-Caveat Lector- WJPBR Email News List [EMAIL PROTECTED] Peace at any cost is a prelude to war! 992104. Air Force announces restructured ACP program WASHINGTON (AFPN) -- The Air Force has restructured its Aviator Continuation Pay program for fiscal 2000 in hopes of stemming the largest sustained pilot exodus in recent history, Air Force officials announced Nov. 17. During the past three years, the Air Force has lost more than three experienced pilots for every two produced. "This restructured ACP program capitalizes on the flexibility and latitude given by Congress," said Lt. Gen. Donald Peterson, deputy chief of staff for personnel. "It allows us to aggressively capitalize on a three-year window of opportunity to protect our ability to man operational cockpits and war-planning staff requirements." The Air Force's goal is to significantly improve each year groups' retention by executing ACP to the maximum extent of this law. Specifically, the Air Force FY00 program: -- establishes agreement options at three or five years; or long-term agreements out to 20 or 25 years of aviation service, -- sets rates for three-year agreements at $15,000 per year; five-year or long-term at $25,000 per year, -- continues upfront payments for first-time eligibles, -- allows those under an existing ACP agreement to convert to the new program's five-year or long-term agreements on their fiscal 2000 anniversary date and, -- expands the program to colonels with less than 24 years of aviation service. Peterson stressed, "A robust ACP is an integral part of the Air Force's multi-faceted retention game plan that responds to our changing environment. While not the primary reason for separating, exit surveys identified aviator compensation as a significant factor in a pilot's decision to separate." He added senior leadership is not singling out pilots. "We're concerned about retaining all members, officers and enlisted," he said. "Many career fields have unique retention factors. In addition to the basic pay increase of 4.8 percent in January 2000 and pay table reform in July 2000, we are addressing several retention concerns with some form of additional compensation," Peterson added. "For example, special duty assignment pay, hazardous duty incentive pay, selective re-enlistment bonuses, career enlisted flight incentive pay, and foreign language proficiency pay, to name a few." For pilots, the nation's strong, growing economy is accompanied by the highest sustained levels of airline hiring in history. These opportunities in civilian aviation are a major factor in many pilots' decisions to separate or retire from the Air Force. Restructured ACP does not attempt to compete with commercial aviation compensation, according to Peterson. Rather, he said, it is designed to provide incentives to pilots to remain on active duty, exchanging ACP compensation for additional active-duty service commitments. Peterson emphasized restructured ACP should not be viewed as an entitlement. "This year's rates of compensation encourage long-term commitment. Pilots should view restructured ACP the same way the enlisted force views a selective re-enlistment bonus." He added that depending on the success of the fiscal 2000 program, the Air Force might not have to offer similar rates or agreement lengths in the future. Details on the fiscal 2000 restructured ACP program can be found on AFPC's Internet site: http://afas.afpc.randolph.af.mil/acp/. 992105. Air Force to get six F-22s in 2002 by Staff Sgt. Cynthia Miller Air Force Print News WASHINGTON -- The Air Force will acquire six test F-22 aircraft in 2002 with funds provided by Congress in the budget resolution passed Oct. 5. In the resolution, Congress delayed production of the F-22 from December 1999 to December 2000, and cut funding by $560 million to make the Air Force justify the F-22's cost and prove its technology. Instead of getting six production aircraft to complete operational testing, the Air Force will now receive six test aircraft. "These six airplanes will be operational test and evaluation airplanes, because they come from research and development funds, but they will be production airplanes," said Maj. Gen. Claude Bolton, executive officer for fighter and bomber programs. "You won't be able to tell the difference between what that aircraft will look like in a year or two, vice what it was going to look like before we had to change the 'color' of money," he said. With an aging fleet of F-15s, and the ability of adversaries and allies to match technology, the Air Force has embarked on a modernization program to maintain its edge on military strength and air dominance. According to Bolton, the F-15 is on par with four other aircraft, including the Russian MiG-29 and MiG-35, the French Mirage 2000 and the Euro-fighter. "There's only so much you can do after 30 years with an air frame," the general said. "We've had a 100.5-to-zero kill ratio with the (F-15). We've not lost any F-15s to enemy fire. That's obviously something we want to continue into the next century." The Air Force plans to buy 339 F-22 aircraft to replace the F-15 fleet. Bolton said he expects the F-22 to give the United States the edge in air dominance for the