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Peace at any cost is a Prelude to War!
1342. Secretary, chief of staff: A higher calling awaits
by Master Sgt. Rick Burnham
Air Force Print News
WASHINGTON -- When he took the reins of the U.S. Air Force chief of staff
Sept. 6, Gen. John Jumper hardly could have imagined what the future would
hold. That a ruthless band of terrorists would attack in less than a week
... that he and wife, Ellen, would attend a stirring presidential address to
the Congress, essentially declaring war on terrorists everywhere ... that
his Air Force would likely play a key role in that war.
Yet, those were the realities as the new chief of staff spoke before a group
of more than 100 Air Staff officer and enlisted people Sept. 21 at the
Pentagon. The general, formerly commander of Air Combat Command at Langley
Air Force Base, Va., was introduced by Dr. James Roche, secretary of the Air
Force.
"The events of last week opened up a period for us in the Air Force where we
have to adapt what we do well to the circumstances and threats we face,"
said the secretary. "I can tell you that we are blessed that we have a
terrific team, and a terrific uniformed leader in John Jumper, to get the
job done. I have the greatest confidence in him, and I think, together with
you, he will serve our country very well in the years to come."
Following his introduction by the secretary, Jumper spoke of the events of
the week before, saying that the world changed for everyone on Sept. 11.
"We're in a different mode," he said. "The president said it better than
anyone else could -- we are going to march forward in a very determined
way."
The U.S. Air Force, he added, is ready for the challenge.
"We were on a very great path already," he said. "In 1997, General Ryan said
we're going to take this AEF idea and make it work for the whole Air Force.
So we've been in this period of transition for an extended period of time,
and in doing so we've made ourselves ready for the events that confront us
today."
It helps, he added, that the entire country is now once again behind the
U.S. armed forces, with a single objective in mind: eradicate terrorism and
the people and organizations who generate it. Sitting with the Joint Chiefs
of Staff during President Bush's Sept. 20 address to Congress, he saw
firsthand the solidarity behind this most important cause.
"If there is any one place where you can feel the power of the nation's
work, it's in that body," he said. "And what you saw was a very diverse
group of people come together behind the president."
The president's speech, he said, was extremely effective, for a very simple
reason.
"His heart is in this," Jumper said. "You get the feeling there is a passion
involved in this ... there is nothing clinical about it. Of course, we're
used to that. We do business on that basis all the time, or we would not be
wearing the suit. But the nation has it now. You get this profound sense
that we have just crossed this very difficult bridge ... civilians are now
as much a target as people in uniform. It's frightening, but it's also
galvanizing.
"The whole nation is looking at us in uniform to do the nation's business.
Is there any higher calling than that? I don't think so."
Then, turning to Roche, "Mr. Secretary, I am proud to be a part of this
team. We have before us today, the greatest Air Force in the world. And we
are soon going to be able to demonstrate that fact once again. We will soon
have to go into harm's way once again, and the men and women of the U.S. Air
Force are going to make it happen. It is going to be magnificent, because
we're going to do it standing side-by-side."
Down the road, the general said, today's airmen are going to look back at
this time with pride.
"The things you tend to look back on are the things most important to you,"
he said. "I can't remember every year I got a pay raise, but I remember the
11th of September."
1341. Jumper addresses terrorist attacks
by Tech. Sgt. Dee Ann Poole
509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. (AFPN) -- Gen. John P. Jumper, Air Force chief
of staff, and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Jim Finch visited here
Sept. 20 to update the base's people about America's response to the Sept.
11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon.
"I'm here to tell you what's going on, and thank you for what you're doing
for your nation," Jumper said.
The terrorists tried to unnerve America but were not successful, he said.
"What they don't understand is that hitting our symbols isn't the same as
hitting our spirit, and our spirit can't be squelched," said Jumper, who was
in the Pentagon when it was hit by American Airlines Flight 77. The attack
took 189 lives, including 64 on the plane.
