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Show Page June 3, HILL TOP TIMES 6 1977 General Dixon: 'Air ' union a Force IS Gen. "The Air Force is a union - an inside union," says Robert J. Dixon, Tactical Air Command's (TAC) commander. Dixon General Writing in the April 22 issue of TIG BRIEF, says the union's strength lies in its "internal unity, its members "bound together by oath, code, custom, tradition, a common understanding, dedication and m O professionalism, purpose." But because the union's leadership is not constantly out m the public view, militantly making demands and headlines, as outside union chiefs would do, this internal unity can create a false impression among members of a lack of leadership's support, the general observes. General Dixon acknowledges and says it is essential - that "once an official position is taken on pay or benefits," leadership does not poll the union "to determine whether to leadership's protest, slow down, or strike." But he adds that " h role is "a continuing strong, Civilian and military leadership does take a stand, does advocate the union members' views, the general says. "Nobody has to convince the civilian and military leadership of the Air Force that our people are special," he writes. "It is basic Air Force creed that our people know and do their jobs -and that they work long and hard to maintain and improve readiness. It is clear up and down the line that our people will and do work, voluntarily, long hours - six and seven days a week without overtime pay. They spend days, months, and even years, during a career, away from home and family. They move from base to base continent to continent. And, as in no other profession - they are sworn now to leave their families, instantly, in peace or in war - not to return, if need be - voluntarily." This dedication should be rewarded, the general maintains in the ability to "get ahead in pace with the rest of America to receive the earned benefits understood to be partial recompense for the sacrifices of a military career. "Our union leadership is dedicated to communicating this position to those who can do something about it - through the Department of Defense, to the American people and the Congress of the United States. It is not always clear to the troops that this is, in fact, done." As "president of the TAC Chapter" of the Air Force union, General Dixon sees it as his job to "champion our cause - do something about our problems." It is the responsibility of commanders on down the line the local chapter heads - to support this vital function. Through TOP CARE, TAC's "Union Sheet," TAC leadership tries to provide the members with information on what is being done to preserve military benefits and explain management rationale when changes occur, TAC's commander says. "If the local, regional and national Air Force leaders do right champion our people's causes then we will have a a ready team," productive, confident volunteer team General Dixon says. "If we fail - if we cannot meet the legitimate needs and hopes of our people then we invite them to find their own spokesman and their own, separate ways of applying outside pressure to satisfy their legitimate needs. "This is not the case today it need not be and should not be the case tomorrow," General Dixon concludes. - u follow-throug- Backing was biggest cause of base accidents last year By Neal D. Faux It is difficult to comprehend why 40 percent of all motor vehicle accidents that happened on Hill AFB last year (1976) were backing accidents when most vehicles are normally being backed less than one percent of their operational time. 1977, there have been a During the period January-Apr200 of which 60 have been accidents of motor vehicle total backing accidents. This is still 30 percent, which is way out of proportion when considering the time spent in backing operations. The plausible explanation is that drivers are either ignorant of the requirements - standards for proper backing or else are just disregarding these requirements. This article is written with the primary intention of educating drivers of the requirements for backing i (4) states: "The vehicles. AFR paragraph driver of a vehicle will not back unless it can be done with reasonable safety and without disrupting traffic. A spotter will be employed at all times when backing restricted e vision vehicles such as buses, tractors-trailervehicles, and fire trucks." Drivers Handbook, OOAMAP 77-paragraph 2.0 states: "Prior to backing any vehicle where complete rear vision is not available, driver will get out and completely walk around the vehicle and also secure a spotter if available." AFR further states: "When driving paragraph a bus (20 passenger capacity or more), trucks (2V2 ton or and all trucks with trailers, you larger), van, will use guides prior to and during backing operations. Assistant drivers, or a responsible person or passenger may be used as a guide. . When noise discipline permits, sound your horn before you start to back. ... If you cannot clearly see the area behind you, dismount from the vehicle and clearly determine that your rearward path is il ll-4- 127-10- 1, s, van-typ- 2, 77-- 7-- 6 2, semi-traile- r, clear." If the above guidance was followed, backing accidents could essentially be eliminated, but accident reports have confirmed that drivers do not conform to these requirements. By direction of the Ogden ALC Commander, supervisors will take disciplinary action against drivers who have backing accidents If the above guidance was followed, backing accidents could essentially be eliminated, but accident reports have confirmed that drivers do not conform to these requirements. By direction of the Ogden ALC Commander, supervisors will take disciplinary action against drivers who have