Combat Edge articles from September 2003

Combat Edge archives from September 2003

Are you living with things that are not quite right?(ACCent on Safety)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... As I travel around ACC, I see things on our installations that folks are living with that are not quite right. I see bushes blocking the visibility at intersections, tree limbs obscuring traffic signs, faded key road markings, inoperative...

Taking the risk out of a risky business ... We in the flying business know flying can be dangerous and that it is inherently unforgiving if approached with any disregard or carelessness.(Operational Risk Management)(Cover Story)
September 1, 2003... Isn't your job dangerous?" I'm asked that question very frequently as an Air Force pilot and as a Thunderbird. My answer always points to the fact that we take a seemingly dangerous job and break it down into safe and manageable phases. We, in...

Balancing risk & mission: what level of risk should we accept during training?(ORM)
September 1, 2003... This article first appeared in the August 1985 edition of TAC ATTACK and was authored by Capt Mike "Boa" Straight. Throughout his career, Boa had a strong ability to safely accomplish a mission with great results. What Boa wrote in 1985 still...

Its more than just crew rest: every crew brief covers Operational Risk Management (ORM), but the ORM part all too frequently lacks depth.(ORM)
September 1, 2003... On one particular flight, the entire crew had gotten plenty of sleep, but ORM still played a significant role in averting a mishap over the skies of Macedonia. I was ECMO 1 in an EA-6B during a night-strike mission over southern Kosovo. After...

ACT: daily risk management.
September 1, 2003... ACT is a supplemental tool that may be used for risk assessments in time-critical situations. ACT is most beneficial in less complex off-duty activities, such as driving and recreational events. This process may also be appropriate in the...

Monthly award winners.
September 1, 2003... Aircrew Safety Award of Distinction Lt Col Vanderburgh and Capt Wickering distinguished themselves in their handling of a serious in-flight emergency while flying a B-2 aircraft on a combat sortie. Minutes prior to entering the Area of...

ACC safety salutes superior performance.(Monthly Award Nominees)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Maj Walt C. Allen, Pilot Maj Russell K. Armstrong, Copilot Maj Edward S. Bodony, Navigator SSgt David H. Streeter, Flight Engineer Maj Jan C. Baca, Air Battle Mgr SFC Anthony Campanero, Airborne Target Surveillance...

Car buying safety tips.
September 1, 2003... Can we be absolutely sure we will safely make it to our destination? Do we really know how safe our vehicles are? How many of us actually take the time to research our vehicles' safety record? It is best to do this research before...

Rock climbing ... during 101 critical days of summer.
September 1, 2003... I could see the irony in the headlines flashing before my eyes as I climbed to the top of the rocky monolith to rappel down the other side. WHAT WAS I THINKING!? When Dave asked me to go rock climbing, I said "Yes;" partly because I turned...

Help! I'm stuck on the wing: standing on the top of a ladder, not using spoiler locks, and performing a task alone that is usually performed by two, are obvious serious safety violations.
September 1, 2003... I was dispatched at mid-morning to troubleshoot a hydraulic leak on the left wing. Accompanying me were two traditional guardsmen. We quickly diagnosed the malfunction and determined that both inboard spoiler swivels required replacement. The...

Taking charge of your health & fitness.
September 1, 2003... I am sure you have all heard the expression: "if it's to be, it's up to me." It's a great expression when you apply it to taking charge of your health and fitness. Another good expression is: "You are what you eat." Eight years ago I made a...

Thunk!(Fleagle)
September 1, 2003... GET TH'LEAD OUT!! YOU GUYS AIN'T NEVER GONNA GIT DONE!! [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] MOVE OVER. LET ME CHECK IT. BUT FLEAGLE WE AIN'T... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] I WUZ HANGING THESE SUCKERS WHEN YOU WUZ IN KINDERGARTEN. ...

The ACC lost squadron.
September 1, 2003... Ground mishaps--off Duty Deaths Fatals rest of year Fatals 101 Critical Days of Summer 93 42 26 94 50 28 95 55...

Mishap statistics scoreboard.(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... [TABLE OMITTED] [TABLE OMITTED] [TABLE OMITTED] Aircraft Notes After an "eventful" month of June with three Safety Investigation Boards in the AOR and one stateside, the Class A mishap-free month of July was a welcomed change...