162nd

Fighter Wing.

On her way to work one day, Staff 

Sgt. Ann Long came upon a dog that 

had been hit by a car. She contacted 

Pima Animal Control, but the dog 

died soon thereafter with her by its 

side. 

“I knew there was a lesson in 

there for me,” Sergeant Long said. 

So she went online and volunteered 

for numerous local pet-friendly 

organizations. Sergeant Long was 

swiftly contacted by Saving Animals 

From Euthanasia (SAFE), a no-kill 

pet shelter.

Sergeant Long is now a foster parent to abused or abandoned pets. 

SAFE pays for all veterinary care 

and medications for pets if they are 

required. Volunteer screening is 

completed before animals are placed 

with a foster parent to determine if 

there are any child safety issues and 

to ensure adequate fencing is available for the animals.

The SAFE program also has 

a military presence. One of their 

missions is to rescue animals for 

servicemembers from Ft. Huachuca, 

located about 40 minutes south of 

Tucson and Davis-Monthan Air 

Force Base, who have been deployed 

to Iraq and Afghanistan.

“These animals are so loyal. This 

is the most rewarding volunteer 

work I’ve ever done,” Long said.

For more information on the 

SAFE program, go to www.safeanimals.com, call CT at 520-349-8637, 

or email: staff@safeanimals.com.

“Jack” is 

Sergeant 

Long’s 

newest 

foster pet. 

Abused and 

abandoned 

pets such 

as Jack are 

matched 

with 

foster parents through the 

SAFE program until they are 

permanently adopted. Some 

animals are “e-listed” as soon 

as they go into shelter care, said 

Sergeant Long. This means they 

are scheduled to be euthanized. 

The SAFE program, and many 

local programs like it, work 

to avoid the euthanization of 

companion pets.

by Tech. Sgt. Angela Walz

Public Affairs
 Page 

by Master Sgt. Tracey Jorgensen

Medical Group

I

n October 2006 Senior Airman John Smith 

received notification from his Health Care 

Monitor asking him to report to the Medical 

Group at 8:15 a.m. on drill weekend. 

Airman Smith shows up at the Medical Group 

on time to begin his annual Physical Health 

Assessment. He checks in at the front desk, fills 

out paperwork and sits down to wait. 

He then gets called into the vision room to 

have his vision checked. When this is completed, Airman Smith is instructed to have a 

seat in the waiting area, again. Airman Smith 

is called into the hearing room and completes 

his hearing test; he is then instructed to go back 

out to the waiting area to wait for his name to 

be called for a lab draw. At this time he looks 

at his watch and it is now 9:30 a.m. and he has 

been in the Medical Group for 1 hour and 15 

minutes. 

Smith hears his name called to have his lab 

draw completed. When his lab draw is completed he finds himself in another waiting area 

waiting now to see a doctor and have his blood 

pressure taken. He completes his blood pressure 

and sees the doctor and finds himself waiting 

yet again to check out. 

Airman Smith looks at his watch again and it 

is now 10:45 a.m., the dining hall is open, and 

he is hungry. He finally hears his name called 

to check out and sits down to talk to the medical 

technician in a room for a few moments. The 

medical technician then lets Airman Smith 

know that he can leave the Medical Group. 

As he leaves the Medical Group he looks at 

his watch and sees that it is 11:15 a.m. He has 

been in the Medial Group for two hours and 

now he is really hungry.

I

n October 2007 Senior Airman John Smith 

receives notification from his Health Care 

Monitor asking him to report to the Medical 

Group at 8:10 a.m. on drill weekend. 

Airman Smith shows up at the Medical Group 

on time to begin his annual Physical Health 

Assessment. Smith is met at the front desk by a 

greeter that identifies his PHA time and directs 

him to the front check in desk. It is determined 

at the desk that he will need to complete a vision 

test, a lab test and see a doctor. 

Smith is notified at this time that he can return 

on Monday or Friday to complete his hearing 

test. He is then directed to the vision section. 

