New River Current, April2014 Page

June 2014 Vol. 5, 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:

Charles Knapp, COL., USA-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 & News..2 & 3

Committee Updates…………..4 & 5

Legislative Update…..………5 & 6

Auxiliary Update…………………...7

Navy & Marine News………………8

Army & Air Force News………….9

Calendar & Contact Info……….10

Copyright © 2014, The Military Officers Association 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 notice.

From the President… Can you believe it’s already June? What, with Memorial Day having come and gone, it feels like the best time of the year here in the mountains (summer) is almost over! Reflecting back on Memorial Day, many of the 17 NC Council Chapters participated in a variety of remembrances and celebrations. Kudos to our sister Chapter, the High Country, for their 8th year of

presenting a wonderful program at the Boone Mall…the Watauga Community Band, the music sung by Generation Excellent, and the honors given to a home town patriot were all very moving.

Remaining with a theme of remembrances, May is significant for its many days to honor our military – VE Day, Military Spouse Appreciation Day, Armed Forces Day and Memorial Day to name but a few…but did you know there are almost 300 days to recognize one cause or another during the month of May, to include Root Canal Appreciation Day! Seriously, Root Canal Appreciation? Before you know it, the July 4th holiday will be upon us and the U.S. will celebrate our 238th birthday…and yes, there will be parades and cook-outs and fireworks. For most, the celebrations mean a day off. But many serviceman and women serving the world over don’t get to stand down. It’s one more day to keep our country safe…one more day away from family and love ones…one more day that the less than 1% of our nation’s population stay true to the oath and commitment they made to protect this nation and our way of life. In April, MOAA again hosted the annual “Storming the Hill” day to visit legislators and remind them of their commitment to stay faithful to the military and continue to protect our earned entitlements. Like the current VA scandal in the news, Congress needs to wake up and recognize with their sacrifices – wounded warriors, as well as former, retired, currently serving, Guard and Reserve and surviving spouses – the military has paid a huge price for our freedom. To ensure they do, we have to keep the pressure on…sign up for MOAA’s Legislative Alert e-mails to help ensure MOAA’s One Powerful Voice®. Thank you and thanks to MOAA!

Doug (MOAA Life Member)

June Program: Mr. Phillip McMillian of the West

Jefferson Centennial Board will share information on the many exciting things that are being planned for the town’s upcoming Centennial Celebration.

5-Star Chapter Awarded For: 2011,

2012, 2013

New River Current

New River Current, April2014 Page 2

New River Chapter Happenings New Members: MG Ken Dowd, USA-Ret., and his wife Jennie, are the newest

members of the New River Chapter. The Dowd’s have a home in Ashe County and will spilt their time between here and the Washington, DC area for the near term. With Ken’s retirement effective 4 April, the Dowd’s are busy adjusting to retired life. MG-Ret. Dowd was the director of logistics operations for the Defense Logistics Agency at the time of his retirement. To read more about his background, the following link takes you to a post-retirement interview: http://www.dcvelocity.com/articles/20140430-mission-accomplished-interview-with-maj-gen-ken-dowd/. We’re very excited to have them as members of our Chapter!

JROTC Leadership Medals Presented: Three outstanding JROTC cadets, who are rising seniors, were

presented with the MOAA Leadership Medal last month. Below, left to right, Col Ken Lynn, USAF-Ret., and Lt Col Tim Fuller, USAF-Ret., are shown with award recipient USAF Cadet Staff Sergeant Taylor Locklear of Wilkes Central HS on 3 May. Barbara Sears presented USAF Cadet Technical Sergeant Jared Kilby of North Wilkesboro HS with his award on 8 May. Captain Doug Ehrhardt, USN-Ret., presented Army JROTC Cadet Captain Joshua Goodman of Ashe County HS with his award on 20 May during a ceremony held as part of our general membership meeting.

