Air Mail - Letter to the Editor

Airman, Feb, 2002

Hind sight

We enjoyed "Seeing the Light" [September '01] about the vision that can be obtained with corneal refractive surgery, like photorefractive keratectomy. We believe, though, you missed an important opportunity to explain the obligations, as well as the benefits, in having one of these operations.

Airmen should discuss their interests with an Air Force eye doctor before pursuing refractive surgery, even if they intend on having the operation performed by a civilian surgeon. Non-compliance with Air Force requirements before and after surgery could jeopardize career opportunities or even continued military service. For example, space and missile operators and those on flying status have requirements and must discuss their intent with a flight surgeon. In addition, individuals will be nondeployable for at least four weeks after the operation, and aircrew members will not be eligible to fly for six or more weeks. The commander's approval is essential to ensure mission preparedness.

We hope that with some foresight, many airmen will obtain perfect sight, and we'll keep the best eyes in the air.

Lt. Col. Steve DeAnda

Lt. Col. Sven Berg

Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.

Editor's note: One of the Web sites in the article changed after we went to press. Additional information about the Air Force PRK program can be found at https://www.afms.mil/aeromed/USAF_PRK.cfm.> In it for life

The article ["The Lifers," July '01] was about how long people were serving in the military. I was kind of surprised that a chief with more than 29 years in the Air Force can't wear her ribbons properly. She has too many clusters for the years of service. Maybe an oversight, but who's going to tell a chief what to do?

Tech. Sgt. Dan Snyder

Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D.

No bones about it

I am responding to Staff Sgt. Kevin Markey's comments to "Purr-fect Solution" [Airman's World, August '01]. No, I don't agree that we "are taking it a bit far." You can't discriminate against certain breeds of dogs being allowed in billeting. Just because pit bulls have the reputation of being "mean-natured" dogs doesn't mean it's true.

What about rottweilers, doberman pinschers or every other dog in billeting? Are you going to tell dog owners they can't stay in billeting because they own a particular breed of dog? I understand your concern for your children; I have two small children of my own. But, you have to teach your children not to mess with dogs unless they have supervision. Besides, dogs will always have their natural instincts. You can only domesticate them so much.

Staff Sgt. Denete Tracy

Tinker Air Force Base, Okla.

On the right track

I enjoy history, and the World War II boxcar article ["Air Force Museum receives WWII boxcar." September '01] was great. Here's a little more info about them, taken from the Forty and Eight Web site, www.fortyandeight.org. La Societe des Quarante Hommes at Huit Chevaux, an independent fraternal organization of veterans, popularly known as the Forty & Eight, was organized in 1920 by American Legionnaires. It draws its origin from World War I when young Americans were sent to France. These boxcars were used to transport men and horses to and from the fighting fronts. On the side of these little boxcars was stenciled the capacity of each, holding either 40 men or eight horses, and these boxcars became the trademark of our organization. If one could laugh at the train ride from the coast of France to the trenches crowded in these small boxcars only recently vacated by eight horses, one could surely adapt to the changes in his life when he returned home.

Tech. Sgt. Michael Hardy

Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.

Alternative combat

Your recent article ["Combat Fishing," September '01] on king salmon fishing in Alaska brought back fond memories. I was fortunate enough to be on temporary duty to Elmendorf Air Force Base this summer during their "run." Catching a 30-pound salmon in Ship Creek while standing shoulder-to-shoulder with other anglers was something I'll never forget. By the end of the trip, my friend and I had caught enough salmon to fill a large cooler with fillets. I've always heard that Alaska was a fisherman's paradise, and now I can see why!

Master Sgt. Robert Schmitt Jr.

French fondness

Peterson Air Farce Base, Cola.

I am responding to the article ["Extending the Force] in the October 2001 issue. I was also in France for 96 days. This was the best kept deployment secret in the Air Force! I long to go back again someday, and my deployment inspired me to become fluent in French. I met some of the greatest people of my whole military career while in Istres, and I still stay in touch with some of the locals in France.

Tech. Sgt. Jennifer Swanson

Channel Islands

Air National Guard Station, Calif.

'Heavy' duty

Thanks for the inspiring [October '01] edition and for telling these "good news" stories about our Air Force family to the world. I can't help but notice, though, that you sometimes sacrifice accuracy for the sake of imagery. In your article, "On the Brink of Doom," you marred an otherwise well-written article by describing Airman 3rd Class Michael Kud-Kudjarhoff as carrying "a heavy Ml carbine on his shoulder." I'm not sure what value this phrase holds since a fully loaded Ml (including the sling and 15-round magazine) weighs only 5.25 pounds -- one of the lightest of any shoulder-fired weapon in history. Even with a 30-round magazine, the max M1 carbine weighs only 5.75 pounds, making it lighter than the M16, which is also considered "lightweight" at 7.9 pounds.