-Caveat Lector- WJPBR Email News List [EMAIL PROTECTED] Peace at any cost is a Prelude to War! 1179. President nominates Air Force general for top military post WASHINGTON (AFPN) -- Calling Air Force Gen. Richard B. Myers a man of "steady resolve and determined leadership," President George W. Bush tapped the Kansas native to be the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during a news conference in Texas on Aug. 24. If confirmed by the Senate, Myers would succeed Army Gen. Henry H. Shelton as the top uniformed officer in the U.S. military, and become the first Air Force officer to hold that post since Gen. David Jones (1978-1982). Bush also nominated Marine Corps Gen. Peter Pace, currently commander of U.S. Southern Command, to become vice chairman, replacing Myers, who has held that position since March 2000. Bush, speaking before reporters at his ranch near Crawford, Texas, called Myers "the right man to preserve the best traditions of our armed forces, while challenging them to innovate to meet the threats of the future. His is a skilled and steady hand." Those sentiments were echoed by Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld and Secretary of the Air Force James Roche. "I've had the great fortune to work closely with Dick Myers and with General Hugh Shelton over these past few months," Rumsfeld said. "What I have come to know and expect of General Myers is candor, deliberation, judgment, keen insights, fiber and good humor. His career is the embodiment of the transformation with which he will be charged as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He is a leader." Roche spoke confidently of the general's qualifications for the job at hand. "I am extremely proud that President Bush has decided to nominate General Richard Myers to be the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff," Roche said. "His long service to our country and extensive knowledge and broad range of experience of command in important geographic and regional assignments will ably serve the president and Secretary Rumsfeld as we proceed into a new era. "The entire Air Force is proud to have one of our own nominated to this high position of trust and responsibility representing all our men and women in uniform," Roche said. "Should he be confirmed, I look forward to serving with him as we ensure our armed forces remain the best in the world." Gen. Michael E. Ryan, Air Force chief of staff, said that Myers possesses all the right qualities to help the U.S. armed forces remain the very best in the world. "I've known and worked with General Dick Myers for over two decades ... I'm both personally and professionally pleased to see his nomination as the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff," Ryan said. "He is a man of great integrity, combat proven, with an extremely sharp mind. His operational command expertise circles the globe and spans into space. His experience reaches into the political realm as the assistant to the chairman working closely with the secretary of state. "With all these credentials, he is still as down to earth as the Harley he drives, the sheep dogs he owns, or the TR6 (car) he has rebuilt," Ryan said. "He and Mary Jo are a couple who have given their lives to the service of our country. As the vice chairman he has earned the trust, respect and confidence of the administration, Congress and each of the services. If confirmed, I am confident he will make a superb chairman." Myers is a 1965 graduate of Kansas State University and a veteran of the Vietnam War with more than 600 combat flying hours. He said he is ready to roll up his sleeves and get to work, building the kind of military envisioned by Bush -- one that will meet "current obligations and emerging threats." "If confirmed," Myers said, "I very much look forward to remaining part of this terrific defense team, captained by a dedicated and principled secretary of defense." Myers joined the Air Force in June 1965 and has seen a variety of assignments, ranging from squadron and wing commander to inspector general. Before taking the position of vice chairman of the JCS, he served as commander in chief of the North American Aerospace Defense Command, and commander of U.S. Space Command at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo. 1175. PACAF exercises force projection in South China Sea by Tech. Sgt. Chris Haug Pacific Air Forces News Service HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii (AFPN) -- Pacific Air Forces people demonstrated their ability to effectively project airpower from multiple points in PACAF's area of responsibility Aug. 17 when they provided support for a rare U.S. military exercise in the South China sea. Two Naval carrier battle groups exercised a training exercise known as a passing exercise. More than 20 Air Force aircraft joined the Navy ships participating, which included 14 vessels, more than 130 carrier-based aircraft and about 15,000 people. The two carrier battle groups involved were the USS Carl Vinson and the USS Constellation. During the exercise, PACAF aircraft deployed from multiple points throughout the command, integrating their aerospace capabilities into the operation of the exercise. "In less than 96 hours, our people were able to plan, mobilize and execute their force projection capability across 2, 