June. 2013 Vol. 4, Issue 3

New River Chapter Newsletter

President:

Doug Ehrhardt, CAPT., USN-Ret.

1st Vice President:

Charles Knapp, COL., USA-Ret.

Secretary/Treasurer:

Ken Lynn, Col., USAF-Ret.

Programs/Membership Committee Chair:

C.M. (Mac) Hunt, CDR., USN-Ret.

Personal Affairs Committee Chair:

Barbara Sears

Scholarship Committee Chair:

Linda Marsh

Legislative Committee Chair:

Ron Wilsbach, CDR., USN-Ret.

Past President:

Not Yet Applicable

At-Large Director:

Ron Schuette, LTC., USA-Ret.

At-Large Director:

Louis Burge, Maj., USAF-Ret.

Auxiliary/Spouse Liaison:

Betty Schuette

Newsletter Editor:

Ken Lynn, Col., USAF-Ret.

Webmaster:

Doug Ehrhardt, CAPT., USN-Ret.

Inside this issue:

June Program………...…………….1

President’s Message………………1

Chapter Happenings………………2

Committee Updates…………..3 & 4

Legislative Update……………..5 - 7

Auxiliary Update…………………...7

Navy & Marine News………………8

Army & Air Force News………….9

Calendar & Contact Info……….10

Copyright © 2013, The Military Officers Associa ion of America (MOAA), all rights reserved. Part or all of this message may be retransmitted for information purposes, but may not be used for any commercial purpose or in any commercial product, posted on a website, or used in any non-MOAA publication (other than that of a MOAA affiliate, or a member of The Military Coalition) without the written permission of MOAA and the New River Chapter. All retransmissions, postings, and publications of this message must include this no ice.

From the President…

Greetings. June’s the month for delivery of our third bi-monthly Chapter newsletter each year and, as is usually my custom, I like to reflect on what’s taken place within our Chapter and the NC Council. In May, we sponsored a public showing of the documentary, The Conscientious Objector, in West Jefferson. We were hoping for good attendance from folks in Ashe County to come and learn more about the New River Chapter, and also see the compelling and inspirational true story of the heroic actions of PFC Desmond Doss, Army Medical Aidman, and Congressional Medal of Honor recipient, who saved 75 of his wounded comrades lives on Okinawa in WWII. We were not disappointed as seating at the Arts Council was nearly filled to capacity. Chapter 1st VP Charles Knapp calls it “the quintessential story of duty, honor, country.” Charles also serves as a consultant for an upcoming movie, Hacksaw Ridge, about Doss’ life that is scheduled for release sometime next year. In April, we treated ourselves to a night out, dining at a Chinese restaurant in Boone and then attended the ASU sponsored show by Garrison Keillor. It was a great evening of food, fun and fellowship. Visit our Chapter website and read of these events in either the Calendar or News and Events…Oh, and join with us on our next outing! We look forward to sharing the fun with everyone. So much for our business…as for the NC Council of Chapters, I’ve already attended three things in 2013 – quarterly meetings in Cherry Point and Goldsboro, NC and our Council’s Convention at Sea. It’s always an

honor to represent our chapter at events, but I should point out that everyone is welcome to come and participate in meetings and learn more about how our council and its 17 chapters are doing lots of important work that support the goals of MOAA in our state. One final way we’re on MOAA’s radar screen is the fact that our Council and the New River Chapter were recognized 5 times in the 2013 COL Marvin J. Harris Communication Awards contest. Be sure to visit our Council webpage – www.moaa-nc.org – to see the results.

Doug (MOAA Life Member)

June Program: Mr. Lyndon Smith, retired president of the

Senior Carolina Fire Advisory Company, will give a presentation on increasing awareness of residential fire safety principles specifically geared towards us “older” folks.

