-Caveat Lector- WJPBR Email News List [EMAIL PROTECTED] Peace at any cost is a Prelude to War!
0177. DOD, AF unveil fiscal 2003 budget proposals by Staff Sgt. A.J. Bosker Air Force Print News WASHINGTON -- The president's fiscal 2003 budget proposal authorizes $379 billion for the Department of Defense to win the war against terrorism, defend America, improve the quality of life for men and women in uniform and accelerate the transformation of the military to counter 21st century threats, senior defense officials announced Feb. 1. The proposal includes $3 billion for counterterrorism, force protection and homeland security, senior defense officials said. It also includes $1.2 billion for continued air patrols over the United States and added funding for munitions, communications and other critical needs. The budget also addresses several quality-of-life improvements, including a 4.1-percent increase in military basic pay with possible additional targeted raises for midgrade officers and noncommissioned officers. It continues the campaign to eliminate out-of-pocket housing expenses, reducing overall costs from 11.3 percent to 7.5 percent this year. The budget also allocates $4.2 billion for family housing accounts to eliminate inadequate housing by 2007. The Air Force's portion of the budget, $87.2 billion, continues the service's investment in its people, maintains its prior gains in readiness and accelerates its air and space transformation, a senior Air Force budget official said. The budget is divided into four categories: people, operations and readiness, physical plant, and modernization and transformation. More than 34 percent, which is the largest portion of the Air Force budget, is geared toward Air Force people and improving their quality of life. "These initiatives are important because the Air Force is a retention-based force," the senior budget official said. "We recruit airmen but we retain families." The service has set aside $27.7 billion for pay and compensation, almost $1 billion for recruiting and retention initiatives and $1.5 billion to modernize 8,400 Air Force family housing units. The Air Force has dedicated 28 percent of its budget to its flying operations, combat training, space operations, base support and military training and education. The service has funded $10.9 billion for 2.1 million flying hours, overhauls for 369 airframes and 833 engines, and for spares, supplies, fuel and logistics support. The budget provides $487 million for combat training on 26 ranges and more than 170 exercises. Space operations received $1.6 billion to fund 50 space launches and the maintenance of two ranges and associated facilities. Overall base support functions received $6.1 billion for communications, operating support, child development and family support facilities, real property services and environmental projects. Professional military education, accessions and technical training programs received $905 million. The Air Force is taking an investment strategy with regards to its physical plant, dedicating $4.3 billion of its budget to sustaining its facilities, the senior budget official said. This enables the service to accommodate new missions, further improve quality of life, maintain its lead in environmental stewardship and optimize its use of public and private resources. As part of this strategy, the Air Force will be constructing 11 new dormitories and three fitness centers. The Air Force is spending 32 percent of its budget, more than $28 billion, on modernization and transformation of its forces to counter any future threats. "This transformation combines stealth and advanced weapons with horizontally integrated surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities from manned and unmanned air and space assets," a senior budget official said. "These capabilities will enable our war fighters to have the right information at the right place and right time," he said. "It will allow us to strike any adversary, any place, any time, any weather, day or night." The Air Force budget also funds continued development of the Joint Strike Fighter and unmanned combat aerial vehicles as well as the procurement of: -- 23 F-22 Raptor aircraft and advance procurement of 27 more in fiscal 2004; -- 12 C-17 Globemaster IIIs; -- 35 T-6A Texan IIs; -- One E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System aircraft; -- Three Global Hawks; -- 22 RQ-1 Predators; -- One wideband gapfiller satellite; and -- One evolved expendable launch vehicle. 