-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! 000241. 820th security forces jump into history books by Senior Master Sgt. Denton Lankford Air Force Security Forces Center Public Affairs INDIAN SPRINGS AIR FORCE AUXILIARY FIELD, Nev. (AFPN) -- Seventeen members of the 820th Security Forces Group from Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, made history recently when they parachuted from a C-17 during a special demonstration here. "This was the first time any Security Forces personnel have ever jumped from a C-17," explained Brig. Gen. Richard Coleman, director of Security Forces and commander of Air Force Security Forces Center at Lackland AFB. Coleman said the demonstration showed the "first-in" capabilities not only of the 820th SFG, but security forces worldwide. He also said the airborne capability is a direct result of the new emphasis placed on force protection as a result of the June 1996 bombing of Khobar Towers, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. "Security Forces are ready to go anywhere, any place, and anytime," Coleman said, because of the 820th's force protection mission in support of expeditionary aerospace forces. He said all 17 members who participated in the demonstration were trained at the 82nd Airborne Division's jump school at Fort Benning, Ga. Currently, the 820th SFG has 32 members who are airborne qualified jumpers. Col. Dale Hewitt, 820th SFG commander, said his goal is to send as many 820th SFG members to jump school each month as openings at Fort Bragg allow. "Because of the mission's change to our emphasis on first-in capabilities, we will jump with the 82nd Airborne Division, who will then secure the air strip or runway and hand it over to the 820th SFG," he explained. Hewitt said 12 820th SFG members completed night jumps with over 1,200 82nd Airborne Division soldiers at Duke Field, Fla., during a joint exercise in 1998. "After the air field was secured by the 82nd Airborne Division, it was handed over in place to the 820th SFG," Hewitt said. According to Hewitt, the 820th SFG is currently recruiting Air Force-wide for members to man two new security forces squadrons, the 823rd SFS and the 822nd SFS, at Moody AFB, Ga. "Each squadron will consist of over 200 personnel from 15 different career fields," Hewitt added. Hewitt explained the 820th has many AFSCs such as medical, intelligence, transportation, logistics and civil engineering, which are not normally found in security forces squadrons. In addition to the historic jump, the same C-17 made a pass over the airfield, then came in for a "short landing" to offload four armor-plated Highly Mobile Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicles manned by an 820th fire team. The humvees were specifically designed for peacekeeping missions in hostile environments, where ground fire and sniper fire is a threat. "These vehicles are ideal for protecting 'first-in' security forces," Coleman said. According to Coleman, security forces around the world began receiving the new "up-armored" humvees in 1998. Security forces will receive 340 of the new armor-plated vehicles. The new humvees are painted in both the woodland and desert camouflage paint schemes, and are set up with a turret capable of mounting a 40mm MARK-19 automatic grenade launcher or a 50-caliber machine gun. The special demonstration at Indian Springs was staged as part of Capstone, an overview of each Service's combat capabilities that is required of all new general and flag officers. "It is very important to demonstrate security forces capabilities to the Capstone members, because they will be the future leaders of the Air Force and our sister services," Coleman said. 000241a.jpg and 000241a.gif One of four armor-plated Highly Mobile Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicles, better known as a humvee, is secured in the cargo area of a C-17 Globemaster III in preparation for a special security forces demonstration at Indian Springs Air Force Auxiliary Airfield, Nev. During the exercise, the C-17 made a short field landing and offloaded the four humvees in minimum time, demonstrating the rapid deployment capability of "first in" security forces in hostile environments. (Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. Denton Lankford) 000242. DOD clarifies exemptions to anthrax vaccination program by Army Staff Sgt. Kathleen T. Rhem American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON (AFPN) -- DOD officials are in the process of approving a policy that standardizes exemptions to the anthrax vaccination program. But, they said, they provided exemptions because it's "good medicine," not because of any concerns about the vaccine's safety or efficacy. The new exemptions fall into two categories, administrative and medical, said Marine Maj. Gen. Randy L. West, special adviser to the secretary of defense for anthrax and bio-defense affairs. The administrative exemption refers mainly to service members who are within 180 days of separation and are not likely to be deployed to one of the key anthrax-threat areas -- Korea and Southwest Asia. The six-shot anthrax vaccination series takes 18 months to complete. "If a person is within 180 days of discharge and not likely to be deployed to a high-threat area, it doesn't make sense to start a program that takes 18 months to complete," West said. "We wouldn't be able to complete the series while the person was on active duty. "However," he continued, "if a person is within 180 days of separation and is in a hostile area or is unexpectedly deployed to a hostile area, we will vaccinate them and give them as much protection as we can under the approved FDA protocol." The general said the services were looking at the issue of exemptions for separating personnel differently, with recommendations ranging from 90 to 180 days. DOD officials decided to set one standard. Medically speaking, certain individuals shouldn't receive any immunizations, including anthrax. "Anthrax is a mandatory vaccination, but we want it to be given just like every other vaccine," West said. "If a person has a medical reason not to take the vaccine or to be temporarily exempt from taking it, we want that to happen." Medical exemptions fall into several