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108-452: The final Air Mobility Rodeo was held at McChord Air Force Base , during July 2011. The USAF decided to replace it with a new AMC exercise called Mobility Guardian. The first Mobility Guardian exercise took place 30 July to 12 August 2017 at JB Lewis-McChord The competition tests the flight and ground skills of security forces, aerial port operations, aeromedical evacuation, and maintenance team members. The Rodeo competition name stems from

216-539: A body of water . The device will keep the wearer afloat with their head and mouth above the surface – they do not have to swim or tread water in order to stay afloat and can even be unconscious. PFDs are commonly worn on small watercraft or other locations where accidental entry into deep water may occur in order to provide immediate support for the wearer should they end up in the water. PFDs are also kept on large vessels for passengers to wear in an emergency in order to help them stay afloat should they be forced to enter

324-462: A 'hydrostatic release'. All automatic life-jackets can be fired manually if required. Regardless of whether manually or automatically triggered, a pin punctures the cartridge/canister and the CO 2 gas escapes into the sealed air chamber. However, there is a chance that these water pressure activated inflation devices do not inflate the life jacket if a person is wearing waterproof clothing and falls into

432-902: A Japanese submarine near the mouth of the Columbia River . The 17th Bomb Group was reassigned in February 1942 to Columbia Army Air Base in South Carolina, where crews from the group were selected to carry out the Doolittle Raid on Japan in April. With the departure of the 17th Bomb Group, the mission of McChord Field became supporting the Army Air Forces Training Command 's mission of training of units, crews, and individuals for bombardment, fighter, and reconnaissance operations. Northwest Air Force

540-696: A buoyancy compensator, which has an inflatable gas chamber. The amount of gas can be increased or decreased to enable the diver to ascend, descend or maintain neutral buoyancy at a given water depth and to provide positive buoyancy in an emergency to bring the diver to the surface or keep the diver at the surface. Specialized life jackets include shorter-profile vests commonly used for kayaking (especially playboating ), and high-buoyant types for river outfitters and other whitewater professionals. PFDs which include harnesses for tethered rescue work ('live-bait rescue') and pockets or daisy-chains (a series of loops created by sewing flat nylon webbing at regular intervals for

648-792: A centralized center for Air Defense, intended to provide early warning and response for a Soviet nuclear attack. It was initially under the command of the Seattle Air Defense Sector (SeADS), activated on 8 January 1958. The ADC radar site (P-1) was deactivated 1 April 1960 and repositioned to Fort Lawton AFS (RP-1) where the Air Force consolidated its anti-aircraft radars with the United States Army Seattle Defense Area Army Air-Defense Command Post (AADCP) S-90DC for Nike missile operations. SeADS

756-850: A competition format as an excellent way to gauge the level of proficiency and refine airdrop techniques. In 1979 the MAC commander, General William Moore, directed each MAC wing to participate in the first Volant Rodeo, held at Pope Air Force Base from 3 – 9 June that year. He also invited the Air Force Reserve Command and the Air National Guard to participate. In all 31 teams competed flying C-7, C-123, C-130, and C-141 aircraft. Events included airdrops of both equipment and personnel, ERO, assault takeoffs and landings, maintenance inspections, aerial delivery inspections, as well as Combat Control and Security Police marksmanship and

864-838: A counterattack, and get the National Command Authorities to safety. Between 1955 and 1957, the 62nd began to fly missions to the Alaskan arctic regions, carrying 13 million pounds of supplies and equipment to build the DEW Line. The resupply of the DEW Line stations kept the Wing occupied until 1969. The 62nd Troop Carrier Wing (Heavy) was reassigned to the Military Air Transport Service Continental Division on 1 July 1957 as TAC realigned its transport units. Meanwhile,

972-464: A diver's drysuit provides a degree of flotation, in most maritime countries they are not formally considered by regulatory agencies as approved lifesaving devices or as PFDs. It is possible for an incapacitated person in the water to float face-down while wearing only a wet suit or a dry suit since they are not designed to serve as lifesaving devices in the normal understanding of that term. The Mark 10 Submarine Escape Immersion Equipment (SEIE) suit

1080-418: A drop zone suitable for heavy cargo and paratroops near Scott Air Force Base the second competition was held at Dover Air Force Base , Delaware and took place 22 – 28 September. The same seven wings participated again with two crews and one C-124. However, both the 1501st and 1608th also entered a C-130 Hercules aircraft. Each crew flew a morning, afternoon, and night cargo drop. Additionally, each crew

1188-614: A junior military aviator in 1918, died while trying to force-land his Northrop A-17 near Maidens, Virginia . At the time of his death, he was Chief of the Training and Operations Division in HQ Army Air Corps. Tacoma Field was renamed McChord Field, 17 December 1937. Over the subsequent two decades McChord Field grew to roughly 3,000 acres (12 km ), encompassing the northern tip of the 70,000 acres (280 km ) Ft. Lewis. It became independent of Ft. Lewis in 1947 following

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1296-559: A letter to the Naval Chronicle, dated February 1802, Abraham Bosquet proposed issuing Royal Navy Ships with "strong canvas bags of dimensions, when filled with cork shavings, equal to about that of a bed bolster, coiled in manner like a collar, and sufficiently wide for the head and shoulders to pass through." In 1804, a cork life jacket was available for sale in The Sporting Magazine . In 1806, Francis Daniel,

1404-555: A lifejacket – a privately owned Macintosh Life Preserver and seems to have got ashore fairly easily." It was not until lifesaving services were formed that the personal safety of lifeboat crews heading out in pulling boats in generally horrific sea conditions was addressed. The modern life jacket is generally credited to the Inspector of Lifeboats at the Royal National Lifeboat Institution in

