Combat Edge articles from May 2007

Combat Edge archives from May 2007

Accent on safety: it comes down to personal accountability.
May 1, 2007... This issue of THE COMBAT EDGE contains a cross-section of seemingly unrelated hazards to your personal safety and health. All of the stories have something in common; they deal with hazards, acceptance of risk, and the need for mitigation...

Driving distractions.
May 1, 2007... It was a typical June day in the southeastern United States--bright and sunny. I was driving into the most congested part of town where most of the shops, stores, and eateries are located. I noticed a lot of folks out and about, shopping, and...

The dangers of GPS altitude.(Global Positioning System)
May 1, 2007... As aviators, we rarely think about the accuracy of our instruments. When you look down at your airspeed indicator and see 200 KIAS, unless you have a specific reason to doubt the equipment (icing, etc.), you can reasonably assume that the...

What's between your sheets?
May 1, 2007... It's fairly safe to bet the subject of this story (we'll call him D.L.) checks between his sheets every night now before he climbs into bed. The last time he didn't, he got the surprise of a lifetime. A brown recluse spider had decided to share...

Cannon Ball!(safety tips for children swimming in pools)
May 1, 2007... FINALLY! They're open, outdoor swimming pools. This is the time of year when I nearly pass out trying to blow up my kid's pool toys. A swimming pool can provide hours of fun and entertainment for the whole family, but are you aware of the...

Dying to drive.
May 1, 2007... "Daddy Help" Those were the words I heard as I answered the phone one Saturday morning. As a parent, we look forward to watching our children grow up to become responsible adults: baby's first steps, elementary school graduation, becoming...

Underage drinking.
May 1, 2007... Let me set the scene right quick. It was the last Operational Readiness Exercise (ORE), basically the dress rehearsal before my wing's scheduled Operational Readiness Inspection (ORI). Our new base commander had us on a pretty swift pace, and I...

Weapon safety.
May 1, 2007... In any type of job you do, there is always some sort of safety aspect to it. This story is about a weapon system that almost everyone in the Air Force is familiar with--the M16A2 rifle. It happened at Osan Air Base in South Korea, but it never...

Crew Chief Safety Award of Distinction.(MONTHLY AWARD WINNERS -- FEBRUARY)(Eric L. Hunt)(Brief article)
May 1, 2007... SSgt Hunt was tasked to launch B-2 aircraft 93-1088, the "Spirit of Louisiana," for a routine training mission. All systems were found to be normal during the preflight, Production Supervisor Exceptional Release, and the aircrew walk-around...

Pilot Safety Award of Distinction.(MONTHLY AWARD WINNERS -- FEBRUARY)(Roger P. Varnadore)
May 1, 2007... While on his annual check ride, Lieutenant Varnadore, an E-3 copilot, was in charge of the aircraft as it operated in the ZKC2 orbit area, and was alerted by the navigator to a crack in the #5 pilot side window. This crack quickly led to the...

Ground Safety Award of Distinction.(MONTHLY AWARD WINNERS -- FEBRUARY)(Brief article)
May 1, 2007... Upon assuming his shift at the Fort Hood Garrison Weather Operations Center, SrA Jaeger recognized the potential for a severe weather outbreak in central Texas, and took immediate action. Amn Jaeger first issued a "Tornado and Large Hail (3/4...

Aircrew Safety Award of Distinction.(MONTHLY AWARD WINNERS -- FEBRUARY)
May 1, 2007... The crew of Sentry 30 was on a training mission when 35 minutes into the flight, the student Flight Engineer (FE) began to experience slight heart palpitations, chest pains, and dizziness. The Instructor Pilot (IP) cancelled the mission and...

Flight Line Safety Award of Distinction.(MONTHLY AWARD WINNERS -- FEBRUARY)(Brief article)
May 1, 2007... SSgt Madsen was setting up a heater for his working crew. He had heater unit BT-22 delivered by AGE to aircraft 88-0407. The AGE driver had to jumpstart the heater unit and waited to make sure the unit was running. SSgt Madsen turned on the...

Weapons Safety Award of Distinction.(MONTHLY AWARD WINNERS -- FEBRUARY)(Brief article)
May 1, 2007... TSgt Wisser displayed exceptional weapons safety knowledge and judgment in response to a ground emergency on an A-10 at Pope AFB, N.C. Upon inspection, he determined that a GAU-8 Breech bolt firing pin had failed causing every seventh round not...

