Combat Edge articles from September 2007

Combat Edge archives from September 2007

Accent on safety: thoughts on Wingmen.
September 1, 2007... I've had the opportunity to discuss safety issues and mishap prevention all across ACC. From first term Airmen to Senior ACC leadership, they all seem to add a new perspective for being a Wingman. I want to share two of these conversations...

A legacy of Wingmanship.
September 1, 2007... One of the greatest legacies we can carry forward is our Wingman culture... continuing the traditions of caring for our own and leaving no Airman behind. Although these concepts are not new to our Air Force, we've worked hard over the past few...

Wingmanship--culture built on core values, but needs your action.
September 1, 2007... Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence in all we do... all characteristics that define a good Wingman. These words should define all of us 24/7/365. Our success as an Air Force depends on Airmen taking care of Airmen and...

What makes a Wingman?
September 1, 2007... The single greatest characteristic of Americans is their willingness to accept a challenge. That statement in and of itself could venture down many paths, but take a moment to consider how often you've personally challenged yourself. Have...

We don't need safety, we're deployed!
September 1, 2007... "We are deployed, safety rules don't apply here!" Believe it or not, this is a common phrase most often heard at deployed locations. Nothing could be further from the truth and following safety rules and procedures are, more often than not,...

Good Wingman = good friend.
September 1, 2007... Safety is an evolving science. We in the safety profession are always trying to figure out how to preserve lives and assets while still maintaining mission effectiveness. Obviously, our ultimate goal is ZERO lost lives or ZERO bent airplanes,...

I lived and learned.(personal experiences on motorcycle riding)(Reprint)
September 1, 2007... This article, reprinted from May 2006, highlights some of the challenges facing motorcycle riders (though it also applies to car/truck drivers). In this story we have a group of Airmen meeting for a ride in the country. This happens all the...

Wingmanship.
September 1, 2007... We are bombarded daily with reports of coalition troop casualties around the globe as they turn their commanders' intent into measurable actions on the battlefield. Every Soldier, Sailor, Airman, Marine, and Coastguardsman injured or killed in...

First sergeant recalls how Airman's choices led to death.
September 1, 2007... It was a beautiful day and it seemed like a great idea to start the long weekend with a family breakfast at a restaurant. As my family and I waited on our order, like many mornings before, my phone rang. When I answered the call I recognized...

Saving lives with lockout/tagout: the life you save could be your own!
September 1, 2007... The federal lockout/tagout standard published by OSHA in 1989 was designed to prevent injuries and deaths caused by accidental start-up of equipment during maintenance or servicing. The standard includes specific practices and procedures to...

Crew Chief Safety Award of Distinction.(MONTHLY AWARD WINNERS -- JUNE)(Jeffrey J. Jacobson)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... Aircraft 82-980 was the last F-16 aircraft of the 119 FW to be transferred to the Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Center, Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz. Knowing the day prior the Accessory Drive Gearbox (ADG) was swapped out, and working in...

Unit Safety Award of Distinction.(MONTHLY AWARD WINNERS -- JUNE)(Vehicle Management Flight)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... MB-4 tow tractors at Minot Air Force Base were experiencing widespread brake line deterioration. Vehicle maintainers at Minot determined that a plastic air line, chaffing against the steel brake lines, was the most common cause of brake line...

Aircrew Safety Award of Distinction.(MONTHLY AWARD WINNERS -- JUNE)(Whistler 50 crew)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... Shortly after nightfall, and approximately 11 hours into a combat mission near hostile territory, the crew of WHISTLER 50 noticed a TACAN fault light on the copilot's side. Almost immediately the Communications Technician (CT) smelled fumes in...

Pilot Safety Award of Distinction.(MONTHLY AWARD WINNERS -- JUNE)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... While executing a combat reconnaissance mission in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, Major VanPelt experienced a catastrophic structural failure of his U-2S aircraft shortly after takeoff. The event caused the pressurized hatch of the...

Flight Line Safety Award of Distinction.(MONTHLY AWARD WINNERS -- JUNE)
September 1, 2007... The CF6-50 jet engine has a known failure mode where the 14th stage outlet guide vanes are liberating and causing internal engine damage. This failure mode has led to several extensive and costly engine repairs recently, within the E-4B fleet,...

Weapons Safety Award of Distinction.(MONTHLY AWARD WINNERS -- JUNE)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... TSgt Lyons and SSgt Hernandez were instrumental during two DULL SWORD investigations of MB-4 tow vehicle pintle hook breakages. Their actions played a key role in an Air Force Safety Center (AFSC) pintle hook stress test conducted at Barksdale...

ACC Safety salutes superior performance.(Air Combat Command)(List)
September 1, 2007... EIGHTH AIR FORCE TSgt Matthew Gishop SrA Aaron Brown 552nd Aircraft Maint. Squadron 552nd Air Control Wing Tinker AFB, Okla. Maj Jason A. Vitas 99th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron 9th...

Flight Line Safety Award of Distinction.(MONTHLY AWARD WINNERS -- JULY)
September 1, 2007... A1C Crewell found that airfield signage had become structurally unsound, prompting him to remove the signs and repair each of the 14 signs, on site. This not only saved the wing and Civil Engineering valuable time and manpower, but also...

Ground Safety Award of Distinction.(MONTHLY AWARD WINNERS -- JULY)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... TSgt Gaylord closely collaborated with 15th Operational Weather Squadron personnel at Scott AFB to issue a severe thunderstorm warning for hail greater than or equal to 1/2-inch at Minot AFB. The warning was issued with a 56-minute advance...

Pilot Safety Award of Distinction.(MONTHLY AWARD WINNERS -- JULY)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... Shortly after takeoff, Capt Miller experienced an "engine afterburner fail" indication accompanied by less than normal thrust. Capt Miller began an immediate climb and coordinated to use the airspace above the airfield to further analyze the...

Crew Chief Safety Award of Distinction.(MONTHLY AWARD WINNERS -- JULY)
September 1, 2007... During the very early morning hours, SrA Robert Ballard applied power to aircraft 75-0558 so he could complete the final steps before the aircrew arrived at the aircraft. Approximately 10 minutes after applying external power, SrA Ballard...

Aircrew Safety Award of Distinction.(MONTHLY AWARD WINNERS -- JULY)
September 1, 2007... The crew of Sparta 51, an EC-130H, observed a #1 engine hydraulic pump pressure warning light. Moments later, the aircraft yawed violently towards the #1 engine. The #1 engine torque, RPM and fuel flow fluxed rapidly and the #1 engine oil...

Unit Safety Award of Distinction.(MONTHLY AWARD WINNERS -- JULY)(Fuels Facilities Section, 9th Logistics Readiness Squadron, 9th Reconnaissance Wing, United States Air Force)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... While preparing to offload approximately 75,000 gallons of special-use Jet Propellant Thermally Stable fuel from three railroad tank cars, Fuels Specialists discovered that one of the rail car's bottom loading valves was improperly sealed in...

Four dimensions of human wellness.(Brief article)(List)
September 1, 2007... Four Dimensions of Human Wellness: 1. physical 2. emotional 3. social 4. spiritual Do you Notice? * Unusual or sudden changes in behavior * Loss of meaning, purpose * Reduced sense of belonging, self-worth,...

Mishap statistics scoreboard.
September 1, 2007... Aircraft Notes ACC and ACC-gained units experienced several Class A mishaps since 1 Jun. An F-15 collided with an F-16C during Red Flag exercises. The F-15 pilot ejected safely and the F-16C recovered. An F-16C was destroyed and pilot...

Fleagle.(Cartoon)
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