EDITOR’S
CORNER/LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Hanger Talk
The following information was gleamed from various
publications. The draw-down of the active duty force to allow the Generals to buy
more single seat $500,000,000 [million dollar] aircraft makes me wonder? Just
like the deactivation of LBR Detachments in the early 70’s as a cost cutting
measure, is this the best choice? As you will read, this time they’re cutting
manpower in the Fire Departments. The loss of one or more of these high end
sophisticated fighters would pay for how many firefighters?
As I understand it, after the day’s flying is completed,
Firefighters will be let off duty while a small number remain to man Structural
Engines. Although it has been over 20 years since I retired from Active Duty, I
still remember that when the flying stops, the maintenance begins. Over the
years I was involved in numerous serious incidents involving non flying
aircraft. I fully understand that the Fire Service doesn’t physically produce a
tangible product, but without it, the USAF’s
Insurance deductible is going to go up a lot.
After retirement from active duty, I worked with the
“STEALTH PROJECTS”. I’ve handled emergencies on both airborne and hangered B-2A’s and loss of only one of those Two Billion
Dollar pieces of plastic could fund Fire Protection for a considerable period.
Lastly, I understand the greatness of American Airpower. I
only wonder that an F-22 and his wingman each carrying 6 missiles and a gun and
up against 30 Chinese copies of the MIG-29; will numbers finally overwhelm and
defeat technological superior aircraft? Like the F-15 “Driver” in the movie RED DAWN said when asked why he got shot down; “hell,
there were 5 of them and I got four”!
AF Announces Force Shaping Plans
Air Force Print News |
The
reductions are in line with Air Force efforts to balance the force and
recapitalize and modernize aging weapons systems.
Officials
believe a vast majority of the reductions will come from normal attrition, said
Col. Chuck Armentrout, the chief of the military
force management policy division.
This
leaves only about 645 officer losses as a result of force-shaping measures, a
number significantly lower than last year's goal. To achieve the required end
strength, Air Force officials will offer limited programs for voluntary
separations and retirements, as well as a force-shaping board to achieve a
limited number of involuntary separations.
Reducing Firefighters: The USAF's top civil engineer,
Maj. Gen. Del Eulberg, plans to decrease the number
of firefighters on duty during low risk periods and have more firefighters
available during higher risk periods-a move necessitated by the loss of more than 900 firefighters
under Air Force force-shaping efforts, reports SSgt. J.G. Buzanowski. Eulberg is shifting
from a "risk
avoidance" stance to a "risk management" stance to "provide
the level of protection we need to protect people and property with fewer
firefighters." He added, "Other than prevention, the key to fighting
a fire is speed, not necessarily numbers."
"The
(2008) force-shaping program will again be targeted by skill and year group,
and primarily officer-focused. However, we will require far
fewer losses in fiscal 2008," Colonel Armentrout
said.
The
Air Force will begin the 2008 force-shaping program by offering voluntary
separation pay to approximately 200 officers in overage career fields with 12
to 15 years time in service. Officers approved for VSP will receive a lump sum
payment equal to three times the standard involuntary separation pay rate, but
must separate before
Additionally,
under the 2008 program, officers with a minimum of 20 years active service and
at least 8 years of commissioned service may apply for retirement.
Eligible colonels and lieutenant colonels may also apply for a waiver to retire
with two years time in grade instead of three. Retirement dates must be no
later than
The
Air Force will also hold a force-shaping board in March 2008 to reduce the
force by approximately 130 officers in overage career fields in the 2005 year
group. In addition to career fields that are short or balanced, Airmen in the
14N and 32E specialties will be exempt from the board.
Currently,
no service commitment waivers are offered to enlisted members under the 2008
force-shaping program.
"For
the enlisted force, we will be able to use the tools we have in place to adjust
and keep the force balanced," Colonel Armentrout
said. "As we go through the year we assess (the process), and if it
doesn't look like the goal is going to materialize, we'll look at waiving
service commitments for enlisted."
The
new force-shaping message supersedes prior messages. Other force-shaping
programs such as "Blue to Green," for officers and enlisted, and the
enlisted retraining program remain open. The expanded Palace Chase program for
fiscal 2008 remains open only for officers in the 2005 commissioned year group.
Other officers and enlisted Airmen may apply for Palace transfers to the Guard
or Reserve, according to Air Force Instruction 36-3205.
Didn’t we learn anything after WW-I,
Steve
*********************
LETTERS
to the EDITOR
I get numerous letters requesting information and the best way to
get the right answers is to turn it over to our readers. With the millions of man
hours of knowledge, you our readers usually provide an answer.
This
first letter about Foreign Crewmembers flying on the HH-43 came from (P) Joe
Ballinger. Jim Moore forwarded it asking if anyone knew of other instances
where Foreign Nationals flew as Crewmembers?
When we, at Det. 2, 54th ARS,
Were there any
other units who flew with foreign nationals as part of the crew? Possibly
If you have information, send
it to jollyjoe@ruraltel.net with CC:
to
jbmoore58@yahoo.com ; pedronews@libby.org
Next Jim
Moore asks about dropped FSKs:
For all the H-43
guys or anyone that may have some knowledge of this issue. There have
been several emails lately that mentioned a dropped FSK. Since the only
thing I know about an H-43 is I can identify one 8-9 times out of 10.
I asked a few of our members about the sling system that carries the FSK.
The consensus is that the FSK would be released as soon as a certain amount of
weight was taken off the sling. This would insure the FSK was placed [asap] on the intended spot.
There probably was a crew switch with a safe and auto position and when in auto
the sling would release once some of the FSK weight was removed when it was
placed on the ground.
One member seems to remember there being some sort of electrical problem
resulting in dropping the FSK and some sort of mod was made.
Would it have been possible for the sling to release when the aircraft say hit
an air pocket? Possibly when the switch was in the auto position?
Since there were several dropped, the electrical problems
seems to have been the culprit.
Any information to clarify how the system was supposed to work or information
on the cause of a FSK being inadvertently dropped would be appreciated.
Please send any information
to: jbmoore58@yahoo.com with a CC: to pedronews@libby.org