-Caveat Lector- WJPBR Email News List [EMAIL PROTECTED] Peace at any cost is a Prelude to War! 001871. 58th Special Operations Wing Rescues Missing Skiers KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. (AFPN) - An aircrew from of the 551st Special Operations Squadron and pararescuemen from Detachment 1, 342nd Training Squadron here assisted local search and rescue officials with locating two missing skiers Dec. 19 near the Santa Fe Ski Area. The skiers had been missing overnight and temperatures fell below zero. A TH-53A Pave Low helicopter carrying six aircrew members and two pararescuemen landed in the ski area's parking lot so crew members could meet with ground search and rescue personnel. The crew looked at maps and determined where assistance was needed. It took the aircrew less than three hours to locate the skiers at about 11,000 feet within the Santa Fe National Forest, said a base spokesman. The aircrew was unable to land because of terrain and trees. One of the pararescuemen was lowered down to help the skiers put on harnesses, said Maj. Keith Harris, aircraft commander. "Then we hoisted them out one by one." Once on board, the pararescumen gave the skiers a medical assessment and decided to take them back to Kirtland where they were transported to a local hospital by ambulance. Both skiers suffered very minor hypothermia, said the spokesman. The skiers were both from Oklahoma. (Courtesy of Air Force Education and Training Command News Service) 001872. Pilot from Pope AFB shot several times, dies POPE AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- Capt. Frank M. Theer, a C-130 pilot with the 2nd Airlift Squadron here, was allegedly shot to death Dec. 17 in Fayetteville, N.C., according to Fayetteville Police Department officials who are investigating the incident. Initial reports stated Fayetteville police officers responded at about 11 p.m. to a 911 ca11 at Harbin & Associates, a human relations counseling office in Fayetteville. They found the 31-year-old airman laying in the building's rear parking lot. There were multiple gunshot wounds to his body. Theer's wife, Michelle, who is employed at the business, told investigators they had gone to the office to obtain some paperwork, according to Fayetteville police. While she was inside the building, she heard the shooting. She went outside and found her husband on the ground, and ran to a nearby business to call 911, said the report. Theer was a 1991 U.S. Air Force Academy graduate. Before arriving at Pope AFB in May 1999, he served as an orbital engineer for the Defense Systems Program at Schriever AFB, Colo., for the 1st Space Operations Squadron, and an HC-130 rescue pilot at Patrick AFB, Fla., and Moody AFB, Ga. He completed Aircraft Commander School in May, undergraduate space training in March 1993, and undergraduate pilot training in 1992. 001869. Warfighters gather for missile attack training by Tom Mahr Joint National Test Facility Public Affairs SCHRIEVER AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. (AFPN) -- More than 350 players, analysts and observers converged on the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization's Joint National Test Facility here Dec. 11-14 to think about and practice responding to a limited missile attack on the United States. They participated in Command and Control Simulation 2000, the nation's premier annual national missile defense war game. The simulation was co-sponsored by the National Missile Defense Joint Program Office and U.S. Space Command. For the ninth time, this simulation brought national missile defense warfighters and developers together to evaluate the human-in-control operational decision process and to gather data about key performance assessments. This year's scenario was jointly developed by USSPACECOM and U.S. Strategic Command to investigate the fundamental command and control elements of national missile defense and National Command Authority control. While USSTRATCOM has participated in past command and control simulations, this is the first time a focused, full-range military response scenario has been exercised. Gen. Ralph E. Eberhart, welcomed the opportunities the simulation provided. Eberhart is commander in chief of North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Space Command, plus commander of Air Force Space Command, "This game is important to developers, testers, operators, policy makers and decision makers -- in short, all those affected by this operation," Eberhart said. The simulation consisted of two days of training followed by two days of scenario-driven exercise play. It assumed a national missile system in place, and used six scenarios of possible threats the United States might face to examine various components of missile defense doctrine and operational procedures. Key military players participating in the simulation were: Eberhart; Adm. Richard W. Mies, commander in chief of U.S. Strategic Command; Canadian Forces Lt. Gen. George E. C. Macdonald, deputy commander in chief of NORAD; Army Lt. Gen. Edward G. Anderson III, deputy commander in chief of U.S. Space Command; Lt. Gen. Robert C. Hinson, deputy commander in chief of USSTRATCOM; and Army Lt. Gen. John Costello, commanding general of U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command. The goal of the simulation was to exercise the entire missile defense operational chain from the president and secretary of defense down through the junior officers and 9noncommissioned officers) in the Fire Direction Center, said Army Maj. Gen. Willie B. Nance Jr. Nance is the National Missile Defense Program executive officer and system program director for the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization, and co-sponsor of C2 Sim 00. "In the process, we wanted to look at a variety of concepts and procedures from both the operational requirements and the concept of operation points of view. "The real value of this simulation, though, is that it allowed us to get operator feedback early in the development process," Nance said. "I liked the exercise because it gave me a chance to validate the procedures I would use as an NMD operator," said Army Maj. Greg Bowen, an Army National Guardsman from North Dakota currently assigned to Army Space Command headquarters. "Another real benefit of C2 Sim is that it brings the entire NMD command and control structure together to examine