-Caveat Lector- WJPBR Email News List [EMAIL PROTECTED] Peace at any cost is a prelude to war! 991924. Improved recruiting site shows high-tech Air Force RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFPN) -- The Air Force introduced a redesigned recruiting Web site Oct. 18 that allows users to feel as if they are truly experiencing the past, present and future of the Air Force. The redesign uses cutting-edge technology to provide in-depth information to help young men and women make a well-informed decision about joining the Air Force. "The innovative artistic design and increased functionality of the Web site allows users the choice to link to 'microsites' focusing on career and educational opportunities provided by the Air Force," said Tech. Sgt. Charles T. Marshall, marketing noncommissioned office at Air Force Recruiting Service. "The new airforce.com raises the bar for interactivity in Web design. The level of sophistication involved in this site is more of what one would expect from a CD-ROM rather than the Internet." To gain a better understanding of the Air Force overall, the site is divided into three chronological sections. The past, present and future components provide users a detailed and interactive look at the Air Force. The "Boneyard" section of the site, in the past section, features retired aircraft including bombers, fighters, reconnaissance aircraft, experimental planes and helicopters. Guests can browse through this section to understand more about each aircraft's specific purpose, and view a fact sheet on size, speed and armament. The "Flight Plan" section of the site showcases the flight plans of past Air Force members including Jimmy Stewart, Chad Hennings, and former Thunderbird pilots. The Air Force defines these flight plans as an individual's goals, opportunities and achievements while they were in the Air Force. This section also includes advice to future Air Force members. Other components of the past section include an extensive Air Force history section, a complete timeline divided by decade, and an Air Force Trivia game. The "Hangar", found in the present section of the site, offers users vivid displays of aircraft in the current Air Force inventory. Each month, one aircraft will be featured with a 3-D view, a video, a photo gallery and an analysis. Similar to the boneyard section, the aircraft in the hangar have descriptions on their purpose and facts on their size, speed and armament. The "Flight Plan" in the present section invites users to read flight plans of current Air Force members. Prospective candidates can complete a Flight Plan questionnaire, which asks about the candidate's activities, hobbies, achievements, goals, job interests and educational plans. Afterward, potential recruits are encouraged to take this document to their local recruiter's office. The "Air Force Life" section describes day-to-day life in the Air Force. >From basic training, to life on the base, this section details the core values and team-oriented atmosphere the Air Force provides. The "Technology" section reviews current advances in aerospace systems, flight systems, weaponry and communications. In addition, users can play games in the "Air Force Arcade," and can find downloadable wallpaper, screensavers and video clips in the "Media Gallery." Offering users a glimpse of the future, this section features "Tomorrow's Vision for the Air Force," "Future Technologies" and "Life in Space," which predicts that the Air Force will play a major role in the expansion and exploration of aerospace in the next century. Concept images for some of the future technologies will be included in each section. For example, the future technology section contains a concept sketch of the Joint Strike Fighter. The Air Force will conduct an on-line Career Forum on broadcast.com Oct. 21. Six Air Force professionals with expertise in such diverse fields as engineering, broadcast journalism and computer science will speak directly to interested Web site visitors about the extensive educational options and career opportunities available in the Air Force. Anyone wishing to participate in this event must pre-register on broadcast.com or airforce.com. The event will take place at 7:00 p.m. CDT; registration may take place up to and during the event. 991922. New study can't rule out 'PB' connection to Gulf War illnesses by Douglas J. Gillert American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON (AFPN) -- Anti-nerve agent pills given to troops during the Gulf War cannot be ruled out as a possible cause for some of the illnesses veterans of the war have reported. New concerns about pyridostigmine bromide, an investigational drug administered to service members deployed for the Gulf War, are raised in a RAND study released by the Pentagon Oct. 19. Pyridostigmine bromide, or PB, was given the troops because it's the only medication available to protect humans against soman, a deadly nerve agent known to be present in the Gulf Region before and during the war. The Pentagon estimates 250,000 troops received packets of the