-Caveat Lector- WJPBR Email News List [EMAIL PROTECTED] Peace at any cost is a Prelude to War! 0480. Space must be top national priority, says SPACECOM chief by Gerry J. Gilmore American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON (AFPN) -- American military involvement in space will become more critical to national security in coming years, said U.S. Space Command's top officer. "Most anyone involved in military operations, whether military or civilian, would tell you space is becoming increasingly important," said Gen. Ralph E. Eberhart, SPACECOM commander in chief. U.S. Space Command, headquartered at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., coordinates the use of U.S. military and civilian space assets to support, enhance and control space operations and computer-network defensive and offensive missions. It is one of the nine unified commands in the Department of Defense that have operational control of U.S. combat forces. Satellite imagery, missile warning and targeting information that space-based systems provide have proven their military worth to U.S. defense planners throughout the past decade, Eberhart said. That data, for instance, contributed to victory during Operation Desert Storm and the 1999 Kosovo air campaign. "Look back to how we leveraged our space assets in Desert Storm, compare that to Kosovo -- or how we can leverage them even today as we have made advancements since Kosovo -- and I think it is obvious how important and how much we rely on capabilities that are resident in our information that moves through space," he said. Sometime in April, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld is expected to provide his formal response to recommendations in a report issued Jan. 11 by the Commission to Assess U.S. National Security Space Management and Organization. Prior to his nomination to be secretary, Rumsfeld chaired the commission, which, among other things, sought to determine if any changes need to be made to improve the United States' national security posture and capabilities in space. Six months of research and interviews with the country's leading space experts, including Eberhart, convinced the commission that space should become a top national security priority. "We'd be kidding ourselves if we said we couldn't do it better, (and) our goal ought to be to do it better tomorrow," Eberhart said. For example, DOD space specialists could make more effective use of available communications bandwidth, and become better at processing and disseminating information "to get inside the enemy's decision-cycle," he said. "We gather data," Eberhart said. "How can we change that data to information which can lead to decisions? That is the real key. We're working hard, we have some wonderful people out there, and we have a great partnership with industry, with commercial suppliers." A Rumsfeld space commission news release called the likelihood of future conflict in space "a virtual certainty." Because of this, the commission noted, the United States should take immediate steps to develop superior space capabilities. Some critics say the United States will not need such enhanced capabilities for 25 years or more, when a peer may arise to challenge America militarily in space. Other critics say there should be no military use of space, but Eberhart said he believes this has already occurred. "We have, in fact, militarized space," he said. "We use space assets, space information for military applications. "We've been doing that for decades. The trend is increasing, not just the United States of America, but also other countries, friends, and possible foes. "So, I think we've crossed that bridge," he said. 0481. Symposium provides forum to explore aerospace power by Maj. Steve Michael Air Force Doctrine Center MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. (AFPN) -- Senior Air Force leaders and experts from across the Air Force completed a three-day symposium April 5 that explored how to achieve decisive effects using aerospace power. Hosted by the Air Force Doctrine Center here, 150 attendees at the gathering worked to forge consensus on significant issues the service faces and use the conclusions to improve Air Force and joint doctrine, exercises, experiments and wargames. "This symposium was unique in its working group approach and provided a tremendous forum for senior leadership to address key warfighting issues the Air Force is facing," said Col. Ken Holder, senior AFDC symposium organizer. Seven panels, with 15 to 20 people each, addressed issues ranging from how to transition new warfighting concepts into Air Force and joint doctrine, to operationalizing effects based on operations. "The panels had broad representation from diverse fields across the Air Force -- experts in their respective areas who worked together to clarify issues, deliberate them and then propose solutions and roadmaps for implementation," Holder said. Some of the issues examined during the symposium included how the Air Force could be better organized to execute its warfighting responsibilities in a resource-constrained environment; how to organize joint task forces to best