The White Falcon - 02.04.1993, Blaðsíða 1

HITE W
FALCON^
I< :elandk phrase of the weel Happy Easter GleDiiega Paska t:
(Glethelega Powska)
Vol. 52 No. 13 April 2,1993
Serving the Iceland Defense Force Community
Safety first, hangar testing takes place
Hangar 885 at Naval Air Station, Keflavik, was closed Thursday, March 25, as a prudent
safety measure, while authorities ascertain if dust from a construction project at the hangar
poses a problem to people working in the area.
Authorities took this action upon realizing that dust particles from paint being removed from
hangar doors may have escaped established safety boundaries. Initial results of a basic test of
dust particles revealed a possible concern for the amount of lead exposure to people who work
in the hangar.
Additional dust samples were collected and forwarded to a laboratory in Reykjavik for
testing as well as to a military laboratory in the United States which will be able to provide the
most definitive analysis scientifically possible.
Authorities will keep everyone informed as new information is available. This will not effect
the Defense Force’s abilities to provide helicopter rescue or air refueling operations.
As of Monday, the staff of the 56th RQS returned to their office spaces in towers one and four
in hangar 885, when test results from Reykjavik indicated it would be safe to do so.
Dental plan offers improved benefits
An improved Dependents Dental Plan (DDP) was implemented Thursday. For the first time,
the DDP will cover orthodontics (braces), endodontics (root canal treatment), oral surgery (re-
moving wisdom teeth), periodontics (treating gum disease), and crowns, bridges and dentures.
The plan is not offered overseas, because dependents receive space-available care in military
I facilities. However, overseas service members with eligible family members may sign up for
l.e plan at their personnel office one month before moving to their new assignment in the states.
Also, overseas military members with eligible dependents living in the states may enroll those
dependents.
Service members will pay more for the plan due to the expanded benefits.
Those intending to remain in the service for 24 or more months, who are not automatically
enrolled in the new plan but desire to be enrolled, should fill out a DD form 2494 available at
the Navy Personnel Support Detachment or at the Air Force Military Personnel Flight. Call ext.
2116 (Navy) or ext. 7098 (Air Force) for more information. i
NATO anniversary
Sunday marks the 44th anniver-
ary of the North Ailantic Treaty Or-
ganization (NATO).
In the spring of 1949, Denmark,
Iceland, Italy, Norway and Portugal
were asked to join Belgium, France,
Luxenbourg, the Netherlands the
United Kingdom, Canada and the
United States in discussions of a de-
fense pact. This led to the signing of
the North Atlantic Treaty in Wash-
ington, D.C., on April 4, 1949, by
the 12 founding nations.
Today, NATO permits and en-
courages continuous cooperation
and consultation in political, eco-
nomic and othernon-militaiy fields.
Talk with the MCPON
A special edition of ‘Feedback’
will be aired “live” on NBS chan-
nel 4, Thursday at 7 p.m.
Viewers will be able to call in
questions to ETCM (SW) John
Hagan, Master Chief Petty Officer
of the Navy (MCPON).
Did you know?...
-April 2 is National Children’s month?
The elementary school is celebrating by
having members of the commuity read
their favorite books to the children today.
-April 4 is a reason to celebrate? It is
Bonza Day, where the number of the day
is the same as the number of the month.
-April 5 to 6 is when Perigean Spring
Tides occur? These are the highest pos-
sible tides which happen when the full
moon is within 24 hours of the moon
being the closest to earth in in its monthly
orbit.
-A ground breaking for the base’s new
indoor swimming pool was held 20 years
ago?
-Three words in the English language
;nd in “gry”? They are angry, hungry and
aggry-
-Point Barrow, Alaska, is the northern-
most point in the U.S.?
"Duck!" Young pilots of the 33rd Pursuit Squadron in a snowball battle by their Curtiss P-
40's in Iceland, 50 years ago. For information about the 50 year anniversary of Meeks Field,
now known as Keflavik Airport, see historical insert. (Official U.S. Air Force file photo)