-Caveat Lector- WJPBR Email News List [EMAIL PROTECTED] Peace at any cost is a prelude to war! 991942a. Whiteman airman gets kicks out of Air Force - photo cutline Story submissions should be sent to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe or unsubscribe from this service, send e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Note to editors: Please use the following headline for AFPN 991941: "Pentagon projects more judicious use of nerve agent drug;" the headline which appeared with the story in yesterday's AFPN was incorrect. 991946. Air Force hero honored on high seas by Tech. Sgt. Russell D. Kirk Air Force Print News WASHINGTON (AFPN) -- The Navy honored the Air Force's first Vietnam-era Medal of Honor recipient Oct. 15, during a ship-naming ceremony at the Military Ocean Terminal in Sunny Point, N.C. The Navy named its newly chartered prepositioning ship MV Maj. Bernard F. Fisher (T-AK 4396) after retired Col. Bernard Fisher. According to Military Sealift Command officials, prepositioning ships are named after Medal of Honor recipients. The ship will be used to preposition Air Force war stocks at sea, adding to the U.S. military's combat readiness. The Medal of Honor is the highest military award presented to a service member, awarded for risk of life in combat beyond the call of duty. Fisher was presented the medal by President Lyndon Johnson March 19, 1967 in recognition of his unselfish heroic act to save a downed fellow airman at a remote special forces camp in the A Shau Valley, near Vietnam's mountainous border adjoining Laos. Fisher refers to his act of heroism in Vietnam as, "just helping a friend." On that date, the special forces camp at A Shau was under attack by 2,000 North Vietnamese army regulars. Hostile troops had positioned themselves between the airstrip and the camp, while other hostile troops had surrounded the camp and were continuously raking it with automatic weapons fire from the surrounding hills. The tops of the 1,500-foot hills were obscured by an 800-foot ceiling, limiting aircraft maneuverability and forcing pilots to operate within range of hostile gun positions, which often were able to fire down on the attacking aircraft. Fisher said he recalls that day very clearly. "As we came down through a break in the clouds, Maj. Wayne 'Jump' Myers was hit," recalled Fisher, who was also a major then. "I told him I could see the flames coming back past the tail. I told him to drop the bombs, then he went onto the runway wheels up." According to Fisher, the plane skidded off to the right of the runway and then went up in flames. "I thought we lost one," he recalled. "But when I went around, I saw him run off into an embankment." Since the closest rescue helicopter was 30 minutes away and the enemy was 200 yards from Myers, Fisher quickly decided to land his A-1E/H "Spad" and pick up his friend. "I knew time wasn't on our side," he said. "I attempted to land, but I couldn't see through the smoke. I pulled back and went up again." The second time around Fisher was able to land, and said he went through a supply area, damaging a wing, while dodging burning debris and part of an exploded aircraft. He said he passed Myers by about 100 feet. "He ran up to the aircraft, but couldn't get in because the prop wash was so strong." Under heavy ground fire that left 19 bullet holes in his plane, Fisher cut back on the throttle just enough so that Myers could climb onto the wing and make his way to the cockpit. Once there, Fisher grabbed him and pulled him into the cockpit. "We didn't even strap in," he said, "I just gave it full throttle, got up and headed for home. I gave him a couple of canteens full of water after we were out of there -- we smiled and laughed." "It is fitting that we gather on this day to honor an Air Force hero, Col. Bernard F. Fisher," said Gen. Lester L. Lyles, Air Force vice chief of staff, at the naming ceremony. "He clearly demonstrated the noblest virtue of the military professional -- the willingness to risk his life for a fellow comrade in arms, in the service of his country. "It is proper that the Military Sealift Command has honored the Fisher name by placing it on a long-term prepositioning ship filled with Air Force ammunition and supplies," Lyles said. "For our United States Air Force -- now more than ever -- depends upon our forward-deployed, sea-based supplies to sustain our forces in combat." Also attending the ship-naming ceremony were Fisher's six sons and their wives. Two sons currently serve in the Air Force. Lt. Col. William Cortney Fisher is a dentist at F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo., and Capt. Steven B. Fisher is a KC-135 pilot at Mountain Home AFB, Mont. "When we came around the bend and saw our father's name on the ship, it was very exciting," said William Fisher. "This is impressive." While this is not the first time the Fisher name has been recognized, the colonel said he is especially honored to have his name displayed on a ship. "I have had a local town park and a highway by Hill Air Force Base, Utah, named after me, but this is very different," he said. "This is a great honor." 