VIKING FLYERVIKING FLYERVIKING FLYERVIKING FLYERVIKING FLYER934th Airlift Wing (AFRC) Minneapolis-St. Paul IAP Air Reserve Station, Minn. December 2005 Vol. 27, No.12VIKING FLYERVIKING FLYERVIKING FLYERVIKING FLYERVIKING FLYER

Inside:Inside:Inside:Inside:Inside: New SECAF speaks on integrity - page 3 Minnesota group gives grants to returnees - page 4 Squadrons camp out at Ripley - pages 6-7 Post combat health screenings on tap - page 10

Inside:Inside:Inside:Inside:Inside: New SECAF speaks on integrity - page 3 Minnesota group gives grants to returnees - page 4 Squadrons camp out at Ripley - pages 6-7 Post combat health screenings on tap - page 10

The new Aeromedical EvacuationSquadron building nears completionThe new Aeromedical EvacuationSquadron building nears completion

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Around the Wing

This funded Air Force newspa-per is an authorized publication formembers of the U.S. military ser-vices. The content of the Viking Flyeris not necessarily the views of or en-dorsed by the U.S. government, theDepartment of Defense or the De-partment of the Air Force.

The editorial content is edited,prepared and provided by the 934thAirlift Wing Public Affairs Office(U.S. Air Force Reserve Command),Minneapolis-St. Paul InternationalAirport Air Reserve Station, 760Military Highway, Minneapolis, MN55450-2100. For more information,call (612) 713-1217.

The Viking Flyer is mailed to re-servists’ homes. Copies of the Vi-king Flyer are also available at vari-ous locations on base.

All photos are Air Force photo-graphs unless otherwise indicated.

The deadline for all submissionsis the Sunday of the UTA onemonth prior to publication.

EDITORIAL STAFF934th Airlift Wing commanderCol. James J. Muscatell Jr.

Chief of Public AffairsLt. Col. Margaret McGlinn

NCOICTech. Sgt. Jeffrey S. Williams

EditorStaff Sgt. Nicholas Olson

Staff writersStaff Sgt. Jennifer A. JohnsonSenior Airman Curtis Holden

PhotographersStaff Sgt. John HerrickStaff Sgt. Josh Nason

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Aeromedical Staging Congratulations to the newly pro-

moted Senior Master Sgts. Tracy Goetzand David Adriansen, Staff Sgts. DanielDlugiewicz, Jennifer Ettish, LisaSanford, Aaron Ross and Nate Johnson.

With most of the 934th ASTS per-sonnel off-duty after last month’s trip toCamp Ripley, Little Falls, Minn., the unitstill outdid themselves and performed over90 individual dental visits and 90 physicals.Maj. Richard Goodwin saw 53 patientson Saturday alone – a new record!

Civil EngineerThe unit welcomes Master Sgt. Julie

Carie as our new first sergeant.We welcome new members Staff Sgt.

Bill Ross, Senior Airman Curtis Galvezand Airman 1st Class Adam Wick. Wealso welcomed back several comrades: Lt.Col. Les Canarr, Tech. Sgts. TroyRanum and Kraig Berger.

Senior Airman Mason Barland de-ployed to Keesler AFB, Miss. for two weeksto assist with complications from Hurri-cane Katrina.

Lt. Col. Donald Kom, Senior Mas-ter Sgt. Tim Tamlyn, and Master Sgt.John Kline attended the Air Force ReserveCommand CES/CC conference at Dob-bins ARB, Ga.

Logistics ReadinessJoshua Westergren and Matthew

Countryman were both promoted to therank of Airman 1st Class.

Senior Master Sgt. NormanRosenow received his 7th device for AirForce Longevity.

Master Sgt. Francis Huppert re-ceived the Armed Forces Reserve Medal.

Maj. Brian Haugen, Senior AirmenAntwain Strickland and Dyan Danielsall received the Air Force Reserve Medal.

Staff Sgts. Marcus Erickson, DustinHunstiger and Mark Oldenburg, TechSgts. Lara Gallegos and Scott Sippel andSenior Airman Kelly Jabas recently re-turned from service in Germany in sup-port of Operation Joint Forge.

