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4April2002NewsAround theAir ForceServices Respond to Electronic Age’s “Mail Call!”By Jim GaramoneAmerican Forces Press Servicedo, e-mail can be sent to and from I was recently aboard the USSname@gimail.mil. Deployed per- Peleliu, she continued. There, theysonnel can access the site from any have computers all over the ship andWASHINGTON Service computer with an Internet connec- you can log right onto e-mail acmembers through the ages have lived tion. Families without home com- counts. If you get a good connecfor mail. Whether in the trenches puters may be able to access GIMail tion, the turnaround time is somearound Vicksburg, Miss., in 1863 or accounts using equipment in service times 10 minutes. Carl said she can t think of anyin Pleiku, South Vietnam, in 1967, family centers on installations, or lione aboard ship who doesn t takesoldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines braries or schools.GIMail is intended for short- advantage of the service. Some ofand Coast Guardsmen have alwayslooked forward to the shout, Mail term keep-in-touch use by service the sailors are encouraging their parCall! But today, instead of the platoon sergeant shuffling through letters and calling out names, the mailcall come- and-get-it is more likely adelivery announcement that pops upwhen you connect your computerto the Internet.Electronic mail has become ubiquitous in America at large. Some service members are using e-mail tokeep in touch with family and friendsno matter where they may be, including distant battlefields.The war against terrorism takesfull advantage of the technologyPhoto by Capt. Charles Grow, USMC.available to the U.S. military. PartAMarineinthe26thMarineExpeditionary Unit (Specialof that technology helps soldiers,OperationsCapable)checkshispersonal E-mail account whileairmen and Marines in Central Asiaon station in Kandahar, Afghanistan in January 2002.who are using computers to keep intouch, said service officials.The Air Force has an ambitious members and families. To keep ite-mail post office called GIMail, self lean, the system deletes mail af- ents and grandparents to figure outwhich is accessible from ter 90 days and automatically de- how to use a computer so they canwww.afcrossroads.com/html/com- letes accounts not accessed for 90 stay in touch, she said.The Marines who went intomunications/index.cfm, said Air days.CampRhino and later Kandahar,TheNavyhasasophisticatedForce Maj. Jay Doherty of Air ForceAfghanistan,had e-mail connectionse-mailsystemforsailorsdeployedFamily Matters at the Pentagon.Accounts are free and open to mem- aboard ship. It s getting better all with their families stateside, Marinebers of all the services. Visit the site the time, said Navy spokeswoman officials said. There were no dedifor more information and conditions Lt. Brauna Carl. In 1998, I de- cated official resources to the proployed on the USS Whidbey Island. gram and, in fact, no formal programof use. It is a dot.mil site, Doherty We had to save e-mail as text files at all. Marines, with their commandsaid. Military members themselves and it was all sent out once a day at ers blessings, used official computers on off-hours to read and send ehave to go in and register. Once they one time.mail.Soldiers in the area are also maintaining contact. There is no formalset up, like we have in Bosnia andKosovo, said Kathleen Cole, a specialist with the Army s Communityand Family Support Center in Alexandria, Va. In the Balkans, theArmy has set up cyberhuts, which are small buildings with computers inside and a small satellitedish on top. We have nothing like that inAfghanistan, Cole said. We don tknow how long we will be there and,let s face it, the commanders are running combat operations. Those, ofcourse, have priority. In more settled areas, theservices have video-telephonecapabilities. These aren t in placein Central Asia yet, but thecapability is mobile and could bedeployed if needed.The services see e-mail as acritical morale booster, and theycontinue to seek ways to improveit. We re looking at having acapacity to videostream e- mails, said the Air Force s Doherty. Inother words, send e-mails withvideoclips so that while you redeployed, you don t miss theSoapbox Derby or the baby s firststeps. This means time zones don tmatter when scheduling videophonee-mail. It may be noon inWashington, but three o clock in themorning where your loved one isdeployed, Doherty said. Just fireoff an e-mail with that ballet clipattached, he said. The recipient canopen it at his or her leisure.