Guest Speakers Enlighten and Educate: Below left,

National Committee for the New River Executive Director George Santucci and Director of Operations Carol Coulter bring the membership up-to-speed on activities involving the New River, our Chapter’s namesake. Below right, SSgt Darryl Vaughn, ANG-Ret., briefs us on his duties as the new Ashe County Veterans Service Officer. Vaughn assumed his position in November.

MOAA Leadership Award: NRC

President Doug Ehrhardt surprised Secretary/Treasurer Ken Lynn with the MOAA Leadership Award at April’s meeting. The award recognizes chapter or council officers whose exceptional performance merits special recognition. A letter from MOAA President VADM Norb Ryan, Jr., USN-Ret., and a lapel pin were presented. Ken was primarily singled out for his work as New River Current editor,

the Chapter’s award winning newsletter. Earlier this year the Current received

its third award by b e i n g n a m e d second runner-up in MOAA’s 2013 c o m m u n i c a t i o n a w a r d s competition.

See page 6 for more happenings...

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Planned Programs for 2014

March 18: Predicting Mountain Weather, Old Time Way: This is

a NOT TO BE MISSED program for the kick-off of our New River Chapter regular programming schedule. Mr. Joe Mullis, Old Time

Weather Predictor, whose heritage as a Native American and of Melungeon ethnicity, as well as growing up deep in the Appalachians, will share his pre-scientific methods of predicting weather and will be our guest. April 15: The New River, An Ashe County Treasure: Mr. George Santucci, Executive

Director and Ms. Carol Coulter, Director of Operations, National Committee of the New River, will attend our regular meeting to educate our members and guests about the New River...our "namesake.” May 20: Veteran Issues and Building a Network of Support in Ashe County: SSgt-Ret. Darryl Vaughn, NCANG Ret, is the new Ashe County Veterans Service Officer and will give a presentation on veterans issues in the county and ways that our chapter may become more involved in helping to support the VSO and all military personnel in Ashe County. June 17: West Jefferson Centennial Celebration: Did you know that West Jefferson will soon be

holding a grand celebration? Mr. Phillip McMillian of the Centennial Board will share information on the many exciting things that are being planned for the Centennial Celebration. Hopefully we can learn of some ways our New River Chapter can get involved and make our presence better known here in Ashe County. July 15: Sequestration, Defense and Pay Issues: NOBODY IS GOING TO WANT TO MISS our July

program! Col-Ret. Mike Hayden, USAF, National MOAA Legislative Liaison, will be our guest speaker. If you're a regular recipient of the MOAA Legislative Alert e-mail, then you should be familiar with the many great things Mike has been involved with at the national level in working to help protect, preserve and maintain our many veteran benefits. Mike is also a regular contributor to MOAA's Military Officer magazine.

August 9: Annual Membership Picnic : Once a year we vary our regular meeting date to host

members, and guests, to our annual picnic. As in prior years, we'll be looking to gather at the picnic pavilion at the Jefferson Landing Resort. Everyone is invited to bring their favorite side dish, dessert or other delectable treat to share with fellow New River Chapter folks. Burgers, franks, drinks and necessary plates, cups and cutlery will be provided. September 16: Town Hall Meeting...Rep. J. Jordan and Challenger Ms. Sue Counts: The New River Chapter plans to revive the highly successful interest in Ashe County politics by holding a Town Hall in September, akin to the debate we sponsored in 2010. Incumbent State Representative Jonathan Jordan, Republican, and challenger Ms. Sue Counts, Democrat, will be available to respond to members and guests about their respective campaigns leading up to the November elections. More information on the location and format of this Town Hall meeting will be forthcoming as details are finalized. October 21: Annual New River Chapter Meeting: Per our New River Chapter By-laws, the annual

membership meeting will be held to discuss procedural changes, if any, and consider officer nominations leading into our continued Chapter operations and management for 2015. Please plan to attend this most important meeting. December 13: New River Annual Holiday Celebration: As with last year, the holiday social is planned one week earlier than our regularly scheduled meeting day in order to get a head start on winter weather. Everyone is invited to share their favorite dishes at the party; entrees as well as some desserts! As in prior years, MOAA-Claus will likely attend.

