920th Rescue Wing Public Affairs
12/4/2013 - CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, Fla. -- Space
Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) successfully launched its first
commercial Falcon 9 rocket into orbit at 5:41 p.m. Eastern Time Dec.
4, as Airmen and HH-60G Pave Hawks from the 920th Rescue Wing safeguarded the hazard zone.
This mission was the first commercial flight from the Cape Canaveral Air
Force Station in over four years. The launch also marks the second of
three certification flights needed to certify the Falcon 9 to fly
missions for the U.S. Air Force under the Evolved Expendable Launch
Vehicle program, according to SpaceX.
Hours before the launch, two rescue helicopters took off from Patrick
AFB in Cocoa Beach on its mission in support of Cape Canaveral Air Force
Station. The 920th patrols the hazard or "safe" zone surrounding the
launch pad to ensure boaters are a safe distance from potentially
falling rocket debris.
Approximately 185 seconds into flight, Falcon 9's second stage's single
Merlin vacuum engine ignited to begin a five minute, 20 second burn that
delivered the SES-8 satellite into its parking orbit. Eighteen minutes
after injection into the parking orbit, the second stage engine relit
for just over one minute to carry the SES-8 satellite to its final
geostationary transfer orbit, according to SpaceX.
When Falcon 9 is certified, SpaceX will be eligible to compete for all National Security Space missions.
The 920th RQW performs combat search and rescue as its primary mission,
which includes rescuing downed pilots. Additionally the 920th RQW is
responsible for civil search and rescue, humanitarian relief and support
of rocket launches. To date, the unit has saved more than 3,000 lives,
both in peacetime and combat.
To date Air Force rescue forces from around the globe have saved more
than 12,200 U.S., allied and host nation forces in conflicts worldwide
since Sept. 11, 2001, and have rescued more than 5,000 people during
catastrophic natural disasters and other responses.
Friday, December 6, 2013
ATLAS V LAUNCHED FROM VANDENBERG
Release Number: 011213
12/6/2013 - VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying a National Reconnaissance Office payload launched by Team Vandenberg from Space Launch Complex-3 here Thursday at 11:14:30 PST.
Col. Keith Balts, 30th Space Wing commander, was the launch decision authority.
"This was our eleventh launch for 2013 and I couldn't be more proud of this team of professionals," said Balts. "This new capability represents our commitment to enhanced competitive launch services in support of national defense."
12/6/2013 - VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying a National Reconnaissance Office payload launched by Team Vandenberg from Space Launch Complex-3 here Thursday at 11:14:30 PST.
Col. Keith Balts, 30th Space Wing commander, was the launch decision authority.
"This was our eleventh launch for 2013 and I couldn't be more proud of this team of professionals," said Balts. "This new capability represents our commitment to enhanced competitive launch services in support of national defense."
Thursday, December 5, 2013
45th Space Wing supports Space X Communications Satellite
45th Space Wing Public Affairs
12/5/2013 - CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, Fla. -- The 45th Space Wing provided flawless Eastern Range support as Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) completed a successful launch of the SES-8 communications satellite from Launch Complex 40 here at 5:41 p.m. Dec. 3.
Airmen, Air Force civilians and contractors from throughout the 45th Space Wing provided vital support, including weather forecasts, launch and range operations, security, safety, medical and public affairs. The wing also provided its vast network of radar, telemetry, optical and communications instrumentation to facilitate a safe launch on the Eastern Range.
Launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, the payload flew on the Falcon 9 v1.1 configuration with upgraded Merlin 1D engines, stretched fuel tanks, and a payload fairing.
The launch of SES-8, which will be released in a super synchronous transfer orbit stretching above its 22,300-mile-high operating post, requires two burns of the Falcon 9 second stage. The first firing will place SES-8 in a low-altitude parking orbit, then the second burn is designed to inject the 7,055-pound craft in an oval-shaped orbit.
SES-8 will maneuver itself into a circular orbit 22,300 miles over the equator, sliding into position in the geostationary arc at 95 degrees east longitude.
The satellite features up to 33 Ku-band transponders (36 MHz equivalent). SES-8 will be co-located with NSS-6 at the orbital location of 95 degrees east to provide growth capacity over Asia-Pacific. The spacecraft's high performance beams will support the rapidly growing markets in South Asia and Indo-China, as well as provide expansion capacity for DTH, VSAT and government applications.
