-Caveat Lector- <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/"> </A> -Cui Bono?- WJPBR Email News List [EMAIL PROTECTED] Peace at any cost is a prelude to war! 000545. CSAF focuses on people as EAF evolves by Staff Sgt. Brian Orban 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan (AFPN) -- The Air Force's Expeditionary Aerospace Force continues to improve as it evolves into the service's new way of doing business according to the Air Force's senior military leader. During a recent visit here, Gen. Michael E. Ryan, Air Force chief of staff, said the service has not seen any major glitches in the plan since the first aerospace expeditionary force teams deployed in October 1999. In late February, more than 270 pilots, maintenance troops and support people as well as eight F-16CJ jets from the 13th Fighter Squadron left here to fulfill the Air Force's deployment requirements as part of AEF 5. The 13th and its team of combat support members and equipment joined other fighter, bomber, transport and support units to patrol the "no-fly" zone over southern Iraq as part of Operation Southern Watch. Another team from the 14th Fighter Squadron is scheduled to leave the base this summer as part of AEF 7. Teamwork is the key behind the success of the EAF, Ryan said. Under the plan, the Air Force sends a complete team to support contingency operations vs. pulling individuals from various bases as previously done under the former Palace Tenure program. As the Air Force continues to fine-tune the AEF deployment plan, "every AEF deployment should get better," the general said. Every time we rollover AEFs, we learn ways to better prepare and take care of our people. We should make sure the next AEF is better both in terms of how we treat our people during their deployment and in terms of the kinds of capability they bring." According to Ryan, the AEF schedule offers more predictability and stability for the lives of Air Force members. However, the service does give up something each time it deploys as a group -- it loses the "corporate memory" normally retained when deploying people in stages vs. all at once. "You lose some of the continuity you normally have with people not rolling over all at once; but we gain so much more in terms of the team effort that goes into deploying as a group," Ryan said. Turning to other issues, Ryan highlighted the service's priorities for its people in the coming years. Having reformed the military's retirement system and pay tables for service members last year, he said the Air Force and its sister services are making improved health care one of their top priorities in 2001. The general said the military made a fairly smooth transition from its old medical care program to TRICARE, but plenty of work remains. "This year, we're going to Congress with some (proposals for) added benefits for TRICARE ... that give us more flexibility in how we make TRICARE payments," Ryan added. Using co-pays as an example he said "we're trying to do away with them -- they're are really just nuisance fees. We think that's wrong, and we want to fix it." Meanwhile, the military's senior leaders are continuing to fight for better pay raises for their people. The 4.1 percent across-the-board pay raise that took affect Jan. 1, as well as the pay table reforms are just the beginning, the general said. The pay raises were not a "one-time shot" to make military pay comparable with similar jobs in the civilian sector, Ryan said. "We need to continue these pay raises, and we're very dedicated and committed to continuing (to push for) these pay raises in the future." (Courtesy of Pacific Air Forces News Service) 000542. C-17 arrives for analytical inspections by Hal McKenzie Warner Robins Air Logistics Center Public Affairs ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. (AFPN) -- A hopeful omen for Robins Air Force Base's future will land and taxi up to the parking ramp for a warm welcome by Robins directors and employees April 12. The first of three C-17 Globemaster III transports will arrive for a 45-day analytical condition inspection, or ACI, which leaders here hope will lead to routine depot maintenance of the new heavy-lift transports. David Silva, deputy director of the C-17 System Management Directorate, said an ACI is not the same as routine depot maintenance, but will "prepare the stage for it." "It's a program that occurs early in the aircraft's life," he said. "It's a visual inspection and they predetermine the areas to be inspected. They use the information to determine future depot maintenance on it. Two more C-17s are scheduled to arrive here for ACI by September. The C-17 far outclasses the C-141 Starlifter it is designed to replace, Silva said. He described it as being similar to a C-5 Galaxy in cargo capacity, but like a C-130 Hercules in its ruggedness and ability to operate from forward bases. "It's a large transport in the vein of the C-5," Silva said. "It was made to carry outsized cargo like the C-5 does, plus it can land in austere runways -- in places where you have minimum distance to land and take off." The final decision about routine depot maintenance is still a long way off, but it's a good guess that Robins will receive at least a portion of it. "Boeing, the manufacturer, is doing depot maintenance now and they're doing a good job," he said. "In 2003 there'll be a decision made," Silva said. "Based on an analysis, whether Boeing will continue to do the work -- bring that work in organically to the depot -- or whether we'll have some mix. By anybody's guess it will probably be a mix. It probably will not be all or nothing, but that's a decision to be made in 2003." 