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Released: March 26, 2003

Squadron reaches goal, gains a day

By Capt. David Small
33rd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Va. (ACCNS) -- Anybody who's seen the movie "My Cousin Vinny" may think a UTE (pronounced yoot) is a young person from Brooklyn, but for combat flying units, it stands for utilization rates.

Air Combat Command mandates the UTE depending on what type of aircraft the wing flies. The UTE is calculated through a complex balance between the number of sorties each jet flies and available aircraft, said Lt. Col. Thomas Markwardt, the 33rd Operations Support Squadron commander.

"It's a measurable objective to rate yourself against - put up some sort of goal," he said. "With a goal, you're going to do better and perform better."

One of the wing's missions is to maintain trained pilots.

"Making UTE means pilots are getting the training they need," said Col. Russ Richardson, the 33rd Maintenance Group commander. The wing has a training mission for this purpose.

When the wing reaches that goal each month, the wing commander has the option of rewarding the wing with a "UTE" day where flying is cancelled and airmen get the day off.

"A UTE day is a nice reward, but not an incentive to work hard," Colonel Richardson said. "Our guys work hard all the time. The incentive is pride in what they do. The day off is icing on the cake."

The wing's flying schedule is built to meet the UTE rate, however maintenance doesn't change its practices to meet the goal.

"UTE doesn't drive how we do maintenance," Colonel Richardson said. "If you change the way we operate, it could compromise safety. Safe, consistent operations day in and day out equates to us making UTE."

Flying the wing's contracted flying hours ensures they meet their UTE goal, said Colonel Markwardt. This is where the UTE concept came from.

Schedules are adjusted weekly in hopes that the wing will meet its goal. Anytime a sortie is cancelled without a spare, it counts against the wing - and there is no exception for weather cancellations.

"It gives people something to look forward to and you can see your reward," said Senior Airman Zachariah Julick from the 33rd Maintenance Squadron's propulsion flight. He said he plans to spend the next UTE day with his daughter.

Other airmen around the wing who don't have a direct impact on fixing and flying jets also reap the rewards of UTE days with their indirect support of meeting the mission.

"Its good to see that my part, however little as it might be compared to the maintainers, helps contribute to achieving the UTE in a support role," said Staff Sgt. Miguel Brown, the wing's publications and forms manager.

Even though people like Sergeant Brown are not directly tied to the mission, all airmen are here to support the flying mission, Colonel Richardson said.

"If the 33rd makes its goal, all deserve the day off - every person, direct or indirect," he said.