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Show TIMES October 12, 2006 Retirement Continued from 1 man resources specialist with the Ogden Air Logistics Center Personnel Directorate. "It took about a quarter of the time it would have normally taken in the past because we automated and streamlined the process to make it more efficient" The overriding factor in narrowing the more than 1,200 VERA/VSIP applicants down to the 432 that were selected was mission essentiality. "The question was, where in the organizations we could afford to release individuals without hurting the mission," Ms. Adams said. "Once this was determined, we racked and stacked the candidates according to different factors." Among those factors were: retirement category, pay plan, job series, grade, competitive level and leave service computation date. According to Ms. Adams, the 432 applicants who were released during this window of the VERA/V&IP program was the largest number since the 1990s. The program was initially announced for employees who fall under Operations and Maintenance funding. It was expanded to include employees under the Depot Maintenance Activity Group funding, which primarily includes maintenance activities. Of the 432 applicants, 277 were part of the DMAG fund. "Individuals under DMAG usually can participate, but this time they were actually a targeted group," Ms. Adams said. "In the past, they were limited in their participation but this time DMAG also experienced a budget shortfall and this created additional opportunities." As the applicants were released, Ms. Adams said she saw a lot of very happy faces. "We haven't released this many (employees) in a long time," she said. "There was really a sense of euphoria. We dealt with people who are going on cruises, traveling, paying off bills, dealing with medical expenses; it makes us happy to see people walk out the door and enjoy themselves." While the VERA/VSIP program brought a euphoric feeling to some, unfortunately another program is not expected to come soon. "There is always a rumor out there that another one is coming right around the corner," Ms. Adams said, "but we don't anticipate another one any time soon." PRAIRIE SCHOONER RESTAURANT Wild Canadian & Walleye Combo's 39ZZ71Z OH State Uquor License ity in Magna, Utah, with components up each test," said 1st Lt. Patrick Robprovided by the ATK Promontory and erts, 718th Test Squadron at Arnold. Engineers measure the stage's thrust, Clearfield, Utah facilities. tor for the missile's propulsion replace- Currently, nearly two-thirds of the strain, chamber pressure, temperature 500 Minuteman III missiles on alert — on different parts of the motor and ment program. status have had new guidance systems nozzle - and rate of acceleration. The "We are refurbishing the motor cases and recasting the propellant in installed and 265 missiles have been re- goal is to determine if the remanufacevery Minuteman III to make sure the manufactured. ATK expects to deliver tured motors and the new propellant motors last past the year 2020," said all of the production motors by August meet specification requirements, Lieutenant Roberts said. Captain Clapsaddle. He explained that 2009. the missile's solid propellant started For PRP, a missile is removed from Chris Brown, ATK test engineer, said reaching "age-out date" in 2002. Not its silo and shipped to Hill where tech- his company welcomes these tests to only is Air Force replacing the mis- nicians disassemble the three stages. demonstrate the reliability and "reprosiles' old propellant but also obsolete Hill then ships the stages to ATK where ducibility of the remanufactured moor environmentally unsafe materials they are further disassembled. After tors." Mr. Brown attended the recent and components. making the necessary changes and tests at AEDC, which he said "went replacing the old propellant, ATK then well and pretty much as expected." But The upgrades will ensure that the ships the stages back to Hill where they the company is not complacent, accordUnited States continues to have a reliable ICBM force for strategic de- are reassembled and sent back to the ing to Mr. Brown. He said ATK collects terrence for next 14 years, Captain field. However, at least twice each yeardata from every static test to access its Clapsaddle said. the Air Force randomly selects two or own performance. "We don't do any 'hands on' work Air Force awarded Northrop Grum- three sets of rocket motors for testman a $1.9 billion contract over nine ing, making sure that the propellant in while at AEDC but we do inspect the years to maintain the nation's ICBM these sets are from separate batches. stages as they are set up in the test faweapon system in 1999. Northrop ATK can test stage 1 motors at its cility. We also bring back preliminary Grumman subsequently awarded ATK facility in Promontory but stage 2 and data that can tell us if it's OK to process several multi-million PRP contracts. 3 motors have to be sent to the large additional motors," Mr. Brown said, rocket motor facility at AEDC for simu- If test results did reveal a problem. ATK manufactures Minuteman stage 1 motors at its facility in Prom- lated altitude tests in a vacuum cham- Air Force would give the contractors a chance to correct the problem, Captain ontory, Utah. The company manufac- ber. tures stage 2 and 3 motors at its facil- "It takes us about three weeks to set Clapsaddle said. Missile motors Continued from 1 F-35 Continued from 1 "The capabilities we provide the joint warfighter are in high demand, yet we have the oldest aircraft inventory in our history," General Moseley said. "The Air Force will continue to invest in advanced capabilities needed to defeat the emerging technological advances of our adversaries." The F-35 Lightning II basing plan will create a synergistic Total Force mix of active, Guard and Reserve units operating the Air Force's newest fifth generation fighter aircraft. The Total Force mix provides the best possible team to deliver sovereign options for the defense of the United States enotic bird onpo the FIRST bird show in Davis County! a FAMILY EDUCATIONAL event! oct.M I0om-6pm ocM5 lOnm to 5pm Davis County Fairpark 151S110DW, Farmington, UT. AdmissionSZ, under 10 FREE Come & enjoy the fun. Vendors welcome! Exotic Birds, Cages, Toys, Food, Supplies, Information, Raffles, Silent Auctions, Education Displays. Concessions by the Air Force. in the war on terrorism. The Air Force is expected to start taking delivery of F-35A aircraft in 2009, with planned deliveries continuing beyond 2025. 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