1512-423: A low-level, daylight, navigational mission, a similar night mission, and second daylight mission following a different route. During each mission the team dropped a 25 ounce shot bag attached to a miniature parachute simulating a 225 pound load. During the night missions a small flashlight taken from Mae West life preserver to aid in recovery. Combat Control teams from the 62d and 63d wings were stationed at

1620-401: A medical complication such as a seizure, or become unconscious. Most life jackets on the market are designed with foam that wraps around the animal's torso and neck. They provide a basic amount of buoyancy for a dog, but may not provide enough support for the head. They are not ideal for use with heavy dogs. However, they often incorporate a grab handle, which may help to hoist the dog back into

1728-506: A pair of air cells (bladders) that can be inflated by triggering the release of carbon dioxide gas from a canister—one for each cell. Alternately, the cells can be inflated "orally", that is by blowing into a flexible tube with a one-way valve to seal the air in the cell. Life jackets must also be supplied on commercial seafaring vessels, be accessible to all crew and passengers, and be donned in an emergency. Flotation devices are also found in near water-edges and at swimming pools. They may take

1836-559: A physician working at Wapping, exhibited an inflatable life preserver, mounting a demonstration in which a number of suitably equipped men jumped into the Thames below Blackfriars Bridge , and variously played musical instruments, smoked pipes, discharged guns and drank wine, as the tide took them upstream. Daniel pursued his idea for some years, by his own account receiving a gold medal from the Royal Society of Arts after surrendering

1944-419: A single air chamber or a pair of (twin or double) sealed air chambers constructed of coated nylon (sometimes with a protective outer encasing of heavier, tougher material such as vinyl ), joined, and buckled with a side release buckle . For use aboard ships they may be constructed of foam. Twin air chambers provide for redundancy in the event of one of the air chambers leaking or failing to "fire", for example if

2052-492: A survival vest, bulletproof vest/body armor, equipment harness, rappelling harness, or parachute harness, and the use of ballistic nylon cloth to protect pressurized CO 2 canisters used for inflating the vest from injuring the wearer if struck by a round from a firearm. The ballistic cloth keeps the fragments from the canister from becoming shrapnel injurious to the user. Life jackets or life vests are mandatory on airplanes flying over water bodies, in which case they consist of

2160-478: A tactical exercise guarding a C-130 against a group of simulated terrorists . The XVIII Airborne Corps at Fort Bragg also supported the Rodeo by providing paratroops, equipment, and drop zones for the air drop events. The following year the Rodeo was again held at Pope Air Force Base from 13 – 19 July. A total of 37 team participated in the 1980 event including four international teams from Australia , Canada ,

2268-444: A user with the necessary buoyancy. They are also designed for minimal maintenance and as they are only constructed from foam and can be mass-produced inexpensively, making them one of the most common forms of PFDs. Some buoyancy aids also come designed especially for children and youth. These vests may include one or two understraps to be worn between the legs of the wearer and also a headrest flap. The understraps are designed to keep

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2376-676: A variety of styles and are generally more comfortable and less bulky than traditional foam vests. There are also life vests made especially for women. The air chambers are always located over the breast, across the shoulders and encircle the back of the head. They may be inflated by either self-contained carbon dioxide cartridges activated by pulling a cord , or blow tubes with a one-way valve for inflation by exhalation . Some inflatable life jackets also react with salt or fresh water, which causes them to self-inflate. The latest generation of self-triggering inflation devices responds to water pressure when submerged and incorporates an actuator known as

2484-403: A vehicle cabin. Upon surfacing, the person then inflates the device, orally or by triggering the gas canister release mechanism. Most commercial passenger life jackets are fitted with a plastic whistle for attracting attention. It has a light which is activated when in contact with water. Quality life jackets always provide more buoyancy than offered by the buoyancy aids alone. The positioning of

2592-575: Is a United States Air Force base in the northwest United States , in Pierce County, Washington . South of Tacoma , McChord AFB is the home of the 62nd Airlift Wing , Air Mobility Command , the airbase's primary mission being worldwide strategic airlift. The McChord AFB facility was consolidated with the U.S. Army 's Fort Lewis on 1 February 2010 to become part of the Joint Base Lewis-McChord complex. This initiative

2700-659: Is intended to allow submariners to escape from much deeper depths than currently possible with the Steinke hood . Some United States Navy submarines already have the system, with an ambitious installation and training schedule in place for the remainder of the fleet. Because it is a full-body suit, the Mark 10 provides thermal protection once the wearer reaches the surface, and the Royal Navy has successfully tested it at 180 metres (600 ft) depths. Scuba divers commonly wear

2808-476: Is located adjacent to Lakewood , about 1 mi (1.6 km) south of Tacoma and 40 mi (64 km) south of Seattle . It was named in honor of Colonel William Caldwell McChord, former Chief of the Training and Operations Division in HQ Army Air Corps. Much of the base is a census-designated place (CDP), which had a population of 4,096 at the 2000 census . As of the census of 2000, there were 4,096 people, 1,004 households, and 978 families residing on

2916-534: Is often sewn to the fabric used to construct life jackets and PFDs to facilitate a person being spotted in darkness when a search light is shone towards the wearer. In the US, federal regulations require all persons under the age of 13 to wear a life jacket (PFD) when in a watercraft under 12 meters long. State regulations may raise or lower this number and must be followed when in that state's jurisdiction. Buoyancy aids are designed to allow freedom of movement while providing

