Free Republic

A USAF F-16 assigned to the 332nd AEW, based at Joint Base Balad, Iraq, caught fire after the pilot aborted the takeoff, at about 5.40h. Baghdad time. The fire was contained adjacent to the runway, and the pilot, who ground egressed the aircraft, was taken to the Air Force Theater Hospital on base for evaluation. The pilot had no apparent injuries. The aircraft was destroyed in the fire. A safety board will be convened to investigate the incident. Courtesy of Joint Base Balad Public Affairs

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq -- The memorial service held Oct. 27 at Town Hall here started with a roll call. A senior NCO with the 332nd Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron called out names of Airmen in the Phase Inspection Section, and each Airman stood and answered "present." All but one. "Sergeant Hause," the master sergeant called, but no one answered. "Staff Sergeant Hause." Again, silence. "Staff Sergeant Brian Hause." Town Hall remained quiet, for Staff Sgt. Brian Hause was no longer among his wingmen. Hause, an assistant NCOIC in the 332nd EMXS Phase Dock, died Oct. 23 from non-combat related medical...

Anticipating his first deployment, Airman 1st Class Teko Robinson was more excited to implement his training than nervous about what might happen. Robinson, crew chief for the 77th Fighter Squadron at Shaw Air Force Base, was one of more than 200 airmen from the squadron who deployed Thursday in an Air Expeditionary Force rotation to Southwest Asia. "We know that they are all trained and have worked very hard to be ready for this deployment," said 2nd Lt. Noelle Caldwell, 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs chief. "They are ready to carry on the mission the Air Force has for them."...

SEOUL — An F-16 squadron from South Carolina led a combined large-force exercise at Kunsan Air Base earlier this month, the first time a squadron stationed outside South Korea has completed the task with American and South Korean jets. Twenty F-16s, including two South Korean jets, flew in the 1½ hour nighttime mission in early March. Ten of the American jets were from Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., and eight were from Kunsan. More than 300 airmen from Shaw arrived at Kunsan in January as part of an Air and Space Expeditionary Force deployment, which typically lasts four months. “It...

This Wed. Oct. 4th in Columbia, SC interested parties are invited to join a freep at the state capitol building. Every Wed two pinko groups hold what they call a "silent vigil" against the war in Iraq. I have included links to the sites for these groups. http://www.womeninblack.net/ http://www.carolinapeace.org/ Sickening.....isn't it? For over a year I have been counter protesting in support of our troops AND their mission. Fort Jackson, the largest initial entry training center for the Army is in Columbia with Shaw Air Force Base in nearby Sumter. I cannot tolerate servicemen or family members driving or walking...

July 25, 2006 (by Mike Kopack) - An F-16CJ pilot ejected from his aircraft over the Atlantic Ocean Apr. 5, 2006 after experiencing a Gravity-Induced Loss of Consciousness and awaking to find his aircraft in an unrecoverable dive, according to an Air Combat Command report released two weeks ago. The pilot suffered serious injuries during the high-speed ejection, which took place while the aircraft was traveling in excess of 750 miles per hour. The aircraft (#93-542), assigned to the 20th Fighter Wing, Shaw AFB, S.C., crashed into the ocean approximately 80 miles northeast of Charleston, S.C., and was destroyed. The...

Every Wednesday evening in Columbia, SC a group of "peace activists" (traiterous cowards) protest US involvement in Iraq. They hold up signs that denegrate the efforts of our troops. Calling it a "war for oil" and demanding that we "end the occupation" ( They obviously never looked up the definition of that word.) They do this near the foot of the capital steps 5-6 pm. Columbia is home of Fort Jackson which is one of the largest initial entry training posts in the army. It is also located near Sumter -home of Shaw Air Force Base. As a military wife,...

For about 40 hours each week, 68,000 people in this area have something in common — a job. They come in many shapes and sizes, and a lot of them aren't much fun. But most people, especially those with bills to pay, agree that having a bad job is a far sight better than not having one at all. Just ask the roughly 6,300 people in Sumter, Lee and Clarendon counties who are considered officially unemployed. The reasons vary, but plant closures, downsizing, outsourcing and off-shoring have had very real consequences locally. The past few years have seen several plants...

3/17/2006 - SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. (AFPN) -- Hundreds of physical and mental training hours go into being a part of one of the most advanced careers in the world -- an F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot. The F-16’s multiple missions, such as air-to-air and air-to-ground combat, make it one of the most versatile aircraft in the Air Force, said Capt. Charlie Wolfsandle, 55th Fighter Squadron assistant training officer. To be selected to fly the F-16, an individual has to pass a battery of physical and mental tests. Pilots are selected for training when they receive a commission and are...

A Bridgeport man who planned on making a lifetime career in the Air Force died Tuesday morning in a South Carolina house fire while trying to rescue a young boy. Senior Airman Guillermo Nazario, 22, returned just two weeks ago from an overseas tour, when he spent some time in Iraq with his munitions troop, according to his family. Nazario was based at Shaw Air Force Base in Sumter, S.C., but lived in a private house in Sumter with his girlfriend and her son. He was divorced and had no children of his own, the family said. A fire broke...