Page 25 - Luke AFB Thunderbolt August 2016
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Thunderbolt NEWS August 2016
http://www.luke.af.mil
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Protect baby’s skin before exposure FIGHTERS (from Page 14)
NEW YORK — Some babies are being exposed to the UVB rays, UVA rays, the chief cause of sunburn, can our enabling technologies and systems such as the electromagnetic
sun’s damaging ultraviolet rays in the rst six months penetrate windows. Like UVB rays, UVA rays damage spectrum, space and cyberspace.
of life, when their skin is most vulnerable. The practice DNA and can lead to skin cancer. By law, front wind-
can have life-long negative consequences. shields are treated to lter out most UVA, but side and “Although aircraft are some of the most expensive and chal-
rear windows generally are not. Consider buying a UV lenging systems to develop and eld, our competitors have made
A research team at the University of Miami found that shield, which you can hang over any window that allows progress in the quest to match and counter American aerial
as many as one-third of local parents actively increased sunlight to reach the child’s car seat. Another option is capabilities,” Carlisle said. “We are witnessing the emergence of
their infant’s sun exposure each day mistakenly believ- to install professional protective window lm. advanced aircraft such as the T-50 from Russia and the J-20 and
ing it would build the baby’s tolerance to the sun’s rays. J-31 from China, with full expectations that foreign military sales
As a result, 12 percent of the parents reported their Start sunscreen at 6 months. Since infants’ skin are in their future.”
baby’s skin had tanned before they were 6 months old, is so sensitive, it’s best to keep newborns out of the sun
and 3 percent said their infants had been sunburned. rather than use sunscreen. Beginning at 6 months of age, Carlisle stated that the Air Force is rising to these challenges
it’s time to introduce daily sunscreen use. Choose a broad- through a strategy that deliberately capitalizes on the service’s
“Sun exposure can be extremely dangerous for babies spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen, SPF 15 or higher. strengths while exploiting adversary weaknesses, speci cally in
due to their thin skin and relative lack of melanin — the Look at active ingredients; zinc oxide and titanium dioxide terms of achieving a “decision advantage”. He explained that the
skin pigment that provides some sun protection,” said are good choices, because these physical lters don’t rely F-35 was a prime example of a weapon system that is able to process
Dr. Deborah Sarnoff, senior vice president of the Skin on absorption of chemicals and are less apt to cause a skin large and multiple sources of data, analyze and then display it to the
Cancer Foundation. “The sun damage we receive as reaction. Test sunscreen on the inside of the baby’s wrist. war ghter to create an advantage over the adversary.
children adds up and greatly increases skin cancer risk If the child has a little irritation, try another sunscreen.
later in life. That’s why it’s so important that parents Carlisle also noted the F-35 acquisition schedule and projected
make sun protection a priority early in life.” Toddlers move around a lot, so you may need to get cre- service life of the remainder of the ghter eet continue to drive
ative with your sunscreen application routine. Sunscreen a requirement for 1,763 F-35As in order to preserve suf cient air
The Skin Cancer Foundation wants parents and sticks work well for the face and hands, since toddlers are capability and capacity for the military. Currently, 48 F-35s are set
caregivers to know that skin cancer is highly prevent- less likely to rub the product into their eyes. Sprays are to be produced annually, but in order to address shortfalls in the
able, and offers the following tips to help keep babies another good option. Make sure to apply the sunscreen F-22 procurement, the desired production rate is 60.
and toddlers sun-safe this summer and all year long: evenly and liberally all over exposed skin. For the face,
apply into the hands rst, then apply to the baby’s face. According to Carlisle, continued investment in America’s air
Seek shade. Avoid direct sun exposure during peak superiority is critical as adversaries will continue to test the might
sun hours, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. On walks, keep Use sunscreen properly. Use sunscreen on all of the nation.
to the shady side of the street and use the sun shield exposed areas not covered by clothing, such as the back
on strollers. of the hands, face, ears and neck. Apply sunscreen 30 “Forty-four years ago, DESOTO 03 was the last U.S. Air Force
minutes before going out and reapply it every two hours air-to-air loss,” he said, referring to the call sign of an F-4 shot down
Cover up. Keep babies covered with a brimmed hat or more frequently if you take your baby into the pool over North Vietnam by a MiG-21. “Air Combat Command is tasked
and lightweight clothing that fully covers the arms or if he or she is sweating. to ensure that never changes.”
and legs. For added protection, look for special clothing
marked with an ultraviolet protection factor of 30 or For more information, visit the Skin Cancer Founda- Upon concluding his testimony, Carlisle thanked the committee for
more, which means the clothing will only allow 1/30th tion website, SkinCancer.org. their service to the country, its Armed Forces, and for their support
of the sun’s UV rays to reach the skin. in assuring America’s continued air superiority capability.
Courtesy of skincancer.org
Be careful in the car. While glass screens out most “I have no doubt this partnership will continue to propel our forces
and the combat output so desperately desired by our combatant
commanders,” Carlisle said. “I look forward to continued collabora-
tion and the success it will bear for the joint force and our nation.”
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