Congratulations to Master Sgt. DougJames who is the proud new father of ababy girl, Amelia Nina.

Congratulations also to Master Sgt.Clarence Summers, the new grandfatherto baby boy, Jackson Joseph Summers

and Senior Master Sgt. Jeff Nyhus, newgrandfather to baby boy, Tyler JamesMartin.

Maintenance OperationsThe Squadron welcomed new mem-

bers Master Sgt. Scott Lewis and StaffSgt. Jennifer Schnichels.

Staff Sgt. Amber Hecht gave birthto a baby girl, Emalie, born June 9.

Master Sgt. Jamie Vanvleet and wifeare full of joy for their twin baby boys,Spencer and Rhys, born Aug. 25.

Tech. Sgt. Aaron Mikonowicz wasawarded an Information Assurance coin forhis participation in the Information Assur-ance Assessment conducted on Aug. 22-26by Headquarters AFRC.

The Squadron welcomed back its per-sonnel deployed to Operation Joint Forge;Thanks for a job well done!

ServicesThe squadron said farewell to their

commander, Lt. Col. Scott Calvert, whohas accepted a position with 22nd AF atDobbins AFB. The November UTA washis last. We all wish him the best of luck.

Congratulations and welcome to Maj.Neil Landeen who has been chosen as thenew squadron commander.

Master Sgt. Stacy Campbell scored100 percent on her Course 12, test 3. Se-nior Airman Kevin Egan passed part oneof his 5-level testing. Staff Sgt. DennisShaw returned from 7-level school. StaffSgt. Michelle Pagel and Tech. Sgt. Graycompleted 3-level school.

Senior Airman Schaaf returnedfrom a 45-day deployment to Port Mortu-ary, Dover ARB, Del. Second Lt. DennisDavis, Tech. Sgt. Kristen Maloney andSenior Airman Joseph Cervantes are cur-rently at Dover AFB and will return earlynext year.

Master Sgts. Kenneth Kruger, StacyCampbell, Mary Miller, Tech. Sgt.Michael Gangl, Staff Sgt. Dennis Shaw,Senior Airmen Sandy Anderson, AngelaFahey and Buffy Moncel returned from a120-day deployment to Manas AB,Kyrgyzstan.

Senior Master Sgt. Lee Traxler-Siehndel, services superintendent, re-en-listed during the change of command cer-emony with the new and former com-mander.

Commentary

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It has been over two years since Ibecame the chief servant of the 934thAirlift Wing, and what an experience it hasbeen. As we prepare for the holiday season,I have had the opportunity to reflect on thepast year’s accomplishments. Last year wehad a number of our reservists deactivateafter two long years. Although our wingstill plays an essential role in the war onterrorism and the security of the UnitedStates, I reflect on our efforts up to thispoint with extreme pride.

Due to all of your sacrifices, our winghas accomplished its goals both at homeand overseas. Our wing has received over 30awards this past year proving that yourefforts have been recognized from the baseand community levels to the Air Force level.Without your commitment, we wouldnever have achieved such remarkable results.Over the past year, we have received moresupport from the community than wecould have imagined. As a thank you andwelcome home to our citizen airmen, the

community threw a deactivation party forthe entire base and their families. Inaddition, they made a generous donationfor our holiday party, providing gifts for allthe children in the wing. We instituted theHonorary Commanders Program and theMilitary Affairs Council, and through thevoluntary efforts of these two programs,we were the recipients of 28 bicycles for basechildren and were provided with an allinclusive no cost Family Day picnic. Bothreservists and civilian employees workedtogether to make these events extremelysuccessful!

Through the efforts of our PublicAffairs office, we hosted a Civic Leader Tourto Scott Air Force Base, Ill., an HonoraryCommanders Flight, Congressional Flightand two Employer’s Day Flights. I havealso challenged the community to learnmore about the mission of the Air Forceand toured the Twin Cities talking tocitizens about our wing and all youraccomplishments. I couldn’t be moreproud of your effort and commitment tothe wing and our mission. The 934th

Airlift Wing has set the precedence for thefuture and we will continue to strive to bethe best unit in the United States Air Force.

