-Caveat Lector- WJPBR Email News List [EMAIL PROTECTED] Peace at any cost is a Prelude to War! 0492. Pentagon 'green-lights' munitions modification by Jake Swinson Air Armament Center Public Affairs EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFPN) -- The Department of Defense has given the "green light" to begin full-rate production of the Wind Corrected Munitions Dispenser here. The WCMD is a tail kit that can be installed on existing "dumb" cluster munitions to transform them into "smart," accurate, adverse weather weapons. This is a major milestone because the program achieved the clearance to proceed ahead of schedule and below budget, and exceeded Air Combat Command's accuracy and performance requirements, WCMD officials said. The tail kits will be used on the CBU-87 Combined Effects Munition, the CBU-89 Gator Mine System and the CBU-97 Sensor Fuzed Weapon. The Air Force eventually plans to buy 40,000 tail kits with 30,000 slated for the CBU-87 and 5,000 each for the CBU-89 and 97. These weapons will be integrated on the F-16 Fighting Falcon, F-15E Strike Eagle, B-1B Lancer, A-10 Thunderbolt II, F-117 Nighthawk, B-52 Stratofortress, Joint Strike Fighter and perhaps the F-22 Raptor. "The WCMD gives our combat crews a significant new capability," said Lt. Col. Jeff Severs, WCMD development system manager. "With existing 'dumb' cluster weapons to be effective, aircrews needed to deliver the munitions from low altitudes, making the aircrews extremely vulnerable to enemy air defenses. "In Desert Storm, when aircrews tried launching these cluster weapons from mid to high altitudes, (the munitions) were blown off course by winds or wandered off course due to launch alignment or ballistic errors," he said. "Using an inertial guidance unit, WCMD solves the problem by allowing very high altitude delivery...demonstrated up to 45,000 feet, in any weather." The program was started in 1994 as one of four selected Air Force "lead" programs -- pilot programs established to demonstrate potential benefits from acquisition streamlining initiatives. In setting the program's initial direction, Clark Fiester, Air Force service acquisition executive, designated WCMD as "the model for Air Force streamlining," giving program office personnel wide latitude to recommend methods for streamlining that would foster a better, faster and cheaper acquisition. At program inception, the projected procurement cost for the program was $1.3 billion, based on a program office estimated unit price of $25,000 per unit. However, through acquisition reform measures, commercial business practices and an innovative "fly-off" test program, the WCMD prime contractor, Lockheed Martin, and the WCMD Systems Program Office delivered an average unit price in 1994 of about $9,000. Between 1994 and present, this tremendous reduction allowed the program office to return more than $600 million of budgeted, approved WCMD procurement funding for use on other programs. "We are absolutely ecstatic about the recent ... decision," Severs said. "A normal acquisition program of this kind takes 10 to 15 years to reach full-rate production. WCMD did it in five and exceeded the warfighters' requirements. In fact, we have already delivered (enough) units to achieve 'required assets available' at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., and Barksdale AFB, La., -- establishing the Air Force's first operational WCMD bomber and fighter capabilities. "They are combat ready," he said. "When we got the approval to go into full-rate (production), we signed a contract with Lockheed Martin for $83 million for just under 6,000 tail kits under the first full-rate lot." The tail units are expected to be delivered Air Force-wide by the summer of 2002. 0491. Jumper: You're making a difference by Staff Sgt. Stacee McCausland 320th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) -- Military people can sometimes lose track of why they joined the military and why their job is so important to the world. Whether it is at a home station or deployed somewhere in the world, people should remember they are making a difference daily in the lives of countless people, according to the commander of Air Combat Command. "There are not many organizations in the world that can look in the mirror and say we're saving thousands of lives every day," said Gen. John Jumper, ACC commander. " But we can, as part of a joint team and a coalition force. We're joining together to keep people alive. I think that's something that we can all be proud of." Jumper held a commander's call here to ensure deployed people here know their time and effort is not forgotten by him or the people they serve. "We are the greatest military in the world, no matter what uniform we wear, and we need to be proud of that," he said. "We've got a great way of life here...," he said. "I see us working together with our coalition partner in ways