Combat Edge articles from December 2006

Combat Edge archives from December 2006

Accent on safety: safety ethos.(Air Force safety)
December 1, 2006... ACC and the Air Force as a whole have just come off the best year ever in terms of Safety. As the new ACC Director of Safety, all I want to say is "keep up the good work." As I settle into this new position, I want to pass along a "job well...

Safety first.(Air Force)
December 1, 2006... Everyone in the Air Force has heard the battle cry "Safety first!" However, is safety really first? More accurately, is safety first with everyone or just senior leaders? Why? Can or should anything be done about it? Looking at past safety...

Task saturation.(too many tasks, too little time)
December 1, 2006... Anytime something new is ventured into, whether on a combat deployment or in some start-up peacetime task, there's an overabundance of duties that need to be accomplished, making the mission seem overwhelming. These tasks can run the gamut from...

Safety over the skies of Iraq.
December 1, 2006... Imagine you're driving on a busy stretch of an eight-lane interstate. On this interstate there are countless pedestrians, cyclists, and even dogs walking, weaving, and wandering across your path. An intricate and deadly ballet is taking place...

Be a cornball.(drunk and drive)
December 1, 2006... The holidays are upon us, and I'm compelled to tell of a personal incident my wife and I experienced last summer when our family took some time off to visit relatives. Our trip had gone according to plan until our conscience was put to the...

Santa's holiday blues.(Christmas decorations, accidents)
December 1, 2006... Ahh... the sights and sounds of the holiday season. The crackling fire in the fireplace, the Christmas tree with beautiful lights, all the houses in the neighborhood brightly decorated. Yes, this is a time to truly enjoy family and friends....

Kitchen Food Safety Test.
December 1, 2006... The winter holiday season is a time in which people get together to celebrate traditions as well as to ring in the New Year. Whether your holiday plans include hosting a party in which you do all of the food preparation or a casual "potluck"...

Passing of the pen.(editors)(Editorial)
December 1, 2006... Before joining the service, I'd done some technical writing and magazine work. After several flying and ops-related jobs, I realized that I missed writing. I've taken past jobs that I or "others" felt were needed for promotion or development,...

Passing of the brush.
December 1, 2006... If you open the magazine and notice the photos and graphics first, and then read the articles, then the graphic artists have achieved their goal. Much like our editor position, we are experiencing a changing of the guard in our graphic artists....

Flight Line Safety Award of Distinction.(MONTHLY AWARD WINNERS)(Jim Perkins )(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... While locally manufacturing four new brake cables for B-52 rudder pedal assemblies, MSgt Jim Perkins removed and hand delivered from the phase supply point, four new brake cables to be used as examples. Upon his examination of the cables it was...

Ground Safety Award of Distinction.(MONTHLY AWARD WINNERS)(Chad W. Sischo)
December 1, 2006... Besides providing basic briefings and reviewing required documentation, TSgt Chad Sischo organizes quarterly safety rides for all squadron members. Prior to departing on the 2 to 3 hour events, TSgt Sischo uses his technical expertise to...

Flight Line Safety Award of Distinction.(MONTHLY AWARD WINNERS)(Stephen Schweitz)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... At Beale AFB, home to the 1st Reconnaissance Squadron, Formal Training Unit for the U-2 high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft, all student landings are video-taped from the side of the runway to facilitate debrief. Videographer Stephen Schweitz...

Pilot Safety Award of Distinction.(MONTHLY AWARD WINNERS)(Richard R. Mehl)
December 1, 2006... Maj Richard Mehl demonstrated exceptional skill as an aviator while landing his crippled U-2, at night, after a task-intensive 9.5 hour high altitude, single-seat, combat reconnaissance mission in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. After...

Aircrew Safety Award of Distinction.(MONTHLY AWARD WINNERS)(Jefferson O'Donnell)
December 1, 2006... Maj Jefferson O'Donnell and Capt Michael Dunyak took off at night from Al Udeid AB, Qatar, leading a flight of F-15Es in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. On departure, passing 12,000 feet mean sea level, Maj O'Donnell retarded the throttles...

Crew Chief Safety Award of Distinction.(MONTHLY AWARD WINNERS)(Dennis A. Rutledge, Michael D. Leach )(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... As engines were started on a DHL DC-8, Transient Alert (TA) crew chief SrA Dennis Rutledge noticed that the number two engine cowling blow-out door was flapping. He motioned to the Aircraft Commander (AC) to shut off the number one and number...

Unit Safety Award of Distinction.(MONTHLY AWARD WINNERS)
December 1, 2006... The 9th Maintenance Squadron phase personnel responded to a large grass fire near the flight line dining facility caused by a blown electrical transformer. While performing maintenance on an aircraft in the phase dock, they heard a loud...

ACC Safety salutes superior performance.(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... Maj Eric D. Sparks F-16 Pilot 4th Fighter Squadron 388th Fighter Wing Hill AFB, Utah Capt William Alcorn Aircraft Commander 1Lt Ethan White Copilot Maj Allen Wilson Offensive Systems Officer ...

Mishap statistics scoreboard.
December 1, 2006... Aircraft Notes ACC had one Class A bird strike during a low level. Fortunately, the crew recovered the damaged aircraft! The holiday season is fast upon us and it is a time of minimum manning and added stress for many people. Take time to...

Fleagle.(Cartoon)
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