Air Mail

Airman, Nov, 2002

Here's Jake

I'm writing in regard to the June 2002 "Here's Jake" cartoons. I find the cartoons depicting the anniversary of the D-Day invasion horribly outdated and not funny at all. I'm married to a German soldier who serves alongside the United States with NATO operations. His grandfather fought against my grandfather in World War II. The similarities between those two men are remarkable: They were young men with young families, called upon to serve their countries. Both returned home changed men.

I hardly believe the German boys -- and that's what they were -- standing on the beaches that day were the ignorant goofs depicted in one cartoon. I bet they felt the same fear the American boys coming toward them felt. Nor is it funny to depict a crazy, German old man returning to the site of a major battle and "reliving glory days."

I know a cartoonist tries to make light of a situation, and shouldn't be taken seriously. But there's no humor in these cartoons, especially after all these years. It was a cheap shot at a country that's now one of our strongest allies.

Airman 1st Class Julie Weckerlein

Ramstein Air Base, Germany

It's SAMs not SCUDs

Your article ["Seek, Attack, Destroy," July 2002] incorrectly refers to F-16CJ pilots as "SCUD Hunters." The F-16CJ is used against SAMs -- surface-to-air missiles -- not the SCUD, which is a surface-to-surface missile.

Staff Sgt. Jason Joynes

Show Air Force Base, S.C.

Stuff that goes boom

Without actually highlighting the July 2002 issue as a munitions feature, the importance of munitions is shown on the cover and extends to the articles inside.

The cover shows the motor vessel Airman 1st Class William H. Pitsenbarger -- a munitions carrier. The article on the munitions squadron at Ghedi Air Base, Italy ["Gheding Into Italy"], is very informative. But, I think the "Seek, Attack and Destroy" article's statement by munitions loader Senior Airman Robert Hoag politely sums it up: "We put the stuff on the jets that goes boom. They'd have a hard time blowing things up without us."

As I was told years ago, "Without ordnance, the Air Force would just be another unscheduled airline." The mission of the Air Force has changed, but deterrence of aggression and destruction of enemy forces still rely on bombs and missiles.

retired Master Sgt. Lance Gunderson

San Antonio, Texas

The sergeant's a med tech

I was a little disappointed that a professional periodical such as Airman was only able to get Master Sgt. Carlos Diaz's duty title correct once in four attempts ["In Norway, the Doctor's a Sergeant," July 2002]. His correct and more accurate duty title is independent duty medical technician. Air Force independent duty medics have been around since the early 1950s. We're a small but vital component of expeditionary medical support -- a force multiplier. just the same, thank you for highlighting one of our own!

Master Sgt. Edward Mooney

Fort Dix, N.J.

Air Force donors

Thanks for spreading the word about organ donations to our Air Force ["The Life Giver," July 2002]. The chart on Page 41 says that no Air Force people have donated bone marrow this year, but I donated in March at Georgetown University Hospital. I was on temporary duty en route from a joint unit -- maybe that's why my number didn't show up. I just want to make sure the Air Force is correctly conveying our growing contributions to society.

Capt. Tom Whitlock

Vandenburg Air Force Base, Calif.

Joint force

As a tactical air control party member who fought alongside my Army counterparts on the ground in Operation Anaconda, I'd like to say thanks to all B-52 and B-1 aircrews who helped put bombs on target. I spent 10 days on the ground, most of that time pinned down. Nine times out of 10, the saving grace came in the form of a GBU-31.

The war in Afghanistan couldn't have been won without either airframe, regardless of how old they are [AirMail, July 2002]. The Army ground commander doesn't care how the munitions get to the fight, as long as they get there and he brings all his men home. It's time to stop bickering over the better bomber and realize the Air Force as a whole brought the Taliban to its knees, not one specific aircraft.

Staff Sgt. Sean Lloyd

Fort Drum, N.Y.

Honored

I'm proud to have seen the article about the Air Force Honor Guard, and more proud to be a member of the Holloman Air Force Base Honor Guard ["Honor With Dignity," August 2002]. I'd first like to mention that ceremonial guardsmen are not "body bearers," as you stated in a photo caption. They're pail bearers. Next, as proud as I am to be on a base honor guard, I'd like to express my sympathy to Maj. Elizabeth Thomas on the poor performance of a base honor guard performing her father's funeral. I appreciate the training passed to my trainers by the Air Force Honor Guard. At Holloman we take pride in our performance. It would have been nice to have mentioned the training and support the Air Force Honor Guard provides base honor guards so people know we're at their bases, ready to serve.

Tech. Sgt. Marty Haynes