Hilltop Times – Hill Air Force Base Weekly Newspaper Since 1948

Consuming energy drinks can cause blood pressure to skyrocket and an irregular heartbeat, according to a recent study by the American Heart Association.

The study, presented last month during an AHA conference, showed a critical interval of the heart’s rhythm extends by drinking energy drinks.

Editor’s note: This article was originally published on the 419th Fighter Wing’s website in January. It was primarily written for readers who are military Reservists, but the overarching messages about living a healthy and balanced lifestyle carry broader messages that apply to Team Hill’s active duty and civilian workforce as well.

Col. Laurence Nelson, 419th Medical Squadron commander, started his military career in 1984 as an Army private.

More than 400 military personnel, family members and community supporters gathered to recognize Utah’s top Air Force Reservists during the 419th Fighter Wing’s annual awards banquet at the Davis Conference Center in Layton on Feb 23.

Attendees heard from Brad Barton, a local motivational speaker, author and magician, who performed magic tricks throughout his speech.

Early in his career, Chief Master Sgt. Michael Bellerose saw a first sergeant fix a problem others said couldn’t be solved. Bellerose, a security forces patrolman at the time, was working at a base air show and someone told him there weren’t enough box lunches for him and his team, he recalled. A first sergeant overheard the conversation and 45 minutes later Bellerose and his team had food. That small act of kindness from a random first shirt set the path for his Air Force career, he said.

Senior Master Sgt. Shawn Moore returned to the 419th Fighter Wing after five years at Joint Base San Antonio, Texas, where he served as assistant senior recruiter and an instructor at the Air Force Reserve recruiting school. Now the wing's senior recruiter, the reservist is bringing new ideas to reach recruiting goals.

"I came back because I was very successful here as a recruiter," Moore said. "Plus, I'm biased. I like Utah a lot. My whole family likes Utah, and I've worked very hard because I couldn't wait to get back here."

The 419th Fighter Wing welcomed a new commander during a change of command ceremony Oct. 4.

Col. Bryan Radliff assumed command of nearly 1,100 personnel assigned to Utah's only Air Force Reserve unit.

"Our mission isn't about the leaders, but what leadership can provide to the wing so the team, the Air Force Reserve, and the nation succeed," Radliff said.

Inspection teams from Air Force Reserve Command and Air Combat Command will visit the 419th and 388th Fighter Wings for a Consolidated Unit Inspection Sept. 22-26.

The CUI includes a compliance inspection and a Logistics Compliance Assessment Program inspection.

During the compliance inspection, AFRC and ACC teams will assess the fighter wings' compliance with laws, directives and instructions. Integrated 419th and 388th shops, such as the operations and maintenance squadrons, will be jointly inspected by both commands.

Maj. Rodney Hammond, the new 419th Civil Engineer Squadron commander, gave Hill Airmen a glimpse of an "outside the wire" deployment during a presentation at Hill Air Force Base on Aug. 24.

In 2010, Hammond and about 30 fellow reservists from the 419th CES deployed to Afghanistan for six months as part of the 577th Expeditionary Prime BEEF (Base Engineer Emergency Force) Squadron. It was the first deployment for Hammond, who served as current operations flight commander. He relayed some of his experiences at Warrior Call, a monthly event where Airmen address various topics.

The 2012 elections are just months away. Local, state and national races are heating up and campaigns are in the final push to Election Day. We've got you covered on the dos and don'ts for people's involvement in the political process.

"The overriding principle is neutrality," said Col. Robert Palmer, director of Air Force Reserve Command Public Affairs. "As Airmen, we may hold political beliefs and exercise our right to vote, but we should avoid creating the appearance that the military endorses any particular candidate."

Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Derek Guinn has been in the business of serving others for more than two decades. Guinn spent 10 years with Utah's National Guard as an intelligence analyst supporting ground forces and has worked as a chaplain in the 419th Fighter Wing for the last 11 years. I caught up with Guinn to talk chaplain duties of service and protection, and his relevance in today's military.

How are chaplains relevant in today's Air Force?