200 miles of ocean into the South China Sea," said Col. Thomas Poulos, assistant director of PACAF Air and Space Operations. These aircraft provided fighter, refueling, reconnaissance and countermeasure assistance to the Naval carrier battle group. "In addition, air mobility aircraft flew more than 30 hours, spanning a distance almost half the world's surface, to set up a remote airfield providing exercise aircraft an alternate land-based landing point," Poulos said. "This short-notice deployment of air assets not only shows the U.S. resolve to defend its interest, but demonstrates its commitment to providing peace and cooperation in the region," said Gen. William Begert, PACAF commander. "It also demonstrates our abilities as a full service major command capable of supporting the full-complement of the Air Force core competencies and our ability to seamlessly operate in a joint environment." The exercise centered around the USS Constellation, on its way home to San Diego following a six-month deployment that included operations in the Arabian Gulf, and USS Carl Vinson, which is beginning a six-month deployment, having recently left its homeport in Bremerton, Wash. (Courtesy of PACAF News Service) 1172. F-22 passes live-fire test WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio (AFPN) -- The successful F-22 Raptor live-fire test Aug. 22 completes one more objective toward operational deployment of the Air Force's newest fighter airplane. Testing, conducted as if the aircraft was in flight and had been hit by an anti-aircraft artillery round, was used to evaluate the structural design of the F-22, program officials here said. Computer-controlled hydraulic jacks pushed against the wings to simulate flight loads of a maneuvering airplane. A battery of jet engines blew high-velocity air across the wing and the fuel tanks were filled with fuel. Glenn Miller, deputy director of the F-22 System Program Office, said he was very pleased with the test. "The F-22 performed as we expected," Miller said. "We use these tests to confirm the ability of the F-22 to withstand combat-induced damage. Survivable designs mean reduced loss of aircraft and more importantly our pilots in combat." The test facility looked like a combination of a science laboratory and Hollywood movie set with cameras and banks of lights. High-speed photography captured the results of the high-explosive incendiary round hitting the aircraft. It will be viewed in slow motion to see the detailed effects of the exploding round. Testers also collected numerous other measurements to aid in understanding test results The explosive bullet generated a shock wave that traveled through the fuel and imparted loads on the wing's skin and internal structure. A portion of the wing skin deformed into the air stream and then ripped off, test officials said. The damaged wing remained largely intact because of unique features of the F-22 wing design. This limited structural damage would enable a pilot to fly the airplane home. Additional tests will be conducted in the next several weeks to determine the remaining flight capability of the damaged wing, officials said. These tests will apply even higher flight loads. A joint government and contractor team led by the F-22 system program office at the Aircraft Survivability Research Facility here conducted the test. The test team consisted of members of the 46th Test Wing Detachment , assisted by the F-22 prime contractor, Lockheed Martin, and the designer and builder of the aircraft's wings, Boeing. The F-22 has completed several live-fire tests since the being of the F-22 design phase. Prototypes of portions of the airplane were shot with explosive bullets. These tests provided Lockheed and Boeing designers with data needed to refine usage of new materials and construction techniques. These earlier tests led to several design changes. This test demonstrated the effectiveness of some of these changes. 1174. Search ends, no leads for missing airman EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska (AFPN) -- An extensive three-day land and air search for Tech. Sgt. Steven Hockers was called off Aug. 23 after no leads to his whereabouts where found. Hockers, noncommissioned officer-in-charge of hydrant operations for the 354th Fighter Wing Supply Squadron here, has been missing since Aug. 17. More than 100 people searched 800 square miles east of the base here using all-terrain vehicles, Civil Air Patrol aircraft, helicopters from the Air National Guard 210th Rescue Squadron, and Alaska State Troopers' wilderness search and rescue dogs. "Everyone's effort to locate Hockers has been outstanding," said Col. Dave Lawton, 354th Support Group commander. "The area he was last seen in is rough terrain so searching for him has been difficult. With no strong leads we have stopped the land and air search; however, the Army (soldiers) training in that area and hunters going there will be given fliers with his photo and maybe they will find something." Hockers left his home Aug. 17 on an all-terrain vehicle after having a disagreement with his wife. His wife reported him missing Aug. 18 when he had not returned. (Courtesy of Pacific Air Forces News Service) 1173. Three ACC bases test supply, transportation merger LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. (AFPN) -- Just