Combat Edge articles from April 2003

Combat Edge archives from April 2003

AOR operations. (ACCent on Safety).
April 1, 2003... This month's edition of THE COMBAT EDGE focuses on AOR operations. Regardless of how many times you have deployed, the AOR is always a challenge. We have a number of "There I Was" AOR articles this month to learn from. We start with Maj...

Aviate, navigate, & communicate.
April 1, 2003... In life support that morning, I was going through the routine of donning the space suit required to fly my U-2. My thoughts were on the departure out of Prince Sultan Air Base (PSAB) - specifically my flight timing to certain points where I...

Have we become complacent?(Editorial)
April 1, 2003... Situation 1: "Fa la la la, la la la la." I'm singing way out of key of course, but right before Christmas Day, I received word that a chief of safety was needed at one of our expeditionary bases in the Middle East. The departure flight was...

There I was.(live missile slips from launcher)
April 1, 2003... While deployed to Saudi Arabia in support of Operation VIGILANT WARRIOR in 1994, I witnessed a potential mishap involving an explosives operation that I will never forget. An F-4G weapons load crew was downloading a live AGM-88 HARM from a...

NCE: more than nice to know.
April 1, 2003... What is Nuclear Certified Equipment or NCE?" Let me start with the Air Force definition: "It is equipment that has met all nuclear safety criteria and is authorized for use with nuclear weapons." "It is also referred to as 'nuclear safety...

A-10.(specifications of A-10 military aircraft)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Primary Function: A-10 -- close air support Contractor: Fairchild Republic Co Power Plant: Two General Electric TF34-GE-100 turbofans Thrust: 9,065 pounds each engine Length: 53 feet, 4 inches Height: 14 feet, 8 inches Wingspan: 57...

Pilot Safety Award of Distinction. (Monthly Award Winners).
April 1, 2003... While preparing for the high-TACAN approach to Beale AFB, and approximately 45 minutes into a low altitude U-2 training sortie, Capt Skeeters encountered a complete hydraulic failure emergency. Capt Skeeters immediately attempted to trim the...

Ground Safety Award of Distinction. (Monthly Award Winners).(MSgt Randy Henley)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... On Nov. 5, 2003, MSgt Henley was a passenger in a "Dragon 3" maintenance truck returning from phase dock to building 1025. As they approached the south side of building 1025, he observed 9th Civil Engineering Squadron personnel using an asphalt...

Flightline Safety Award of Distinction. (Monthly Award Winners).(A1C Eugene D. Ward and SrA Ronald L. Mathis)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... On Nov. 19, 2002, A1C Ward was performing a preflight inspection on the electrical wiring and electronic components located in the electrical bay of a U-2S aircraft, when he noticed a serious defect with the aircraft battery assembly. As per...

Crew Chief Safety Award of Distinction. (Monthly Award Winners).(TSgts Renaldo Hernandez and Michael W. Herron)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... On Nov. 20, 2002, F-16 aircraft 84-1393 was being launched for the morning mission. The pilot engaged the Jet Fuel Starter (JFS) switch to the "ON" position to begin the normal start sequence. Within a few seconds the starter had normal...

Unit Safety Award of Distinction. (Monthly and Quarterly Award Winners).(32nd Combat Communications Squadron 3rd Combat Communications Group)
April 1, 2003... The 32nd Combat Communications Squadron (32 COS) exemplifies the motto "Safety First." Personnel inventoried, palletized, and mobilized over 60 tons of tactical equipment, tents, and support items throughout this quarter with zero major safety...

ACC safety is proud of all award nominees.
April 1, 2003... Capt Carl D. Ingeman Pilot 522nd Fighter Squadron 27th Fighter Wing Cannon AFB, N.M. MSgt William G. Hahn Maintenance System Evaluator 72nd Test and Evaluation Squadron Whiteman AFB, Mo. SSgt Steven J....

Ground Safety Award of the Quarter. (Monthly and Quarterly Award Winners).
April 1, 2003... SrA Pierce's high energy and perseverance made her selection as the 4th Communications Squadron (4 CS) alternate safety representative a natural choice. She revved up the squadron safety program and breathed new life into squadron safety...

Weapons Safety Award of the Quarter. (Monthly and Quarterly Award Winners).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... A dynamic leader recognized throughout the 20th Fighter Wing as an unquestioned expert in the field, TSgt Kast meets all challenges head on. He consistently evaluated work during the 18-month inspections of the M61A1 gun. TSgt Kast provided...

ACC FY 02 Annual Awards.
April 1, 2003... ACC INDIVIDUAL AWARD FOR SAFETY Lt Col Phillip P. Taber 49th Fighter Wing, Holloman AFB, N.M. ACC OUTSTANDING AIRMANSHIP AWARD Maj Jeffrey G. Olesen 1st Reconnaissance Squadron 9th Reconnaissance Wing, Beale AFB, Calif....

Tower, Say again!(near accident in Saudi air space)
April 1, 2003... My flight lead is safe, his jet is shut down, and the fire chief has declared the emergency over. The pins are barely in the HARMs before I start thinking about all the things we did wrong. It only took a few seconds to saturate my cave...

Just a few minutes of my time saved my daughter's life.(properly installing child safety seats)
April 1, 2003... I was just sitting there at the stoplight waiting for the light to turn green. My wife Vasana was in the back seat with Garbrielle, our toddler daughter. Gabrielle was telling us her stories and being the doting parents we are, we listened...

Mishap statistics scoreboard.(Air Force flight safety)
April 1, 2003... Mishap Statistics Scoreboard FY03 Aircraft As of February 28, 2003 Fatal Aircraft Destroyed 8 AF @ 9 AF 12 AF * ## AWFC * %* %* $$ ^ ANG...