Friday, June 22, 2001 Peterson Air Force Base, Colo. Vol. 45 No. 25 News Khobar Towers remembered Airman Leadership School students honor the Stars and Stripes on Flag Day - Page 3 News Local soldiers don Army’s new black beret - Page 4 GSU Corner Department of Defense photo U.S. and Saudi military personnel survey the damage to Khobar Towers caused by the explosion of a fuel truck outside the northern fence of the facility on King Abdul Aziz Air Base near Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, June 25, 1996. Monday marks five years since the terrorist attack that killed 19 U.S. service members and wounded hundreds more. See pages 10-11 for more on remembering Khobar Towers. Detachment 3, 18th SPSS tracks deep space objects from atop a dor- Advisory panel proposes sweeping personnel changes mant volcano on the basically 50 years old and has been 'band- The QOL study is just one of what By Sgt. 1st Class Kathleen T. Rhem island of Maui, Hawaii American Forces Press Service aided' over the years to accommodate dif- have come to be called "the Rumsfeld - Page 5 ferent stresses and strains on it," he said. Reviews." It was begun to "stimulate the WASHINGTON, June 15, 2001 -- The current up-or-out system "works secretary's thinking" on the myriad issues The American public holds the military in OK, … but doesn't necessarily recognize relating to quality of life and morale. high regard, but "the propensity to serve is the individual needs of the services," Higher education levels in the enlist- Inside very low," a high-level Pentagon adviser Jeremiah said. He said more flexible ed force have made the pay gap for mid- said June 13. retirement systems, including allowing level enlisted grades larger than the gap for News Page 3-7 Retired Adm. David Jeremiah, a for- certain career fields to get some retirement other grades, Jeremiah said. He noted that FYI Page 12 mer vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of benefits before 20 years and not forcing nearly 80 percent of enlisted members People Page 9 Staff, told reporters that the military needs others out at 30 years, might be smart have "some college" by the time they've Sports Page 15 a personnel system designed for "changing ways to do business. been in the service 10 years. Classified ads Page 17 demographics" and better pay for mid- "We need to know what kinds of "We find now many enlisted people grade enlisted members. skills and experience we're going to need with more than one bachelor's degree or Jeremiah led a far-reaching review of for our transformed force. … We may not master's degrees," the admiral said. "So it's quality-of-life and morale issues at the want a 60-year-old infantryman … but I'd a different force than the high school grad- request of Defense Secretary Donald be happy to have a 60- year-old informa- uates - - if we were lucky and ahead of the Rumsfeld. He briefly went over the panel's tion warrior," Jeremiah said. "He or she sheriff -- that we got 50 years ago." 60-plus recommendations in the Pentagon has probably 15 or 20 years of experience He said the gap results from DoD briefing. in the business, knows how to do it, (and) paying these ranks on the assumption they Visit the He said the military has a personnel knows all the tricks of the trade. are high-school graduates only, not indi- Space Observer system with "no real structure, no strategy "There are different needs out there," viduals with some college or with college online at that deals with human resources in the he said. "The one-size-fits-all (system) degrees. He recommended President (Defense) Department across the board, doesn't work any more." The admiral Bush's recent pledge of $1.4 billion more www.spaceobserver.com not just military but civilians and contrac- called a flexible retirement system "the in military pay raises be targeted to mid- tors as well." most fundamental" recommendation to grade enlisted service members. "What you have is a system that is come out of his panel's review. See PERSONNEL, Page 4 SPACE OBSERVER 2 Friday, June 22, 2001 From the top Message from the ‘Turn our focus to the journey ahead’ 21st SW commander says Secretary of the Air Force Monday is a solemn day for the US Air Force. It is To the men and women of the United States Air Force the anniversary of the Khobar Towers bombing, which occurred 5 years ago at the military complex in Dhahran, I was recently sworn in as your 20th sec- aerospace future just as remarkable as your Saudi Arabia. Over the past 5 years, it has become a date retary of the Air Force and became, on that admired past: undeniable and global reconnais- when many in