Combat Edge articles from March 2008

Combat Edge archives from March 2008

Accent on safety: there are no surprises.
March 1, 2008... Two young Airmen spend the evening installing a high performance package on one of their cars. It's late when they complete the modifications, and they decide to test out the evening's efforts on a dark unfamiliar rural road. The car departs...

Low fuel & sucking up the seat cushion!
March 1, 2008... Have you ever sucked up a seat cushion due to a low fuel state? If not, then perhaps you should continue reading because you might be one sortie away from running out of fuel... It only takes one seat cushion to permanently teach you to "never...

Complacency is a dangerous thing--it's a killer!
March 1, 2008... Complacency describes the state of mind many people have with regard to safety. Unfortunately, we go about our lives giving little thought to our personal safety, or for that matter, the safety of others. Our superiors keep telling us that...

Could bad be good?
March 1, 2008... There I was... it was a bright and sunny afternoon, when ACC Safety asks for input in the development of a risk mitigating construct. What a privilege! It didn't take long to come up with something relevant, easy to remember, and,...

Another day on the flight line.
March 1, 2008... It's just another day on the flight line.--Due to the surge, crews are out turning jets as fast as they can. All of a sudden you hear on the radio that a cordon has been established around one of the jets in the other squadron. You hear a lot...

Getting ready for riding season: remember T-CLOCS.(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... T -- TIRES AND WHEELS -- Check the air pressure of tires and wheels. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] -- Check for roundness, cracks and dents, and bent, broken or missing spokes. ...

USAF Maintenance Resource Management.(United States Air Force)
March 1, 2008... If you were the CEO of a company that wasted over $80 million a year, injured numerous workers, and lost untold efficiency--and it was all preventable--wouldn't you be just a little concerned? The company I'm describing isn't fictitious--it's...

What is a range hero?(WINGMAN SPOTLIGHT)
March 1, 2008... Many people wonder if they would have the mental and moral courage to react in a brave manner if ever faced with a dangerous or hostile situation. One 98th Range Wing truck driver doesn't have to wonder anymore. On the morning of May 4th,...

Flight Line Safety Award of Distinction.(MONTHLY AWARD WINNERS -- DECEMBER)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... MSgt Farmer led a 19-member aerial port team and nurtured a safety-first culture with zero mishaps this period winning his squadron's Team of the month. He ensured safe flight line ops by identifying MHE hydraulic problems overcoming a 35...

Aircrew Safety Award of Distinction.(MONTHLY AWARD WINNERS -- DECEMBER)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... SENTRY 62, an E-3 AWACS crew, were conducting a FTU night pilot proficiency sortie. While in the Tinker AFB traffic pattern, the AC noticed an inboard flap asymmetry. The crew had previously accomplished two simulated instrument approaches...

Ground Safety Award of Distinction.(MONTHLY AWARD WINNERS -- DECEMBER)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... TSgt Kluttz was the primary USR for the 332 EMDG, the sole level three trauma facility in the Iraqi theater. He safeguarded 354 staff across eight buildings. He executed responsibilities on a part-time basis that normally warrant a full-time...

Pilot Safety Award of Distinction.(MONTHLY AWARD WINNERS -- DECEMBER)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Immediately following an F-117A flight demonstration at the 2007 MCAS Miramar air show, Lt Col Flesch experienced a loud bang and an uncommanded abrupt left yaw with rapid pitch up while maneuvering to land. Lt Col Flesch immediately eased off...

Unit Safety Award of Distinction.(MONTHLY AWARD WINNERS -- DECEMBER)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... The 447th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron standardized parking and services for CV-22 testing ensuring emergency responders were familiar with the newest aircraft in the theater. They identified 14 hazardous airfield obstructions....

Weapons Safety Award of Distinction.(MONTHLY AWARD WINNERS -- DECEMBER)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... MSgt Charleston greatly contributed to sustained combat operations of multiple CJSOAC AC-130U gunship, MC-130P Combat Shadow, and MH-53 Pave Low aircraft in direct support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. He revamped the Squadron Additional Duty...

ACC safety salutes superior performance.(MONTHLY AWARD WINNERS -- DECEMBER)(Air Combat Command)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... EIGHTH AIR FORCE Maj Juan C. Gallego 960th Airborne Air Control Squadron 552nd Air Control Wing Tinker AFB, Okla. Maj Larry Miller 966th Airborne Air Control Squadron 552nd Air Control Wing Tinker AFB, Okla....

Unit Safety Award of Distinction.(MONTHLY AWARD WINNERS -- JANUARY)
March 1, 2008... The 332nd Fire and Emergency Services Flight provided crash/fire/rescue/emergency medical and fire prevention services, painstakingly ensuring the safety for 30K+ military, DoD civilian and contract personnel occupying Balad Air Base. They are...

Flight Line Safety Award of Distinction.(MONTHLY AWARD WINNERS -- JANUARY)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Capt Nelson, the 358 FS Flight Safety Officer, personifies commitment to a proactive safety culture within the A-10A FTU. While taxiing for a local training sortie, Capt Nelson noticed a potentially hazardous situation in the making. Weapons...

Pilot Safety Award of Distinction.(MONTHLY AWARD WINNERS -- JANUARY)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Capt Adam Fisher, flying his first A-10 sortie, recovered his $12 million aircraft on only a single-engine. While practicing turning rejoins in the Tombstone Military Operating Area, Capt Fisher pushed his throttles from idle to max and...

Aircrew Safety Award of Distinction.(MONTHLY AWARD WINNERS -- JANUARY)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... While returning to Whiteman for pattern work, Maj Calhoun lowered the landing gear of his B-2 at an 8 mile final. Upon lowering the gear he received near simultaneous hydraulic cautions for both number one and four hydraulic systems. Due to a...

Mishap statistics scoreboard.
March 1, 2008... Aircraft Notes One of our ACC-gained units lost an F-16C during training in January. Fortunately, the pilot ejected safely. When flying hours or airframes are not available, it is even more important to get the most out of simulator...

ACC annual award winners.(Air Combat Command)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Congratulations to the following FY 07 ACC Annual winners: COMMANDER'S AWARD FOR SAFETY Ninth Air Force Shaw AFB, S.C. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] WING SAFETY PROGRAM OF THE YEAR 509th Bomb Wing Whiteman AFB, Mo. ...

Fleagle.(Comic)(Cartoon)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]