So we’ll lose some more American manufacturing jobs. Big deal. Move along, nothing to see here.
The Chinese do not respect quality control enough to be trusted with complete production. Those poor aircraft will have models with substandard parts/materials and serious lapses in assembly.
Yes, it *matters* if a cable rubs on a flat, perpendicular surface!
Unbelievable...
He recently retired from Boeing - but was asked, by Boeing, to come back and work for a Chinese supplier as quality control liasion to Boeing. This supplier is trying to come up to speed to supply Dreamliner parts. He is in China now.
I still want the flying car I was promised as a kid.
Oh, and I want it made in America by a US company.
Michael Frazier
Iraqi Air Force Sensor Operators Keep Watch Over Iraq
Friday, 08 February 2008
Multi-National Security Transition Command – Iraq
KIRKUK — Iraqi Muslims making their annual pilgrimage to Mecca in December were being watched. Their every movement was being carefully scrutinized and recorded by unseen men. The watchers plotted prime ambush points that would be the most dangerous to the pilgrims and made sure to note and analyze them.
The “watchers” were Iraq’s own Air Force keeping a vigilant watch over their fellow countrymen. Flying over a mile above their heads, the crowd probably didn’t even notice the Cessna Caravan circling or the impact it had on their pilgrimage. Onboard the aircraft was an aircrew made up of pilots and most importantly, mission sensor operators.
Iraqi mission sensor operators are Iraqi Air Force officers who operate television and infrared cameras on the Cessna Caravan, an intelligence gathering aircraft used by the Iraqi Air Force.
“I photograph the people,” said Iraqi Air Force Capt. Ali, a mission sensor operator with the Iraqi Air Force’s 3rd Squadron. “We photograph them to protect them from missiles and other harm.”
The sensor operators did well in protecting the pilgrims, as none of those participating in the Hajj this year were attacked.
“Before, they had attacks, and some people were kidnapped and killed (during the Hajj),” said Ali. “This year we did our job well, and they were very safe. They weren’t hurt.”
The video taken by the camera mounted below the aircraft known as “the ball” feeds the images directly to the sensor operator’s console aboard the Caravan. The operator then has the capability to zoom in for a closer look, record the material and give the intelligence gathered to higher headquarters, or even link with an Iraqi Army unit below them to give them a bird’s eye view of the area they’re operating in.
The Iraqi sensor operators have a keen eye for detail in their country, said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Justin Rice, an advisor with the 870th Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron, which is attached to the Coalition Air Force Transition Team.
The Iraqi sensor operator’s experience from being in their home country allows them to quickly discard common gatherings and focus on more important areas, said Rice.
In order to put their experience to work, the sensor operators must first go through an extensive training program.
Before an Iraqi can even begin the training, he must have a college degree. The future operator is then sent to learn English, the official language of aviation, and a basic military course where they earn their commission.
After earning his commission, the officer heads to Kirkuk to begin ground school. In ground school, the students are taught subjects that include basic airmanship, how to read charts and how to work the equipment aboard the Caravan.
The ground school is taught by two Iraqi Air Force officers who are also trained sensor operators on the Caravan.
After completing approximately two weeks of ground school, the students move on to apply what they’ve learned in the air.
A mix of Iraqi instructors and U.S. Airmen fly with the students to monitor their performance. After eight sorties, the Iraqi sensor operator is given a ‘check-ride’, which qualifies him as a mission sensor operator.
“I’m very happy to take the information they teach me to protect my country and protect the
people in my country,” said Ali, a former MiG-21 pilot.Once their training is complete, the sensor operators begin flying sorties without an instructor supervising them.
Besides special missions such as monitoring the Hajj, the sensor operators regularly watch Iraq’s oil pipeline, power lines and perform surveillance missions for the Iraqi Army.
The Iraqi sensor operators fill a gap that the Iraqi military has never before seen. They give the ability to gather intelligence and watch a target using real time video. The operators are well aware of this when they discuss the pride they have in their duties.
“I like my job when I do it perfectly,” said Ali. When asked if he does perform his job perfectly, he replied just one word.
“Yes.”
http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=16904&Itemid=110
