The White Falcon - 12.06.1992, Blaðsíða 2

“Global
Power for
America” be-
came a reality
June 1. The
following state-
ment was given
by Gen. Merrill
A. McPeak,
U.S. Air Force
Chief of Staff.
The activa-
tion of Air Combat Command (ACC) and Air
Mobility Command (AMC) culiminates the most
fundamental change to the organization of the
Air Force since 1947, when we became a sepa-
rate service.
Today we are building a new Air Force from
the ground up, a more capable Air Force based
firmly on the foundations and traditions of the
past 45 years. The creation of ACC and AMC
brings us into the era of integrated airpower and
organizes us in peacetime as we will fight in war.
We have come a long way in the nine short
months since Secretary Rice and I announced our
restructuring initiatives. We could not have
come this far this quickly without the hard work
and support of the entire Air Force. For that I
thank you. The restructure that you are a part of
is helping build the world's most respected Air
and Space Force.”
Gen. McPeak also inactivated Tactical Air
Command (TAC) and passed the guidon of the
new command to the former TAC Comander,
Air Force
activates Air
Combat
Command
Gen. John Michael Loh.
Secretary of the Air Force, Dr. Donald B. Rice,
also on hand for the ceremony, said, “Sometimes
it's hard to recognize history in the making, so let
me tell you, this is it. You're part of the most
massive restructure of the Air Force since it was
bom.
In his remarks to the people attending the
ceremony, McPeak said, “ The idea of a single
command to handle Air Combat Forces goes all
the way back to General Headquarters Air Force
which became operational in 1935. In fact, we
had an Air Force Combat Command from 1941
to 1943 controlling our stateside training and
operational units.”
After taking command of ACC, Loh said, “Air
Combat Command gives our nation the versatile,
flexible force it needs to fulfill its obligation to
defend its interests globally. Now we will write
the next chapter in airpower history.
“Today, 56 years later, we are accepting the B-
2 and soon the F-22 in the same command. With
these and other systems, we will be able to match
the strategy of airpower with the people, training
and technology to take it to greater heights. The
way we train and organize our people to apply
airpower strategy to use these systems, will give
our Air Force capability beyond our predeces-
sor's dreams.”
The Military Airlift Command and Strategic
Air Command were also inactivated as Air
Mobility Command and U.S. Strategic Com-
mand were activated the same day.
United States
Army celebrates
217th birthday
By J03 Colleen "Ghostwriter" Casper
June 14,
1775, was the
day the United
States Army
was formed.
Two hundred
and seventeen
years later the
Army is still in
existence and
continues its
role in the defense of the nation.
Currently the Keflavik NATO Base boasts of
having four Army personnel assigned to it. Two
of the Army soldiers are veterinary specialists
working outof the U.S. Naval Air Station Hospi-
tal and the Defense Commissary Agency. Both
are food and dairy inspectors and both have pride
in their branch of service.
“The Army is the senior service out of all
five,” said Staff Sgt. Tom M. Marklcy. “I love
my job. I have a lot of independence and because
of this I have learned to make decisions on my
own.” Markley feels that being stationed in
Iceland has been a unique experience. “I have
never been stationed on an Army Post, but out of
all the places I have been attached to, this base
does more for the Army's birthday than any
other,”Markley stated. He feels the Army stresses
attention to detail and that the USO organization
enforces that policy, referring to the ceremony
for the Army's birthday.
Because of his constant exposure to the Navy,
the Portland, Maine native sometimes finds
himself saying phrases like 'walking on decks'
and 'using the head.' A simple 'good morning,
shipmate' may also be heard on occasion.
Despite the fact that he is not stationed on a
base with his own branch of service, Markley
feels that this base provides more opportunities
than other bases he has been stationed at. “A tour
in Iceland is like a well kept secret, especially
since there is the chance to further your educa-
tion.” He noticed that most bases he had been
stationed at had no American college system, or
the opportunity was not present.
The second veterinary specialist, Staff Sgt.
Darrell G. Harris, agreed with Markley concern-
ing the educational experience, but was very ap-
prehensive to accept orders to Iceland. “I did
everything in my power to get out of these orders
but I do enjoy my job and people here go out of
their way to help you out.”
Some points that both the veterinarians agreed
on, were that the Army afforded them opportuni-
ties to work in technical fields, work anywhere in
the world and most importantly, to 'be all that
they can be.'
LTC Charles J. Parker has been assigned to the
Iceland Defense Force Staff since January 15
and felt no apprehension when he found out he
was going to be stationed on a Navy base. A
member of the Active Guard Reserve, Parker
feels that he has been a part of the minority in the
service for most of his career.
Joining the Army in 1968 and having a break
in service, LTC Parker feels the Army has under-
gone many positive changes not the least of
(continued on page 4)
Commander,
Iceland Defense Force
RADM Thomas F. Hall
Public Affairs Officer
LT Joseph L. Quimby
Deputy PAO
Fridth6r Kr. Eydal
Chief Petty Officer
In Charge
JOC Terry J. Bamthouse
Draftsmen
DM2 (SW) John
Mcmillian
DM2 Danielle J. Kim
Editor
J02 Susan Hallden
Staff Journalists
J03 Colleen
"Ghostwriter" Casper
J03(SW) Andreas
Walter
The White Falcon is
printed by the NAS
Keflavfk Print Plant.
Photography is prov ided by
Fleet Imaging Command
Detachment Keflavik.
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of the Iceland Defense
Force. Contents of The
White Falcon are not nec-
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S. Government, the De-
partment of Defense or the
Iceland Defense Force.
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