He completes his test and is guided down to 

the lab area. 

At the lab area he completes his lab test and is 

guided to the back hall greeter who gets Airman 

Smith into the doctor’s office right away. After 

talking with the doctor for a few moments Smith 

is guided to the front desk where his record is 

reviewed and he is reminded about the hearing 

test and he is sent on his way. 

Airman Smith leaves the Medical Group and 

looks at his watch and finds a surprise; it is 8:25 

a.m. 

In June 2007 the Medical Group participated 

in the AFSO 21 process and began looking at 

how to streamline the PHA process. The new 

process will make the wait times disappear and 

will help non flying members of the wing complete their PHA in approximately 30 minutes. A 

flying member can be in and out of the Medical 

Group in approximately 50 minutes. 

Join the Medical Group for an Open House 

on Friday, Oct. 12, to see all of the changes 

implemented to make your visit to the Medical 

Group a pleasant experience.

Night & Day

The difference between old PHA process 

and new streamlined version is like...
Page  

He stood guard as a Marine 

at U.S. embassies in Nigeria 

and Poland. He now stands 

guard as an Airman here for the 

162nd Fighter Wing. He hopes to 

eventually take this position to the 

skies as a defender of freedom from 

the cockpit of an F-16 Fighting Falcon.

Senior Airman Travis Foreman, 

a Security Forces troop here, is 

continuing the legacy of flight in his 

family as a third generation pilot. 

He recently received his private 

pilot’s license and enjoys “racking 

up the hours” in his grandfather’s 

1946 Ercoupe 415D. He hopes to 

eventually fly jets for the military, 

and will utilize his GI Bill benefits to 

acquire additional flight hours while 

he strives toward that goal. 

As a former Marine and a current member of the 162nd, Airman 

Foreman was able to use his GI Bill 

to complete a Bachelor of Science 

degree in Spanish and Portuguese 

at the University of Arizona. 

State of Arizona Guardsmen are 

also eligible to receive additional 

education assistance on a prioritization scale through a state education 

reimbursement program. Go to 

www.azguard.gov/SoldierSupport/

Education/Education.htm for more 

information.

Airman Foreman’s love of flying 

is not uncommon in an environment 

where fighter planes are the norm 

and a thermal climate allows for 

year-round flying. His father returns 

to Tucson at least twice a year to hit 

the skies, and he enjoys getting airborne with his grandfather who lives 

locally. Both Foreman’s father and 

grandfather are retired Airmen.

“Flying is in my blood, and I’m 

not happy unless I’m up in the sky,” 

Airman Foreman said.

SF troop aims, flies high

by Tech Sgt. Angela Walz

Public Affairs

Top AZ Volunteers

Joy and Bill Hubbard, 162nd 

Fighter Wing Family Readiness 

Group volunteers, earned 

top honors at the Arizona 

State Staff and Volunteer 

Conference held in Phoenix, 

Aug. 26. The Hubbards gave 

of themselves generously over 

the last two years providing 

“Outstanding Support to our 

Airmen, Families and Wing.” 

In 2006, they volunteered 384 

hours to enhance the lives of 

wing families. They served as 

coordinators for the annual 

festival, Haunted Hangar event, 

annual awards ceremony and 

open house and holiday baskets 

for families with a need.

Photo by Capt. Gabe Johnson

Photo by Staff Sgt. Desiree Twombly
 Page 

g

Inside Arizona 

Business

Brig. Gen. Rick Moisio, 

162nd Fighter Wing 

commander, sits down with 

“Inside Arizona Business” 

host Dana Cooper to 

talk about the wing’s 

pilot training mission and 

its economic impact in 

Southern Arizona. The 

Sunday morning television 

program aired Sept. 16 

on KVOA channel 4, and 

reached a local audience of 

approximately 25,000. Photo by Staff Sgt. Desiree Twombly

Meet the next command chief master sergeant

From of a pool of seven well-qualified applicants, the next command 

chief master sergeant for the 162nd

Fighter Wing was selected and announced Sept. 21.