"For the second time in a little more than two weeks, the 45th Space Wing and our mission partners have worked together to ensure another successful launch here on the Eastern Range," said Brig. Gen. Nina Armagno, commander, 45th Space Wing, who also served as the Launch Decision Authority for this mission. "It's gratifying to see a varied, high-performing team like this come together time and time-again. We are truly grateful for the outstanding space team we have here on the Space Coast," she said.
12/5/2013 - CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, Fla. -- The 45th Space Wing provided flawless Eastern Range support as Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) completed a successful launch of the SES-8 communications satellite from Launch Complex 40 here at 5:41 p.m. Dec. 3.
Airmen, Air Force civilians and contractors from throughout the 45th Space Wing provided vital support, including weather forecasts, launch and range operations, security, safety, medical and public affairs. The wing also provided its vast network of radar, telemetry, optical and communications instrumentation to facilitate a safe launch on the Eastern Range.
Launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, the payload flew on the Falcon 9 v1.1 configuration with upgraded Merlin 1D engines, stretched fuel tanks, and a payload fairing.
The launch of SES-8, which will be released in a super synchronous transfer orbit stretching above its 22,300-mile-high operating post, requires two burns of the Falcon 9 second stage. The first firing will place SES-8 in a low-altitude parking orbit, then the second burn is designed to inject the 7,055-pound craft in an oval-shaped orbit.
SES-8 will maneuver itself into a circular orbit 22,300 miles over the equator, sliding into position in the geostationary arc at 95 degrees east longitude.
The satellite features up to 33 Ku-band transponders (36 MHz equivalent). SES-8 will be co-located with NSS-6 at the orbital location of 95 degrees east to provide growth capacity over Asia-Pacific. The spacecraft's high performance beams will support the rapidly growing markets in South Asia and Indo-China, as well as provide expansion capacity for DTH, VSAT and government applications.
"For the second time in a little more than two weeks, the 45th Space Wing and our mission partners have worked together to ensure another successful launch here on the Eastern Range," said Brig. Gen. Nina Armagno, commander, 45th Space Wing, who also served as the Launch Decision Authority for this mission. "It's gratifying to see a varied, high-performing team like this come together time and time-again. We are truly grateful for the outstanding space team we have here on the Space Coast," she said.
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
Protect your child, one click or text at a time
by Airman 1st Class Brittain Crolley
4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
12/4/2013 - SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- With advances in technology over the past decade, social media and other forms of electronic communication have skyrocketed, allowing people from all corners of the world to connect instantaneously. It may seem safe and harmless, but do you know who your children are talking to?
According to information from the Wayne County Sheriff's Office, half of all teenagers log on to a social media site more than once a day and more than 75 percent own a cell phone. Although technology has made communication easier, these means of faceless interactions have also made children easier targets for sexual predators and cyber harassers.
To help combat these virtual threats, representatives from the sheriff's department and district attorney's office held a seminar here to promote awareness of the possible dangers and exploitation opportunities facing today's youth, Nov. 21, 2013.
"Social media is not going anywhere," said Wayne County assistant district attorney Terry Light. "Every day brings in a wave of new threats. We have to make sure we address these threats in order to prevent them."
During the seminar, Light and police Lt. Thomas Flores discussed the negative impacts of online networking, including sexting, cyber bullying and exposure to inappropriate content.
Sexting is defined as the act of sending sexually explicit messages, semi-nude or nude photos using cellular messaging features. According to Flores, more than 20 percent of teens have sent a nude photo of themselves electronically. The teen trend can have many repercussions that most people aren't aware of.
"There is a lot of stuff out there that I didn't even know about," said Airman 1st Class Lauren Dennis, 4th Medical Operations Squadron childcare provider. "It's leading to depression and suicide and it's terrible."
There is also a legal issue for possessing and distributing these images if the subject of the photo is a minor. According to federal law, persons convicted of child pornography or exploitation can be sentenced to a maximum of 20 years in prison and required to register as a sex offender.
"Once the picture is out there, it's out there forever," Flores described. "There's no getting it back. You may trust the person you're sending it to, but you never know what they're going to do with it in the future."
