Combat Edge articles from November 2008

Combat Edge archives from November 2008

Change is in the Air!(ON SAFETY)
November 1, 2008... By now our entire Air Force is immersed in the groundbreaking "Joint Fall Campaign." Like me, you're probably wondering why we moved directly from our record setting 101 Critical Days of Summer right into this new initiative. After analysis of...

Keep the memories happy!(HOLIDAY ROAD TRIP)(Thanksgiving Day vacation)
November 1, 2008... Happy Thanksgiving! So we made it, right? This is the time to relax, isn't it? Holidays are to enjoy, aren't they? Unfortunately, the holiday season presents many temptations that are not normally present during the year; the temptation to...

Snowboarding 101 search.
November 1, 2008... I was an Airman First Class stationed at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., who had been in the Air Force for all of 6 months. It was my first assignment; I didn't know anyone that well, so it got a bit lonely during the cold winter months. During...

Oh, deer II; Driving tips you can live with!
November 1, 2008... While driving to work one cold morning in January, I had what I hope was a once in a lifetime experience. I rounded the flight line on base and entered into a densely wooded area. Without notice, a deer darted into traffic. Although I was...

GBS dangers.(Ground Burst Simulators)
November 1, 2008... A Weapons Safety Manager (WSM) has many day-to-day responsibilities: site planning, reviewing operating instructions, performing annual and spot inspections, training additional duty weapons safety representatives, and performing exercise...

American vs. Swiss; refocusing on Pilot Error.
November 1, 2008... In the pursuit of understanding pilots and aircraft accidents, the study of human factors in aviation has evolved with many philosophies, theories and causation models dominating our safety culture. Dr. Reason's "Swiss Cheese Model," the most...

A rider's reality check.(motorcyclist)
November 1, 2008... I have been riding motorcycles for about 16 years. I was one of those individuals who had to wait till I moved out of the house before I could have a motorcycle. I've been making up for lost time ever since. I'd like to take a minute to share...

Follow these four easy steps help your family be food safe.
November 1, 2008... Clean. Bacteria can spread throughout the kitchen and get on hands, cutting boards, knives, and countertops. Frequent cleaning can keep that from happening. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] WASH hands with soap and warm water for 20 seconds...

The unthinkable: they were loading bomb number 15 of the required 18 when it happened.
November 1, 2008... There I was, on a 4-month--extended to 6-month--deployment as the day shift weapons expeditor. It was a rainy warm day on a South Pacific island. As usual, our deployed commander and I were watching the load crews perform their loading...

Flight line safety.(AWARD OF DISTINCTION)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... A B-1B Master Jettison Hatch Handle at Ellsworth AFB was discovered to be "partially" pulled during an Isochronical (ISO) Inspection. Quick action by SSgt Alford, ISO controller, ensured this flight line emergency was communicated to his...

Weapons safety.(AWARD OF DISTINCTION)(SMSgt Sandra M. Guillebeau)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... SMSgt Guillebeau was walking on the Tyndall AFB beach when she discovered what appeared to be an unexploded ordnance (UXO) device that had apparently washed up on the shore. After reading the partially corroded words "armed position" and...

Ground safety.(AWARD OF DISTINCTION)(SSgt Robert C. Tierney)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... SSgt Tierney was preparing to leave the Precision Guided Munitions (PGM) facility to accomplish a task. As he was walking out the door, TSgt Aurs, the element NCOIC, exited his office and asked SSgt Tierney if he heard a popping sound. It was...

Pilot safety.(AWARD OF DISTINCTION)(Capt Ryan J. Rensberger)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... Capt Rensberger was flying a high-priority night mission, over Bagdad, in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. After completing a night air-to-air refueling, the Master Caution light illuminated and an Engine Lube Low warning appeared on the...

Unit safety.(AWARD OF DISTINCTION)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... Maintenance personnel were loading an aircraft with 27 live M-117 bombs. Nine were loaded in the aircraft, one was on a jammer next to the trailer, and 17 M-117s remained on the trailer when one sheared off the metal stop and landed nose first...

Crew chief safety.(AWARD OF DISTINCTION)
November 1, 2008... As an RC-135 pulled into the chocks after a local training mission, the crew chief, SrA Yuen, noticed smoke originating from the area of the #5 and #6 brakes. He notified the other crew chief, SSgt Ferguson of potentially hot brakes and...

