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Gen. McPeak's Response to Tom Hall

Air Force safety director Joel "Tom" Hall wrote a frighteningly candid seven-page retirement letter to his superiors, warning them of severe flaws in the way the military investigates accidents. Air Force Chief of Staff Merrill McPeak responded with a 76-word letter, that said "I cannot commit to following all of your recommendations." McPeak's missive is known as the "April Fools' joke" letter in some circles because of the day it was sent (April 1) and its not-so-thoughtful response to Hall's detailed concerns.

Chief of Staff

United States Air Force

Washington

1 April 1991

Dear Tom

Thanks very much for your letter of 26 March.  I deeply appreciate it.  It will be invaluable as a reference source as I work my way through the restructuring issue.  I cannot commit to following all of your recommendations.   However, I will be able to turn to your letter from time-to-time as a common sense point of reference.  Thanks for that.

I know you will be hanging up your G-suit soon.  You will be missed.

MERRILL A. McPEAK, General, USAF

Chief of Staff

Brigadier General Joel T. Hall

Director of Aerospace Safety

Headquarters AFISC

Norton AFB, California  92409-7001