Senior Master Sgt. Phillip 

Conway, 195th Maintenance 

Production superintendent, 

accepted his appointment as the 

next senior enlisted advisor to the 

wing commander. He begins his 

new job later this year.

“I feel honored,” said Sergeant 

Conway. “I’m very enthusiastic 

about my new job and I’m looking 

forward to turning my focus from 

aircraft to people as I begin working 

with senior leaders and the men and 

women of the 162nd.”

The 37-year maintainer said his 

primary goal for his tenure as command chief is to work with other 

chiefs on base to reach out to junior 

enlisted members. 

“I really want to get around base 

and get a good look at things from 

an Airman’s perspective,” said 

Conway.

Joining the unit in 1970, Sergeant 

Conway witnessed sweeping 

changes as the unit evolved from 

a single squadron of F-100s to the 

force it is today.

“I’ve seen the unit grow from 

a small flying squadron to a large 

wing with three flying squadrons,” 

said the sergeant.

“The addition of the Predator 

mission, weather flight and numerous other expansions are products 

of great leadership and support 

from unit members. I hope to continue growing and learning as a 

wing to meet new challenges.”

His years of experience have prepared him for those challenges.

“My approach to military service 

is to be truthful, to help people gain 

an understanding of self worth, and 

to work with people through mentoring and sharing knowledge.”

In his spare time Sergeant 

Conway volunteers with the men’s 

ministry at his church reaching out 

to widows and shut-ins.

“I also like to exercise, lift weights 

and spend time with my four grandchildren,” he said.

In addition to his grandchildren, 

Sergeant Conway has two adult 

children and has been married to 

his wife, Marcy, for 35 years.

Photo by Capt. Gabe Johnson

Senior Master Sgt. Phillip 

Conway (right) discusses 

maintenance issues on the 

flightline with Tech. Sgt. Gordon 

Taylor, F-16 crew chief. Sergeant 

Conway will be the wing’s next 

command chief.
Page 10 

 Halloween Page

The Junior Enlisted Council (JEC) 

will host a Cake-Walk booth at the 

Haunted Hangar.

The JEC Cake-Walk would not 

be a success with out the donations 

of “baked goods” from members 

of the 162nd and their families. 

The Cake-Walk booth has always 

been an event favorite. If you can 

whip up that famous pie bring it by. 

Other suggestions for baked goods: 

cookies, cakes, brownies, cupcakes. 

Kids love them all! You may bring 

your baked goods, homemade or 

store bought to Building 1 (next to 

the mail room) on Friday, Oct. 26. 

You can also bring your goodies 

to the dining facility on Saturday 

morning, Oct. 27. All baked donations are welcome. Contact Tech. 

Sgt. Liz Caro-Scarfo at 295-6652 

for additional information.

Cookoff.” Contestants may set up 

their chili at noon, judging will take 

place at 12:30 p.m. and the winners 

will be announced at 1:30 p.m. 

Contact Maj. Donna Woslagel at 

295-6870, or Ms. Cheryl Settle at 

295-6579 for registration forms.

The First Sergeants’ food drive 

is set to kick off at the event and 

participants bringing canned food 

donations will be rewarded with free 

game tickets.

Tickets may be purchased from 

the Family Readiness Office or from 

the following volunteers:

JEC Cake-Walk

Holly Gwaltney

Ashley Karas 

Kerri Lane 

Mitzi Eggers 

Liz Caro-Scarfo 

Liz Koller 

Jackie Ormsby 

Brenda West 

Cathy Denault

Joe Koughn 

Amy Brownell

Brandi Watkins 

Veronica Norzagaray

Kim Alterman 

Susan Echeverria

Magda Morales

Common sense advice for a safer Halloween

Trick-or-Treat!