"We're going to take care of business in a profound way. We're going to
teach the people of the world that America's spirit is unbreakable," Jumper
said, earning cheers from the base's people.
Jumper reminded them how important their work is.
"When the nation is in a crisis, America turns to you to take care of
business," he said. "This team needs to stand together, side by side,
shoulder to shoulder, until the job gets done.
"This is a different kind of war, but it will include the same tools it
always takes: air and space power. No one else in the world can do what you
do. The Air Force will pull together and take the fight to the enemy,"
Jumper said, causing more cheers from an already buoyant crowd.
Jumper then opened up the commander's call for questions.
The first person asked if current operations would increase end-strength
numbers and result in stop-loss actions putting a temporary hold on some
retirements and separations.
"I don't think we'll increase our end-strength, but we'll do a stop-loss,"
Jumper said. "Authority for exemptions will be in the hands of the major
command commanders and will be done on a case-by-case basis. But it's not
appropriate to call up the Reserves without doing a stop-loss."
The next person asked if there would be changes in the aerospace
expeditionary force structure.
Jumper said the AEF may have to be broken for tanker and airlift support,
but the Air Force would stay within the predictable AEF framework as much as
possible.
"For everything else, if we have to break it, we'll explain it carefully,"
the general said. "When the nation calls, we have to answer."
The commander's call ended with Jumper praising President George W. Bush and
the Air Force.
"You have heard President Bush. He doesn't want a pin prick, but a campaign,
and we'll see it through to the end," Jumper said.
"I'm proud to be leading the greatest Air Force in the world. I'm proud to
be serving alongside all of you. I'm proud of what you're able to do. When
great airmen come together they make great things happen. God bless the
United States of America," he said. (Courtesy of Air Combat Command News
Service)
1340. Officials ban uniforms commercial flights
WASHINGTON (AFPN) -- Air Force people are no longer authorized to wear their
uniforms when traveling aboard commercial aircraft, Air Force officials
said.
The uniform prohibition, approved by Gen. John P. Jumper, Air Force chief of
staff, Sept. 21, is directly related to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on
New York and the Pentagon.
"The bottom line is force protection," said Lt. Col. Bruce Lovely, chief of
Air Force quality of life and uniform activities. "Due to our concern for
force protection, we want to make our folks less visible on commercial
aircraft."
The policy ends the June 2000 recommendation that colonels and above, and
chief master sergeants, wear their uniforms when traveling on official
orders within the United States.
1338. Patriotism sparks increase in recruiting inquiries
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. (AFPN) -- With patriotism running high, Air Force
Reserve Command recruiters are seeing a jump in inquiries since the
terrorist attacks in New York and Washington.
"We normally average 200 Internet leads a day, which are our most promising
leads," said Col. Kevin Reinert, deputy director of recruiting at AFRC
headquarters here. "In the past week, we've averaged 450 leads a day."
AFRC recruiting's national telephone line usually averages 150 leads per
day, Reinert said. During the week after the terrorist attacks, the
recruiters averaged 600 to 800 calls a day. That number jumped to 1,600
calls Sept. 17.
Some of the calls were from military retirees wanting to return to Air Force
Reserve duty.
"People who contact us through the Internet can type in some remarks,"
Reinert said. "Usually we receive questions about available benefits or
particular job opportunities. That's a lot different now; many people just
want to know how they can serve the United States in any capacity."
Some of the comments the recruiters have received include, "I want to serve
my country to prevent forever what happened on September 11th." Another
person said, "I was thinking about joining the Air Force Reserve for a while
since I left active duty. The time for thinking is over; it's time for
action. Our country needs everyone's help."
Air Force Reserve Command has an authorized end-strength of 74,470
reservists.
