Retains Safety Expert To Review Flight Operations The Commemorative Air Force (CAF) has implemented a top-to-bottom safety program. "It is essential that we change our corporate culture," said Doug Rozendaal, member of the CAF's board of directors, "to send a loud and clear message to the entire CAF that we must change the way we do business if we wish to continue flying our warbirds." To assist in bringing about this change in corporate culture, the CAF has retained the services of aviation consultant Dick Hanusa who will review and evaluate the CAF's regulations, safety program, staffing and its accident/incident history.

V-22 Starts Air-to-Air Refueling Tests

On the afternoon of March 22, the V-22 Integrated Test Team flew the first air-to-air refueling flights since the program’s return to flight in May of 2002. Over the course of two one-hour sorties using Osprey No. 22, test pilots Lt. Col. Kevin Gross, USMC and Steve Grohsmeyer each logged five “dry plugs” behind a VX-20 KC-130F operating near NAS Patuxent River. The pilots were assisted by crew chiefs Staff Sgt. Brett Heuvelman, USMC and Staff Sgt. Craig Mynard, USMC. The primary reason for the flights was to re-establish Gross and Grohsmeyer’s day aerial refueling qualifications. Eventually the ITT will have six pilots qualified to tank day and night, and at night while wearing night vision goggles – all par

Team US101 Comments On Decision

The US Navy has decided to delay its decision on selecting the supplier for the new Marine One Presidential transport helicopter. On Tuesday, the Pentagon announced it has indefinitely postponed its decision on whether Stratford-based Sikorsky Aircraft or challenger Lockheed Martin will clinch the high-profile manufacturing deal. The Navy, which oversees the program, was scheduled to announce its decision May 1, just four months after receiving bids for the contract, which Sikorsky has held exclusively since 1957. The competition between Sikorsky and Lockheed Martin’s team, which includes European conglomerate AgustaWestland, has become politically charged amid election year debate over loss of American manufacturing to overseas markets. N

A-10 Pilot Takes Aim On Terrorism

Talk to almost anyone in the 455th Expeditionary Operations Group, and a recurring theme is the desire to provide the best support possible for friendly forces on the ground. The way to do that is by making sure A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft here are always ready to fly at a moment's notice, so that an overwhelming air presence is constantly available in the sky over Afghanistan, whenever and wherever needed. Ultimately, the fighter pilots of the 354th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron make air dominance in Operation Enduring Freedom a daily reality.