Once again, I ask you to continue yourthoughts and prayers for our nation’smilitary members who are deployed farfrom home while you celebrate this holidayseason. They can only dream of savoringthe sweet taste of a homemade pumpkinpie, warming themselves in front of theglowing embers in a fireplace or watchingloved ones gleefully open boxes filled withgifts. We are so fortunate to be at home toenjoy such festive moments and to havesuch brave and selfless military men andwomen who make it all possible. My wifeNancy and I want to thank everyone at the934th AW, military and civilian, and theirfamilies, for a wonderful year. We appreciateyour support, hard work, sacrifice andcommitment to our wing, our Air ForceReserve and our country.

You are making a lasting contributionto our national defense and the preserva-tion of our ideals. We wish you a safe andhappy holiday season.

Reflecting on past year at the wingBy Col. James J. Muscatell, Jr.Wing Commander

The newly confirmedSecretary of the Air Force hasset a strong emphasis on bothindividual and organizationalresponsibility and accountabil-ity — one of his goals for histenure.

“We have to continuouslyemphasize the integrity ofpurpose and integrity of theindividual,” Secretary MichaelW. Wynne said. “The AirForce core values are to berevered.”

Accountability is nothingnew to the Air Force. It isinherent in the service’s corevalues — values memorizedand recited by Airmen fromtheir first few days in militarytraining.

“If you think about itand move through them in adeliberate way, ‘integrity first’is a very good way of sayinglet’s be accountable for ouractions and let’s set personalstandards and adhere tothem,” Secretary Wynne said.

Accountability in the AirForce stretches across manyareas, from the individualactions of Airmen in theworkplace to actions taken bythose in the acquisitioncommunity that spendtaxpayer dollars to equip theforce, said Secretary Wynne.

The secretary is lookingto “put in place a governanceand transparency so that wefoster a process oversight thatmaybe we never had before.Say what you are going to do,and do what you say. Set astandard and then adhere to

the standard. I think in (mostplaces) it is already there,” theSecretary said.

In the past few years,there have been several issuesthat have caused some toquestion the service’s commit-ment to its core values.Secretary Wynne says theformula for regaining andkeeping confidence in the Air

Force is simple.“If we can sustain the

mutual respect and integrity,and have people accountableto the standard, we will driveaway a lot of our critics,” hesaid. “Our critics will becomebored with people who sethigh standards and thenadhere to those high stan-dards.”

New Air Force Secretary says ‘integrity first’By Staff Sgt. Todd C.LopezAir Force Print News

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News

The state of Minnesota is saying“thank you” to its military members whohave served in combat zones during theWar on Terrorism, especially those whohave suffered injuries or have died due tocombat-related operations.

Minnesota military personnel whohave been deployed to a combat zonesince Sept. 11, 2001 are eligible to applyfor financial grants from the Minneso-tans’ Military Appreciation Fund,according to the MMAF Web site address,http://thankmntroops.org/requirements.html.

“I was shocked,” said Tech. Sgt.Michael Humenny, 934th LogisticsReadiness Squadron Transportationvehicle operations flight supervisor. “Iknew they were coming, but I was stillsurprised to see Minnesotans’ MilitaryAppreciation Fund people show up atmy house to give me a check.”

Sergeant Hummeny said he receiveda check for $3,000 from MMAF forwounds he suffered when he and hisconvoy were hit by an improvisedexplosive device along a transportationroute in Iraq.

“We were in the lead gunner truckleaving from Balad and going to Tikrit,”explained Sergeant Hummeny. “I was thegunner and we got hit with three155 mm Howitzer rounds. The blast wasso powerful that it ripped the deck chordthat connects the vehicles in the convoy.”

Sergeant Hummeny said he suffereda concussion, facial cuts, a chipped,broken and bruised tailbone, meniscusligaments tears in his left knee, andhearing loss.