Flores said more than 15 percent of males distribute explicit images of their girlfriends when they break up.
In some extreme cases, images have been sent school-wide, to family members of the victim and virally across the internet. According to the guest speakers, this can lead to a different virtual phenomenon - cyber bullying.
According to Light, cyber bullying can range anywhere from sending harassing or threatening comments to photoshopping pictures to spreading rumors across virtual mediums. As opposed to face-to-face tormenting, cyber bullying has the tendency to spread faster and reach wider audiences.
"It's a real threat facing our youth today," Light explained. "We, as parents, have to talk to our children to make sure they know the risks and consequences of social media and internet use as a whole. Awareness is the most important thing."
Awareness was the keystone of the seminar, hoping to educate parents about the dangers that await unsuspecting victims in cyberspace.
"I thought the seminar was vital for our children, who sometimes don't realize the long-range impact to themselves and others, but also for the parents raising those children," said Kirsten Pettus, wife of Col. Lamar Pettus, 4th Fighter Wing vice commander and mother of two. "We have to do all we can to protect our children in this high-speed environment we live in today."
For more information about the seminar or to find one in your local area, visit www.netsmartz.org.
4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
12/4/2013 - SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- With advances in technology over the past decade, social media and other forms of electronic communication have skyrocketed, allowing people from all corners of the world to connect instantaneously. It may seem safe and harmless, but do you know who your children are talking to?
According to information from the Wayne County Sheriff's Office, half of all teenagers log on to a social media site more than once a day and more than 75 percent own a cell phone. Although technology has made communication easier, these means of faceless interactions have also made children easier targets for sexual predators and cyber harassers.
To help combat these virtual threats, representatives from the sheriff's department and district attorney's office held a seminar here to promote awareness of the possible dangers and exploitation opportunities facing today's youth, Nov. 21, 2013.
"Social media is not going anywhere," said Wayne County assistant district attorney Terry Light. "Every day brings in a wave of new threats. We have to make sure we address these threats in order to prevent them."
During the seminar, Light and police Lt. Thomas Flores discussed the negative impacts of online networking, including sexting, cyber bullying and exposure to inappropriate content.
Sexting is defined as the act of sending sexually explicit messages, semi-nude or nude photos using cellular messaging features. According to Flores, more than 20 percent of teens have sent a nude photo of themselves electronically. The teen trend can have many repercussions that most people aren't aware of.
"There is a lot of stuff out there that I didn't even know about," said Airman 1st Class Lauren Dennis, 4th Medical Operations Squadron childcare provider. "It's leading to depression and suicide and it's terrible."
There is also a legal issue for possessing and distributing these images if the subject of the photo is a minor. According to federal law, persons convicted of child pornography or exploitation can be sentenced to a maximum of 20 years in prison and required to register as a sex offender.
"Once the picture is out there, it's out there forever," Flores described. "There's no getting it back. You may trust the person you're sending it to, but you never know what they're going to do with it in the future."
Flores said more than 15 percent of males distribute explicit images of their girlfriends when they break up.
In some extreme cases, images have been sent school-wide, to family members of the victim and virally across the internet. According to the guest speakers, this can lead to a different virtual phenomenon - cyber bullying.
According to Light, cyber bullying can range anywhere from sending harassing or threatening comments to photoshopping pictures to spreading rumors across virtual mediums. As opposed to face-to-face tormenting, cyber bullying has the tendency to spread faster and reach wider audiences.
"It's a real threat facing our youth today," Light explained. "We, as parents, have to talk to our children to make sure they know the risks and consequences of social media and internet use as a whole. Awareness is the most important thing."
Awareness was the keystone of the seminar, hoping to educate parents about the dangers that await unsuspecting victims in cyberspace.
"I thought the seminar was vital for our children, who sometimes don't realize the long-range impact to themselves and others, but also for the parents raising those children," said Kirsten Pettus, wife of Col. Lamar Pettus, 4th Fighter Wing vice commander and mother of two. "We have to do all we can to protect our children in this high-speed environment we live in today."
For more information about the seminar or to find one in your local area, visit www.netsmartz.org.
