The White Falcon - 11.02.1977, Page 1

*( White Falcon
Volume XXXIII Number 6
Keflavik, Iceland
February 11, 1977
57th FIS tests anti-exposure suits
Five hardy volunteers from the 57th
I Fighter Interceptor Squadron, entered
|he frigid waters of Lisco Bay, near
Bafnir, for operational tests of life
support equipment, Feb. 4.
All 57th FIS aircrews wore anti-expo-
sure suits, made of waterproof materi-'
als, to increase their chances of sur-
vival in the North Atlantic waters. Of
particular interest in this evaluation
was the performance of the ventile mate-
rial of which the anti-exposure suit is
constructed. This space-age material is
woven to allow passage of air when dry,
but, when immersed in water, the cloth
seals to become completely waterproof.
Anti-exposure suits, made of the new
fabric, herald a new era in crew comfort
and enhance survivability for aircrews
downed in frigid arctic waters.
Captain Carl Decker, Captain Pat Gan-
dee, Lieutenant Karl Schneider, Lieuten-
ant Donn Flinn and Senior Airman Dave
Morgan plunged into the 35 degree water
to gather data that will be forwarded to
the Air Force Research and Development
Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force
Base, OH.
The test participants experienced a
variety of effects from the nearly
freezing water. Numbness of the feet
and hands, along with degraded motor re-
flexes were noted by most participants.
Vital body functions of the test sub-
jects were monitored by the Air Force
Flight Surgeon, Major (Dr.) Charles M.
Girard, who helped to ensure the com-
plete safety of the test participants.
Pararescuemen from Detachment 14, 39th
Air Rescue and Recovery Wing, also par-
ticipated as safety monitors.
This test marks another step in a
continuing program to provide Air Force
flight crews the best possible chances
for survival in the severe climatic con-
ditions encountered in the Air Force's
global mission.
TO TEST THE NEW ANTI-EXPOSURE SUITS, Captain Pat Gandee and Senior Airman
Andy Moser simulate actual conditions.
* "
Norwegian guests visit VP-45;
tour Iceland Defense Force
A group of senior Norwegian military
officers and government officials vis-
ited Patrol Squadron FORTY-FIVE as part
of an Iceland Defense Force orientation
tour last week.
Major General Johan Berg, who is the
Commandant of the Norwegian National De-
fense College, led the group of senior
officers from the Royal Norwegian Army,
Navy and Air Force.
Senior government officials repre-
sented the Norwegian Ministries of
Foreign Affairs, Justice and Police,
Education and Ecclesiastical Affairs
and the Norwegian Defense Command Head-
quarters .
Rear Admiral Karl J. Bernstein, Com-
mander Iceland Defense Force, welcomed
the Norwegian visitors. Following the
admiral’s remarks, the Norwegians re-
ceived a briefing on IDF operations and
activities. Then they visited the Ice-
land Anti-Submarine Warfare Team, VP-45
and its Tactical Support Center , after
which included an overview of the Kef-
lavik based ASW team operations at the
TSC. The Norwegian guests also viewed a
static display of VP-45's P-3C "Orion"
aircraft.
Commander Stephen F. Loftus, VP-45
commanding officer, welcomed the tour
group. Lieutenant Tom Creath and
Lieutenant junior grade Alan Harms,
Orion tactical coordinators, along with
Orion Plane commanders, Lieutenant Tom
Snyder and Lieutenant Chris Beloncik,
as well as Aviation Electronics Tech-
nicians Wayne Pasanen and Steve Barbee
explained the aircraft's systems and
Capabilities.
r The Norwegian Air Force operates
Lockheed ASW aircraft from two bases in
Norway. However, the Norwegian P-3's
are the original Alfa model which do
not have the sane computerized, in-
tegrated sensor data processing of the
VP-45 Charlie model P-3. From their
bases in Norway, the Norwegians patrol
the southern Barents Sea off the coast
of northern Norway.
Exchange ideas
Cdr. Loftus thanked the Norwegian of-
ficers and officials by saying, "Vis-
its such as these are an invauable op-
portunity to exchange ideas between mem-
bers of the NATO Team, which help to
promote the spirit of cooperation be-
tween allies."