drug. The information is inconclusive, however, and will require further study, officials said. After reviewing medical literature on laboratory animal studies, the RAND Corporation won't rule out a possible connection between PB and undiagnosed illnesses reported by thousands of Gulf War veterans. According to RAND, conditions such as heat and stress -- health factors during Desert Storm -- may cause the brain to absorb larger amounts of PB. This, in turn, may lead to PB affecting acetylcholine, a nerve-signaling chemical that regulates sleep, pain, mood, muscle function and thinking. The Pentagon administered PB to troops even though the drug was not fully licensed by the Food and Drug Administration. The risks of soman were considered greater than the possible health risks of the drug, said Dr. Sue Bailey, assistant secretary of defense for health affairs. "This department is focused on providing the best possible protection against those deadly weapons," Bailey said. "In this case, pyridostigmine bromide was the best protection available to us for soman." The RAND review of medical literature uncovered evidence "consistent with several mechanisms that could cause some personnel to have increased effects from PB," said Dr. Beatrice Galomb, the principal RAND investigator. "PB is thought not to cross into the brain in very high quantities, but there is some research in animals suggesting that there may be some conditions, such as heat and stress, that could allow quite a bit of it to cross into the brain." Galomb said RAND found evidence consistent with theories of how PB might lead to long-term health problems by affecting acetylcholine. "Evidence from animal studies does suggest that there can be long-standing or even permanent changes in regulation of this chemical with agents of the kind that PB is," she said. Galomb said the earlier findings are consistent with veterans' reported symptoms, but "it's certainly not at the point where we could say with any conclusiveness that PB is a contributor or caused all these illnesses in Gulf War veterans." Nonetheless, this is the first Gulf War illness research commissioned by DOD that doesn't fully rule out a causal relationship. Past RAND studies ruled out connections to Gulf War illnesses, with depleted uranium, for example, said Bernard Rostker, DOD special assistant for Gulf War illnesses. Although RAND has not been able to reject the hypothesis that PB caused some of the Gulf War illness symptoms, neither does their report conclude a causal relationship, Rostker said. "We just don't know enough at this point," he said. The Defense Department has contracted for nearly $20 million in additional research on PB. Additionally, the Institute of Medicine in Bethesda, Md, will look at this report. Although the RAND report released by the Pentagon Oct. 19 points a troubling finger at PB, Rostker said DOD could continue the drug's use. "PB is and remains the only effective treatment for exposure to soman on the battlefield," Rostker said. "Soman is a particularly quick-reacting nerve agent, and the normal post-exposure treatments would not be effective. PB is and would continue to be not only the treatment of choice but the only treatment we have, if it is even suspected that soman could be used on the battlefield." The Pentagon's experience with PB and other force protection issues in the Gulf has helped with later deployments, Rostker said. "When our troops were in Kosovo, we conducted extensive environmental reviews based upon industrial pollutants and war damage," he said. "We took those into account where we bivouacked our troops. That kind of inquiry was not available during the Gulf War and was never available before. "The Gulf War was a medical triumph in terms of traditional communicative diseases. We're now becoming more sensitive to some of the environmental hazards and placing a lot more emphasis on environmental medicine." Bailey echoed Rostker's assessment. "In our recent deployments," she said, "we have applied the lessons that we have learned from the Persian Gulf deployments. We are tracking all of the possible long-term effects. That's the real lesson that we have learned about this medication and are applying to future force health protection." Despite the possible health problems associated with use of an investigational drug like PB, Bailey said she wouldn't hesitate to use other experimental drugs in the future. "I feel no hesitancy to use any drug that will protect our forces against a deadly threat," she said. 991926. President approves changes to Manual for Courts-Martial by Paul Stone American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON (AFPN) -- President Bill Clinton recently signed an executive order making four significant changes to the Manual for Courts-Martial. The new rules are designed to bring the military court system in line with changes made in federal laws in recent years, according to Air Force Col. Robert Reed, associated deputy general counsel in the Office of the General Counsel. The changes will be effective for any