OCR Text |
Show Hill AFB, CIFTT1 Utah Vol. 54 No. 2, 84056-582- 4 January 14, 1 999 By Joint Chiefs aoiiness fuoos INSIDE: MARTIN LUTHER . .v a ff. t i ; :t y fiss' ft Base honors King Friday fSage 2 Employee dies in accident Page 5 Payday calendar 6 Page WASHINGTON (AFPN) Calling the president's proposed injection of $110 billion into the Pentagon's budget over the next five years a "good start," the Air Force chief of staff and other military service chiefs asked members of the Senate Armed Services Committee Jan. 5 to support a greater, sustained boost in funds for readiness. The Joint Chiefs told the senators additional funds are needed to stem the continuing decline in readiness, com- Bases test program 9 Page O W I J1 rates of aircraft cannibalization. Gen. Michael E. Ryan, Air Force chief of staff, joined the chairman of the Joint Chiefs and the other service chiefs in requesting $30 billion more in Air Force spending dedicated to readiness over the next six years. This is in addition to billions of dollars the president has already proposed for fiscal year 2000 pay and retirement benefit increases. "We very much appreciate what the secretary of defense and the president of the United States have done in support of readiness," Ryan said in his opening statement. "We ask for your support in a continued campaign to provide our airmen with the needed equipment and the training and compensation to match the difficult missions we ask of them for their sacrifices and service." -Ryan's pride in Air Force people was evident. "Our Air Force men and women, and their commanders, have done great work in keeping control of readiness declines despite heavy tasking and tough fiscal rates have constraints. Nonetheless, the mission-capabl- e declined," Ryan said. The general told the senators his three readiness priorities are people, equipment and the training to employ both. He said if he "could put a bubble around this that enables it all to happen, it would be leadership." ; " Above all, the service chiefs agreed, Congress must press ahead with the president's previously announced FY 2000 overall 4.4 percent pay raises, additional targeted ; e officers and noncommispay raises for sioned officers and restoration of retirement benefits to 50 percent of base pay for 20 years' service. "Restoring the retirement system, narrowing the pay gap and implementing pay table reform," Ryan said, "are three tangible efforts that our people deserve and appre- 111 .ft" Pages A-- C J Ji Air Force Print News Our Air Force men and women, and their commanders, have done great work in keeping control of readiness declines despite heavy tasking and tough fiscal constraints. Nonetheless, the mission-capabl- e rates have declined. " ciate." Ryan noted the effect of retirement improvements and military pay increases announced Dec. 21 by the secre- tary of defense and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Gen. Michael E. Ryan . Staff. conare Air because Force they "People are leaving the O See photo by SSgt. Angela Stafford over the Calling the president's proposed injection of $110 billion into the Pentagon's budget a E. for asked Michael Gen. of Staff greater, Chief Ryan next five years a "good start," Air Force other and Chiefs of Joint the chairman the sustained boost in funds for readiness. Ryan joined over to readiness dedicated Air in Force more billion spending service chiefs in calling for $30 a. Jan. committee Armed Services the next five years at the Senate . 388th Fighter Wing Fighter Country WWII W bat an alarming loss of people and reverse increasing mid-grad- new fitness JUJIW.IULI Air Force Chief of Staff Readiness page 2 pilot honored Page 15 .iii,.i.i...M.u...i.ui.ij:,i.jAu,uAuuM. Tuition assistance extended to civilians Page 16 Census needs employees 17 m,mimmmmmmmmmmm Bill Orndorff The taxis will be government vehi-cle- s by mostly passenger cars and staand the drivers will be Hilltop Times editor tion wagons will Shuttle bus riders on base may be government employees. The taxiscoma demand like calling a cab instead, as the 75th Air operate on but used regular mercial only for official cab, Base Wing Transportation Division, shuttle bus, the like the And business. Vehicle Operations Flight, tests vehitaxi service is free. cle efficiency. "If someone calls and needs a larger The shuttle bus will stop operating will classify it as passenMonday, after which the taxi service vehicle, we will be tested. Anyone needing to ger run and send a bus," Galica said. vehicles are available for any offiarrange official transportation should 'The contact Vehicle Operations Dispatch cial business traffic on or off base, and taxis are typically used for short trips. or at Ext. vehi"This is a test directed by the Air If you're unsure about using the classified is if the and see trip Force Audit Agency to see if using cle, call not." official or as taxis would be cheaper," said MSgt. 43 Page Steve Galica, vehicle operations super-intenden- t. The taxis will be tested for six months. "The change in service will in fact They directed the test make buses more available for large because our ridership is low and might not justify the cost of running the bus. groups," he said. "In the past, some "It's cheaper to operate a small car units would need to drive their own arts class more Martial than kicks Page 18 than a bus, even if mileage stays the Photo by Bill Orndorff Some shuttle bus travel on base will be replaced by taxis as the Transportation Division looks at ways to save money. same," he said. "The taxis would provide using a route." door-to-do- or service, versus buses; now we can do it for them." The Transportation Division, Vehicle Operations Flight is primarily See Shuttle page 5 |