WJPBR Email News List [EMAIL PROTECTED] Peace at any cost is a Prelude to War! 001127. First operational CV-22 rolls out in Texas HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. (AFPN) -- The Air Force Special Operations Command saw the future of its aircraft platforms as the first test and operational CV-22 was unveiled at Bell Helicopter Textron's plant in Fort Worth, Texas, July 25. The tilt-rotor aircraft is a modified version of the V-22 Osprey. It is the first aircraft purchased specifically for use by Air Force Special Operations Command. While C-130s and MH-53s have been the primary AFSOC aircraft, they were conventional aircraft that were modified to meet the Special Operations Forces mission. AFSOC influenced the design of this aircraft from its early stages to meet the needs of its special operations mission, according to command officials. The rollout of the CV-22 signals the beginning of a two-year period of operational testing and evaluation at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. The first six operational aircraft are expected to arrive at Hurlburt by 2004. The Air Force plans to purchase a total of 50 aircraft. The CV-22 unveiled to distinguished visitors during the rollout ceremony is one of the four original engineering, manufacturing and development aircraft the Marine Corps used for the flight test program of its MV-22. The primary difference between the Air Force CV-22 and the Marine MV-22 is the advanced avionics equipment the Air Force aircraft will carry. The equipment will allow special operations forces to penetrate hostile areas using weather, terrain and darkness to their advantage. The CV-22 can also carry 4,000 pounds more fuel, increasing its flight time by 1.5 hours. Command officials laud the CV-22 but emphasize that it is not a replacement for the MH-53 Pave Low. It provides for many of the capabilities of the Pave Low as well as some of the missions of the command's C-130 assets, while still adding its own unique contributions to the command's capabilities. Among the key attributes the tilt rotor aircraft brings to AFSOC are: -- The ability to conduct long-range infiltration and exfiltration missions in a single period of darkness. -- Greatly reduced reaction time due to the aircraft's range, speed and flexibility. -- State-of-the-art avionics that allow for pinpoint delivery, accuracy and decreased detection of special operation mission assets. -- A self-deployable capability that reduces the need for support airlift to conduct missions. -- Doesn't need an airfield; it can operate out of a parking lot or a soccer field. -- An increased range, speed and flexibility that gives the CV-22 the ability to cover more than 500 nautical miles. (Courtesy of AFSOC News Service) 001127a.gif and 001127a.jpg The CV-22 tilt-rotor aircraft is unveiled at the Bell Helicopter Textron plant in Fort Worth, Texas, July 25. With the engines in the vertical position, the aircraft is able to lift off like a helicopter, then tilt the engines forward to fly like a conventional aircraft. The Air Force plans to purchase a total of 50 CV-22s and use the aircraft for special operations. (Photo by Tech. Sgt. Lono Kollars) 001127b.gif and 001127b.jpg Crowds gather around the CV-22 as it is unveiled at the Bell Hellicopter/Textron plant in Fort Worth, Texas, July 25. The Air Force plans to purchase a total of 50 of the tilt-rotor CV-22s and use them for special operations. (Photo by Tech Sgt. Lono Kollars) 001129. Cohen briefs Senate on national missile defense by Jim Garamone American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON (AFPN) -- A limited national missile defense would prevent nuclear blackmail against the United States and could "enhance deterrence and improve stability," Defense Secretary William S. Cohen said July 25. Cohen, testifying before the Senate Armed Services Committee, said the proliferation of long-range ballistic missiles and weapons of mass destruction are increasing challenges to U.S. national security. "Our goal," he said, "is to provide protection to the American people against irresponsible nations, to prevent them from putting the United States in a position of being blackmailed and precluding us from taking action to defend our own national security interests." He said the threat these weapons pose is "substantial," and that even the Russians have admitted this. He said Iran, Iraq and Libya are working on building a long-range capability. He also said that while the United States is encouraged by the results of the recent summit of North and South Korea, "one summit doesn't change a tiger into a domestic cat." Cohen said the United States needs to see actions from North Korea and not just words. They have tested an intercontinental-range missile and could build more, he said. Cohen is reviewing the program and will make a