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Programs & Membership Committee Report Charles Knapp, COL., USA-Ret. & MOAA Life Member

Attempting to digest a town's growth, its changes, its contributions, its heritage for the past 100 years is a task even historians can find difficult. In 2015, the town of West Jefferson will commemorate its Centennial anniversary. Phillip McMillian, a member of the West Jefferson Centennial Celebration Board, born and raised in West Jefferson, will speak about plans for the upcoming Centennial at our Tuesday, 17 June meeting. Phil attended Beaver Creek High School, obtained his Masters in Applied Mathematics and an Army Commission from NC State’s ROTC program. He saw service in Korea at the time of the Pueblo Crisis. Upon returning to civilian life, he spent 38 years employed in key management positions with Shell Oil Corporation.

Phil is President of the Christmas in July Festival and serves on the Ashe Memorial Hospital Foundation Board. Only three towns have been incorporated in Ashe County. West Jefferson with its galleries, restaurants, boutiques, Chamber of Commerce Headquarters, visitors’ center and shops is a focus destination for tourists, business and leisure time activity for Ashe residents. About a third of the Chapter membership lists West Jefferson as their address. The rest of us find ourselves more connected to West Jefferson than we realize spending time in two of the counties four large grocery stores, Lowe’s and Ingle’s, as well as Wal-Mart and Lowe’s Home Improvement. The headquarters for most of the county utility and communication infrastructure calls West Jefferson home. Phillip's presentation and his lifelong involvement in community life is certain to help us learn where the town came from. We Are . . . Veterans Still Serving, has been the theme of our 2014 programs. The 15 July meeting when Colonel Mike Hayden, USAF-Ret., MOAA Director of Government Relations, will be our guest speaker will be of interest to all Ashe County veterans. The meeting will be a combined event with New River hosting and the High Country and Tarheel Chapters joining us at the Ashe Arts Council Gallery venue. Meet and greet opportunities begin at 6:30 p.m., and light refreshments will be available. Mike plans to address top personnel issues on Capitol Hill affecting the entire uniformed services’ community – specifically the prospects of changes to pay and benefits. Every attempt is being made to engage with other county veterans groups. All of us have neighbors who have served or may be retired who need to hear this presentation. I call on every Chapter member to reach out and invite those within your sphere of influence to attend. Please don't leave it to emails, flyers and "official" notifications. Come find out what changes are being proposed to TRICARE, pay and allowance, commissaries, and more.

Getting to Know LCDR Jim Gee, USN-Ret. Jim was raised in Ohio surrounded by corn. He joined the Navy Reserve at 17 between his junior and senior year. He graduated from high school on 6 June 1966 and on 20 June had orders to active duty, spending two years onboard USS Lloyd Thomas. Jim saw the world and began missing those corn fields. He left the Navy for Ohio in 1968, but found he

missed the sea services too. Re-upping, he wad a Hospital Corps School honor grad; his first duty station was Naval Hospital, Beaufort, SC. He started looking for a field with more independence and less blood. Jim’s neighbor was a Preventive Medicine Tech. He worked on his own and always had a fishing pole. This was the field for Jim. He graduated at the top of his PMT class in 1973 earning college credits; he decided to get a BS degree. Two weeks after reporting to USS Iwo Jima, it deployed for 10 months. University professors were onboard and Jim added college credits. He made HM1 and in 1976 left for a year of recruiting duty in Medina, Ohio. He then got orders to the Naval Medical Clinic, Portsmouth, NH. Jim led the Prevent Medicine Department and received a BS in Biology from University of NY at Albany. He advanced to Chief Hospital Corpsman and became the Command Chief Petty Officer. He applied for a commission and on 1 April 1981, was commissioned an ensign as an Environmental Health Officer. He finished a second BS in Environmental Health from Ferris State two years later. Jim headed to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. He was the BULL ensign until making lieutenant junior grade, or “LT j.g., J. G. Gee.” Jim moved to the Naval Medical Clinic in Norfolk in 1983 and was later transferred to the San Diego Board