and improve the nation's NMD tactics, techniques and procedures." (Courtesy of AFSPC News Service) 001873. Legislation forges closer ties between Air Force, Civil Air Patrol WASHINGTON (AFPN) -- Recently approved legislation promises to usher in a "new era" of cooperation between the Air Force and its auxiliary, the Civil Air Patrol. "The legislation will foster a closer relationship between the Air Force and the Civil Air Patrol," said Brig. Gen. Robert Bishop, deputy director of operations and training for air and space operations at the air staff, and chairperson of the CAP Management Improvement Team. The legislation is included in the Fiscal 2001 National Defense Authorization Act. The legislation culminates a year of significant milestones achieved by the service and CAP. "Over the past year we have worked closely with Air Force representatives to strengthen our important relationship," said Brig. Gen. James Bobick, Civil Air Patrol national commander. "In July, Civil Air Patrol signed a new Cooperative Agreement and Statement of Work that further defines our partnership," Bobick said. "Another significant milestone was achieved in August when the CAP National Board approved a revised constitution and bylaws that contains provisions for a Board of Governors and outlined the selection process for corporate officers. It also defined the powers of those officials and their responsibilities, defined criteria for membership and included provisions for a Membership Action Review Board." On July 1, 1946, President Harry Truman signed Public Law 476 that incorporated CAP as a benevolent, nonprofit organization. Two years later, Congress passed Public Law 557, which permanently established the CAP as the auxiliary of the new U.S. Air Force. This law also gave the service secretary the authority to provide financial and material assistance to the organization. As the most significant legislation affecting the organization in nearly 50 years, the Fiscal 2001 NDAA establishes clear lines of authority and clarifies the level and type of support CAP will receive as an auxiliary of the Air Force, such as equipment, financial and personnel support. It also establishes a Board of Governors comprised of Air Force, CAP and private sector members. The new law significantly broadens the ability of the Air Force to support the Civil Air Patrol at every level. "The Air Force now has the authority to pay CAP members for travel and per diem when they are performing Air Force missions," Bishop said. "Before, there was only one provision in the law that allowed payment for travel and per diem, and that was in the event of a national emergency. Quite often it didn't work out in the context they are being used today." Furthermore, Bishop said, "The Air Force can also pay for the organization's training activities as an auxiliary of the service, so it's not coming out of the members' own pockets. Previously, other than getting reimbursed for fuel spent on their aircraft, there was no federal law for the Air Force to reimburse them." The legislation also authorizes CAP, in its capacity as a nonprofit organization, to use government provided assets. "For the first time, the CAP will now have the legal authority to use equipment and other things given to them by the Air Force and other federal agencies to accomplish its missions as a nonprofit corporation within the limits of the law and governing regulations," Bishop said. "Previously, there were no clear guidelines," he said. In years past, CAP members typically provided their own aircraft and other support out of their own pockets. But now the organization can use the resources given to them by the Air Force and other federal agencies in their role as a nonprofit corporation. The legislation establishes clear lines of authority for the Air Force secretary. The secretary will now oversee and have a closer role in ensuring CAP is used in the best way possible for itself and the service, according to the general. CAP's three primary missions are now eligible to fall under the umbrella of the Air Force. Its three missions are aerospace education, cadet programs, and emergency services. Through the aerospace education mission, the CAP keeps the public informed and interested in aviation and the Air Force, which will have a synergistic effect on recruiting efforts, Bishop said. The cadet program develops leadership skills in young people; and the contributions of the emergency services in time of disasters and other emergencies highlights the best of the Air Force auxiliary when local agencies need them the most, he added. "This means we can incorporate their missions -- such as aerospace education and the cadet programs -- and provide space and facilities and funding, and also assist them when other armed services or federal agencies request their support," Bishop said. "Whenever the Civil Air Patrol assists any branch or activity of the federal government, it will be done as the auxiliary of the Air Force, which will give the service the ability to work on their behalf and support them," Bishop said. "The Air Force will ensure the CAP is properly supported and not overextended," he said. "As we move into the new millennium, we look forward in the months ahead to strengthening our ties and establishing a much closer relationship between our auxiliary and our Air Force." Bobick added, "The passing of the jointly proposed legislation marked the positive culmination of history making cooperative efforts between members of Congress, the Air Force and Civil Air Patrol. With these defining structures in place, Civil Air Patrol is better, stronger and truly positioned for the future." 