3024-510: The 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission . Like most US military installations, McChord is closed to the general public, other than during their annual Open House. The McChord Field Historic District was listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places on 12 December 2008. According to the United States Census Bureau , it has a total area of 15.0 km (5.8 sq mi). It

3132-416: The 62nd Troop Carrier Group to McChord Field from Bergstrom Field , Texas. Headquarters Army Air Forces directed each Army Air Force have a tactical group assigned to establish a Wing headquarters. Thus, the 62nd Troop Carrier Wing (TCW), constituted on 28 July 1947, was activated at McChord Field on 15 August. The new Wing was assigned to Twelfth Air Force , with the 62nd Troop Carrier Group becoming one of

3240-681: The C-141 was phased out at McChord during the 1990s, it was replaced with the C-17 Globemaster III . McChord AFB and the 62nd Airlift Wing was the second AMC base to receive this aircraft for active duty, the first having been the 437th Airlift Wing (437 AW) at Charleston AFB , South Carolina. McChord has been the host base for the Air Mobility Rodeo in 1998, 2005, 2007 and 2009. On 1 February 2010 it again joined with Fort Lewis to become Joint Base Lewis-McChord , per

3348-584: The Cold War , numerous fighter-interceptor squadrons were stationed at the base, as well as Radar and Command and Control organizations, the 25th Air Division being headquartered at McChord from 1951 until 1990. The 325th Fighter Group (All-Weather) operated two squadrons of F-82F Twin Mustangs from McChord between 1948 and 1950, the first postwar fighter optimized for the air defense interceptor mission. Designed for very-long range bomber escort missions in

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3456-626: The Federal Republic of Germany , and the United Kingdom . The German team competed in the C-130 category flying Transall C-160 aircraft. The event was won by the 40th TAS commanded by Major Richard Mandas with Capt Robert Arnett, copilot, Capt Randall Hill, navigator, Sgt H. Clark, engineer and Sgt Ray Quinones, loadmasters. The team flew C-130E 70-1259 (Aerospace Chicken), Sgt. Jack Koeneman, Dedicated Crew Chief. Allied interaction

3564-651: The Goldfish Club . British pilot Eric Brown noted in an interview that the Mae West device saved his life after he was forced into the ocean following the sinking of the aircraft carrier he was on, HMS Audacity , by a U-boat in WW2. Out of the 24 crew in his group in the water, the only two who survived were two pilots wearing Mae Wests, the rest were sailors wearing more basic flotation devices (inflatable rings) that kept them afloat, but did not keep their heads out of

3672-611: The UK , Captain John Ross Ward (later Vice Admiral of the Royal Navy ). He created a brown cork vest in 1854 to be worn by lifeboat crews for both weather protection and buoyancy . They would be worn over the blue/grey waterproof oilskins In 1900, French electrical engineer, Gustave Trouvé , patented a battery-powered wearable lifejacket. It incorporated small, rubber-insulated maritime electric batteries not only to inflate

3780-406: The drop zones to recover and score drop accuracy. On 1 April 1963 MATS required all units with airdrop capability to train formation flying, and the aerial delivery of personnel and equipment using CARP. This directive coupled with MATS’ desire to add realism led to the inclusion of formation flying, heavy cargo drops, and troop drops event in the 1963 CARP Rodeo. Because of the unavailability of

3888-681: The 1956 Reserve Troop Carrier Rodeo at Bakalar Air Force Base , Indiana hosted by the Continental Air Command . The active-duty force of the early 1960s received its direction from Presidents Dwight Eisenhower and John F. Kennedy . The Eisenhower Administration recommended the Military Air Transport Service (MATS) change its mission from a passenger service to strictly military airlift as well as aligning tactical U.S. Army deployments under MATS. The Kennedy Administration further stressed

3996-486: The 2007 Rodeo more than 40 teams and 2,500 personnel from around the world participated. At the 2011 Rodeo, The 97th Air Mobility Wing from Altus Air Force Base took top honors as the best Air Mobility Wing. In March 2013, it was decided that years Air Mobility Rodeo would be cancelled due to budgetary reasons. A list of 2009 winners: McChord Air Force Base McChord Field (formerly and still commonly known as McChord Air Force Base )

4104-851: The 25th AD, the Western Air Defense Sector (WADS), is a major tenant organization at McChord, being one of two air defense sectors responsible for the security and integrity of continental United States air space. WADS is staffed by members of the Washington Air National Guard (WANG) and the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). Operationally, WADS reports to the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) headquartered at Peterson Air Force Base , Colorado . In 1947 Tactical Air Command moved

4212-563: The 62nd fly around the globe, conducting airdrop training; it also carries out the Antarctic resupply missions. The 62nd Operations Group flies the C-17 Globemaster III transport from McChord Field. It consists of three airlift squadrons and an Operations Support Squadron. Other wing components are the 62nd Maintenance Group, 62nd Operations Group, 62nd Comptroller Squadron, and 62nd Medical Squadron. Other major units stationed at McChord Field are: The McChord Air Museum , operated by

4320-560: The Air Force reorganized the structure of its wings, and the 62nd Troop Carrier Group, was inactivated 8 January 1960 when squadrons were assigned directly to the wing as part of the Air Force tri-deputate reorganization. During the International Geophysical Year 1957–1958, and subsequently through 1962 the 62nd TCW supported scientific stations in the Arctic Ocean by airlanding and airdropping supplies on