of Inspection and Survey as a ship medical inspector. Due to family issues, Jim received a humanitarian transfer to Norfolk. Eventually he was forced to leave active duty after 19 ½ years and took a civilian job at Military Sealift Command. He joined the reserves, was promoted to Lieutenant Commander and became XO of a Medical Company. In October, he was called back to active duty. He commanded a Navy Collecting and Clearing Medical Co. during Deseret Storm. He stayed on active duty until 1 January 1991; then retired from the Navy. He met Linda on a ski trip in 1995, married her in 2000 and retired from MSC in 2005. They bought 50 acres in Ashe County and built a beautiful log home. Jim enjoys raising highland cattle, playing his bagpipes, kayaking, building model warships, mountain biking, shooting and dancing with Linda.

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Personal Affairs Committee Report Barbara Sears, Auxiliary Member

Scott had been gone for almost 3 months of a 6 month deployment when the Commodore called me to his office for some information regarding the boat's schedule. (The Cold War was on and information such as I was about to receive couldn’t be transmitted by telephone because the Soviets might intercept it.) I was told the USS Albuquerque was docking in Portsmouth, England for 3 days of liberty and if any wives wanted to go, we should make arrangements soon. Three of us went and because cell phones, Skype, and email had not been invented yet our husbands didn’t expect us. We got rooms the night before at the Queen's Hotel right by the pier and awaited the boat's arrival. Day one of liberty: The boat would be in around 4 p.m.. I was privileged to ride the pilot boat out to meet the submarine with two Royal Navy officers. Scott was up in the sail with binoculars and as the pilot boat approached he did a double take when he saw me! He asked my escorts via ship to shore radio to pass the radio to me. Instead of "Darling, how wonderful to see you," I was greeted with, "What are you doing here?" I might add that it was asked in a pleasant tone. The lines went over the sides at exactly 4 p.m.. (Scott prided himself in arriving at precisely the time he was scheduled to arrive, not a minute early nor late). I disembarked from the pilot boat and waited on the pier. Soon I would be warm in either his stateroom or the hotel. He arrived topside and after a more pleasant greeting, explained his stateroom and the rest of the boat were not rigged for security and I couldn’t go aboard. Additionally, a Navy captain was going to meet with him and he had no idea how long that would take. Not wanting to go back to the hotel alone, I wandered the pier. Finally at 6 p.m. he emerged and we headed to the hotel. After a quick change into civilian clothes for him and something warmer for me we headed to the hotel pub with the other wives and their husbands. A cheerful Englishman bought all of us "Yanks" drinks. The cause of his cheer was his retirement that day from the Royal Marines due to shrapnel wounds from the recent Falklands War. After we bought him a drink, we all went to dinner at an Ethiopian restaurant called "The Green Mask." Our newly retired friend, Allan Bailey, came with us. The only other diner besides our band of 8 was a well dressed gentleman whose head had fallen into his plate of food, a result of apparently having consumed a bottle of wine that was empty and lying on the table next to his head! Day two of liberty: Scott spent the day in debriefing sessions and I rode the double decker bus in London with the crew sightseeing. We returned to Portsmouth in the afternoon and Scott at 6 pm, just in time for dinner. Our buddy, Allan, stopped us in the hotel lobby and asked Scott if he might take me to dinner the next evening with a friend of "'is mum's” (sic)- Allan, we decided, was from Liverpool based on his accent. Scott told him I was free to do as I pleased. I accepted. Momentarily you’ll see why I was the only one invited to dine with Allan and his mum’s friend. Day three of liberty: The boat departed at 10:00 a.m.. The captain boarded early so we said our goodbyes at 8:00. I made the best of my day and joined Allan and his elderly lady friend for dinner in the Queens Hotel restaurant. We sat at a window table, and although it was dark, we could see large, gray ships traveling out to sea, "The NATO fleet," Allan volunteered and then asked if Scott were involved in the NATO exercises. I told him by design I had no idea what Scott was involved in. After dinner Allan told me if I met him in the morning he’d give me several "wooly pullies," the navy blue sweaters with epaulettes and elbow patches. He also gave me a Queen Victoria silver coin to remember him by. I went to the lobby early but didn’t find him and went on to Heathrow Airport for the long trip home. I hadn't been home but 2 hours when I got a call from a captain in Norfolk at SUBLANT. "Barbara", he began, "when you were in merry old England did you meet a fellow named Allan Bailey?" I admitted that I had. "And," he continued, "you were in a restaurant called the Green Mask where some photos were taken?" Yes. (By now chills were running up and down my spine.) "We’d like to have copies of the photos. We don't need the negatives, just