Although he was seriously injured,Sergeant Hummeny said he stayed in Iraqfor seven more missions until doctorstold him he had to return to the UnitedStates to get more treatments.

Sergeant Hummeny said when hereturned home, he was challenged with along and difficult recovery and decided tocheck out the MMAF Web Site.

“I found out about it from friendsin Iraq who were stationed with me,” heexplained. “I got access to the MMAFWeb site, filled out the application formsand sent them in. I received the grantcheck about a month-and-a-half later.”

Hummeny said he filed his grantapplication in late September and receivedhis check on Friday, Nov. 3.

The grants represent the state’sappreciation for their service and are notbased solely upon need, according to theWeb site. Grant amounts vary, however,according to the level of hardshipendured as a result of combat zonedeployment.

Minnesota military personnel whoserve in a combat zone may receive $500to $1,000. Minnesota military personnelwho are wounded in a combat zone,depending on the severity of theirinjuries, may receive $2,500 to $10,000.Families of Minnesota military personnelwho die in combat may receive $10,000,according to the Web site.

Money is made available for thegrants through fundraising effortsincluding multi-media initiatives andspecial events throughout the state,which have been ongoing since earlier thisyear and will continue by MMAFmembers and volunteers, according tothe Web site.

“It’s good to get the recognition andthat we’re getting the support fromMinnesotans,” said Tech Sgt. Hummeny.

For more information on theorganization and grant program, pleasevisit http://thankmntroops.org.

What is your favorite thing to do around the holidays?

“I really enjoy being withfamily and friends and talkingabout old times.”

Senior Airman Xao Vue,934th Aircraft MaintenanceSquadron crew chief

“Spending it with familybecause I get extended timewith them.”

Tech. Sgt. Donald Green,934th Aeromedical StagingSquadron Mobility Depart-ment NCOIC

“My favorite thing isattending a family get-togetherat the Holiday Inn in Alexan-dria, Minn.”

Senior Master Sgt. RobertLinder, 934th CES utilitiessuperintendent

“My favorite things areeat, usually, watch football andspend time with my family.”

Capt. Kurt Augustin, 934thBase Education andTraining education officer

Giving back to Minnesotans who serveBy Senior Airman Curtis HoldenStaff Writer

Photos by Senior Airman Curtis Holden

Feature

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The position of aero-space medical technician in theAir Force is to make sure thatour forces are medically readyand fit to fight.

At the 934th AeromedicalStaging Squadron, aerospacemedical technicians in theexamination section, alongwith physicians and nurses,make sure that the 934thAirlift Wing troops aremedically ready in case ofmember deployments. Thisincludes physical exams,immunizations and docu-mentation.

During the drill weekend,aerospace medical techniciansadminister immunizations,conduct height and weightmeasurements, performblood draws and takefootprints for the unit’s flyingmembers. They also providesupport to active dutyhospitals and clinics.

In the Reserve, aerospacemedical technicians can havemany different dutiesincluding leadership positionsor training. They also maintainpaperwork, such as medicalrecords, before and after thedrill weekend.

In the area of operations,aerospace medical technicianswork in a contingencyaeromedical staging facility,ensuring that troops are stableenough for transport to majorfacilities such as Ramstein AirBase, Germany or AndrewsAir Force Base, Md.

“Our main job is to loadand unload patients,” saidSenior Airman Caitlin

Radigan, 934th ASTSaerospace medical technician.“We also take their vitals andcomfort them while they arewaiting for transport.”

The CSAF only handlespatients that are in stablecondition and able to betransported long distances. Apatient will remain at thefacility from two to 72 hours.

For someone to becomean aerospace medical techni-cian, it requires a desire towork in the medical field. Thesecond part is a commitmentto the position.

After completing basicmilitary training, becoming anaerospace medical technicianincludes 10 months of bothclassroom and practicaltraining.