Unit Safety Award of Distinction.(MONTHLY AWARD WINNERS -- FEBRUARY)
May 1, 2007... Third Weather Squadron forecasters recognized a developing central Texas tornado outbreak, and immediately informed Fort Hood leadership. This ensured field units were recalled to their cantonment areas, and 220 aircraft and 8,000 vehicles were...

ACC safety salutes superior performance.(Brief article)
May 1, 2007... TSgt Kevin L. Guillette Aerospace Ground Equipment Supervisor 2nd Maintenance Squadron 2nd Bomb Wing Barksdale AFB, La. SSgt Anella M. Ortiz Munitions Flight ADWSM 55th Maintenance Squadron 55th Wing ...

Pilot Safety Award of Distinction.(MONTHLY AWARD WINNERS -- MARCH)
May 1, 2007... Major Means demonstrated exceptional skill as a pilot while recovering a crippled U-2 that suffered total hydraulic failure during a high-altitude, operational reconnaissance sortie in support of the SABLE GAME mission, Osan AB, ROK. As he was...

Crew Chief Safety Award of Distinction.(MONTHLY AWARD WINNERS -- MARCH)(Brief article)
May 1, 2007... During a daily walk around inspection of the alert E-4B aircraft, SSgt Kent noticed a strong odor of diesel fuel. He quickly investigated the source of the odor and found a fuel bowser leaking profusely from the servicing hose connection. He...

Weapons Safety Award of Distinction.(MONTHLY AWARD WINNERS -- MARCH)(Brief article)
May 1, 2007... Since taking over the 4 FS Explosives Safety program, TSgt Earhart and SSgt Ochoa have set the standard for all 388 FW life support sections. They revised their spot inspection program to include a monthly matrix, as well as unscheduled spot...

Ground Safety Award of Distinction.(MONTHLY AWARD WINNERS -- MARCH)(Brief article)
May 1, 2007... TSgt Davis developed a process to electronically notify commanders of upcoming unit inspections, thus reducing the time expended in the scheduling and tracking of such. He assisted in the investigation of three significant high-visibility...

Flight Line Safety Award of Distinction.(MONTHLY AWARD WINNERS -- MARCH)(Brief article)
May 1, 2007... Following heavy storms in the local area, numerous types of wildlife began appearing on the runway, endangering flight operations. MSgt Prymek determined the heavy rain had softened the ground which allowed the animals to dig holes under the...

Aircrew Safety Award of Distinction.(MONTHLY AWARD WINNERS -- MARCH)
May 1, 2007... The B-52 crew of CHILL 41 was scheduled to conduct simulated missile launches en route to bombing activity in a local training area, followed by aerial refueling before returning to Minot AFB, N.D. Shortly after takeoff, the pilots received a...

USAF Annual Award winners.(Brief article)
May 1, 2007... Congratulations to the following 2006 ACC USAF Annual Award winners: COLONEL WILL L. TUBBS MEMORIAL AWARD FOR GROUND SAFETY CATEGORY I AIR COMBAT COMMAND COLOMBIAN TROPHY 27th Fighter Wing Cannon AFB, N.M. CHIEF OF...

Flight Safety Award of the Quarter.(QUARTERLY AWARD WINNERS)(Brief article)
May 1, 2007... After returning from his AEF rotation, Capt Seiver revamped and updated his squadron's safety program. It was recently recognized during a 12 AF Staff Assistance Visit where the inspectors highlighted his program, commenting, "The 421 FS...

Weapons Safety Award of the Quarter.(QUARTERLY AWARD WINNERS)(Brief article)
May 1, 2007... Following an unfavorable review by Headquarters Air Combat Command (HQ ACC) during a Nuclear Surety Staff Assistance Visit, TSgt Robbins was handpicked to lead a quick-action response team dedicated to program improvement. Sgt Robbins and her...

Ground Safety Award of the Quarter.(QUARTERLY AWARD WINNERS)
May 1, 2007... First Lieutenant Davenport's aggressive travel safety program contributed to an outstanding duration of time without a single government vehicle rollover (over 450 consecutive days). Rollovers are a problem that continually plagues most...

Mishap statistics scoreboard.
May 1, 2007... Aircraft Notes ACC experienced two MQ-1 and two ACC-gained F-16 losses in February and March. Fortunately, all pilots concerned are safe! ACC also experienced Class A damage to an F-15E in the AOR. The new AFSAS for mishap reporting is...

Fleagle.(Cartoon)
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