"We are within a few hundred of our upper limit and are more than 99-percent
manned right now," Reinert said. "By the end of September, we will be at
100 percent. But, we are always looking for hard-to-fill, warfighting
support positions, such as aircraft maintenance, fuels specialists, air
transportation specialists, medical technicians and services personnel."
Air Force reservists range in age from the youngest at 18 to physicians and
chaplains in their 60s, Reinert said. The average reservist is about 34
years old with 12 to 14 years of active-duty and Reserve service. (Courtesy
of AFRC News Service)
1335. OPSEC critical every day, everywhere
by Capt. Elizabeth A. Ortiz
U.S. Air Forces in Europe Public Affairs
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany (AFPN) -- Operations security, or OPSEC, is a key
component of antiterrorism and force protection. It helps protect
servicemembers, civilian employees, families, facilities and equipment
everywhere by denying information.
Good OPSEC practices are important, especially now in light of the recent
terrorist attacks on the United States, said Capt. Jim Williamson, OPSEC
program manager for U.S. Air Forces in Europe.
"Simply put, OPSEC is all about denying the bad guys information so we can
protect personnel and maximize mission effectiveness," said Williamson,
whose job includes ensuring critical information is protected throughout
USAFE.
Antiterrorism relies heavily on OPSEC, according to Air Force Instruction
10-1101, Operations Security. When people identify and protect critical
information (military operations, capabilities, limitations, intentions,
personnel, programs), OPSEC becomes a proactive means by which adversaries
are denied this important advantage, Williamson said.
"Even if you're not part of operations, OPSEC still applies to you," he
said. "We all possess critical information the adversary wants."
References to this information are maintained on a critical information
list, commonly known as a CIL, Williamson said. The lists should be kept
handy, like by the telephone, for convenient reference. Unit OPSEC managers
are responsible for tailoring the CIL to their particular work areas and
distributing it throughout their units.
"If a person needs to discuss critical information, they should use a secure
telephone -- remembering appropriate security clearance does not constitute
a need to know," he said.
Government telephones are subject to monitoring at all times.
Since force protection and antiterrorism protect the Air Force's most
precious asset -- its people -- it is critical that OPSEC be scrupulously
applied Air Force-wide everywhere, every day, Williamson said.
"While OPSEC has received increased attention lately, it's important all the
time," he said. "The adversary isn't just seeking information during time of
conflict. He's patiently waiting and collecting it all the time."
People should be careful of what they throw in the trash because "one man's
trash is another man's treasure," Williamson said.
Cell phones, while extremely convenient, are one of the easiest means of
communication to monitor, he said. No critical information should be
discussed on a cell phone, he went on to say.
While there is no critical information list for family members, Williamson
said they should stop to consider if what they are talking about would be of
interest to someone collecting information.
"We all have a role in OPSEC, and that includes family members," he said.
"Information such as the cancellation of leave or work schedules can provide
the adversary with another piece of the overall puzzle he's trying to piece
together."
"It's everyone's job to protect their piece of the puzzle," he said.
OPSEC also focuses on observable actions. According to Williamson, an
adversary creates a profile by simply observing people's daily activities.
People increase the value of that profile to the adversary if they are
predictable with their actions, he said. The observable action (or
indicator) becomes yet another piece of the overall information puzzle.
If the adversary observes the same action carried out in the same way at the
same time, then they can easily identify not only routine activities, but
deviations as well, he said.
"For example, if the same exact patrol route were followed at the same exact
time every day, the patrol would quickly become predicable," Williamson
said. "If the patrol were suddenly not there, that would be an indication of
a change to the mission."
If an action is random to begin with, the adversary is left guessing, and
"that's the point of OPSEC," Williamson said.
"OPSEC is important both on and off duty. We're all very proud of the work
we do, but the particulars are not for everyone's ears," he said. "The
adversary is real, he's listening, and he wants to know what you know."