crimes committed after Nov. 1. The four changes: -- Allow evidence to be presented during the sentencing phase of a trial that a violent crime was a hate crime. -- Provide special protections and procedures for cases in which there are allegations of child abuse and children are called to testify. -- Provide that most statements between a patient and psychotherapist are privileged and cannot be entered into evidence. -- Create the offense of "reckless endangerment" as a crime under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Reed said the changes have been under consideration since 1997 and are the result of an annual Department of Defense-level reviews of the Manual for Courts-Martial. The Manual for Courts-Martial is the guiding force for prosecuting crimes in the Uniform Code of Military Justice. The reviews are conducted by the Joint Service Committee on Military Justice. The committee includes a representative from each service, DOD's Office of the General Counsel and a member from the Court of Appeals of the Armed Services. After a lengthy review process, drafting of proposed changes and coordination with other federal agencies, the changes are then submitted to the president for his approval, Reed explained. Reed said the hate crimes provision specifically states that a judge may consider whether an offense was "motivated by the victim's race, color, religion, national origin, ethnicity, gender or sexual orientation" when weighing punishment for a violent crime. "Federal sentencing guidelines include this provision and we thought it was appropriate the military court system include it as well," he said. "During the sentencing phase of trial, prosecutors will now be able to present evidence that the crime was a hate crime in hopes of obtaining a stiffer penalty." The special protection for children allows them to testify from a remote location, usually using a two-way closed-circuit television system. Reed said this is not an automatic protection, but will be determined by judges on a case-by-case basis. "This protection is most likely to come into play when a judge determines that a child who was a victim of abuse would have difficulty testifying in front of the accused or would be traumatized by the event," Reed explained. Additionally, instead of the child testifying from a remote location, the change also allows for the defendant to be excused from the trial while the child is testifying. But Reed emphasized that the request to be excused must come from the defendant. "Both avenues are designed to reduce the possibility of further trauma to children and are similar to provisions applied in most civilian courts," Reed said. The protection for communication between a patient and psychotherapist is an extension of other communication protections already recognized by the military court system. "The military recognizes a privilege for communication between attorneys and clients, clergyman and clients and husbands and wives," Reed said. "But up to now there hasn't been one for those seeking psychotherapy." He emphasized, however, that the protection is limited to psychotherapist-client communication that might be entered into courts-martial proceedings. "This is really intended as a victim's rights protection," he explained. The goal, he said, was to give crime victims the freedom to seek psychological counseling without concern that what they discussed would be brought out in court. There is no privilege for routine psychotherapist-client communication that could affect administrative actions. Other exceptions include: -- When the communication is evidence of spouse or child abuse and neglect, or when one spouse is charged with a crime against the other. -- When a psychotherapist believes the patient's mental or emotional condition makes the patient a danger to any person, including the patient. -- When the communication indicates the patient is considering committing a crime in the future. -- When necessary to ensure the safety and security of military personnel, family members, property, classified information or the accomplishment of military missions. "While recognizing there are unique circumstances in which confidentiality should prevail, this change also recognizes the special needs of the military and our obligation to protect national security," Reed said. The addition of "reckless endangerment" as an offense of the Uniform Code of Military Justice stems from a case involving an HIV-positive service member who was charged with having unsafe sex with others. "In that case, there wasn't any one offense under the UCMJ that really fit the circumstances," Reed said. "So based upon that case this offense was added, recognizing that there might be other scenarios in which people act recklessly and place people in danger of death or grievous bodily harm. Under this change, Reed said that a prosecutor will not have to prove that harm or injury took place, only that the defendant acted in a way to place a person in jeopardy of being harmed or injured. It is an offense also found in most state criminal codes. 