recommendation to President Clinton in August on whether to proceed with the limited National Missile Defense program. Intelligence officials see the ICBM threat from "states of concern" emerging by 2005. For a defense system to be in place by then, construction must begin this year. Of the last three tests of the land-based system, only one was successful. Cohen said he is taking this into consideration as he prepares his recommendation to the president. He said the system now is "possible" rather than feasible. "You ... would want to have something that ... you can reliably count on to work," he said. The current estimated $20.3 billion cost of the National Missile Defense system through fiscal 2007 would cover 100 interceptors and radars in Alaska, Britain and Greenland. Of that cost, $5.7 billion was appropriated prior to fiscal 2001. Cohen noted that having radars in Britain and Greenland make it imperative to have allied cooperation. He told the senators he is working with his counterparts and is discussing the threat and the NMD response. 001128. German MiGs put American pilots to the test at Nellis by Staff Sgt. Jim Bianchi Air Warfare Center Public Affairs NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. (AFPN) -- The skies above Nellis were filled with the roar of MiG-29 Fulcrums as German aircrews battled U.S. pilots in the air-to-air arena for a Red Flag exercise June 23 to July 24. Nellis' 53rd Wing's 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron hosted 110 members of the 1st Squadron, Laage, Germany. Aircrews from the 422nd and the 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., participated with the Germans in tactics development and evaluation to teach U.S. pilots how to fly, fight and win against the MiG-29. The MiGs flew offensive counter air missions against a variety of aircraft including F-15s, F-16s and A-10s, said Maj. Jay Paulus, 422nd test director. The primary mission of the Fulcrum aircrews was to test weapons and tactics of the test and evaluation pilots and give them some real world air-to-air experience. The German aircrews and their seven Fulcrum aircraft flew a high sortie rate, as many as six flights per day, said Paulus. Aircrews and maintenance people swapped out with fresh crews from Germany midway through the exercise. "The best thing about this is we got to fly against an aircraft we would probably see in combat," Paulus said. "The Fulcrum is a very respectable air-to-air adversary, particularly in the dogfight arena due to its excellent maneuverability. "It also employs the lethal combination of a helmet mounted sight and latest Russian-designed and built heat seeking missile," Paulus continued. "Often, U.S. Air Force fighters enjoy a long range advantage over the MiG, but we have to use the element of surprise and max perform our aircraft and systems to avoid detection and prevail in a short range, visual dogfight." The MiG-29 has a few advantages over its more electronically advanced American counterparts, said German Lt. Col. Johann K�ck, 73rd Fighter Wing Operations Group commander. Based on his 10 years of experience flying the Fulcrum, he believes the real difference in a dogfight would come down to who is the better pilot. "At about 40 miles apart, the American planes have the advantage (because of avionics.) At 10 miles the advantage is turning to the MiG," K�ck said. "At five miles out, because of the MiG weapons sight and better maneuverability, the advantage is mine." The weapons sight is a helmet-mounted system that allows the missile to follow the line of sight of the pilot's helmet. "Where you look is where it goes," K�ck said. Coming from central Europe and then an exercise in Cold Lake Canada, the German maintenance crews had only one obstacle that couldn't be easily overcome -- the Nellis heat. "It never gets above 30 degrees (87 degrees Fahrenheit) at home," said Capt. Ralf Leonhardt, 73rd FW. "First day here it was over 45 degrees (113 degrees Fahrenheit)!" "The pace of work here is faster," Leonhardt said. "It's good to see how the American Air Force works. We've learned a lot and the support from the 422nd is excellent. They've made all the arrangements for us here. It's been perfect." "We are just glad to be here," K�ck said. "This is a great opportunity for us to fly with our NATO partners, and it's great that we can help the Americans to test out new equipment and tactics against our aircraft. There really is no bad part about being here." (Courtesy of ACC News Service) 001128a.gif and 001128a.jpg A German Air Force MiG-29 Fulcrum from the 1st Fighter Wing, Laage, Germany, prepares for take-off from Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. The German fighters were at Nellis to help test weapons and tactics of U. S. pilots flying against the MiGs. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Jim Bianchi) 001126. NASA names seven Air Force to 2000 astronaut candidate class HOUSTON, Texas (AFPN) -- Seven Air Force officers, four to be pilots and three to be missions specialists, were among 17 men and women selected for the 2000 astronaut candidate class. This year's class consists of seven pilot and 10 mission specialist candidates. Of the 17 class members, 14 are male and three are female. They are scheduled to arrive at NASA's Johnson Space Center here in August to begin a period of training and evaluation. The Air Force candidates are: Lt. Col. Kevin A. Ford, Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., pilot; Maj. Eric A. Boe, Eglin AFB, Fla., pilot; Maj. B. Alvin Drew, Eglin AFB, mission specialist; Maj. Ronald J. Garan, Jr., Eglin AFB, pilot; Maj. Michael T. Good, Eglin AFB, mission specialist; Capt. Robert L. Behnken, Edwards AFB, mission specialist; and Capt. Terry W. Virts, Jr., Edwards AFB, pilot. Other military candidates are: Navy Lt. Cmdr. Stephen G. Bowen; Navy Lt. Cmdr. Barry E. Wilmore; Marine Corps Maj. Douglas G. Hurley; Army Maj. Timothy L. Kopra; and Navy Lt. Dominic A. Antonelli. Civilian candidates are: Andrew J. Feustel, Ph.D.; Karen L. Nyberg, Ph.D.; Michael R. Barratt, M.D.; K. Megan McArthur; and Nicole P. Stott. The astronaut candidates were selected through a highly competitive process that evaluated their education, training, experience and unique qualifications, according to NASA officials. Following the initial period of training and evaluation, the astronaut candidates will receive technical assignments and continue training in preparation for space flight assignment. A complete list of the candidates and their biographical information can be found at NASA's Web site at http://www.nasa.gov/. 001130. New U-2 egress simulator enhances emergency training by Rhonda L. Edwards 9th Reconnaissance Wing Public Affairs BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (AFPN) -- The 9th Physiological Support Squadron unveiled its new U-2 Egress Simulator here recently. This simulator, the first of its kind, will be used to train pilots, flight crews and members of the fire department in egress procedures and fire extraction related to the U-2 reconnaissance aircraft. In 1997, Master Sgt. Ed Cotney, 9th PSS trainer, recognized a need for improving the U-2 trainer. Upon his recommendation, Air Combat Command Training Support Squadron, Detachment 1 at Luke AFB, Ariz., with assistance from the 9th PSS, and Beale's ACC Training Support Squadron, Detachment 11 built a new one. This system is capable of simulating dangerous situations in a safe environment, said Maj. Brandon King, Detachment 11 commander. Its updated features and components help create a realistic scenario necessary for effective emergency training. The trainer's aircraft components include a new cockpit windscreen, full pressure suit capability, and the ability to tilt at a 90-degree angle. The trainer is also able to produce fire and smoke adding to the realism of the situation. "It actually simulates the complete flight," said Staff Sgt. Carl Muhlecke, egress training NCOIC. "Anything pilots can do in the cockpit, they can do in this simulator." The previous trainer had limitations. The pilots could only use their imaginations for emergency situations instead of actually experiencing the stress. The new simulator provides a much more realistic scenario for trainees. Although the new simulator will be the primary source of training, it will be used to enhance traditional egress training, not replace it, Muhlecke said. "The result of this training will be better prepared, better trained U-2 pilots who will have the necessary skills to succeed in the event of an actual emergency egress situation," said Capt. Ernesto Salinas, Detachment 11 curriculum development chief. The simulator was dedicated to the late Capt. Randy Roby. Roby was a U-2 pilot who was killed in an accident in Oroville, Calif. in 1996. (Courtesy of ACC News Service) 001130a.gif and 001130a.jpg Staff Sgt. Carl Muhlecke, NCOIC of egress training for the 9th Physiological Support Squadron, Beale Air Force Base, Calif., helps Staff Sgt. Shaniel Maharaj, 9th PSPTS, exit the new U-2 reconnaissance aircraft egress simulator. The smoke pouring from the simulator illustrates its realistic capabilities. The simulator will be used to train U-2 pilots, flight crews and members of the fire department. (Photo by Airman 1st Class Kevin Brennan) *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 ] Want to be on our lists? Write at [EMAIL PROTECTED] for a menu of our lists! ****************************************************************************** ******************* A vote for Bush or Gore is a vote to continue Clinton policies! A vote for Buchanan is a vote to continue America! 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