0178. Rising gas prices pump up reimbursement rates by Staff Sgt. Amy Parr Air Force Print News WASHINGTON -- Thanks to rising gasoline prices, Defense Department travelers are seeing an increase in the amount they are reimbursed for each official mile driven. The reimbursable rate was increased 2 cents to 36.5 cents per mile, said Maj. Karen Corrente, Air Force travel, transportation and benefits policy chief at the Pentagon. The change, effective Jan. 21, mirrors the change recently approved by the Internal Revenue Service. Corrente said. By law, the government rate, set by the General Services Administration, cannot exceed the IRS rate. Although the rates are primarily based on gas prices, Corrente said they have never gone down. The IRS completes a study annually to determine if a raise is needed. GSA officials are required to review the study and determine if a raise is warranted on their end. To take advantage of the higher rates, people need only fill out travel vouchers accurately, Corrente said. "The higher rate will automatically be calculated," she said. The rate for travel by personal motorcycle and airplanes also increased. The reimbursement rate for motorcycles is 28 cents. Those using personal airplanes will receive 97.5 cents per mile for official travel. For more information, contact local finance offices. 0182. Two airmen die in C-21 crash WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio (AFPN) -- Two airmen assigned here died Feb. 2 when their aircraft crashed near Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D. Capt. Brian D. Rizzoli and 1st Lt. William B. Satterly died when their C-21 crashed about 5:15 p.m. EST during a training mission. The crew and aircraft belong to the 47th Airlift Flight here. Its parent unit is the 375th Airlift Wing at Scott AFB, Ill. The C-21 is used for cargo and passenger airlift. It is the military version of the Learjet 35A business jet. It can carry eight passengers and has a crew of two. A board of officers will investigate the accident. (Courtesy of Air Mobility Command News Service) 0180. Landing system helping with operation by Chuck Paone Electronic Systems Center Public Affairs HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. (AFPN) -- The value of any system is most likely proven when it is used in an operational environment. This can be said for the AN/TRN-45 mobile microwave landing system. Both Air Force Special Operations Command officials and U.S. Air Forces in Europe officials are employing the landing system to help carry out critical missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. AFSOC officials are using the system to support combat operations, and USAFE officials are using it for humanitarian relief flights. "This system is definitely getting a workout over there, and it's clearly proving to be an invaluable asset," said Lt. Col. Justin Seiferth, chief of the landing systems division. The TRN-45 is what is known as a mobile microwave landing system. Microwave landing systems provide precision navigation guidance for exact alignment and descent of aircraft on approach to a runway. The system provides azimuth, elevation, and distance information. Microwave landing systems provide all the functionality of instrument landing systems with more precision and capability, and they are better able to support tactical deployments, said Ray Scalia, of ARINC Inc., a program office support contractor who serves as logistics manager for the system. ILS is the current standard for most worldwide aviation. TRN-45's compactness provides another significant advantage for tactical operations. "The system can be loaded on one pallet," said Paul Donoghue of ARINC Inc., who serves as item manager for the system. It is also relatively easy to assemble, allowing operators to set it up very quickly. A couple of systems were loaded onto trailers prior to deployment, making setup in theater even easier. "It only takes about 30 minutes to an hour for the trailerized version," said 2nd Lt. Troy LeFever, the deputy program manager. "The other version can be set up in three hours or less." Currently, cargo-carrying C-17 Globemaster IIIs and C-130 Hercules are the only Air Force planes with the receivers needed to use this system on board. The six units deployed to the OEF theater are being used to land these aircraft. "Whatever you need over there, from food to guns, is being brought in by these cargo carriers," Donoghue said. While the system has seen use in other conflicts such as in Bosnia, it is really proving itself in the current operation. "It's winter over there, and our planes are coming in with no problems," Scalia said. "The system has really been getting heavy use, too, and it's carrying the load and doing a great job." A unique aspect to this system is that the Global Air Traffic Operations/Mobility Command and Control System Program Office here, along with prime contractor Textron Systems Inc., effectively serves as the depot. When maintainers need spare parts, they come directly to the program office. "We're more responsive than a depot generally is because we have a very streamlined process," Donoghue said. Because the program office manages development, production and sustainment of the system, it is usually able to resolve problems quickly. "We handle failures, conduct trend analyses and make recommendations based on those analyses," Donoghue said. So far, despite heavy use in OEF, problems have been infrequent. The mobile system has been very dependable, Donoghue said. "The systems in theater are providing 100 percent operational availability to all aircraft equipped to use it," said Master Sgt. Lewis Harrington, superintendent of air traffic control and landing systems for AFSOC. "The combat controllers and the maintenance personnel have proven the training they received from the program office works," he said. "There were no problems during survey, set-up and operation of the system." 