991927. Air Force delivers aid to Timor by Maj. Steven Clutter Operation Stabilise Public Affairs DARWIN, Australia (AFPN) -- An Air Force C-5 Galaxy carrying 32 tons of humanitarian aid donated by Portugal has arrived at the staging area for the multinational peacekeeping effort in East Timor here. The giant Air Force transport began its journey at Aviano Air Base, Italy, and flew to Lisbon, Portugal, where it was loaded with 32 tons of humanitarian aid collected by the High Commission for the Transition in Timor, including an ambulance, other rescue vehicles, field shelters, reconstruction materials, medicines and medical equipment, and clothing. It made another stop at Lajes Field, Azores, where it was loaded with 25 tons of meals, ready-to-eat. It departed Lajes for the United States Oct. 14. It arrived in Darwin, Australia, just before noon Oct. 17. Team members from the commission met the aircraft as it arrived and expressed thanks to air crew members who flew the last leg of the mission. The crew was from the 301st Airlift Squadron, an Air Force Reserve unit from Travis Air Force Base, Calif. "The entire crew took personal leave from work to volunteer for this mission," said Lt. Col. Del Lewis, aircraft commander. "We're just happy to be able to help." U.S. Ambassador to Portugal Gerald McGowan requested the airlift of supplies, which was later approved by the Department of Defense. "The mercy mission of this C-5 is only the latest -- and not the last -- signal to the people of East Timor that Portugal and the United States will continue to stand with them as they rebuild their lives and their country," McGowan said. Lajes was able to donate the MREs when they were left with a surplus following the elimination of a requirement to maintain an inventory, according to Capt. Thomas Smith, 65th Air Base Wing public affairs officer, Lajes Field. >From Darwin, the supplies will be transported to East Timor, where they will be distributed by aid workers. (Courtesy of Pacific Air Forces News Service) 991923. Live-fire training highlights Crocodile '99 exercise by Master Sgt. Stefanie Doner 18th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs NEWCASTLE, Australia (AFPN) -- "Incredible," "awesome" and "outstanding" are just a few of the adjectives being used here to describe the experiences of the first week of the Joint Chiefs of Staff-directed Crocodile '99 exercise. The Newcastle, Australia, phase of the exercise began Oct. 6 with the first sortie by 12th Fighter Squadron F-15 pilots firing live 20mm rounds at a target banner towed behind an Australian jet, marking the first time the 12th pilots have shot live rounds since 1996. "This is an outstanding opportunity for our pilots, especially the young ones," said Lt. Col. Karl Kuschner, 18th Wing plans officer who flew with the unit during this first week before returning to Kadena Air Base, Japan, home to the 12th. "The first time you shoot the gun with live rounds, it helps to refocus the seriousness of the job in a way you can't get any other way," said Kuschner. "The intensity of the training changes. You know if you make an error, people will get hurt." The pilots took their best shots at the banner, a narrow white streamer 30 feet long and six feet wide, trailed 1,500 feet behind the tow aircraft, not knowing if their bullets hit their mark until much later when it was stretched out on the grass for all to see. The F-15's guns fire 100 rounds per second and the pilot has between three to five seconds in which to shoot at the target before pulling out. "It goes so fast," Kuschner said. "As with most fighter maneuvers, you don't have time to look around, you're always looking toward the next thing. You hold the fire button for a second, then you're pulling away out of the safe zone looking for your buddy. You don't see the bullets hit." When the banners were brought down, all sported plenty of holes and one was ripped to ribbons by the fire directed into it. Training with live ammunition is important for the pilots for two reasons, according to Capt. Steve Neuser, F-15 pilot and project officer for the 18th AEG. "The experience gained from this type of exercise is extremely valuable," he said. "We need to verify that our systems work as designed through means other than routine maintenance before we have to use them in combat. In addition, our pilots must get accustomed to the sound and feel of the guns firing live ammunition. Our regular training comes close to simulating it, but it can't prepare you for the experience of firing real bullets, hearing the roar of the guns right next to you and the feel of how it shakes the aircraft a bit. The time to gain that experience is not when you need to fire the guns in a real-world combat situation." First Lt. Steve Frank, F-15 pilot, agrees. "This was the first time I've been able to fire the guns 1,500 feet behind something and see the result. It was awesome." (Courtesy of Pacific Air Forces News Service) **COPYRIGHT NOTICE** In accordance with Title 17 U. S. C. 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