Fighter

Thanks to Civil Engineers Work Continues to Restore Misawa

Arizona Rick — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 16:32:00 GMT

Reposted from http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123248204

by Staff Sgt. Rachel Martinez
35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

3/23/2011 - MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan (AFNS) -- Operations appear to be returning to normal around Misawa Air Base. During the past 1.5 weeks, the men and women assigned to the 35th Civil Engineer Squadron have worked to get the base to where it is now, but they still have work ahead of them.

When an earthquake struck Northern Japan March 11 and halted operations for most people, members of the 35th CES on Misawa jumped in to overdrive.

"We knew it was a bad earthquake and knew there was going to be repairs that needed to happen," said Senior Master Sgt. Christopher Vansile, the 35th CES operations flight superintendent. "Overall, it wasn't bad, but there were a lot of water breaks, alarms tripping and some minor steam breaks."

The 35th CES phones immediately began ringing with reports of damage.

"The phones were nonstop for the first five days after the earthquake," Sergeant Vansile said. "The first 12 to 20 hours were spent taking nothing but phone calls on what broke and heading out there to isolate the problem."

With the influx of damage reports, isolating problems was all the Airmen could do at first. If they attempted full repairs on immediate damages, that would have caused further damage in facilities and structures elsewhere, Sergeant Vansile said.
To isolate problems with water and steam line breaks, the CE team shut off the water source or diverted the line.

More significant than the damage reports coming in, was the loss of power. Misawa Air Base pulls electricity from a commercial power grid.

"We were out of power," Sergeant Vansile said. "But it wasn't anything on base causing the problem. There was nothing we could do at that time, so we focused on infrastructure. That's pretty much what we did for the first 24 hours.

"Once things started calming down, it was time to figure out the extent of damage," Sergeant Vansile continued.

All available civil engineer Airmen were put on damage-assessment teams. Working their way around the entire base, the teams looked for any potential problems. They examined steam and fuel lines, checked roads, and structural soundness of facilities.

"Once all the quick kills were out, and we had people doing assessments, the third thing we did was to walk each floor of the housing towers to make sure things were OK," Sergeant Vansile said. "All the towers were assessed within a six-hour period, and then we focused more on all the other facilities."

Sergeant Vansile said it took the civil engineer team a good three to four days to go through and assess all facilities on base. While exact damage costs are still being worked out, initial assessments revealed relatively minor damage.

Even with the minimal facility damage, the base faced a much larger problem -- power.

"Power was a big thing and still is a huge concern for us," Sergeant Vansile said. "A lot of people are working every single day, all day, trying to solve the problem of getting the power back to the installation like it was before all this happened."

When the power went out, many mission-critical facilities, such as the command post and hospital, were able to continue operations thanks to built-in generators. There were approximately 140 generators already installed in buildings. For the first three days, the only things running were those on generators, Sergeant Vansile said.

"Our focus was to get a few facilities up so the base populace would have somewhere to go," Sergeant Vansile said. "We got the (base cafe) and gym online, and we also put a hot water boiler at the gym so people could get a hot shower. The dining facility was another big facility we wanted to power."

Perhaps the biggest concern was restoring heat and hot water to housing, Sergeant Vansile said. Members of the 35th CES developed a contingency plan that called for 60 generators just to restore these elements for base residents. Base officials issued a request for additional generators to be flown in from around the Pacific Air Forces. As the base team prepared to implement their contingency plan, some commercial power was restored. The allotted power was dedicated to housing and residents had hot water and heat beginning in the evening of March 13.

Those first few days after commercial power was restored, the base only received three megawatts. The base typically uses 17 megawatts of power when operating normally.

"Those megawatts were like gold," Sergeant Vansile said. "Each megawatt that came in we had to decide what to do with it. We had to decide what we wanted to turn on."

Power was given to facilities based on a priority list. Normally, operational facilities needed to continue the wing's flying mission top the priority list. With normal flying operations halted, wing leaders changed the priorities to focus on accommodating families, Sergeant Vansile said. After a few days of operating on generators and three megawatts of commercial power, the base received a little more commercial power. Still, it was not near what the base was used to operating with.

"We were hoping to receive all our power back, but as the days went on, we realized it wasn't going to happen," Sergeant Vansile said. "Our engineers were directed to figure out how we should utilize what we have."

