Briefs
Advertiser Staff and News Services
ARMY
Soldiers train in Australia
Soldiers of 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment are taking part in a three-week exercise in Australia as part of exercise Pacific Bond 2001.
The Australian leg of PACBOND brought the 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment to Gallipoli Barracks in Enoggera, Australia for training alongside Company B, 9th Battalion. Royal Queensland Regiment. The "Fighting Ninth" is a unit with battle accolades from World War I and II.
Soldiers left Hawai'i Aug. 27. During the first week, soldiers used Australian weapons and computerized battle simulators. Artillery forward observers also traveled to Shoalwater Bay Training Area for a demolition exercise with the 1st Field Regiment., 6th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment.
Later the battalion participated in squad and platoon level attacks and jungle raids and other exercises with Australian forces.
AIR FORCE
Emergency alert system in use
A messaging system for emergency situations has been established to serve key members of the 15th Air Base Wing Command Post.
The emergency notification system uses a pre-programmed computer to deliver messages. The messages were previously delivered by command post staffers.
The Air Force said the new system will cut down notification times significantly, because the computers can call 200 people in the time it takes one person to call 20.
The system records voice messages and uses 12 phone lines to send messages. The system can be programmed to call a series of numbers listed for a contact, working down a list until the intended recipient is reached.
The computer verifies that the correct person has been reached through use of recorded queries and a personal identification number before delivering the message. The emergency notification system was installed in June, and messages began going out via the system in July. The base commander gave final operational approval July 20, the Air Force said.
NAVY
Navy League starts fund
The Navy League of the United States, a 75,000-member civilian organization dedicated to supporting the sea services, has established a fund for military victims of Tuesday's attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.
The fund, called the Navy League LifeRing Fund, was established to assist military victims and their families in need of financial support as a result of the attacks.
Those interested in contributing should send donations to the Navy League LifeRing Fund, P.O. Box 656, Merrifield, Va. 22116-0656. For more information, call (800) 356-5760.