0181. Firefighters help save factory SOTO CANO AIR BASE, Honduras (AFPN) -- Firefighters here helped save a local chemical factory from being damaged by a major brush fire Jan. 31. Twenty U.S. Air Force firefighters responded with five fire vehicles to a fire that was threatening a chemical plant's external storage tanks and manufacturing facility in Palmerola, Honduras. Summoned by a request from the Comayagua Fire Department, Air Force firefighters, along with dozens of local Comayagua and plant firefighters, spent more than five hours battling the blaze on several levels of the facility. "Our response for assistance was a huge factor in dealing with manpower issues and supply issues the local department was faced with because the fire completely overwhelmed their capabilities," said Senior Master Sgt. Terry Baker, the base fire chief here. The fire crews expended more than 13,000 gallons of water and dug fire lines in the hard soil and dry brush. Honduran and American crews worked side by side to contain the inferno. American fire trucks were used to attack the leading edges of the rapidly moving fire and to cool hot spots so foot crews could get close enough to finish the job. The combination of dry, straw-like grasses and cane made conditions right for the spread of the fire. Rough terrain and few roads made access difficult. A northeast wind fanned the flames, increasing their intensity, and spot fires were common. "There was a potential for fire to destroy assets of their plant," Baker said. "Our main concern was that the fire didn't involve the chemical tanks and materials stored on the site," The chemical plant creates liquid, powder and hand soaps, plant officials said. Some of the tanks contain sulfur and sulfuric acid. Flammable material is stored in drums. No structures or chemical-plant assets were lost in the fire that consumed about 550 acres. U.S. military firefighters have a long-standing tradition of supporting Honduran fire departments. The base here responded to nine fires off of the installation at the Comayagua Fire Department's request in 2001. The firefighters are also committed to joint-training exercises with the Honduran firefighters, and participated in two so far this year. "We continue to improve the balance of powers on the firefighting field," Baker said. "Since my arrival, it has been my No. 1 focus -- our relationship with local fire departments. That definitely helped us with this event." (Courtesy of Air Combat Command News Service) 0179. Deployed airmen watch Super Bowl by Maj. Mike Young U.S. Air Forces in Europe News Service BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan (AFPN) -- Nearly one-half of the airmen deployed here showed up at the camp's dining facility for the early morning viewing of Super Bowl XXXVI on Armed Forces Network television. More than 160 airmen were in place for the 4:30 a.m. kickoff of the St. Louis Rams vs. New England Patriots game, said Lt. Col. Rich Houston, 376th Services commander. "I wasn't sure what kind of turnout we'd have, so this is great," Houston said. "We brought out 159 chairs, all of which were filled, and still had people standing." With long days and seven-day-a-week work schedules since the camp opened, the number of people who showed up for the game did not surprise him, he said. "This is the first time we've all been able to do anything recreational as a group since arriving here more than a month ago, so I think that brought a lot of people out," Houston said. Besides the recreation and camaraderie, there was another incentive to watch the Super Bowl -- the food. 300 pizzas were purchased from a local pizzeria for the game, said Staff Sgt. Ron Attard, noncommissioned officer in charge of recreation and fitness. "It wasn't the same as the pizza you get back home, but it was still good," he said. The crowd was very enthusiastic, said Airman 1st Class Adrienne Tracy, a food service specialist from the 92nd Services Squadron at Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash. Although Tracy was busy preparing and serving breakfast to the remainder of the camp's people in an adjacent room, she said, "I could hear the crowd