Combat Edge articles from May 2004

Combat Edge archives from May 2004

Accent on safety: 101 Critical Days of Summer.(safety training)
May 1, 2004... The 101 Critical Days of Summer campaign began in the early 80's when fatal mishap numbers were growing for both on- and off-duty activities. Initially the fatal mishap numbers were reduced from a high of 46 to a low of 15 fatalities; however,...

What was I thinking?(marathon running)
May 1, 2004... Well, my story ends with me missing 2 days of work because I was unable to walk. My clothes were stuck to my body and felt like sandpaper each time I moved. If you read on, you will see how poor planning on my part and my failure to take other...

Expect the unexpected: B-1 enters fog bank in the flare.
May 1, 2004... We've all heard of Murphy's Law. I'm not sure of the exact definition, but I think it goes something like this "if it can happen, it will," and one balmy October morning in Texas the unexpected did happen to me. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

No room for error: F-16 glides into Baghdad.
May 1, 2004... Throughout my flying career I've been pretty fortunate when it comes to In-Flight Emergencies (IFEs). I managed to make it through pilot training and two operational assignments in the Hog with no major issues. In fact, I seldom worried about...

Eye on safety.(U.S. Air Force)
May 1, 2004... Desert Spike! OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM--Deployed troops come together for a group sports day at Baghdad International Airport. Photo by TSgt Robert J. Horstmar Baghdad Bowl OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM--Airmen from the 447th AEG...

Aircrew Safety Award of Distinction.(Monthly Award Winners; U. S. Air Force)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Capt Dickens, student pilot, and 1Lt Conrad, student Weapon Systems Officer, were on initial takeoff as number two of a two ship F-15E formal training syllabus sortie, when the landing gear would not retract. The crew also noted a Utility...

Flight Line Safety Award of Distinction.(Monthly Award Winners; U. S. Air Force)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... As part of his duties as flight line expediter, SSgt Double dispatched several personnel to act as wing and tail walkers for a tow team operation. He then repositioned his vehicle to watch the team push an A-10A into the phase hangar. The fact...

Ground Safety Award of Distinction.(Monthly Award Winners; U.S. Air Force)
May 1, 2004... A-10 aircraft number 78-0688 ground aborted for inoperable antiskid. SSgt Okerlund, SrA Drocea, and A1C Bynum were dispatched and trouble shot the system to a popped landing gear circuit breaker. Their knowledge of Kapton arcing danger prompted...

Pilot Safety Award of Distinction.(Monthly Award Winners; U.S. Air Force)
May 1, 2004... Lt Howland, an F-15C wingman with less than 100 hours in the aircraft, launched out as number four on a radar trail departure for a Mission Qualification Training sortie, with weather just above his minimums. Following an afterburner takeoff,...

Weapons Safety Award of Distinction.(Monthly Award Winners; U.S. Air Force)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Mr. Dennis Foster sustained superior performance as a Combat Arms Instructor by contributing to an outstanding safety record in an inherently dangerous environment. While conducting a weapons inspection, Mr. Foster identified four weapons as...

Unit Safety Award of Distinction.(Monthly Award Winners; 388 CMS )
May 1, 2004... When it comes to safety, the 388 CMS takes the lead in enforcing the Air Force Mishap Prevention Program with the most aggressive program at Hill Air Force Base. We take our job very serious and continue to be the benchmark with our various...

FY03 Annual Awards.(U.S. Air Force)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Air Force Annual Awards Koren Kolligian, Jr., Trophy Capt Mike L. Matesick 421st Fighter Squadron Hill AFB, Utah Colombian Trophy 27th Fighter Wing Cannon AFB, N.M. Air Force Explosive Surety Outstanding...

Harmful water bottle.(military safety)
May 1, 2004... When working in hot or stuffy climates, a time-tested method of having an ample supply of water is "to take it with you." While water bottles are useful in hot, arid climates or on flight lines and in the field, they can cause problems for...

Been there, done that, lucky to be alive.(driving fatigue)
May 1, 2004... I had just gotten back to Seattle from a 70-day patrol in Alaska, and everyone was given 4 days off. Five if you could pay someone to stand your duty on the fifth day. I was anxious to see my girlfriend, who lived in San Diego, Calif. I whipped...

Highway terrorism.(drunk driving)
May 1, 2004... In an era of international terrorism, we are now aware of new threats to our lives, our communities, and our way of life. But in thinking about foreign terrorists, we sometimes fail to see the people here at home who threaten our lives everyday...

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

A few of the mishaps.(U.S. Air Force)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Dec 1, 2003: A 22-year-old SrA failed to stop at a red light at an intersection, crossed 5 lanes of traffic and was struck on the passenger side by another vehicle. Seat belt was worn and airbags deployed. She died at the scene. [GRAPHIC...

Mishap statistics scoreboard.(U.S. Air Force)
May 1, 2004... Aircraft Notes Another E-4 engine and an F-15 landing mishap nearly gave ACC two Class As in March, but they were both downgraded to Class Bs. Recently, I saw a picture of a Beach Baron that survived a midair collision with a Cessna 180....

Fit to fight: as we transition to the new Air Force fitness standards, do it right, do it safe, be ready!(The Combat Edge)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... My belief is that we are a much different Air Force today. We deploy to all regions of the world, living in tent cities and working on flight lines in extremes of temperatures... The amount of energy we devote to our fitness programs is not...