WJPBR Email News List [EMAIL PROTECTED] Peace at any cost is a Prelude to War! 001263. Air Force changes Base of Preference program RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFPN) -- Air Force officials have changed the Base of Preference program, known as B-O-P, for first term and career airmen to help improve retention and maintain stability of the force. Recently implemented changes include expanding the eligibility criteria for the first-term airman Base of Preference Program and initiating the Career Base of Preference Program, formerly known as the Volunteer Enlisted CONUS Assignment Program, or VECAP. According to Gen. Michael E. Ryan, Air Force chief of staff, "this initiative speaks volumes for Air Force leadership's commitment to improve retention for our enlisted force. We're extremely hopeful we can get more of our people assignments to locations of their choosing and these folks will respond by staying with us." The current first-term airman B-O-P program is very small and applies only to those desiring to remain in place or retrain. "We are expanding the program dramatically to allow almost every first-termer reenlisting the opportunity to participate," said Lt. Col. Michael Gamble, chief of Assignment Programs and Procedures Division. "If you're at Seymour-Johnson Air Force Base (S.C.), wanting to get to Holloman AFB (N.M.), and you're willing to re-enlist, then you make an application. If manning supports, we'll work it." However, Gamble cautions, there are no guarantees. "With first-term B-O-Ps, we are looking at gaining manning; 'Is there a requirement I can put you in?' If not, we'll work alternatives with you." The other program receiving a facelift is the VECAP, now renamed the Career B-O-P. Currently, members must have 5.5 years to apply and move at the six-year point. "We want to liberalize this requirement so that members can apply at the 3.5-year point and move at four years, if approved." Officials at AFPC say they look at losing and gaining base manning, as well as overseas vulnerability, when making assignments for career airmen. "If you're a 7-level in a key mid-management position at Tinker and you want to go to Hurlburt Field, but moving you there will cause mission problems for Tinker, then your request will be denied," added Gamble. All B-O-P applicants may request a maximum of eight bases. Those requesting more than one will be considered in priority order. "If we can work your first choice, its' game over," said Gamble. "If not, we'll take a look at your second choice and try to make that happen." If none of the preferences can be worked, the airman may immediately apply for other bases, as long as they remain eligible. Additionally, they can re-apply for the same bases six months later to see if manning has changed at that base. The exception will be for first-term airmen. Since their B-O-P application is submitted in conjunction with re-enlistment and retraining, they will be unable to submit multiple applications. But the good news is they will be offered alternatives immediately if their choices can't be approved. A new web-based B-O-P application is also available for individuals with access to the World Wide Web. Members desiring a continental United States to CONUS permanent change of station B-O-P, other than in-place, can now apply through the AFPC home page at www.afpc.randolph.af.mil. Choose enlisted, military assignments, AMS web login. This application is similar to the current process for updating an assignment preference worksheet using AF Form 392. Gamble cautions people to use their "B-O-P chit" carefully because back-to-back B-O-Ps will not be authorized. "If your goal in life is to get to Moody (AFB, Ga.), but you list other locations on your application, manning at Moody could drive us to approve your second or subsequent choices" said Gamble. "Should that occur, you will not be eligible to apply for a B-O-P to Moody as your next assignment." The enlisted assignments program will still be requirements-driven. But according to Lt. Gen. Donald L. Peterson, Air Force director of personnel, "We strongly believe B-O-P will allow us to better balance individual desires with mission requirements." (Courtesy of AFPC News Service) 001262. Air Force announces civilian intern vacancies for FY01 RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFPN) -- The Air Force Personnel Center is now accepting applications through Nov. 17 for position vacancies in the PALACE Acquire and COPPER CAP Civilian Intern programs. PALACE Acquire and COPPER CAP target college graduates and offer two to three years of formal and on-the-job training and performance-based annual promotions while in training in a variety of Air Force occupations. "These announcements mark the first of more than 250 vacancies we plan to announce by the end of this year," said Elizabeth Kelly, personnel recruiter. "We will be filling 200 plus positions in the PALACE Acquire program and more than 40 in the COPPER CAP program for fiscal 2001." COPPER CAP focuses primarily on contracting positions. "We're looking for individuals who want an exciting career with excellent pay, great travel opportunities and outstanding benefits, but not as a uniformed military member," explained Kelly. "Additionally, a civilian career with the Air Force provides a unique opportunity for people strongly committed to the security of our nation who want to help make a difference." Interested candidates must be