There are three phases,explained Senior AirmanChayo Smith, 934th ASTSaerospace medical technician.The first phase consists ofthree months spent intechnical school at SheppardAFB, Texas. The next phase isfour months spent in on-the-job training at an active dutybase, followed by threemonths in a military hospitalworking in the emergencyroom or on a medical ward.Airman Smith spent her non-classroom time at Scott AFB,Ill.

“The schooling is prettyrigorous. The last two weeksare very intense because youare being certified as anemergency aerospace medicaltechnician, taking your skillstest and qualifying for thenational registry,” said AirmanSmith. “A lot of people alsoget certified in advanced cardiaclife support.”

Thetraining wouldbe equivalent tobecoming alicensedpracticing nursein the civiliansector, explainedAirman Smith.

“Being amedicaltechnicianrequires a lot ofcommunica-tions skills,”said AirmanSmith. “Theyneed to be ableto flexiblycommunicate with thephysician. They need to beable to communicate with thepatient and they need to beable to communicate with thefamily members. It is a lot ofcustomer service.”

“It’s challenging butrewarding to do this job,” shesaid. “You have your hand ina lot of pots. You get toknow a lot of people and getto meet everyone on base.”

Airman Smith also talkedabout the opportunities thatcome with being in theposition.

“When you graduatefrom the program you areessentially a paramedic. It alsoopens a lot of doors in othermedical fields,” said AirmanSmith.

Said First Sgt. MichaelSanford, “A number ofmedical technicians go on tobecome nurses and get theircommission through the AirForce. It really does open thedoor for a lot of careeropportunities.”

There are currently 60

aerospace medical techniciansin the 934th ASTS.

Airman Smith explainedthat being a member of the934th ASTS is like being in afamily.

“There is a large teameffort between the physiciansand nurses and the adminis-trative side to accomplish themission,” said Smith. “Youget a deep appreciation for thepeople you work with.”

“We’re here to helppeople in a lot of differentcapacities. In the CSAF, wehelp people to becomemedically ready to go home,”she said.

To learn more aboutbecoming an aerospacemedical technician, contact thebase recruiters or contactSergeant Sanford at the 934th

What it takes to be a Med TechBy Staff Sgt.Nicholas OlsonStaff Writer

Photo by Tech. Sgt. Jeffrey Williams

Fea

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When the 227 passengers inside thefour buses stopped at Camp Ripley,Minn., they were stepping into a stimu-lated base in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Members from the 934th AirliftWing took part in the annual bivouactraining Oct. 7 through 9, includingpersonnel from the 934th AeromedicalStaging Squadron, 934th Civil EngineerSquadron and 934th Services Squadron.

The object of the annual trainingwas to take a barebones facility and createa military encampment with tents or

improvised shelters, said Senior MasterSgt. Timothy Tamlyn, 934th CESoperations air reserve technician.

“Our goal was to setup the camp ina field, tear it down and be back bySunday,” Sergeant Tamlyn said, addingthat the units also received training andgot a taste of what it would be like in awartime situation.

During the three-day exercise, theunits proved they were ready for a real-world contingency, including setting upfacilities in a day, feeding the troops,donning their protective mask in secondsand administering medical care to theirfallen comrades.

Story by Staff Sgt. JenniferJohnsonPhots by Capt. Helen Elrod

‘Roughing it’ all part of job for services,

This year was unique since it was thefirst time the 934th CES bivouacked withthe 934th ASTS, said Sergeant Tamlyn.

“It was great training to work withASTS,” he said. “It was a uniqueexperience to get their inputs and forthem to be part of the planning.”

The 934th Aeromedical StagingSquadron’s mission was clear said StaffSgt. Troy Novak, 934th ASTS medicalmaterial specialist. They set up a 20-bedContingency Aeromedical Staging Facility.

“Basically, we had to set up anoperating hospital,” he said. “Everyonein the unit got to try everything, and itwas a great training opportunity for all of

Thirty-seven members of the 934thServices Squadron participated in theannual bivouac training Oct. 7 to 9 atCamp Ripley in Little Falls, Minn.