Children shouldn't snack while they're out trickor-treating. They should wait until they get home and 

parents have had a chance to inspect the goodies. To 

help prevent children from munching, give them a 

snack or light meal before they go-don't send them out 

on an empty stomach. 

Tell children not to accept-and, especially, not to 

eat--anything that isn't commercially wrapped. 

When children bring their treats home, discard any 

home-made candy or baked goods. Parents of young 

children should also remove any choking hazards such 

as gum, peanuts, hard candies or small toys. 

Inspect commercially wrapped treats for signs of 

tampering, such as an unusual appearance or discoloration, tiny pinholes, or tears in wrappers. Throw away 

anything that looks suspicious. 

If juice or cider is served to children at Halloween 

parties, make sure it is pasteurized or otherwise treated 

to destroy harmful bacteria. Juice or cider that has not 

been treated will say so on the label. 

•

•

•

•

•

Choosing Safe Houses: Children should go only to 

homes where the residents are known and have outside 

lights on as a sign of welcome.

Children should not enter homes or apartments 

unless they are accompanied by an adult. 

People expecting trick-or-treaters should remove 

anything that could be an obstacle from lawns, steps 

and porches. Candlelit jack-o'-lanterns should be kept 

away from landings and doorsteps where costumes 

could brush against the flame. Indoor jack-o'-lanterns 

should be kept away from curtains, decorations, and 

other furnishings that could be ignited.

Costumes

•

•

•

Courtesy of the Food and Drug Administration

The 2007 Haunted Hangar is scheduled for 1-5 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 28, 

and will be held in and around 

Building 6 and the Desert Rose 

Dining Facility.

Admission is $3 for ages 13 and 

up, $2 for ages 3-12, and children 

under 3 are free.

Scheduled activities include: train 

rides, jumping castles, coloring 

contests for children of different 

ages, a haunted cookie patch and a 

dunk tank featuring surprise dunk 

tank participants. Haunted Hangar 

will also sponsor a costume contest 

for children and adults, and Ronald 

McDonald and Pete the Beak will 

be special guests.

Hotdogs, chips, salsa and drinks 

will be served, and TAGRA will sell 

refreshments.

Family Readiness will also sponsor the first ever “Chiller Chili 

Haunted Hangar set for Oct. 28
 Page 11

Hey kids! Color this page and bring it with you to the Haunted Hangar to get free tickets! 

The FOD Reaper is a mischievous character that haunts Air National Guard bases around the 

world. He leaves FOD, or Foreign Object Damage, on airplane ramps and runways which can 

wreak havoc on airplane engines. Jet engines are like huge vacuums, and they can easily suck up 

small pebbles, screws and metal dropped by the FOD Reaper. Airmen at the 162nd Fighter Wing 

are always on the look out for FOD and they remind you to “BEWARE THE FOD REAPER!”

 Haunted Hangar Coloring Page
Page 12 

 

Blood Donations

The Red Cross of Tucson 

depends on each of us to sustain a healthy blood supply for 

our community. The next blood 

drive will be held at the 162nd on 

Saturday, Oct. 13, at TAGRA. 

Contact your blood drive coordinators, Tech. Sgt. Liz CaroScarfo, 295-6652 or Master Sgt. 

Rafael Vingochea, 295-6808, 

or make an appointment online 

at https://www.givelife.org/

index.cfm?Sponsor=azairguard. 

Lets work together to save 

lives!

Tig Bits CFC kicks off October UTA

The 2007 Combined Federal Campaign is scheduled to kick off Saturday, Oct. 13. This year’s theme 

will be “Every 1 of US Help Our 

World Forward,” according to 2nd

Lt. Lisa Ortiz, wing CFC coordinator.

The kick off breakfast was Oct. 4 

at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base 

for the group coordinators, key 

workers and all involved in making 

this happen. 

Lieutenant Ortiz said the goal 

for this year is 100 percent contact 

and increased participation. Last 

year’s campaign totaled $55,314. 