categories. * Adverse reaction to a previous anthrax immunization. West said a person who has a suspected severe reaction after a shot would be temporarily exempt until the cause can be definitely determined. If the vaccine is the cause, the individual would be exempt from further doses. * Pregnancy. "There's no history that would cause us to believe the anthrax vaccine would be harmful. However, there haven't been any tests done to prove that," West said. "Since we know that a woman's body goes through a lot of changes and a lot of challenges during pregnancy, we would just like to avoid adding to those challenges by requiring her to take the anthrax vaccine." * Currently taking corticosteroids or other immunosuppressant drugs. Vaccinations are commonly deferred for individuals taking drugs that suppress the immune system because the drugs reduce the effectiveness of the vaccine, not because there would be an adverse reaction to the combination. "The purpose of vaccines is to build antibodies in your body," said Army Lt. Col. Gaston M. Randolph Jr., director of the Anthrax Vaccine Immunization Program. "When you're taking immunosuppressant drugs, your body doesn't build antibodies. It's sort of a waste to take the vaccine." * Recent illness or surgery. "If individuals had recently been ill or had recently had surgery we wouldn't want them to take a shot until they were fully recovered," West said. West said these measures address "common-sense medical situations," but said he felt the exemptions provide clarification because of the public controversy surrounding the vaccine. Randolph explained that medical exemptions have always been covered in the healthcare providers' briefing, but until now have not been spelled out in a single clear, concise guideline to service members. 000237. Moody F-16D crashes MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. (AFPN) -- An F-16D Fighting Falcon, assigned to the 347th Wing's 69th Fighter Squadron here, crashed Feb. 16 at approximately 11:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. The accident occurred approximately five miles north of Donalsonville, Ga. Both pilots, Maj. Charles B. Kearney and 1st Lt. Christopher Hutchins, ejected safely and have returned to Moody AFB clinic for medical evaluation. At the time of the accident, the F-16D pilots were performing night vision goggle upgrade training. A board of officers will meet to investigate the accident. Additional details will be provided as soon as they become available. (Courtesy of Air Combat Command News Service) 000240. Luke F-16 crashes in Arizona desert LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. (AFPN) -- An F-16C Fighting Falcon assigned to the 63rd Fighter Squadron here crashed on the Barry M. Goldwater Range at approximately 12:10 p.m., Feb. 16. The pilot, Maj. Anthony Barrell, safely ejected and was transported to the hospital here, where he was evaluated for medical treatment and released. At the time of the crash, the aircraft was flying on an air-to-air training mission over the Goldwater Range. Barrell was fourth in a formation of four F-16s. During maneuvers, prior to the start of the aerial engagement, the pilot stated he had a problem and turned toward Gila Bend Air Force Auxiliary Field to recover. En route to Gila Bend, he safely ejected. The aircraft crashed in a remote section of the desert, southwest of Gila Bend, Ariz. The aircraft was configured for an air-to-air training mission and unarmed. It was carrying an inert training missile. Barrell is an experienced F-16 pilot going through the transition course to re-qualify to fly in the F-16. He has more than 2,400 total flying hours including 2,200 in the F-16 and AT-38. A board of Air Force officers will convene to investigate the cause of the accident. (Courtesy of Air Education and Training Command News Service) 000236. Minot medical group leads 'healthcare revolution' by Airman 1st Class Jon McMillian 5th Bomb Wing Public Affairs MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. (AFPN) -- Imagine you wake up in the morning and you feel horrible. Your throat is sore, your body hurts and you're more congested than the Los Angeles freeway. So, what do you do? Drag yourself out of bed, stumble out into the frigid darkness and start your car up for that ride to the hospital, right? Well, not anymore. Welcome to the 21st century and a new, award winning, health care system, the Medical Triage Line. "It's a healthcare revolution," said Capt. Claude Jennings, 5th Medical Group nurse manager at Wolves Primary Care Clinic here. The 5th MDG devised the medical triage line in response to the closing of the base emergency room. "The triage line was designed to take care of the problems that are not of an emergency nature," said Capt. Robert Hayes, 5th Medical Operations Squadron acting nurse manager of Medical Triage. "Before this, if an active duty member was sick, they would have to go to the emergency room or sick call to be placed on quarters. This took up a lot of time for us and our patients," said Hayes. The new system allows people to assess their own condition to a certain extent, according to Hayes. For example, if a person wakes up in the middle of the night feeling miserable, they don't have to go to the hospital anymore to get permission to take the day off to rest. Now they call the triage line and talk to a nurse or doctor. If the health care professional feels the symptoms warrant an individual be placed on quarters, they have the authority to do so. "We take into account a person's medical history and symptoms when making our decision," Jennings said. "We are dedicated to providing the best possible medical care." The hospital staff then e-mail's the patient's first sergeant or commander to let them know that an individual in their unit has been placed on quarters. "It frees up our time, time that can be spent with people who really need it. It saves the taxpayers money and it saves us resources," said Jennings. Officials stressed that the medical triage line will be in service 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to take care of people. "We will also have a doctor on call for any questions or emergencies that might arise," Jennings said. "We are totally prepared." Since