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Show 10 af aflc news HIU TOP TIMES July 10, 1M7 Major command representatives work out more than 30 issues - RANDOLPH AFB, Texas (AFMPC) A special Air Forcewide conference was held recently at the Pentagon to hammer out ways to improve Air Force pilot retention. Conferees, representing the maj or commands and Air Staff , worked out more than 30 recommendations aimed at ensuring that highly qualified pilots stay in the Air Force. A primary issue addressed at the conference was an increase in aviation career incentive pay, commonly called flight pay. The last increase in flight pay was in 1981. Since that time the cost of living index has risen approximately 20 percent. Recognizing the importance of pay in the retention equation, the conferees recommended a substantial increase in flight pay to compensate pilots for the rigorous demands of a flying career and to encourage more highly skilled and experienced pilots to stay in the Air Force. In addition to pay increases, the conferees said other issues must be addressed in order to significantly improve pilot retention rates. Another major recommendation was to provide more accurate and current professional development information to commanders and aircrews. The group concluded that commanders' involvement in the assignment process must be substantially strengthened throughout the Air Force. To do this, the assignment teams at the Air Force Military Personnel Center have recently produced commander's assignment guides. The guides augment the rated officer assignment guide, providing more information on force dynamics and projected assignment actions for pilots. "The counseling provided by commanders has proven very successful as a retention tool," said Maj. Dana Longino of the Officer Retention Branch at AFMPC. Other conference initiatives concerned family travel on Air Force aircraft, spouse support, regular Air Force augmentation, academic credit for advanced flying courses, joint tours and promotion issues. on The group also discussed n related degrees; higher reimbursements; changes in professional military education; and morale, welfare and recreation funding problems. in-dep- one-on-o- "Another proposal forwarded by the conference attendees was to eliminate some of the irritants voiced by pilots such as the necessity to accomplish additional duties simply to fill a square on an officer effectiveness report," Major Longino said. One of the concerns discussed by conferees was the need for improvements in officer effectiveness reportsAn OER study group is now meeting at the Military Personnel Center to review the overall OER system for possible changes. The retention conferees also recommended consideration of incentives such as special bonuses and guaranteed follow-oassignments for positions. Making spouses more aware of the professional development and assignments system through AFMPC-sponsore- d briefing teams and a slowdown in the proliferation of awards and decorations were among other suggestions made at the th ; ne n conference. Major Longino pointed out that all recommendations are under review "to clear the way for implementation of those programs deemed most valuable in meeting retention goals." He added that "additional information will be published as recommendations are approved and instituted." non-job-- T permanent-change-of-statio- Foreign jef repair program working well Work done at overseas theaters decreases turnaround time, shipping costs WRIGHT-PATTERSO- AFB, N Ohio (AFLCNS) A promodF100 gram awarding jet engine ule and accessory repair contracts to foreign governments is working well, according to officials close to the six-year-o- ld . unified fuel controls for engines used by U.S. Air Forces in Europe started the ball rolling," he explained. "Ten contracts now exist for repair of various F100 items. Before, we were the sole overhaul facility." Now, a similar contract is also in effect for repair of Pacific Air Forces program. . Air Force Logistics Command's when reasoning, awarding these Over- F100 engines. It is held by a Japanese seas Workload Program contracts, firm, i was that repairs done in theater would Mr. Ramos noted the success of the decrease, turnaround time and lower Far East effort and said another $43 million contract, largest in the proshipping costs. Materiel management officials at gram's history, is being offered for San Antonio Air Logistics Center, repair of engines and modules. Mr. Ramos noted, however, that Kelly AFB, Texas, report the program is steadily expanding. foreign contractors encounter the Robert Ramos, a Fighter Propulsame problems as those stateside, sion Systems Division section chief, primarily parts shortages. One solusaid foreign repair contracts have also tion is being supplied by the Military significantly increased availability of Airlift Command which is speeding parts destined for frontline forces, at parts manufactured in the states to competitive prices. overseas companies performing F100 "The 1980 contract to repair F100 repairs. -- in-theat- er NCOs being sought as PME Instructors Air Forcewide RANDOLPH AFB, Texas (AFMPC) Noncommissioned officers are needed as professional military education instructors worldwide. Instructors are needed at the Air Force Senior NCO Academy, the Air University Center for Professional Development, NCO academies, leadership schools, NCO preparatory courses and NCO PME centers that consist of more than one level of PME. The schools need instructors ranging in grade from staff sergeant through chief master sergeant at bases in the continental United States, Alaska, West Germany, England, Japan, the Philippines and several other worldwide locations. Applications must comply with Air Force Enlisted Personnel Airmen Regulation 39-1Assignments. Applicants for instructor duty must have attended at least the course level they wish to instruct, and NCO preparatory course instructors must be leadership school graduates. 