that are better than we've ever done. I see great progress in getting the mission accomplished." But, accomplishing the mission can be hindered by the age of some of the Air Force's aircraft and equipment. One of the biggest challenges facing ACC and the Air Force is trying to modernize the fleet, Jumper said. "The first phase of our transformation was our Expeditionary Air Force, he said. "We've gotten ourselves organized now so that we can deal with contingency operations that sort of dictate our daily lives these days, which is much different than the cold war. The Air Force is trying to get out of the situation where it is sending people off to war in 25-year-old pieces of machinery, Jumper said. "We don't send cars to the Indianapolis 500 (race) that are 25 years old and expect them to win, and we shouldn't be sending our young people into combat with 25-year-old machines either," he said. "Our training is as good as it's ever been and today that makes the difference. Our technology might not be the best any more; but our training is, and continues to be, the best. And that's what we lean on," Jumper said. "We need to continue to modernize, work on our quality-of-life issues and make sure that we let our people know how important they are and how appreciated they are at all levels. We've got a good mission and great people, and the nation's proud of us. I don't think we can ask for much more," he said. (Courtesy of ACC News Service) 0493. PACAF commander retires after 33 years of service by Tech. Sgt. Chris Haug Pacific Air Forces News Service HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii (AFPN) -- Pacific Air Forces Commander Gen. Patrick K. Gamble was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal by Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Michael E. Ryan during Gamble's retirement ceremony here April 9. Gamble leaves the Air Force to begin his new career as president and chief executive officer of the Alaska Railroad Corp., Anchorage, Alaska. During the ceremony, Gamble reflected on his service in the Air Force, and thanked all who supported him along the way. "The Air Force is a value-based organization," Gamble said. "Integrity, service, honesty, respect, and dignity -- these foundations have always been the background of teamwork -- a characteristic I truly loved in each of the units I belonged to or commanded." Gamble said he applauds the high concern of Air Force leadership for quality of life for its people. "It is better today than it has ever been over my 33 years," he said. Speaking of the future, Gamble said that the "Air Force is going through a sophisticated transformation today that is unlike any other time I've known. It will revolutionize our service and prepare it for a highly uncertain future. Particularly the future in the Pacific." Prior to retiring Gamble, Ryan spoke of Gamble's service record. Gamble began his service in the Air Force as a forward air controller in Vietnam. He flew 394 combat missions in support of ground operations for which he was decorated for valor. Ryan highlighted Gamble's work with an organization nicknamed "Checkmate," which is an operationally oriented analysis group at the Pentagon. "In the late seventies and early eighties, General Gamble analyzed the strategic importance, access needs, and prepositioning requirements of the Persian Gulf," Ryan said. "His insights proved prescient and contributed greatly to the success of Desert Storm just ten years later." "As PACAF commander, he has used all of his impressive intellectual and leadership talents, to match the challenges and successes he's faced in the Pacific theater," Ryan said. "At every turn, he has led with the welfare of his people as a priority. A leadership trait formally recognized by his enlisted force just this past week when he was presented with the highest honor they can bestow on a leader, the Order of the Sword." Gamble's wife, Ailese, was also honored by Ryan during the ceremony when he presented her with the Exceptional Service Award for service as PACAF's first lady -- dedicated to improving the morale and quality of life of active duty, retired, Guard and Reserve personnel and their families throughout the command. Lt. Gen. William J. Begert, current assistant Air Force vice chief of staff, was nominated by the President to become the next Pacific Air Forces commander. Begert, who has also been recommended for promotion to general, must be confirmed by the Senate prior to reassignment. Gamble's official retirement is May 1. (Courtesy of PACAF News Service) 0490. Registration underway for 2001 military Wilderness Challenge WASHINGTON (AFPN) -- Registration has begun for this year's all-military Wilderness Challenge to be held Oct. 4 through 7 in Fayetteville, W.Va. The Wilderness Challenge is a series of outdoor adventure races designed to test the endurance, strength and speed of the