copies." I asked why and was told to see the Commodore the next day. Morning couldn’t come soon enough. Once in his office, the Commodore closed the door and in a hushed voice asked if I had been asked any questions by Allan Bailey. I told him about the NATO fleet query and my ignorance about what Scott does while he is at sea. "Good girl," he countered. As I had eventually surmised, Allan was a KGB agent! I couldn't wait for Scott to come home. He was not aware of our Falklands War hero's real persona. Three months later

he was home and was briefed by the Squadron about Allan. Eventually I learned why the Soviets were interested in the boat's movements. Scott's unit was operating with the Royal Navy as a Royal Navy vessel, not an American boat. Because the operations conducted during

this 6 month deployment were so highly sensitive, Royal Naval Intelligence had followed Scott to see who might attempt to contact him. Was the man passed out in the Ethiopian restaurant the Royal Navy intelligence agent? Could the coin have contained a listening device? Several weeks after Scott returned a large number of KGB agents were sent back to the USSR. Was Allan Bailey among them? I’ll never know the answers to these questions, but my brief brush with the enemy will always remain one of the highlights of my life with Scott.

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MOAA Legislative Update Ron Wilsbach, CDR., USN-Ret. & MOAA Life Member

Congress is in the process of considering the administration’s FY 2015 defense budget request. Considering that sequestration is forcing a static budget of $495.6 billion, which is virtually identical to last year’s, the Defense Department is attempting to shift personnel costs to service members and move the savings into other programs. Compensation and health care benefits are very high on the administration’s cut list. For a comprehensive discussion of all the budgetary maneuvering and how it will affect your "bottom line" see the article titled Budget Battle beginning on page 33 of the May issue of Military Officer Magazine.

In spite of all the flowery speeches we are hearing about how grateful the nation is and the sacrifices made by service members and their families, there is a very serious effort underway to erode military benefits to the point that retention and recruiting efforts will be seriously impacted. Colonel Mike Hayden (our Program Speaker for the July Meeting), has written a very good article titled, "Will We Ever Learn,” concerning the impact of past budgetary maneuvers and the negative impact such cuts have had in the military's readiness. Please see "The Bottom Line,” March 11, 2014 at MOAA.org. Staying up to date with the legislative efforts is especially important at this time of year. You can be aware of all the latest information by logging into www.moaa.org/budgetbattle. Finally, if you have not already sent a MOAA prepared message to your legislators regarding the administration's efforts to dramatically increase pharmacy co-payments, please do so immediately at MOAA.org. Just type in "pharmacy co-pay" in the search box.

Second Sears Scholarship Recipient Receives Scholarship Ashe County High School graduating JROTC Cadet Captain Kayla Osborne became the second recipient of the New River Chapter’s RADM Scott L. Sears Memorial Scholarship and was awarded $1,000.00 by Chapter President Doug Ehrhardt in a ceremony on 30 May (below right). Kayla is planning to attend UNC Charlotte. Donations and fundraising efforts, such as manning a watering station during the New River Marathon (below center), have enabled the fund to continue to grow. Contact Linda Marsh, Sears Scholarship Committee chair, for more information...or if you’d like to help.

