Taking up paintbrushes to bestow a sense of a fighter wing's legacy

  • Published
  • By Mary Lou Gorny
  • Hilltop Times Editor
HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah --  In the latter part of 2011, the Airman Leadership School invited Hill air wings to sponsor flights and their respective rooms at the school. As a part of a response to that invitation, Chief Master Sgt. Marc Batzer, then 388th command chief, called for volunteers and Master Sgt. Gary Trejo agreed to help.

The master sergeant, who has since completed a bachelor's degree in education with a minor in art, helped assess the room and when it was determined there was space for a mural, he organized a project to provide one for the 388th FW classroom.

With the help of Jory Vanderburg, 388th FW historian, several historical photos were selected, to contribute to four time periods to surround an old world globe-style map with small banners to designate where the wing served.

Trejo had several volunteers help paint the broad backgrounds, some with no art experience. Fifteen volunteers participated in the project ranking from Airmen to master sergeant. "It took a year and a half to complete," said Trejo.

The mural was displayed at the 388th FW annual awards ceremony before being placed in the spot selected for it on the wall in the classroom.

He estimates the project took more than 200 man hours to complete, a good portion of which was contributed in December over the holidays when many of the volunteers had more time available.

Trejo pointed out that many of the volunteers learned a thing or two about art, and the former 367th Training Support Squadron graphic artist, got a chance to further his own experiences as mentor and instructor. Trejo now serves as weapons section chief in the 388th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron.

The mural is on one-quarter inch thick Masonite and the five photo depictions, placed around the old world globe style map as the mural, consist of different painting styles. The four time periods include a very early period in the 388th FW history, one as the squadron was stationed in Europe and contributed in the French "fly boy" period, another is from Operation Desert Storm, and the last historic period is from the time the squadron was stationed in Korat, Thailand, participating in operations during the Vietnam War.

A fifth time period, "now," is pictured at the bottom middle with all the names of those who participated in creating the mural.

"I learned a lot about the history of the 388th Fighter Wing," said Trejo.

Trejo helped paint in some of the finer details, and had assistance from Tech. Sgt. Miguel Duarte-Hernandez. Another volunteer who helped many hours was an Airman who was restricted from flight line duty because of a pregnancy.

Many different hands of all skill levels helped create the mural which now hangs with pride in the 388th FW flight room. Anyone who takes a tour of the ALS will get an opportunity to see their handiwork, given the opportunity if that classroom is part of the tour, and these members of the 388th FW strongly recommend it.