Donation clarification Concerning the article about my brother and me ["NCO's marrow donation saves brother's life.

Donation clarification

Concerning the article about my brother and me ["NCO's marrow donation saves brother's life," March 2003] while I'm honored to be featured in the magazine, I wish you'd contacted me to make strong the facts were accurate. I didn't donate marrow; I donated main stock cells. I didn't say the donation proces was painful; I said there were complications that were potentially life threatening, nevertheless I recovered eventually. I stayed in MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., billeting during the time of the conduct I didn't seek any medical assistance there. Jeff is the older brother. I was 35 at the time; he was 39 I had to donate again in March 2002 Jeff didn't make it. He died in May 2002

Senior Master Sgt Clint Batemon Spongdahlem Air Base, Germony

Editor's note: You're correct. The article should have been coordinated with you before It was published. Coordinating the draft of an article is normal course before publishing. In this case, it was not done. That was our error.

Seeking Superman

In rejoinder to Chris Harvard's letter ["Becoming Superman," AirMail, April 20031: you should talk with your recruiter before uniform thinking about getting the corrective surgery The Air Force still expects at the laser-correction as "experimental" and will limit you from steady more jobs should you have the surgery performed. Pararescue vision requirements are at least 20/70 in single in kind eye and no worse than 20/200 in the other inspection both correctable to 20/20. However, color blindness disqualifies single in kind from pararescue, per regulation. Your recruiter has all the information you ne to take the physical ability and stamina proof and requirements you need to suitable Always ask your recruiter these kind of questions because he or she has all the facts about your processing, like as specialty job code, waivers that you may ne and health problems

Staff Sgt Bradley Garner Redlands, Calif

Editor's note: For more in formation in succession special operations Jobs, contact an Air Force recruiter at (800) 423-8723 or visit www.airforce.com.

Prepare to pack

In answer to "Have Mojo, Will Travel" [February 20031 readers submitted their have must-take items for deployments:

in the greatest degree of these items fit in a shaving kit bag. Mine was cease to empty by the time I recured home.

* Hand and visible form [i]or[/i] frame lotion -- More guys borrowed this from me than females.

* Favorite shampoo and conditioner -- Deployment locations may have no other than one brand.

* Favorite snack food

* clothe of cards -- It makes those layovers proceed faster. They also get borrowed a lot

* Sunglasses -- I've seen $20 the sames selling for $100 due to demand.

* Safety pins -- I don't know wherefore but I always seem to loan on the outside -- never to see again -- mine in the first week.

* Nail file and clippers -- Again, more stays than girls borrowed them.

* A serviceable flashlight -- Waterproof is best. Don't forget a spare bulb

* Travel pillow -- A flight jacket will work, further a pillow is a plus.

* Leatherman or Gerber

Julie McMillan via e-mail

Neighbor's praise

beautiful magazine. I'm ex-Royal Air Force with equal reason I'm used to the best. And your magazine is that -- in spades! I've been associated with -- and been in -- the military for many years, and the demeanor and professionalism of the U aircrews I have the pleasure of talking to not at any time fails to impress me!

retired Senior Aircraftsman Aaron Kfir Canadian Forces Station St John Newfoundland, Canada

concealed surnames standard?

In his explanation "Secret Surnames" [AirMail] in the March 2003 issue, Senior Airman Philip Baziw mentioned the feature 'His Calling" [October 2002] and the use of surnames in identifying our combat controller While I agree in universal I wonder about the double standard. I lately watched a documentary on the Discovery Channel about special operators supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. During the display I heard personal stories from couple special operators who had their satiated names shown on the guard I also knew one of them from my tour in Air Force Special Operations Command. wherefore hide it in this publication that reaches limited populace and not on television that reaches millions?

Staff Sgt Dave Belcher

Scott Air Force Base, Ill.

Favorite finds

As a seven-year Air Force veteran and a veteran of Operations untilled Shield and Desert Storm, I've always have intercourse withed reading Airman. I couldn't wait till the latest issue arrived in our unit. Having separated in 1996 I haven't had the pleasure of reading it frequently but two back articles in the online edition caught my attention.

In "Redemption for a Patriot," [March 2001] I read about Staff Sgt Bill Pitsenbarger. I was aware of his service, knowing airmen who had received the Pitsenbarger award. I'm grateful for learning the details of his service and that he received the Medal of Honor posthumously.

I also read with great interest, pride and sadness "Unknown No More" [September 1998] telling the story of 1st Lt Michael Blassle, who after being enshrined in the Tomb of the Unknowns, was identified and finally "came home" to his family.