April20025NewsDoD FightsGovernment CreditCard AbuseBy Linda KozarynAmerican Forces Press ServiceWASHINGTON Defenseofficials are on the trail of anyone who hasn t paid their government travel credit card bill andthose who ve misused government purchase cards.Defense Secretary Donald H.Rumsfeld is moving forcefully to correct department travel andpurchase credit card problems, which he considers to be veryserious, DoD Comptroller DovS. Zakheim said in a Pentagonpress briefing today. The department intends to have a packageof remedies in the form of proposed legislation or administrative changes within 60 days, headded.Zakheim said he set up a taskforce about a week ago made upof the DoD inspector general andDefense Criminal InvestigativeService, and representatives fromthe Office of Personnel Management, Justice Department andOffice of Management and Budget. The task force objectives areto investigate and punish wrongdoers, develop reforms, and improve training and senior management enforcement.The Defense Department hasissued about 1.4 million travelcredit cards to individual employees and service members. Lastyear, cardholders charged some 3.4 billion using the cards. Thedepartment has also issued about207,000 purchase cards to persons authorized to buy officesupplies and equipment. Lastyear, 6.1 million was spent using DoD purchase cards.Defense officials say users current delinquency rate ontravel cards is 11.7 percent and 3percent for centrally billed purchase card accounts. Accountsare considered delinquent whenpayment is not made within 60days. Punishment for card misuse, fraud and abuse include termination of DoD employment,imprisonment, probation, restitution, fines and demotion, officialssaid.The Defense Criminal Investigative Service has 17 open investigations involving 90 persons allegedly involved in creditcard fraud. Other completedcases have resulted in jail terms,probation and restitution. Examples:-A Florida man, for example,pleaded guilty to placing fraudulent charges on 13 governmentcredit cards. He was sentencedto 18 months in jail and 36months probation, and orderedto pay 262,840 in restitution andother fees.-In another case, a Texas manpleaded guilty to using a government credit card to buy a television for personal use. He wasfired and sentenced in federalcourt to a 3,000 fine and 1,400in restitution.-A Virginia man must pay 400,200 in restitution afterpleading guilty to bribing JointStaff Supply Service employeesto buy from his office suppliesAir Force Photo Courtesy of the 931st AGSCareer CompletedSenior Master Sgt. Ted Ritchie (right) was recognized duringthe March Unit Training Assembly by Col. James Bouska,931st Air Refueling Group commander. Ritchie, a member ofthe 931st Aircraft Generation Squadron, is retiring to Shelton,Wash., after a 35-year military career.company using their governmentcredit cards. He was sentencedto 27 months in jail and 36months probation. The point is we doprosecute, Zakheim stressed. We do get convictions, andpeople do pay either in jail timeor in money or both. Zakheim called the credit cardprograms a major and essentialpart of DoD s efforts to improveits business practices. The cardscut costs, free up funds for criticalrequirements and create thepotential for accountability. What we re looking for now isbetter ways of executing that, he said. The issue is not toeliminate the cards that isgoing backward. What we vegot to do is prevent misuse. The problem is notwidespread, Zakheim stressed. Ithink sometimes people get theimpression that there is thisoverwhelming degree of misuse.It is simply false. While thedelinquency rate on the DoDcards is higher than for privatesector cards, he noted, thatdoesn t mean the departmentthinks it s acceptable. No abuse is acceptable, hestressed. No delinquency isacceptable. Since April 2001, defenseofficials have taken steps toreduce misuse, fraud and abuseand have succeeded in cuttingthe total delinquent amount from 20 million to about 6.9 million,he said. Because of one step, forinstance, employees can ttransfer to another office or leavethe department until delinquentcredit card charges areaddressed. In other words, you can t justskip town, Zakheim said.Defense officials are lookingat ways to make both individualsand supervisors responsible forfraudulent charges. The bestway to encourage people to dothings properly is if they knowit s ultimately going to come outof their pocket, he said.

