Page 4 - Desert Lightning News, So. AZ Edition, August 6, 2021

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Tactical ball cap adds layer of protection for Airmen working the flightline Air Force puts future basing plans for D-M on hold

by Senior Airman antennas on the A-10 (Thunderbolt A U.S. Air Force A-10 Thun-
JACoB T. STepheNS II) that come to sharp points, which derbolt II sits on the flight by
have led to multiple instances where line at Davis-Monthan Air
355th Wing Public Affairs SeCReTARY oF The AIR FoRCe
other maintainers have had cuts, Force Base, July 8. Airmen
Safety has been and remains a top abrasions and even needed stitches,” from the 355th Maintenance Public Affairs
priority for senior leaders through- said Sgt. Dalton Musselman, 355th Group are testing protective wAShINGToN — The Department of the Air Force
out the Air Force and Department of AMXS avionics technician. “We are headgear as a potential fu- announced July 23 it is pausing plans related to aircraft
Defense as it ensures that their most testing these hats to ensure that ture form of personal protec-
valuable resource, their people, are they will truly prevent injuries and tive equipment for mainte- basing decisions at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, and
taken care of and able to execute the do what they are designed to do. This nance Airmen across the Air Nellis AFB, Nevada, that are dependent upon the require-
mission. The 355th Aircraft Mainte- has the potential to be distributed Force to ensure their safety ment to retire 42 A-10 Thunderbolt IIs.
nance Squadron is testing the next Air Force wide to save the Air Force as they execute the mission. The announcement comes as the department awaits
solution in creating a safer work money and prevent personnel from congressional action that will be reflected in fiscal year
environment for maintenance troops. getting injured.” 2022’s National Defense Authorization Act.
The way the 355th AMXS is doing The 355th AMXS is testing this In support of modernization efforts, the Air Force an-
this is “bump caps,” which are tacti- equipment in conjunction with other nounced June 30 its plans to establish a center of excellence
cal ball caps with a protective lining Air Force entities that will decide for close air support and rescue missions at Davis-Monthan
inside, that are a potential form of if these are effective and should be AFB by transferring the A-10 Thunderbolt II and HH-60
personal protective equipment. implemented across the force. Pave Hawk weapons schools and test squadrons to the
“The bump cap is a cap with a “It is exciting to be a part of an ini- RIGHT: Airmen per- base beginning in fiscal year 2022 — a move contingent on
plastic insert designed to add a level tiative at the higher Air Force level,” form an aircraft tow congressional approval of President Biden’s budget request
of protection to mitigate head injuries Darius said. “This could be imple- at Davis-Monthan to retire 42 older A-10 aircraft.
for Airmen working around the flight mented at bases around the country Air Force Base, July In addition, the movement of these squadrons and
line,” said Airman 1st Class Philippe and across the world, which is an 8. Airmen from the personnel from Nellis AFB would free additional range
Darius, 355th AMXS A-10 Thunder- awesome thing to be at the spearhead 355th Aircraft Main- and base capacity necessary to test and train warfighters
bolt II crew chief. “This allows us to of. I’m really glad to see these steps tenance Squadron in fifth-generation aircraft and establish Nellis AFB as a courtesy photo
be more consistent in what we do being taken to make the job better for towed a U.S. Air fifth-generation center of excellence. U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs executed exercise Agile Dragon at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, from May
and not have to worry about head our maintainers because it can be a Force A-10 Thun- According to Air Force officials, however, these plans are 21-27. A-10s from the 357th Fighter Squadron practiced agile combat employment concepts for pilots, maintain-
injuries.” rough, rugged job.” derbolt II back to on hold pending the outcome of congressional decisions in ers and defenders during exercise Agile Dragon.
Maintenance Airmen across the The 355th AMXS testing this next the flight line after the FY-22 NDAA.
force have sustained a variety of head potential form of personal protec- performing routine The Department of the Air Force’s fiscal year 2022 budget required to design and field the future force needed to meet Thunderbolt Advanced Continuation Kitting wing replace-
injuries, which the bump cap is being tive equipment is just one part of an maintenance, en- request is seeking the retirement of 42 A-10 aircraft, 35 of combatant commander requirements. ment contract, which was awarded in August 2019, included
tested to mitigate and eliminate by on-going effort across the service to suring the aircraft which are at Davis-Monthan AFB. Pending congressional Although the Air Force is seeking to retire 42 A-10s, the the purchase of wings for 218 aircraft. The Air Force has
creating safer operating procedures. ensure the safety of the Air Force’s stays able to ex- approval, the funds made available from retiring these service plans to modernize and keep 218 combat-capable invested $880 million in A-10 re-winging and avionics
“There are several low-hanging most valuable resource, its Airmen. ecute its mission. Photos by Senior Airman Jacob T. Stephens older A-10s would create the fiscal and manpower flexibility A-10s within the fighter fleet into the 2030s. The A-10 modernization efforts.

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