4428-829: The Alaska Territory. Following the end of the war in Europe in May 1945, McChord redeployed thousands of troops arriving from the European theater to the Pacific as part of Air Transport Command in anticipation of invading the Japanese home islands scheduled for November 1. The atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945 forced the surrender of Japan , cancelling the planned operation altogether. In 1945 McChord

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4536-763: The C-130 team with the highest aggregate score, the Lieutenant General William H. Tunner Trophy went to the team, C-124 or C-130, with the best single drop, and the General Joe W. Kelly Trophy was awarded the best crew, either C-124 or C-130. As involvement in the Vietnam War began to escalate military resources were shifted toward supporting the fighting in Southeast Asia . Consequently, no Rodeo competitions were held after 1964. MATS airdrop capabilities were greatly enhanced with

4644-552: The Combat Control teams conducted High Altitude-Low Opening (HALO) jumps and established drop zones. Additionally, comedian Bob Hope performed at Rodeo, filming a two-hour program for his 84th birthday. President Ronald Reagan and Secretary of the Air Force Edward Aldridge Jr. were also on hand for Bob Hope's performance. No Rodeo was held in 1988 because of budget constraints. However,

4752-701: The Globemasters fly around the world in a period of 8 to 10 days. By 1955 the Cold War was well under way, and the North American Air Defense Command (NORAD) set out to build a chain of radar stations on the northernmost reaches of the continent. This chain of radars, known as the Distant Early Warning (DEW) Line, was to detect incoming Soviet missiles and bombers, and give the U.S. forces enough warning to launch

4860-776: The Halkey Roberts Pro firing system have all but eliminated accidental firing. Drifting in open seas and international waters, as encountered on long sea voyages and by military forces, requires prolonged survival in water. Suitable life jackets are often attached to a vest with pockets and attachment points for distress signaling and survival aids, for example, a handheld two-way radio ( walkie-talkie ), emergency beacon (406 MHz frequency), signal mirror, sea marker dye, smoke or light signal flares, strobe light, first-aid supplies, concentrated nutritional items, water purification supplies, shark repellent , knife, and pistol. Accessories such as leg straps can be utilized to keep

4968-633: The McChord Air Museum Foundation, exhibits 17 aircraft as well as artifacts related to the history of the airbase. In 1917, the citizens of Pierce County , Washington approved a bond measure for $ 2,000,000 (equivalent to $ 47,563,636 in 2023) to buy 70,000 acres (283.28 km ) of land to be donated to the Federal Government for use as a military reservation . This land became Camp Lewis (and later Fort Lewis ). Ten years later, in 1927, another bond measure

5076-745: The Naval Air Transport Wing, Pacific. The 1964 competition followed the same format as the previous year's using drop zones on Fort Stewart , Georgia. The MATS commander, General Howell M. Estes II , named the trophies awarded in 1964 after former MATS commanders: the Lieutenant General Laurence S. Kuter Trophy was awarded to the C-124 team with the highest aggregate score, the Lieutenant General Joseph Smith Trophy went to

5184-414: The Pacific during World War II, the design became operational too late to see service and was adapted for the air defense mission. Other interceptor squadrons stationed at McChord were: The base was the location of the first of twenty-eight stations built by ADC as part of the permanent air defense radar network, and was the top-priority site for ADC radars. The 505th Aircraft Control and Warning Group,

5292-606: The Rodeo returned in 1989. This Rodeo was the first to showcase the airdrop capability of the C-5 Galaxy . The C-5 set a world record by dropping four M551 Sheridan light tanks and 73 paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division totaling 190,346 pounds. No competition was held from 2001–2004 because of the increased operations tempo as a result of the Global War on Terror . The 2005, 2007, 2009, and 2011 Rodeos were held at McChord Air Force Base , Washington . At

5400-518: The Wing was equipped entirely with C-54s, and its designation was changed from 62nd Troop Carrier Wing (Medium), to (Heavy). On 1 June 1950, the Wing was inactivated due to budget reductions. However, as a result of the Korean War, on 17 September 1951, the Wing was once again activated at McChord AFB. Shortly thereafter, the Group and its three flying squadrons, the 4th, 7th, and 8th, again assigned to

5508-527: The Wing's subordinate units; its flying arm, being equipped with Curtiss C-46 Commandos . In 1948, 62nd TCW assets were tapped to support the now famous Berlin Airlift. More than 100 men, primarily mechanics, aerial engineers, and truck drivers were identified for a 90-day temporary tour of duty in Europe, to bolster airlift resources. On 6 October 1949, the 62nd received its first four-engine Douglas C-54 Skymaster transport. By Thanksgiving of that same year,

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5616-647: The Wing, returned to McChord. Not two years had passed, however, before the Wing was once again on the move. Now flying the Douglas C-124 Globemaster II . During 1952 and 1953, the 62nd airlifted troops, blood plasma, aircraft parts, ammunition, medical supplies, and much more, to the Far East, in support of the war in Korea. In April 1954, the 62nd transported a replacement French garrison to Dien Bien Phu, French Indochina. Operation Bali Hai saw

5724-745: The activities and conditions they are designed to be used in and the level of protection the wearer needs. There are three main types of PFDs: life jackets, buoyancy aids and survival suits ; PFDs are most often constructed out of foam pieces, with the exception of some life jackets which are inflated with air. Other highly specialized forms of PFDs include buoyancy compensators used for scuba diving , and submarine escape devices. The oldest examples of primitive life jackets can be traced back to inflated bladders, animal skins, or hollow sealed gourds for support when crossing deep streams and rivers. Purpose-designed buoyant safety devices consisting of simple blocks of wood or cork were used by Norwegian seamen. In