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TidBits

Did you know Fayetteville hosts the country’s first state

military park dedicated to its military veterans?

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

It seems each day in the news we hear of another natural disaster happening somewhere in the country. We need to be prepared for an emergency...especially if it became necessary to evacuate our home. Sharon DeVaney, a member of the MOAA Auxiliary Advisory Committee, suggests that we all have a “Grab and Go” box—that contains important information for any type of emergency—and is placed in a convenient location to pick up at a moment’s notice if you must evacuate. Some suggestions as to what to include in this box are cash, phone numbers of people we

contact on a regular basis (family members, doctors, bank, credit card company, etc.). Also, prescriptions, copies of insurance papers, wills, deeds, durable power of attorney, home inventory (including a list of valuables), and birth, death, marriage certificates, etc. Keys to the safe deposit box and a cell phone charger are important to have, as well as the ability to pickup, as you leave, your laptop and cell phone. Having an inventory of valuables might also be helpful. A video camera or smart phone can quickly document all your belongings. Keeping at least a half of tank of gas in your car, along with maps and/or a portable GPS is also a good idea. Finally, have a couple of different escape routes in mind and have a pre-designated rendezvous point in case family members are separated where you can all meet. Disasters often occur very suddenly and unexpectedly, so this type of ”Grab and Go” box could prove invaluable if you found yourself in such an emergency. To learn more, click on the f o l lo w in g l i n k: h t tp : / /www.moaa .o rg /main_article.aspx?id=13119.

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

House appropriators side stepped proposed cuts to the Navy’s maritime and aviation fleets recently. The House Appropriations Defense subcommittee folded in billions in Navy procurement, sustainment and R&D programs into its overall $491 billion version of the Pentagon’s FY 2015 defense spending plan. The biggest legislative win was partial funding for additional EA-18G Growlers. The subcommittee elected to include 12 Growlers out of the 22

the Navy requested. Appropriators also agreed to set aside $789 million for long lead items for the refueling and complex overhaul of USS George Washington (CVN-73). Funding to modernize and sustain 11 Ticonderoga-class destroyers and three Whidbey Island-class landing dock ships within the subcommittee’s $165 billion mark were set aside for funds operations and maintenance. The subcommittee also elected to fund two of the so-called “phased modernizations” for the Ticonderoga. Aside from shipbuilding, appropriators also funded procurement and development work for the Navy’s P-8 Poseidon intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft, the Marine Corps V-22 Osprey and the Joint Strike Fighter.

USS Independence (LCS 2) successfully completed a test event with the ship's Mk 110 57 millimeter gun on 20 May. Held at Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, Point Mugu Range, the test demonstrated Independence's surface warfare capabilities by engaging a stationary target using the ship's core combat system. As part of the test, crew members tracked a surface balloon, also known as a Killer Tomato, with SAFIRE, the ship's electro-optical/infrared camera, and the Sea Giraffe radar prior to engaging the target with the 57 mm gun. Independence, the lead ship of the Independence variant of littoral combat ships, will operate off the coast of Hawaii as part of Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC), the world's largest international maritime warfare exercise, in July.

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

The Marine Corps is kicking off a competition for a new wheeled amphibious combat

vehicle in the coming months, with a formal request for proposals likely to follow in fiscal year 2015. A Marine Corps briefing indicated a total of approximately 500 to 800 vehicles could be purchased over time. The program’s overall value will depend on the number of vehicles, but the Marines' fiscal 2015 budget request included $977 million in funding for research and development through fiscal 2019. This program will serve as a replacement for the tracked Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle that was being developed for the Marines by General Dynamics Corp before being cancelled in 2011 after big cost increases