1, 2ie broken uuwn into different Vwi"at those interested even may apply giuuc though their particular grade does not appear on the vacancy list. More information is available at the Hill AFB Consolidated Base Personnel Office, customer service unit. Ext. 71845. One secret to the success of the pro- gram is the team approach taken by the contracting officer, the item and system managers in the Directorate of Materiel Management and the contractor. "The European contractors are doing a commendable job," said Don Lee, Materiel Management deputy director. "They're serious about our business with them and interested in doing more for us in improving our pipeline flow times." Management of overseas F100 engine repair and overhaul contracts, as well as all Air Force contracts awarded in both the European, and Pacific theaters, is the mission of the Air Force Contract Maintenance Center, headquartered at Wright-PattersoThe AFCMS is the prime interface between the requirements (buyer) organization and the foreign contractor. n. VJhora AAPGQ sCaovjo proGSD lorvDCoraomboco cocp covjapd - DALLAS, Texas (AAFES) welfare boards decide where Like other major retailers, and how to spend their portion Army and Air Force Exchange of the AAFES dividends," Service officials attempt to General Long said. "Last year, make a profit. we returned $114.5 million, or But unlike other retailers. $84.38 for every active dutv AAFES profits are returned to Army and Air Force member. customers every time they use "And the money AAFES re a gym, library, youth activity tains isn't lost to our cuscenter or any other Morale, the tomers," general said. Welfare and Recreation Divibenefits when the "They reap sion activity on an Army or Air ' we a new sound put system in Force installation. a movie theater or build an ex"That's what makes AAFES change mall or new restaurant. unique," said Maj. Gen. John E. For those stationed overseas, Long, AAFES commander. that touch of home at the Burg"We don't run on tax dollars. er is the money they spent King Instead, we must generate in exchanges coming back to enough income to pay our own them. business expenses, plus help "All in all, AAFES has fund Army and Air Force M WR returned $3.2 billion to cusprograms. tomers in past 20 vears." "For every dollar the ex- - General thesaid. "That's $1.6 Long change takes in, 74.3 cents goes billion for Morale, Welfare and for goods, 16.3 cents for person- Recreation programs and nel and 5 cents for supplies, util- another $1.6 billion to build or er. C?s improve exchange facilities." in,?1 remaining 4.4 cents is split between Army and Air Editor's note: The Hill AFB Force MWR dividends and Exchange is undergoing a $2.5 AAFES capital expense- s- es- - million addition and remodeling sentially new or improved cus- - project which will turn the fadl- tomer faculties, the general ity into a mini-malThe project is due for completiton in July 8a?"ru Army and Air Force 1988. -- L hard-to-fi- ll briefs AF cyclists tho scfost WASHINGTON, D.C. (AFNS) Air Force tops the other services in motorcycle safety, according to the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. This is the fifth straight year that the foundation has awarded Air Force the Military Achievement Award for significant contributions in motorcycle safety. Clark AB, Philippines, will receive the base-levaward. The awards are to be presented later this year. el HATE still going strong WASHINGTON, D.C. (AFNS) A 1975 decision to purchase automatic test equipment that would work with any type of hardware or software remains a continuing success for the Air Force. The modu- lar automatic test equipment approach in acquisition programs curbs excessive increases in developing, acquiring and supporting automatic test equipment. Air Force wants all agencies to use the MATE approach in every acquisition program. Ccmpotition savos WASHINGTON (AFNS) -Competition for production of a highly effective cluster munition will save the Air F ce approximately $6,000 on each of 26,500 combined effects munitions to be bought this year. Aerojet Ordnance Co., Inc., of Downey, Calif., and -- Inc. of New Hope, the weapons for approximately $13,000 each. The weapon combines fragmentation, incendiary effects and armor penetration capabilities and is effective against a variety of targets. Honeywell, Minn., will co-produ- ce f.l!!I:c7y cXtcrI!) rises WASHINGTON (AFNS- )- Total strength of the armed forces on May 31 based on preliminary reports was 2,152,669, a decrease of 5,493 from the previous month, but an increase of 8,714 from the same date last year. Air Force strength May 31 was 603,395. The figures represent regulars and reserves on continuous active duty, officer candidates, cadets at the military and Air Force Academies and midshipmen at the Naval Academy. Excluded are approxiservice mately 69,000 members paid from appropriations for reserve components and the Corps of Engineers. full-tim- e |