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
GPS satellite approaching 23 years on orbit
by Scott Prater
Schriever Sentinel
11/26/2013 - SCHRIEVER AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- As members of the 2nd Space Operations Squadron recognize and celebrate Global Positioning System Satellite Vehicle Number-23's 23rd birthday Nov. 26, they'll do so with fond memories of the satellite's service to military and civilian users throughout the world.
Launched on Nov. 26, 1990, SVN-23 gave military and civilian users another tool for determining position, navigation and timing, but during its 20-plus-year life, it also represented the GPS team 2 SOPS' ingenuity, innovation and problem-solving abilities.
One of the first GPS Block IIA vehicles to reach orbit, SVN-23 represented the latest GPS technology and introduced new sensors and longer lasting data processing memory.
Ted Mogey worked in the squadron as a contractor engineer and Mark Drake served as a satellite vehicle operator. Mogey and Drake powered up SVN-23's payload for the first time in 1990 and still support the vehicle today.
This is more than another birthday. Boeing engineers designed SVN-23 to perform its duties for more than 7 years. In operation for more than three times its expected life, SVN-23 still orbits Earth twice every day, providing position, navigation and timing to approximately 3 billion users worldwide.
Its longevity of service has had its share of challenges.
On Dec. 23, 1993, 2 SOPs operators noticed something amiss. Analysts and engineers in the squadron eventually determined that one of the vehicle's solar-array wings had suffered an electronics malfunction, so manual positioning [or slewing] of its arrays ensued for many years.
"Remarkably, the 2 SOPS/2nd Space Control Squadron team kept finding ways to keep the satellite operating," said Lt. Col. Matthew Brandt, 2 SOPS director of operations. "By the end of 2001, they determined the arrays had degraded to the point that SVN-23 could no longer be operated under a slewing regime."
The vehicle was transferred to the 1st Space Operations Squadron for anomaly and disposal operations. Engineers put its solar arrays into dormant mode and turned off the satellite's payload.
During the next few years, however, 2 SOPS team members figured out a way to solve the problem. They recalled the satellite from 1 SOPS and powered the payload back up in June 2007.
It has been providing GPS signals ever since. In fact, it features the most accurate time keeping of any GPS IIA vehicle on orbit.
"We've reached a point in space operations, much like in the flying community, that our satellites are sometimes older than their operators," said Lt. Col. Thomas Ste. Marie, 2 SOPS commander. "I was a member of 2 SOPS as a second lieutenant when this satellite flew past its design life in 1998. It's simply amazing that a vehicle designed to last seven and half years has made it to its 23rd birthday. It is a credit to the operators, analysts, maintainers and engineers on both the government and contractor sides who all worked to diligently to preserve its mission capabilities."
Schriever Sentinel
11/26/2013 - SCHRIEVER AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- As members of the 2nd Space Operations Squadron recognize and celebrate Global Positioning System Satellite Vehicle Number-23's 23rd birthday Nov. 26, they'll do so with fond memories of the satellite's service to military and civilian users throughout the world.
Launched on Nov. 26, 1990, SVN-23 gave military and civilian users another tool for determining position, navigation and timing, but during its 20-plus-year life, it also represented the GPS team 2 SOPS' ingenuity, innovation and problem-solving abilities.
One of the first GPS Block IIA vehicles to reach orbit, SVN-23 represented the latest GPS technology and introduced new sensors and longer lasting data processing memory.
Ted Mogey worked in the squadron as a contractor engineer and Mark Drake served as a satellite vehicle operator. Mogey and Drake powered up SVN-23's payload for the first time in 1990 and still support the vehicle today.
This is more than another birthday. Boeing engineers designed SVN-23 to perform its duties for more than 7 years. In operation for more than three times its expected life, SVN-23 still orbits Earth twice every day, providing position, navigation and timing to approximately 3 billion users worldwide.
Its longevity of service has had its share of challenges.
On Dec. 23, 1993, 2 SOPs operators noticed something amiss. Analysts and engineers in the squadron eventually determined that one of the vehicle's solar-array wings had suffered an electronics malfunction, so manual positioning [or slewing] of its arrays ensued for many years.
"Remarkably, the 2 SOPS/2nd Space Control Squadron team kept finding ways to keep the satellite operating," said Lt. Col. Matthew Brandt, 2 SOPS director of operations. "By the end of 2001, they determined the arrays had degraded to the point that SVN-23 could no longer be operated under a slewing regime."