991947. JDAM course ushers B-1 students into new era by Staff Sgt. Ed Scott Air Warfare Center Public Affairs NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. (AFPN) -- The U.S. Air Force Weapons School B-1 Division at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., now exposes upcoming aircrew instructors to the latest weapons available -- joint direct-attack munitions. "This is the first time the B-1 Weapons School has been able to expose students to a new weapon prior to its operational debut with all B-1 units," said Lt. Col. Dan Walker, B-1 Division commander. "We were able to introduce the weapon system into the syllabus without adding more days." The colonel said the school increased syllabus sorties to accommodate the weapon through a tighter flying schedule. JDAM training was added to the current syllabus six months ago. The development of the missions and training of the aircrew began in July. The B-1, a long-range strategic bomber, has always been capable of flying intercontinental missions, penetrating enemy defenses, then performing a variety of missions using Mark-82 conventional 500-pound bombs as well as CBU-87/89/97s without refueling. "Adding JDAMs to the B-1's arsenal makes it more effective," said Walker. "An aircrew can directly pinpoint and destroy a hardened target directly, ensuring accuracy, making the B-1 a much more valuable asset." The aircraft is capable of holding 24 of these Global Positioning System-guided weapons -- more than any other aircraft in the world, "which means the B-1 is capable of holding more targets at risk," Walker said. "Being able to carry 84 500-pounders makes the B-1 a formidable asset. With JDAM we can strike more hardened targets with accuracy," he said. Walker said this addition to the bomber's arsenal is significant. "Mostly gone are the days of carpet bombing. There really aren't too many targets strung out over a quarter-mile area. Today's battles require weapons to be right on target," he said. Walker said JDAMs are similar to laser-guided munitions, except that laser-guided munitions are hindered by rain and fog. "Being GPS-guided eliminates this problem with JDAM," Walker said. "With the new strike packages being created by (aerospace expeditionary force), the B-1 is especially suited for the composite forces," he said. "With the aircraft's speed and altitude, JDAM effectively puts a lot of firepower into a strike package." Another advantage Walker pointed out is the fact that commanders can know if the mission was a success "minutes after target attack." When this class graduates in June, Ellsworth and Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, will have experienced JDAM aircrews. "As we graduate other classes, we will gain experience at all B-1 bases," Walker said. 991944. AFRL engineer receives DOD disabilities award KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. (AFPN) -- An Air Force Research Laboratory civilian employee assigned to the Directed Energy Directorate here has been honored as the Air Force recipient of the Department of Defense Outstanding Federal Employees with Disabilities Award for 1999. Mark W. Gaddis, an electrical engineer in the directorate's Semiconductor Laser Branch, along with 15 other employees representing other services and agencies within the Department of Defense, received the award in a special Pentagon ceremony last week. "Their extraordinary accomplishments show the importance of broadening the circle of inclusion in the workplace," said Secretary of Defense William S. Cohen about the award winners. According to his nomination, despite his severe physical limitations, Gaddis, a federal employee for 11 years, has established a tremendous reputation as an electrical engineer, whose superior knowledge, experience and dedication has resulted in great respect among his peers. His circuit designs are found in the majority of laser prototype systems built by the AFRL. A number of Gaddis' designs are in use by Air Force security forces and marketed to the civilian law enforcement community. Gaddis, who was born with osteogenesis imperfecta, holds masters and bachelors degrees in electrical engineering from the University of New Mexico. His patents include a grenade shell laser system, a highly efficient constant current laser driver, a highly efficient thermal electric cooler driver, and a pocket laser communicator. Within the last year, Gaddis has assumed responsibilities as lead engineer for the directorate's in-house helicopter illumination programs. He is the principle engineer supporting the laser systems on the battlefield optical surveillance system -- a grouping of lasers, optics, sensors and communications equipment mounted on a high mobility multi-purpose wheeled vehicle, better known as a Humvee. His knowledge and expertise allowed Gaddis to identify an Air Force Special Operations Command operational deficiency that will greatly benefit from helmet-mounted laser communication technology. According to Dr. Earl Good, DED director, "Mark does not view his significant physical disability as a hindrance ... He contributes in every way possible, with an unequaled level of integrity and professionalism that brings credit and honor to the U.S. government." 991948. 