Now working with 10 megawatts of power, a civil engineer team is working around-the-clock to monitor power usage and make recommendations on what facilities can be turned on.

"We have 66 percent of our normal power," said 2nd Lt. Carly Reimer, a 35th CES programmer working in the newly created base energy nerve cell where power usage is monitored. "We are constantly calculating and brainstorming what capacity we have and what we can do with it, whether it's generator or commercial power."

In an effort to be smart with power usage, Lieutenant Reamer and members of the BENC are powering up facilities one by one versus one switch at a time, which distributes power to all facilities in a designated area.

"We are trying to put the main facilities on commercial power, but it's tough when they take up so much power," Sergeant Vansile said. "And we want to limit our generator use because we know shortly all these things will need maintenance."

The base is now running more than 30 generators at a time. Sergeant Vansile said they are mindful of those generators as they are meant to be used for temporary periods, not for sustainment like they are being used now. The generators also require a lot of man-hours to operate.

"It's a logistical nightmare with generators," Sergeant Vansile said. "Every 300 hours people have to go change the oil, perform other checks, and start the generator again. Plus, they need to be refueled every eight to 12 hours."

All the extra man-hours required to run the dozens of generators, as well as the man-hours needed to repair the infrastructure damages called for additional forces to augment the 35th CES. A request for forces was issued seeking additional electricians, power production and heating, ventilation and air conditioning personnel. More than 60 Airmen from PACAF bases have arrived to support Misawa.

"We knew no matter what, we would need more personnel to support recovery efforts," Sergeant Vansile said. "It's amazing how well they've integrated with the Misawa (A folks."

In addition to the augmented forces, local Japanese employees played, and continue to play, a critical role in recovery efforts.

We had hoped our local workers would be here, and they were, even though they didn't have to be," Sergeant Vansile said. "They are the people who have been here for 20, 30 years. They know the base in and out. They're our continuity and we couldn't do it without them."

Airman 1st Class Aaron Cope wraps tape around exposed wires from a generator March 14, 2011, at Misawa Air Base, Japan. 35th Civil Engineer Squadron officials at Misawa ABissued a request for forces to assist with recovery operations. Airman Cope is assigned to the 18th Civil Engineer Squadron at Kadena Air Base, Japan.(U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Marie Brown)

Local nationals working in the 35th Civil Engineer Squadron base energy nerve cell study a base map March 19, 2011, at Misawa Air Base, Japan. Engineers are working around the clock to keep base operations running on two-thirds the normal power supply. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. April Quintanilla)

Some Medically Discharged Vets Get a Second Shot at a Medical Retirement

Arizona Rick — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 02:11:00 GMT

Reposted from Health.mil, link to original article:
http://www.health.mil/About_MHS/Organizations/MHS_Offices_and_Programs/PDBR.aspx

Physical Disability Board of Review
Service members who have been medically separated since September 11, 2001 will have the opportunity to have their disability ratings reviewed to ensure fairness and accuracy.

The new Physical Disability Board of Review (PDBR) will examine each applicant’s medical separation, compare DoD and VA ratings, and make a recommendation to the respective Service Secretary (or designee.) A disability rating cannot be lowered and any change to the rating is effective on the date of final decision by the Service Secretary.

To be eligible for PDBR review, a service member must have been medically separated between September 11, 2001 and December 31, 2009 with a combined disability rating of 20 percent or less, and not found eligible for retirement.

There are significant differences between this new PDBR review and a Board for Correction of Military (or Naval) Record (BCMR/BCNR) review. These differences are outlined here and are also in the instructions accompanying the application (form DD-294).

While the Air Force is the lead for the PDBR process, case tracking and reporting, a joint service board will conduct the evaluation and review of each case. Applicants will not be able to appear in person, but may include any statements, briefs, medical records or other supporting documents with their application. After the document review is completed and a final decision is made, each applicant will be notified of the decision and any further information regarding a change of rating.

A final version of the application (form DD-294) was approved on January 9, 2009 and is available at http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/infomgt/forms/formsprogram.htm (under "DoD Forms Inventory 0001-0499"). Applications are now being accepted.

Please refer to the FAQ document for more information about the Physical Disability Board of Review.

You may contact the PDBR intake unit at the following address:
            SAF/MRBR
            550 C Street West
            Suite 41
            Randolph AFB, Texas 78150-4743

Please keep in mind that this office cannot discuss the merits of your application. You may wish to contact your local veterans’ service organization for advice or guidance.

