WJPBR Email News List [EMAIL PROTECTED] Peace at any cost is a Prelude to War! 001033. Errors prompt review of AFIT service commitments RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFPN) -- After discovering a large number of errors, the Air Force is reviewing the active duty service commitments of officers who are attending or have attended the Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, since 1991. The review will cover everyone who has been enrolled in a degree program through AFIT, whether the coursework is done there or through civilian colleges and universities. To date, a variety of errors have been found in the records of 1,200 officers. The errors range from ADSCs that are too long or too short to ADSCs that haven't been recorded in any official record, resulting in students who have no ADSC related to the education they received or are receiving. As mistakes are found, the records will be corrected, but only after the officer is notified and has a chance to appeal the action to the Air Force Personnel Center here. Because no two cases are exactly alike, each will be handled individually by the center and will be reviewed personally by Maj. Gen. Richard "Tex" Brown, commander of the personnel center. "We, the Air Force, made these mistakes and it's up to us to get this fixed," Brown said. "I'm committed to do that and will be personally engaged. We owe it to our officers." According to Brown, "The first step in this process is to send personal letters to each of the more than 1,200 officers with missing, inaccurate or otherwise flawed active duty service commitments to explain how AFPC will rectify the situation." Earlier this year, Secretary of the Air Force Whit Peters gave Brown the authority to grant relief from ADSCs in cases in which the Air Force made a mistake and enforcing the correct commitment would create an injustice. "I'm confident General Brown has the tools at his disposal to ensure our people are treated fairly," Peters said. "It's unfortunate that we made so many mistakes in active duty service commitments under the old regulation and enforcement system. Now, after a lot of hard work, I believe we're on the road to getting this problem fixed once and for all. Our service members deserve to know where they stand and should be able to have confidence that our system will treat them fairly." Peters said that he believes the officers affected understood they would receive a service commitment in exchange for valuable graduate-level education. However, the Air Force Instruction governing service commitments, that was in force at the time these officers made their decision to attend AFIT, was confusing and difficult to interpret. It has since been simplified as part of a comprehensive effort to ensure that ADSCs are entered into all airmen's records correctly. As part of AFPC's notification process, Air Force members who have been identified as having incorrect or inappropriate ADSCs will be informed of their appeal rights, to include their right to file applications with the Air Force Board for the Correction of Military Records. However, officials at AFPC are confident that the vast majority of incorrect ADSCs can be resolved quickly. (Courtesy of AFPC News Service) 001040. Booster-'bullet' snafu foils fifth NMD test flight WASHINGTON (AFPN) -- The fifth test flight of the prototype National Missile Defense system ended in failure early July 8 when the "bullet" and booster rocket stages didn't separate. A modified Minuteman intercontinental ballistic missile with a target warhead was launched at 12:19 a.m. Eastern Time from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. The prototype interceptor was launched about 20 minutes later from Kwajalein Atoll in the Pacific Ocean. Air Force Lt. Gen. Ronald T. Kadish, director of the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization, explained immediately following the test that the exoatmospheric kill vehicle, the "bullet" of the NMD architecture, apparently waited for a signal from the booster rocket that never came. Lacking the signal, he said, the kill vehicle shut down its timeline and never attempted to intercept the Vandenberg target. The kill vehicle relies on hitting a target to destroy it. Defense officials reported later July 8 that everything else from kill vehicle sensors to ground control systems performed as expected up to moment separation should have occurred. They also said preliminary indications are the prototype tracking radar at Kwajalein performed well and discriminated the mock warhead from all other objects, including debris from an improperly inflated decoy balloon. Government and industry officials will review test data to trace the failure and determine test objectives that were or were not met. They would not estimate when the review would be complete. The National Missile Defense system is being designed to protect the United States from a limited ICBM attack. The United States has made no decision yet to deploy an NMD system. (Courtesy of American Forces Press Service) 001035. EQUAL list for overseas returnees due out July 25 RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFPN) -- The latest Enlisted Quarterly Assignment Listing of available overseas