5-Star Chapter Awarded For: 2010, 2011

New River Current

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New River Chapter Happenings April Outing in Lieu of a Membership Meeting: Noting

that variety is indeed the spice of life, several Chapter members gathered for a meal and great conversation and camaraderie at a local restaurant in Bonne before most continued on to see Garrison Keillor perform at Appalachian State University. The May meeting was also a departure from tradition (see below). In August the Chapter will be co-hosting the NC Council of Chapters quarterly meeting along with the High Country Chapter...so there’s plenty of variety to keep things interesting with the New River Chapter!

May’s Conscientious Objector Presentation a Huge Success: Although sponsored by the New

River Chapter, all the groundwork and credit goes to Charles Knapp who was masterful in the publicity, set-up, narration and execution of May’s program that included a showing of the award winning documentary, The Conscientious Objector. With advance publicity on the radio, in the Jefferson Post and the lead front page story in the Ashe Mountain Times, the program was well attended. “Generation Excellence,” an 18-

member youth group in patriotic costumes, opened the program with a medley of patriotic songs including the service songs. Sergeant Michael Allen, attending in uniform, led all attendees through the military honors including the playing of the National Anthem. After general comments by Chapter President Doug Ehrhardt, Charles presented background information on PFC Desmond Doss, the first conscientious objector to win the Medal of Honor, and explained his role in the preservation of Doss’ intellectual property as chairman of the Desmond Doss Council. Refreshments were served, $76 dollars were donated to the Sears Scholarship Fund and at least two new potential members picked up application to join the NRC Chapter. Great job Charles!

Three JROTC Leadership Awards Presented: In the photos below, left to right, Chapter President

Doug Ehrhardt presents an award to Cadet Technical Sergeant Andy Kempter of North Wilkes High School on 2 May. Chapter Secretary/Treasurer Ken Lynn presents Cadet Major Jackson Bell of Wilkes Central High School with his award on 3 May and is flanked by Lt. Col. (Ret.) Tim Fuller, Senior Aerospace Science Professor (and NRC member) and Principal Michelle Sheppard. On 24 May, Doug presents Cadet Captain Zachary Bryson of Ashe County High School with his award.

Wilsbach Steps up to Assume Legislative Affairs Committee Chair: NRC

member Ron Wilsbach has volunteered to become the Chapter’s next Legislative Affairs Committee Chair. Largely vacant for most of the Chapter’s history, this is great news as one of the primary goals of MOAA is lobbying and legislative efforts that focus on the needs of our military community. As always, each chair of our four committees (Programs/Membership, Personal Affairs, Scholarship and Legislative Affairs) is always looking for volunteers to sit on the committee. Please thank Ron the next time you see him and please give him your full support.

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Programs & Membership Committee Report Mac Hunt, CDR., USN-Ret. & MOAA Life Member

As I compose this column, Memorial Day 2013 approaches. Consequently, it seems appropriate to describe to you two North Carolinians who “gave the last full measure of devotion”: Greensboro brothers Major George E. Preddy, Jr. and 1st Lieutenant William R. Preddy, U. S. Army Air Forces (USAAF), deceased (killed in action). George Preddy, born in 1919, graduated at age 16 from Greensboro Senior High School and attended Guilford College. In 1938 he experienced his first air travel during a Sunday afternoon excursion with family friend Hal Foster in a 1933 Aeronca 2-seat monoplane. It was a life-changing experience and from that point he knew that he “must become an aviator.” A few months later George learned to fly with instructor Bill Teague, owner of a WACO biplane. After his solo flight, he and Teague invested in a 2nd aircraft and embarked on a cross-country barnstorming tour. In that year, 1939, George made the first application for flight training in the U. S. Navy, but was denied because of alleged mild scoliosis, hypertension and small stature. Not to be deterred, he made two further unsuccessful attempts in 1940 to become a Naval aviator; then returned to the tour circuit. At the end of the 1940 tour season, George was accepted into the U. S. Army Air Corps aviation training program. In April, 1941, he received orders to report to flight training which was completed on 12 December ─ 5 days after the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Force’s mauling of the U. S. Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor.