use the decisive effects of aerospace power; command and control of space, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance forces; defining counterland operations for the 21st century; and expeditionary dispersed operations. After thorough deliberation, the panels made recommendations and offered solutions on their respective issues. Their conclusions and a roadmap for implementation were presented to Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Michael Ryan and the commanders of major commands during the last session of the symposium. "We wanted to provide a forum for innovative thinking and give General Ryan some thoughts on how to tackle several of the key challenges facing the Air Force in the near term," said Maj. Gen. Lance Smith, AFDC commander. "The (symposium) served as the instrument to do just that. We have started a flight path for the future. Now the hard work begins as we validate the approved solutions and establish accepted best practices that will transform the way we operate and fight." 0479. Air Force Reserve Pipe Band performs at Tartan Day ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. (AFPN) -- The U.S. Air Force Reserve Pipe Band set the mood during the special Tartan Day ceremony held April 5 on the Lower West Terrace of the U.S. Capitol. During the ceremony, international film and television star Sir Sean Connery received the American Scottish Foundation's William Wallace Award. An element of the Band of the United States Air Force Reserve, the pipe band was formed in September 1961 and currently is under the direction of Drum Major Senior Master Sgt. Jack Story. Considered by some to be one of the most colorful and unique units in the Air Force today, the band represents America's Armed Forces as one of only two active-duty bagpipe bands. The authentic uniforms worn by the Air Force Reserve Pipe Band were manufactured in Scotland and favor the U.S. Air Force colors of blue and gold. The official tartan of the U.S. Air Force Reserve was authorized and approved in September 1987 by the Tartan Society in Edinburgh, Scotland. All members of the Air Force Reserve Pipe Band are professional Air Force musicians working in support of Air Force and Air Force Reserve Command recruiting and community relations objectives. Tartan Day honors Americans of Scottish descent, many of whom have made outstanding contributions to the nation and the world. They have left their mark as pioneers and innovators in the fields of science, technology, theology, education, medicine, government, economics, architecture, literature, the media, and the visual and performing arts. Many served the United States bravely in war and loyally in peace and at the same time have preserved a pride in their Scottish ancestry and customs. The William Wallace Award was presented to Connery in recognition of his efforts and accomplishments as an international film star, patriotic Scot, and generous benefactor of education and the theater. Queen Elizabeth knighted Connery in Edinburgh, Scotland, in July 2000. The award is named for the 14th century Scottish freedom fighter, William Wallace, who defended his country against the invading English. Among those attending the ceremony were Sir Christopher Meyer, the British Ambassador to the United States; representatives of the Scottish Parliament; U.S. Senators Trent Lott and John Warner; and Alan L. Bain, president of the American Scottish Foundation. (Courtesy of AFRC News Service) 0484. Travis rolls out red carpet for high school students by Tech. Sgt. Carolyn Collins 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (AFPN) -- Students from nearby high schools were on base here April 3 for Travis' first "Education to Career Day." About 750 seniors and juniors from Fairfield, Vacaville, Travis, Suisun, Benicia, Dixon and Vallejo high schools began their day here with a Global Engagement video that highlights the Air Force's air mobility mission. After the video, the students were divided into three groups for their tour of Travis. The base set up three stations for the students to visit and showed the young adults what the Air Force has to offer. One hangar contained flight operations, maintenance operations and support group displays including life support equipment, an air mobility operations squadron's display antenna, radio communications, computer local area network and a 10K forklift. Outside the hangar, a C-5 Galaxy and a KC-10 Extender were on static display for the students to get a first-hand experience of the aircraft. Nearby, the 60th Security Forces Squadron brought out all their goodies including riot gear, special weapons and tactics, or S.W.A.T., equipment, a light anti-tactical weapon, night vision goggles, a HUMVEE and an all-terrain vehicle. Military working dogs also put on a show. "We're giving them a run down on the security forces career field," said Staff Sgt. Ed Perez, 60th SFS. "We're telling them about the opportunities the Air Force offers such as travel and education. We're also showing them the equipment we use day-to-day and for deployments. They seem to get a kick out of all the fun high-tech equipment." David Grant Medical