competitors over a two-day period in the mountains of West Virginia, said Michael Bond, event coordinator. The event, hosted by the morale, welfare and recreation department at Naval Station Norfolk, Va., is open to all military members. This is the second year for the event. "With the popularity and growth in outdoor recreation by the military sector, MWR decided to design a program to promote outdoor activity along with physical readiness and competition," Bond said. "With the success of last year's event, I think we have given our Armed Forces a program they want and are excited about participating in." Before last year's event took place, teams were asking how to register for this year's challenge, Bond said. "Due to the overwhelming response, we have doubled the number of teams from 40 that can compete and have added additional competitions to make the event more exciting," he said. The competition consists of a 12-mile mountain hike, a 40-mile mountain bike relay, a 13-mile class 5+ whitewater raft race, a 10K run, a half-mile swim with floatation device, and a two-mile kayak-type race. Each team must have four active-duty military people and at least one must be a female. There is a limit of 80 teams for this competition and not more than two teams can come from any one installation, he said. "We were extremely excited about last year's challenge and glad this event has become a popular event," Bond said. "It won't be an easy competition and only the strong will survive," he said. "The winning team will be the best of the best in outdoor recreation and physical endurance." Three Air Force teams competed in the inaugural event, representing F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo.; Langley AFB, Va.; and Headquarters Air Force, Pentagon. In addition to overall event winners, each service also had a winning team. First place honors for the Best in the Air Force team went to the group from the 90th Space Wing at F.E. Warren, which placed 17th overall. For registration information, call Bond at (757) 444-4814/4033 or DSN 564-4814/4033. 4018. Commentary: For love of country, family, friends by Capt. Charlie Nelson 77th Bomb Squadron ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. (AFPN) -- When home on leave, my friends always jokingly tell me I need to treat them to dinner or buy drinks because their taxes pay my salary. Until recently, I always thought of it as just friendly teasing. My squadron's maintenance team recently came in on a Saturday, as we do from time to time, for a little catch-up maintenance. Early that morning, I sent one of my friends back home a quick e-mail that said, "Look, it's 6:30 a.m. on a Saturday, and I'm here at work. I just wanted you to know your tax dollars are hard at work." I didn't hear anything from him for a couple days, but when his reply came, I was stunned. His e-mail was entitled: "You're a Good Soldier." In the e-mail, my friend of 13 years explained how lucky he feels that he goes to bed every night without worrying about foreign countries threatening or invading the United States. He told me he's glad I've decided to defend our country because somebody has to and he's not willing to make the sacrifices. This kind of honest communication between male friends is rare. We grew up together competing at everything -- grades, sports, girls and racing our parents' cars. You name it, we competed. Having him admit he's proud of me and what I do was inspirational. His e-mail made me think about everyone back home. I know my parents and grandparents tell stories of me going to the Air Force Academy and serving in the Air Force, but they're supposed to -- it's in their contract. What I realized from this e-mail is all my friends do the same. Their teasing is simply a way of saying thanks without having to be serious. Every time my friends watch a movie about the military, or there's something related to the military on the news, or the topic comes up in a conversation, they tell everyone around them about their friend from high school who's now stationed at Ellsworth. To be part of an organization and provide my friends with the security they have grown accustomed to, whether they understand the sacrifices military people make or not, overshadows the hardships I've encountered. My family and friends are the most important people in my life. They're the reason I'm here. They're my country. Even if they don't tell you, they're proud of you. They're thankful for what you do. *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 HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/">www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance�not soap-boxing�please! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'�with its many half-truths, mis- directions and outright frauds�is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. 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