The DoD Instruction on the PDBR process is available here: http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/604044p.pdf.

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Now for my comments

If the applicant gets retiree status they may get more pay, but it's not likely to be significant. It's in the benefits of being a retiree that has the most value, they and their dependents would now be eligible for Tri-Care health coverage (for information on Tri-Care benefits go here http://www.triwest.com/beneficiary/benefits.aspx.) They and their dependent will be able to use all base services that any other retiree and retiree dependents can such as the BX, the Commissary, Base Gas Stations and the Gym, Space A travel on military flights and much more. I would say just the benefits of being a retiree makes it worth the effort of applying, They certainly wouldn't get less than what they have now.

For more information

Military Disability (Medical) Separations and Retirements
Air Force Retiree Services
Army Retirement Services Office
US Navy Retired Activities Branch
The Marine Corps Retired Activities Office

Fallen Airmen laid to rest after 38 years

Arizona Rick — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 20:27:00 GMT

Release No. 06-07-10

June 18, 2010

Fallen Airmen laid to rest after 38 years

By Army Sgt. 1st Class Michael J. Carden

American Forces Press Service

ARLINGTON, Va. (AFRNS) -- Unidentified remains of 14 fallen Air Force AC-130 gunship crewmembers were laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery here June 17, nearly 40 years after their aircraft was shot down over southern Laos.

Lt. Col. Henry P. Brauner, Lt. Col. Richard Castillo, Lt. Col. Irving B. Ramsower II, Lt. Col. Howard D. Stephenson, Maj. Curtis D. Miller, Maj. Barclay B. Young, Capt. Richard C. Halpin, Capt. Charles J. Wanzel III, Chief Master Sgt. Edwin J. Pearce, Senior Master Sgt. James K. Caniford, Senior Master Sgt. Robert E. Simmons, Senior Master Sgt. Edward D. Smith Jr., Master Sgt. Merlyn L. Paulson and Master Sgt. William A. Todd were honored in a group burial with full military honors in the cemetery's Section 60.

The crew was killed in action March 29, 1972, in the midst of the Vietnam War.

Air Force Lt. Gen. Mark D. Shackelford presented an American flag to the families. Air Force Chaplain (Capt.) Anthony Wade and Rev. Martin McGill presided over the service.

Full military honors included a flag-draped casket and carrying team, a firing party, a band and bugler, a horse-drawn caisson and escorts from the Air Force Honor Guard. All 14 names will be included on the headstone.

Representatives from the families of 13 of the Airmen attended the ceremony. Several members of Rolling Thunder, an advocacy group for the return of all prisoners of war and those missing in action, also attended the service.

Remains for Captains Halpin and Wanzel, Chief Pearce, and Sergeants Caniford, Simmons, Smith and Todd were positively identified and returned to their families. Major Young and Sergeant Caniford were buried here individually in 2008, said Kaitlin Horst, a spokeswoman for the cemetery.

The remaining seven airmen could not be identified, but are accounted for, Larry Greer, a spokesman for the Pentagon's Joint Prisoners of War and Missing in Action Accounting Command, said in an interview with American Forces Press Service.

Forensic anthropologists and scientists from the Defense Department are confident all 14 Airmen were involved in the crash, Mr. Greer said. The scientists used identification tools, circumstantial evidence and DNA tests to match the crewmembers' remains with their families, Mr. Greer said. Scientists also used dental comparisons to identify remains.

"All of these men have been accounted for, and the families have accepted the identification," Mr. Greer said. "These final, full-honor services are to recognize the sacrifices that these men made and their families made, and all of us involved in this mission feel it an honor to bring closure to these families."

The crew's plane was shot down by a surface-to-air missile during an armed reconnaissance mission. Search and rescue efforts were hindered because of heavy enemy activity in the area and were stopped after only a few days, Mr. Greer said.

The first remains were recovered in 1986 by a joint U.S.-Laos team, Mr. Greer said. Recovered items included two identification tags, life support equipment and aircraft wreckage, he added.

Between 1986 and 1998, nine members of the aircrew were positively identified. Follow-on surveys and excavations in 2005 and 2006 found more remains, personal effects and other equipment, he said.

The remains of more than 900 servicemembers killed in the Vietnam War have been returned to their families since 1972. More than 1,700 remain unaccounted-for.