returnee enlisted assignments becomes available at military personnel flights and on the Air Force Personnel Center's World Wide Web page July 25. This list includes assignments for people eligible to return from overseas in November through January 2001. Personnel officials recommend assignment preferences be updated by Aug. 4 to ensure the information is updated in the computer system before actual assignments are made. Officials with AFPC here said assignments would be released on or about Aug. 21. EQUAL advertises upcoming assignment requirements by Air Force specialty code and rank, and gives people a chance to update their assignment preferences to more realistically match vacancies that will be filled in a particular cycle. New listings are released quarterly for assignments available at overseas locations as well as assignments available for those returning from overseas areas. All special duty assignments appear on EQUAL-Plus and are updated weekly. Military personnel flights and commanders support staff (CSS) offices have copies of the listings and can help people update their preferences. People who are on temporary duty during the advertising period should contact the nearest personnel office for assistance. People can also access the list on the AFPC home page at www.afpc.randolph.af.mil. (Courtesy of AFPC News Service) 001036. New way to volunteer for EQUAL Plus opportunities RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFPN) -- Members can now volunteer for EQUAL Plus advertisements right at their personal computers by logging onto the Assignment Management System. Effective immediately, members are no longer required to trek down to the commander's support staff office or military personnel flight to update their records, according Air Force Personnel Center officials. Once an account is established on AMS, the member will have unrestricted access to the system around the clock. EQUAL Plus advertises short notice and special duty assignments for airman through senior master sergeant, and all chief master sergeant assignments. If, when you check EQUAL Plus, you don't see an assignment for your AFSC, don't give up. The system is updated every week. The assignments advertised are for both stateside and overseas locations. They include a variety of career broadening type jobs such as working at a headquarters or field operating agency that requires special skills, Joint Departmental positions and numerous other unique opportunities. (Courtesy of AFPC News Service) 001034. Air Mobility Command NCO garners Pitsenbarger award RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFPN) -- An Air Mobility Command NCO who demonstrated true heroism after a household propane tank exploded in his neighborhood was awarded the 2000 Pitsenbarger Award. Tech. Sgt. Michael A. Windows, assigned to the 436th Supply Squadron, Dover Air Force Base, Del., is eligible to wear the service's recognition ribbon as a result of receiving the annual award sponsored by the Air Force Sergeants Association. According to AFSA officials, the award recognizes an Air Force enlisted member who has performed a heroic act, on or off duty, which resulted in the saving of life or the prevention of serious injury. Windows quickly went to his neighbor's house to check on the occupants after the explosion. Upon finding the front door locked, he kicked the door down and entered the burning house. He fought through thick smoke and debris and was able to locate three of the occupants and lead them to safety. Realizing one other occupant was unaccounted for, he did a second search of the house, located the last occupant and got her safely out of the house. Window's selfless acts not only saved the lives of his neighbors, but also his own family. The award will be presented during the AFSA's 2000 Air Force Honors Banquet Aug. 16 in New Orleans. 001038. Air Force band performs concerts in Vietnam by Master Sgt. Val Gempis Air Force Print News HANOI, VIETNAM -- For the first time since the end of the Vietnam War more than 25 years ago, a U.S. military band performed a series of concerts in the Peoples Republic of Vietnam. The group was invited by U.S. Ambassador Douglas Peter Peterson to perform a series of concerts July 1-5 in Hanoi to celebrate 224 years of U.S. independence and, more importantly, commemorate five years of U.S.-Vietnam diplomatic relations. The five-member ensemble from the Air Force Band of the Pacific-Asia is stationed at Yokota Air Base, Japan. "We're very honored and fortunate to be the Air Force's musical ambassadors here. It's an incredible feeling to be part of history and also to celebrate Independence Day in Hanoi", said Technical Sgt. Eric Horne, the band's team leader. "They're like a breath of fresh air," said Amanda Abel, an American who's been living in Hanoi for about a year. "It's so nice to see them here. They remind us of home," she added. More than a quarter century ago the sounds over Hanoi coming from U.S. airmen were B-52 bombers pummeling this city of four-million people almost daily with non-stop air operations intended to prevent the North Vietnamese army from invading the south. Today, not too far from Hoa Lo prison, more commonly known as the "Hanoi Hilton", a