Combat Edge articles from January 2006

Combat Edge archives from January 2006

Safety leadership for 2006.(ACCent on Safety)
January 1, 2006... ACC's New Year safety resolution is to focus on leadership, wingmanship, and accountability... in our professional and in our personal lives. We are in the profession of arms... a profession that has inherent risk, but it is risk that we...

May day: "there was another problem. With the right engine stuck at the high power setting and the left engine at idle, I was flying at 190 knots calibrated airspeed, full flaps, and gear down just to stay level.".
January 1, 2006... As a new guy in a FA-18 Hornet squadron, I was preparing for my first 6-week, pre-cruise exercise known as COMPTUEX. I was scheduled for a night Field Carrier Landing Practice (FCLP) period at Oceana Naval Air Station. The weather at the field...

In--between the slats.
January 1, 2006... It was a sunny, warm, humid July day at Kadena Air Base, Japan. The 633rd Aircraft Maintenance Support Squadron was busy as usual, maintaining all sorts of aircraft. Luckily, I got to supervise a concurrent refuel while loading cargo on an...

Safety snake dance.
January 1, 2006... How often have you heard someone grumble. "Why do we have to check? I know it will work fine. This is wasting valuable time." Well, we check and test run and follow the guidance for a reason. "This is a safety success story. A clear example of...

When a fire erupts there I was ... polishing my boots. Pretty exciting, huh? Well, it's a story that needs telling.
January 1, 2006... Over a recent 3-day weekend, I decided to get my dirty, grungy, work boots cleaned up. One can of boot polish was almost empty and another one was half full. Any idea what happened next? Before I tell you, first let me share something about...

The 27th Fighter Squadron is the oldest fighter squadron in the U.S. Air Force.(Brief article)
January 1, 2006... The 27th Fighter Squadron is the oldest fighter squadron in the U.S. Air Force. Over its history, it has had numerous aircraft assigned, to include the: Nieuport 28, Spad XIII, Sopwith F-1 Camel, Fokker D-7, PW-8, P-12, P-16, P-26, P-35, P-36,...

Survivor: terrorist attack, survivor returns to mideast.
January 1, 2006... Lt Col Ed O'Neal is back in the theater exactly I year to the day after leaving following a vicious terrorist attack where he was shot five times. Lt Col O'Neal, the new U.S. Central Command Air Forces Forward Director of Manpower and...

Pilot safety: award of distinction.(MONTHLY AWARD WINNERS)(Brief article)
January 1, 2006... Capt Jeffrey Wright displayed exceptional airmanship and flying ability in his handling of an in-flight T-38A flight control emergency. Capt Wright was instructing a routine re-qualification sortie with a non-current pilot in the Front Cockpit...

Flight line safety: award of distinction.(MONTHLY AWARD WINNERS)(Brief article)
January 1, 2006... Capt Lee climbed up the ladder of his F-15C aircraft for a normal training mission. It was a rainy day, and he noticed that the surfaces of the jet were very slippery. As the crew chief climbed to the top of the jet to remove the canopy strut,...

Aircrew safety: award of distinction.(MONTHLY AWARD WINNERS)
January 1, 2006... During climb out in their B-52, following a maximum gross weight takeoff for an Operation ENDURING FREEDOM combat sortie, the pilots of Havoc 21 noticed the number four engine low oil pressure light was illuminated. The pilots quickly...

Weapons safety: award of distinction.(MONTHLY AWARD WINNERS)(Brief article)
January 1, 2006... SSgt Erich Mansfield was driving an unloaded 10K forklift down the hill along the MSA perimeter road towards a live bomb build-up pad. As is normal protocol, he was driving backwards. As he began to go down the hill, his brakes failed. He...

Flight line safety: award of distinction.(MONTHLY AWARD WINNERS)(Brief article)
January 1, 2006... A1C Owen Nowosielski was in the Local Control position monitoring an air traffic control trainee. At this particular time, the tower was experiencing a moderate surge in both B-52 and A-10 aircraft traffic, significantly increasing the trainee...

Ground safety: award of distinction.(MONTHLY AWARD WINNERS)
January 1, 2006... MSgt Daniel Mickelson was performing routine safety inspections on wash rack equipment when he identified a potential discrepancy with the fall arrest system located on spot 3. From the ground, he saw the anchor attach point sliding ram...

Unit safety: award of distinction.(MONTHLY AWARD WINNERS)
January 1, 2006... The 11th Bomb Squadron distinguished itself by rapidly developing and executing a flawless evacuation plan when faced with potential devastation from Hurricane Rita. The squadron was directed to begin preparation to evacuate every airworthy...

ACC safety salutes superior performance.(MONTHLY AWARD WINNERS)(Brief article)
January 1, 2006... Maj Jason E. Bailey F-16C Pilot 523rd Fighter Squadron 27th Fighter Wing Cannon AFB, N.M. SSgt Edward E. Griggs Dedicated Crew Chief 552nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron 552nd Air Control Wing ...

Weapons safety: award of the quarter.(QUARTERLY AWARD WINNERS)(Brief article)
January 1, 2006... MSgt Krohn's superior blend of professionalism, expertise, and dedication, coupled with his focus on wing objectives, produced programs with fabulous safety results. During the fourth quarter of 2005, over 2,000 munitions were loaded safely and...

Ground safety: award of the quarter.(QUARTERLY AWARD WINNERS)
January 1, 2006... Mr. Percy Adams demonstrated exceptional performance as the interim ground safety manager, flawlessly bridging a 6-month gap in the position. He deftly ensured seamless continuity of all key programs and achieved a 3 percent decrease in total...

Flight safety: award of the quarter.(QUARTERLY AWARD WINNERS)
January 1, 2006... TSgt Steele's unwavering dedication to excellence propelled the 27th Fighter Wing to one of its safest quarters on record. His safety programs ensured the 27 FW flew a total of 1,349 sorties and 1,469.6 hours without a Class A or B flight...

In the September issue of the Combat Edge.
January 1, 2006... In the September issue of THE COMBAT EDGE, we inacurately listed the byline that read; Photo by: A1C Trina Flanagan. This photo was actually a photo illustration that was manipulated. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Mishap statistics scoreboard.
January 1, 2006... Aircraft Notes We've just completed a good month with no Class As. Keep up the good work! Some of our recent SIBs have identified confusing or incomplete T.O. guidance or messages as factors. We've all read FCIFs or Dash 1s that leave us...

Fleagle.(Brief article)(Cartoon)
January 1, 2006... SUCK IT UP! TIME TO SHAPE UP [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] YA'SEE THIS, TINY? [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] WELL, I GUESS IT'S TIME I GOT IN SHAPE. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] SUCCCK!! THAT'S AMAZING! [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]...