5832-1071: The addition of the new C-141 Starlifter in late 1964. Two years later the Military Air Transport Service was redesignated the Military Airlift Command (MAC). By 1969 airlift requirements to Vietnam had declined to the level that allowed renewing an airdrop competition. Declining theater requirements coincided with the clear need for C-141 airdrop training. So, MAC held a Combat Airlift Competition from 12 – 20 July 1969 at Charleston Air Force Base , South Carolina for C-141 wings. The 60th , 62d , 63d, 436th , 437th , and 438th Military Airlift Wings each sent two aircrews, one maintenance crew, and one C-141 to participate. The competition involved using CARP procedures delivering both personnel and equipment during both day and night flying utilizing drop zones at Fort Bragg , North Carolina and Strategic Air Command's Radar Bomb Scoring Site at Richmond , Kentucky. For

5940-403: The age of 18 and none of those 65 and older. Personal flotation device#Mae West A personal flotation device ( PFD ; also referred to as a life jacket , life preserver , life belt , Mae West , life vest , life saver , cork jacket , buoyancy aid or flotation suit ) is a flotation device in the form of a vest or suit that is worn by a user to prevent the wearer from drowning in

6048-482: The age of 18 living with them, 89.9% were married couples living together, 4.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 2.5% were non-families. 2.0% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 3.46 and the average family size was 3.49. On the base the population was spread out, with 36.3% under the age of 18, 22.2% from 18 to 24, 39.5% from 25 to 44, 1.8% from 45 to 64, and 0.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age

6156-469: The airdrop to take place even if at night or if the drop zone was obscured by weather. Beginning in January 1961, however, MATS required all C-124 units to become CARP qualified. Armed with this new direction in April 1961 the commander of the 1501st Air Transport Wing , Brigadier General Richard Bromiley, proposed a command-wide CARP Rodeo as a method to foster CARP training. While MATS was working out

6264-495: The attachment of rescue gear) are made for swiftwater rescue technicians . Personal flotation devices have been developed for dogs and other pets. While the USCG does not certify personal flotation devices for animals, many manufacturers produce life jackets for dogs and cats. Dogs and cats have been known to die from drowning, either because they do not know how to swim, or because they tire out from overexposure or old age, or have

6372-514: The base. The population density was 272.7 people/km (706 people/sq mi). There were 1,010 housing units, with an average density of 67.2 units per square kilometre (174 units/sq mi). The racial makeup was 76.5% White , 8.5% African American , 0.7% Native American , 4.2% Asian , 0.7% Pacific Islander , 3.2% from other races , and 6.3% from two or more races. 8.1% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 1,004 households, out of which 77.7% had children under

6480-462: The boat. Although most pet life jackets are passive devices, there is at least one automatically inflated life jacket available for pets (made by Critter's Inflatable, LLC). An automatic flotation device is generally more expensive than a foam life jacket, but, like automatic PFDs designed for humans, they are less bulky to wear when not inflated, and when inflated may provide more buoyancy than foam devices. Automatic pet flotation devices are popular in

6588-694: The buoyancy on the wearer's torso is such that a righting moment (rotational force) results that will eventually turn most persons who are floating face down in the water (for example, because they are unconscious) into a face up orientation with their bodies inclined backward, unlike more simply designed common foam buoyancy vests. A life jacket that is too loose may not provide sufficient buoyancy in case of an emergency. Today these air chamber vests are commonly referred to as 'inflatable life jackets or vests' and are available not only for commercial applications but also for those engaged in recreational boating, fishing, sailing, kayaking and canoeing. They are available in

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6696-574: The craft capsize. To be on the safe side, a pill-activated inflation device is preferred. A small pill that dissolves on water contact is the safest option, as it also works in shallow waters where a hydrostatic activator fails. This type of jacket is called an 'automatic'. As it is more sensitive to the presence of water, early models could also be activated by very heavy rain or spray. For this reason, spare re-arming kits should be carried on board for each life jacket. However, with modern cup/bobbin mechanisms this problem rarely arises and mechanisms such as

6804-722: The creation of the Air Force under provisions of the National Security Act of 1947 and was subsequently named McChord AFB. In 1940, McChord Field became the headquarters of the GHQ Air Force Northwest Air District , with a mission for the defense of the Pacific Northwest and Upper Great Plains regions of the United States. The 17th Bombardment Group was moved to the new airfield from March Field , California and

6912-551: The design of life jackets was also conducted in the UK by Edgar Pask , the first Professor of Anaesthesia at Newcastle University . His research involved self-administered anaesthesia as a means of simulating unconsciousness in freezing sea-water. Pask's work earned him the OBE and the description of "the bravest man in the RAF never to have flown an aeroplane". The M1926 Life Preserver belt

7020-470: The details of such a competition the Western Transport Air Force (WESTAF) held its own CARP Rodeo between the 1501st Air Transport Wing and the 62d Air Transport Wing . On 11 July three crews for each wing flew low-level navigation routes and dropped miniature parachutes over part of Winters-Davis Airport near Travis Air Force Base , California . The 1501st won the competition over the 62d which had more experience with CARP operations . Meanwhile, MATS

7128-444: The drifting ice. It helped transport United Nations troops and supplies to the Congo in 1960. In 1963 the wing assumed responsibility for worldwide airlift of nuclear weapons and associated equipment, continuing this mission through early 1971. In 1968, McChord AFB was relieved of its assignment to the subsequently renamed Aerospace Defense Command and was reassigned to Military Airlift Command (MAC) as one of three MAC bases in