The vehicle was transferred to the 1st Space Operations Squadron for anomaly and disposal operations. Engineers put its solar arrays into dormant mode and turned off the satellite's payload.
During the next few years, however, 2 SOPS team members figured out a way to solve the problem. They recalled the satellite from 1 SOPS and powered the payload back up in June 2007.
It has been providing GPS signals ever since. In fact, it features the most accurate time keeping of any GPS IIA vehicle on orbit.
"We've reached a point in space operations, much like in the flying community, that our satellites are sometimes older than their operators," said Lt. Col. Thomas Ste. Marie, 2 SOPS commander. "I was a member of 2 SOPS as a second lieutenant when this satellite flew past its design life in 1998. It's simply amazing that a vehicle designed to last seven and half years has made it to its 23rd birthday. It is a credit to the operators, analysts, maintainers and engineers on both the government and contractor sides who all worked to diligently to preserve its mission capabilities."
Monday, December 2, 2013
Team Dover delivers out of this world NASA equipment
by By Tech. Sgt. Jeremy Larlee
436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
11/27/2013 - DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. -- Even with all the advancements mankind has made, storms like Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Sandy have proven just how vulnerable we can be to the wrath of Mother Nature. Advanced and accurate information about the path of these storms can be the difference between life and death.
Unfortunately, the information available to meteorologists to track storms in North America has been limited. NASA has been working to combat this problem by creating the Global Precipitation Measurement Satellite. A major hurdle in the process was transporting the 57,000 pound satellite and its container from the United States to where it will be launched from in Japan.
That was just the job for a Team Dover C-5M Super Galaxy and a motivated aircrew from the 512th Airlift Wing, who delivered the state of the art satellite Nov. 24, 2013, to Kitakyushu Airport in Japan.
Jean Manall, NASA project support transportation manager, said it was no easy task but the Air Force Reserve Airmen performed admirably.
"Everything was great, I don't have a bad thing to say about the great work these professionals did to make this mission happen," she said. "Every last one of them down to the newest Airman are highly capable."
Manall is no stranger to the Air Force having served 25 years herself and retiring as a chief master sergeant. She said she enjoys the opportunity to work with the Air Force and was glad that leadership accepted the mission.
The crew was composed of pilots, flight engineers and loadmasters from the 709th Airlift Squadron and crew chiefs from the 512th Maintenance Group.
Master Sgt. Jeremy Lee, 709th AS loadmaster, was a member on two previous test loads to ensure the C-5M was up to the task.
"The weight combined with the size was going to present some challenges," said the Cuba, N.Y., native. "My biggest concern was the top clearance. At some points during the load there would be only be about an inch of clearance. We had to take it slow to ensure we didn't damage the equipment or the aircraft."
With 5,600 flight hours as a loadmaster, Lee's experience was vital to the loading of the satellite Nov. 20, 2013, at Joint Base Andrews, Md. The delicate operation took 8 hours as the satellite was winched inch-by-inch slowly into the aircraft.
Loadmasters worked hand-in-hand with NASA engineers during the load. Even though the two groups used different terminology, it didn't take long for them to get on the same sheet of music, said Lee. Once the satellite was in place in the cargo compartment, great attention was paid to ensuring it was properly secured.
Lee said if the satellite would have broken loose it would have been a catastrophic event for the aircraft and the aircrew.
This called for a steady hand at the controls during flight said Capt. Todd Mullen, 709th AS pilot and the aircraft commander for the mission.
"The delicacy of the cargo required stable flying and very smooth landings," he said. "It was definitely one of the more unique missions I have ever been a part of."
The Global Precipitation Measurement, or GPM, mission is an international network of satellites that provide the next-generation global observations of rain and snow. Building upon the success of the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission, the GPM concept centers on the deployment of a core satellite carrying an advanced radar/radiometer system to measure precipitation from space and serve as a reference standard to unify precipitation measurements from a constellation of research and operational satellites. Through improved measurements of precipitation globally, the mission will help to advance our understanding of Earth's water and energy cycle and improve forecasting of extreme events that cause natural hazards and disasters.
In addition to being heavy and large, the satellite also required the aircraft to be powered at all times, because the cargo compartment had to be climate controlled.
