POPE AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. (AFNS) -- Meeting the enlisted people and giving the straight s
coop about the Expeditionary Aerospace Force concept were two of the many items on the agenda
during a visit here by the acting secretary of the Air Force Sept. 24.
F. Whitten Peters, along with Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Eric Benken, came to Pope
, part of a three-day, five base tour. The secretary brought information about two of the
Air Forces biggest undertakings -- the EAF and the proposed defense department budget.
Peters outlined some of what the new EAF structure will look like starting in 2000.
Peters' first agenda item was speaking to enlisted people and get their view of the Air
Force. Many questions centered on the relationship between retention and manning.
As many experienced and career airmen separate, they are replaced by brand-new faces
straight from a technical school. It takes nearly two years for the new airmen to
become experienced members of the team.
"Unfortunately, we can't get a person with two years experience without giving them two
years of experience. We have a terrible 'chicken and egg' problem," Peters said. "I am
depending on all of you to convince people to stay."
He also talked candidly about the time he and other service secretaries spent on Capitol
Hill, trying to convince the president and members of Congress to increase defense spending.
"The peace dividend is spent," Peters said. "We've had 14 years of flat and declining top line.
That's too long. All of the services have been taking money out of programs like real property
maintenance to buy necessities like parts, and facilities have suffered."
The secretary and the CMSAF also addressed deployment rates, anthrax shots, perceived
inequalities in flight and hazardous duty pay, Tricare, quality of life, outsourcing and
privatization, and aircraft upgrades. Senior Airman Michele Harrigar. 43rd Airlift Wing, said
those who attended the question-and-answer period were satisfied with the responses they received.
"We were told if we asked the tough questions, we would get tough answers," she said, "and that's
what we got.
"I was impressed with the level of knowledge the secretary had on so many issues," said
Tech. Sgt. Dennis Blocker, 43rd AW. "He answered all the questions honestly, without skirting
the issues. I was satisfied with most of the responses."