Second Lieutenant Preddy was then assigned to the 9th Pursuit Squadron/49th Pursuit Group (PG), which was deployed by sea 11 January, 1942, with its P-40 Warhawk fighter aircraft to Australia. By March, the 49th PG was nominally operational. During the next 6 months, George was credited with damage to two Japanese aircraft. Near-disaster occurred on 12 July when a mid-air collision by one of his unit mates’ aircraft with his P-40 “Tarheel” happened during an exercise. Although able to bail out, he suffered a fractured leg and shoulder, and hip injuries ─ requiring several months of treatment in the U. S. Although George returned to full duty in October, it was not until December that he was assigned to the 487th Fighter Squadron (FS)/352nd Fighter Group, at Mitchel Field on Long Island. It was with the “Second to None” 352nd ─ “The Blue-Nosed Bastards of Bodney (as described by Reichsmarschall/Luftwaffe commander Hermann Göring)” that George was

to rise to the pinnacle of the USAAF 8th Air Force Fighter Command in the European Theatre of Operations (ETO). After 7 months of training, the 352nd was deployed to the United Kingdom and based at USAAF Station 141 (former Royal Air Force Station Bodney). From Bodney, the 352nd’s primary mission was the escort of 8th AF heavy bombers. Flying the P-47 Thunderbolt, he scored his first aerial victory against a German Luftwaffe Bf-109 fighter on 1 December, 1943. He had his second brush with death on 29 January, 1944, when he was forced to bail out of his mortally damaged aircraft into the frigid English Channel. On 13 May, 1944, after the 352nd had transitioned to the “Cadillac of the Sky” P-51 Mustang fighter aircraft, Captain Preddy scored his 5th victory and achieved “ace” status. In June, George was assigned his 3rd aircraft (2nd Mustang) and he continued the practice of naming them, choosing “Cripes A’Mighty 3rd (CAM3).” He continued to fly CAM3 until August, and, in that time, achieved more than 15 additional shoot-downs of German aircraft. On 6 August, 1944, Major Preddy, serving as flight leader while on a 6-hour bomber-escort mission to Berlin, shot 6 Luftwaffe aircraft out of the sky ─ a feat not matched by any Allied ETO aviator by the end of World War II. In response, his squadron commander, Lt. Col. John C. Meyer (later to be Gen. Meyer, Strategic Air Force commander) recommended him for the Medal of Honor. To Meyer’s surprise and anger, six days later wing commander Brig. Gen. Edward H. Anderson pinned the Distinguished Service Cross on George’s uniform. Since his 5th voluntary combat-hours extension had expired, George was ordered home to Greensboro for a month of leave. In October, 1944, Preddy voluntarily returned to the 352nd, at Bodney and was ordered to assume the position of 328th FS CO, flying a 3rd Mustang ─ simply named “Cripes A’Mighty.” During the next three months, he scored another 4 aerial victories over German aircraft. On 23 December, seven days into the Battle of the Bulge, the 352nd was forward deployed to the continent. On Christmas Day, George led a combat air patrol mission over the border region of eastern Belgium/western Germany. During tree-level close pursuit of a German fighter, George’s flight of three aircraft were struck by U. S. Army anti-aircraft artillery (AAA) batteries. He was killed by the barrage. Preddy was then the highest scoring Allied fighter ace in the ETO, and remains the highest scoring P-51 Mustang ace; the 3rd-ranked ETO ace; and the 6th-ranked U. S. ace of all air services/all conflicts with 26.83 official aerial victories. Lt. Col. Meyer later wrote: "I have never met a

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Personal Affairs Committee Report Barbara Sears

Would you be able to explain TRICARE for Life and Medicare to a Complete Stranger? Neither could I, friends! If you are like me, understanding TRICARE for Life, coupled with Medicare, is like being on a Ferris wheel that will not stop. I just keep getting dizzier and dizzier as I go around in circles! Military.com is a website where I found an explanation of TRICARE for Life (TFL) and its friend, Medicare. I share them with you this month.

TRICARE for Life Benefits

For services payable by both Medicare and TFL, Medicare pays first, any other health insurance pays second,

and the remaining beneficiary liability may be paid by TFL.