cheering and clapping every time something exciting happened." As involved as the fans were with the game, the loudest cheering and applause came when Houston recognized the engineering team from the Air Force Broadcasting Service who made the reception of the ball game possible. Curtis Young and Staff Sgts. Doug Demore and Chicone Kootsvayouma, all from Ramstein Air Base, Germany, spent four days installing two satellite dishes and three decoders so the 400-plus people from the U.S. contingent could watch the game. "Anyone who missed the Super Bowl due to work is covered too," Attard said. The game was videotaped so those who could not see it live will have a chance to watch it later on tape, he said. Along with providing immediate TV reception for the camp, the Ramstein team also completed a site survey of the U.S. and coalition compound, providing a recommendation to the commander, Brig. Gen. Chris Kelly, on how to best expand television and radio services to the entire camp. For now, one fan said, it was almost like watching the game at home, but with a large group of your best friends. But there was one very notable difference, he said. When the national anthem was sung at the beginning of the game, the entire crowd stood up, without a single prompt. "And except for the sound of the singer's voice as she belted out 'The Star-Spangled Banner,' you could have heard a pin drop in that packed room," the fan said. "(It was) a sign that we may pause to have some fun now and then, but we won't forget why we're here... to support the war on terrorism." (Courtesy of U.S. Air Forces in Europe News Service) 0175. AFSPC commander receives Order of the Sword by Master Sgt. Austin Carter Air Force Space Command Public Affairs PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. (AFPN) -- The commander of Air Force Space Command has four stars, three hats and now one shining sword. As the AFSPC commander, as well as commander in chief of U.S. Space Command and North American Aerospace Defense Command, Gen. Ed Eberhart has accumulated many prizes and trophies. He recently added an enlisted AFSPC Order of the Sword to his wall. Eberhart joins a short list of more than 200 Air Force commanders who have received the time-honored sword, a symbol of respect from the enlisted corps to honor their leaders' abilities and support of the enlisted forces. Eberhart is the sixth in AFSPC since the command's inception in 1982. "This award is special to me because it comes from a special group -- the Air Force enlisted force, Eberhart said. "To be honored by these professionals is humbling and truly the highlight of my career. It exceeded my wildest expectations." The ceremony was postponed from its original Sept. 28 date after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. But the delay did not soften the impact. Eberhart was brought to the front of the Colorado Springs hotel by horse-drawn stagecoach in honor of the Colorado's Western past. Inside the large ballroom, the stage was festooned with a mammoth American flag backdrop as more than 500 cheering attendees gave standing ovation after standing ovation during the ceremony. AFSPC Command Chief Master Sgt. Kevin Estrem, the sergeant major of the night's program, said he was impressed with the enthusiasm of the moment and the dignity of the ceremony. "I don't know how it could have been any better," he said. "It was a real Hollywood production. The general was honored and humbled. But he's earned it, and we wanted to do it up right for him." What impressed him more than the ceremony was what he saw afterward, Estrem said. Many of the younger enlisted stayed in a long line to shake the Eberhart's hand. Eberhart talked to each of them, giving everyone a commemorative coin. "For many of them, it was the first time they've ever been at a mess-dress function in the Air Force," Estrem said. "They were very impressed. The line was so long that the general stayed until after midnight to personally thank them all even though he had a (temporary duty) at 6 the next morning." "It was the first time I've ever been to an Order of the Sword ceremony," said Master Sgt. Peggy Scott, the chief of career management for AFSPC Reserve forces. "I walked out with a lot of pride." In remarks to the audience, Eberhart spoke of the reliability of AFSPC's enlisted force. "You should understand how important what you do is," he said. "We thank you and challenge you. We will never be able to thank you enough for what you do. You serve so selflessly. I believe you are the heroes -- the men and women of the armed forces. Our nation knows whom to call. They know whom they can rely on. You're not going to let them down. I'm blessed to serve with you." (Courtesy of AFSPC News Service) 0176. Now showing: Feb. 4 edition of Air Force Television News SAN ANTONIO (AFPN) -- The continued presence of Air Force elements