Survival specialist lends voice to the airwaves Published Oct. 6, 2009 By Capt. Dan Dodson 162nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs TUCSON, Ariz. -- With the help of a survival specialist on base, the 162nd Fighter Wing is expanding its public awareness horizons once again with public service announcements (PSAs) set to run during the Jim Parisi Show - a local radio talk show that airs on Fox affiliate 790 KNST-AM from 6 a.m. to 9a.m. Monday through Friday. The voice talent heard on the PSAs is none other than unit member Senior Master Sgt. Hal Chandler, small shop chief of life support. He's performed as a professional actor in many capacities over the years and volunteered his time and talents to increase the public's awareness of the 162nd mission. "When I was asked to do these PSAs I didn't think twice about it. I have done voiceovers in the past and it is something I'm comfortable doing," said Sergeant Chandler. Chandler recorded two 30-second announcements covering the 162nd Fighter Wing's pilot training mission, and Arizona Air National Guard recruiting. The announcements will be aired free of charge during allotted time that KNST is required to make available to the public. - Click here for PSA #1 "The 162nd Fighter Wing Mission" - Click here for PSA #2 "Join the Arizona Air National Guard" - Click here for the PSA transcripts The sergeant started his performance career back in high school singing in the choir and performing in school plays. "I grew up in a small town - Stow, Massachusetts - and usually had the lead in local productions...I was a big fish in a little pond. My parents wanted me to consider attending Julliard, but money was a limiting factor," said Sergeant Chandler. Not only is he an accomplished actor with a deep-timbered voice, he is also an accomplished Air Guardsman. He is one of two unit members who have traveled to Southeast Asia over the years as part of a Missing in Action recovery team. The recovery teams, comprised of aviation, scientific and anthropological experts, spend a month in the jungle, shovels and axes in hand, sifting through the dirt, looking for remains. It is a very labor-intensive task not suited for everyone. "It's a very rewarding experience for me to serve those lost in battle, and their families who don't know what became of them. I want to go over there one more time before I retire. I'd better hurry." said Sergeant Chandler. Chandler is a combat survival training instructor and when he's not sifting through pounds and pounds of dirt he puts his training to use. "There are always bugs in the dirt and the locals will be eating them as snacks offering them to us almost as a dare. But because of my survival training, I can eat right along with them, gaining their respect with every bite. They sit up and clap in awe," said Sergeant Chandler. He spearheads the training of more than 70 wing pilots in the mountainous terrains of Flagstaff, Ariz., each winter; teaching them how to survive in harsh winter conditions. In addition to airing on 790 KNST-AM, the PSAs will also be played on other Clear Channel radio stations in Tucson.