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CREED IS FOR ALL AIRMEN

A letter in the June 25 issue of Air Force Times regarding the Airman’s Creed [“Service more than pilots”] struck a nerve with me. Former Airman 1st Class Don E. Averett Sr.’s assumption about the chief of staff disregarding all other career fields in the Air Force except pilots is absurd and shortsighted. Every one of us who has worn and still wears the Air Force uniform is represented in those words. No organization is defined by one group of people working to achieve that organization’s goals. We all maintain a legacy that was forged by people such as Gens. Billy Mitchell, Hap Arnold and Curtis LeMay. Mitchell was court-martialed for his belief in the importance and necessity of air power. Arnold and LeMay helped grow our force and transform us into the world’s premier air force. They were warriors, and so are we.

I am a second-generation airman. I have an uncle who was a ball turret gunner in World War II and another who is a retired chief master sergeant. My dad served at the end of the Vietnam War. All of them were warriors, yet only one flew. I have been in for 13 years and have never flown unless it was for a permanent change of station, yet I am a warrior. From the airman at the dining facility who makes sure we get fed to the pilots who fly our aircraft and everyone else in between, they all project air power. Everyone has an important part to play, and we need to play and think as a team.

So, the creed says, “I am an American Airman; my mission is to fly, fight, and win.” That is the ultimate organizational goal of the Air Force, everywhere on the globe. I strongly disagree that Gen. T. Michael Moseley was even remotely hinting that pilots are the only personnel in the Air Force who make it work. He is simply trying to get us all to look at the larger picture and realize that air power comes from us all, every day, and to make us proud that in 60 years we have irreversibly changed, the face of war and peace.

Tech. Sgt. Danielle Harmon

RAF Lakenheath, England

Chief mishandled weapon

I must have missed something when I went through weapons training and over a lifetime of shooting, training and hunting. When is it OK for a weapon — loaded or not — to be pointed at something you don’t intend to shoot or kill? The answer now must be: when appearing in Air Force Times. I was shocked and disappointed to see the chief master sergeant in a photo on Page 42 of the July 2 issue pointing his weapon directly at a line of airmen. The first question is: Why or how did this go unnoticed by the photographer or those in observance? The next question is: Why did the chief find it appropriate or educationally necessary to point his weapon in such an unsafe and dangerous manner? I hope those in attendance did not take his muzzle discipline back to the field with them.

Tech. Sgt. Brian Morris

Hill Air Force Base, Utah

Gays should never serve

In response to the June 25 column “It’s time to let gays serve” by former Rep. Bob Barr [Frontlines], his opinion has no weight. He goes through the usual list of reasons why gays should be allowed to serve — basically saying “because we need them.” He is not on a Navy ship where a seaman “hot bunks” (shares a bed among three shifts where one guy wakes another and takes his hot bunk as they change shifts). He is not in a foxhole with a gay soldier. He is not in cockpit with a gay airman. He is not in the gang latrine or group shower or doing group activities requiring close contact.

I respect the fact that he used to be a congressman; however, I don’t see where he has a dog in this fight. According to his biography, Barr never served in the military. Just because America is becoming more immoral doesn’t make sin acceptable. I don’t want to sound like a fanatic by quoting the Bible, but it is clear, as are the Quran and most other religious doctrine. Homosexuality is a sin. Hollywood liberals can whine all they want about equality and minority groups, but it won’t change that. Gays don’t belong in the military.

Lt. Col. Robert Blair

Dallas

Respecting fallen airman

As I waited with baited breath for news that Paris Hilton had been released from that draconian dungeon called the Los Angeles County jail, I received a sad e-mail. As Paris was sitting in jail working on her multimillion-dollar deal for the blow-by-blow account of her time in jail, Airman 1st Class Jason Nathan, a 22-year-old Air Force cop, was patrolling the roads of Iraq and helping to train Iraqi police and military troops. He was stationed in England at one of our air bases and had been deployed “down range” to defend Air Force assets in the desert.

I understand Paris recently went to some business opening in Australia and was paid more than $2 million for her appearance. When Nathan went downrange, he got a couple of hundred extra dollars for hazardous-duty pay. Paris got a whole wardrobe of clothes for her trip. Nathan got three sets of desert camouflage battle uniforms and some new boots. Paris flew down on a chartered aircraft with her entourage. Nathan flew into the desert with 200 of his closest airman friends.

Upon arriving, Paris went to her five-star hotel, and Nathan went to his tent. Paris had room service, and Nathan got to eat in the chow hall when he was not on patrol; otherwise, he ate MREs while scanning the terrain for bad guys who wanted to kill him. I am sure there are a few mothers in the U.S. who, because of her negative influence on their daughters, feel toward Paris the way Muslim insurgents feel toward American troops. The difference is no one is going to detonate an IED next to Paris’ limo.

Nathan did not make records or appear on TV. He was a young black man from Macon, Ga., who joined the Air Force to be a cop, to serve, protect and defend his country. The e-mail message I got the day Paris was sprung from jail was that Nathan had been killed in action. I did not see anything on the news about his death; I guess Paris was more in need of the media coverage than the death of some kid from Georgia.