6BriefsApril2002Spirit ShortsMilitary PersonnelFlight hoursThe core hours of operationfor the MPF are: Mondaysthrough Fridays 7:30 a.m.-4p.m.; UTA Saturdays 8 a.m.-4p.m.; and UTA Sundays 10a.m.-4 p.m.MPF MINIMUMMANNINGThe MPF will be minimallymanned during the May UTA.ART OrientationNewly hired enlisted ARTSshould attend this course withintheir 1st year of being hired. It isnow an in residence course, heldat Robins AFB, Ga. The nextclass is June 4-5. Contact yourunit training manager or GroupTraining to request a slot.GI Bill StoppageEffective June 1, members receiving reserve (chapter 1606) GIBill payments must call the VA(1-877-823-2378) each month tocertify the number of credit hoursthey are taking. Members whofail to call will not receive theirmonthly check.Airman LeadershipFY 02 dates have been announced. Senior Airmen with 48months time in service are eligibleto attend ALS. Interested members may contact Group Training for further information.Hometown NewsHave you just been promotedor received an achievementmedal? These are just two ofmany events that qualify you tofill out a hometown news release.Once you ve completed the form,an announcement will be sent toyour hometown newspaper topublicize your achievements.Examples of qualifying events forthe program include promotions,awarding of the achievementmedal and above, re-enlistments,obtaining a college degree, winning airman of the quarter andmany more.Stop by the Public Affairsoffice in Rm. 221 to fill out yourHometown News Release.New StripesCongratulations to the latestreservists for selection to the following new ranks in April andMay:Senior Master Sgt. Mack L.Housman, 931st MSF;SeniorMaster Sgt Pamela Summers,931st MSF; Master Sgt. JamesKirk, 931st AGS; MasterSgt.Debra Lee 18th ARS; MasterSgt. Michael Gil, 931st AGS; TechSgt. Michael Haggit, 931st AGS;Tech Sgt.Edwin Espinoza; StaffSgt.Gregory Carron, 18th ARS;Senior Airman Linda Sutter, 931stAMF; Senior Airman WilliamBaker, 931st AGS; AirmanJeremiah Babcock, 931st AGS;Airman David Dixon, 931st AGSNCO LeadershipMovin’ On UpClass dates from both TinkerCongratulations to the followand Ft. Worth Joint Reserve Base(Carswell) are available. Inter- ing members for completing Proested staff sergeants and tech fessional Military Education orsergeants can contact Group formal technical training.The following recently comTraining for information.pleted PME via in residence:Master Sgt.Corinna Seitz ,931st MSF ( SNCOA); Tech. SgtDon Ellis , 931st MSF, ( NCO A);Tech. Sgt Jon Wattenburger,931st MSF ( NCO A)The following recently completed PME via correspondence:Tech. Sgt Anna Kasl, 931st MSF,5 (SNCOA) ; TSgt Tatia Krueger,931st ARS, 5 (SNCOA)The following recently completed or will soon complete formal training: Tech. Sgt DebroadaCornelius, 931st MSF, Personnel 3 level school; Staff Sgt. PaulMcGinnis , 931st AGS, ElectroEnvironmental 7 level school;Senior Airman Penny Rickets,931st OSF, Information Management 3 level school; Senior Airman Marcus Thurman, 931stARG, Information Management3 level school; SeniorAirmanBenny Acosta, 931st OSF, retraining to Electronic ComputerSwitching; Staff Sgt. AndreaBeaupre, 931st ARG, retrainingto Public AffairsFirst Shirt Openingends the Military Pay Office (Samor Dee) is only open for businesson Saturdays from 7:30 a.m. to 1p.m. For information, contactTech. Sgt. Anick Wallace at Ext.3665.MPF TrainingThe 3A s and 3C s training forthe April UTA will be held on Saturday 1:30 p.m-3:30 p.m in building 850, room128. Training willresume to normal during theMay UTA-9am-11am in building850, room 217.Training OpportunitiesConfronting difficult issuescourse: The Professional Development Center from AFRC willbe providing this class to 931stmembers May 19-20. Class sizeis limited to 10. Those interestedmay contact Group Training Ext.5423.FITNESS WALKIt s that time again - time toput on those walking shoes &get after it! Our first walk will beon Sunday April 14 at 3:30 p.m.bythe CE ball field. There will notbe another walk until the JuneUTA. You must complete a newAFRC Form 48 PRIOR to walking. Contact your unit fitnessmonitor for the form.Applications are being accepted for a First Sergeant position within the 931st Mission Support Flight. To qualify you mustbe an E6 or E7, completed theNCO Academy, communicatewell and meet minimum weightand body fat standards. AppliVOLUNTEERScations should be turned into theNEEDED!!931 MSF/DPMSC by June 6 forDo you enjoy taking picthe board held June 8. For questions Call Tech. Sgt Pat Johnson, tures? Are you versed in deskDSN 743-3587, Commercial (316) top publishing? Would you just759-3587.like to pitch in and help whereyou can? The HRDC is startNeed to outprocess? ing a yearbook for the 931st andIf you need to out process for we need lots of help. For QuesTDY, reassignment or retirement, tions call Master Sgt. Pam Sumkeep in mind that on UTA week- mers Ext.5423.

