AirMail - letters

Visions of Vance

The June 2000 issue allowed fellow Air Force members to read about Vance Air Force Base [Okla.], which is not widely known to many, especially the newbies. Aside from that, it feels good to see a familiar face on the cover and be able to say, "Hey, I worked with him!" Thanks.

Airman Andrea N. Garcia

Vance Air Force Base, Okla.

Perfect performance

I saw "The Perfect Storm" movie yesterday. I was stunned by the performance of the 106th Rescue Wing crew ["Pararescue Troops Featured in New Film," June '00]. My personal congratulations to those men, to the 106th, and to all the Air Force personnel all over the world.

Tommaso Gollini

Bologna, Italy

Korea service

I have been reading the responses to the article on the Republic of Korea [August '00]. I had a cozy job at Sheppard Air Force Base [Texas] and was floored when they gave me orders the same time I was turning in my convalescent leave two days after having my second child. I spent what time I had left with my children. I took my tour stationed at Osan [Air Base, South Korea]. I learned a lot about myself and their culture. I had to leave my 8-month-old daughter and a 3-year-old daughter. It was tough, yes, but it was done, and I as well as many others have survived this type of time away from home. Any retiring person will tell you they couldn't have made it without the sacrifices of the entire family. Lastly, any tour is what you make of it. If you can't make sacrifices, then you're in the wrong career.

Staff Sgt. Susan Diehl

Sheppard Air Force

Base, Texas

In reply to Sergeant Hall's letter [August '00], apparently you have no idea what sacrifice is, nor do you have any idea what service is. You sit in a base in California and have no idea of what a 5,000-year-old society could bring to your life. The Korean people have survived more travesties in their lives than any other nation in the world. They have survived the Japanese occupation, the devastation of having their country ripped apart and almost totally defoliated during the Korean War. There is a huge loss to our way of life should we let this country fall. The Koreans are one of our strongest allies. If you think this is not true, just ask President Kim. He has always fought for the same rights for his people that we believe in, and is now trying to reunite a country that has been separated for 50 years thanks to the last world war. So if you think you really know what you are talking about, when it comes to Korea and sacrifice, just sit there in California and let those of us who serve with pride in Ko rea stay here. I can guarantee you every member of the military serving here knows what sacrifice is. Just ask.

Staff Sgt. Jeffrey S. Byrd

Osan Air Base, South Korea

Tribute thanks

I want to express my thanks for the fine article in the September 2000 issue ["A Fitting Tribute"]. I was at the dedication ceremony at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, on July 26 for Lt. Gen. David J. McCloud and those who died in the Aleutian Campaign during World War II. My brother, Don H. Delk, was the recovery and restoration team chief for the project to restore the P-38 for the memorial. Unfortunately he passed away from complications of recent surgery the day before the dedication. I was very proud of the work my brother and the team did on the job of restoring the P-38.

Retired Master Sgt. Duane H. Delk

via email

Rescue spotlight

My many thanks for the work and effort of the controllers at the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center [September '00]. They have always provided me with all the help that I needed to successfully prosecute the mission at hand.

Maj. Ed McMillian, Civil Air Patrol

Payson, Ariz

Cooking booms

I am responding to "Booms Know What's Cooking" [October '00]. I would like to say first of all that I am offended by the article. I have been a boom operator for over 11 years and do not refer nor do I see myself as an in-flight cook. I was a schoolhouse instructor for the past six years. To have Airman do such an article is repulsive. I, as well as others in my unit, am made to believe and feel that the Air Force thinks of us as "cooks." I can assure you that being a boom operator is more detailed that just heating up some Betty Cracker products in an oven. The reference to "box nasties" has to make the flight kitchen individuals feel really appreciated in their efforts to provide us with flight meals. Furthermore, I am interested in how Airman Martin was allowed to take a picture with an unauthorized patch on his left sleeve. I am certain that all Air Mobility Command aircrews are required to wear an American flag on their left sleeve. I would expect a professional military magazine to be more up to date w ith Air Force Instruction 36-2903, AMC supplement. Staff Sgt. David A. Coleman

Robins Air Force Base, Ga.

Share the recognition

I would like to say that think that too few people get the recognition they deserve for the job they do. It seems like it's always the officers who get most of the attention. What about those of us who help keep that pilot in the air or load the aircraft to get supplies and parts to other locations around the world? I think that everyone deserves a chance to be recognized for hard work and dedication.

Staff Sgt. Scott Harmon

Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark.

Editor's note: We'll continue to do our best to ensure credit is given to those in all ranks, not Just in the officer ranks. That's been our guideline since Airman came into being 43 years ago. And still is.

Still guessing

I am in the military and married to another military member who has been in Saudi Arabia now for 106 days. I agree with the other AirMail comments in the August issue. I miss my husband terribly, and the worst part is not knowing when he is coming home. When he can, he can only tell me "around" what date he's coming home. Why aren't these days more concrete? I thought Air Expeditionary Forces were supposed to change the things that were going wrong before AEFs were invented. Nothing has changed! My husband is still over there, and I am still here waiting for his return.

Senior Airman Emily D. Boyd

Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.

Fitness promotion

Should physical training be part of the Weighted Airmen Promotion System program? It was interesting to see that the two people supporting this initiative are a chief and a major [AirMail, June '00 and September '00]. Neither is required to test under the WAPS system to get promoted. If you look closely at the WAPS program, fitness is a part. Meeting fitness standards is part of any enlisted performance report rating, and no individual may be promoted if they do not meet these standards. As a staff sergeant fighting to make technical sergeant in a very small career field, I think that the only people changing the WAPS system should be the people affected by the WAPS system. In a crazy, tough time of more with less, it would be very comforting to see people look at the things they are supporting and changing, not just respond with a knee-jerk reaction with no thought.

Staff Sgt. Marlene S. Bony

Osan Air Base, South Korea

Keeping in touch

Being an Air Force retiree, it's with pleasure that I receive Airman via the net. You can take the man out of the Air Force, but you can't take the Air Force out of the man. Keep up the good work. It's appreciated more than you know.

Retired Tech Sgt. Carl W. Smelcer

Angleton, Texas

I served in the Air Force from 1951 to 1955. I am still very much interested in what's going on in the Air Force, here in the States and worldwide! My 69 years have slowed me down a bit, but I still feel the pride of being an ex-USAF serviceman!

Earl B. Brizendine

Athens, Texas

Bravo volunteer

Your article "Say Hola to Honduras," [August '00] brought me wonderful memories of a beautiful place along with a mission where I undoubtedly felt I was making a difference for our country as well as our allies in Central America. Take notice, airmen who volunteer to Joint Task Force-Bravo will spend one of their best and most memorable assignments there. Nowhere does the command's term "Progress Through Unity" become so evident in a real world operation location where airmen and soldiers work side by side making a difference for our neighbors in Central America. Finally, as your article stated, where else can you live in a wooden "hooch" and wake up to a banana tree by your door, the smell of fresh coffee in the air, and the sight of the majestic La Paz mountains as you walk -- not drive -- to work?

Capt. Roberto F Quiroz II

Little Rock Air Force Bose, Ark.

COPYRIGHT 2000 U.S. Air Force, Air Force News Agency
COPYRIGHT 2001 Gale Group