The White Falcon - 28.01.1961, Blaðsíða 2

2
WHITE FALCON
Saturday, January 28, 1961
1961 Resolutions
Will Pay Dividends
We servicemen are a breed of men who could perplex
psychiatrists. Why do we do what we do and when we do
it? In a bind, we can come through with flying colors;
have the job done with amazing proficiency and in a
surprisingly short time.
One can recall the ingenuity he used in combat; the
amazing natural instinct he developed in combat. Take
for example the recent “Silent Service” picture on TV.
One man tried his hand at making a bearing; once com-
pleted it couldn’t be used—until that fateful day on a
coral reef, it was good enough to get the sailor’s submarine
No. 2 engine back in operation and save the crew from
strafing Japanese airplanes.
For these, to be certain, the psychiatrist has an answer.
Then we find that same man, who, when granted a pri-
vilege will use the camel-in-a-tent tactic. He’ll stretch the
privilege to its apogee; he’ll test authority’s patience to
the overbearing point. Then comes the ax or the vice-grip
action; the only alternative to the problem.
Put those two together—Why stretch the privilege to
the over-bearing point? Why complain about the recourse
taken by the issuing authority?
To shrug it off and ride with the tide is not enough.
Here we serve in NATO where some idiosyncrasies are
unparalleled in any other NATO assignment.
As mentioned before, when necessary we come through
with flying colors, proficiently and in the shortest ad-
justment period. We are. in a “when necessary” situation.
Therefore in 1961 let’s resolve to:
Understand the idea behind the duty pass and it’s
uniform regulation.
Understand the idea behind the recreation pass and
it’s uniform regulation.
Understand the idea behind the special pass and it’s
uniform regulation.
Understand that a privilege should not be abused by
affording it to the unauthorized.
Understand that rules and policies established here
have a foundation far deeper than can be seen on the
surface. Be prepared to learn and listen to the wherefores
and Whyfores of our mission.
Be prepared to prove beyolid a doubt that we can
live within the rules and policies the host country feels
necessary to establish to preserve its culture, economy
and way of life.
If we can live up to these resolutions, the host cannot
help but take a second look at the whys and wherefores
of their allying themselves with our country.
And this will be a look by the people who have to
live with and who everyday execute the provisions of the
agreement. They encounter our idiosyncrasies every day;
and we, theirs. It is essential that we understand each
other.
★ ★ ★
Brynjolfsson's Plan
Airmen Hailing It
The December Airman and Seaman of the Month and
those who won at squadron level are not the only ones
hailing the new incentive for the Airman of the Month
program.
Airmen everywhere are tabbing Brynjolfur Brynjolfs-
son’s plan to honor the “best” as a great first move in
Community Relations and a very tangible one.
McNamara
Said to Be
‘Tireless’
AFNS—A man described as a
walking encyclopedia of business
facts, a tireless worker, a moun-
tain climber and skier of uncom-
mon ability, the proprietor of a
razor sharp mind he exercises
with crackling precision, has
agreed to undertake what is re-
garded as one of the toughest ad-
ministrative jobs in the Nation,
the post of Secretary of Defense.
Robert S. McNamara, currently
president of Ford Motors Co., and
a reserve Air Force colonel, was
tapped by President-elect John F.
Kennedy to head the DOD. His
acceptance of the high govern-
ment post came only a month
after being named to the presi-
dency of Ford.
A native of San Francisco, Mr.
McNamara is young, 44, but pos-
ses an impressive record in pri-
vate business, public and military
service. Buggy-whip slim, he
stands 6 feet tall and weighs 165
pounds.
In his sophomore year at the
University of California he was
elected to Phi Beta Kappa. Two
years after his graduation from
California, in 1937, he won his
master’s degree in business ad-
ministration at Harvard Univers-
ity, President-elect Kennedy’s
alma mater.
Mr. McNamara entered the Air
Force as a captain in March 1943.
He served in England, India,
China, and in the Pacific. For
his pioneering work in the devel-
opment of a statistical control
system that was later applied to
the whole logistic operation of the
Air Force he was awarded the
Legion of Merit.
Embassy Group
Tours Airport’s
The First Secretaries of the
NATO embassies in Iceland were
given an orientation and were
shown some of the activities func-
tioning as a partner in NATO
at Keflavik Airport.
They were shown Air Weather
Service procedures in launching
and tracking radio-equipped
weather balloons, the function
of H-l, the operations of the
Radio and TV station; and given
a briefing on Navy patrol opera-
tions; and finally, a tour of the
Field House.
Before their tour, Cmdr. S. W.
Pryor, Iceland Defense Force’s
J-3, presented a briefing on the
Force’s organization mission.