next 30 years or more. The F-22 is designed to face modern adversarial aircraft equipped with advanced air-to-air missile systems and against integrated air defense systems with improved surface-to-air missiles. "That is a threat we have not faced yet with the F-15," Bolton said. "And we don't want to, because the results would not be good. "What will allow us to face that threat is the F-22. That's what it was designed to do. So we'll be able to continue what we've enjoyed, which is air dominance. That's not just going up and controlling part of the sky, but going up and totally dominating the air battle to the point where if someone does come up, they know we can take them down." The six F-22s, slated for delivery in 2002, will cost the Air Force nearly $85 million per plane, and will be based at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. "The F-22 is an essential investment to achieve air dominance. It is the key enabler for 21st century combat operations," Bolton said. "The reason the Air Force is pushing so hard on this aircraft is that it is truly a cornerstone for us," the general said. "If we don't control the air, we cannot protect AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System); we cannot protect Joint STARS; we cannot protect other force packages; and consequently, we can't help our colleagues on the ground or on the water." 992108. Anthrax misinformation puts airmen at risk by Staff Sgt. Cynthia Miller Air Force Print News WASHINGTON -- Since the Department of Defense made vaccination mandatory, anthrax has become a hot topic of conversation. Many service members -- active, Guard and Reserve -- may have jeopardized their military careers due to information gained from potentially unreliable sources. Pilots, lately the most visible challengers of the anthrax vaccination program, stand to risk the most. Or do they? "Much of our earning capacity as airline pilots occurs in the final years that we serve with the airline," said Brig. Gen. Myron Ashcraft, chief of staff, Ohio Air National Guard and a United Airlines pilot. "For that reason, it is imperative that we reach age 60, mandatory retirement age, still able to pass a physical examination every six months." In recent testimony before the House Armed Services Committee, Rep. Benjamin Gilman, R-N.Y., said, "25 of the 48 pilots at Stewart Air National Guard Base, N.Y., have submitted resignations to be held in the event mandatory anthrax vaccination goes forward. Most of them happen to be airline pilots, very much concerned about their physical conditions following vaccination." This statement speaks directly to a common rumor in the flying world that civilian airlines won't hire military pilots who have taken the anthrax vaccine. "I have been a commercial airline pilot since 1978 and can assure you that anything that might jeopardize my career has my full attention," Ashcraft said. But according to the general, the anthrax vaccination is a non-issue for commercial airlines and the Federal Aviation Administration's Aeromedical Certification Division. Taking the anthrax shot has no effect on airline hiring and no effect on being granted a civilian medical certificate, according to Ashcraft. "United (Airlines) does not even ask if you have had the shots," he said. So where can a pilot or service member turn for factual, objective information on anthrax and the vaccination? One place is the Anthrax Tool Kit, sponsored by the U.S. Air Force Medical Service. Although written for commanders to use when briefing members, the site provides information on medical deferrals, exemptions, frequently asked questions, religious waivers, and consumer information. The tool kit also offers a list of references and links to other objective, informative sites that address the history and dangers of anthrax, among other topics. This site is currently restricted to ".mil" hits only, and must be accessed from a computer authorized for access to .mil sites. However, Air Force officials are working to release the site into the public domain. Until then, the tool kit is available to military members at http://sgwww.satx.disa.mil/moasgop/restricted/ccaindex.cfm 992103. McGuire aircrew garners Gen. James H. Doolittle award by Tech. Sgt. Mark Haviland 305th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs McGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE, N.J. (AFPN) -- There's a little less space in the 2nd Air Refueling Squadron's trophy case this week, after an aircrew and its aircraft commander earned top honors from Air Mobility Command and the Airlift/Tanker Association. In a recent ceremony, Maj. Gen. Nick Williams, AMC director of operations, presented Capt. Leif Eckholm, 1st Lt. Mark Robinson, Master Sgt. Ted Felder and Airman 1st Class Weston Kissel, with the Gen. James H. Doolittle Trophy for AMC's Outstanding Aircrew for 1998. Kissel, the crew's boom operator, is now a student at the U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School, and was unable to be present for the presentation. The Doolittle Trophy was Eckholm's second honor in a week. During the Airlift/Tanker Association's annual conference Nov. 4 through 7 in Dallas, AMC officials presented