For services received from a civilian provider, the provider first files claims with Medicare. Medicare pays its

portion and electronically forwards the claim to TFL for processing. TFL sends its payment for the remaining liability directly to the provider, and beneficiaries receive a Medicare summary notice (from Medicare) and a TFL explanation of benefits (EOB) that indicates the amount paid to the provider. The claims processing linkage between Medicare and TFL is now available for the under age 65 dual-eligible population. All TFL claims for dual-eligible beneficiaries, as well as age 65 and over, will go to a new centralized claims processor. The new contractor, Wisconsin Physicians Service (WPS), has agreements with each Medicare carrier allowing Medicare to submit claims directly to WPS TFL or, before transition, to the regional TFL claims processor. The beneficiary's Social Security Number must be in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) for the electronic claims process to work.

For services payable by TFL, but not Medicare, such as overseas care, TFL pays the same as for TRICARE

Standard beneficiaries. Beneficiaries are responsible for the TRICARE Standard yearly deductible and cost shares.

For services payable by Medicare, but not TFL, such as chiropractic services, Medicare pays as usual, however,

TFL makes no payment. Beneficiaries are responsible for Medicare coinsurance and deductibles.

For services not payable by Medicare or TRICARE, beneficiaries are responsible for the entire bill.

Medicare Part B and Eligibility Based on Age

Through the Defense Manpower Data Center's (DMDC's) Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS), beneficiaries are notified within 90 days before their 65th birthday that their medical benefits are about to change. DMDC asks beneficiaries to contact the nearest Social Security Administration office or Medicare regarding their eligibility for Medicare. Beneficiaries MUST elect to enroll in Medicare Part B in order to be eligible for TFL. Once a beneficiary is enrolled in Medicare Part B, TFL pays secondary to Medicare beginning on the first day of the month the beneficiary turns 65. If a beneficiary's 65th birthday is on the 1st day of the month, eligibility for Medicare and TFL begins on the 1st day of the previous month. Beneficiaries may visit the Social Security Administration online at www.ssa.gov or call toll free at (800) 772-1213 for more information on enrolling in Medicare Part B. Beneficiaries who are age 65 and older and who have Medicare Part A may only enroll in Medicare Part B during the general enrollment period, which runs from 1 January to 31 March every year. Medicare Part B coverage begins

on 1 July of the year in which enrolled. If you encounter any problems with the TFL/Medicare system, call them at 1-866-773-0404 Monday - Friday between 7:00 am and 10:00 pm, CST or contact them via email at TRICARE4u.com.

man of such intense desire to excel....George Preddy was the complete fighter pilot." In mid-January, 1945, 20 year old brother Bill Preddy was assigned to 339th Fighter Group, flying P-51s from an airfield outside Fowlmere, England. Learning that George had been killed 27 days earlier, he flew in the 503rd Fighter Squadron (FS) for three months in escort missions for heavy bombers on German targets, close support of Allied troops advancing into German-occupied territory, and strafing runs on Luftwaffe airfields. On 17 April, while strafing the airdrome at Ceske Budejovice, Czechoslovakia, he and his FS CO were shot down and killed by Luftwaffe AAA. The brothers are interred in adjacent grave sites, at Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial; St. Avold, France. Additional recommended resources: http://www.preddy-foundation.org/; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfeMgwg-Lx0.

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MOAA Legislative Update Compiled by Doug Ehrhardt, CAPT., USN-Ret. & MOAA Life Member

The news from the Legislative front is many and varied and can either be 1) summarized, or 2) drawn from a few of the definitive sources for information that not only is, but should be of interest to our Chapter. The following topics – and excerpts – are from MOAA’s Legislative Alerts that are posted on www.moaa.org, or sent via e-newsletter, and credited, where indicated by the source indicated: (© Copyright 2013 Military Officers Association of America).