its inception in July, more than 500 active duty service members have been placed on quarters by this program. During a typical month the medical triage line handles approximately 1,700 phone calls. Of these calls, close to 400 are given home care advice, saving the 5th MDG more than $61,000 a month. Due to the success of the program, 5th MDG personnel who helped to develop the triage line were recognized under the Cutting Edge Awards program. "The new philosophy here is to take care of yourself when you can and let us take care of you when you can't, " Jennings said. (Courtesy of Air Force Space Command Public Affairs) 000238. Air Force chaplains take on new role by Staff Sgt. Christopher J. Haug Pacific Air Forces News Service HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii (AFPN) -- Changes in the Air Force mission, coupled with a more diverse Air Force population, has driven Air Force chaplains to look for newer ways to minister to their military communities, according to the deputy chief of the Air Force Chaplain Service. Brig. Gen. Lorraine K. Potter outlined some of the new programs during her visit here Feb 15. "Air Force chaplains have to be open to nontraditional as well as traditional methods," Potter said. "Many of our bases are now offering contemporary worship services that include musical bands playing up-beat religious music. "These services do not favor any one religion," she said. "They are intended to reach a part of our community that was not raised in a traditional religion, but who have a need to come together with people their age and worship." At Kadena Air Base, Japan, 900 people come together each week for their community worship service, according to Senior Master Sgt. Mark Hogue, executive to the Pacific Air Forces chaplain. "They have to hold the service in the Kadena theater because the chapel only seats 350," Hogue said. Yokota AB, Japan, holds a bridge-the-gap service that is similar to the Kadena format. "These services don't provide a prescribed format," Potter said. "They are in a more modern format that is free flowing and largely driven by the people who attend them." Another changing role for Air Force chaplains is how they are used while deployed in support of peacekeeping missions. "The Air Force is helping people of many different nations maintain peace in their part of the world," Potter said. "These people come from many different backgrounds and beliefs, but they all look to someone to help them make sense of what is happening." "We want deployed commanders to look at our chaplains as trusted agents that can help communicate, both to the military community and to the local religious community, why our mission there is so important." Potter said the chaplain service's number one concern is recruiting and retention. "We are actively recruiting people who want the opportunity to minister to a diverse population of many faiths," Potter said. "We can no longer recruit people who only want to minister in one traditional religion because it just is not feasible." She explained that since Desert Storm, the chaplain service has become much more mobile. Chaplains are asked to get out into the shops with the people and to become accessible to everyone, not just the religion they may have come from. "This could be uncomfortable for some because they are used to ministering to people from the pulpit in the church," she said. "We need people who are open to new ideas and who want a chance to minister to a larger more diverse population." 000239. Sacking out with new sleeping bag system by Jim Garamone American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON (AFPN) -- The problem with military sleeping bags was you were either cold or carrying too much. And let's face it, as a service member you may end up anywhere in the world, so your supply personnel had to stock sleeping bags covering all climates. But no more. The U.S. Army Soldier Biologic and Chemical Command has developed a modular sleeping bag system that adapts to any number of climates. It's based on layering, or as the Army calls it, the "bag-within-a-bag" concept. "If it is extremely cold, you put the intermediate bag within the warm weather bag and the combination is good down to minus 50 degrees Fahrenheit," said Jimmy Hodges, the command's program manager for soldier equipment at Fort Polk, La. "We asked soldiers and Marines what they wanted, and this is the design they came up with." The modular sleeping bag system consists of a water-resistant Gore-Tex bivouac cover, a lightweight patrol sleeping bag, the intermediate bag and a compression stuff sack. Depending on the area and mission, service members need take along only the parts of the bag they need. The patrol and intermediate bags are made of nylon and filled with polyester fiber. The old military "mummy sacks" use goose down. "If you are wet, you are cold," Hodges said. "Polyester doesn't soak up as much moisture, it dries more quickly and even wet it retains its insulating abilities. The old mummy sacks were great in a cold, dry environment, but too often service members were in cold, wet areas. Down soaked up the moisture." The patrol bag, what the commercial world would call a "three-season bag," is good for temperatures down to 35 degrees Fahrenheit. The intermediate bag by itself is good to minus 5 degrees Fahrenheit. If it gets really cold, the bags are so roomy troops can wear arctic clothing to bed for extra warmth. The Gore-Tex "bivy cover" is a windbreaker-type casing that can be used with any bag configuration. The shell "breathes," which allows body moisture to pass out while keeping water from coming in. "We wanted to make the system as light as possible, but with adequate protection," Hodges said. "Total weight of the system is 8.75 pounds." When the stuff sack is used, the whole system compresses to a bundle about one-and-a-half basketballs around. "You can make it round or in the shape of a salami," Hodges said. "Service members can carry them underneath their rucks or inside them." He said all services are using the $276.76 system. (Editor's note: Jim Garamone is a former Army staff sergeant.) **COPYRIGHT NOTICE** In accordance with Title 17 U. S. C. 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