'Outstanding unit' recognized almost 55 years after Hiroshima bombing by Tech. Sgt. William E. Lindner 89th Airlift Wing Public Affairs ANDREWS AIR FORCE BASE, Md. (AFPN) -- "The 509th Composite Group distinguished itself by exceptionally outstanding achievement from 1 July 1945 to 14 August 1945." So began the citation to accompany the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (with valor), given to the 509th Oct. 16 during a reunion hosted by the Air Force Association here. While it may sound like a typical award citation, the 509th had a very untypical mission. The group dropped the atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, hastening the end of World War II. More than 90 veterans from the 509th, along with their family members, attended the reunion. Among the group was retired Brig. Gen. Paul Tibbets, former commander of the 509th and pilot of the Enola Gay, the B-29 which dropped the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima. Lt. Gen. Thomas Keck, vice commander of Air Combat Command, presented the award and also addressed the group. He began by discussing the role of the current 509th, which is based at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., and flies the B-2 bomber. Keck said during the recent conflict with Serbian forces, the aircraft completed several 30-hour round-trip missions from Missouri to Kosovo. He added that while the B-2s flew only 1 percent of the missions over Kosovo, they dropped more than 11 percent of the total ordnance used. The general also said like the B-29 was then, the B-2 now is "instrumental in preserving democracy around the world." He went on to talk about the role of the 509th during World War II and said that in addition to the atomic bomb missions, the group conducted 49 daylight strikes on Japanese targets. "You ended the war; you changed the world," Keck told the veterans. The general said it was finally time to say "mission complete" to the 509th. He closed by repeating a saying that he said originated during World War II: "There is no finer than a 509er," and saluted the group. Afterward, the veterans lined up to receive their awards with Keck congratulating each one. Family members took pictures and a few tears were shed as the men were recognized 54 years after their historic missions. After the award presentation, the 85-year-old Tibbets moved to the podium and spoke to the group. "I've never been so proud to stand in front of a group of men as I am tonight," he said. Tibbets said that while he commanded the group, the men proved their professionalism and excellence ... " He said that before the 509th left the Pacific, he had told the men, "Thanks for the job you did," and that he was glad to have one more chance to say, "Thanks again." 991943. 'Horse airman' creates jewelry for well-hoofed horses by Army Master Sgt. Bob Haskell National Guard Bureau Public Affairs ARLINGTON, Va. (AFPN) -- Brett Allen doesn't horse around about his family's business or about the Air National Guard. Both endeavors keep him on the road and in the air a lot. Allen is a jeweler by trade, who fashions jewelry for enthusiasts of four specific breeds of horses while working shows all over the country about eight months each year. He is also a traditional Guardmember, a staff sergeant and C-130 crew chief in the Tennessee Air National Guard's 118th Airlift Wing. Cavalry troopers in the Army used to be called horse soldiers. You could call Brett Allen a horse airman during this Year of the Air National Guard's Enlisted Force. The 29-year-old Gulf War veteran said during an Operation Joint Forge flight from Germany to Eagle Base in Bosnia in late September that he would like to spend even more time flying with the Guard. "I pull as much active-duty time as I can," said Allen near the end of a 20-day deployment while supporting the Bosnian peacekeeping mission. "I want to keep my foot in the door." Allen opened that door while flying cargo missions during a four-year hitch in the Air Force that included eight months of Gulf War duty in the United Arab Emirates. "We made a lot of 'beans and bullets' flights. We carried mail and Patriot missiles," recalled Allen, who left the Air Force after the war and joined the Tennessee Air National Guard in 1996, after a five-year break. "Coming back was the best thing I ever did," added Allen, who is hooked on C-130s. "Because of my career field I get to go to places a lot of other people would not have an opportunity to see." It's the family business in Tullahoma, Tenn., however, that keeps Allen flying to many other places such as Nevada, Florida and Wisconsin on most weekends to sell customized equine jewelry. "There's a show somewhere just about every week," he said. His mother and father own the business, Allen explained. Their line includes horseshoe rings, horse pendants, earrings, necklaces and bracelets that are made from a ceramic-like substance called "investment" used in the lost-wax casting method. Prices range from $25 to $8,500. One horseshoe ring runs for $16,000, Allen explained. And a horse is not just a horse. The family makes jewelry for distinctive breeds -- Walking Horses, racking horses, saddle bred horses and Paso Finos, a Spanish breed that is popular in Florida, Allen explained. "Every breed has its unique characteristics," he said. "Anyone who knows the horses can tell the differences immediately." Both jobs keep him on the go, or in the saddle, as much as he can stand to be away from his wife Dee Dee and 9-year-old son Lee. There is no shortage of work during these demanding days for those who want to carry cargo in the Air National Guard. So far this year Allen has put in 15 days of annual training, a 20-day tour in Europe and three days in the Virgin Islands in addition to his monthly drill weekends in Nashville. And there is never a problem finding a place to pitch his family's line of jewelry. "It doesn't matter where you go," said Allen. "Somebody's got horses." 