camp where hundreds of U.S. military personnel were kept during the conflict, the sound emanating from the U.S. airmen was on a much friendlier note. Entertaining a throng of some three hundred international and local dignitaries, the band played rousing renditions of rock-and-roll, country-and-western, and also Broadway music at the Daewoo Hotel during the July 4th celebration. The crowd, which included Vietnamese government officials who were once bitter enemies, clapped their hands, stomped their feet, and screamed enthusiastically as the Americans belted out classic tunes including "Back in the U.S.A.," "Route 66," "Jailhouse Rock," and "Mustang Sally." "I was hesitant to come here," said Staff Sgt. Lamont Sawyer, the band's drummer, whose father served as an army medic during the Vietnam conflict. "My dad lost a lot of friends here and although he didn't talk much about the war, I heard many bad things about this country," he added. Greeted with open arms and bright smiling faces by the Vietnamese, Sawyer was quickly impressed with their hospitality and amazed by the beauty of the city. "It wasn't what I expected," he said. "I thought that the people would still have animosity toward Americans because of what happened. But it seems like they've moved on and the war isn't relevant anymore. This country is so beautiful and the people are so friendly. I'm having so much fun discovering this place and making friends." During their five-day stay the group visited various historic sites in Hanoi including the Ho Chi Minh Museum, stores in the French Quarter, pagodas, and also the "Hanoi Hilton." They also held an outdoor performance at the American Club. "I've always thought of Vietnam as a war, just a jungle. I've never thought about Vietnam as a country," Sawyer said. He also added that he'd let his dad know that Vietnam is a different place now -- a much better place. (Courtesy of Pacific Air Forces News Service) 001038a.gif and 001038a.jpg Staff Sgt. Lamont Sawyer, a drummer from the Air Force Band of the Pacific-Asia, Yokota Air Base, Japan, sets up his equipment before a July 4th performance at the American Club in Hanoi, Vietnam. The band, at the invitation of the U.S. ambassador, was in Hanoi to perform a series of concerts. It was the first time in more than 25 years that a U.S. military band had played in Vietnam. (Photo by Master Sgt. Val Gempis) 001038b.gif and 001038b.jpg >From left-right, Staff Sgt. Steve Wilson (guitar), Staff Sgt. Lamont Sawyer (drums), Staff Sgt. Tim Hill (bass guitar), Senior Airman Mary Frenzl (vocals), and Technical Sgt. Eric Horne (keyboards), members of the Air Force Band of the Pacific-Asia, Yokota Air Base, Japan, perform classic American tunes at the American Club during a July 4th performance in Hanoi, Vietnam. The band, at the invitation of the U.S. ambassador, was in Hanoi to perform a series of concerts. It was the first time in more than 25 years that a U.S. military band had played in Vietnam. (Photo by Master Sgt. Val Gempis) 001038c.gif and 001038c.jpg >From left to right, Staff Sgts. LaMont Sawyer and Tim Hill, and Technical Sgt. Eric Horne, members of the Air Force Band of the Pacific-Asia, Yokota Air Base, Japan, entertain guests at the American Club in Hanoi, Vietnam, during a July 4th performance. The band performed a series of concerts in Hanoi at the invitation of the U.S. ambassador. It was the first time in more than 25 years that a U.S. military band had played in Vietnam. (Photo by Master Sgt. Val Gempis) 001038d.gif and 001038d.jpg Staff Sgts. Tim Hill and LaMont Sawyer, members of the Air Force Band of the Pacific-Asia, Yokota Air Base, Japan, attract a crowd of vendors while shopping for souvenirs in the Hang Gai district of Hanoi, Vietnam, during a break from their schedule. The band performed a series of concerts in Hanoi at the invitation of the U.S. ambassador. It was the first time in more than 25 years that a U.S. military band had played in Vietnam. (Photo by Master Sgt. Val Gempis) 001038e.gif and 001038e.jpg Members of the Air Force Band of the Pacific-Asia, Yokota Air Base, Japan, in Hanoi, Vietnam, to perform a series of concerts, visit a jail cell at the Hoa Loa Prison, more commonly known as the "Hanoi Hilton." The prison was used to house American POW's during the Vietnam conflict. The band was in Hanoi at the invitation of the U.S. ambassador to perform a series of concerts and it was the first time in more than 25 years that a U.S. military band had played in Vietnam. (Photo by Master Sgt. Val Gempis) 001039. Youth baseball in Europe is a cultural experience by Tech. Sgt. Ann Bennett Air Force Print News RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany -- For the children from six countries taking part in the Youth International Major Division (baseball) Tournament here last week, the experience was more than friendly competition. It was also a cultural learning experience. Eighteen teams -- 11 from the local Kaiserslautern Military Community and one from Naval Air Station Rota in Spain, as well as teams from Holland, Belgium, Germany and France -- competed in the 29th annual tournament. At the end of four days of tournament play in which the winners of the four pools competed for first through