In the past year, the Joint Prisoners of War and Missing in Action Accounting Command has accounted for 98 servicemembers missing from the Korean War, Vietnam War and World War II. More than 80,000 servicemembers from the three wars remain unaccounted-for. Nearly 2,000 from the same wars have been accounted for and returned to their families.

For source article and photo, please click here.

The Stolen Mojave Cross

Arizona Rick — Mon, 24 May 2010 22:19:00 GMT

I wrote this after reading this article 'Controversial Memorial Cross Stolen' on military.com and the associated comments posted by other readers

The transfer of land to private hands seems to me an appropriate solution in this specific case, even as a supporter of the separation of church and state. Some seem to have the idea that the Supreme Court ruled it is not a religious symbol for the purposes of a memorial on public land. That belief is incorrect since if that were true then there would not have been a need to transfer the land to private ownership and the case would not have been about whether is was appropriate for the government to transfer the land to private hands, which as all the Supreme Court ruled on, whether or not the land transfer was legal. The transfer of land as the solution, is based on it is a religious symbol in the first place and I add as a religious symbol, it is clearly a Christian one. It is clear to me the primary purpose of the memorial is to glorify the sacrifices of Christian soldiers while virtually dismissing the sacrifices of those of any other belief. I support the Supreme Courts decision to not require it's removal at this time, and to send it back to a lower court for further review, Though it is a triumph for personal religious rights, it does not mean a cross is now legally ruled an appropriate war memorial. A war memorial must symbolically honor all of whom sacrificed in the war it represents, not the majority but ALL and a clearly Christian symbol does not do that. Private groups should memorialize as they wish on private land, but should not claim that doing so based on their personal religious beliefs is representing anything but just that.

I am saddened as a true freedom loving American to see the majority of comments on military.com are excessively reactionary; often suggesting a violation of civil right that are the corner stone of a free society, they are filled with hate, political and religious bias, stereotyping, generalizing and unfounded assumptions, etc. Making assumptive statements that all people of a group opposed to Christian conservative views by being such would engage in the radical actions of the perpetrators of this crime is tantamount to assuming that the views and actions of all Christian conservatives are the same as those of the radical Westboro Baptist Church. If people want to throw out unfounded accusations, here’s one for you; for all we know a supporter of the memorial not satisfied with a win in the courts decision stole it to vilify those who hold similar religious and political views as those who supported legal action for its removal. Also by doing so, ensuring a new and better cross would be finance by the outrage. It's just as likely as any other assumptions or scenario and explains why this massive object just disappeared over night with out notice. However as some may be aware that the Desert Dispatch in Barstow receive inclusive and unverified information from a 3rd party in regards to the cross removal. The originator of the information claimed amongst other things to be a veteran, that the cross has not been or going to be destroyed, will eventually be returned and the main reason revolving around its removal is that the memorial for the site should be nonsectarian to truly represent all veterans who died in WWI.

Thought the theft of the Christians' war memorial is criminal, foolish and unwarranted, it is not the original cross anyway and it will be a simple matter to replace it with a better one, as has been done in past when the previous cross deteriorated from weathering and time. I would think that most would take a more positive view and see it as a grand opportunity for a bigger better cross, rather than an opportunity to justify to yourself an open display of disdain for those who do not hold your religious or political views. It’s time to stop the hate and start showing support for a new cross and with the outrage inspired funding, maybe a massive solid titanium cross sunk 4 to 6 feet into the rock, to make sure it stays put. That is if the land transfer is completed based on a final ruling by the courts.

The New START Treaty and Protocol and the Nuclear Posture Review

Arizona Rick — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 19:11:00 GMT

Copied from: The White House Blog

President Obama and President Medvedev of Russia signed the New START treaty and its protocol. Links to the PDF versions of these documents are below:

Read the Treaty (pdf)

Read the Protocol (pdf)

Also, the Department of Defense released the Nuclear Posture Review, reflecting the President's overarching view of U.S. nuclear strategy.

I recommend that before you comment on this review you should read the entire document rather than depend on a spoon fed version from a media outlet, especially if your media sources commonly uses political bias and misinformation. Link to the PDF version is below

Read the review (pdf)

Now for my comments

Last year in Prague President Obama said; "The United States will take concrete steps towards a world with out nuclear weapons". Now that he is making good on that, some accuse him of weakening our nation while they fail to see that he is just following in the footsteps of the presidents that have come before him, the US has a long history of signed agreements with the Soviets regarding nuclear weapons, see the following paragraph for more on that. The first Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) signed for the US by President Ronald Reagan on 31 July 1991 went into effect on 5 December 1994, around the end of 2001 all actions were completed and it expired 5 December 2009.