(Courtesy of USAFE News Service)
1336. Chiefs use military training in real-world situation
by Staff Sgt. Amy Parr
Air Force Print News
WASHINGTON -- With a hard kick, another fire door came crashing open. Smoke
poured out. The fire was getting nearer, but still, the search for survivors
continued.
For two Air Force chief master sergeants stationed at the Pentagon, Sept. 11
was a day that required going the extra mile.
It was a day Chief Master Sgt. Ricky Arnold never expected to have while
working at the Pentagon. When terrorists turned a commercial airliner into a
weapon and crashed it into the Pentagon, the Air Force's survival, evasion,
resistance and escape career field manager knew he had to do anything he
could to help.
The best way to do that, he figured, would be to call on his extensive
training: survive (stay alive), evade (keep away from the fire), resist (not
breathe the smoke trying to fill his lungs) and escape -- with as many
people as he could find. But this was not training, it was real.
Ironically enough, Arnold said his office was watching the coverage of the
World Trade Center attacks when a fire was reported at the Pentagon.
"We were all glued to the television," he said. "When I heard that the
Pentagon was really on fire, I immediately called my wife to let her know I
was OK. I knew I had to get the call out while I could."
When he first evacuated the Pentagon, Arnold "was in a trance," he said.
It was not until he came across an injured security guard pleading
desperately for help in finding others that everything clicked.
"I knew I had to help," he said. When Arnold saw the first of the wounded
people being moved outside he identified himself as being trained as an
emergency medical technician.
"A call was made for a team to go (back in) and find and bring out
survivors," he said. "We went in three different times and brought out the
walking wounded and helped put the incapacitated on litters and electric
cars in the corridors, providing basic life support along the way.
"We were asked to go in one last time," Arnold said. "We encountered a
security guard that had been close to the impact area. He took us in as far
as we could get. But, after kicking a couple of fire doors open, the smoke
and heat became too intense. We didn't have any protective clothing or masks
and, at that point, I knew we had to go back."
For Chief Master Sgt. Paul Miller, pararescue career field manager, the day
started in a laid-back fashion. He was on leave and running about a
half-mile from the Pentagon.
Miller planned to stop by work, but never expected to be there the whole day
and most of the night, he said.
"As I approached the scene, I noticed the building was severely damaged and
burning, with several cars, trailers and a fire truck either damaged or on
fire," he said. "The heat from the building was intense. After several
attempts, I knew there was no way to enter the impacted area."
Miller then searched the area for injured people, but none were found. But
after a police officer told him a second plane was inbound and only two
minutes out, he quickly transitioned into a different mode, running through
the south parking lot to let people know to evacuate the area. Finally, when
it became apparent there was not a second aircraft, he worked his way back
to the impact area where he met with Arnold.
Miller, also trained as an EMT, and Arnold went to the triage area where
injured people were divided into three sections -- red: requiring immediate
care; yellow: delayed care; and green: minimal care.
"We went over to the yellow area as it seemed to be where there were less
people to help," Miller said. "We established a treatment area, gathered
supplies, set up equipment and helped get everything organized."
"After the initial rush, it appeared no more survivors were coming out,"
Arnold said. "We then spent our time unloading helicopters, trucks and
directing people to different areas."
Miller remembers a poignant moment near the end of the day, a moment he said
changed his entire outlook on the day.
"A female holding a child walked in front of where I was sitting," he said.
"I saw her face and how she was looking at the devastation and I felt in my
heart she had someone in there and they probably weren't coming out. A
priest came over to talk to her and she started crying.
"That is when the situation shifted for me," he said. "This was now about
the families left behind. It was the first time all day I thought of the
future picture ... my training in a situation usually keeps me focused on
what needs to be done now to fix the immediate crisis, not looking at the
aftermath."
1334. 'TRICARE for Life' kicks off Oct. 1
by Army Sgt. 1st Class Kathleen T. Rhem
American Forces Press Service
ARLINGTON, Va. (AFPN) -- "TRICARE for Life is green -- all signs are go" for
the program to begin as scheduled Oct. 1, said Col. Frank Cumberland.