The average individual contribution 

was $303.93.

Members will have a choice of 

hundreds of charities from which 

to choose, including the Jimmy Jet 

Foundation, the Tuskegee Airmen 

and Wright Flight, said Lieutenant 

Ortiz. This year, the CFC is providing an easier to use alphabetized 

brochure of charities which can 

also be found on the CFC website 

at www.cfcaz.org. 

There will be posters and a basewide e-mail to remind people of 

the CFC. For more information, 

please contact 2nd Lt. Lisa Ortiz at 

295-6270 or 2nd Lt. Amy Pool at 

228-7220. 

An optional death gratuity beneficiary designation is now available 

on the Virtual Record of Emergency Data. 

Servicemembers can voluntarily 

elect a designated individual to 

receive a maximum of 50 percent. 

Servicemembers can use the 

remarks section to designate an 

optional DG beneficiary by including their first name, middle initial 

and last name, address including 

zip code, telephone number and percentage in increments of 10 until the 

current version of vRED is modified to allow automatic updating. 

For questions, contact the 

Casualty Services Branch at DSN 

665-3505, toll free 1-800-433-0048 

or at afpc.casualty@randolph.

af.mil.

For more information, contact Senior Master Sgt. Stephanie 

Huether at 295-6784.

Optional DG beneficiary designation

The 2007 Recognition Weekend is 

scheduled for the November Unit 

Training Assembly, Nov. 3-4. 

The weekend is a time for wing 

leadership to recognize and thank 

unit members and their families, 

and civic and community leaders 

who support the 162nd Fighter Wing 

mission.

The drill weekend will include a 

Saturday awards ceremony and a 

Sunday steak fry. 

The awards presentation will be 

held in Hangar 10 with a start time 

that will be announced as the date 

approaches. The presentations will 

recognize individuals, groups and 

sections through military and other 

special awards. 

Award recipients will be notified 

beforehand by letter and e-mail, and 

should plan to wear short-sleeve 

blues. Ribbons are optional on the 

uniform.

Bleacher and chair seating will be 

provided for unit members, friends, 

families and all visitors. 

The annual steak fry will take 

place at noon, Sunday, Nov. 4, in 

Hangar 10. First Sergeants will 

collect $20 from all officers and $10 

from senior NCOs.

Annual awards set for November

Strides against 

cancer

The American Cancer 

Society and the 162nd is seeking volunteers to participate in 

a 3-mile walk Sunday, Oct. 28, 

from 7 a.m. to approximately 

10 a.m. at Tucson Mall. 

Making Strides Against 

Breast Cancer is our opportunity to honor and celebrate 

breast cancer survivors, educate 

women about early detection 

and prevention and raise money 

to fund lifesaving research and 

support programs to help fight 

breast cancer.

To join the 162nd Fighter 

Wing team, or to make a donation, go online to www.makingstrides.acsevents.org. 

For more information contact 1st Lt. Tricia Figueroa, 

295-7086, Senior Master Sgt. 

Rebecca Young 295-6877, 

Master Sgt. Kim Alterman 

295-6714 or Tech. Sgt. Amie 

Howell 295-6639. 
 Page 13

Alert Detachment earns 

excellent evaluation rating

Tigre of the 

Month

The El Tigre Spotlight focuses 

on units that call the Tucson Air 

National Guard Base home. Each 

unit will be covered on a rotating 

schedule. In addition, the page 

highlights an outstanding member 

of the unit whose contributions 

ensure mission success. For 

more information on the Spotlight 

page contact the public affairs 

office or your unit’s public affairs 

representative (UPAR).

Photos by Staff Sgt. Desiree Twombly

Staff Sgt. Tim Strauss is responsible for tool control and the technical order program for the 162nd 

Alert Detachment located at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. 

During a recent Alert Force 

Evaluation, Sergeant Strauss’ 

impeccable program had zero 

discrepancies; a rare accomplishment during Inspector General 

evaluations. He ensures all technical orders are current and tools 

are inventoried properly. 