shy of their 54th birthdays as separate units, the 1st Supply and Transportation Squadrons temporarily deactivated Aug. 13 as they merged into the 1st Logistics Readiness Squadron Provisional. The merger of the two squadrons along with the logistics plans function into one squadron is one of the initiatives developed under the chief of staff logistics review. The CLR developed about 30 initiatives aimed at improving the way the Air Force does its logistics business. The base here, along with the 388th Fighter Wing at Hill AFB, Utah, and the 28th Bomb Wing at Ellsworth AFB, S.D., were selected as an Air Combat Command test bases. The plan places sole responsibility for material distribution under one squadron. "The Air Force has changed," said Lt. Col. Joan Cornuet, the unit's first commander. "Logistics is integral to operations and as the Air Force's mission changes, we must ensure our logistics practices match the emerging requirement. We are fortunate to be in the forefront of testing this new initiative and to be allowed to provide the feedback necessary on the best courses of action prior to an Air Force-wide implementation." Seventeen Air Force bases are testing CLR initiatives. The test is scheduled to last until February. Air Force-wide implementation is scheduled for June 2002 to August 2003. "The CLR was born to improve combat readiness in the expeditionary aerospace force environment," said Col. George Borowsky, 1st Logistics Group commander. "The initiatives we are about to test will improve the way we do daily logistics business and provide real and tangible improvements supporting the EAF." The overall impact on squadron personnel will be minimal Cornuet said. "The impact on managers will be greater because they will be responsible for transportation, supply and (logistic) planning functions," she said. Also included in the CLR test is realignment in the maintenance organizations. "By realigning various maintenance functions currently assigned to the operations group under the logistics group we hope to create more of a balance between sortie production and fleet health," said Capt. Cathy Schafer, 1st LG maintenance operations division chief. The functions include the maintenance operations center, engine management, maintenance systems data analysis, and plans, scheduling and documentation. "With these functions realigned, the (logistics group) has the resources necessary to influence fleet management decisions and ensure aircraft are available to meet long-term requirements," Schafer said. "Likewise, the operations group retains control of the daily sortie production effort required to meet the flying hour program." The creation of the logistics readiness squadron combined with the maintenance realignment is a tangible, logical step in providing support for EAF, Cornuet said. "It will put all the logistics readiness teeth under one squadron commander and provide senior leaders with a clearer, less stove-piped view of the health of the fleet and our combat capabilities," Schafer said. (Courtesy of ACC News Service) 1177. Directorates team up to reduce C-5 PDM flow days by Lanorris Askew Warner Robins Air Logistics Center Public Affairs ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. (AFPN) -- Efforts to decrease the number of program depot maintenance flow days for the C-5 Galaxy weapon system are causing some excitement at the Warner Robins Air Logistics Center here. Thanks to cooperation between the C-5 system program office and the technology and industrial support directorate, people are solving old problems with new solutions. The C-5 has the lowest mission capable rate within the Air Mobility Command, but that is changing, said Col. Thomas Owen, C-5 system program office director. "Mission capability rates are the percentage of aircraft possessed by flying units capable of performing some, or all, of their assigned missions," he said. "Ideally, we would like to have mission capable rates of at least 75 percent, but the current rate for all models of the C-5 is 57 percent." The challenge for workers here has been to keep the supply line filled and maintenance moving so that the field has maximum possession of their aircraft, Owen said. "In the recent past the number of flow days had slipped from an adequate 200- to 250-day range to more than 300 days for program depot maintenance," he said. "This was too much, and we were aware of that." Owen said the addition of more flow days to some unique problems which cropped up in the past 18 months. "There have been considerable problems incurred beyond those expected by the planned work package," he said. During recent program depot maintenance, Owen said, many of the C-5 engine pylons required more extensive repairs than had been anticipated. This problem required the development of major repair capabilities within technology and industrial support directorate workers to restore the pylons to the aircraft. Directorate workers are helping with other unexpected emergencies such as the aft tie box fitting on the horizontal stabilizer of the plane, he said. A maintenance technician discovered the tie box had a stress corrosion cracking problem which ultimately lead to a complete replacement effort, Owen said. "The technical difficulties of replacing this fitting cannot be overstated," Owen