April2002ConferenceContinued from Page 1U.S. Rep. Ken Calvert went to bat on thisissue for both organizations at the podiumduring remarks at the conference. I m looking forward to adding the C-17mission to 4th Air Force, said Calvert, representative for the 43rd congressional districtwhich includes March Field. Acquisitionof more C-17s built for March and WrightPatterson is an ongoing matter. The defensebudget is not settled, and there is room formore negotiations for the military. As the war on terrorism evolves, reservists can expect call-ups to continue. Thedirector of the Aerospace ExpeditionaryForce Cell at AFRC headquarters reinforcedthis point at the conference. It appears that current operations willcontinue for a long time, said AnthonyTassonne Jr. of the AFRC directorate of operations.He urged the commanders to be flexiblein managing their functional areas. Reality 101 is we re going to war in anAEF construct, he said. The real worldworks by the theater commanders in chief7Newsand when we re deployed we work for theCINCs. One of the CINCs recently activated workers is Col. David Walker, 4th AF operations.He got a call on his drive to work in Januaryto depart before close of business that day.Without time to double back home for a farewell hug, he left by lunch time to start hisnew mission: build an air-bridge plan totransport Al Queda and Taliban detaineesfrom Afghanistan to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.Security was also bolstered for the flights.The 8,000-mile airbridge swept through 12times zone and used crews from four AFRCwings on C-17 and C-141 aircraft. This mission was the definition of military precision, said Walker, who spent fourdays bunkered at Khandahar, Afghanistan s,battered airport. There was 100 percent reliability on every mission. His briefing, with its graphic descriptions,captured the conferees undivided attentionand yielded a spontaneous, standing ovation at its completionThe point was reinforced about how involved air reserve forces are in this operation. Air support for the current operationis, according to 4th AF tacticians, the thirdlargest airlift effort to date behind the BerlinAirlift and Operations Desert Shield/Storm. We are not just the back-up team, Lt.Gen. James E. Sherrard III, AFRC commanderand chief of the Air Force Reserve, told theattendees. What we are accomplishing isthe right thing at a difficult time, and we haveto get that message across [to the Americanpublic]. Sherrard touched on other issues duringhis presentation, including the C-17 projectand discussions related to the possible useof Boeing 767s in the air refueling community. But nothing was discussed more thanpersonnel. Our challenges are recruiting and retention, he said. I can do all the talking in(Washington) D.C., but the only person I llretain is me and my secretary. It s up to eachof you (reservists) to talk with people in yourunits about recruiting. We also have to havea serious talk with our members at the end oftheir mobilization to remind them of howmuch they bring to the table and how important they are to us. Command officials stressed concern formaintaining high levels of personnel retention, an effort that is likely to be a creativemix of career incentives for reservists, especially those now on extended active duty.Addition made to optional uniform itemsby Staff Sgt. Amy ParrAir Force Print NewsWASHINGTON (AFPN) Military clothing sales shopperswill see a new set of optional items for wear in the coming year. TheAir Force Uniform Board recently approved the addition of Air Forcesymbol cuff links, tie tacks and tie bars.These items will replace the respective coat of arms items currently on the inventory, said Master Sgt. Ruth Nischwitz, Air Forceuniform section chief at the Pentagon. Also on the inventory aregrade insignia and Hap Arnold wing and star items.These optional items are authorized for wear with the servicedress, long-sleeved shirt and blouse, mess dress, semi-formal andmaternity dress.Nischwitz said the new items will be authorized for wear afterminor spec adjustments and manufacturing. Provided there are nomanufacturing delays, the items should be available by 2003,Nischwitz said.The phase-out period for coat of arms cuff links, tie bars and tietacks will be published in the new Air Force Instruction 36-2903,Dress and Appearance, later this year. Normally items are phased out of the inventory by attrition orwithin a two-year cycle, Nischwitz said. The availability of thenew items will determine which method is the most appropriate. Weanticipate (the phase out to be) approximately 18 to 24 months fromthe date of the AFI. To add an item to the inventory, major command commandersnormally approve and submit uniform proposals to the Air ForceUniform Board office for evaluation and processing, Nischwitz said.After evaluation by the board, the item is forwarded to the Air Forcechief of staff for approval. The new symbol was introduced in January 2000 to honor theheritage of our past and represent the promise of our future, shesaid.Because the symbol has been used in a variety of ways, including outreach communication and advertising, to promote recruiting, retention and general public awareness of the Air Force and itsvalue to the nation, Nischwitz said its move to the uniform was notunexpected. (It was) originally conceived as part of an effort to more effectively tell the Air Force story and present a consistent Air Forceimage, she said.

8The Back PageWichita WeekendJosephAndrew Lloyd Webber sBroadway mega hit Joseph andthe Amazing TechnicolorDreamcoat. Six performances atCentury II Concert Hall. April 11and 12 at 7:30 p.m., April 13 at2:30 and 7:30 p.m., April 14 at 2:30and 6:30 p.m. Tickets 33 to 43at Select-A-Seat locations.Cattleman’s BallCattleman s Ball Fundraiserfor the American Cancer Society.April 13 at Sam Fulco Pavilion inthe Kansas Coliseum. Begins at5 p.m. Tickets are 85, call 2653400 for details.Wichita StealthFootballArena football at the Kansas Coliseum, April 13. WichitaStealth vs. Arkansas Twisters.Tickets 8 to 35 at Select-A-Seatlocations.Wichita State BaseballCollege baseball at Eck Stadium, Wichita St

attention to OPSEC as the cyber world was emerging. Whether that inadequate attention to OPSEC was due to lack of individual OPSEC awareness, lack of OPSEC training across the Air Force, or lack of leadership emphasis on OPSEC doesn t matter. IA doesn t mean just computers, tele-phones, radios, and other technical assets. No