European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - November 1, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Page 4 the stars and stripes tuesday november 1,1994. A amps Carlos Bongioanni staff sgt. Emmanuel Young works on an f-15 Jet engine at Nas Kef Lavik Iceland which has been buffeted by uncertainty Over an air Force draw Down. A a Iceland s glacial draw Down stalled plans for of reduction finally firm up by Carlos Bongioanni staff writer even As the . Air Force announced the pending departure of the 57th fighter so in Iceland a fierce snowstorm monday prevented two of the unit s f-15 warplanes from returning to the states. The delay was a fitting example of the difficulty the air Force has experienced in reducing forces in Iceland. After years of stalemated negotiations the 57th fighter so at Nas Keila Volc is now moving toward a March 1, 1995, deactivation. For almost a year the air Force has debated How Best to implement an agreement made last january Between the . And icelandic governments. The plan called the a agreed minute a ensured the continued air defense of Iceland but allowed the f-15 fighter presence to be reduced from 12 to a minimum of four aircraft. The ensuing debate entered on whether to keep four aircraft permanently in Iceland or rotate them in on deployed status. Air Force officials have no determined which base will deploy the f-15s. A we Only know an initial tentative game plan a said it. Col. Sterling Anderson the commander of the 57th fighter so. A we expect the first deployment will Start sometime in january but that could change. A when they do come they will bring a minimum of four jets and a Complete maintenance package. Tiey would then stay anywhere from 90 to 120 Days a Anderson  recent years the 57th fighter so has been one of the most Active fighter interceptor squadrons in the world. But it now patrols empty skies because its no 1 competitor the soviet Union went out of business. The Squadron last intercepted an aircraft Over Iceland on sept. 21,1991. In the past 30 years it has reportedly intercepted More than 3,000 aircraft most of which were from the former soviet Union. Since 1982the Squadron has made 1,667 interceptions. A your Mission is to protect the Sovereign airspace of Iceland through air surveillance air superiority and Rescue forces a said col. Bob Gmyrek vice commander of the 85th Wing the Parent organization of the 57th. A no matter How Many planes we have Here we will continue to support the agreed minute and maintain the air defense of  currently air Force members in Iceland number about 1,000. More than 100 people have left. The air Force anticipates losing another 300 to 400 people by next summer. As a result the 85th Wing is destined to become a group by next july. Rumours of the impending draw Down have been an almost daily occurrence in Iceland for the past few years. Jennifer Estrada the wife of one air Force member expressed dismay at talk of a transition team coming to Iceland to negotiate new orders for people. A my husband heard at a recent commanders Call that the air Force was leaving. Id be frustrated if they had is Kave a Estrada said. A we spent so much Noney to Colne up Here. I quit a very Good Job. We sold our car and bought a lot of Winter clothes. According to Gmyrek the draw Down will be accomplished slowly through attrition. A there May be some changes in Peoples tour length but essentially they can expect to be Here until the end of their tour a he said. Airmen had mixed reactions to the reduction. A a it a too bad the 57th is will disappear a said senior airman Tony Evans an aircraft maintenance technician. A fall the tradition and history will go Down the drain.�?�. Master sgt. Rick Malin Ssmith production superintendent for the Squadron compared the challenges of working in Iceland with working stateside. A working conditions Are a lot More dangerous Here because of All the wind and ice we have to Deal with on the flight line a Malin Ssmith said. A but even with that people still like it up Here because of the camaraderie they  some air Force members said they have experienced hardship being separated from their families a get me off this Island a said sgt. William Crisp a phase Dock chief for the 57th. A i had to leave my wife and kids in the states because my orders were cancelled five different  Crisp said his orders which originally included his family were hanged time after time because nobody knew if Herair Force was staying or leaving Iceland. A my kids Are having a hard time without me. The separation is taking its toll a Crisp added. Many airmen opt to come to Iceland for a year without their families. They Oft i take the Remote tour As a Means to get a More desirable location in the states or overseas. In Crisp s Case he was trying for an assignment to Alaska. It contributing to this report staff writer Marg Mcfann in the United King probe continues on weapon lost in / by Jon Connor staff writer military police Are continuing their investigation into the loss of a 9 my army pistol at the Grafe Wohr Germany training Center a 1st army div release said. The pistol which has not been found was noticed missing from a Footlocker Early on oct. 4, division officials said. The weapon valued at s342, was signed out to capt. Joseph Gaudette operations officer of the 2nd in 68th Armor regt in Baum  no one is out there in Grafe Wohr searching the ground Quot said a spokesman capt. Greg Bartlett from the 1st army div which has its Headquarters in bad Kreuz Nach. Because the army considers the weapon stolen the unit must initiate a report of Survey. The report is required for any missing or stolen government property the release said. The report does not impose punishment but May recommend financial settlements to be paid by those found negligent. / because the pistol is considered a sensitive item a second investigation a called an a 15-6 after the appropriate army regulation a is mandatory the release said. When completed those results Are added to the findings of the Survey report. Both reports go to a Field Grade officer who will determine what if any payment is required. About 600 soldiers from the 2nd in assisted by the military police and criminal investigation come searched for the weapon for nearly two weeks. The lock Down continued past the units scheduled oct. 11 return from Grafe Wohr angering some family members and soldiers. The majority of the soldiers ret turned Home within four Days division officials said. Officer s court martial set in molesting Case Augsburg Germany a amps a a Soldier accused of molesting several boys Between the Ages of 11 and 14 will face a general court martial scheduled dec. 12 through 17 in Nurnberg. First it. Andrew g. Aull assigned to the 66th Mili intelligence brigade in Augsburg was charged in july with several counts related to his actions with boys he met while performing Volunteer service in the Community. Aull 24, an Oswego 111., native faces 12 counts of indecent acts indecent liberties and indecent language with a minor. He also faces a charge of sodomy extortion conduct unbecoming an officer and two charges of assault. While awaiting the court martial Aull is under a Legal order limiting his movements. He is a sore stricter from All Contact with children. Vow Post seeks members Span Dahlem a Germany a amps a the veterans of foreign wars Post 10775 has scheduled a membership meeting to fill five office vacancies a Span Dahlem a spokeswoman said. If to i no a Leconti for the newly created Post d u n a in my of in american legion to so Onur 50jn the town of Dud Eldorf said sgt. Sarah Hood a Span Dahlem a spokeswoman. About 10 people attended the inaugural meeting. Vow posts promote comradeship Between Active duty and retired service members and Are involved in various Community activities Hood said. For More information on the meeting or on becoming a member of the Post Call Hood at Dan 452-6833 Days or at 06565-61-6833 after 6 . Nurnberg demo to hold Sale Nurnberg Germany a amps the defense re utilization Market my office in Nurnberg will hold a Cash and carry Sale from 9 . To 1 . Saturday at Johnson Barracks in Furth. The Sale at building 946, is for . Id card holders Only. Items for Sale include furniture musical instruments electronics and clothing. The merchandise is priced in Marks but . Dollars Are accepted. All purchases must be removed by l . For More information Call Dan 460-7039/6634