The Mobility Forum Posts

You are sitting at the hammerhead waiting for departure clearance. A line of weather is moving into the north, the aircraft is filled with soldiers returning to the United States after a one-year deployment, and the winds have changed, so your takeoff data need to be adjusted. Stress is slowly creeping in as you start assessing the situation. Maintaining your mental composure and making accurate decisions are critical skills when transforming challenging situations into successful ones. Staying calm when faced with adversity or seemingly impossible situations helps us make rational decisions instead of reacting impulsively. However, staying calm under stress is not a simple task; it requires patience, practice, and perseverance.

I was sitting in a Headquarters staff meeting the other day and somewhere between the budget update and community calendar my steely-eyed staff warrior discipline slipped and my mind began to wander. The random topic I landed upon was sequels of all things. Specifically, what makes some sequels work brilliantly and others fall flat? In today’s media-saturated world, it seems like original stories are in short supply. Great original stories can be the genesis of other great stories though. Many revolutionary, expansive, or groundbreaking works come as sequels: The Odyssey is the sequel to The Iliad; the genre-defining Nevermind was actually Nirvana’s sophomore album; and Season 2 of My Hero Academia brilliantly expanded on the characters and story (no spoilers—I’m not caught up on all the seasons). Based on my observations, a sequel needs to be grounded in the original while expanding the scope and complexity in an interesting and novel direction to be successful.

Summer is the time to enjoy warm, sunny days safely. The 101 Critical Days of Summer (101 CDS) focuses on preventing the annual spikes in injuries and accidents between Memorial Day and Labor Day. For the Department of the Air Force (DAF), these accidents not only impact individuals and their families but also mission readiness and force lethality.

The 12th Air Task Force (12 ATF), the first ATF under the new Air Force deployment model, was officially activated during a ceremony at Scott Air Force Base, IL, Sept. 4, 2024.

Nuclear Surety and Air Mobility Command (AMC) are critical aspects of the U.S. Air Force’s (USAF) mission to maintain safe, secure, and effective nuclear capabilities while supporting global air mobility operations. Nuclear surety refers to the measures, programs, and protocols designed to ensure the safety, security, and reliability of nuclear weapons and their associated systems. The goal of nuclear surety is to prevent accidents involving nuclear assets as well as unauthorized access to, misuse of, or malicious acts with nuclear assets. To help continuously achieve this goal, the four key pillars of nuclear surety were established.

On Sept. 26, 2024, the 9th Air Refueling Squadron (ARS) at Travis Air Force Base, CA, retired the last of Air Mobility Command’s advanced tanker and cargo aircraft, the KC-10—commemorating its forty-four-year legacy. With more than 140 combat-ready personnel and a plethora of equipment, the 9 ARS mobilized and deployed twelve KC-10s to anywhere on the globe at a moment’s notice by generating strategic airlift and aerial-refueling missions that supported U.S. and allied forces during contingency operations.[1] In a conversation with U.S. Air Force (USAF) Lt Col Andrew Baer, 9 ARS Commander and KC-10 Extender Pilot, the importance and historical significance of the KC-10 becomes clear.

The next iteration of digital safety reporting is here with the release of the new SAFEREP App. SAFEREP is the Department of the Air Force’s only completely digital safety reporting tool supporting all disciplines and areas around a base, with dedicated reporting features for workplace, traffic, industrial, flight, weapons, and space safety. Replacing the Airman Safety App, SAFEREP reflects a broader reporting capability that encompasses more functional areas and other military services.

“Who in this room wants to be a badass at what they do?” asked Dr. Jannell MacAulay, silencing the room of lively, chattering conference attendees—Air Mobility Command (AMC) Airmen. MacAulay, a speaker at the 56th Annual Airlift/Tanker Association (ATA) Symposium in Grapevine, TX, scanned the room, taking in the many hands thrust into the air—an expected response as AMC Airmen accomplish badass feats daily.

Like proton streams in the iconic 1980s film Ghostbusters, electronic warfare (EW) and the electromagnetic spectrum (EMS) seem like elusive concepts. The main difference is that although crossing the streams “would be bad,” not understanding how to use and counter EW could be the difference between going home victorious or the victory going to the adversary.

Although everyone wants to avoid cavities, dental health extends far beyond tooth decay. In fact, poor oral health has been linked to a range of serious health problems, such as periodontal (gum) disease, dental erosion, heart disease, and even Alzheimer’s disease.

Although motorcycling offers unparalleled freedom on the open road, its liberation comes with inherent risks. In 2022, 6,218 motorcyclists were killed—fifteen percent of all traffic fatalities. Data produced by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration show that this considerable portion of fatalities is the highest number of motorcyclists killed since 1975.[1] The Air Force Safety Center recorded that in the last five years, we have lost eighty-eight Air Force personnel to motorcycle deaths. Despite the safety advancements in modern motorcycles and in motorist awareness, motorcyclists remain vulnerable to accidents. Airbag vests have emerged as a plausible solution in mitigating such risks. This article explores these vests, their pros and cons, and their effectiveness in protecting riders.

Sunshine, beaches, and exotic locales can make for an exciting—or relaxing—trip. However, when traveling abroad, it is important to remember that other parts of the world may be vastly different from what you are accustomed to when it comes to staying safe in and around water.