Combat Edge articles from January 2004

Combat Edge archives from January 2004

Risk management.
January 1, 2004... Each day, I marvel at the unwavering professionalism and pride displayed by the men and women of Air Combat Command. Whether enduring long deployments in harsh environments, or working extended hours guarding our installations, our airmen...

Situational awareness is key.
January 1, 2004... Situational awareness, also known as SA, has become a common term among many specialties. There are many ways to explain this somewhat nebulous term, but in a nutshell it is "keeping in the game," knowing what is going on around you. SA is the...

How effective is your MACA program?
January 1, 2004... I've been Chief of Flight Safety at two very different Air Force bases. One, Moody AFB, located in southern Georgia, is surrounded by tall pines and dense swamps. The other, Luke AFB, located in south-central Arizona, is surrounded by desert...

Silent killer: their killer, carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, was never seen, heard, or smelled.
January 1, 2004... It's winter, and the "silent killer" is on the loose again. Its favorite prey is motorists, but it also has been known to attack people in their homes. Unsuspecting campers are fair game too, like the three Air Force members who died in April...

Seven years of bad luck.
January 1, 2004... Ever heard the old superstition that breaking a mirror will get you 7 years' bad luck? Well, superstitions are only in the mind; however, a .22 slug zipping through a bedroom mirror is a reality. And for a mistake like that, 7 years' bad luck...

Crew Chief Safety Award of Distinction.(Monthly Award Winners)
January 1, 2004... An expeditor dispatched a four-person engine run crew to an F-15E to perform a main fuel pump leak and operational check following a pump reduction gearbox seal replacement. SSgt Filbert reviewed the aircraft maintenance records, conducted a...

Weapons Safety Award of Distinction.(Monthly Award Winners)
January 1, 2004... SSgts Cisneros and Foster were working as the 2 MUNS "Red Ball" flight line maintenance team for a Nuclear Operational Readiness Exercise (NORE) BUSY MUDBUG 03-07. Their tasking was to ensure weapons safety and serviceability during aircraft...

Pilot Safety Award of Distinction.(Monthly Award Winners)
January 1, 2004... Upon returning from an Operation NOBLE EAGLE sortie, Capt Lance Wilkins maneuvered his F-15C aircraft into position for a 7-mile final approach and was configuring his aircraft for landing under the cover of darkness. After lowering the landing...

Flightline Safety Award of Distinction.(Monthly Award Winners)
January 1, 2004... A1C Bullock, A1C McKinney, SSgt Kennedy, and TSgt Regan were assigned to an F-16 aircraft tasked to complete an operations checks for an augmentor fuel filter leak check which required a high powered engine run on the trim pad. During the...

Ground Safety Award of Distinction.(Monthly Award Winners)
January 1, 2004... While the 366th Fighter Wing was engaged in an Operational Readiness Exercise, a ground emergency was declared for an F-16 aircraft with a massive fuel spill. An MJ-1 bomb loader had struck a 370 gallon external fuel tank during weapons loading...

Weapons Safety Award of the Quarter.(Quarterly Award Winners)
January 1, 2004... MSgt David Bothwell took Operational Risk Management (ORM) and put it into practical application. He led his 81 personnel as they maintained the demanding 24-month periodic inspection schedule, conducted their wartime tasking, supported the...

Flight Safety Award of the Quarter.(Quarterly Award Winners)
January 1, 2004... As the 27th Fighter Wing Chief of Flight Safety, Capt Matthew Davis transformed a "satisfactory" program rating during the previous HHQ inspection to "Best Seen to Date" during the recent 12 AF/Safety Staff Assistance Visit. He designed and...

Ground Safety Award of the Quarter.(Quarterly Award Winners)
January 1, 2004... Mr. Peterson managed the "Outstanding Wing Ground Safety Program in ACC" this summer. He implemented a flawless 101 Critical Days of Summer Campaign, meeting the wing goal of zero fatalities for the summer months, and for the entire year. His...

A knock at the door.
January 1, 2004... "William, something is wrong! There are three Air Force officers coming up the walk." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "Don't worry, Martha, I'm sure everything is OK." (Knock at the door.) "Mr. Jones?" "Yes, I'm William Jones, and...

Almost a grease spot.
January 1, 2004... There I was, ready to give my all in a remote Middle Eastern country in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. Unfortunately (for numerous seat pads and armrests), the sacrifice was almost made before we touched down at Base X. While on a contract...

We walked away.
January 1, 2004... How many times have you noticed the warnings on the visor of most new cars? I never paid much attention to them either, but fortunately at an early age, I learned to always buckle up anytime I was in a vehicle and have instilled this habit into...

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

Mishap statistics scoreboard.
January 1, 2004... Aircraft Notes Your involvement in flying safety has made a difference in FY04 even with the A-10 Class A during November. The good news is the pilot safely ejected and will be around to be in all the holiday festivities. With that in...