Included in the visit were re-
presentatives of the Norwegian,
West German, British, Danish
and U.S. embassies.
Listen at 9 p.m. each evening
for Keflavik Airport’s own MISS
MELODY Program.
The Whys and Hows
Workers Health Benefits
“Q” AND “A” ABOUT FEDERAL
WORKERS HEALTH BENEFITS ACTS
Q. Are the so-called “pre-1948 widows” eligible?
A. No. Legislation in 1958 authorized annuities for certain
widows and widowers of former Federal employees who died
before Feburary 29, 1948. Since these annuities did not begin
until 1958, there are not immediate annuities and, therefore, such
survivor annuitants are not eligible.
Q. Are annuitants who are reemployed by the Federal Govern-
ment but excluded from coverage under the Federal Employees
Health Benefits Act of 1959 eligible for coverage under the Retired
Federal Employees Health Benefits Act?
A. Yes, if they otherwise meet the eligibility requirements.
Q. If an annuitant is working for an employer other than
the Federal Government does this make him ineligible?
A. No.
Q. If an employee failed to qualify for health benefits coverage
in July 1960 because he was on leave without pay and retired with-
out returning to work, will he be eligible for coverage under the
Retired Federal Employees Health Benefits Act?
A. Yes, if he otherwise meets the eligibility requirements.
Q. May an individual be enrolled under both the active and
the retired health benefits program?
A. No. i\s a matter of fact, there will be very few instances
of dual eligibility. However, if a person is eligible for both
programs, he should select the active program because of the
greater benefits offered.
Q. What kind of Commission approval will be given to private
plans?
A. None, except to assure that the plan meets the require-
ments of the Act, which are: the plan must have been providing
health benefits far a year and, if an insurance company, it must
be licensed in all the States and the District of Columbia.
Q. Will the Commission pass on the benefits structures and
premium rates of private plans?
A. No.
Q. What is the Commission’s jurisdiction over private plans?
A. Other than seeing that a private plan meets the require-
ments of the Act as noted in question 23 above, the Commission
has no jurisdiction over private plans or an annuitant’s relation-
ship with any private plan.
GOVERNMENT CONTRIBUTION
Q. What amount of money will the Government contribute
per month toward the cost of the plan in which an eligible annuitant
is enrolled?
A. The monthly contribution will be three dollars for a
self-only enrollment and six dollars for a self-and-family enroll-
ment, except that the Government will not contribute more
than the cost of the plan.
Q. What does enrollment for self-and-family mean?
A. It means enrollment for the annuitant and his eligible
family members, including (a) spouse, and (b) unmarried child-
ren under the age of 19.
Q. To get the family contribution by enrollment in a private
plan, must all family members be under the same contract?
A. No. Contract technicalities are not important. If the an-
nuitant and one or more eligible family members have health
benefits coverage with an approved plan or plans, it is im-
material whether they are covered by the same contract and it
makes no difference in whose name the contract or contracts
ar issued.
Q. Is there any age limit which would disqualify an annuitant
for a Government contribution?
A. No.
Q. Could he be disqualified for this contribution because of
health status or preexisting physical or mental conditions?
A. No.
Q. Some individuals may be eligible in their own right as a
retired employee and also as a survivor annuitant. Does this dual
eligibility entitle them to two Governmen contributions?
A. No. No one may receive two Government contribution.
Q. If an annuitant enrolls in the uniform plan, what will he
have to pay monthly for his coverage?
A. He will pay difference between the amount of his Govern-
ment contribution and the total premium for the uniform plan.
This total premium will not be known until a contract for the
plan is approved by the Commisshm.
THE WHITE FALCON
Col. Benjamin G. Willis, USAF
Commander, Air Forces Iceland
The WHITE FALCON is an official Class II Armed Forces newspaper published weekly at
Keflavik Airport, Iceland by Air Forces Iceland of the Military Air Transport Service for
all contingents stationed at Keflavik Airport. The WHITE FALCON receives AFPS and
AFNS materials. Views and opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of the
Department of Defense.
Information Officer................Capt. Warren J. Papin, USAF
Editor ........................... SSgt. Clarence J. Bizet, USAF
IsafoldarprentsmIOJa h.f.
Aerospace Power for

Q. How will the annuitant enrolled in the uniform plan pay
his share?
A. The Civil Service Commission or other agency which ad-
ministers his retirement system will deduct the annuitant’s share
from his monthly annuity check.
Q. What will the annuitant enrolled in a private plan pay
for his coverage?
A. He will pay whatever he has agreed to pay the private
plan. Of course, he will be receiving the Government contribution
which will help him pay his carrier.
Peace Through Deterrence