The VP-45 Pelicans have hosted sev-
eral foreign military visitors before
their deployment to Kefalvik. While
in Jacksonville, FL (their homeport)
they hosted the Chief of Staff of the
French Navy, who is the French equiva-
lent of the Chief of Naval Operations.
Patrol Squadron FORTY-FIVE continues to
extend its cooperation among allies by
scheduling liaison flights to NATO mari-
time air facilities in northern Europe.
The visits, in addition to promoting
the spirit of cooperation, also have an
added benefit to flight safety. North-
ern European maritime air facilities
serve as weather alternates for Pelican
aircraft unable to land in Iceland be-
cause of severe weather.
Following lunch, the Norwegians vis-
ited the 57th Fighter Intercepter
Squadron, touring its alert facility and
hanger area. Then the Norwegians visit-
ed Detachment 14 to observe IDF Search
and Rescue Teams.
AF sergeants propose benny suggs
Air Force Sergeants James A. Watson,
57th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, In-
struments Maintenance Branch, and
Charles E. Owens, Vehicle Operations
Supervisor for Air Forces Iceland, re-
cently received $660.
Colonel William E. Lindeman, Air
Forces Iceland Commander, recognized
them for their ideas they submitted
through the suggestion program.
Although many personnel at Keflavik
have received cash awards in quite some
time, TSgt. Owens suggested that truck
bodies from salvaged trucks on the Nav-
al Station be used to convert chassis on
Air Forces trucks, instead of using new
truck chassis. This meant that no mon-
ey would be spent for procuring new
chassis or for delivery charges. SSgt.
Owens estimated that approximately
$9,137, plus about two months time would
be saved, using his suggestion.
SSgt. Watson's suggestion improved
repair procedures on the Air Data Com-
puter for the F-4 aircraft. His pro-
posed procedure reduces repair time by
approximately four hours per computer
and also increases the reliability of
the work. It is applicable to all mo-
dels of the F-4.
As it turned out, everyone benefit-
ted from these suggestions, the spokes-
man commented. The Air Force saved
approximately $9,000; the jobs were
completed quicker and the suggestors
not only saved time but also received
money for their ideas.
The suggestions program benefits
everyone and it can pay a big bonus when
making a good, sound suggestion, just
ask TSgt. Owens and SSgt. Watson.
Afterwards, they saw the Keflavik
Base Operations Department.
Admiral Bernstein, in a message to
all those who participated in the Nor-
wegian visit, expressed his sincere ap-
preciation for their special efforts
which made the visit a success. He con-
veyed to all personnel the appreciation
of both the Royal Norwegian Ambassador
to Iceland, the Honorable Olav Lydvo and
Major General Johan Berg.
EXPLAINING THE NEW P-3C ORION SYSTEMS, Lieutenant Tim Creath guides the
Norwegian visitors through the airplane.
Valentine’s Day - 'a matter of the heart’
Have you ever stopped to think of the
endless expressions, poems and songs
about the heart? When you are depressed
you are "sick at heart", a vocalist
sings out "here is my heart" and the
poet warns "give crowns and pounds and
guineas, but not your heart away".
For centuries people have been fas-
cinated by the heart. Ancient legends
and myths are still perpetuated in the
modem observance of Valentine's Day.
Feb. 14 is a tribute to the heart, the
symbol of love and life.
On February 14, 270 AD, a Roman
priest, Saint Valentine, was put to
death because he refused to pay tribute
to pagan gods. The Roman Catholic
Church canonized him as a martyr.
The date of his death coincided with
the Roman feast of the Luperalia, when
youths chose their sweethearts for the
following year by drawing lots.
Today, we celebrate Valentine's Day
by sending cards and gifts to loved
ones. February 14 will always be "an
affair of the heart".
JO-vehicle inspection
The JO—numbered vehicle inspec-
tion continues Monday through Thurs-
day from 1:15 to 4:30 p.m. at the
base motor pool car wash, Bldg. T-
507. The schedule is as follows:
Monday—JO-4795 JO-5069
Tuesdaj—JO-5080 JO-5351
Wednesday—JO-5352 JO-5560
Thursday—JO-5571 JO-5752