Geoff Shootmans world

Air Force stands up first unmanned aircraft systems wing

2007-06-08T22:34:00.000-07:00

The MQ-9 Reaper taxies into Creech Air Force Base, Nev., home to the newly reactivated 432nd Wing. The 432nd Wing consists of six operations squadrons and a maintenance squadron for the Air Force fleet of 60 MQ-1 Predator and six MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicles. U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Larry E. Reid Jr.
Source: USAF

NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. (AFNEWS) -- The Air Force's first unmanned aircraft systems wing stood up May 1 at Creech Air Force Base, Nev.

As Col. Christopher Chambliss assumed command of the 432nd, a piece of history was revived and a course for the way ahead continued.

"This is a monumental day for the Air Force," said Colonel Chambliss. "Having a wing dedicated to unmanned aircraft systems is a logical and important step in continuing the Air Force's role in being the world's greatest air and space power, and is equally critical to the Air Force's most important customers, the American warfighters."

The people of this wing have already proven themselves as key players in the war on terrorism, said the colonel who came to Creech AFB from Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, where he was the 366th Fighter Wing vice commander. "It is a great honor to assume command of such a fine group of Airmen as a new chapter in the 432nd is opened," he said.

The reactivation of this wing is a historic event, but it shouldn't be considered a starting point, the colonel said.

Forming an unmanned aircraft systems wing has been in the work for about four years, according to Colonel Chambliss.

"The new wing is an evolution in the Air Force's UAS program and provides the next step forward in medium- and high-altitude unmanned air systems," he said.

The Air Force's UASs have been a critical asset to the U.S. military since Operation Iraqi Freedom began. UASs have been "an unblinking eye that can pack a punch when necessary," said Colonel Chambliss, referring to the MQ-1 Predator's intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities coupled with its abilities to fire Hellfire missiles.

The MQ-9 Reaper is primarily a strike aerial, which has the surveillance capabilities of a Predator, but can fly faster, at a higher altitude and can carry almost 4,000 pounds of munitions. The Predator is a medium-altitude UAS that can fly up to 25,000 feet. The Reaper is able to fly up to 50,000 feet.

Both of these aircraft have the capability to find, track, and, if necessary, eliminate an enemy threat. "Coupled with the skill and experience of pilots from the world's most feared and respected Air Force, these aircraft are two of the most sought after aerial systems in combat," said Brig. Gen. William Rew, the 57th Wing commander.

"Although this standup is a landmark achievement for the Air Force and demonstrates our dedication to aiding the fight in the war on terrorism, for those who use the Air Force's UAS assets on a day-to-day basis -- the Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, and Airmen on the ground, and even the pilots flying the MQ-1's and MQ-9's -- this transition of authority will seem transparent," said Lt. Gen. Norman Seip, 12th Air Force commander.

"If yesterday we had flown 12 combat air patrols, then today the same people would be flying in support of the deployed forces throughout the world, the only difference being the patch on the pilot's shoulder," said General Seip.

The 432nd wing has six operational squadrons, one maintenance squadron, with six Reapers and 60 Predators. These squadrons are projected to fly 75,000 hours this year, 85 percent being combat operations, said Col. Eric Mathewson, who assumed command of the 432nd Operations Group. The Predator is currently being used in Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom for intelligence surveillance reconnaissance and tactical missions, flown by pilots and sensor operators in the United States.

Originally, the 432nd Observation Group was established to train cadre for new groups and wings. In 1954, it began training in tactical reconnaissance and in 1958 was re-designated as a wing. In 1966, the wing was assigned to Udorn, Thailand, where it flew both reconnaissance and tactical fighter missions over Southeast Asia.

In 1984, the 432nd was activated at Misawa Air Base, Japan. It remained there until deactivation in October 1994.

The Predator MAE UAV

2007-06-08T22:05:00.000-07:00

The Predator MAE UAV was developed as an ACTD from January 1994 to June 1996.
Because the Predator is small, white, and almost invisible in the sky, people don't realize they're being watched. Its 80-horsepower four-stroke Rotax 912 engine is virtually silent at altitude but as annoying as a chainsaw on the ground.
The aircraft can be picked up on radar, but most search radar systems filter out low-speed targets so that they don't pick out birds or objects that don't pose threats.

