Predecessor Fogleman Resigned in Protest
   Clinton Names Air Force Head - Son of "Three-Fingers Jack" Ryan.
   The father commanded the 2nd Bomb Group and later the 5th Wing
   of the 15th Air Force during World War II.  Jim
     Washington --- President Clinton Thursday named General Michael
 Ryan, who flew more than 100 missions in Vietnam and is now command-
 er of U.S. air forces in Europe, as Air Force chief of staff.
     Ryan, 55, follows in his father's footsteps. General John Ryan
 served in the post from 1961 to 1973.
     Ryan also holds the post of commander of NATO air forces in
 central Europe based at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, and was respon-
 sible for air strikes two years ago that helped drive warring par-
 ties in Bosnia to the negotiating table.
     As the Air Force's most senior uniformed officer, Ryan will
 succeed Gen. Ronald Fogleman on the six-member joint chiefs of
 staff, the body that oversees the U.S. military.
               Plea
     Fogleman resigned on Monday after disagreeing with Cohen's de-
 cision to hold another Air Force general, Terryl Schwalier, respon-
 sible for failing to guard adequately against the truck bomb that
 killed 19 U.S. airmen in Saudi Arabia last year.
     Defense Secretary William Cohen, who recommended the nomination
 to Clinton in a meeting on Thursday morning, told reporters that
 Ryan is the first son to follow his father as chief of staff in the
 military.
     Cohen said Michael Ryan was chosen because he has combat exper-
 ience from Vietnam, has served as an assistant to the chairman of
 the joint chiefs, General John Shalikashvili, and has operation
 experience from his European command.
     Ryan was born on Dec 24, 1941. He his married with three sons
 and a daughter.
 ---------------
 American Airlines mechanics charged with smuggling narcotics
 July 31, 1997 -- 7:49 p.m. EDT
     MIAMI (CNN) -- Six American Airlines mechanics were charged
 Thursday with helping to smuggle cocaine and heroin into the United
 States aboard passenger jets from Colombia.
     It was the second time in two days that airline mechanics had
 been charged with drug smuggling. On Wednesday, 12 past and current
 Delta Air Lines workers were charged with smuggling cocaine into the
 United States through Puerto Rico.
     The American Airlines mechanics -- and a seventh who was being
 sought -- were believed to have unloaded "significant" quantities of
 cocaine and heroin, authorities said.
     "The cocaine and heroin was concealed in parts of the aircraft
 that were accessible only to certified aircraft mechanics," said
 Paul Mallett of the FBI.
     The compartments were in auxiliary power units, bathrooms and
 the food service area. About 130 pounds (60 kilograms) of cocaine
 was discovered by American Airlines employees in Dallas.
     Jose Felipe Chetrancola, 24; Robert Granados, 52; Carlos Antonio
 Rodriguez, 34; Jose Rubio, 48; Carlos Arce, 27; and Mario Humberto
 Gomez, 35, all of Miami, were charged with conspiracy and possession
 with intent to distribute narcotics. Each count carries a minimum
 penalty of 10 years in prison and a $1 million fine.
                Unsolved murder being investigated
     Authorities said another American Airlines mechanic, Carlos
 Arturo Bermejo, 41, of Miami, was also charged in the conspiracy and
 was considered a fugitive.
     Another mechanic believed to be a member of the ring, Martin
 Flaquer, was murdered in Florida in April 1996. It was not clear
 whether the slaying had anything to do with the smuggling operation,
 authorities say.
     "This case began as what we like to term a historical conspiracy
 involving mechanics down in Columbia as well as mechanics up here in
 Miami," said William Mitchell of the U.S. Drug Enforcement
 Administration.
     Federal agents said the airline cooperated with the FBI during
 the investigation.
     "American works closely with law enforcement organizations
 throughout the world on a wide range of matters, and cooperated
 fully with the FBI in the investigation that led to the arrests
 announced today," an American spokesman said in a recorded message.
     The agents also said the American Airlines arrests were not
 connected to the Delta case. The DEA said the Delta employees put
 suitcases and cargo containers filled with cocaine aboard Delta
 planes bound for the United States.
           Federal agents infiltrated both operations
     Nine people have been arrested in the Delta case, and three
 more were being sought.
     The Caribbean has become major cocaine way-station in recent
 years, as tons of Colombian cocaine is moved through the islands to
 Miami, where organized distribution rings ship it to the rest of
 the country.
     In both cases, federal agents infiltrated the operations and
 made the arrests.
 -----------------
--- DB 1.39/004487
---------------