U.S. citizens and have or will soon have a four-year degree from an accredited college with a minimum overall grade point average of 3.45 on a 4.0 scale in the undergraduate degree. The Air Force provides excellent employee benefits. A new employee can earn two and a half weeks of paid annual vacation their first year, not counting 10 paid holidays and 13 days sick leave per year. The program also offers an equivalent 401k plan. Insurance benefits are great and include low cost life and a choice of 15-20 health plans at a low cost group rate. Furthering education assistance and other educational opportunities are all part of the benefits the Air Force has to offer its civilian employees. Current annual entry-level salary for interns is $28,265, which increases to a range of about $36,000 to $43,000 or more depending on the position and successful completion of the internship. Intern training positions are located at Air Force bases throughout the Continental United States. Following training, the intern has the opportunity to be placed at any one of the many exciting Air Force locations in the world depending on Air Force requirements. Applications are being accepted for the following PALACE Acquire/COPPER CAP position vacancies: PALACE Acquire: -- Budget Analyst -- Child Development Specialist -- Communications-Computer Systems Specialist -- Community Planner -- Cost Analyst -- Family Support Specialist -- Financial Management Specialist -- General Education and Training Specialist -- General Education Specialists -- Historian -- Inventory Management Specialist -- Logistics Management Specialist -- Management Analyst -- Museum Curator -- Personnel Management Specialist -- Realty Specialist -- Safety & Occupational Health Specialist -- Security Specialist -- Services Specialist COPPER CAP: -- Contract Specialist Detailed qualification and application information is available on the PALACE Acquire web site at http://www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/cp/recruit/paq.htm and the COPPER CAP web site at http://www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/cp/cmccp/copperc.htm. (Courtesy of AFPC News Service) 001265. Automated system enhances survival of A-10 pilots by Master Sgt. Jessica D'Aurizio 917th Wing Public Affairs BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. (AFPN) -- As the A-10 Thunderbolt II speeds high above the clouds, a ground radar unit on a surface-to-air missile battery locks on to the aircraft and begins tracking its path. Sensing the imminent danger, the aircraft's onboard chaff system sprays a cloud of aluminized, fiberglass strips to confuse the radar. This automated system is expected to be a key defensive weapon in a sophisticated game of hide and seek with the enemy. Air Force Reserve Command is playing a key role in the system's development. In mid-July approximately 25 people and two aircraft from the 47th Fighter Squadron here deployed to Europe to take part in a month-long test. The aircraft flew 28 missions on test ranges in Germany and France to gather valuable data on the automated chaff and flare system. The 47th FS was selected to participate in the test because the unit has permanently loaned an A-10 to the Air National Guard/Air Force Reserve Test Center in Tucson, Ariz., to test all of the new modifications. "This data will assist computer programmers in developing software that is designed to prolong the life expectancy of the pilot during wartime," said Col. Gerald Werth, 917th Operations Group commander. The A-10's current chaff and flare system works manually. Flares act as decoys for heat-seeking missiles, while chaff is used to confuse enemy radar. "This is the latest and greatest for the A-10," said Lt. Col. Herman Brunke, A-10 test manager in Tucson. "It takes a lot of the guess work out of the pilot's hands and gives him a huge increase in confidence." The missions in July were the final phase of a three-part testing program designed to acquire the necessary data to write the software programs for the new system. "The first phase of tests took place at Patuxent River Naval Air Station in Maryland," Brunke said. "We used a calibrated radar to take cross-section measurements of the aircraft." He explained that a cross-section measurement shows the exact size and shape that an A-10 displays on radar. Phase two included testing a new flare system that is invisible to the eye. According to Werth, the A-10 displays a larger signature on a radar screen than other jets. The only way to program the new software correctly was to gather data on how much chaff is required, and at what interval it has to be released, to successfully hide an A-10. "There were instances in Bosnia and Kosovo where A-10s were shot at with infrared missiles and hit," Brunke said. "This is bad, and we don't want it to happen again." Brunke said the new system will allow pilots to pre-program their defenses. "If a particular threat is identified on the ground, the system allows you to program specifically for that threat," said Capt. James Travis, 47th FS instructor pilot. "It is a more automated way of dispensing self-protection." Another advantage of the automated system will be that it will identify with an error code each chaff dispenser that does not fire properly. This will save time on maintenance of the canisters because maintainers won't have to test each electrical contact for malfunctions. All active-duty, Guard and Reserve A-10s are expected