and technical issues. The service also plans to continue its research efforts on a vehicle that would operate in deeper waters, bringing Marines from ship to shore. Maj. Kurt Chew-Een Lee, a Chinese-American who led Marines into battle against the Chinese in the Korean War and was cited for bravery for helping to preserve a crucial evacuation route for 8,000 American troops has died. He was 88. Lee is believed to have been the Corps’ first Asian-American officer. In one of Lee’s boldest acts, on the night of 2 Nov., 1950, he conducted a solo reconnaissance mission in heavy snow, moving ahead of his unit to fire rounds and throw grenades to expose the location of Chinese soldiers who’d attacked his unit while reinforcing North Korean troops. He called out in Mandarin to confuse the enemy. He was wounded, but the tactic worked. Awarded the Navy Cross, he was cited for “extraordinary heroism.” Lee received many other military honors, including the Silver Star and two Purple Hearts. Some who served with Major Lee or knew of him said he deserved the Medal of Honor.

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

Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James and Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III have recommended to the secretary of defense elevating the Global Strike Command leadership to a four-star general, from the current three-star rank. This proposal will be worked over the next several months and will require congressional approval. Global Strike Command oversees the USAF

nuclear mission. “This important mission in the Air Force deserves the highest level of leadership oversight similar to our other operational core mission areas,” James said.

The Air Force deployed two of its most advanced long-distance surveillance drones, the Global Hawk, to a base in northern Japan recently, enhancing its ability to monitor nuclear activities in North Korea and Chinese naval operations. Global Hawk is considered especially valuable because it can conduct long-range missions without the limitations of pilot fatigue, is able to fly at a maximum 60,000 feet and can “loiter” around any particular site of interest for 24 hours or more. From Japan, it can easily monitor areas on the Asian mainland. The deployment will also help Japan familiarize itself with the aircraft as Tokyo plans to buy three Global Hawks.

Eighty USAF personnel are deployed to Chad in Central Africa joining a growing international effort to help find and rescue approximately 276 Nigerian schoolgirls who were abducted by an extremist group in April. The Airmen are crewmembers, maintenance specialists and security officers for unarmed Predator surveillance drones searching for the girls taken by the group, Boko Haram. The U.S. military has been flying surveillance aircraft from Italy and other parts of Africa over densely forested regions in northeastern Nigeria where the captors are believed to be hiding them. The Chad deployment puts surveillance aircraft closer to the search area.

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

President Obama awarded the Medal of Honor to former Sgt. Kyle Jerome White at a White House ceremony last month, making him the sixth living Army recipient, and the 14th service member overall, to earn the medal in either Iraq or Afghanistan. The president praised White’s valor under the most extreme conditions when, on 9 Nov., 2007, his platoon was ambushed in Aranas, Afghanistan. White endured two concussions and shrapnel in his face, yet he kept firing his rifle to keep the enemy back and pulled wounded soldiers to cover during the deadly firefight that killed six Americans and three Afghan National Army soldiers. Eight other American soldiers were wounded.

The Army recently announced plans to start development of a solar array that will provide about 25 percent of the yearly installation electricity requirement for Fort Huachuca, AZ. The solar array will be the largest on any U.S. military installation. Beyond providing Fort Huachuca electricity options, the project will promote the Army's energy security objectives. The Army's Energy Initiatives Task Force is working to achieve the Army's commitment to the President of deploying one gigawatt of renewable energy by 2025.

The Department of Defense notified Congress last month the Army plans to eliminate gender restrictions within previously closed units of the Army Special Operations Aviation Command. Once the congressional notification process is completed, changes will be implemented through an incremental and measured process. Female officers and non-commissioned officers will initially be assigned to each unit previously closed to women, followed by female enlisted Soldier assignments. This action is expected to involve approximately 1,300 positions.

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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 1800 hours. Upcoming: Mr. Phillip McMillian of the West Jefferson Centennial Board will share information on the many exciting

things that are being planned for the town’s upcoming Centennial Celebration.

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. 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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