Health Reform and You – dated 17 May, 2013 (© 2013, MOAA)

National health care reform — officially known as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) — is the most ambitious piece of health care legislation since the establishment of Medicare and Medicaid in 1965. Passed in 2010, we’re only eight months away from many of the law’s major provisions coming online. The legislation aims to expand access to health care coverage to uninsured Americans through:

an individual mandate requiring adults to have health insurance or pay a fine; an employer mandate requiring firms with 50 or more employees to offer coverage or pay a fine; a requirement that each state establish a health insurance exchange or accept a federally established exchange in which individuals and small businesses can buy coverage; and an expansion of Medicaid eligibility to cover greater numbers of lower-income people.

Another major goal of the ACA is to implement new health delivery reforms that would bend the health care cost curve down and reduce costs over time. Supporters believe realigning the delivery system to drive out inefficiencies in the health care system will reduce costs and improve quality of care. The five areas for system reform included in the law are: payment reform; primary and preventive care; measuring and reporting quality; administrative simplification; health information technology. But how will these changes affect military and VA beneficiaries? By law, TRICARE (including TRICARE For Life) beneficiaries and veterans enrolled in the VA health care system are exempt from the direct impacts of the ACA. TRICARE and VA health care meet the minimum essential health care coverage requirements, and in general the ACA does not affect the administration, health care benefits, eligibility, or cost to beneficiaries of these two systems.

However, the sweeping changes made by ACA could still impact TRICARE and VA beneficiaries in the future. Roughly 32 million uninsured Americans are expected to become insured as a result of the ACA. How will this influx of covered individuals impact access to health care? Especially in the absence of a permanent fix to the annual Medicare/TRICARE physician reimbursement rate cut — now estimated to be at 30 percent — which was critically left out of the ACA. These are questions that MOAA will seek to answer in the coming months. Reforming an industry that accounts for more than 17 percent of our nation’s economy is bound to have unforeseen consequences. MOAA will track the progress of implementation of the ACA and remain vigilant to ensure that military and VA beneficiaries are not negatively impacted by the changes.

Budget Forecast: A Category 3 – dated 17 May, 2013 (© 2013, MOAA)

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released its budget forecast this week showing the annual budget deficit should shrink this year to its smallest level since 2008 — $642 billion — down from an earlier estimate of $845 billion. The reason for the adjustment is a combination of spending cuts and tax increases enacted over the past two years, coupled with a stronger than expected economy. Although positive, It’s important not to construe this forecast as anything close to sunny skies ahead. Instead of a Category 5 budget deficit “hurricane,” you could call it a Category 3. A deficit is still a deficit — a hurricane is still a hurricane. The overall federal debt sits at $16.9 trillion and is forecasted to grow, but at a slower rate in the near-term, to $25.2 trillion by 2023 in the absence of any changes to laws that govern federal taxes and spending. According to the report, CBO’s rising budget projections are due to growing health care costs, expansion of federal subsidies for health insurance, an increased strain on Social Security as baby boomers become eligible, and mounting interest payments on the nation’s debt.

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In the short term, the better than expected balance sheet could have one practical effect on politics this year — it could further delay the expected showdown over the statutory “debt ceiling,” which now may not be reached until September or October of this year. We have a long way to go to reign in our debt, but this news may blunt calls for continued deep, across-the-board spending cuts — especially on the backs of our men and women in uniform.

COLA Watch – April COLA Announced (© 2013, MOAA)

The April CPI of 228.949 is 0.9% above the FY2013 COLA baseline of 226.936.

Pentagon Budget: The Scary Sequel – dated 10 May, 2013 (© 2013, MOAA)