the military take a moment to commemo- day, a proud member of a magnificent team of sance and strike superiority. My pledge to you rate the sacrifices of those who lost their lives on the active duty airmen, guardsmen, reservists, and is that I will serve the way you do ever day, evening of June 25, 1996, and to say thanks to the people civilian employees. You have earned the admi- worldwide — with integrity, selflessness and in around us still serving our country after experiencing the ration of our nation, the respect of the world, earnest pursuit of excellence. horrific terrorist attack. and the promise of a bright future. I already In 1963, President Kennedy said of mili- Nineteen Air Force members lost their lives on that can tell you that you should be enormously tary service: “I can imagine no more reward- day; hundreds others were injured; thousands more were proud of your achievements, from combat ing career. And any man who may be asked in directly affected because of the things they witnessed and operations over Iraq and the Balkans to your this century what he did to make his life worth- experienced. There are no words that can change the recent validation of the Expeditionary while, I think can respond with a good deal of events of that fateful day. All we can do is personally Aerospace Force concept. In the realm of pride and satisfaction: ‘I served in the United thank them for their sacrifice and professionally carry on aerospace power, you fly the best, train the States Navy.’” That sentiment rings very true their proud legacy. best, and maintain the best. As you put it: for me. As you know, I am deeply proud of So on Monday, I encourage each of you to stop for “No One Comes Close.” my Navy career. But, today we are in a new just a moment to reflect on those 19 lives that were lost We must now turn our focus to the jour- century, with new opportunities, new chal- June 25, 1996, and the lives of thousands that were ney ahead, and be responsive to this new cen- lenges, new capabilities, and vastly different changed forever. Also, remember those currently tury’s emerging security environment. I look threats to the security of our great nation. In deployed around the world. They continue to provide out- forward to piloting that journey with you. My this century, men and women can respond with standing service to our country. focus is on developing new strategies for mili- a good deal of pride and satisfaction: “I serve Next week I’ll be visiting our units in the Pacific. I tary aerospace power in this new millennium; in the United States Air Force.” And now, I look forward to sharing my experiences with you in a improving Air Force retention, professional am proud to be able to say that too. future edition of the Space Observer. I thank each of you education and leadership and development; for doing a superb job day in and day out. eliminating the inefficiencies in how we do our business; and developing our acquisition poli- Brig. Gen. Bob Kehler cies and processes to ensure innovation and James G. Roche 21st Space Wing commander competitive vibrancy within our defense indus- Secretary of the Air Force trial base over the long haul. My vision is an Community thanks Air Force volunteers I would like to personally thank all the personnel I want to thank the 21st at Peterson and Schriever Air Force Bases for respond- Communications Squadron for their ing to the call for help in Ellicott. I want to further help in Ellicott. Jason Carlson, Victor extend my appreciation to the commanding officers Cabezas, Richard Johnson, Angela who allowed their people to spend time and energy in Herron, John Dembiczak, Regina this clean-up effort, and for sending the heavy equip- Price, Steven Weishaar, Owen ment that was used in Ellicott to remove the debris. Freeland, Daniel Lagace and Jeremy Without the help from Air Force personnel, the clean- Lambert helped me pick up and stack up would still continue. We are all very grateful for tornado debris scattered over many the tremendous response from all of you. I walked acres. Jason Carlson’s coordination through the mess alone, but not alone long. Within 24 and leadership were invaluable. The hours, we had the Air Force beside us. I was proud to volunteers made my day and I won’t Action line work with all of you. My sincere Thanks. forget their up-beat personalities. Thank you. Sincerely, Submitting Action Lines Sharon Sincerely, The Action Line Volunteer liason Loraine Lundquist Anderson (556-7777 or by A farewell to Don Poulin fax: 556-7848) is The 21st Services Squadron lost one of its He would start your direct link to members, Donald L.