7236-438: The eruption of Mount St. Helens , a 36 TAS C-130 crew provided communications support during the search for survivors. One week after St. Helen's first eruption, a second one occurred. All of the base's flyable aircraft were evacuated following reports that ash was drifting northwest toward McChord. In 1988 McChord became involved in combating devastating Yellowstone National Park forest fires, carrying troops from Fort Lewis to

7344-538: The fire areas. In 1991, Clark Air Base in the Philippines was evacuated due to the eruption of Mount Pinatubo . By 16 June, the evacuation order was issued and the first plane load of evacuees arrived at McChord on the 18th. In 1992, with the disestablishment of Military Airlift Command, McChord became an Air Mobility Command base. In November of that same year, two McChord C-141 Starlifters, participating in an air refueling training mission over north central Montana , collided in mid-air, killing all 13 crewmen. As

7452-435: The first postwar general surveillance radar organization was activated at McChord on 21 May 1947. Defensive warning radars became operational at McChord on 1 June 1950 with World War II -era AN/CPS-4 and AN/CPS-5 radars being operated by the 635th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron . ADC completed installation of two AN/CPS-6 B medium-range search and height-finder radars in February 1951. Performance of these new radars

7560-453: The first time the maintenance team received an evaluation and each team participated in an Engine Running Offload (ERO). The second Combat Airlift Competition was held at Travis Air Force Base from 20 – 24 July 1970. This competition was the first to include Reserve associate aircrews. The number of participating wings grew to eight, however, each wing only sent one aircrew in addition to a single aircraft and maintenance team. Additionally,

7668-463: The form of a simple vest , a jacket , a full-body suit (one piece coverall), or their variations suited for particular purposes. They are most commonly made of a tough synthetic fiber material encapsulating a source of buoyancy, such as foam or a chamber of air, and are often brightly colored yellow or orange to maximize visibility for rescuers. Some devices consist of a combination of both buoyancy foam and an air chamber. Retroreflective "SOLAS" tape

7776-547: The idea to them. Personal flotation devices were not part of the equipment issued to naval sailors until the early 19th century, for example at the Napoleonic Battle of Trafalgar , although seamen who were press-ganged into naval service might have used such devices to jump ship and swim to freedom. Following the 1852 sinking of the troopship Birkenhead , Ensign G.A. Lucas of the 73rd Regiment of Foot wrote "Cornet Bond, 12th Lancers, was...the only person to have

7884-525: The importance of rapid global mobility in his first State of the Union Address stating “Obtaining air transport mobility—and obtaining it now—will better assure the ability of our conventional forces to respond, with discrimination and speed, to any problem at any spot on the globe at a moment's notice.” The President wanted the U.S. to have the capability to prevent both limited and guerrilla wars by being able to rapidly deploy military forces around

7992-430: The inflated chambers in position for floating in a stable attitude, and splash or face shields constructed of clear see-through vinyl covers the head and face to prevent water from waves from inundating the face and entering the airway through the nose or mouth. Some formats of PFDs are designed for long term immersion in cold water in that they provide insulation as well as buoyancy. While a wetsuit of neoprene rubber or

8100-468: The inflated life preserver often appeared to be as large-breasted as the actress Mae West . It was popular during the Second World War with U.S. Army Air Forces and Royal Air Force servicemen, who were issued inflatable Mae Wests as part of their flight gear. Air crew members whose lives were saved by use of the Mae West (and other personal flotation devices) were eligible for membership in

8208-689: The jacket, but also to power a light to transmit and receive SOS messages and to launch a distress flare. In 1904 the rigid cork material was supplanted by pouches containing watertight cells filled with kapok , a vegetable material. These soft cells were much more flexible and comfortable to wear compared with devices using hard cork pieces. Kapok buoyancy was used in many navies fighting in World War II . In 1972 yellow or red Beaufort synthetic foam life jackets supplanted kapok for 'inherently buoyant' (vs. inflated and therefore not inherently buoyant) flotation. These modern jackets could support not only

8316-428: The late 1970s the U.S. military focus was shifting away from Southeast Asia and toward supporting NATO in Europe. Department of Defense leadership mandated capability to rapidly reinforce Europe while also dispatching forces to deal simultaneous crises in other parts of the world. With this direction MAC decided to renew its emphasis on airdrop procedures as a means of rapid delivery. MAC leadership again considered

8424-491: The newly organized XX Bomber Command , B-29 aircraft were received from Boeing's manufacturing plants at Seattle and Wichita, Kansas and new combat groups were organized and trained, primarily in Kansas and Nebraska. McChord also had large maintenance facilities for Air Technical Service Command during the war, serving as a P-39 Airacobra modification center April 1944 – May 1945 for lend-lease aircraft being sent to Russia via

8532-478: The next two years tactical airlift units were transferred from Tactical Air Command to Military Airlift Command. These units were composed primarily of C-7 Caribou , C-123 Provider , and C-130 aircraft. Following this transfer the MAC commander, General Paul K. Carlton established the USAF Airlift Center at Pope Air Force Base to conduct testing of tactical airlift procedures and equipment. By

8640-483: The rescuer but the rescued at the same time. The University of Victoria pioneered research and development of the UVic Thermo Float PFD, which provides superior protection from immersion hypothermia by incorporating a neoprene rubber "diaper" that seals the user's upper thigh and groin region from contact with otherwise cold, flushing and debilitating water. During World War II, research to improve

8748-438: The thin air cell fabric is sliced open by sharp metal fragments during emergency evacuation and egress. Most life jackets for leisure use are of the single air chamber type. Aircraft devices for crew and passengers are always inflatable since it may be necessary to swim down and away from a ditched or submerged aircraft and inflated or foam filled devices would significantly impede a person from swimming downward in order to escape

