The Air Force needs to know “who’s on first” among military and family members evacuated from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. The service is asking them to call the Air Force Personnel Center (866-299-0596) 24-hours-a-day to check in and report their location. AFPC folks can answer questions about entitlements, too. AFRC reports that, as of Sept. 9, it has heard from only about 63 percent of Reservists assigned to Keesler AFB, Miss., and some 56 percent assigned to New Orleans. That means there are about 930 Reservists unaccounted for, who may need assistance. Numbers to call: New Orleans folks, call Barksdale AFB, La., at 318-456-9233 or Fort Worth at 800-828-4624; Keesler folks call 888-436-2246, ext. 53177.
An Air Force C-17 transport jet recently tested a new technology that could help aviators stay on course even if the satellite-based Global Positioning System (GPS) that much of modern-day aviation relies on is compromised.