An MQ-1 Predator sits in its hangar at Balad Air Base, Iraq

2007-06-08T18:03:00.001-07:00

MQ-9 Reaper In Flight

2007-06-08T17:58:00.000-07:00

Predator: Newest Asset for CBP Air and Marine

2007-06-08T17:56:00.000-07:00

Fully Armed MQ-9 Reaper

2007-06-08T17:51:00.000-07:00

A New Job at General Atomics Aeronautical Division

2007-06-08T17:33:00.000-07:00

I've started a cool new job at GA-ASI.
I'm currently working in the servo lab.
I'm building and repairing electro-mechanical servos that control the flight surfaces of a UAV.
This is a un-maned airplane used by U.S. Customs & Border Protection Along Southwest Border.
Also extensively used by the US Air Force and US Army fighting terriorism here and in the middle east.
You can see the aircraft at ga-asi.com

“Predator series aircraft have achieved a number of records, including being the first UAS to fire a Hellfire missile during combat and the first to be controlled from a submerged submarine,” says Frost & Sullivan research analyst Lindsay Voss. “The USAF flies more Predators than any other unmanned aircraft and plans to acquire more over the next few years.”

be sure to check out

2007-06-07T19:48:00.000-07:00

Krottje.com

We are back and up and running

2007-06-07T19:45:00.000-07:00

Be sure to check out;
http://thersetorersedge.com

Classic Car Buyers Advice

2006-11-23T07:41:00.000-08:00

Classic car-Buyers guide is a great site for Classic Car buyers advice You can can read up on how to buy classic and special interest autos .
And dont forget,The Restorers Edge will soon publish a Ebook for classic car restoration and tips and techniques for classic cars!

Buying a collector/hobby car should be an exciting, fun thing to do. But,without the proper considerations,the results can be frustrating and financially disastrous.

Always try to consider all the options you have before going out and buying "That Classic Car".
Or let's look at it this way...
You've got the drive to take on the restoration,the money and the time, and even "the vision."

But you've jumped the gun and it's come down to one simple but horrible mistake:
You bought a pile of rusty trash with 4 wheels and it's going to take a lot more work to restore than the thing deserves.

The truth is, starting with a loveable rolling wreck or basket case, can be the most expensive way to do a restoration.

It's fine if you've found a Cobra factory racer that will be worth millions when you're done or if you want to create a Hot Rod with all the trick one of a kind Hot Rod stuff.

But what if you've fallen in love with Aunt Eddna's old Plymouth Valiant?
Well, you're probabley going to be upside down before you get the the thing off the trailer.