After being diverted to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, the flying crew chiefs were required to stay with the aircraft for 12-hour shifts to keep the aircraft powered while the mission was delayed two days due to weather.
Senior Airman Kristy Foley, 512th MXG crew chief, said the extra hours were hard but worth it in the end.
"I just have the mindset of doing whatever needs to be done to complete the mission," said the native of West Grove, Pa. "This was an interesting mission for everyone involved because of the extra communication needed with the NASA personnel and the extra hours everybody put in."
It was the first ever mission for Senior Airman Travis Shea,709th Airlift Squadron loadmaster student. He said it was a great way to start off his career as a loadmaster.
"It was a great learning opportunity and just an awesome experience," said the native of Aiea, Hawaii. "That was interesting to watch, but I was more interested in watching the loadmasters and learning as much as I could. It just reinforced to me that I picked the right unit to join."
Lee said the one variable that worried him was the flightline in Japan and he was relieved when there were no issues unloading the satellite.
"I was probably happier than the NASA people when we safely unloaded," he said. "I am really proud of our team and I think we worked well together and overcame a lot of obstacles."
The satellite is scheduled to be launched in late February.
436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
11/27/2013 - DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. -- Even with all the advancements mankind has made, storms like Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Sandy have proven just how vulnerable we can be to the wrath of Mother Nature. Advanced and accurate information about the path of these storms can be the difference between life and death.
Unfortunately, the information available to meteorologists to track storms in North America has been limited. NASA has been working to combat this problem by creating the Global Precipitation Measurement Satellite. A major hurdle in the process was transporting the 57,000 pound satellite and its container from the United States to where it will be launched from in Japan.
That was just the job for a Team Dover C-5M Super Galaxy and a motivated aircrew from the 512th Airlift Wing, who delivered the state of the art satellite Nov. 24, 2013, to Kitakyushu Airport in Japan.
Jean Manall, NASA project support transportation manager, said it was no easy task but the Air Force Reserve Airmen performed admirably.
"Everything was great, I don't have a bad thing to say about the great work these professionals did to make this mission happen," she said. "Every last one of them down to the newest Airman are highly capable."
Manall is no stranger to the Air Force having served 25 years herself and retiring as a chief master sergeant. She said she enjoys the opportunity to work with the Air Force and was glad that leadership accepted the mission.
The crew was composed of pilots, flight engineers and loadmasters from the 709th Airlift Squadron and crew chiefs from the 512th Maintenance Group.
Master Sgt. Jeremy Lee, 709th AS loadmaster, was a member on two previous test loads to ensure the C-5M was up to the task.
"The weight combined with the size was going to present some challenges," said the Cuba, N.Y., native. "My biggest concern was the top clearance. At some points during the load there would be only be about an inch of clearance. We had to take it slow to ensure we didn't damage the equipment or the aircraft."
With 5,600 flight hours as a loadmaster, Lee's experience was vital to the loading of the satellite Nov. 20, 2013, at Joint Base Andrews, Md. The delicate operation took 8 hours as the satellite was winched inch-by-inch slowly into the aircraft.
Loadmasters worked hand-in-hand with NASA engineers during the load. Even though the two groups used different terminology, it didn't take long for them to get on the same sheet of music, said Lee. Once the satellite was in place in the cargo compartment, great attention was paid to ensuring it was properly secured.
Lee said if the satellite would have broken loose it would have been a catastrophic event for the aircraft and the aircrew.
This called for a steady hand at the controls during flight said Capt. Todd Mullen, 709th AS pilot and the aircraft commander for the mission.
"The delicacy of the cargo required stable flying and very smooth landings," he said. "It was definitely one of the more unique missions I have ever been a part of."
The Global Precipitation Measurement, or GPM, mission is an international network of satellites that provide the next-generation global observations of rain and snow. Building upon the success of the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission, the GPM concept centers on the deployment of a core satellite carrying an advanced radar/radiometer system to measure precipitation from space and serve as a reference standard to unify precipitation measurements from a constellation of research and operational satellites. Through improved measurements of precipitation globally, the mission will help to advance our understanding of Earth's water and energy cycle and improve forecasting of extreme events that cause natural hazards and disasters.