Other than the early concepts of the Mutual Assured Destruction (MAD) doctrine (which is not a signed agreement), the beginning of signed mutual agreements between the US and the USSR regarding nuclear weapons began with the 1963 Partial Test Ban Treaty (PTBT) by President Kennedy. The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty signed by the US 1 July 1968 going into force 5 March 1970 and SALT followed that in 1970 coming into effect May 1971 which was the first to address limitation on inventories. Though not limiting nuclear weapons, but worth mentioning is the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty (ABM Treaty or ABMT) signed in 1972, which is for the limitation of the anti-ballistic missile (ABM) systems used in defending areas against missile-delivered nuclear weapons, its intent was to maintain the balance of the MAD doctrine. The ABM Treaty is no longer in effect, since The US's official withdrawal in mid 2002, making START that much more crucial in maintaining realistic sized inventories towards the balance of power. Next would be the Peaceful Nuclear Explosions Treaty (PNE Treaty) of 1976. The US also revisited SALT with SALT II signed on June 18, 1979, honored but never formally ratified it was withdrawn from in 1986 by the Reagan Administration based on accusations that the USSR violated the pact. Then there is the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF). Which leads us back to, as referred to in the above paragraph, the multiple START treaties. Then Strategic Offensive Reductions (SORT), refereed to as the Moscow Treaty, signed in Moscow May 24, 2002, went into effect on June 1, 2003, and expires on December 31, 2012. It is important to note the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) adopted by the UN General Assembly 10 September 1996 but it has not yet entered into force. It’s important because in the Nuclear Posture Review it says; “The United States will not conduct nuclear testing and will pursue ratification and entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty”.

As you can see US Presidents have dealt with mutual limitations on nuclear weapons for the good of the US and the world ever since President Kennedy. There is no reason any US president should not continue to carry this torch forward for as long as nuclear weapons exist, even if it takes a 1000 years to secure a world free from threat of nuclear weapons or any weapon of mass destruction for that matter. I like many others find it difficult to conceive of that day, given human nature; however that does not mean we should do nothing to reduce inventories that far exceed what would fulfill any possible scenario of the MAD doctrine.

In the words of President Reagan "We must never stop until we see the day nuclear arms have been banished from the face of the earth"

Arizona-Rick

Links

P.S.

I hope I didn't leave out any significant information, as I'm no historian. I researched the internet based on what I could remember and expanded based on what I found. I don't feel the need to do in-depth research as this is not a commercial article or for some collage class it's just a virtually unread blog. That said consider this “P.S.” my disclaimer on accuracy. Also I get my words, punctuation and grammar from Typos-R-us, so sometimes there are spelling, typographical and grammatical errors, oh well.

Retiree receives first hand transplant in DOD

Arizona Rick — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 12:41:00 GMT

Copied from www.retirees.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123193519.

Release No. 03-03-10

March 5, 2010

Retiree receives first hand transplant in DOD

by Staff Sgt. Vanessa Young

Defense Media Activity-San Antonio

LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE (AFRNS) -- A team of military and civilian doctors performed the first female hand transplant in the United States at Wilford Hall Medical Center recently.

Retired Master Sgt. Janet McWilliams is the 10th person in the U.S. to under go this procedure and the first to have it done in a Department of Defense facility.

Almost nine years ago, the former first sergeant of Lackland AFB's 342ndTraining Squadron lost her left hand while her right hand was severely injured when a package bomb exploded in her office.

After years of surgical reconstruction and failed attempts to find a suitable prosthesis for her left arm, doctors asked Sergeant McWilliams if she was willing to be put on a waiting list for a hand donor.

Since the incident, Sergeant McWilliams said she underwent more than 25surgeries for her injuries, but when her doctor suggested a hand transplant, she did not stop to think; she immediately said, "Yes." On Feb. 16, a hand donor was identified. On Feb. 17, the transplant occurred.

"I received a gift, a hand," she said. "In the back of my mind, I've always wanted to have a hand. This wonderful family gave me that gift. I'm so honored to have this hand."