to be equipped with the automated chaff and flare system by 2005. (Courtesy of AFRC News Service) 001267. Ramstein squadrons airlift soldiers, equipment for Kosovo operations by Tech. Sgt. Ann Bennett Air Force Print News RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany -- Night crews on the flightline here are busier than usual prepping and loading C-130s to airlift U.S. Army soldiers and equipment to Kosovo for peacekeeping efforts. The 37th Airlift Squadron and Delta Operations Squadron here began the airlift effort Aug. 17 to move an immediate ready force of approximately 120 soldiers from the U.S. Army V Corps, 1st Infantry Division, along with nine armored personnel carriers and 15 Humvees to Camp Able Sentry in Macedonia. >From the staging base in Macedonia, the IRF will move on to Camp Bondsteel in Kosovo where they will provide Task Force Falcon with additional flexibility and force protection capabilities to ensure a safe and secure environment is maintained in Kosovo. For the airlift effort, which is expected to last several days, maintainers, loadmasters and flight engineers are working during the night to ensure the C-130s are in proper working condition and are loaded correctly for the next day's missions. The operations tempo has increased two-fold since this mission started, said Master Sgt. Mik Mikolajczyk, 37th AS production superintendent, whose duties include ensuring all the aircraft are inspected, refueled, configured and ready to go for the next day. On a normal night, the maintainers turn about six aircraft. Now, they're turning 11, with one being a backup. "We're doing all of this with the same number of people," Mikolajczyk said. Tech. Sgt. Randall Wormell, 37th AS flightline expediter, explains that it's just normal maintenance, only more of it at the same time. "Everybody, from crew chiefs to the various specialists, is very busy right now." Mikolajczyk said the maintainers don't mind the increased workload. "As long as we can get those 'Herks' in the air and everything works and they come back, we feel good. That's what our job is all about." Once everything is ready to go from a maintenance standpoint, the loadmasters and flight engineers begin their preflight and loading procedures. Staff Sgt. Ken Cox, who is one of the additional loadmasters called up to help with this mission, said, "it's good training for the Army and for us. We get to do a little OJT (on-the-job training) with them on the different kinds of equipment we're loading up." This is the first time the 37th AS is airlifting the 23,000-pound armored personnel carriers, said Cox, who was one of two squadron members involved in the validation of upload procedures for the personnel carriers on the squadron's aircraft recently. The loadmasters and flight engineers have been working closely with the soldiers to load the aircraft for this mission. As for the importance of their contribution to the Task Force Falcon mission, Cox said, "I think this show of force is a good thing. In case anything happens there (in Kosovo), maybe we'll save some lives." 001267a.gif and 001267a.jpg In support of peace keeping operation in Kosovo, Staff Sgt. Dean Hoops marshals equipment and supplies being loaded into a C-130 Hercules from the 37th Airlift Squadron, Ramstein Air Base, Germany. The HUMVEEs and supplies are bound for pre-staging in Macedonia, where U.S. Army troops will then deploy from Camp Able Sentry to Kosovo. (Photo by Master Sgt. Keith Reed) 001267b.gif and 001267b.jpg Airman First Class Bradley Schmidt, Senior Airman John Brockmen and Staff Sgt. Dean Hoops re-inspect roller tracks on the rear of a C-130 Hercules from the 37th Airlift Squadron, Ramstein Air Base, Germany, after loading and securing HUMVEEs and supplies bound for pre-staging in Macedonia. (Photo by Master Sgt. Keith Reed) 001267c.gif and 001267c.jpg Staff Sgt. Ken Cox, a loadmaster, marshals a U.S. *COPYRIGHT NOTICE** In accordance with Title 17 U. S. C. Section 107, any copyrighted work in this message is distributed under fair use without profit or payment to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for nonprofit research and educational purposes only.[Ref. http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml ] Want to be on our lists? Write at [EMAIL PROTECTED] for a menu of our lists! ****************************************************************************** ******************* A vote for Bush or Gore is a vote to continue Clinton policies! A vote for Buchanan is a vote to continue America! Therefore a vote for Gore or Bush is a wasted vote for America! Don't waste your vote! Vote for Patrick Buchanan! Today, candor compels us to admit that our vaunted two-party system is a snare and a delusion, a fraud upon the nation. Our two parties have become nothing but two wings of the same bird of prey... Patrick Buchanan <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/">www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance—not soap-boxing—please! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'—with its many half-truths, mis- directions and outright frauds—is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html <A HREF="http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html">Archives of [EMAIL PROTECTED]</A> http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ <A HREF="http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/">ctrl</A> ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