000543. Web site features overseas travel information by Linda D. Kozaryn American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON (AFPN) -- Whether you're traveling to central London or the African plains this summer, you may want to check the travel section on the State Department Web site home page. International travel information is available at www.state.gov/www/services.html. The site provides health and safety information as well as host nation travel rules and regulations. It offers advice on what to take, what to leave home and how to ensure you have a safe journey. State Department officials issue travel warnings whenever they think Americans should avoid a certain country. A "worldwide caution," for example, was recently posted noting the March 24 anniversary of NATO military action in Kosovo. Officials advised U.S. citizens traveling or residing abroad to exercise appropriate caution and to avoid large crowds or gatherings, given the possibility of pro-Serbian demonstrations. Public announcements are posted about terrorism and other relatively short-term or transnational conditions posing threats to Americans. In the past, the department has issued warnings about bomb threats to airlines, terrorist violence and anniversary dates of specific terrorist events. U.S. embassies and consular offices are located in more than 250 countries around the world. They produce consular information sheets about each country. These can be found on the Web site by clicking on the "travel warning" heading and scrolling down the alphabetical list. The information sheets on everywhere from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe include the location of the U.S. embassy or consulate, immigration practices, health conditions, currency and entry regulations, crime and security information, health assistance, traffic safety and drug penalties. Keep in mind, State Department officials advised, U.S. citizens are subject to the laws of the country in which they are traveling. Penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs in many countries are strict, and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and fines. The Web site also includes a list of travel publications available on the Internet or in hard copy for about $1 to $1.50 by mail. Titles include "A Safe Trip Abroad," "Tips for Older Americans," and "Passports: Applying for Them the Easy Way." Other Internet Web sites featuring information on U.S. government services and a host of international destinations are also listed. The travel section cites services offered by U.S. consular sections overseas. These include helping travelers replace a passport, find medical or legal assistance and obtain funds from back home. If your family needs to reach you while you're overseas, for example, they can contact the State Department's Citizens Services at (202) 647-5225. Their emergency after hours and weekend phone number is (202) 647-4000. State officials will relay the message to consular officers in the country where you are traveling and they will attempt to locate you. 000544. Commentary: Earth Day 2000 by Mary Ann Roney Air Force Space Command Public Affairs PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. (AFPN) -- What began as one person's attempt to draw attention to the environment, grew into the single, most successful grass-roots movement in the history of the United States -- Earth Day. Earth Day began on April 22, 1970, and has grown exponentially over the past three decades. Throughout that time the American people have been educated on sustainable energy sources, coached about water and air pollution and implored to become involved in recycling projects. Because of the commitment and dedication of environmental specialty groups, school children and the general public, Earth Day is flourishing. Over the years this phenomenon has gone international. Special observances spread first to other industrialized nations and eventually reached third world countries as well. This year there are more events being held to honor "Mother Earth" than in all past years combined. Earth Day will include thousands of events and activities involving hundreds of thousands of participants. Some of theses events include: -- A star-studded entertainment festival will be the focal point for an earth fair held on the Mall in Washington, D.C. Exhibits will display various elements of an ecologically sound society. -- In Gabon, a small country on the West Coast of Africa, a "talking drum" chain will travel 300 kilometers from the center of the Mingouli forest into the city of Libreville to create awareness about deforestation. -- More than 50,000 people are expected to attend the weeklong Earth Environmental Fair in Al-Khubar, Saudi Arabia. -- Tokyo, Japan will shut down multiple streets to car traffic and hold educational fairs that will highlight solutions for its air pollution problem. -- In Warsaw, Poland there will be a Clean Energy Fair. This event will end a month of earth-friendly activities. -- An art exhibit and instructive forum will be held in Lima, Peru to draw attention to the last undisturbed rainforest within the city limits. -- In China, the Green Life Commitment Campaign is asking people to pledge to make 12 personal lifestyle changes that will benefit the environment. Countries, organizations and individuals the world over recognize the importance of changing past environmental practices in order to move forward into a healthy and safe new Millennium. Here, at Air Force Space Command, a special lobby display will teach people about Earth Day as they enter the headquarters building. Civil engineer volunteers will staff a booth at a local shopping mall's Eco-Fair, answering questions about Earth Day and AFSPC. Also, volunteers from here will take part in the county's Hazardous Waste Collection Day. Join the global, Air Force and your local communities to become a part of history April 22. Plant a tree. Start recycling. Pick up trash. Attend an Eco-fair. Make a positive impact on the future by participating in Earth Day 2000. **COPYRIGHT NOTICE** In accordance with Title 17 U. S. C. 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