In addition to being heavy and large, the satellite also required the aircraft to be powered at all times, because the cargo compartment had to be climate controlled.
After being diverted to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, the flying crew chiefs were required to stay with the aircraft for 12-hour shifts to keep the aircraft powered while the mission was delayed two days due to weather.
Senior Airman Kristy Foley, 512th MXG crew chief, said the extra hours were hard but worth it in the end.
"I just have the mindset of doing whatever needs to be done to complete the mission," said the native of West Grove, Pa. "This was an interesting mission for everyone involved because of the extra communication needed with the NASA personnel and the extra hours everybody put in."
It was the first ever mission for Senior Airman Travis Shea,709th Airlift Squadron loadmaster student. He said it was a great way to start off his career as a loadmaster.
"It was a great learning opportunity and just an awesome experience," said the native of Aiea, Hawaii. "That was interesting to watch, but I was more interested in watching the loadmasters and learning as much as I could. It just reinforced to me that I picked the right unit to join."
Lee said the one variable that worried him was the flightline in Japan and he was relieved when there were no issues unloading the satellite.
"I was probably happier than the NASA people when we safely unloaded," he said. "I am really proud of our team and I think we worked well together and overcame a lot of obstacles."
The satellite is scheduled to be launched in late February.
Team Dover delivers next generation weather satellite
by By Tech. Sgt. Jeremy Larlee
436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
11/27/2013 - Dover Air Force Base, Del. -- A new satellite that will help meteorologists track storms in North America got a step closer to orbit when a Team Dover C-5M Super Galaxy aircrew from the 512th Airlift Wing delivered it to Kitakyushu Airport, Japan, Nov. 24 .
Jean Manall, NASA project support transportation manager, said it was no easy task but the Air Force Reserve Airmen performed admirably in transporting the 57,000 pound Global Precipitation Measurement Satellite and its container.
The crew was composed of pilots, flight engineers and loadmasters from the 709th Airlift Squadron and crew chiefs from the 512th Maintenance Group.
Air Force Reserve Master Sergeant Jeremy Lee, 709th AS loadmaster, was a member on two previous test loads to ensure the C-5M was up to the task.
"The weight combined with the size was going to present some challenges," said the Cuba, N.Y., native. "My biggest concern was the top clearance. At some points during the load there would be only be about an inch of clearance. We had to take it slow to ensure we didn't damage the equipment or the aircraft."
With 5,600 flight hours as a loadmaster, Lee's experience was vital to the loading of the satellite at Joint Base Andrews, Md. The delicate operation took eight hours as the satellite was winched inch-by-inch slowly into the aircraft.
Loadmasters worked hand-in-hand with NASA engineers during the load. Even though the two groups used different terminology, it didn't take long for them to get on the same sheet of music, said Lee. Once the satellite was in place in the cargo compartment, great attention was paid to ensuring it was properly secured.
Lee said if the satellite would have broken loose it would have been a catastrophic event for the aircraft and the aircrew.
This called for a steady hand at the controls during flight, said Capt. Todd Mullen, 709th AS pilot and mission commander.
"The delicacy of the cargo required stable flying and very smooth landings," he said. "It was definitely one of the more unique missions I have ever been a part of."
According to NASA, the Global Precipitation Measurement mission is an international network of satellites that provide the next-generation global observations of rain and snow. Building upon the success of the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission, the GPM concept centers on the deployment of a core satellite carrying an advanced radar/radiometer system to measure precipitation from space and serve as a reference standard to unify precipitation measurements from a constellation of research and operational satellites. Through improved measurements of precipitation globally, the mission will help to advance understanding of Earth's water and energy cycle and improve forecasting of extreme events that cause natural hazards and disasters.
In addition to being heavy and large, the satellite also required the aircraft to be powered at all times, because the cargo compartment had to be climate controlled.
After being diverted to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, the flying crew chiefs were required to stay with the aircraft for 12-hour shifts to keep the aircraft powered while the mission was delayed two days due to weather.
Senior Airman Kristy Foley, 512th MXG crew chief, said the extra hours were hard but worth it in the end.
"I just have the mindset of doing whatever needs to be done to complete the mission," said the West Grove, Pa., native. "This was an interesting mission for everyone involved because of the extra communication needed with the NASA personnel and the extra hours everybody put in."
