European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - February 16, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                The Star Sandsor ipes a a Juiz amp to vol. 52, no. 304 wednesday february 16,1994d 8693 a of lieutenant soars to top of class by Cindy Killion Washington Bureau Washington air Force 1st it. Jeannie Flynn was ready when the rules changed 10 months ago. A resistance speculation and Public scrutiny be damned a she wanted to Fly fighters. On thursday Flynn got her wish when she graduated first in her class from f-15e strike Eagle combat Crew training at Luke fab Ariz. And on tuesday the air Force chief of staff Gen. Merrill a. A a Tony Mcpeak made it official when he introduced Flynn to the Media at a Pentagon news conference. Flynn knows she a the first woman to earn a pair of fighter Pilot wings but right now she a just feels excited like i think All feel who graduate the  a we set a goal and reached it a she said. A. A a she said she does no to feel like a Pioneer except when she a Steps Back to look at the situation. Then i realize that right new in a the Only  a my timing just happened to be  currently the air Force has 12 More female officers in training or scheduled to train in combat aircraft. Two female enlisted airmen Are slotted for Load Mas Ter jobs on ac-130 armed transport planes. Flynn said she did no to experience any overt or even Subtle harassment during her training. A ooh at first i was a Novelty a a woman in a combat training Squadron a but soon 1 was just another student a she said. Nor did she feel any undue pressure to succeed. A if anyone had negative opinions they kept them to themselves a she said. A a a / a a i realize that some resistance to female combat pilots exists and everyone is entitled to their  but at this Point its irrelevant she said. A the rules have changed and we follow the rules a Flynn said. Mcpeak who told Congress last year that he had reservations about women in combat said tuesday that a the Secretary of defense is the Boss. When he tells us to see soars on Page 2 few a amps ski. Angela Stafford 1st it. Joann la Flynn Kelso will retire Early Washington a adm. Frank b. Kelso ii the Navy Stop uniformed officer said tuesday that he has requested Early retirement so the Navy a can finally close this difficult chapter of the Tail Hook sex abuse scandal. Kelso said he will retire april 30 a two months earlier than scheduled a because he believed the issues associated with Tail Hook were resolved and because top Pentagon leaders had backed his integrity and honesty. A a Quot a a a a. Pentagon officials speaking on condition of anonymity said a Likely replacement for Kelso would be adm. Mike Boorda natos Southern flank commander now in charge of the potential Alliance bombing Campaign in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Another person frequently mentioned As a contender is adm. Charles r. Larson head of the . Pacific come. Kelso a retirement was prompted by a judicial decision issued last week in Norfolk va., by a Navy judge see Kelso on Page 2creature comforts in Croatia 8&&johnb<nmr a mini America of sorts has sprung up at the  air Force Camp at the Edge of Zagreb s Airport tech sgt. David Gregory above Waits on customers in the general store style Exchange. Other Camp amenities include a Burger King a pizzeria and a club. A Story on Page 4 Portland Ore. A Tonya Harding leaving her Legal troubles behind for a time headed for Norway on tuesday to fulfil her a dream of being Able to compete in the  the . National Champion figure skater arrived at Portland International air Ort in a White stretch limousine. A thank you everyone for coming out today a Harding said in a Brief statement to reporters. A i Hope that my performance is As Well As Tommy Moe a performance in the downhill ski. 1 was really excited when i heard about  Moe won the Gold medal sunday in the menus downhill Alpine skiing becoming see Harding on Page 2 us. Skiers win second Gold medal see Page 36tax tips handling dependents and child care credits see pages 1820 Rosr