In contrast to an organ donor, selecting a donor for a hand transplant recipient involves additional emphasis on matching skin tone color,gender and the size of the hand, said Dr. Joe Nespral, the director of clinical services at the Texas Organ Sharing Alliance.

Two weeks after the surgery, Sergeant McWilliams already experienced movement in her thumb and fingers; however, it would take at least six months for her to regain any feeling in her new hand, said Maj. (Dr.) Dmitry Tuder. Dr. Tuder was part of the surgical transplantation team and is the chief of hand and upper extremity service at Wilford Hall.

This transplant, Sergeant Williams said, is not only a significant occasion for her, but for all wounded warriors.

"I am hoping that I can open the door for other wounded warriors who are coming back from Iraq, Afghanistan and other areas of the world who've lost hands (or) arms," she said. "Hopefully, this will provide hope for them as well as receiving something back that is absolutely priceless and that is our dignity."

Whenever she is in the hospital, Sergeant McWilliams dons a hospital gown with her former first sergeant rank and the patches of her former units. She said she hopes the news of this procedure gives wounded warriors another choice and helps them decide if this type of procedure is for them.

To date, no active-duty individuals have undergone this procedure, said Army Col. (Dr.) James Ficke, the chairman of Wilford Hall and Brooke Army Medical Center Integrated Departments of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation. There are about 50 wounded warriors who have an injury that may be eligible for this type of procedure. Along with Sergeant McWilliams, only one former Marine has received a hand transplant, but his procedure was done at a civilian facility.

Sergeant McWilliams faces months of occupational therapy, and in a years' time,Doctor Tuder said he hopes she will have enough function to perform daily activities.

"The journey is going to be rough; it's not going to be easy," she said. "There's nothing you can't do in life. 'No,' is not part of my vocabulary. This beautiful hand will certainly become a part of mybody. Now, after all these years, I can finally wear that engagement ring again and my wedding band. It is just absolutely priceless."

To view the photo accompanying this article, please see http://www.retirees.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123193519.

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I hope we continue to succeed in expanding on this kind of medicine

Arizona-Rick

Woman's choice to drink, drive crushes captain's dream of flying

Arizona Rick — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 03:37:00 GMT

(Copied from Air Force news) Link to original

Posted 12/22/2009
by Senior Airman Emerald Ralston
92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

12/22/2009 - FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. (AFNS) -- Capt.Alan Yee had just finished pilot training and was out with friends celebrating. He and his friends realized they had one too many drinks to drive, and called a cab. As they were traveling down a 50 mph road,a truck slammed into their cab. Moments later, one friend in the cab was ejected out of the back, another friend was choking on his own blood, one friend had his knee severely injured, and Captain Yee's neck was broken.

In an instant, the captain's dreams of becoming a pilot, taking the fast track through Air Force schooling and training were shattered like the windows of the cab. The person in the oncoming vehicle chose not to call that cab, but instead got behind the wheel of her truck with a blood-alcohol level of 0.17; more than twice the legal limit.

The crash happened to Captain Yee of the 92nd Operations Group more than a year ago, but the effects are still apparent today.

After wearing a halo brace -- a device that sits around the head supported by screws drilled into the skull and rods that come down into a vest to keep the head and neck steady -- for three months, Captain Yee then wore a neck brace for three more months. Despite those efforts, he still has a broken neck and currently wears electrodes on his neck to stimulate bone growth.

His dreams of being a pilot are over, and he will likely never be able to sit in the cockpit of an aircraft again.

While this tragedy affected many lives, no one was killed, although they were all expected to be dead, Captain Yee said.

"The injuries were pretty significant and a bit of a miracle in a sense," he said. "The (National Transportation Safety Board) stops crash safety tests at 35 mph. We had a combined impact of 100 mph. At that point, everyone is expected to be dead."

The combined injuries in the vehicle were massive. The cab driver had a broken pelvis, broken ribs and broken wrist. He took three steps out of the cab and collapsed, unable to support his own weight, Captain Yee said. The passenger sitting in front had torn knee ligaments. Captain Yee was sitting on the right side in the middle row of the minivan cab and broke his neck and ankle. The passenger on the middle left side fractured his voice box, broke his jaw, clavicle, teeth and arm. The passenger in the back seat of the cab was ejected as the vehicle was still moving 50 mph and ended up with the least injuries, primarily scaring on his face.

The knowledge of self-aid and buddy care skills saved one of the Airmen from dying in the incident.