8856-462: The time, was that it did not keep the wearer's head back out of the water while they were floating. This meant if they went unconscious they would roll forward and end up face down in the water and drown. The Mae West was a common nickname for the first inflatable life preserver, which was invented in 1928 by Peter Markus (1885–1974) ( US Patent 1694714), with his subsequent improvements in 1930 and 1931. The nickname originated because someone wearing

8964-664: The two MAC numbered air forces , the 21st Air Force and the 22nd Air Force , each dispatched a Combat Control Team and an Aerial Delivery Team to compete. The 1970 competition was the first to include competitive events for the combat controllers including a physical fitness test, marksmanship, and a four-mile (6 km) orienteering course. Also, airdrops were conducted at four different drop zones: Mountain Home Air Force Base , Idaho , Wendover Auxiliary Field , Utah , Naval Air Station Fallon , Nevada , and Camp Roberts, California . The Combat Airlift Competition

9072-417: The vest from riding up when worn in the water and restrict the wearer from slipping out of the life vest. These straps are adjustable and are included on many different life vests designed to be worn by everyone from infants to adults. The headrest flap is designed to help support the head and keep it out of the water. A grab handle is attached to the headrest to be used if needed to rescue or lift someone out of

9180-548: The war, receiving graduates of AAF Training Command's flight and technical schools and forming them into operational squadrons which were then sent on to second and third phase training prior to being deployed to the overseas combat air forces. Starting in mid-1943 the training of B-17 and B-24 replacement crews began to be phased out, as the Second Air Force began ramping up training of B-29 Superfortress Very Heavy bomb groups, destined for Twentieth Air Force . Under

9288-455: The water face-down. In these cases the buoyancy of the clothing holds a person on the water surface, which prevents the hydrostatic release. As a result, a person can drown although wearing a fully functional life jacket. In addition there are some circumstances in which the use of self-triggering devices can result in the wearer becoming trapped underwater. For example, the coxswain of a bowloader rowing shell risks being unable to escape should

9396-603: The water or accidentally fall overboard during an evacuation. PFDs are commonly worn for swimming and/or other activities that require an individual to be in water. This is for reasons such as safety (to prevent the drowning of weak swimmers, swimmers in dangerous conditions or swimmers far from safety), to make swimming easier and less demanding, to allow someone who is unable to swim to safely enter water, or as assistance for activities such as water skiing . PFDs are available in different sizes to accommodate variations in body weight . Designs differ depending on wearing convenience,

9504-522: The water. Devices designed and approved by authorities for use by civilians (recreational boaters, sailors, canoeists , kayakers ) differ from those designed for use by passengers and crew of aircraft (helicopters, airplanes) and of commercial vessels ( tugboats , passenger ferries, cargo ships). Devices used by government and military (e.g. water police , coast guard , navy , marines ) generally have features not found on civilian or commercial models, for example compatibility with other items worn, like

9612-454: The water. Buoyancy aids are rated by the amount of buoyancy they provide in Newtons - the minimum rating to be considered suitable as an adult life-jacket for offshore use is 150 newtons (34  lbf ). Life jackets for outfitting large commercial transport ventures in potentially dangerous waters, such as coastal cruises, offshore passages, and overwater air flights, consisting of either

9720-478: The western United States operating the Lockheed C-141 Starlifter . ADC, and later Tactical Air Command (TAC) continued to maintain a fighter alert detachment at McChord with Convair F-106 Delta Dart and later McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle aircraft. On 18 September 1969 a United States Air Force twin engine Douglas C-47 Skytrain crashed just after takeoff from McChord. It came down in

9828-545: The wooded area just south of the runway. Five men died and seven other men were injured. In 1975, TAC divested itself of its Lockheed C-130 Hercules tactical airlift fleet, transferring all tactical airlift wings, groups and squadrons to MAC. For the 62 AW, this resulted in a significant increase in the wing's total mission capabilities beyond strictly strategic airlift with the arrival of the 36th Tactical Airlift Squadron (36 TAS) and their C-130E aircraft and personnel from Langley Air Force Base , Virginia. In 1980, following

9936-618: The world. Up to this direction from the Kennedy Administration MATS had only required troop carrier units equipped with C-124 Globemaster II aircraft to be qualified in its Computed Air Release Point (CARP) aerial delivery technique. The CARP technique required the aircrew to file a detailed flight plan detailing the route along with the exact Time on Target (TOT). Using the CARP process correctly would ensure that an airdrop would be made based on time and would allow

10044-442: Was 22 years. For every 100 females, there were 127.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 137.1 males. The median income for a household was $ 35,319, and the median income for a family was $ 35,205. Males had a median income of $ 23,004 versus $ 22,216 for females. The per capita income for the base was $ 12,454. About 5.5% of families and 7.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.5% of those under

10152-494: Was also the first that saw an allied nation win the overall competition as Italy 's 46th Air Brigade won the Best Wing Award. The Rodeo format remained relatively unchanged over the subsequent four years. The 94th Tactical Airlift Wing became first Reserve unit to win the Best Wing Award in 1985 and the 136th Tactical Airlift Wing was the first Air National Guard unit to win best wing in 1986. The Rodeo competition

10260-531: Was deemed inferior to the World War II vintage models and the calibration process delayed operational readiness at this and other sites. An AN/FPS-6 height-finder radar was installed in the mid-1950s. In 1958, a Semi Automatic Ground Environment (SAGE) Data Center (DC-12), and Combat Center (CC-3) was established at McChord. It became operational in 1960. The SAGE system was a network linking Air Force (and later FAA) General Surveillance Radar stations into