After submitting a FY 2014 budget proposal that includes a sequestration “de-trigger” mechanism, the chair and ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee have asked the Pentagon to go back to the drawing board and submit an alternative plan that’s $52 billion less than the administration’s original submission. Committee Chair Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.) and ranking member Sen. James M. Inhofe (R-Okla.) sent a letter late last week to Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel asking for a scaled-back budget plan by 1 July. The two senators noted that, to date, little progress has been made toward finding a bipartisan agreement to avoid sequestration for FY 2014. Without an agreement, the Pentagon faces another $52 billion in across-the-board cuts established by the Budget Control Act of 2011. Both senators hope highlighting the devastating nature of the cuts will help force discussion and eventually lead Congress to pass legislation to avert another round of sequestration. However, by requesting the Pentagon submit a more “workable” plan, it leaves the impression the senators would be willing to support a plan that gives the department additional budgeting flexibility in order to offset the indiscriminate, across-the-board cuts. “We recognize that it will not be easy to put together such a package,” Levin and Inhofe wrote. “In our view, however, a concrete demonstration of the painful choices the department would have to make to cut $52 billion from its budget may be our last, best hope of avoiding sequestration altogether.” The current budget proposal calls for a currently serving pay cap and disproportional TRICARE fees hikes. We will have to wait to see what exactly will be included in the alternative, sequester-driven budget report, but you can be assured it won’t be pretty.

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TidBits

Need a new ID Card for you or your spouse? Call 800-525-0102 or use the following RAPIDS link that will let you find the closest facility that can help you: http://www.dmdc.osd.mil/rsl/appj/site?execution=e2s1.

Funny Bone

How to Contact Your State and Federal Representatives

Rep. Jonathan Jordan: NC House of Representatives, 300 North Salisbury St., Room 418C, Raleigh, NC 27603-

5925; Tel.: 919-733-7727; E-mail: jonathan.jordan@ncleg.net Sen. Dan Soucek NC Senate, 300 North Salisbury St., Room 310, Raleigh, NC 27603-5925; Tel.: 919 733-5742; E-

mail: dan.soucek@ncleg.net Rep. Virginia Foxx: 1230 Longworth House Office Bldg., Washington, D.C. 20515; Tel.: 202-225-2071

nc05reply@mail.house.gov Sen. Kay Hagan: 521 Dirksen Senate Office Bldg., Washington, D.C. 20510; Tel: 202-224-6342 Sen. Richard Burr: 217 Russell Senate Office Bldg., Washington, D.C. 20510; Tel.: 202- 224-3154

Auxiliary & Spouse Update Betty Schuette, Auxiliary & Spouse Liaison

Most surviving military spouses covered by TRICARE when their spouses were alive continue to be covered upon their death. TRICARE prescription copayments have increased. Generic prescriptions at retail pharmacies remain at $5, with brand names increasing from $12 to $17, and non-formulary drugs increasing from $25 to $44. Mail order generic prescriptions remain at a zero co-pay, with brand name co-pays increasing from $9 to $13 and non-formulary drugs increasing to $43 for a ninety day supply. A new law requires pharmacy co-payments to

increase annually by the same percentage as the retiree COLA. A little known benefit for survivors receiving Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) is CHAMPVA. To be eligible, survivors cannot have TRICARE and must meet one of the following:

a. Spouse or survivor of a permanent and 100 percent service-connected disabled veteran b. Survivor of a veteran who died from a VA-rated service-connected disability c. Survivor of a servicemember who died in the line of duty

Another little known fact is a military survivor might be eligible for DIC and CHAMPVA if his or her spouse dies of a presumptive condition, even if he/she was not rated by the VA with a disability at the time of death. If one of these conditions is listed on the death certificate you should apply for VA benefits. Learn more at www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures.

North Carolina Legislative Actions and Efforts To close this edition’s section on legislative issues, it is important to read/understand the important, and lengthy, list of legislative actions and efforts that are on-going in our own state’s house of government. Below, the web link to the May edition of Council Comments, our North Carolina Council of Chapters award winning newsletter is presented. On page three of the current issue, there is a “laundry list” of current House and Senate bills that are of interest to the military. Check it out! http://moaa-nc.org/ HbG/ documents/1358346768/uploads/1305%20-%20Council%20Comments.pdf

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Navy News Compiled by Jim Dunne, CAPT., USNR-Ret. & MOAA Life Member

