Saturday, July 26, 1997
Pilot concerns not new at Dyess
By BETH HALLMARK / Abilene Reporter-News
An internal Defense Department memorandum reportedly outlining
Air Force pilots' concerns comes as no shock to Dyess officials,
but neither are they overly concerned.
In May, Gen. Dick Hawley, commander-in-chief of the Air Force's
Air Combat Command, visited Dyess to talk with pilots about retention
issues. During his visit, the four-star general admitted there
had been communication problems between the Air Force's leadership
and pilots.
Hawley said he was also aware that the bomber force was tired
of its operational tempo, which included constant inspections
during 120-day deployments.
According to a copy of the Defense Department memo obtained
by "The Washington Times," Air Force pilots are leaving
the service at a rate higher than those in the Army, Navy, or
Marines. The report also cites low pilot morale, due partly to
"dissatisfaction with ongoing deployments."
However, some of the problems addressed in the draft memo do
not apply to Dyess. For example, engine repair problems cited
in the report did not involve the type of aircraft flown at Dyess.
In addition, information gleaned from entry-level pilot schools
- uncovering a disgruntled group of instructor pilots - does not
apply to the base. Dyess trains all the Air Force's B-1 bomber
crewman, but pilots selected for the elite program have learned
to fly jet trainers at other bases first.
Information in the memo was reportedly based on Air Force site
visits made by defense officials in June. According to Dyess'
7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs office, the Abilene base was not
included.
Gen. Hawley's May stop in Dyess was part of a tour he made
to all Air Combat Command bases under his command after reviewing
pilot concerns elicited through focus groups.
(Senior Staff Writer Roy A. Jones II contributed to this story.)
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Abilene Reporter-News / Texnews / E.W. Scripps Publications
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