10368-478: Was designated as a permanent station by the Army Air Forces. It was assigned to Continental Air Forces in April 1945, becoming headquarters of the 1st and 2d Bomb Wings after their return from combat in Europe. In 1948, the field was re-designated McChord Air Force Base. On 1 August 1946, McChord was assigned to the new Air Defense Command , with a mission of air defense of the United States. During

10476-630: Was driven by the Base Realignment and Closure Round in 2005 and is designed to combine current infrastructure into one maximizing war fighting capability and efficiency, while saving taxpayer dollars. The 62nd Airlift Wing (62 AW) is the host unit at McChord AFB. It is assigned to the Eighteenth Air Force and is composed of more than 7,200 active duty military and civilian personnel. It is tasked with supporting worldwide combat and humanitarian airlift contingencies. Aircraft of

10584-627: Was equipped with the Douglas B-18 Bolo medium bomber. Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 6 December 1941, the 17th Bombardment Group flew anti-submarine patrols off the West Coast of the United States with the new North American B-25 Mitchell medium bomber. As the first unit to operate the B-25, the 17th achieved another first on 24 December 1941 when one of its Mitchells dropped four 300 lb (140 kg) bombs on

10692-500: Was expanded during the 1981 Rodeo, held 7 – 13 June at Pope Air Force Base. Allied aircrews were given opportunities to fly in MAC aircraft and in at least one case MAC adopted British procedures, using copilots to assists the navigators during low level missions. By this time the C-7 and C-123 airframes were being phased out of the inventory, so they did not compete in the 1982 Rodeo at Pope Air Force Base from 13 – 18 June. The 1982 Rodeo

10800-549: Was held at Charleston Air Force Base in 1971 and at Travis Air Force Base in 1972. Throughout these competitions MAC leadership noted that the increased emphasis on airdrop training had led to greater accuracy. The Circular Error Average (CEA) had been over 200 yards (180 m) during the first CARP Rodeo in 1962. By 1971 it was down to 77 yards (70 m) and in 1972 the CEA for the Combat Airlift Competition

10908-474: Was inactivated on 1 April 1966 and the SAGE headquarters combat center came under the 25th Air Division. The Command Center (CC-3) was active until 30 June 1966 when it was inactivated as part of an ADC reorganization. The Data Center (DC-12), with its AN/FSQ-7 computer remained active until 4 August 1983 under the 25th AD when technology advances made the SAGE system obsolete. Today, the successor organization to

11016-511: Was issued to US infantry where they were on ships or near the water, in particular amphibious landings such as D-Day. The belt had two CO 2 bottles that could be activated to inflate the belt if needed, or it could be blown up manually with a tube, if the CO 2 bottles failed. The Admiralty Pattern 14124 inflatable life ring was the main life preserver issued to British sailors at the start of WW2. It provided about 8.5 lbs of buoyancy. Its inherent flaw, and an issue with many life preservers at

11124-531: Was only 24.33 yards (22.25 m). As the Vietnam War ended the U.S. military began to restructure. In MAC part of that restructuring including cutting back on airdrop training, and in 1973 airdrop training was halted at Dover, McChord, McGuire , and Travis Air Force Bases and reduced its total air drop crew force to 40 active duty and eight associate reserve crews. Additionally, due to budgetary constraints MAC discontinued Combat Airlift Competitions. Over

11232-487: Was passed to establish an airfield just north of the military reservation. The airfield, named Tacoma Field, officially opened 14 March 1930. On 28 February 1938 the airfield was officially transferred to the federal government. Three years after the transfer, on 3 July 1940, the airfield was renamed McChord Field, in honor of Colonel William Caldwell McChord, who had been killed in an accident near Richmond, Virginia on 18 August 1937. Col. McChord, (1881–1937), rated as

11340-566: Was planning an annual, command-wide competition similar to Strategic Air Command 's bombing competition and Tactical Air Command 's William Tell Competition . The first of these was held at Scott Air Force Base , Illinois 16 – 22 April 1962. Seven wings, the 62d Air Transport Wing, 63d Troop Carrier Wing, 1501st Air Transport Wing, 1502d Air Transport Wing , 1503d Air Transport Wing, 1607th Air Transport Wing, and 1608th Air Transport Wing, each sent one aircraft and two crews to participate. This first official CARP Rodeo consisted of three events:

11448-505: Was re-designated as the Second Air Force , and became the training organization of B-17 Flying Fortress and B-24 Liberator heavy bombardment groups. Nearly all new heavy bomb groups organized after Pearl Harbor were organized and trained at Second Air Force Bases, by II Bomber Command operational training units (OTU) then were deployed to combat commands around the world. McChord trained numerous bombardment squadrons during

11556-401: Was renamed Airlift Rodeo beginning in 1987 by the MAC commander General Duane Cassidy in an effort to more accurately reflect the purpose of the event. The roles of the maintenance, Security Police, and Combat Control teams also expanded in 1987. The latter two participated in overland infiltration event using Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System (MILES) gear help to create realism, and

11664-402: Was required to drop a team from the 101st Airborne Division over Fort Campbell , Kentucky . The wings each also sent a ten-man maintenance team, their performance, however, was not part of the competition. The third CARP Rodeo, held 9 – 13 November 1964 at Hunter Air Force Base , Georgia , expanded to include nine wings, including C-130 teams from the Naval Air Transport Wing, Atlantic and

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