KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M., May 27, 1998 General Views Laser Programs With test and optical equipment in the foreground, visiting Gen. Richard E. Hawley, right, discusses laser technologies with Col. Mike Booen, left, and Capt Brian Quillen, center. Booen is the director of the Airborne Laser System Program Office here and Quillen is a chemical laser systems engineer at the Air Force Research Laboratory. Gen. Hawley, commander of Air Combat Command at Langley AFB, VA., was here last week to receive presentations on the Airborne Laser and to review the laser research being done by the laboratory's Directed Energy Directorate. During his two-day visit, the general looked at several directed-energy programs, including advances in the Chemical Oxygen-Iodine Laser and methodologies aimed at correcting for distortions in the atmosphere. Both technologies are key to the success of the Airborne Laser and its ability to shoot down attacking theater ballistic missiles. The four-star general commands an organization with more than 1,000 aircraft and 100,000 people.