"It's going to happen. It's funded. Let's press on," said Cumberland, who is
the director of communications and customer service at the TRICARE
Management Agency here.
The TRICARE for Life program extends TRICARE benefits to military retirees
who are older than 65 and Medicare-eligible. The fiscal 2001 National
Defense Authorization Act directed the Defense Department to extend the
medical coverage to this previously ineligible population.
For eligible retirees and their spouses who are older than 65 and enrolled
in Medicare Part B, TRICARE will become a second payer to Medicare starting
Oct. 1. This will end retirees need to pay many out-of-pocket expenses, and
most will probably decide they no longer need to buy "Medigap" supplemental
insurance, TRICARE officials said.
The only requirements for beneficiaries are that they check their enrollment
information in the Defense Eligibility Enrollment Reporting System to ensure
its accuracy and that they be enrolled in Medicare Part B.
All but about 70,000 of the 1.5 million retirees eligible for TRICARE for
Life are enrolled in Medicare Part B, said Steve Lillie, TRICARE's director
of over-65 benefits. Those 70,000 can take care of business during
Medicare's next general enrollment period of January through March 2002, he
said.
1333. Ritchie rich by saving Air Force millions
by 2nd Lt. Virgil Magee
Air Force Space Command Public Affairs
PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. (AFPN) -- For one Air Force Space Command
civil servant, coming up with good ideas for improving the Air Force has
paid off handsomely to the tune of $27,500.
Douglas Ritchie, a space systems support manager at AFSPC headquarters here,
saved the Air Force more than $2.5 million this year by making suggestions
through the Innovative Development through Employee Awareness Program.
His latest brainstorm was to keep spare parts scheduled for disposal for the
Space Defense Operations Center, located at Cheyenne Mountain Air Force
Station, Colo., and turn them over to the new contractor responsible for
maintaining the system for the next two years.
After doing his research, Ritchie, put his idea down on an Air Force Form
1000 and submitted it to his supervisor. For his efforts, he was presented
with a check for $10,000 by Lt. Gen. Roger DeKok, AFSPC vice commander, in
August.
"Since those parts were no longer produced, I thought we should keep them in
order to maintain a vital system that we needed for at least the next two
years," Ritchie said. "It just made more sense than replacing more than 50
workstations."
During the past year, Ritchie has submitted several suggestions to the IDEA
Program. He was first awarded $10,000 after saving the Air Force $130,000 in
system technical order contracts. He later saved the Air Force $55,000 in
system engineering and technical documentation costs and awarded $7,500. The
program bundled both awards together and he received the check for $17,500
in March.
"There are many ways to increase efficiency and save money," Ritchie said.
"We just have to look for ways to improve the system."
With the windfall, Ritchie plans to pay off some bills, do a little home
improvement and put the rest into savings.
The Air Force pays up to 15 percent of the money saved up to $10,000 for any
suggestion adopted through the IDEA program.
The IDEA program encourages innovative and creative thinking by both
military and civilian people of all ranks. It is designed to reward
individuals whose ideas are adopted and implemented, with appropriate cash
or noncash rewards. (Courtesy of AFSPC News Service)
1337. AFIT student competing for Miss America title
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, OHIO (AFPN) - First Lt. Andrea Plummer, an
Air Force reservist and student of the Air Force Institute of Technology
civilian institution program, will compete in the Miss America pageant Sept.
22.
Plummer is the reigning Miss New York 2001.
Multiple Sclerosis Awareness is the platform Plummer chooses to support
because of her mother's diagnosis with MS.
"MS strikes down people in the prime of their lives," Plummer said. "New
York State has the second-highest instance of MS in the United States.
People need to be educated about this disease."
Plummer plans to start medical school at Albany Medical College in Albany,
N.Y., with help from the Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship and
Financial Assistance Program available through AFIT.
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