Flightlines

Just a couple thousand miles to go

July 13th, 2011 | Flightlines | Posted by Markeshia Ricks

Security Forces airmen from bases across the country know they have many miles to go before they sleep.

That’s because they’re participating in this year’s “Ruck March to Remember” as part of a commemoration of the lost lives of security force members in Iraq and Afghanistan.  Since 9/11, ten security forces Airmen have been killed and more than 100 have been wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan combat operations.

Marking 10 years since the terrorists attacks on U.S. soil, the march will culminate Sept. 11 at Ground Zero.

Members of the Joint Base San Antonio security forces community began the kickoff leg of a 2,181-mile ruck march here July 12, according to a press release from the base. About 20 security forces members from Joint Base San Antonio units originally agreed to participate in the march, but more airmen have signed on to participate in the march.

Each  team member has volunteered off-duty time to participate and any expenses have been paid for by the airmen, according to the press release.  Team San Antonio airmen are expect to arrive in  La Grange, Texas, which is about 148 miles from San Antonio, on July 16 . Airmen from Barksdale Air Force Base, La. will take up the journey from there.

Each airman will be carrying 50-lb. ruck sacks and marching in temperatures that are expected to be near 100 degrees with high humidity.

In addition to Joint Base San Antonio and Barksdale AFB, other participating bases in the 148-mile legs include Keesler AFB, Miss.; Columbus AFB, Miss.; Eglin AFB, Fla.; Tyndall AFB, Fla.; Moody AFB, Ga.; Robins AFB, Ga.; Pope AFB, N.C.; Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C.; Langley AFB, Va.; Andrews AFB, Md.; Dover AFB, Del.; Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J.; and the New York Air National Guard.

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Pilot-error, bad policies cited in T-38C Talon crash

June 16th, 2011 | Flightlines | Posted by Markeshia Ricks

An investigation has found that pilot-error caused a T-38C Talon to crash  at Ellington Field, Texas on Feb. 14.
Capt. David M. Cook,  a pilot with the 14th Flying Training Wing at Columbus Air Force Base, Miss., was flying the air craft when  he apparently mistook the landing runway, lost altitude too quickly and allowed his airspeed to fall below a safe level,  according to a press release from the Air Force.  His fatigue also was cited as part of the reason for the crash.
The crash occurred while Cook was flying during the fourth sortie of the day as a night solo continuations-training sortie into Ellington Field, near Houston, on a squadron cross-country mission, according to the Air Force.

Cook’s error resulted catastrophic damage to the T-38′s landing gear and right wing.

Damage to the T-38 was assessed at $2.1 million. The impact also caused minor damage to the runway, but no damage to private property.
The investigation also cited inadequate operational risk management of the cross-country weekend plan and a culture of risk tolerance in the squadron. 

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