Originally from Fort Wayne, 

Ind., Sergeant Strauss enjoys 

working out at the YMCA, taking 

his daughters to karate practice 

and working on his 1969 Camaro. 

He has been with the 162nd Alert 

Detachment since 2001 and has 

been in his current position since 

2003.

Staff Sgt. Tim Strauss is the 

Tigre of the month. He is a 

weapons specialist for the 

162nd Alert Detachment. 

The inspection began on the 

afternoon of Sunday, Aug. 26 

and with minimum alert crew 

present at the 162nd Fighter Wing’s 

Alert Detachment (ADET), an 

immediate recall was initiated. The 

Inspector General (IG) team from 

the North American Aerospace 

Defense Command (NORAD) had 

arrived to conduct an Alert Force 

Evaluation (AFE).

An AFE is a no-notice, live-fly evaluation conducted by Headquarters 

NORAD IG. Accomplished every 

18 months, AFEs demonstrate the 

ability of NORAD-assigned fighter 

alert forces to perform their air 

sovereignty alert mission for the 

NORAD commander. 

“We received three AFE evaluations in the past three years,” said Lt. 

Col. Jim Taylor, Commander 162nd 

Fighter Wing Alert Detachment. 

“Overall ratings were excellent in 

2005, outstanding in 2006 and excellent in 2007. Operations supervision 

received outstanding ratings in all 

162nd Fighter Wing AFE inspections. Maintenance received an 

unprecedented outstanding rating 

two years in a row.” 

The Alert Detachment’s mission 

is to provide combat capable crews 

and aircraft enabling for continuous 

air sovereignty and air space control over the Southwestern United 

States. 

They protect Southern California, 

Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, 

western Texas, population centers 

and significant national infrastructure.

The scenario for the inspection 

was to intercept two aircraft. The 

first aircraft failed to file a proper 

flight plan and ended up crossing 

the Arizona/Mexico border without 

authorization. A second aircraft 

deviated from their flight plan near 

El Paso, Texas, due to a temporary 

incapacitation of the pilot.

Few obstacles were encountered 

during the inspection. Extensive 

coordination with external agencies such as security forces, civil 

engineering and the command post 

was required to make the inspection 

successful.

ADET efficiently used the small 

alert crews available to accomplish 

the mission while maintaining 

a high level of compliance with 

required regulations.

The importance of the rating is 

invaluable to the confidence and 

morale of the unit.

“High levels of compliance must 

be achieved and validated by the 

Inspector General in order to be 

entrusted to perform this real-world 

mission,” said Chief Master Sgt. 

Richard Bonner, Chief Enlisted 

Manager of the ADET.

IG team comments made at the 

maintenance out brief stated that the 

162nd was in the top two best alert 

detachments in the country. 

“The outstanding support from 

the 162nd maintenance squadrons at 

the Guard base had a direct impact 

on the excellent rating received by 

the detachment maintenance personnel,” said Colonel Taylor.

by Staff Sgt. Desiree Twombly

Public Affairs
Page 14 

Military Promotions:

To Senior Master Sergeant

Charles Neal, Maintenance Group

To Master Sergeant

Ronald Barlow, Logisitics Readiness Squadron

William Eickmeyer, Medical Group

To Technical Sergeant

Christopher Hanna, Maintenance Squadron

Jill Anguiano, Maintenance Squadron

Charles Liljekvist, Civil Engineering Squadron

Steven Cesare, Civil Engineering Squadron

John Herran, Maintenance Squadron

Dion Hawkins, Security Forces Squadron

To Staff Sergeant

Sarah Lerma, Predator

Kathryn Wagner, Communications Flight

Joseph Hinton, Maintenance Squadron

Jose Toro, Maintenance Squadron

Eric Hoffman-Watt, Maintenance Squadron

Jose Aguirre, Maintenance Squadron

Mitchell Awana, Maintenance Group

To Senior Airman

Daniel Hoffman, Maintenance Squadron

Veronica Ornelas-Barbosa, Maintenance Squadron

Jose Roman, Logistics Readiness Squadron

New Hires: 