During the training, troops establisha bivouac, which is a temporary encamp-ment under little or no shelter, usually fora night. The experience gives them theopportunity to practice and sharpen theskills they need to set up this type ofencampment anywhere, anytime it may beneeded.

Other wing units also took part inthe training, including the Civil EngineerSquadron and the Aeromedical StagingSquadron.

“Usually, CES and Services performit each year together, with CES sleeping intents the two nights we are in camp,” saidMaster Sgt. Mike McGuire, 934th SVS.“Services and ASTS spent the two nightsin a large, open bay room.”

Some of the training the servicessquadron members received included theuse of immersion heaters and M-2burners, set up of a mobile field kitchen,self-aid/buddy care, and proper wear ofchemical warfare gear.

By Cristina Oxtra934th Services Squadron

us.”Sergea

bivouac wahas participlearned howthe night.

The exunits an opbrought theSgt. Patrick material spe

“It’s imhow to opeenvironmeworking wido here on

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ature

civil engineers and aeromedical staging

ant Novak added that theas similar to other exercises hepated in; however, this time hew to do litter carriers during

xperience not only gave thepportunity to train butem closer together said Staff

k Sherry, 934th ASTS medicalecialist.mportant because you learnerate outside the normalnt,” he said. “You end upith more people there than youa day-to-day basis.”

(From far back to front) Services members Tech. Sgt. Dustin Lee, Capt. Helen Elrod andMaster Sgt. T.J. Taormina serve food for other participants at the bivouac training Oct. 7 to 9at Camp Ripley in Little Falls, Minn.

Master Sgt. Kenneth Kruger, 934thServices Squadron, installsequipment for a mobile fieldkitchen.

Staff Sgt. JoelHarrington,934th ServicesSquadron, putsgasoline into anM-2 burner. Theburner is used infield kitchens toheat water andcook food.

Capt. Kristen Becker, 934th ASTS nurse, applies bandages to SeniorMaster Sgt. Scott LeClair, 934th CES, during the bivouac.

Coutesy photo

Meritorious Service MedalLt. Col Scott Calvert 934th SVSMaster Sgt. Donald Fletcher 934th AMXSLt. Col. Michael Huttner 934th OGMaster Sgt. Phillip Kvamme 934th MXG

Air Force Achievement MedalMaster Sgt. August Funaro 934th AWSenior Airman Bethany Hubinette 934th AWTech. Sgt. Paul Ives 934th AWStaff Sgt. William Lohse 934th MXG

Promotions and DecorationsNational Defense ServiceMedal

The National Defense Service Medalwas awarded for honorable activeservice for any period between 27June 1950 and 27 July 1954; between1 January 1961 and 14 August 1974;between 2 August 1990 and 30 No-vember 1995 and between 11 Sep-tember 2001 and a closing date to bedetermined.

Feature

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SergeantS Upp & adamSergeantS Upp & adamSergeantS Upp & adamSergeantS Upp & adamSergeantS Upp & adam

By Senior Master Sgt. Doug Johnson

UTA ScheduleDec. 3-4Jan. 7-8Feb. 4-5

July 15-16Aug. 5-6Sep. 9-10

Mar. 4-5Apr. 1-2May 6-7June 3-4

Retirement Ceremonies

Saturday, Dec. 3Senior Master Sgt. Patti Amos at Bldg. 802.Contact Master Sgt. Julie Carie at ext. 1898.

Sunday, Dec. 4Technical Sgt. Steve Robinson at Bldg. 760, Rm 130.Contact Master Sgt. Bernadette Lunde at ext. 1507.

Feature

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Viking VibesViking VibesViking VibesViking VibesViking VibesServices clubAttention: All club mem-

bers are being sent new clubcards, even if they have not ex-pired. Club card holders areasked not to throw away clubmembership mail, thinking itis junk mail. Their new cardsmay be in that mail.

The club membershipdrive is now through Decem-ber. It pays to be a club mem-ber. Check out these MilitaryFree Cash Rewards:

-Earn one point for everydollar in purchases off base.

-Get two points for everydollar in purchases at servicesactivities and the base exchange.Get one point for gas purchases.