An unmanned jet built for Navy high altitude maritime surveillance missions has made its first flight. Northrop Grumman Corporation announced that the MQ-4C Triton took off from Palmdale, CA on 22 May and completed a 90 minute flight. The aircraft is designed to fly missions lasting up to 24 hours at altitudes greater than 10 miles, allowing coverage out to 2,000 nautical miles. The prime contractor says that the Triton’s suite of

intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance sensors can detect and classify different types of ships, provide high resolution imagery, and airborne communications and information sharing among military units. With a wingspan over 130 feet, it’s expected to be able to fly 11,500 miles without refueling. Test flights will continue in California before moving to Naval Air Station Patuxent River, MD. The Navy plans on acquiring 68 Tritons. The amphibious dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52) departed its namesake city 25 May for Samoa, the first mission port of Pacific Partnership 2013. Conducted annually since 2006, Pacific Partnership is the largest

disaster preparedness response mission in the Indo-Asia-Pacific Region. The mission was born after U.S. military responded to the needs of people in Southeast Asia following the devastating tsunami in 2004. Samoa is scheduled to be the first of many mission ports including Tonga, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Papua New Guinea, Kiribati, and the Solomon Islands. This year's mission will partner the U.S. Navy with non-governmental organizations and regional partners including Australia, Canada, France, Japan, Malaysia and New Zealand to improve maritime security, conduct humanitarian assistance and strengthen regional disaster response preparedness. Partner nations will lead individual phases for the first time in the history of the mission. After a visit to the ship, Adm. Cecil D. Haney, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, said he was impressed by the enthusiasm displayed for Pacific Partnership 2013.

Marine Corps News Compiled by Ken Lynn, Col., USAF-Ret. & MOAA Life Member

A mortar explosion on 18 March at Hawthorne Army Depot, NV that killed seven and

injured eight Marines from Camp Lejeune, NC was caused by human error. “The Marines employing one of the mortars did not follow correct procedures, resulting in the detonation of a high-explosive round at the mortar position,” officials said in the investigation release. Earlier, the battalion commander, company commander and battalion infantry weapons officer had all been removed from their positions. A new commander took command on 23 May. The investigation also determined there were no problems with the equipment or mortar systems used at Hawthorne.

Marine Corps officials have announced that Marines who participated in relief operations in the Philippines to help the local population following the deadly typhoon in October 2010 will be eligible for a new humanitarian service medal. The award, the Humanitarian Service Medal for the Republic of the Philippines Relief Efforts-Super Typhoon Juan (Megi), received Joint Staff approval on 19 March. The typhoon, which killed at least 26 people, caused hundreds of millions of dollars worth of damage and left over 200,00 homeless. To be eligible, personnel must’ve been both physically present and have provided humanitarian assistance during the period 19 - 23 October 2010. Marines with the 3rd MEB and the amphibious assault ship Essex had been participating in Amphibious Landing Exercise 2011 with Filipino troops in Subic Bay when the typhoon struck. Troops from Marine Aircraft Group 36 used KC-130 aircraft to airlift relief supplies for survivors to a distribution point in Manila where they were loaded onto CH-46 and CH-53 aircraft bound for local regions most affected by the storm. More than 77,000 pounds of relief supplies were delivered.

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Air Force News Compiled by Ken Lynn, Col., USAF-Ret. & MOAA Life Member

A Boeing-built USAF Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite was successfully launched on 15 May. The fourth GPS IIF satellite was carried aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V Launch Vehicle from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, FL. The new capabilities of the IIF satellites will provide greater navigational accuracy through improvements in atomic clock technology; a more robust

signal for commercial aviation and safety-of-life applications; and a 12-year design life providing long-term service. These upgrades improve anti-jam capabilities for the war fighter and improve security for military and civil users around the world. From the launch of its first satellite, GPS has transformed navigation and precise timing for all users. GPS has grown into a global utility whose multi-use services are integral to U.S. national security, economic growth, transportation safety, homeland security and are an essential element of the worldwide economic infrastructure. The Air Force maintains its commitment to sustain the constellation and modernize GPS. Ruth Alice Lucas, the first black woman in the USAF to be promoted to colonel and who at the time of her retirement was the highest-ranking African-American woman in the Air Force, was buried at Arlington National Cemetery last month. Lucas died on 23 March; she was 92. Colonel Lucas enlisted in the Women’s Army Auxiliary