"My advice to people is to know self-aid and buddy care," Captain Yee said. "My friend in front recognized that my buddy to the left of me was choking on his own blood, but he couldn't get out of his seat. The doors were jammed shut from the severity of impact. So he turned around and held up the other guy's head, opened his airway and saved his life.During this time, he was tapping me on the foot and talking to me,making sure I was still conscious."

The drunk driver stepped out of her 2008 four-door Chevy Silverado with no injuries, only to blow 0.17 blood alcohol content and be placed under arrest.

The consequences the driver faced seem pale in comparison to the effects her choice made on the lives of four Airmen and the cab driver.She served 30 days in prison and received two years of probation, while Captain Yee traded in all his training and pushes for advancement in his career for a lifetime of doctor visits and being denied what he had worked so diligently to attain.

He highlighted the importance of having a plan.

"Definitely don't be the guy who is going to get the next DUI," he said. "You don't want to put someone else in my position. You can never go wrong with having a good plan. If a bunch of friends are going out and spending $100 or $200 on drinks, what is another $20 for a cab? If you can spend that much on alcohol but you can't afford the cab, your financial priorities aren't right."

Through it all, Captain Yee has maintained an optimistic outlook on life, taking the accident as a reminder to live and be thankful.

"It's one of those things you just have to deal with," he said. "It's just the set of cards you're dealt in life. I'm happy to be alive,happy to still be in the Air Force, happy to have the opportunity to go to (unmanned aircraft), which is a very progressive area of the Air Force. A lot of great things have actually happened as a result of my accident. I even met my wife this way."

Physical fitness and preparedness were important aspects of his ordeal.Being physically fit helped save Captain Yee's life because his neck muscles were strong enough to support his head when his neck broke.

While Captain Yee's medical and professional futures are uncertain,staying positive and remembering the importance of these things helps to keep him going.

"The scars I received from the accident and the screws drilled into my skull are a constant reminder every time I look in the mirror of the result of someone else's decision to get behind the wheel of a vehicle drunk," he said.

"But it really does change your focus on what you appreciate in life and how much time you have with your loved ones ... and I have handicapped tags now, which is pretty sweet," he said with a laugh.


Pictured is the cab Capt. Alan Yee and his friends were traveling in when they were hit by an oncoming vehicle driven by a drunk driver In Washington in 2008. Captain Yee is assigned to the 92nd Operations Group, and still suffers from the crash after one year. (Courtesy photo) Capt. Alan Yee is pictured after the crash that broke his neck. Captain Yee is assigned to the 92nd Operations Group, and still suffers from the crash after one year. (Courtesy photo) The publishing source states; "All stories in this message as well as any referenced images are in the public domain and do not require copyright release."

A Free Democracy Doesn't Mean Only The Majority Get Rights

Arizona Rick — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 09:17:00 GMT

As an Atheist and retired military, the implications of religion before country and the pervasive association of military service with religion along with government support and endorsement of religious organizations on base are offensive to me. Far too often people talk freedom, but what they really mean is the freedom to do as they do. For so many exercising your freedoms in a way they don't like is un-American. It is not American to be like everyone else. The freedom of religion is not just the freedom to worship as you like, it's also includes not believing in any deities in any form.

When it comes to the Constitution's Bill of Rights, the ban from government supporting or restriction religion is in the first line of the first amendment. Think about it it's the very first line that's how important is was and still is. It’s even before the freedom of speech, of the press or right of assembly and redress of grievances. This first and most important protection is intended to prevent any abridging of those rights describe as "separation of church and state".

Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

The most important right is being ignored in ways such as modification of pledge of allegiance in the 1950's, the addition of religious statements on our money and the fact that in the military certain religious sects get an official priest as an actual uniformed officers and government built churches on bases, Why is that? I say because people’s religious beliefs bring them to the ideal of religion before county. Then use that as a justification to enforce only their rights in regards to religious beliefs. This is a blatant gross injustice and black eye to the ideals of freedom and protection of rights that are suppose to be the core foundation of this country and its claim to being “the land of the free”.

If you’re an American and really believe in and support freedom for all, not just you or your group, you wouldn’t let any personal religious belief be more important for this country than the Bill of Rights that allows you to worship as you like in the first place.