001870. Air Force announces officer selections RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFPN) -- The Air Force is giving 116 enlisted people the chance to trade in their stripes for gold bars after being chosen to attend Officer Training School at Maxwell Air Force Base, Miss. Officials at Air Force Recruiting Service headquarters conducted OTS Selection Board 0102, which met here Nov. 28 through Dec. 1. The board considered 510 total applications, selecting 238 for a 47-percent selection rate. As part of the selection process, board members review both objective and subjective factors. Objectively, the board considers each applicant's academic discipline, grade point average, and Air Force Officer Qualifying Test scores. Subjectively, board members evaluate work experience, accomplishments, adaptability, character, leadership ability, potential for future growth, and other recommendations. For active-duty enlisted members, performance reports and commander's recommendations are also evaluated. A minimum of three Air Force colonels review every application. The selection process is similar to an Air Force officer promotion board. Key to the entire process is no single factor leads to an individual's selection or non-selection, OTS selection officials said. Individuals selected for OTS can expect class assignment information approximately eight weeks after their physical is certified for commissioning. The OTS boards meet every six weeks here. For more information concerning OTS and the application process, active-duty members should contact their local education services office; civilians should contact the nearest Air Force recruiter. A full listing of people selected for OTS is available at www.rs.af.mil/OTS_Selections/releases.htm (Courtesy of Air Force Personnel Center News Service) 001874. KC-10 tanker refuels X-32A Joint Strike Fighter by Capt. Tom Crosson 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (AFPN) -- The Joint Strike Fighter program reached a significant milestone here Dec. 19 when a KC-10 Extender from Travis Air Force Base, Calif., performed the first aerial refueling of Boeing's X-32A Joint Strike Fighter concept demonstrator. The Travis crew, part of the 6th Air Refueling Squadron, joined people from Edwards' 418th Flight Test Squadron for the X-32A's 40th sortie. A five-month test period began here Sept. 18. This mission involved three contacts between the X-32A and the KC-10. Because the X-32A is the Navy's JSF version, the KC-10 was required to refuel the X-32A with a drogue and probe. This required X-32A lead test pilot Cmdr. Phil Yates to carefully maneuver the fighter's refueling probe to a basket receptacle that flies freely behind the tanker. Even though probe and drogue refueling is primarily performed on Navy aircraft by Marine Corps C-130s, Yates said the KC-10 was the best choice for this mission. "The KC-10 is a more stable platform as opposed to the C-130s and is more flexible," Yates said. "Plus, the 'J' in JSF means joint. The ability to be refueled by multiple aircraft from different services increases the JSF's efficiency." While aerial refueling will be inherent to the JSF's mission, this test mission fulfilled some of the program's short-term goals: give the X-32A greater test flexibility, increase the aircraft's test efficiency and to see if the KC-10 can accompany -- or drag -- the X-32A on its cross-country flight to Naval Air Station Patuxent River. Md., in 2001 for its next series of tests. Prior to the flight, Yates said this mission was not treated as an average air refueling sortie. "I have not been this concerned about an X-32A flight since its first flight," Yates said. "The pilot has a lot of control inputs to get the jet hooked up. The boom operator can't guide the aircraft in like in boom refuelings." A small array of air data instruments on the nose of the aircraft added another level of difficulty to the flight. With only 18 inches of clearance between the fighter's nose and the tanker's basket once it is connected, an unsuccessful attempt to dock with the KC-10 could knock the basket around and cause damage to the aircraft. The mission commander for the refueling said his crew was pleased when they received news that they would be making this test flight. "It is honor to be a footnote in the X-32A and JSF program's developmental history," said Lt. Col. Dan Favorite, from the 6th ARS. The X-32 is one of two JSF concept demonstrators, with Lockheed Martins X-35 being the other, undergoing tests at Edwards. The JSF is meant to replace the aging F-16 Fighting Falcon, the A-10 Thunderbolt II, the AV-8B Harrier and the F/A 18 Hornet. The Department of Defense is looking to establish commonality and modularity between different JSF models, to demonstrate the short takeoff and vertical landing capabilities of the Marine Corps and British versions, and to demonstrate low-speed and handling qualities of aircraft carrier approaches for the Navy version. Courtesy of Air Force Flight Test Center New Service. 001868. AFSPC funds civilian higher education by Margret Waldie Air Force Space Command Directorate of Personnel PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. (AFPN) -- Appropriated-fund civilians working for Air Force Space Command can now receive financial support for higher education. Command officials recently created a civilian tuition assistance program in response to requests at the last two command quality-of-life conferences. "The tuition assistance will not only help civilian employees but will also support workforce shaping, recruitment and retention initiative to prepare space command for the Air Force of the future," said Barbara Barger, chief of the command's civilian personnel, military equal opportunity and family matters. Civilian employees are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity for graduate and undergraduate degrees, Barger said, because degrees can help people qualify for other careers and provide opportunities. Civilian tuition assistance mirrors the military program with 75 percent of tuition costs funded. Costs can not exceed $187.50 per semester hour or $124.50 per quarter hours, will be funded. There is a cap of $3,500 per year in total support per student (dependent on availability of funds). The program only supports tuition, not books or fees, which will be the responsibility of the student. First priority will be given to GS-10 and below (or equivalent WG employees). Civilians may receive funds for one course at a time (not more than three in a school year) depending on funds availability. They may not be receiving support from any other source such as the GI Bill, Veterans' Administration or career programs. Courses should be taken during lunch or after duty hours. Agreements must be signed to satisfactorily complete the courses or pay back the tuition. Depending on the total number of courses taken, they may also be required to sign a continued service agreement. (Courtesy of Air Force Space 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 ] Want to be on our lists? 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