Chaplains step up as war looms.(St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

Byline: Patricia Rice

ST. LOUIS _ Members of the 375th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron at Scott Air Force Base wear the squadron's motto, "Help From Above," on their uniforms.

But Capt. Jonathan Wade, and other chaplains talk about a different kind of help from above.

With a war that could involve chemical and germ warfare looming, there is a focused intensity at Scott.

And the chaplains are listening to it.

Commanders consider chaplains their partners in maintaining strong, well-adjusted, motivated forces, said Col. Bruce Busler. He is an Arizona native who commands Scott's aeromedical evacuation and four additional squadrons. Busler says he finds comfort in seeing chaplains walk his hallways or hangars.

One recent day, Wade, 39, listened to members of the squadron at Scott talk about their 12-hour workdays since 28 of their 140 members have been deployed overseas.