fourth places, the Kinheim team from Holland defeated the NAS Rota team in the championship game, making this the second year in a row they've won the tournament. Rota came in second followed by the Sembach Cubs, from Sembach Air Base in Germany, in third and the Pioneers, also from Holland, in fourth. Wiyada Lee, 86th Services Squadron youth sports director, said this tournament is a good experience for American children as well as children from other countries. "They not only enjoy playing baseball and learning about sportsmanship, they are exposed to other cultures as well." For the tournament, local KMC teams host the teams from out of town, with local families taking in two or more visiting children as well as coaches into their homes. "By hosting them at the homes," Lee continued, "they get to know each other better, learn each other's cultures and form friendships." "This is a great tournament and a great experience for our kids," said Kinge Bouma, coach of the Kinheim team. She added that it's wonderful to be with the host families and to learn about American culture. Cheryl Appel-Schumacher, whose family hosted several children and coaches from a French team in their home, said, "We just love the cultural exchange aspects of playing baseball here. It's just a great way to pass on some American traditions with other countries." She added that even though the language was a problem, they overcame it by using sign language and "just pointing to different things." She explained that video games are internationally famous and it helped to break the ice with the children. As for the food, she learned that the children did not like tacos, but they loved the turkey dinner with mashed potatoes and gravy she prepared. Tom Appel-Schumacher, coach of Ramstein's Orioles team, said despite the differences in language and culture, overall it wasn't a problem because baseball is the common language. "You see the similarities of the sport from country to country." He added that this is a great tournament for European kids to learn about baseball, an American sport. He said not only do the kids learn all kinds of fine tips, but the coaches also get to talk to each other about strategies and to share funny stories. "I think our American kids realize that even though we're good at baseball, there are other countries that are good also," he said. "Connections are also made at this international tournament," continued Coach Appel-Schumacher, who also coaches the base's Ambassador team for 10- to 12-year-olds. He explained that the Ambassadors, who have been competing in a tournament in Paris each year, have been invited to another tournament in France. The Ambassador team, which is open to boys and girls of all skill levels who want to play baseball, travels to various countries in Europe to compete in tournaments. 001039a.gif and 001039a.jpg The Vogelweh Cubs battle the French Hawks during the recent Youth International Major Division Tournament. The tournament, which included teams from six countries, has been held around July 4th at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, for the past 29 years. (Photo by Master Sgt. Keith Reed) 001039b.gif and 001039b.jpg Tom Appel-Schumacher, coach of Ramstein's Orioles team, shares some baseball tips with players from one of the French teams that participated in the Youth International Major Division Tournament recently. The tournament, which included teams from six countries, has been held around July 4th at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, for the past 29 years. (Photo by Master Sgt. Keith Reed) 001039c.gif and 001039c.jpg Players from Ramstein's Orioles and the French Hawks discuss their equipment during the recent Youth International Major Division Tournament. The tournament, which included teams from six countries, has been held around the Fourth of July at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, for the past 29 years. (Photo by Master Sgt. Keith Reed) 001037. Hot-rodders use Edwards drybed by Tech. Sgt. Chris Ball Air Force Flight Test Center Public Affairs EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (AFPN) -- Roaring engines and the smell of exhaust mixed with blowing dust normally isn't anything special here, where practically every type of aircraft in the Air Force inventory has been tested. It was a different story, though, when souped-up cars instead of sleek, modern fighter jets zoomed along the Mojave Desert, as was the case with the recent "Return to Muroc" time trials. The annual event, held on the south end of the base's Rogers Dry Lakebed, is a gathering of race enthusiasts from the Southern California Timing Association dedicated to preserving the time-trials heritage of hot-rodding's golden era. Drivers using stock to special-construction class cars and motorcycles gathered to race down the 1.5-mile straight course at speeds ranging from 70 to more than 200 mph. The competitors came from as far away as Florida to test their machines, and hot afternoon winds whipping dust around did little to dampen their enthusiasm. Rogers Dry Lakebed, long ago known as Muroc, along with other Southern California dry lakes, has been a gathering place for racing enthusiasts since before World War II. Back then, a desire to go faster by land led to development of new and better performing cars. Needing to be tested, the automobiles were brought to the dry lakebeds, where a long, smooth and straight course provided optimum conditions for high-speed runs, not unlike the mission of the Air Force Flight Test Center today. 