-Travel Plus program.Choice of airline and no black-out dates.

-Redeem points for every2,500 earned. Choose from ei-ther a $25 check or $25 gift cer-tificate from a wide variety ofmerchants.

-Points accumulate auto-matically and are tallied onmember’s monthly billing state-ment.

-No yearly program fee.-To redeem points, call

(800) 759-0294.For more club member-

ship information, call the 934thServices Squadron at (612) 713-1662

Officers clubIt’s the Club MembershipDrive Finale - MembershipNight is Dec. 6 from 5:30 to8:30 p.m. at the Officers’ Club.There will be a buffet dinnerand door prizesClub members get in free.Non-members and guests pay

only $10. Reservations arerequired. Call (612) 713-3678for more information.

Come to prime rib night.Saturdays you can dine on primerib dinner for $18.95.

Mug Night starts at 4 p.m.Tuesdays at the Officers’ Club

Order a custom-mademug from the bartender. Untilit arrives, bring in a mug of yourchoice. Tap beer up to 20 oz.for $1.75, and brat, sauerkrautand potato salad for $3.50.

For more information, call(612) 713-3670 or 3678.

Celebrate the holidays,your birthday, promotion, re-tirement, bridal shower, wed-ding, baby shower, or any otherspecial occasion at the Officers’Club. Call the catering managerat (612) 713-1674.

Spouses’ clubTuesday bridge is played

on the second and thirdTuesday of each month at 10a.m. Call GermaineReuterdahl for more details at(952) 881-0107.

Evening bridge is everyfirst and third Wednesday eachmonth at 7 p.m. Call DianeLerohl (952) 935-4467 orRoberta Gronemann (763)494-3517.

Would you like tobecome a member? If you arethe spouse of a United StatesArmed Forces officer and amember in good standing ofthe 934th Airlift WingOfficers’ Club, you may beeligible for membership inthis group.

To join the Officers’Spouses’ Club, call Lee Claar at(952) 831-5252.

LodgingLodging plans to be open

for Christmas and New Year’sDay. However, if reservationsare slow, the facility may closeearly. For more details, call (612)713-1984.

Get your holiday shop-ping done early. Check out thegreat deals on polo shirts, T-shirts, sweatshirts, hats andother gift items at the lodginggift shop.

Space-A reservations madeup to 30 days in advance for athree-day stay can be extendedif space is available. For moredetails, call (612) 713-1984.

RecreationHaving a party, moving,

going camping or want to takein a day on the cross country skitrails?

Winter sports equipmentand holiday party necessitiesare available for rent atOutdoor Recreation.

Club members get a 10-percent discount on any rentalequipment at Outdoor

Recreation. Call (612) 713-1496.

Outdoor Recreation sellsa variety of plaques forretirements, awards, etc. Formore information, call (612)713-1496.

BirthdayAll club members receive a

$15 gift certificate to celebratetheir birthday at the base clubs.

The offer is valid only dur-ing the month of the member’sbirthday.

Call the Services Club at(612) 713-1655 or the Officers’Club at (612) 713-3678 for moreinformation.

Recreational SportsPig Out Fitness Challenge

runs from now through theend of January.

Accomplish health and fit-ness activities and goals and getgreat prizes! For additional de-tails, call (612) 713-1496.

Also ask about the FitnessAdvantage Club, running nowthrough April.

Courtesy of Master Sgt. Russ Funaro934th Airlift Wing historian

This month in Flying Viking history

1974The 934th Tactical Airlift

Group changed majorcommands from TacticalAir Command to Military

Airlift Command to reflectthe unit’s actual real world

mission.

FlyingFlyingFlyingFlyingFlyingVikingsVikingsVikingsVikingsVikingshistoryhistoryhistoryhistoryhistory

10

Health and Fitness

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WASHINGTON (AFPN) —Servicemembers returning from deploy-ments will now participate in a post-deployment health reassessment programthat all the services are instituting.

Defense Department officials saidthe new program will assess the health —both physical and mental — ofservicemembers from 90 to 120 days afterthey have redeployed.

