European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - February 10, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Thursday february 10, 1994 / " the stars and stripes Page 3 Pace of Relief Effort forcing . To drop use of smaller chutes a Dave Casey spec. William c. Mcclelland secures a g-12d Parachute to the top of a bundle while pfc. Brian p. Bentivegna cuts More line at Rhein main a Germany. By Wayne v. Hall Staft writer Rhein main a Germany As operation provide Promise has expanded demand for the parachutes used to. Deliver humanitarian Aid to Bosnia arid Herzegovina has far surpassed the sup ply. ". Over the past year 21,000 specialized parachutes Worth $9.1 million were used for the daily Airdrop. This amount of use left contractors unable to keep Pace said it. Col. . Johnson com Mander of the 435th operations group at Rhein main. However on March 1, the military plans to begin using the larger More expensive g-12d Parachute said official from the joint information Bureau at Rhein main. The new Chute is bigger 64 feet in diameter and More expensive $2,500 than the one currently in use which is 26 feet across and costs $434. The big advantage is that the g-12d is available through existing stockpiles. Part of the decision to use the g-12d was based on the fact that there arc More than 25,000 in Stock said capt. John Tokar commander of the army s 5th quartermaster Del which is responsible for rigging the supplies for Airdrop. It s Only a matter of time before they deteriorate. Some of the ones we arc get Ting were manufactured in the Early 1950s." the larger Parachute normally is used to deliver heavy equipment to the Battle Field Johnson said. Because they Are larger and designed to support heavier loads riggers have a number of new options. The g-12d will give us More area to work with said chief warrant officer 3 Ken Studer of the 5th quartermaster det. Well be Able to drop a humanitarian Airdrop kit in its Complete form. You can t do that with a Normal Container de livery system  with the smaller Model one bundle i attached to each Parachute. With inc larger one riggers Are trying to increase the number of bundles to four. The g-12d s size can be a disadvantage because it takes longer to land and is less accurate Johnson said. Crews have been observing the performance of the Chute since its first test use in the humanitarian Effort Jan. 30. From an airborne perspective it appeared to inflate properly said Johnson who flew the Lead aircraft in the four plane Mission. We re trying hard to get Good feedback from the , forces on the ground so we can make whatever Fine tuning that is  it s taking a Long time to get that feed Back because no convoys can get through to the Airdrop areas Johnson said. About 180 american French and Ger Man service members have been working 12-hour shifts to prepare the Airdrop bundles and cardboard boxes which con Tain daily rations for the Relief operation that has been going on for nearly a year. Since the operation began More than 14,250 tons of food 190 tons of medical supplies and 270 tons of winterizing materials have been dropped into Eastern Bosnia and Herzegovina. Additionally More than 33,980 tons of supplies have been airlifted into Sarajevo the bosnian capital. Last March French and German Crews joined the Effort by flying at least five Days a week to areas identified by the United nations High commissioner for refugees. In mid january the number of daily Relief flight was increased to 16, 12 . Crews three by German Crews and one by a French Crew. We Ryburg a mily forum focuses on f a i mess Equality requested among Cornmon fes single soldiers by Dave Melancon Wurzburg Bureau Wurzburg Germany members of 98th area support group communities made Clear tuesday that they want to be treated fairly no matter their age Mari Tal status or place of residence. About 70 delegates from Wurzburg Schweinfurt Bamberg and Ansbach met in Wurzburg on tuesday to discuss Community issues As part of a regional family Force forum. The issues included housing single sol Dier support medical services commercial services youth issues and family support. After praising the outdoor recreation services commissaries and the army and air Force Exchange serv ice Ansbach representative Bob Mahood called for Equality among All the communities. We know that some of the services in some communities Are going to be different Mahood said. But there is no reason there can t be some minimally acceptable standards for each bib base support Battal Ion to  said the Schweinfurt Community was praised several times for its facilities and services by members of his discussion group at the forum. These Guys must be great he said. Everybody in our group wants to move to  single soldiers want the option to buy their own food or to eat in the dining facilities said Christopher Cosby Wurzburg representative. They want the same privacy their married comrades receive in their govern Oil have to keep in mind that when you close facilities you still have soldiers residing in the Barracks. Morale goes Down when they have nothing to do after duty hours. They Don t have a shop Pette that used to be there Christopher Cosby Wurzburg representative ment quarters or Economy housing. Despite the single Soldier Quality of life program Barracks soldiers Are still subject to unannounced inspections hey you details and limited Telephone services Cosby said. Single soldiers want separate rations allowances paid to some soldiers for food he said. Most single soldiers quarters Are equipped with kitchens and soldiers would like to use them he said. They just can t afford to. We want the Opportunity to have separate rations just like the married soldiers he said. Loss of facilities and services resulting from installation closures also Hurt single soldiers he said. You have to keep in mind that when you close facilities you still have soldiers residing in the Barracks Cosby said. Morale goes Down when they have Noth ing to do after duty hours. They Don t have a shop Pette that used to be  other issues raised included soldiers need for transportation to get to open facilities. Equal child care services among the communities and equal Access to care for single Parent soldiers. Infrequent publishing of civilian Job listings. Lack of help in filling out employment applications. Soldiers desire for services operating hours to complement troops work schedules. After presentations on housing dental and medical care and youth programs col. Richard a. Cowell area support group commander pledged a level playing Field among All four communities. We Are going to provide equitable service to you As far As hours and availability he said. Each base support battalion held its own forum ear Lier this year. The goal of the program is to let local commanders hear about and solve issues on their level. Problems that cannot be solved locally Are brought up at the next higher command s forum. Unresolved issues from the area support groups will be discussed at the . Army Europe forum in april followed by the department of the army forum in october