Maintainers de-icing airplanes for the 86th Airlift Wing at Ramstein AB, Germany, this winter will have use of a new de-icing chemical refueling facility that’s designed to make their jobs easier and safer, according to a base release. “This facility alleviates load time [for the de-icing chemicals] and no longer requires airmen climbing on top of a de-icer to refuel during hazardous winter conditions,” said MSgt. Michael Bagley, the 721st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron’s aircraft support flight supervisor, in Ramstein’s Oct. 21 release. It has features like increased de-icing fluid-storage capacity and a drive-through setup to enhance quick turnaround times for de-icing vehicles, states the release. Further, “new pumps feature an automated mixture system to ensure the correct amount of chemicals is combined and pumped into the vehicles,” said Bagley. The pumps also have features “to prevent major spills and overflows when refilling a de-icing vehicle’s tank,” he said. (Ramstein report by A1C Jordan Castelon)
How Miss America 2024 Took the Air Force Somewhere New
Dec. 20, 2024
When 2nd Lt. Madison Marsh became the first ever active service member crowned Miss America on Jan. 14, top Air Force officials recognized a rare opportunity to reach women and girls who otherwise might not consider military service as an option.