Hilltop Times – Hill Air Force Base Weekly Newspaper Since 1948

Question: I work at Hill and want to report a HUGE "country store" being run in a squadron front office which is in direct violation of AFI 34-223 paragraph 10.9. They are using a massive full-size freezer to stock every known type of frozen snack and food (ice cream, sandwiches, burritos, pizzas, etc.) and also a full-size fridge full of cheese, sodas, water, sandwiches, pickles, etc. They also run a full dry snack area with cookies, candy, chips, crackers and nuts.

As I drive with my wife to grab a bite to eat I reminisce about the "good old days" with her. I often get the stare from her because I rant and rave about how girls' shorts are too short and boys' hair is too long nowadays. In her playful way, she tells me that I'm getting old and need to understand the change in the culture of today's youth. She also reminds me that when I was a teenager bent on rebelling against anything my parents said that I too had long hair and a counter-culture attitude. To my defense, it was the '80s and the long hair turned into male pattern baldness soon enough.

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- When asked if he returned home with a to-do list after visiting select Pacific Air Forces bases and Afghanistan, Gen. Donald Hoffman thumbed through a quarter-inch stack of papers before citing several examples during a March 25, 2011, interview.

"The purpose of this trip was not to solve tactical-level issues, but to see how we can make improvements at a strategic level," the commander of Air Force Materiel Command said.

Where are you from? Everywhere. I'm an Army brat. (Born in Deer Lodge, MonT.)

What is your favorite quote or movie quote? "Do or do not. There is no try." -- Yoda, "Star Wars"

What is your favorite part about being in the Air Force? Traveling to parts of the world I'd never get to see otherwise.

If you were not in the Air Force what would you want to be? Still trying to figure this out. A computer programmer or a furniture maker.

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- Continued focus on the command's five priorities remains paramount in 2011, Air Force Materiel Command commander Gen. Donald Hoffman told his senior leaders in a memo sent March 1.

According to the memo, AFMC's top priorities for 2011 are largely unchanged from 2010:

WASHINGTON -- Air Force officials said despite a reduction in the top line request, that combat capabilities and balance will remain focal points in the Air Force's portion of the president's fiscal 2012 budget presented Feb. 14.

The total Air Force budget request for FY12 is $166.3 billion, down from $170.8 billion in FY11. The largest portion of the $4.5 billion decrease from FY11 to FY12 is a $4.4 billion reduction in Air Force overseas contingency operations.

To the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and civilians of the "LOG Nation:"

From Afghanistan to Iraq and in many other places around the world, the U.S. Armed Forces embody and represent our nation's courage, commitment, and resolve. While visiting bases at home and abroad, seeing our service members' successes first hand reminds me that our strength is inexorably linked to the unwavering and determined work of our talented logisticians.

Airman to Airman: Senior Airman David Dearstone, Conventional maintenance crewmember, 388th Equipment Maintenance Squadron

Where are you from? Baileyton, Ten.

What is your favorite quote? "If you ain't first, you're last!" - "Talladega Nights: The Balad of Ricky Bobby."

What are your hobbies? Playing guitar in my band.

Who is your favorite band? Sevendust and Scarred for Six.

One day not long ago, as I was sorting through the mail, I noticed a large brown envelope. As I inspected it a little closer, I saw that it was from a family friend back in San Antonio. I opened the envelope and pulled out a spiral-bound notebook. On the front was a clear protective cover. On the page under the cover was a head and shoulder photo of my friend Jim in his Air Force uniform, complete with the now retired Air Force Service Cap. At the top of the page was the title, "Autobiography." Underneath the photo was Jim's full name with "Jim" inserted in parenthesis.

What drew you to the Air Force Reserve? I am prior active duty. After a three-year break in service I realized there were things that I missed about the military and that there were still opportunities waiting for me.

What do you like the most about the 419th Fighter Wing? Relationships. I have old friends that I have known for a while. Even though we are spread out, we still see each other here and there and say, "How's it going?" It's camaraderie. It's really like a second family to me.