Nathan was the sixth Air Force cop to die in this war. My old career field had not lost a cop in combat since Vietnam. Sadly, we are making up for lost time way too rapidly.

I never met Jason Nathan, but when I got the e-mail telling me of his death, I truly thought I was going to cry. I am not happy with the way my big Air Force is using air groundsmen in this war. We do not have the hardened vehicles and the combat training that it takes to be infantry, yet the Defense Department sees fit to use airmen in combat areas to which they were never intended to be deployed.

To the family of Airman 1st Class Jason Nathan, I am so sorry for your loss. Jason stood up and was counted when his country needed him. I know that he will be memorialized at the Security Forces Museum at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. Years from now, when Paris has burned out both ends of her candle, new cops as well as the old veteran cops will remember what Jason did for his Air Force and his country. A life needs to count for something other than just being famous.

Maj. Van Harl (ret.)

Altus, Okla.

Let Del Toro stay in

This is in regard to the Air Force Times’ June 12 issue concerning the plight of Tech. Sgt. Israel Del Toro and his desire to remain on active duty in spite of his horrific injuries suffered when his Humvee rolled over an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan.

We believe that Tech. Sgt. Del Toro deserves to be allowed to remain on active duty until he is eligible for at least his 20-year retirement. With modern medical miracles, he can undergo plastic surgery and be restored to become a productive airman. Looking at the many rows of ribbons he is wearing in the picture of him with Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley, one can tell that this is no ordinary airman but one who has been recognized for outstanding service throughout his military career. He may not be able to perform his regular military specialty, but there is surely some place in our Air Force where he can continue to be productive. Allowing this sergeant to continue on active duty would be in his best interest and in the best interest of the Air Force.

We salute Tech. Sgt. Del Toro for his desire to serve his country and our Air Force.

Chief Master Sgt. Lee H. Chalifour (ret.)

Lt. Col. Mary L. Chalifour (ret.)

Port Charlotte, Fla.

Do PT pants right this time

Thank God the Air Force Uniform Board is looking into modifying the Air Force physical training uniform [“What you’ll wear for PT,” June 25]. The proposed modifications are needed. I, for one, refuse to wear the pants (unless it’s mandatory) because of how noisy, unbreathable and baggy they are. But why do we have to look into lighter, less noisy and more breathable material and better fit so soon after the PT uniform’s release? Why weren’t the problems caught in the beginning? My guess is the suit was never field-tested. If it was, I doubt it was approved by runners or by anyone who walked more than five steps in it. My advice to the uniform board is to take time to get it right this time. Have our athletes field-test them before mass-producing another mistake and making us pay for it.

Maj. Rob Kittel

Peterson Air Force Base, Colo.

I have heard many theories as to why the current PT shorts are one of the most hated uniform items in existence.

From my point of view, and the point of view of many folks my age, the shorts just simply show off too much leg.

I am no longer in my 20s. My legs, thighs and other areas are not what they used to be.

I realize that I can wear the pants (swoosh, swoosh, swoosh) or wear leggings underneath (which bunch up at every opportunity). Many times, the Arkansas humidity just does not make these options viable.

So please, somebody have the good sense to introduce longer PT shorts. If not for the sake of my modesty, at least do it for my young troops who should not be subjected to a view of my older anatomy.

Tech. Sgt. Wendy Minar

Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark.

WWII vet seeks wrong rank

I was taken aback when reading the article “She earned it” from the July 2 issue [Frontlines]. As a technical sergeant with 13-plus years in the Air Force, I have worked extremely hard to reach my rank. I am not trying to belittle or say that Mrs. Lena Gibbons did not do a great job during her time in the Women’s Army Corps. I do not feel, however, that her 18 months on active duty should earn her the rank of technical sergeant, regardless of her commendations or achievements.

The Army gives members with degrees the chance to become a warrant officer. The Air Force does not have enlisted ranks for individuals with degrees; you have the option to be commissioned. If Rep. Diana DeGette, D-Colo., thinks that Gibbons deserves a promotion in rank as recognition and to make her feel appreciated about her military service, then she should not go up about three to four grades for 18 months of service. Why would she not be promoted to Air Force lieutenant or Army warrant officer? I am puzzled by 18 months of service deserving an E-6 grade when someone equal to this situation in today’s Air Force would be a lieutenant.

Tech. Sgt. Susan Moore

Vance Air Force Base, Okla.

Olds was a legend

Air Force Times’ article on Brig. Gen. Robin Olds was worth its weight in gold [“Pilot known for fighting skills and spirit dies at 84,” July 9].

Unfortunately, in today’s world, men like him are hard to find. Brig. Gen. Olds was not an administrator, but a leader. His example of making decisions followed by actions will serve as an inspiration for all in uniform, now and in the future. His life may have ended at age 84, but his spirit still lives. We all should count ourselves fortunate in life to have known him or known about him.

Army Sgt. Maj. Glenn R. Salter (ret.)

Stanton, Calif.