Combat Edge articles from July 2003

Combat Edge archives from July 2003

Don't be a summer casualty! (Accent on Safety).(safety rules)
July 1, 2003... Every summer we shower the field with messages, e-mails, and letters warning our command members of the increased dangers that accompany the summer season. For more than 20 years we've even christened the days from Memorial Day through Labor...

Fighting the fatigue factor: in today's high-paced Air Force, adequate rest is vital to combat capability.
July 1, 2003... Sleep is not one of those things that you can do without. The mind may be willing, but if you have not gotten enough sleep, the body isn't always up to it due to fatigue. Sleep is an absolute necessity for life, is very easy to ignore, but is...

Pit & go hell.(pilot recalls sortie mission)
July 1, 2003... 'Tail 419, you are cleared onto hot pit number two," called the hot pit supervisor. "Tail 419," I responded, acknowledging the clearance. It was another beautiful winter day in the Mighty Viper as I skillfully taxied into hot pit...

Nocturnal tiger sharks.
July 1, 2003... It was a standard moonless night at Bagram Air Base in northern Afghanistan. Those of you who have been there or to similar Forward Operating Locations (FOLs) know exactly what we're talking about. It was dark. How dark you ask? You...

Pilot safety. (Monthly Award Winners).(military aircraft accident prevention)
July 1, 2003... Award of Distinction 1 Lt Mayfield was Mongol 2 as the wingman on an F-16 Mission Qualification Training sortie. It was 1 Lt Mayfield's third sortie at Hill AFB after arriving from the RTU at Luke AFB. Preflight, ground ops, taxi, and...

Aircrew safety. (Montly Award Winners).(military safety, aircraft accident prevention)
July 1, 2003... Award of Distinction Maj Edward Presley, 1 Lt Brian Ranaudo, Capt Robert Olson, and Capt Michael Gerney, call sign 'Tiger 41 were lead of a two-ship B-1 continuation training mission performing simulated interdiction missions for the 37th...

Weapons safety. (Monthly Award Winners).(military safety awards)
July 1, 2003... Award of Distinction This consummate professional's positive attitude has had a profound effect on the success of ACC's premier Air-to-Ground Weapon System Evaluation Program (A/G WSEP). He is personally responsible for the safe execution...

Unit safety. (Monthly Award Winners).(military safety programs)
July 1, 2003... Award of Distinction The 23rd Maintenance Squadron (MXS) Aircraft Inspection Section J averted catastrophic damage and possible injury, resulting from improper maintenance actions accomplished by Depot on A-10 aircraft, 78-0674. During the...

Ground safety. (Monthly Award Winners).(military safety programs)
July 1, 2003... Award of Distinction TSgt Daniels distinguished herself during this period as the 820 RHS, Chief of Safety. She has taken every opportunity to increase safety compliance by 393 personnel within a diverse squadron consisting of four flights...

ACC safety salutes superior performance. (Monthly Award Winners).(military safety records)
July 1, 2003... Award of Distinction 136th Airlift Wing 150,000 mishap-free hours In April of 2003 the 136th Airlift Wing based at Carswell Field, Texas, surpassed the milestone of flying over 150,000 hours of mishap-free flying. The achievement of...

Weapons safety. (Quarterly Award Winners).(military safety programs)
July 1, 2003... Award of the Quarter T Sgt Marter made crucial site planning contributions that are pivotal to Nellis Air Force Base's continued efforts to comply with Department of Defense Explosives Safety Board mandates for complete explosives...

Ground safety. (Quarterly Award Winners).(military safety programs)
July 1, 2003... Award of the Quarter T Sgt Folias' Ground Safety Inspection and Program Management Assessments have been rated Outstanding." He was recently commended by the ACC/PME inspection team for providing the best supervisor and unit safety...

Don't become complacent.(Air Force armament specialist discusses dangers of complacency)
July 1, 2003... When I first joined the Air Force and decided to become an Aircraft Armament Systems Specialist, I thought the most dangerous part of the job would be working with the explosives that we load on a day-to-day basis. It has been more than 20...

Reduce your risks.(safety rules, off-duty Air Force fatality statistics)
July 1, 2003... Too many times our loved ones or coworkers believe that safety rules or markings are "only for the other guy." They aren't. They identify the risks to everyone's safety and they are pretty clear: Failure to do so, wear a seat belt, wear a...

Shallow water death.
July 1, 2003... A fatal drowning by a Pacific Air Forces staff sergeant last summer underscores the need for education on a phenomenon called "shallow-water blackout." According to the Naval Safety Center, shallow-water drowning is caused by oxygen...

No bull ... I'm hurt.(extreme sports safety)
July 1, 2003... Each of us needs to focus our attention on extreme sports safety to ensure our personnel are educated and trained before they engage in this type of high-risk activity. This is an entire team effort, required not just from commanders, but from...

Twice saved by a seat belt.( )
July 1, 2003... I learned a valuable lesson when I was 16 years old: seat belts save lives. My seat belt saved my life when a 1969 Torino hit my 1975 Volkswagon Rabbit in a classic David and Goliath confrontation. I was driving down a road, trying to catch up...

The ACC lost squadron.(military accidents/mishaps)
July 1, 2003... 161 Dead 102 in Combat 59 due to mishaps 26 in vehicle accidents 21 in helicopter crashes 8 accidental weapons discharges 2 unexploded ordnance 1 from fire 1 from drowning OPERATION A Few of the...

Aircraft notes.(accident/mishap report)
July 1, 2003... Congrats on another month with no rate producing Class A mishaps! This makes 2 months straight that we have been able to protect our assets and keep our equipment and people better prepared for combat. The only Class A Air Combat Command had...

Ground notes.(accident/mishaps report)
July 1, 2003... As of 31 May 2003, there have been 21 Class A mishaps resulting in 19 deaths, two permanent total disabilities, and one property damage mishap. All but one involved private motor vehicles-16 PMV 4 and 4 PMV 2. Several mishaps are still under...

Weapons notes.(accident/mishaps report)
July 1, 2003... No change from the last update and that's good news. Continue to be vigilant and ensure we're performing explosive operations IAW prescribed procedures. Using tech data and ORM will ensure weapons mishaps are few and far between. Keep up the...