the aircraft commander with the P.K. Carlton Award for Valor. In September, the crew also earned Air Force Association honors as winners of the Brig. Gen. Ross G. Hoyt Award for AMC's best air refueling crew. Both the crew and its commander were recognized for their actions while temporarily assigned to the 763rd Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron in the United Arab Emirates. On Dec. 18, 1998, the crew was tasked to support a pivotal mission supporting Navy aircraft as they made their first strikes on Iraq during Operation Desert Fox. At first, everything went well for the crew and its KC-10 Extender. After getting airborne, it refueled 26 aircraft from the aircraft's wing air refueling pods -- special tanks that allow two aircraft to refuel simultaneously. Later, the crew took on more fuel from a supporting KC-10 and continued to refuel pre- and post-strike aircraft. As the crew prepared to receive fuel for the second time, the real saga of its mission began to unfold. As the aircraft moved into a pre-contact position behind a second supporting KC-10, Felder noticed fuel leaking from the aircraft's boom nozzle -- an equipment problem with the potential to end the mission, Eckholm said. Under normal circumstances, KC-10 operating procedures prohibit taking on fuel when there is excessive spillage. The only exceptions to the rule, designed to protect crews and their aircraft, are during emergencies and when operational circumstances dictate. Despite the leak, Eckholm said he decided to get the fuel needed to finish the mission. Eleven hours into the mission, the crew would be glad they'd remained to finish the job. Also rapidly running out of gas, the crew answered fuel emergency calls from planes returning to Navy aircraft carrier USS Enterprise. As the only tanker in the area equipped with the wing pods, their support was critical to the Navy pilots. "You could hear the urgency in the pilots' voices as they checked in with us," Eckholm said. "You can't turn your back on people when they need your help just because you want to get home." The crew kept its aircraft on station for 13 hours and refueled 41 aircraft while also taking on fuel three times. (Courtesy of AMC News Service) 992101. Strategic Command office brings nations together by Navy Journalist 1st Class Michael J. Meridith United States Strategic Command Public Affairs OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. (AFPN) -- The newly established Office of Engagement in U.S. Strategic Command helps to build "trust and confidence" between the U.S. and other nations, according to Col. Leo Florick, the office's new chief. "We're responsible for developing a broad program of contacts through which the command will interact with the militaries of foreign nations," explained Florick. "The primary emphasis will be on the militaries of nations with nuclear weapons. We want to increase understanding between our respective militaries, so there's a more cooperative and less threatening environment." The Office of Engagement will build upon the military-to-military contact program established in conjunction with the 1992 Nunn-Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduction agreement. A key aim of Nunn-Lugar was to promote confidence between the strategic forces of the U.S. and Russia. Florick said that the Office of Engagement is hoping to expand beyond that original mission. "Our yardstick of success will be to broaden the program to include countries like China, to deepen the program beyond senior officers, and to create a program that will endure over time and effect positive changes." Florick said one of the first challenges is to re-energize the program with Russia. He said that Russian displeasure over the NATO operation in Kosovo, among other issues, nearly brought a halt to military contacts between the U.S. and Russia. Though he cautioned it would "take time" to re-establish the good relationship, he is optimistic it will be done. "We're going to build on our previous engagement initiatives and create forums where representatives of different militaries can get together, sit down, and discuss issues of common concern," he said. 992107. V-22 Osprey takes to skies over Hurlburt Field by Joan Prichard Air Force Special Operations Command Public Affairs HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. (AFPN) - The V-22 Osprey recently flew overhead here during an orientation flight for Lt. Gen. Clay Bailey, commander of Air Force Special Operations Command. The Osprey is here for two weeks to undergo a critical operational evaluation that will determine its readiness to join the fleet. Following the orientation flight, the general said the tilt-rotor aircraft's most impressive quality is its ability to get airmen in and out of an area quickly. "I was very impressed with its performance," said the general. "During the flight they demonstrated going as fast as you can from a airplane to a helicopter and helicopter to an airplane. So from an employment standpoint you could still be going 250 knots in an airplane configuration 2 miles from the landing zone and rapidly convert to a helicopter, set it down, and 18 seconds later go at 250 