RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
         AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2004-00831
		INDEX NUMBER:  115.00
	XXXXXXX	COUNSEL:  None

	XXXXXXX	HEARING DESIRED:  No

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His flight records be updated to reflect a more accurate total of his night vision goggle (NVG) time.

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

After a review of his flying hours, he discovered that his NVG time was incorrect.  He attributes this to the hours not being transferred to the new tracking system when a conversion was made in 1997.

He has provided a fair estimate of the hours that should be added to his record for each applicable airframe.

In support of his appeal, applicant has provided a copy of his Individual Flight History report and his Flying History report.

The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant is serving on active duty in the grade of master sergeant as the A Flight Award Superintendent/MH-53.  According to records provided by the applicant, he has the following Primary Night and NVG time by indicated airframe:

	           Primary Night		NVG		Deficit
	MH-53M        336.4	  353		  none
	MH-53J        1264.4	  405.7	  858.7
	MH-53H        9.5	  0		  9.5
	HH-53C        0	  0		  0
	HH-53B        0	  0		  0
	CH-53C        0	  0		  0
	HH-3E         0				  0
	CH-3E         0				  0

Examiner’s note:  HQ USAF/XOOT advises that the applicant should only be given credit for NVG time when he has Primary Night time since NVGs are only worn at night.  They also advise that the applicant’s NVG time should not exceed his Primary Night time.  Based on this type of analysis, the applicant would only be credited with hours in the MH-53J and MH-53H.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

HQ USAF/XOOT recommends that the applicant’s NVG time be adjusted to match his Primary Night time in each of the requested aircraft.  In accordance with AFI 11-401, paragraph 3.5.4, NVG time is the portion of flight time logged while wearing NVGs.  In the absence of any documentation, the only equitable source is the applicant’s Primary Night time hours.  MH-53 aircrew members typically perform duties wearing NVGs for the portion of flight logged under night conditions.  The applicant did not log any nighttime in the HH-53C, HH-53B, or CH-53C.  Therefore, they recommend that his hours be adjusted in the MH-53J and MH-53H to match his Primary Night time hours.

The complete evaluation is at Exhibit C.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

In his response to the Air Force evaluation, the applicant states that he failed to request correction of both his total nighttime and NVG time flying hours.  He asks if the Board can correct both at the same time.  The applicant indicates that HQ USAF/XOOT’s recommendation to only give him credit for NVG time based on the nighttime logged falls far short of the total hours he has.  The applicant explains that their recommendation would deny him credit for the NVG time for his 186 hours of HH-53C time and only 9.5 hours of NVG time out of almost 750 hours flown on the MH-53H.

The applicant’s complete response is at Exhibit E.

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ADDITIONAL AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

Pursuant to the Board’s request HQ USAF/XOOT provided an additional advisory based on the applicant’s response to the initial advisory.  They indicate that they concur with the applicant’s request to correct his record to reflect 55% of his total flying time in the MH-53J, MH-53H, and HH-53C as Primary Night and also NVG time.  They conducted a review of several   MH-53 crewmembers, which revealed inconsistencies in logging of Primary Night and NVG time dating back more than 20 years.  Their review highlighted that most non-rated aircrew members did not log night time when flying at night due to a lack of previous guidance requiring nighttime.  Additionally, the Aviation Resource Management System (ARMS) was not capable of logging NVG time until 1997.  They recommend that the applicant’s records be corrected to reflect the following aircraft times:

	              MH-53J              HH-53C                 MH-53H
	Primary Night  1785                102                    412
	NVG            1785                102                    412

The complete evaluation is at Exhibit F.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF ADDITIONAL AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A copy of the additional Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 21 Jun 04 for review and comment within 30 days.  To date, a response has not been received.

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THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:

1.  The applicant has exhausted all remedies provided by existing law or regulations.

2.  The application was timely filed.

3.  Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of error or injustice.  We concur with the recommendations of HQ USAF/XOOT to correct the applicant’s flying time in the Aviation Resource Management System and in his flight record folder.  We note that the applicant amended his request after reviewing their recommendation in the initial advisory.  Since he has not raised any additional issues based on their recommendations regarding his amended request, we assume that the new recommendations are acceptable.  Therefore, we recommend that the applicant’s records be corrected as indicated below.

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THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT, be corrected to show that his flight record folder and the Aviation Resource Management System (ARMS) reflect Primary Night and Night Vision Goggle (NVG) flying hours as follows:

	  a. MH-53J.  Primary Night:  1785; NVG:  1785
	  b. HH-53C.  Primary Night:  102; NVG:  102
	  c. MH-53H.  Primary Night:  412; NVG:  412

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The following members of the Board considered Docket Number BC-2004-00831 in Executive Session on 21 July 2004, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

All members voted to correct the records, as recommended.  The following documentary evidence was considered:

     Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 5 Mar 04.
     Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
     Exhibit C.  Memorandum, HQ USAF/XOOT, dated 30 Mar 04.
     Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 2 Apr 04.
     Exhibit E.  Letter, Applicant, dated 20 Apr 04.
     Exhibit F.  Memorandum, HQ USAF/XOOT, dated 24 May 04.
     Exhibit G.  Letter, AFBCMR, dated 21 Jun 04.

                                   

AFBCMR BC-2004-00831

MEMORANDUM FOR THE CHIEF OF STAFF

	Having received and considered the recommendation of the Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records and under the authority of Section 1552, Title 10, United States Code (70A Stat 116), it is directed that:

	The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to XXXXXXX, XXXXXXX, be corrected to show that his flight record folder and the Aviation Resource Management System (ARMS) reflect Primary Night and Night Vision Goggle (NVG) flying hours as follows:

		a. MH-53J.  Primary Night:  1785; NVG:  1785
		b. HH-53C.  Primary Night:  102; NVG:  102
		c. MH-53H.  Primary Night:  412; NVG:  412