Perform Your Own Automobile Maintenance

2006-05-21T10:20:00.000-07:00

This artical and many more great articals are at The Auto-Advisor.com Today’s cars can typically be expected to pass the 200,000 mile mark with consistent automobile maintenance. With the price of automobiles, you will want to protect that investment by performing regular maintenance. If you can do much of the work yourself, you will save a lot of money in labor. Invest in a good set of tools and choose quality parts when performing your own automobile maintenance.
If you have some skill, but want to learn more look for courses in general repairs and maintenance. These can often be found at your local community center, Community College or an automotive technical school in your area. Consider investing in a good repair manual for your car, such as a Chilton’s manual. The internet is a good place to look for articles and information. There are many sites devoted to auto repair and maintenance.
You will want to keep track of all maintenance performed on your car. You can do this in a log, a notebook or on your home computer. There is software available to help you keep track of maintenance. These programs track repairs, maintenance, replacement parts used on the vehicle and fuel consumption. You can use the same software for multiple vehicles.
Most software allows you to create a service schedule and will remind you when it’s time to perform maintenance tasks on each vehicle in your household. The software contains a wide variety of tips for car care. In addition, many have reference and diagnostic tools to help you diagnose various problems with your cars. Many companies offer a free trial that can be downloaded on the internet. This allows you to try out the program before investing your money.
Your owner’s manual will give you some basic information about when certain maintenance tasks should be done. Most tasks will be listed according to the mileage on the car.
3000 Mile Maintenance
Change the oil in your engine every 3000 miles. The filter should be changed at the same time. Newer synthetic oils are said to last longer without breaking down. When you change the oil, check the fluids, the air filter, tires, hoses and belts. At this time check the battery cables and terminals for corrosion. This can be removed with a wire brush or sandpaper.
5000-10,000 Miles:
Have your tires rotated and balanced every five to ten thousand miles. This helps the tires wear evenly and extends the life. The best tires should be put in the front of the car. Check the tire pressure regularly and check the tread for signs of uneven wear or damage.
15,000 Miles:
Change the air filter every 15,000 miles. A clean air filter improves the fuel economy of your car. A dirty air filter can cause the engine to run rough and stall. At this time you should also check the pads and shoes on your brake system. Check the brake fluid and top it of, as needed. The fluid should be clear. If you notice noise when the brakes are applied or the steering wheel shakes or vibrates, this can be an indication that the brakes need replacing. In this case, don’t wait check the brakes and replace as needed.
30,000 Miles:
Check the fluid level on your transmission. The owner’s manual will have information about the kind of fluid that should be used in your car. The manual should have directions on how to drain and replace the fluid. The pan gasket should be changed when the fluid is drained. Also at this time, give the car a tune up. Replace all spark plugs and wires.
50,000 Miles:
Change the coolant at 50,000 miles. See the owner’s manual for directions on how to perform this task.
Remember to take care of your car’s finish. You want the paint to remain in good condition for as long as possible. Wash the car regularly, even in the winter when salt from the roads can ruin the finish. Apply wax to protect the paint from the sun, salt and weather conditions. Don’t neglect the headlights, which can become cloudy and won’t operate as well. New Lite Headlight Cleaner and Restorer will return cloudy headlights to like new condition. Learn more about this product at http://www.mdwholesale.com/ You can read more artical at The Auto Advisor.com

Stretch your fuel.learn how with these 10 tips.

2006-03-22T18:32:00.000-08:00

1. Drive smoothly - Aggressive driving can use as much as a third more fuel than safe driving*. Avoid accelerating or braking too hard and try to keep your steering as smooth as possible.

2. Use higher gears - The higher gear you drive in the lower your engine speed is, which can improve fuel efficiency. So change up a gear whenever you can, without stressing the engine.

3. Tune and service your engine - A well tuned engine can improve fuel economy by up to 4%**, so change your oil and follow your car manufacturer’s recommendation on servicing.

4. Keep your tires at the right pressure – Correctly inflated tires are safer and last longer. A tire that is under inflated by just 1psi can reduce fuel efficiency by as much as 3%**. An under or over inflated tire is also more susceptible to failing.

5. Avoid carrying excess weight – For every extra 100 lbs (45 kg) you carry your fuel efficiency can drop by 1-2%*. So keep your trunk or back seat clear of unnecessary items that just add weight to your vehicle.

6. Keep the windows closed - Wind blowing through an open window will slow you down. To compensate, you may put your foot down harder, using more fuel.

7. Take the roof rack off - If you’re not using your roof rack then remove it. They affect the aerodynamic efficiency of your vehicle and create drag, reducing fuel economy by as much as 5%*.

8. Use the correct oil - Always use the recommended grade of motor oil. Using the manufacturer’s recommended lubricant can improve fuel efficiency by 1-2%**. Higher quality motor oils can also help your engine operate more efficiently.

9. Use cruise control - Using cruise control on major roads helps you maintain a constant speed and, in many cases, will improve fuel consumption.

10. Avoid excess idling - Idling gets you nowhere but still burns fuel. Turn the engine off when you’re in a line, or waiting for someone, until you need it.

The Restorers Edge

2006-03-20T22:37:00.000-08:00

The Restorers Edge is a great site for Classic Car Restoration tips and techniques, along with a newsletter for classic and special interest autos .The Restorers Edge will soon publish a Ebook for classic car restoration and tips and techniques for classic cars!

What It's all about

2006-03-20T22:00:00.000-08:00

This is gonna be a snap shot into the life of me , Geoff Shootman.The work I do and the passions I share! I truely love Cars,all kinds ,shapes and sizes.Ferrari,Bugutti,Delahaye,Talbo-Lago,You see I have been restoring these Types of Exotic Cars for 18 years now.None of them have been mine ,all customers cars.You can see some of my work at www.therestorersedge.com I'll post some pictures of current work here on my Blog soon.....