backing accidents that are caused by disregarding the referenced standards. Tips for baggers best Representative (D-Wis- .) has Les Aspin protection," Mr. Aspin said to introduced members of Congress, "but to clarify the society also ought to make legislation matter of pay for commissary available some uncomplicated baggers. Mr. Aspin says Congress never intended the baggers to be .considered as federal employes. "Ennlnvfs deserve ways for citizens to pick up a little pocket money by working for tips without being weighted down by the forces of bureaucracy." (AFNS) - - ummer savings with energy tips The Ogden Energy Management Office provides the following ideas, taken from TIG Brief 10, 1977, for Hill AFB personnel to use during the coming summer months to save both energy and money: thermostats no lower than 78 degrees. Set This depends on building, location, climate, etc. It is a variable, not a constant. The Federal government is enforcing a strict 0 degree temperature in all its buildings during the summer, so residents should do their fair share. Operate on only exceptionally hot days. filters at least once a Clean or replace a dirty filter takes more month, since blowing air through are not used, to reduce vents and rooms that off Close power. unit. on the the load When a house is unoccupied for several hours, turn off the 78-8- When buying new equipment or replacing old equipment, buy the cooling equipment with the smallest capacity to do the job. More cooling power than necessary is inefficient and ratios (EERs) are now available expensive. Energy-efficienc- y The higher the EER, the more units. most for unit. efficient the Deflect daytime sun with vertical louvers or awnings on windows, or draw draperies and shades in sunny windows. Keep windows and outside doors closed during the hottest hours of the day. Keep lights low or turned off. Electric lights generate heat unit. Use vents and and add to the load on the from moisture and to heat attics, kitchens, exhaust fans pull and laundries directly to the outside. Do as much cooking as possible in the early morning and late evening hours. On cooler days and during cooler hours, open the windows or electric fans. instead of using Dress for the higher temperatures. New lightweight clothes are comfortable and acceptable almost everywhere ng during the summer. - up-to-da- te - lf' rV - - - t World Environment Day, held each year on June 5, is the anniversary of the United Nations Human Environment Conference held in Stockholm offense to destroy their Sweden, in 1972. At that conference the United Nations Environment Program was established to enable the countries of the large floating masses of oil and other filth he found in the common goal for their common benefit - a clean environment. It is none too soon for taking global steps toward cleaning up the earth - cleaning up the pollution caused by man. In 1306, a Royal Decree was issued in England forbidding the use of coal for fuel in the city of London. The order was followed by a directive to punish offenders, "for the first offense with great fines and ransoms, and upon the second Everything advertised in this publication must be made available for purchase use or patronage without regard to the race, creed, color, national origin or sex of the purchaser, user, or patron. A confirmed violation or rejection of this policy of equal opportunities by an advertiser will fur- naces." More recently, Jacques oceanographer Cousteau has decried the middle of the ocean. Penguins of the Antarctic are being threatened by piles of trash discarded by the colonies of scientists living there. A Japanese expedition to Everest found man's Mount debris even at the top of the world. And during the search for Scotland's Loch Ness Monster, a World War II plane was discovered at the murky bottom of the mysterious loch. The New World e- nvironment remained relatively free of pollution until the last few hundred years. A joke told in another riy!ti!!5.e f ' I I "- .- "I - f S Every possible kind of trash has been found in the ocean's depths. On one occasion, 7,000 feet down off the Marianas Islands in the western Pacific, oceanographers came within one foot of an unexploded five-inc- h projectile. It was identified as an American shell, ". . . because right next to it, in fact leaning on it, was an American beer can." d Environment Bay world to work toward a I ilium context by Vine Deloria, Jr., the Indian activist, also applies to the ecology situation. It is said that when Columbus landed, one Indian turned to another and said, "Well, there goes the neighborhood." R. B. Cowles, professor emeritus of zoology at the University of California, has said of the Indians, "Their long occupation left not a scar on the land, nor a sign of damage, and going on the way they were would not have caused a blemish nor the extinction of a single species of animal or plant. By number and culture they were in balance with their environment." Consider our industrial in contrast. In achieving one of the highest standards of living in the society un5ih world, the United States has paid a price for it, the depletion of our natural resources and the degradation of our environment. said have will recently that all of us to make sacrifices in the future to pay for our past President Carter extravagance with natural resources and distortion of the balance of nature. The United States has always risen to meet its challenges, and it is a certainty that it must and will do so again. The national and international intent of World Environment Day could in perhaps be summed up recasting an old maxim: Cleaning up the environment begins at home. "Sa.t0 Print advrtising from that source. orry, class.f.eds by ma.l only: P. (). Box 16133, Salt Lake City, Utah 81116. |