001037a.gif and 001037a.jpg Vehicles competing in the Return to Muroc time-trials came in all shapes and sizes, from the super-sleek to the antique. (Photo by Lewis Mitchell) 001037b.gif and 001037b.jpg Vehicles competing in the Return to Muroc time-trials came in all shapes and sizes, from the super-sleek to the antique. (Photo by Lewis Mitchell) 001041. Two Elmendorf airmen trade snow parkas for racing gear by Senior Airman Korey London 3rd Wing Public Affairs ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska (AFPN) -- Two airmen here plan to make some serious tracks this summer, and the activity doesn't involve snowshoes. It will, however, include dusty, desert terrain and a cactus or two, not to mention some 200 dune buggies, four-by-four trucks and motorcycles. Chief Master Sgt. Randy Stewart, 3rd Transportation Squadron, and Airman First Class Cody Anderson, 12th Fighter Squadron, are two members of a five-man team from Alaska that plans to leave its mark on the Nevada 2000, a 2,000-mile off-road racing event. The six-day race, which began July 9 in Las Vegas, will take its participants through every type of climate and terrain Nevada has to offer. >From blistering desert heat to the cool and high elevation of Humboldt National Forest, Stewart and two other teammates will take turns speeding toward designated race check-points, where Anderson and the other team member will standby to make any needed repairs. For Stewart, preparation for the event has rekindled a passion he's had for motorcycle racing since his teenage years in Arizona. "I raced motor cross in Arizona as a teen," he said. "After I joined the Air Force, I did some motorcycle racing in New Mexico when I was stationed there. In 1989, we got transferred to Nevada, and I started desert racing with my sons, who were old enough to race at that time. We raced in the Best of the Desert series and had a pretty good time. When we got transferred to Alaska, I kind of laid it aside." The Nevada 2000 is also a Best of the Desert series race, which Stewart found out about last October while visiting relatives in Nevada. He picked up a flier about the race and showed it to a couple of racing buddies here. But they were skeptical about the idea. "They said the idea was logistically impossible, because it would be too difficult to get the bikes and supplies down there," Stewart said. So the chief took his idea to local motorcycle shops in Anchorage and put up fliers and posters to see what kind of interest it would generate. By January, he was able to put together a team for the event, and they've been preparing for the race ever since. Stewart's team will ride through the desert on an off-road motorcycle called the KTM 380. The bike reaches a top speed of 100 mph and can travel up to 65 miles on a tank of gas. "We've been doing a lot of heavy practicing and wearing motorcycles out trying to prepare for this race, because it's unique," he said. "I've got experience preparing for one-day races, but I'm not familiar with preparing for a six-day event." Stewart said he found out that the "rubber meets the road" for most competitors on the third and fourth days of the race. "That's when you find out whether you've prepared well enough physically and have all your equipment in line, and whether you're mentally set up to continue the race, because it's going to be tough," he said. The team's preparation for the race has consisted of long hours riding, aerobic exercise and weight lifting. "You've got to get on a motorcycle and ride real hard for long periods of time," he said. "We've been doing a lot of our training out at the Knik and Sutton areas (north of Anchorage). Sutton provided some of the elevation we needed and resembles the Bureau of Land Management roads we'll be traveling on throughout Nevada. In the Knik area, we found some wide open sandy areas that helped us train for the high speed sand and gravel sections we'll encounter." Anderson will focus his attention on getting to each of the different checkpoints ahead of the riders and repairing any damage to the bike. Mechanics participating in the Nevada 2000 only have one hour each day to make all repairs to their vehicles. "It's going to be challenging and exciting," said Anderson, "but I'm always up for a challenge. This is one of the largest races of its kind. We'll see and compete against lots of famous people from the off-road racing circuit. My hope is that we can keep the bikes running and reach all our checkpoints on time." *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! Therefore a vote for Gore or Bush is a wasted vote for America! Don't waste your vote! Vote for Patrick Buchanan! Today, candor compels us to admit that our vaunted two-party system is a snare and a delusion, a fraud upon the nation. Our two parties have become nothing but two wings of the same bird of prey... 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