Staff Sgt. Bryan Gizinski, Maintenance Squadron

Technical Sgt. Brett Garrett, Maintenance 

Squadron

Senior Airman Shawn Bell, Maintenance 

Squadron

Staff Sgt. Waylan Erb, Maintenance Squadron

Senior Airman Matthew O’Brien, Maintenance 

Squadron

Staff Sgt. Angel Santana, Maintenance Squadron

Staff Sgt. Steven Tell, Maintenance Squadron

New Members:

Senior Airman Daniel Hoffman, Maintenance 

Squadron

Airman First Class Kristen Taskila, Maintenance 

Squadron

Births: 

Staff Sgt. and Mrs. Nathan Cook (Fuel Shop) are 

proud parents of a baby boy. He was born Aug. 13.

Mr. and Mrs. Vince Muskiet (Security Forces) are 

proud parents of Jude Muskiet. He was born Aug. 

25 and weighed eight pounds, two ounces.

On a regular basis the Retirees Office runs across 

162nd retirees who are not aware of all the retirement 

benefits available to them. 

There are many military and civil service benefits 

that can enhance a person’s lifestyle and also save time 

and money; however, most benefits do not happen 

automatically. They must be initiated by completing the appropriate form(s) and/or making specific 

contacts. 

Even getting on the 162nd retirees list and receiving 

the El Tigre unit newspaper requires filling out forms 

and sending them to the Retirees Office. Accurate 

information is important. Any changes in status should 

always be reported immediately to any office that is 

affected. 

Information given here provides basic guidance on 

how to acquire and/or check on retirement benefits. 

More detailed information can be obtained through 

the Retirees Office or by contacting the individual 

agencies.

The most important retirement benefit is retirement 

pay. Most retirees receive their pay without any trouble 

as they are aware of procedures necessary to initiate 

the retirement pay process. Mistakes are rare; however, 

any errors in processing pay should be corrected immediately by contacting the appropriate agency. 

Civil service retirement pay is processed through the 

Office of Personnel Management (OPM) in Boyers, 

Pennsylvania. Initial retirement paperwork activates 

a personal civil service (CSA) claim number which is 

needed to access personal information. 

If you chose, a real person will answer the phone at 

1-888-767-6738 or you can visit the OPM website at 

http://www.opm.gov/retire. 

 Military retirement pay information is available 

from the Defense Finance and Accounting Service 

(DFAS) in London, Ky. Representatives are available 

at 1-800-321-1080 or visit https://mypay.dfas.mil.

Any questions can be addressed to the Retirees 

Office at (520) 295-6663. The office is manned on the 

2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month from 10 a.m. to 2 

p.m. If there’s no answer leave a message, or send an 

e-mail to 162.retirees@aztucs.ang.af.mil. 

Help is also available at the Davis-Monthan Air Force 

Base Retirees Activity Office, open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., 

Monday through Friday. Call them at (520) 228-5100.

Retiree benefits are plentiful, but 

not automatic – Retirement Pay

by Chief Master Sgt. (Ret.) Barry Soulvie
 Page 15

SUNDAY

Grilled Bratwurst w/Sauerkraut

Jagershnitzel

German Potato Salad

Butter Noodles

Broccoli w/Cheese

Carrots Amandine

Corn

Banana Cream Pie

German Chocolate Cake

w/ Coconut Pecan Frosting

Grilled Hamburgers

Special

Tuna Salad Sandwich

Pizza

Chicken Strips

Baked Beans

French Fries

Onion Rings

Salad Bar w/Condiments

Baked Potato Bar

Fresh Fruit

Jell-0

Assorted Bread w/Margarine

Assorted Beverages

SHORT ORDER & 

STANDARD ITEMS

SATURDAY

Yankee Pot Roast

Roast Turkey

Stuffing

Mashed Potatoes

Brown Gravy

Peas & Carrots

Green Beans w/Mushrooms

Calico Corn

Peanut Butter Cookies

Cheese Cake

Dining Hall Hours

9:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. 