knots again." The V-22's OPEVAL began this month and will continue through the spring of 2000 with tests scheduled at Marine Corps air stations in North Carolina and Arizona, Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, China Lake, Calif., and air capable ships located on each coast. The Multi-Service Operational Test Team responsible for the testing is comprised of Air Force and Marine Corps pilots, aircrew, maintenance personnel, operations analysts and flight engineers. During its test period at Hurlburt Field, the team will evaluate the Osprey's interoperability with Special Operations Forces and its compatibility with airfield assets, resources and special equipment. (Courtesy of Night Flyer News Service) 992106. Commentary: Thanksgiving offers time to reflect on good fortune by F. Whitten Peters, secretary of the Air Force, and Gen. Michael E. Ryan, Air Force chief of staff WASHINGTON (AFPN) -- As Americans, our great fortune is to live in a country full of hope and prosperity -- a country that promises liberty for all of its citizens. Traditionally, we have set aside Thanksgiving as a day to celebrate the many blessings we enjoy as people of this great nation. Like those who began this tradition, our Armed Forces continue to proudly carry the torch of freedom. Thanksgiving commemorates the Pilgrims' first harvest more than three centuries ago after traveling to a distant and unknown land in pursuit of an ideal. They held that historic feast to give thanks for the peace, prosperity and religious freedom they found in the "New World." As we gather this Thanksgiving, let us reflect on the blessings we enjoy today and acknowledge the selflessness of the men and women of our Air Force in assuring our security and freedom. Again this year, nearly 90,000 Air Force members are stationed or deployed overseas, many separated from family and friends. Our thoughts and prayers are with them and their loved ones as they perform their vital missions. To all the members of our great Air Force -- active duty, Guard, Reserve, civilian and retired, and your families -- thank you for your dedication and commitment. We salute you for continuing our rich legacy of service and for upholding the ideals of democracy. Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving. 992095. Commentary: Recognizing contributions of first 'true' Americans by Gen. Lloyd W. Newton Commander, Air Education and Training Command RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFPN) -- Since American Indians and Alaska Natives are truly the first Americans, it is important that we reflect on their unique cultures and the contributions they have made to our nation's success. For that reason, we observe National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage month throughout November. The "first Americans" have remarkably diverse heritages that link them to the very essence of this great land of ours. The remaining tribes of today represent only a small portion of the many tribal nations that previously existed. Before the arrival of Columbus, Indian nations covered the entire North American continent, extending through Central and South America. These nations were bound only by the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, and stretched from South America to the arctic. They had well-established borders between them that pre-dated the Roman Empire. Today, there are more than 550 federally recognized tribes in the United States, including 223 village groups in Alaska, and some 250 tribal languages are still spoken. Alaska Natives and American Indians have repeatedly made important contributions to the nation at every level. For example, Charles Curtis, a Kaw Indian from Kansas, served as vice president of the United States under President Herbert Hoover. During World War II, American Indians accounted for 71 Air Medals, 51 Silver Stars, 34 Distinguished Flying Crosses, and two Medals of Honor. Also during World War II, Eskimo scouts faithfully patrolled 5,000 miles of Aleutian coastline and 200,000 miles of tundra, rescuing downed U.S. airmen. During the Vietnam War, 41,500 American Indians served in our military forces. More recently, in 1990, prior to Operation Desert Storm, some 24,000 American Indian men and women were in the military. Approximately 3,000 served in the Persian Gulf, with three among those killed in action. One out of every four American Indian males is a military veteran and 45 to 47 percent of tribal leaders today are military veterans. Within the military community, we are privileged to serve with Alaska Natives and American Indians who contribute their talents in every aspect to our expeditionary aerospace force. Diversity is a strength when the talents of each of us are recognized and harnessed, and our differences celebrated. During November, I ask that each of you take the time to reflect and learn about the contributions American Indians and Alaska Natives have made to enhance the freedom and prosperity of our nation today. You'll be glad you did. (Courtesy of Air Education and Training Command News Service) **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. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