Aircrew safety.(AWARD OF DISTINCTION)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... The crew of BONE 12 took off from a forward operating location in SW Asia and flew an 11-hour Close Air Support combat sortie. After completion of their assigned mission, they returned with all munitions retained and flew an uneventful approach...

Aircrew safety.(AWARD OF DISTINCTION)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... JSTARS Crew 8 consisting of 22 AD and ANG crew-members deployed from the 116 ACW, Robins AFB, Ga., successfully recovered two different aircraft experiencing severe mechanical failures while attempting to complete an OEF combat mission. Shortly...

Ground safety.(AWARD OF DISTINCTION)(TSgt Heather A. Haney)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... TSgt Haney oversaw the installation of 2,800 pieces of Airfield Lighting equipment, totaling $550,000, over 16 million square feet of pavement at Sather Air Base/Baghdad International Airport. This kept the airfield on-track to meet ICAO...

Pilot safety.(AWARD OF DISTINCTION)
November 1, 2008... Capt Yarbrough was flying as Aces 12, number two of a four-ship COMBAT ARCHER sortie at Tyndall AFB, Fla., to employ a live AIM-120 missile against a drone. After setting up the briefed profile and receiving clearance to fire, Capt Yarbrough...

Unit safety.(AWARD OF DISTINCTION)(963rd Airborne Air Control Squadron)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... The 963 AACS Safety office analyzed and prepared squadron leadership a brief on the results of an AFCAST Flight Safety survey with over 65% participation. The AFCAST survey and subsequent discussions with unit members revealed a real concern...

Weapons safety.(AWARD OF DISTINCTION)
November 1, 2008... An F-15E aircraft from the 422 TS diverted to Holloman AFB with a live hung GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bomb. A ground emergency was declared and contingency procedures for a transient aircraft with hung ordnance were placed into effect. TSgt Cruz,...

Crew chief safety.(AWARD OF DISTINCTION)(TSgt Christopher J. McLean)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... TSgt McLean was tow supervisor during a relocation of an F-22A aircraft at Holloman Air Force Base. Prior to aircraft movement, he accomplished the required steps to ensure a safe towing operation. He emphasized each tow team member's role and...

Flight line safety.(AWARD OF DISTINCTION)(MSgt Marc J. Dwyer)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... MSgt Dwyer's superb situational awareness and outstanding leadership ensured a hydraulic mule fire was quickly extinguished. In his role as the Tiger Aircraft Maintenance Unit (AMU) Flight Line Expeditor, he was driving past Hardened Aircraft...

Weapons safety.(AWARD OF THE QUARTER)(Tsgt Chester A. Ward)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... TSgt Ward's aggressive training and testing regimen resulted in zero failures and a wing-wide average score of 97.5% during the NSI. He provided publicity and logistical support to the 2008 Safety Fair, showcasing 2 BW Safety initiatives. He...

Flight safety.(AWARD OF THE QUARTER)(Maj Michael J.Englehardt)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... Maj Englehardt spent countless hours ensuring the safe operations of six assigned flying squadrons, and several combined, joint and tast force squadrons. His efforts towards the wing's BASH program have decreased bird strikes on average of 50%...

Ground safety.(AWARD OF THE QUARTER)(TSgt Tim Holt)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... TSgt Holt spent numerous hours performing 9 basewide seat belt inspections of 1076 individuals. He led the charge to perform annual inspections of 15 base units and provided critical on-the-spot feedback to the commanders' in order for them to...

Mishap statistics scoreboard.
November 1, 2008... Aircraft Notes ACC experienced six Class A flight mishaps in August and September. Two MQ-1s were destroyed in the AOR and one was damaged. Sadly, we lost another of our nation's finest when an F-15D impacted the Nellis Ranges and the...

Fleagle.(Cartoon)
November 1, 2008... NOTHING LIKE MATCHING WITS WITH TH' BEAST OF TH' WILD. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] BUT, AN EXPERIENCED HUNTER LIKE ME HAS NO TROUBLE.... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] WHOA! WHAT'S THIS? [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] STEADY... STAN...