involved in Operation Enduring Freedom is highlighted in the Feb. 4 edition of Air Force Television News, now online. In a report from Southwest Asia, Tech. Sgt. Dan Robinson shows how Air Force units in Operation Southern Watch responded to the air war over Afghanistan. Meanwhile, Staff Sgt. Leigh Bellinger reports on how individual mobilization augmentees are filling the gaps caused by overseas deployment of active-duty Air Force people. And, Master Sgt. Chris Beckwith profiles how Air Force training is helping people in the service cope with added stress because of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Senior Airman Kevin Dennison reports on the Air Force's latest weapon against missile attack, the Airborne Laser System; Staff Sgt. Eric Kerr spotlights airmen from Sheppard Air Force Base in Texas, who provide hot meals to the needy; and Staff Sgt. Shiela Kowaleski reports on the Wood Brothers NASCAR team who use a wind tunnel at Langley Air Force Base, Va., to improve the aerodynamics of their race cars. Finally, Staff Sgt. Pachari Lutke is in both operating rooms as an Air Force captain donates one of his kidneys to the wife of a senior master sergeant from Eglin AFB, Fla. Air Force Television News is a biweekly production of Air Force News Service. It is distributed on videotape to more than 3,000 military and civilian outlets worldwide, and is seen on more than 700 cable television outlets nationwide. It is also available on the Internet at www.af.mil, can be seen on The Pentagon Channel, and is made available for Commanders' Calls at local Air Force bases. The award-winning program is the only military production offered with closed captioning. Viewers can comment on the program by sending e-mail to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] 4008. Commentary: Facing new challenges by Chief Master Sgt. Bruce Brady 90th Space Wing Command Chief Master Sergeant F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. (AFPN) -- Our Air Force has never before faced the challenges it now deals with daily. After Sept. 11, our base was initially locked down and is currently at an unprecedented, sustained force protection level, which taxes our people and resources to the brink of exhaustion. We continue to deploy people in support of operations Enduring Freedom and Noble Eagle. At the same time, we're tasked to keep protection levels up. It is time for us to call on our spirit and determination that makes our Air Force No. 1 in the world. First and foremost, we are airmen, not medical technicians, security forces members or crewmembers. From the commanding general down to airman basic, we have to pull together as a team and fight this war. It is time for supervisors to frankly discuss with their subordinates, peers and other supervisors about the definition of teamwork and thinking outside your job. We need to take a hard look at what we do and prioritize according to changing missions and security measures. You may discover some job processes are no longer necessary. With the permission of your leadership chain, get rid of them. It is time to assist other squadrons on base with manpower and resources. We recently deployed a very large number of our services and civil engineer folks. Commanders and supervisors now face difficult choices about closing facilities and curtailing services. I think we need to keep those services open, and, if possible, increase their hours to take care of our people. As a volunteer, you can get off work and go over to the fitness facility or family support center to help out for a couple of hours. It takes the entire team during these times to run all base facilities. It is time to accept the many retired military, spouses and family members who are stepping up to the plate. Don't turn these volunteers away; they are experienced and want to help. They can't carry a gun at the gate, deploy to the missile field or pull door guard duty, but they can work at the fitness facilities, answer phones or wait on customers. We need to tap this resource and make these people a part of our team. They are needed now more than ever. Lastly, it is time to care for our deployed members and their families. We are all part of the Air Force family. Sometimes hearing that out loud can get you through a dreary day, just knowing you belong to an elite group and a caring Air Force family. I came through the gate the other morning about 5 a.m. The airman checking my identification card was visibly cold. I told him, "I know you're freezing your buns off. I appreciate you and what you're doing out here. Keep protecting us." His face brightened and a smile appeared. A thank you goes a long way. *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! Write to same address to be off lists! <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! 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