It was the first ever mission for Senior Airman Travis Shea,709th AS loadmaster student. He said it was a great way to start off his career as a loadmaster.
"It was a great learning opportunity and just an awesome experience," said the native of Aiea, Hawaii. "That was interesting to watch, but I was more interested in watching the loadmasters and learning as much as I could. It just reinforced to me that I picked the right unit to join."
Lee said the one variable that worried him was the flight line in Japan and he was relieved when there were no issues unloading the satellite.
"I was probably happier than the NASA people when we safely unloaded," he said. "I am really proud of our team and I think we worked well together and overcame a lot of obstacles."
The satellite is scheduled to be launched in late February.
436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
11/27/2013 - Dover Air Force Base, Del. -- A new satellite that will help meteorologists track storms in North America got a step closer to orbit when a Team Dover C-5M Super Galaxy aircrew from the 512th Airlift Wing delivered it to Kitakyushu Airport, Japan, Nov. 24 .
Jean Manall, NASA project support transportation manager, said it was no easy task but the Air Force Reserve Airmen performed admirably in transporting the 57,000 pound Global Precipitation Measurement Satellite and its container.
The crew was composed of pilots, flight engineers and loadmasters from the 709th Airlift Squadron and crew chiefs from the 512th Maintenance Group.
Air Force Reserve Master Sergeant Jeremy Lee, 709th AS loadmaster, was a member on two previous test loads to ensure the C-5M was up to the task.
"The weight combined with the size was going to present some challenges," said the Cuba, N.Y., native. "My biggest concern was the top clearance. At some points during the load there would be only be about an inch of clearance. We had to take it slow to ensure we didn't damage the equipment or the aircraft."
With 5,600 flight hours as a loadmaster, Lee's experience was vital to the loading of the satellite at Joint Base Andrews, Md. The delicate operation took eight hours as the satellite was winched inch-by-inch slowly into the aircraft.
Loadmasters worked hand-in-hand with NASA engineers during the load. Even though the two groups used different terminology, it didn't take long for them to get on the same sheet of music, said Lee. Once the satellite was in place in the cargo compartment, great attention was paid to ensuring it was properly secured.
Lee said if the satellite would have broken loose it would have been a catastrophic event for the aircraft and the aircrew.
This called for a steady hand at the controls during flight, said Capt. Todd Mullen, 709th AS pilot and mission commander.
"The delicacy of the cargo required stable flying and very smooth landings," he said. "It was definitely one of the more unique missions I have ever been a part of."
According to NASA, the Global Precipitation Measurement mission is an international network of satellites that provide the next-generation global observations of rain and snow. Building upon the success of the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission, the GPM concept centers on the deployment of a core satellite carrying an advanced radar/radiometer system to measure precipitation from space and serve as a reference standard to unify precipitation measurements from a constellation of research and operational satellites. Through improved measurements of precipitation globally, the mission will help to advance understanding of Earth's water and energy cycle and improve forecasting of extreme events that cause natural hazards and disasters.
In addition to being heavy and large, the satellite also required the aircraft to be powered at all times, because the cargo compartment had to be climate controlled.
After being diverted to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, the flying crew chiefs were required to stay with the aircraft for 12-hour shifts to keep the aircraft powered while the mission was delayed two days due to weather.
Senior Airman Kristy Foley, 512th MXG crew chief, said the extra hours were hard but worth it in the end.
"I just have the mindset of doing whatever needs to be done to complete the mission," said the West Grove, Pa., native. "This was an interesting mission for everyone involved because of the extra communication needed with the NASA personnel and the extra hours everybody put in."
It was the first ever mission for Senior Airman Travis Shea,709th AS loadmaster student. He said it was a great way to start off his career as a loadmaster.
"It was a great learning opportunity and just an awesome experience," said the native of Aiea, Hawaii. "That was interesting to watch, but I was more interested in watching the loadmasters and learning as much as I could. It just reinforced to me that I picked the right unit to join."
Lee said the one variable that worried him was the flight line in Japan and he was relieved when there were no issues unloading the satellite.
"I was probably happier than the NASA people when we safely unloaded," he said. "I am really proud of our team and I think we worked well together and overcame a lot of obstacles."
The satellite is scheduled to be launched in late February.
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