Tracfone’s 29 Minutes Worth Of Disgrace And Shame

Arizona Rick — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 10:56:00 GMT

In other news (like any one reads this shit)

Below is an email letter from myself to Tracfone in regards to recent events between myself and their telephonic customer service line. Even with my opinion being that this incident is egregious display of unfair treatment towards a “valued customer” it does not in itself make them fraudulent or illegitimate as an entity for consumer use

18 April 2009
To Whom It May Concern:

My phone had recently been damaged beyond function; hence I purchased a replacement, after two phone calls the phone was finally activated properly (due to poor customer service, but not the issue at hand). The problem comes when transferring the unused minutes from my previous phone of which I had 199. This is not a maybe or I think it should be, I know my minutes without the slightest doubt as my phone is not routinely used and I keep a tight eye on my minutes remaining (1 minute from 200 used in the last two weeks). After waiting for the Tracfone representative to confirm this fact, I was told that I only had 170 minutes remaining a 29 minute difference from the actual, to myself a clearly unjustifiable discrepancy on the part of Tracfone.

Despite my avid protest, [edit](delete typo)[edit] detailed information on why I know the exact minutes remaining, a strong affirmation that slighting me would result in the lost of myself as a future Tracfone customer and that I would warn other off of the use of said service, I was told that since I could not prove the minutes I stated as remaining I had no recourse in the matter. That being I should just take the minutes Tracfone was willing to give and be happy about [edit] it [edit]. To myself the 29 minutes in dispute represent from one to three months of actual use, while to Tracfone they are in essence nothing, invisible in the overall use during the same time frame. What a disgraceful display of corporate bullying of the consumer.

In these actions by representatives of Tracfone, Tracfone has both insulted myself by impugning my integrity and proved itself unreliable and therefore untrustworthy in the maintenance of its own data. Tracfone representatives have also proven that a handful of minutes are more precious to Tracfone than both the customer and its reputation to such. As a result I will disseminate the facts of [edit] today’s events [edit} to as may people as I can in as many ways as I can.

For Tracfone’s 29 minutes worth of disgrace and shame,
Good Bye,
R***************

Can't hold out

Arizona Rick — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 03:46:00 GMT

I can't hold out any longer I went to a bankruptcy lawyer. He wants $2000.00 for a chapter 7. He said he might take my truck in trade towards his fee. It's a slightly beat up 95 F-150 4x4. I have to fill out a large packet of forms and provide copies of all my financial and assets information.

I don't see my dick head sons anymore since they stab me in the back so their mother could cheat me out of money she owed me. My step-daughter in Phoenix (26) had a baby with her boyfriend (he's nearly my age), she is so immature and irresponsible with her own life, alone she could never care for this baby. Her boyfriend is better and is keeping things stable for now, but he has a history of poor decisions relating to drugs and alcohol as well as petty theft. They had no money to get things they needed for the baby. I ended up using the last of my cash savings to buy them a crib, stroller, car seat carrier and a bunch of other stuff.

I having more medical problems, now I have heart condition and arthritis in my shoulders. My cat has been having various skin problems, the large vet bills are not helping, but she's getting better now.

I'm not happy these days, but I'm still alive, with a roof over my head and am not going hungry so I'm better off than some. Hopefully things will improve in the coming year, I say that every year, so I'll see.

Arizona-Rick

I Wonder

Arizona Rick — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 17:51:00 GMT

I wonder if anybody will ever see this page.

I retired from the Air Force 1 Feb 2004, now everyone I know here moved away, not just the active duty, my retired and separated friends who were here have all left too.

But why worry about friends when I'm deep in debt due to a failed business attempt, Yea! My heath issues became a problem, my sons were no help as they didn't want to do it, economy went down, cost went up, sales slumped and sources dried up. I closed up shop a year ago and If a miracle doesn't happen soon I'll be force in to bankruptcy court, this is not how I planned it. People tell me at least you tried, F- that, that won't save me from creditors, collections and the inevitable bankruptcy. The last of my saving went to a lawyer to handle my child support adjustment now that my oldest son turned 18.

Speaking of him he wants to be a combat medic and is in the Army Reserve pending active duty. He'd be active duty already but he's in summer school because he was 1/2 a credit short of graduation (moved in with his mother and got lazy), then he's off to basic where you're all there or all gone.

I'm now a big time home body with just my cat for company, ain't it grand. Next thing I know I'll become "that grump old man" telling kids to get off my lawn (the small one I have with this mobile home).

Arizona Rick