991942. Whiteman airman gets kicks out of Air Force by Senior Airman Ryan Steinbach 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. (AFPN) -- A two-mile run, body building, juggling and handling training and sprints may sound like the routine of a health nut, but Joe Amegatcher does it every day, just for kicks. Improving his kicks that is. Amegatcher was recently accepted to the Air Force Soccer Team to compete in an Armed Forces tournament against the Army, Navy and Marines Corps teams. Making the Air Force team has been a goal for the 509th Supply Squadron senior airman since he joined the Air Force. After sending in a resume listing his soccer achievements, Amegatcher was accepted onto the team and invited to a three-and-a-half week training camp. He'll move on to help his new team face the best the sister services have to offer, and hopefully, be selected for the Armed Forces team that tours the world competing with professional soccer teams. "Soccer has been a major part of my life since I was a child," Amegatcher said. "Now the Air Force has become a big part too, and to be able to play soccer for the Air Force ... would be a true dream come true." Growing up in Ghana, West Africa, Amegatcher started playing soccer when he was five, and has impressed his coaches in organized soccer since age 10. After moving to the United States, Amegatcher played soccer for two years in college before joining the Air Force, where he learned of the Air Force team. "Since I first joined the Air Force two years ago, I wanted to try for the team right away, but my supervisors would always stop me and tell me I needed to finish my career development courses and job training first," Amegatcher said. "At first I thought they were trying to hold me back, but now when I get back from playing, I will return to a job I have established myself in and an Air Force I know more about and have come to really appreciate. I know now they did the best thing for me and my soccer and Air Force career." Amegatcher also admitted that the two-year delay has given him extra time to train, and after two years of being a dominating player in Whiteman's intramural soccer leagues and a team captain of Whiteman's soccer team, he feels he is more prepared than ever to play at the next level. "I'm in the best shape I've ever been," Amegatcher said. "I have the size, the speed, the control; I'm confident in my game, and I really feel I've been gifted with my time here to get this ready." Already on a rigorous exercise schedule, Amegatcher upped the ante on himself by practicing regularly with the State Fair soccer team, which was state champion in its division last year. "I'm determined not to let my team down when I play for the Air Force," Amegatcher said. "Anyone can be accepted off of a resume, but I want to show them that they made the right choice with me." Amegatcher sees making the Armed Forces team as on opportunity to be selected for the U.S. Olympic Team, which, in turn, could open doors to professional soccer for him. "The Air Force has been very beneficial for me as a way to showcase my abilities," Amegatcher said. "I don't know where I'd be now without it." No matter how successful Amegatcher may become in his military soccer career, he still maintains his focus on the Air Force mission. "If war were to break out tomorrow and military soccer disappeared from my life, I would still be proud to go to work supplying the Air Force's needs," Amegatcher said. "I'm extremely happy to be able to play soccer for the Air Force, but if I'm needed for something else, I'm still Senior Airman Joe Amegatcher and I've got a job to do." (Courtesy of Air Combat Command News Service) 991945. Air Force colonel to compete at Olympic trials RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFPN) -- An Air Force judge advocate general could be the first colonel in U.S. history to compete in the U.S. Olympic Trials in track and field. Steve Pecinovsky, who has been actively competing in national championships since 1977 when he won the 10 Kilometer National Championships, will race for a slot on the 2000 U.S. Olympic Team in February. In September, Pecinovsky won the 1999 National Championships in a 40K racewalk at Fort Monmouth, N.J. Setting a personal best, he outdistanced the field and won with a 3:29:14 time, averaging just over 8 minutes per mile for 24 miles. Earlier in September, he won first place at a 5K racewalk in Indianapolis, besting Gary Morgan of the 1999 Pam Am Team member and World Cup Team member, and Mike Rohl, 1999 World Cup Team member. Pecinovsky works in the U.S. Attorney's office in Dayton, Ohio, and in the Fraud Directorate of the Air Force Material Command Law Office. Selected Air Force Athlete of the Year in 1989, he has won many first place awards and, at age 44, is in top shape for an Olympic slot for the 50k racewalk event. "I'm proud to represent the United States Air Force at the Olympic Trials," said Pecinovsky. "It's every athlete's dream and I feel I have a good chance to make the team." **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 ] DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion and informational exchange list. Proselyzting propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance�not soapboxing! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory', with its many half-truths, misdirections 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, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credeence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. 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