Corps in 1942 and was one of the first black women to attend what is now the Joint Forces Staff College. She held a variety of positions, mainly in research and education, before receiving her eagles in 1968. After her retirement in 1970, she became director of urban services at the old Washington Technical Institute, one of three schools that merged in 1977 to form the University of the District of Columbia. In 1994, she retired as the assistant to the dean of UDC’s College of Physical Science, Engineering, and Technology. Lucas was born in Stamford, Connecticut. She was a 1942 education graduate of what is now Tuskegee University in Alabama. She transferred from the Army to the newly created Air Force in 1947.

Army News Compiled by Ken Lynn, Col., USAF-Ret. & MOAA Life Member

As directed by Congress with the passage of the Disaster Relief Appropriation Act of 2013, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers scientists and engineers launched a collaborative study last month

to determine how to best reduce flood and storm damage risks for people and communities along the North Atlantic coast. According to the Act, the study authorizes up to $20 million to address the flood risks of vulnerable coastal populations in the areas that were affected by Hurricane Sandy within the boundaries of the Corps’ North Atlantic Division. The Act requires completion of the study by January 2015. While compiling the study, officially known as the North Atlantic Coast Comprehensive Study, scientists and engineers will consider future sea-level rise scenarios and integrate economic,

climatological, engineering, environmental and societal data from Virginia to Maine to develop a comprehensive framework to reduce coastal flood risk and promote resiliency. For more information on the North Atlantic Coast Comprehensive Study visit http://www.nad.usace.army.mil/compstudy. For members of the Oklahoma Guard’s 63rd Civil Support Team, their mission following the 20 May killer tornado in Moore, OK was more personal as they knew people directly affected and some Soldiers even lived in the storm’s path. The 63rd CST was among the 163 Guard personnel who responded to the twister which killed at least 24 people, including nine children. The 63rd CST, consisting of 22 full-time active Guard reserve Soldiers, specializes in conducting search-and-rescue operations, atmospheric monitoring for hazardous materials and searching for physical hazards such as live downed electrical lines. Many of the unit members have previously deployed and responded to other natural disasters. The communities of Newcastle, Moore and parts of south Oklahoma City are now just beginning the process of rebuilding once again.

New River Current June 2013 Page

The New River Current is the Military Officers Association of America New River Chapter bi-monthly newsletter.

Mailing address: P.O. Box 1202, Jefferson, NC 28640

Visit the Chapter website: http://www.newrivermoaa.org

E-mail the Chapter: info@newrivermoaa.org

Visit MOAA National’s website: http://www.moaa.org/

MOAA is a nonprofit veterans' association dedicated to maintaining a strong national defense and the preservation of earned entitlements for

uniformed services members, their families and survivors. Membership is open to those who hold or have ever held a warrant or commission in

any component of the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Public Health Service, or NOAA and their surviving spouses.

Calendar of Events Regular membership meetings are held at the West Jefferson Coffee House on the Backstreet in West Jefferson starting at 1830 hours on the third Tuesday of the following months unless otherwise noted: March, April, May, June, July, August (picnic social), September, October (annual meeting) and December (holiday social). Board of Director meetings are generally held immediately prior to general membership meetings beginning at 1730 hours. Upcoming: Mr. Lyndon Smith, former Army National Guard officer and retired president of the Senior Carolina Fire

Advisory Company, will give a presentation on increasing awareness of residential fire safety principles specifically geared towards members of the senior community.

Want to Comment on Something You Read in the New River Current?: Mail your response to: Editor, New River Current, P.O. Box 1202, Jefferson, NC 28640...or e-mail the editor at: Lynn001@aol.com. Please keep your

comments to no more than 150 words. All responses must include your name, retired/former rank, and/or affiliation.

NRC Thanks These Local Businesses for Outstanding Chapter Support

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George Rembert, Jr.