Combat Edge articles from August 2004

Combat Edge archives from August 2004

Accent on safety: BASH, it's not just for the birds anymore.
August 1, 2004... When you hear "Bash," what comes to mind? If your answer is "Bird Strikes," then you aren't seeing the whole picture, and there's a lot you're missing. BASH (Bird/Wildlife Avoidance and Strike Hazard) programs have grown and are evolving to...

"Duck" "no, my friend, that was a goose!".
August 1, 2004... While that punch line has been used numerous times in flying "there I was" stories, bird strikes and the hazards posed by birds/wildlife are real and not to be taken lightly. I can hear it now, you're saying to yourself, "another article on...

"GIS" birds? Geographical Information System technology maps offer insight into the seasonal trends of wildlife abundance on the airfield ...
August 1, 2004... Every Air Force Base has Bird/Wildlife Aircraft Strike Hazards (BASH) in one form or another. Some bases exist in desert-like environments and only experience hazards from vultures or crows. Other bases, however, have a plethora of birds as a...

Blown away; Hurricane Isabel: bash blessing in disguise?
August 1, 2004... When someone mentions "hurricane," people immediately think wind, rain, and devastation. Most people would not think about birds, and those who have weathered such a storm definitely would not think about BASH. Honestly, I wasn't thinking about...

Eye on safety.
August 1, 2004... Atta Boy A TSO! KUNSAN AB, SOUTH KOREA -- SSgt Jason Harrison, crew chief, reviews his Ability To Survive and Operate guide during the Korean Peninsula Combat Evaluation Readiness Exercise Photo by SSgt Michael Holzworth Alaskan...

Aircrew Safety Award of Distinction.(Monthly Award Winners)
August 1, 2004... The listed crewmembers launched on a 13+ hour combat mission to Afghanistan in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. During their third and final aerial refueling of the mission, they experienced a brute force disconnect with a KC-135. When...

Pilot Safety Award of Distinction.(Monthly Award Winners)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Capt Olivieri was scheduled as number two of a 2-ship F-15C Night Vision Goggle (NVG) upgrade sortie. During take-off roll, Capt Olivieri selected full afterburner, and both engines responded normally. Passing 140 KIAS, and just prior to...

Flight Line Safety Award of Distinction.(Monthly Award Winners)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... As the crew reported to their E-3 Airborne Warning and Control aircraft to perform preflight checks for the first Red Flag night sortie, SSgt Lopez noticed the Electronic Command Signals Programmer (ECSP) cabinet was powered up without air...

Ground Safety Award of Distinction.(Monthly Award Winners)
August 1, 2004... While performing a routine hangar security check, MSgt Klazura smelled smoke in the latrine area of Hangar 201. He immediately instructed TSgt Harken to activate the fire alarm and notify the Fire Department by telephone. Both MSgt Klazura and...

Weapons Safety Award of Distinction.(Monthly Award Winners)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... A1C John R. Neild demonstrated outstanding professionalism and technical expertise while stationed at Ellsworth AFB, S.D., supporting the B-1 aircrew escape system. At shift change, while completing the inventory of the serviceable explosives...

Crew Chief Safety Award of Distinction.(Monthly Award Winners)
August 1, 2004... SSgt Cowart has consistently displayed superior initiative and the mechanical skills to ensure the wing safely accomplishes its formal training mission. He aggressively responded to a ground emergency for a B-1 aircraft disabled on the runway...

ACC safety salutes superior performance.(Monthly Award Winners; United States Air Force Air Combat Command)
August 1, 2004... Capt John Bleil, Instructor Pilot Lt Paul Wurster, Pilot Upgrade Candidate Capt Paige Hoffart, CFIC Candidate Maj Chris Castro, Radar Navigator Maj Matt Breden, Navigator Maj David Ortolani, Electronic Warfare Officer 5 BW...

Pedal pointers.
August 1, 2004... Looking back, we all enjoyed bicycling as kids, riding from sun-up to sundown. When service members arrive at Osan AB, Korea, they discover that the country is filled with bicyclists. Bicycles are cheap, clean transportation and everyone from...

Not so common, common sense.
August 1, 2004... Common sense is not so common when it comes to safety in our offices and work spaces. That's why we all need reminders about how to spot and resolve safety hazards in the workplace. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A...

But it's a wet heat!(hot tub safety)
August 1, 2004... It's a well-known piece of advice that one shouldn't stay in a hot tub for very long, but do you know why? Is it because your skin might become too wrinkled? It turns out that the answer is a lot more serious than cosmetic. Staying in a hot tub...

What?(hearing loss)
August 1, 2004... I am an enlisted maintenance troop, a grunt. I work on or near aircraft on a daily basis. In my career, I have worked on the C-130 Hercules, A-10 Warthog, F-4 Phantom and Weasel model, and of course, the F-16 Lawn Dart, I mean Fighting Falcon....

Fleagle.
August 1, 2004... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Mishap statistics scoreboard.
August 1, 2004... Aircraft Notes ACC had three Class A mishaps in June. Fortunately, no aviators were injured. An A-10 diverted due to an engine fire and the fire crew extinguised the fire after landing. A Predator was destroyed on landing and an F-15C...