The White Falcon - 11.11.1977, Qupperneq 1

Present service members tentatively exempt
benefits under fire
out of the service before retire-
Milita
President Carter’s panel on mili-
tary pay is indicating that it won't
propose any big cuts in the growing
cost of military pensions. And that
cost now exceeds the Army payroll.
The Commission on Military Compensa-
tion has agreed tentatively that any
pension proposals would not apply to
current retirees or to persons already
serving in the armed forces.
A staff member, Lieutenant Colone]
Michael O'Connell, says that means the
full effects of any change wouldn't be
felt for a few years after enactment.
Commission members also listened
without dissent as LCol O'Connell told
them yesterday that based on cost
alone, the staff found no compelling
argument for changing the retirement
system.
O'Connell said the commission
might want to change the system for
other reasons, possibly redistribut-
ing the same amount of money in a
different package of benefits.
He said the total cost of pen-
sions under the present system would
continue to grow at about one and a
half per cent a year through the end
of the century. The annual cost is
now more than nine billion dollars.
His projection, however, assumes there
would be no inflation and no military
ry retirement
pay. increases. Both of these factors
tend to push up costs.
None of the commission members spoke
in favor of reducing the cost of pen-
sions. One said }ie opposed any reduc-•
tion in pension levels or any attempt to
end servicemen's rights to pensions af-
ter 20 years service.
Congressional critics of the mili-
tary pension system argue that the ris-
ing cost of military pensions forces
the Pentagon to choose between guns and
pensions. Therefore, they claim it
threatens eventually to undermine
national security.
The commission's final recommenda-
tions are due in about five months.
These are expected to become the focus
of a debate in Congress where support
for the present military pension system
has been slipping. More than one third
of the members of the house went on
record earlier this year for reducing
future military pensions.
Commission member John Filer says
congressional dissatisfaction with the
system is one reason why the panel
should not recommend keeping the present
system intact.
Other staff suggestions would in-
crease severance pay for persons forced
ment; require armed forces mem-
bers to contribute a portion of their
pay to the retirement system, which
is not now required; allow them to
earn a deferred pension after 10
years of service, in addition to an
instant pension at 20 years and re-
duce pension payments at the time
retirees begin to draw Social Se-
curity checks in addition to their
military pension checks.
No cost projections were pre-
sented for any of these proposals.
Some would increase total costs
while others would cut spending.
VIPS' VEHICLES STAND ready to aid the officials whether rain, sleet or snow as a
call may come through at the Public Works Transportation Division, (above).
HEADLIGHT ADJUSTMENT is just one of the services performed at the Public Works
Transportation Division as Krigtinn Vilhtalmsson, the oldest employee assigned
to the division, makes a minor adjustment to a government vehicle, (right).
VP-16 Returns to Iceland
by Ltjg James D. Pruitt
Personnel and aircraft from Patrol
Squadron 16 began arriving from their
homeport, Naval Air Station Jackson-
ville, FL recently.
Led by Commander A. W. Rehfield,
the "Eagles" effected a smooth and
expeditious turnover of operations
and formally relieved Patrol Squadron
24 last week. This event marks the
beginning of the squadron's sixth de-
ployment to Keflavik.
VP-16 first visited Keflavik in May
1954, and then returned again in 1956,
1958 and 1962, flying the renowned
Lockheed P2-V "Neptune" patrol air-
craft.
Transportation
To serve the needs of the NATO base
is the goal of Ensign Reynold A. Sefton,
the Public Works Department transporta-
tion officer.
The 17-year Navy veteran, formerly a
senior chief equipment operator, is the
division officer for 100 people in the
transportation section. These employees
work in the mechanical, bus rehabilita-
tion, general maintenance and body shop
sections.
Seven military mechanics service the
transportation bus fleet.
The base bus service operates from 7
In April 1975, the Eagles again
returned, flying the advanced long-range
antisubmarine warfare platform, the
Lockheed P3-C "Orion."
Presently, the 375 men of VP-16
operate and maintain nine aircraft.
Since their commissioning in 1946,
the Eagles have maintained a reputation
as one of the finest patrol squadrons
in the fleet, and have repeatedly demon-
strated their professionalism in their
ability to perform outstanding ASW
missions.
Enthusiasm prevails among the men of
Patrol Squadron 16 as they look forward
to an enjoyable stay in the Land of Ice
and Fire.
on the move
a.m. to 9:30 p.m. daily.
A dispatcher is on duty 24 hours
daily. Both a military taxi service is
available as well as a wrecker service
for military vehicles around the clock.
In the command pool, 70 vehicles may
be checked out on a first-come, first-
served basis. In this case, the first
consideration is the mission of the in-
dividual command; vehicle usage is
granted to activities according to this
priority.
C-pool vehicles may be requested
(continued on page 3)
New hobby center taking shape
After the new building is accepted,
the Recreation Department will move,
and final touches will then be added.
The building will house the ceram-
ics shop, photso shop, electronics
shop, leather shop, woodworking shop,
stereo shop, hobby sales store plus
The new Hobby Shop Center will be
completed by May 1, 1978, with the
grand opening slated for May 5, 1978,
according to Master Chief Air Control-
man Gene Raymond.
The new building, presently under
construction next to the Viking
building, is scheduled to be accepted
from the contractor March 3.
classrooms which hobbyists may work on
projects.
A planned attraction will be the
lapidary shop where ordinary stones may
be converted to polished jewelry.
New equipment is expected for many
shops: The carpentry shop will receive
a larger assortment of tools, new en-
largers will be installed in the photo
shop and the electronics shop will be
updated and improved.
The new hobby shop will provide an
increased opportunity to indulge in
one's favorite hobby. Meanwhile, a
chance to participate in one's own
interest is available at the present
hobby shop.