[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 129 (Monday, July 7, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36263-36264]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-17550]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Air Force


Active Duty Service Determinations for Civilian or Contractual 
Groups

    On June 2, 1997, the Secretary of the Air Force determined that the 
service of the group known as ``U.S. Flight Crew and Aviation Ground 
Support Employees of Northeast Airlines Atlantic Division, Who Served 
Overseas as a Result of Northeast Airlines' Contract With the Air 
Transport Command During the Period December 7, 1941, Through August 
14, 1945'' shall be considered ``active duty'' under the provisions of 
Public Law 95-202 for the

[[Page 36264]]

purposes of all laws administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs 
(VA).
    To be eligible for VA benefits, members of the group must 
establish:
    1. They were civilians employed by Northeast Airlines Atlantic 
Division as flight crew personnel (pilot, co-pilot, navigator, flight 
engineer, radio operator), or
    2. They were civilians employed by Northeast Airlines Atlantic 
Division as aviation ground support personnel (aircraft mechanic, 
station manager, dispatcher), and
    3. Served outside the continental United States in direct support 
of Air Transport Command-directed flight operations during the period 
December 7, 1941 through August 14, 1945.
    Qualifying periods of time are computed from the date of departure 
from the continental United States to the date of return to the 
continental United States.

Application Procedures

    Before an individual can receive any VA benefits, the person must 
first apply for an Armed Forces Discharge Certificate (Department of 
Defense (DD) Form 214) by filling out a DD Form 2168 and sending it to 
the US Air Force Personnel Center at the following address: AFPC/DPPRP, 
550 C St. West, Suite 11, Randolph Air Force Base, TX 78150-4713.
    Important: Applicants must attach supporting documents to their DD 
Form 2168 application. Of primary importance will be any employment 
records from Northeast Airlines. Other supporting documentation might 
include copies of passports with appropriate entries, flight log books, 
Army Air Force (AAF) Identification Forms 133, any personal employment 
records such as commendations regarding ATC performance, employee 
expense reports of charges to USAAF contracts, medical certifications 
prior to departure from the US, USAAF passes to leave the limits of an 
overseas base, military orders, miscellaneous USAAF papers, etc. 
Additionally, the captain of a flight crew may provide written 
confirmation for other crew members on his flight.
    Upon confirmation of an applicant's eligibility, the DD Form 214 
will be passed from AFPC/DPPRP to the Awards and Decorations office to 
determine which ribbons the applicant is eligible to receive (campaign 
ribbons, theater ribbons, victory medal, etc.). Specific awards (i.e., 
Silver Star, Purple Heart, etc.) need separate justification detailing 
the act, achievement, or service believed to warrant the appropriate 
medal/ribbon.
    DD Forms 2168 are available from VA offices or from the US Air 
Force offices in this notice.
    For further information contact Mr. James D. Johnston, Secretary of 
the Air Force Personnel Council (SAFPC), 1535 Command Drive-3d Floor-EE 
Wing, Andrews Air Force Base, MD 20762-7002.

Benefit Information

    A determination of ``active duty'' under Public Law 95-202 is ``for 
the purposes of all laws administered by the Department of Veterans 
Affairs'' (Sec 106, 38 USC). Benefits are not retroactive and do not 
include such things as increased military or Federal Civil Service 
retirement pay, or a military burial detail, for example. Entitlement 
to state veterans benefits vary and are governed by each state. 
Therefore, for specific benefits information, contact your nearest 
Veterans Affairs Office and your state veterans service office after 
you have received your DD Form 214.
Barbara A. Carmichael,
Air Force Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 97-17550 Filed 7-3-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3910-01-P