From: bergman@AFPAN.PA.AF.MIL (CMSgt Mike Bergman)
Newsgroups: soc.veterans
Subject: Air Combat Command News 08/20/92
Date: 20 Aug 92 19:56:57 GMT
Organization: Hq Air Force News Agency/SCC

ACC 92-035  FIRST MINUTEMAN II UNIT DEACTIVATES
ACC 92-036  ACC ANNOUNCES WILLIAM TELL '92

ACC 92-035
FIRST MINUTEMAN II UNIT DEACTIVATES
    ELLSWORTH AFB, N.D. (ACCNS) -- The 67th Missile Squadron
became the first Air Force Minuteman II unit to deactivate
marking another step in the drawdown of the United States'
nuclear arsenal in July.
    The squadron was part of the 44th Missile Wing under Air
Combat Command's 20th Air Force.
    The last commander, Lt. Col. James L. Robinson, now the
commander of the 44th Operational Support Squadron, said he has
mixed emotions about the 67th's deactivation.
    "I'm happy that the system never had to be used," he said.
"On the other hand, a considerable part of my life has been
spent working on this weapon system and it will be tough to see
it disappear."
    As a component of the missile leg of the nuclear triad for
nearly 30 years, Robinson said the 67th served its deterrent
role very well at nominal expense.
    "This weapon system, compared to other weapon systems, was
very inexpensive to operate and it has paid for itself several
times over," he said.
    Most former 67th crew members will now transition to other
career fields, while some will continue in missile operations at
other wings.
    Capt. Chris Gerlach, a missile combat crew commander who
moved from the 67th to the 68th Missile Squadron, said crews are
concerned about their careers as deactivation nears its end.
    "What do we do after this?" is a frequent question being
asked, he said.  "What's our next assignment going to be like?"
    Still, Robinson said 44th missile crews have been well
placed in other career fields in the last year and are highly
sought after by personnel officers.
    "People like the experience that missileers bring, the
discipline and the technical skills," he said.  "We tend to do
very well."
			      -30-

ACC 92-036
ACC ANNOUNCES WILLIAM TELL '92
    EGLIN AFB, Fla. (ACCNS) -- William Tell '92, the first
air-to-air weapons meet sponsored by Air Combat Command, will
take place Oct. 12-24 at Tyndall AFB, Fla.
    Top fighter teams from the U.S. Air Force and Canadian air
forces will compete in the event.
    Previously held every two years by the former Tactical Air
Command, the purpose of the competition is to foster esprit de
corps, enhance combat capability, demonstrate employment
effectiveness and recognize outstanding performance.  The
competition was not held in 1990 due to Desert Shield/Storm.
    Named after the famous Swiss archer, William Tell is
designed around air defense operations in a realistic
live-firing environment.  Fighter units demonstrate their
proficiency in a weapons-firing evaluation against drones and
various types of electronic countermeasures.
    Aircraft participating in William Tell include the F-15,
F-16 and CF-18.  In addition to the aerial competition,
maintenance people, weapons controllers and load crews will also
compete for individual and team awards.
    A total of eight teams from ACC, U.S. Air Forces in Europe,
Pacific Air Forces, Air National Guard and Canadian Forces Air
Command will participate.
    Units flying the F-15 include the 1st Fighter Wing (ACC),
Langley AFB, Va.; 18th Wing (PACAF), Kadena AB, Japan; 33rd FW
(ACC), Eglin AFB; 36th FW (USAFE), Bitburg AB, Germany; and
102nd FW (ANG), Otis ANGB, Mass.  Two ANG units will fly the
F-16 in the competition, including the 120th Fighter Group,
Great Falls, Mont., and 125th FG, Jacksonville, Fla.  The
Canadians will bring a composite force from CF-18 units
stationed at Cold Lake.
    A variety of aircraft, including B-1s and B-52s, will act as
penetrators for the electronic countermeasures part of the
flying competition.  Subscale drones will provide
highly-maneuverable targets for missile firings.  Towed aerial
targets will be used for the gun firing aspect of the
competition.
    William Tell is conducted by the 475th Weapons Evaluation
Group, a subordinate unit of ACC's U.S. Air Force Air Warfare
Center at Eglin.




















































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