“We recognize deployments mayhave an impact on the health and well-being of our servicemembers, and weknow, from research, that health concernsare identified even several months afterreturning from operational deploy-ments,” said Dr. William Winkenwerder,assistant secretary of defense for healthaffairs.

The new program is in addition tothe routine post-deployment healthscreening all servicemembers returning tothe states from a deployment gothrough. More than 900,000servicemembers have already gonethrough that program.

The new reassessment program isdesigned to find servicemembers whosesymptoms don’t show up immediately.The program aims to get them the helpthey need, he said.

The program builds on testprograms the services have conducted

since June. The Army, Navy and MarineCorps tested the program on 3,000servicemembers. Medical officials said thepilot program was effective and now lookto expand it to all returningservicemembers.

The three services, plus the Air Force— which started the test program inSeptember — will institute the programin January 2006, officials said.

Key elements of the programinclude outreach to servicemembers,education and training forservicemembers and their families,screening of servicemembers, assessmentby medical professionals, evaluation andtreatment and follow-up.

The Army, Navy and Marine Corpswill do face-to-face assessments withtroops. The Air Force plan calls forAirmen to answer an online survey whichthe service will incorporate with themembers’ annual physicals.

Mr. Winkenwerder said the results

By Jim GaramoneAmerican Forces Press Service

Health program will help returning troopsso far do not indicate that the global waron terror is affecting “servicemembers ortheir families in ways different from pastwars. What’s different is the way we’reresponding.”

The assistant secretary said that it isimportant that military leaders,servicemembers and clinicians under-stand the process and buy into it.“Effective education to gain leadershipsupport and servicemember participationand optimal clinical practice is critical tothe success of this program,” he said.

Health officials want to destigmatizethe process of servicemembers going tohealth professionals for mental orphysical help. Returning combat veteransshouldn’t believe they must deal with thestresses they experienced by themselves,said Navy surgeon general Vice Adm.Donald Arthur.

“Everyone who goes into combat isin some way psychologically affected,” hesaid. “I don’t think you can get aroundthat fact.”

The admiral said it’s significant themilitary is addressing the issue upfront“with people who understand combatbecause they have also been there and canmore readily talk with the Soldiers,Sailors, Airmen and Marines who arecoming back.”“We have learned that we shouldn’t letour combat veterans go out into societywithout any questions asked or withoutany contact, as we used to do,” AdmiralArthur said.

The admiral also said early contactwith servicemembers reduces stress andtakes care of family issues, noting that“combat is inherently stressful.”

Mr. Winkenwerder said active dutyand reserve servicemembers will betreated exactly the same. Unit command-ers are charged with ensuringservicemembers participate in theprogram.

F.Y.I.Dealing with stress? Trying to cope with life’s little ornot so little issues? Returned from a difficultdeployment and just want someone to talk to? Help isavailable through Air Force One Source. Counselingsessions are available through referrals on the Website or by calling (800) 707-5784. The first six visits arefree of charge.Logon to the Web site at www.airforceonesource.com.Use login “airforce,” password “ready.”

“We have learned that weshouldn’t let our combatveterans go out into societywithout any questions askedor without any contact, as weused to do,”

-Vice Admiral DonaldArthur, Surgeon General.

11

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The C-130 Hercules canaccomodate a wide vari-ety of oversized cargo,including everything fromutility helicopters and six-wheeled armored vehiclesto six standard palletizedcargo, 74 patient litters,128 combat troops or 92paratroopers.

934th Airlift WingPublic Affairs Office760 Military HighwayMinneapolis, MN 55450-2100

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Discount tickets/couponsTo purchase tickets for Camp Snoopy, Underwater Adventures, Minnesota Zoo,Minnesota Children’s Museum and Chanhassen Dinner Theater, call the fitnesscenter at (612) 713-1496.Discount cards for the zoo and IMAX theater are also available.

Fitness center hours5 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays5 a.m. to 7 p.m. Fridays8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays8 a.m. to 4 p.m. SundaysClosed on federal holidays

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