Center was the second station here and set up a hands-on station for the students. A total of 27 jobs were displayed in the hospital courtyard and were a mix among professional doctor and dentist and medical technician displays. The students were able to see how echo cardiograms work and how to make a cast for broken limbs. "I came out to learn about sports medicine, but I have seen a lot of other cool stuff, too," said Benicia High School student Matt Donnelly. The Travis Air Museum was the site for education and local business displays, including Community College of the Air Force, California Maritime University, University of California Davis, Marine World, Pacific Bell, Home Depot and United Parcel Service. "This has been a great opportunity for the students to find jobs," said Dawn Jacobson, Hogan High School teacher. "Travis has definitely rolled out the red carpet for us." Along with all the Air Force career displays, recruiters from the local area were at each station to answer questions the students had about the Air Force. "We're bringing awareness," said Recruiter Staff Sgt. Brandy Martinoli. "Even though these students live close to an Air Force base, they are still not familiar with what the Air Force can offer." "What Travis did...is one of the most valuable marketing tools these students will ever see, touch or feel," said Staff Sgt. Terry Kalal, from the 364th Recruiting Squadron in Sacramento, Calif. "In the event that some of these students have never considered the military, they may now be thinking about joining the Air Force because of what they have seen here today." Col. Scott Streifert, 60th Support Group commander, agreed. "What a great day for Travis and the community," Steifert said. "Exposing these high school students to more than 50 career opportunities and allowing them to interface with Travis' finest was truly a great marriage. The youth of America will ensure we remain the worlds premier aerospace force." "This has been a really neat experience," said Lehua Sonoginini, Vanden High School senior. 0483. Blue Sands exercise challenges bluesuiters by Tech. Sgt. Ann Bennett Air Force Print News MARRAKECH, Morocco -- A hectic flying schedule, limited supplies and a series of "first time" events are making the semi-annual Blue Sands exercise here a tough but productive challenge for Air Force participants. About 175 U.S. Air Force active-duty, civilian and Air National Guard members from four bases, along with six U.S. Army jumpmasters, are taking part in BS 01-01, which began March 16 and ends April 8. "This is the largest Blue Sands exercise we've had so far, as far as participants and the amount of training we're accomplishing," said Maj. Doug Kennedy, a pilot for the Ramstein Air Base, Germany-based 37th Airlift Squadron and deployment commander for the three-week exercise. Kennedy said that crews are accomplishing 66 percent of their training for a six-month period in the three-week exercise. Moroccan air force Col. Mohammed Tricha said this exercise gets bigger and more important every year for their forces, too. With these exercises, he said their troops gain the opportunity to have as many drops as possible, as well as the opportunity to work with the American jumpmasters and aircrews. Tricha said that nearly 10,000 Moroccan troops would be dropped from the C-130s throughout the exercise, the largest number so far. Capt. Jeff Brown, another 37th AS pilot who is the mission commander for the exercise, explained there are quite a few things here that the squadron has not done before, including: -- Using a deployed local area computer network that mirrors the squadron's home station network; -- Training aircrews with an emitter, a radar that simulates a surface-to-air missile; and -- Using Moroccan air force F-1 and F-5 fighters for air-to-air dissimilar combat training. Throughout the exercise, a team of nine Air Force combat controllers and one pararescueman from Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England, has provided air traffic control as well as medical coverage at the drop and landing zones. Aboard the C-130 aircraft, another team ensures all U.S. military safety regulations are followed for the Moroccans to jump. This team includes an Air Force combat weather forecaster who is also a jumpmaster, and six Army jumpmasters. Keeping the planes flying in the austere environment fall squarely on the shoulders of the 35 maintainers who have been deployed here since the start of the exercise. Master Sgt. Mitch Johnson, 37th AS maintenance production superintendent, said the maintainers get a lot of hands-on experience here, and everyone chips in to get the job done, no matter what it is. Capt. William Klause, a 37th AS pilot, agrees that without the maintainers they wouldn't be flying. "We definitely put a lot more strain on the aircraft here, but our 37th maintainers do a great job of keeping these airplanes flying." The maintainers say the greatest tribute to their job is seeing an aircraft takeoff after all the maintenance work has been completed. *COPYRIGHT NOTICE** In accordance with Title 17 U. S. C. 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