said. "Robins (technology and industrial support directorate workers) stepped in to quickly manufacture new fittings." Owen said the latest problem concerns the honeycomb panels on the torque deck area of the tail section. "The panels had deteriorated beyond acceptable limits through an accumulation of patches, delaminations and fluid entrapment," he said. "Again, (technology and industrial support directorate workers) stepped up by rebuilding and manufacturing panels." Owen said the flow days have been decreasing as workers get through the problems and implement solutions. "The last two (C-5)A-models were completed in an average of 286 days, and the last (C-5)B-model in 191 days, and we are projecting to continue the flow day reduction," Owen said. With continued teamwork and technological know-how the reduction should continue. "We are not going to say we're not without fault in the program performance to date here; but, we have identified the problems, are implementing changes and performance is improving," Owen said. "We have considerable challenges yet to overcome, but we will." "We are really seeing some good improvements on the planes that have been inducted in 2001," he said. "We should be able to sustain the current 200- to 220-day flow, and with some other improvements, we hope to soon see 180 days." The C-5, because of its ability to carry outsize and oversize cargo over global distances, is a critical national resource, said officials from the C-5 system program office. The C-5, vital for getting military forces to major conflicts and to operations other than war, like humanitarian or peacekeeping missions, is also vital for the sustainment of deployed forces. The C-5 SPO here performs program depot maintenance and modifications for the active and Air Reserve components' fleet of 126 C-5s. 1178. Air Force honors eight young people SAN ANTONIO (AFPN) -- Eight young adults were honored recently as the Air Force Youths of the Year at a Pentagon ceremony. Maj. Gen. Thomas J. Fiscus, deputy judge advocate general for the Air Force recognized the eight as well as 61 other young people selected as base youths of the year. As part of the Air Force Youth of the Year Program, sponsored by Air Force Services, bases are encouraged to select a youth of the year, who then competes for major command honors. The 2001 Air Force Youths of the Year are: -- Kimberly Stewart from Beale Air Force Base, Calif., who represented Air Combat Command; -- Justine Frazier from Patrick AFB, Fla., who represented Air Force Space Command; -- Aya Wadleigh from Kirtland AFB, N.M., who represented Air Force Materiel Command; -- Karen Glover from MacDill AFB, Fla., who represented Air Mobility Command; -- Samantha Pfeil from Randolph AFB, Texas, who represented Air Education and Training Command; -- Tanese Abrahms from Bolling AFB, D.C., who represented one-base commands; -- Alecia Slade from Andersen AFB, Guam who represented Pacific Air Forces; and -- Drakes Mailes from Royal Air Force Croughton, who represented England, U.S. Air Forces in Europe. 1176. Air Force rescue squadron helps recover remains by Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Stephen Sheedy Iceland Defense Force Public Affairs NAVAL AIR STATION KEFLAVIK, Iceland (AFPN) -- The 56th Rescue Squadron here teamed up with the Royal Air Force Mountain Rescue Service on Aug. 13 to recover the remains of four British airmen killed in an air crash south of Akureyri. What made this particular recovery mission unique is that the aircraft and the remains of the airmen have been buried in a glacier for 50 years. On May 26, 1941, a British Fairey Battle left Melgerdi Field near Akureyri, Iceland, with four crewmen and passengers. Shortly after takeoff, the plane crashed in the fog on the mountain range south of Akureyri, killing all aboard. While British troops discovered the wreck two days later, the decision was made not to make a recovery effort because of the treacherous terrain in the area. The plane was covered over with snow and ice through the decades. It was not rediscovered until 1999 when representatives from the Sulur Mountain Rescue Service found the wreck. An expedition went to the site in 2000 to recover the remains of the victims and the wreckage of the aircraft; however, the mission had to be abandoned before it was complete. Last week, the RAF went back to the crash site to complete the recovery. "Our main aim was to remove parts of the wreck and any remaining personal effects to prevent trophy hunters from getting hold of them," said Royal Air Force Flight Sgt. Pete Winn. Besides the RAF Mountain Rescue Service and the Icelandic Sulur Mountain Rescue Team, British officials requested the help of the 56th Rescue Squadron. The 56th RS was tasked with logistical support, said Maj. Javier Casanova, 56th RS aircraft commander. "Our job was to provide helicopter transportation and support to the Royal Air Force Mountain Rescue Service in the recovery efforts," Casanova said. The mission required 56th Rescue Squadron crews, who fly the HH-60G Pave Hawk, to handle two different tasks. On Aug. 13, aircrews flew the British and Icelandic climbers and their equipment to the site. They returned to fly the mountaineers out Aug. 16. They also transported any remains and wreckage they discovered back to Akureyri. While