The menu is based on 

availability and is subject to 

change without notice.

Try our recorded menu 

at 295-6460.

Jimmy Jet Breakfast

Dragging in on drill weekends? 

Nutrition is a force multiplier. Let the Jimmy 

Jet Foundation feed you. 

Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 13 & 14

From 5:30 to 8 a.m.

Served at TAGRA

Ham and egg, or chorizo and egg burritos with 

juice and coffee will be available for $3.
Page 16 

162 FIGHTER WING PRSRT STD

ARIZONA AIR NATIONAL GUARD US POST PAID

1650 EAST PERIMETER WAY ANG PERMIT NO. 394

TUCSON AZ 85706-6052 

OFFICIAL BUSINESS

Snowbird hosts 162nd at D-M; pilot training soars

by Capt. Gabe Johnson

Public Affairs

Operation Snowbird, a 162nd Fighter Wing detachment located at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, usually hosts flying units from around 

the world looking to train in the 

optimal weather conditions and 

ample ranges of Southern Arizona. 

In September, the Det took care of 

its own.

Snowbird hosted 30 of the wing’s 

F-16s while the main runway at 

Tucson International Airport was 

closed for maintenance. The brief 

deployment ensured the 162nd’s flying operations went uninterrupted.

“Our short stay at Davis-Monthan 

went as planned and the wing had 

tremendous support from the base as 

well as from our Snowbird members 

here,” said Maj. Windy Hendrick, 

wing scheduler and project officer 

for the Davis-Monthan deployment.

“Thanks to the expertise and 

flexibility of everyone involved, the 

162nd was able to continue its vital 

pilot training mission.”

Arizona F-16s are no strangers 

to the Snowbird ramp. The detachment hosts each of the wing’s flying 

squadrons at least once a year where 

instructor pilots can fly live fire missions to stay fully qualified.

The squadrons always arrive at 

Snowbird ready to fly ambitious 

training schedules. Like all visiting units, they come prepared with 

aircraft, maintainers and support 

personnel; but still need local help.

Snowbird provides extensive 

coordination for visiting units. They 

work with many of Davis-Monthan’s 

units to coordinate airspace, airfield, 

logistics, billeting, communications, 

weapons, maintenance and end of 

runway issues.

“Our members even brief the DM fire department on emergency 

procedures for all the aircraft so they 

are well prepared to assist aircrews 

regardless of the type of aircraft 

they fly,” said Master Sgt. Jerry 

Rahm, Snowbird airspace scheduler. 

“We’ve been doing this mission for 

32 years, so they are in good hands 

here.”

Snowbird got its start in 1975 

when the Arizona Adjutant General 

made an agreement with adjutants 

from northern states to provide winter basing for ANG units.

“When I first came to Snowbird 

in 1993, Snowbird had just four 

permanent party members and two 

buildings,” said Sergeant Rahm. 

“Today we have 16 people and five 

buildings.”

In 1998, the Snowbird mission 

expanded to support international 

pilot training and since then the 

detachment has hosted Royal Air 

Force Tornados, German Air Force 

Tornados and Israeli F-15s and F16s to name a few.

“Since 9/11, Snowbird has also 

provided realistic pre-deployment 

training to ANG, active duty and 

international fighter units, in support of the war on terror; greatly 

enhancing their effectiveness in Iraq 

and Afghanistan,” said Sergeant 

Rahm.

F-16 pilots from the 162nd Fighter Wing prepare to launch sorties 

from the Snowbird ramp at Davis-Monthan. 

Photo by Master Sgt. Dave Neve