on paper the mission was a routine transport job, flying in Northern Iceland provided the aircrew with some challenges. "The challenging part was that the ceilings were right on the top of the ridgelines," said 1st Lt. Bernie Smith, 56th RS co-pilot. "The (aircrew) had to hunt and guide their way through the valleys. It's unpredictable to fly through canyons like that because the winds can do some crazy things." Flying the mountaineers to the site was straight forward since the weight distribution on the helicopter could be determined beforehand; however, the weight distribution was uncertain for the return flight, Smith said. "The initial concern was we didn't have a clear picture of what we would be extracting from the landing site," he said. "We knew the distance was only 18 miles north to Akureyri but we were worried about the weight distribution if there were any heavy aircraft parts. We were also concerned about airlifting any human remains." However, it turned out to be a smooth operation. "The RAF was very professional and they had everything but the largest pieces of wreckage, such as the propeller of the plane, bagged up so the helicopter wasn't cluttered," Smith said. While on the surface, this was a routine mission for the 56th Rescue Squadron, for some of the participants it meant something more. For Casanova it was an opportunity to thank the RAF Mountaineer Rescue Service for helping to find American aviators when two F-15s crashed in the Scottish Highlands in March 2001. "I'm thankful we were given the opportunity to help out the British government to recover their aircraft," Casanova said. "I'm also glad we were able to help out the Royal Air Force Mountain Rescue Service because they did a great job in finding our downed pilots in Scotland. I was able to return the favor." For Smith, the assignment was his first mission. "I'm a pretty new pilot, it was all training up to that assignment and it turned out to be a rewarding mission," Smith said. "There are relatives of the crash victims still alive and helping to bring back the remains helped provide closure." 4036. Commentary: Positive traits lead to success by Lt. Col. Larry Goodwin 12th Flying Training Wing Plans and Programs RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFPN) -- We possess character traits that clearly define our actions. We work to foster those same positive traits in the people we deal with each day. We want our children to emulate good character traits. We want to be surrounded by people we can trust to make decisions according to sound principles. Many of these traits are hidden in the oaths people recite upon joining the military. Our leaders knew those defending the nation should possess these traits and formulated the oaths based on them. During the Revolutionary War, the Continental Congress established different oaths for enlisted people and officers of the Continental Army. The first oath under the Constitution was approved in September 1789 and applied to all commissioned officers, noncommissioned officers and privates in the service of the United States. "I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic..." The first sentence calls on us to exhibit the traits of trustworthiness and courage. The American people trust us to accept the challenges we are faced with to defend and protect the Constitution and all our country represents. As military members, we also need the courage and mental and moral strength to press forward into whatever duty we are called. "... that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same ..." The second trait we display is responsibility. We exhibit commitment and dedication in that responsibility. We should be proud to serve as responsible members of the flight, squadron, group, wing, Air Force, Department of Defense and national team. We all depend on each other to get the job done. The principle of synergy -- the whole is greater than the sum of the individual parts -- applies here. As we work together to perform the mission, we accomplish more than any one individual or organization can accomplish alone. "... and that I will obey the orders of the president of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice" or "... that I take this obligation freely, with out any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office upon which I am about to enter." In these two phrases from the enlisted and officer oaths, we subscribe to the traits of respect, candor and unselfishness. We are not in the military for ourselves. We are here to serve. There is always someone to whom we report. It is our duty to ensure the lawful orders we receive are carried out. We undertake the challenge to exhibit candor, being honest in what we say and how we act. Our profession of arms leaves no room for half-truths. Complete honesty in all we do must be absolute. These are just a few of the desirable character traits we need to emulate as members of the military. Continuously striving to develop these traits in ourselves and others will ensure continued prosperity, both personally and professionally. Character counts. It is a vital ingredient in life's recipe for success. *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 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. 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