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Show COMMENTARY Hilltop Times March 9, 2006 Live 'test dummies' help prove rescue basket works HILI What woman in history has inspired you the most? ket would have been useful during hurricanes Katrina and Rita. With a little luck, the rescue basket may get certified for human transport before the next hurricane WESTHAMPTON BEACH, N.Y. (AFPN) — It was slams into one of America's coastlines — but that is unsettling to know that until Feb. 28 the only two things extremely wishful thinking. The process takes time. But r that had ridden in the world*s first multi-person rescue the first step in that process is to get people like Sergeant basket had been Lois and Adam, two test mannequins Manno and myself in the basket and in the air. from the 746th Test Squadron at Holloman AFB, N.M. When Sergeant Manno's time came to fly and she Lois is an acronym for Lowest Occupant in Service. walked to the basket, her helmet chinstrap became She's the lighter of the two. Adam means Advanced Dytroublesome. Then her tinted goggles came loose and namic Anthropomorphic Mannequin. And Fearless is my pararescuemen tried to piece her back together like middle name, unless I'm dangling from a helicopter 150 M Humpty Dumpty, but the helicopter was churning up the feet above treetops — in which case the F" stands for wind while it hovered overhead and she ended up missing, freaked-out-crying-little-girl. the flight. The reason the Air Force uses mannequins of different *'I became all discombobulated," she said. weight is because scientists don't know which one will It was her hope to become the first woman to ride in the be knocked around the most. In the business of flying Heli-Basket. That honor went to Staff Sgt. Nicole Caruso, around, it could be either. In this case, flying in the HeliBasket proved to be an easy assignment for the two crash- a 103rd Rescue Squadron supply technician. It wasn't the first time women in the 106th Rescue Wing have entered test dummies, which are accustomed to wood-jarring the history books." Capt. Norma Parsons-Erb from the ejection seat testing on lightning-swift speed sleds. 106th was first woman to become a member of the NaLois and Adam flew at nearly 100 mph in the basket and tional Guard. barely registered anything on their complex matrix of test Then it was my turn. As I strode to the basket on the sensors. Scientists from the Air Force Research Laboratothird and final test flight, I wasn't interested in making ry Human Effectiveness Directorate at Wright-Patterson history, although I would have the distinct honor of being AFB, Ohio, probably would've gained more sensor data the first Air Force military journalist between the ages of had the two been involved in a soapbox derby crash. 40 and 45 from Montana to ride in the Heli-Basket. That meant not a thing to me. After all, I have human Once in the basket, I saw sensors that have been finethe seatbelts were exactly the same type used in military aircraft. I've used can laugh and cry within them for 22 years, but on seconds of each emotion, this particular day I forgot like when a trophy-mount- .JL fH£ how to hook the two ends "$?£ Ste Yorli Air ~ '*>** Master S9t. Diana Manno together. National Guard's 106th ResLike Sergeant Manno, I had become "discombobucue Wing asked for human lated." sacrifices, I mean volunWith the wind whipping around, the helicopter noise teers, Senior Master Sgt. Diana Manno raised her hand crashing down from above and the profound sense of because she wanted to be a part of history. urgency, I was fumbling around with the seatbelt like an "They asked for live dummies, and that's me," joked the untrained monkey. A pararescueman had to buckle me in airfield management superintendent. like a 4-year-old in a car seat. Deep in her heart, she thrives for excitement. She's an Just about the time I remembered that I had forgotten to adrenalin junkie who likes to ride roller coasters and once wear adult-sized Pampers, we flipped up into the air like plummeted down a thrill ride perched atop the highest the feather at the conclusion of Forrest Gump. casino in Las Vegas. She looks like the type who would Over the treetops we soared. Through the wires of the even shop at the commissary on a military payday. cage, I had an unobstructed 360-degree view as we flew Before the human experiment, she said she was not about 150 feet above the trees. Or maybe it was a 720-descared — that being naive about the project was a good gree view — counting the scene above and below, too. thing. The pararescueman, who had radio contact with the And she was correct. The more I delved into the Heliaircrew, would get our reactions as we flew 10 mph, then Basket's history, the more I was concerned. Not for my 20 mph, then 30 mph and finally 40 mph. Each time we safety, mind you. After all. Air Force professionals were all gave him a thumbs-up sign. It was like a magic carpet conducting the test. But for the fact that it wasn't origiride, except I was in a metal cage dangling from a helicopnally designed for human transport. ter — freezing. John Tollenaere said he invented it to stabilize helicopter loads, such as plywood, which catch the wind and beAt the end of the 10-minute ride, I agreed with Sergeant come unstable while being transported. But in June 2003, Manno, who said, "The ride was exciting, but I felt safe and secure in (the basket)." the Army certified its use for hauling cargo. He said it was a natural progression to try to certify the Heli-Basket I, too, was glad it turned out to be a nice safe ride. And, to carry people. the F in my middle name can remain Frances — not freaked-out-crying-little-girl. Everyone involved in the test agreed that the Heli-BasBY MASTER SGT. 0RV1LLE F. DESJARLAIS JR. Air Force Print News Diann Larsen 84th Combat Siistainment Wing "My grandmother inspires me because she was a very dedicated and honest woman. Beautiful on the inside and outside, she was married for almost 75 years." Kelly Ross 508th Aircraft Sustainment Wing "I find Sally Ride an inspiring person. She was an astronaut and has a very pioneering attitude as well as ties with the Air Force and the space programs." John Herbst Defense Logistics Agency "Betsy Ross - she is widely known as the individual who constructed the first American flag." Gene Done 309th Software Maintenance Group "My mother, LeeOra Done. She was always there for me; she answered my questions and she was my confidant and my advisor. She was wellloved by everybody." SK circ^stanST UT^ ^ USked fOV live dummies, and that's Phone numbers —The bast; agencies listed can be contacted directly if you have a complaint or a problem with their services: Security Forces 777-5550 24-hr. Crisis Information 777-3056 Services 777-413') Base Restaurants 777-2043 Retirement/Compensation...777-6142 (Civilian) Social Actions 777-3516 Employee Relation! 777-7129 Military Pay 777-1851 Civilian Pay 777-6246 Air Force Suggestion 777-6901 Program IG Complaints 777-5305 (for appointment) IC Complaints 777-5361 (alter hours) Fraud, Waste or Abuse 777-5361 (recording) ?5lh Medical Group 777-491B Civil Engineering 777-1856 Hill Pride Hotline 777-7433 Public Affairs 777-5201 Public Affairs Information 777-9696 Control Line Military Housing 777-2963 Photo by Beth Young Maintenance Col. Scott Chambers, 75th Air Base Wing commander, Safely Office 777-3333 Union 777-3257 stops by the Hill Thrift Shop to express his gratitude AFOSI Narcotics Hotline 777-1852 Family Assistance Center ... 775-3090 to the more than 50 volunteers that keep the shop (when activated) 777-7000 action.line.pa@hill.af.mil Lisa Fresques Ogden Air Logistics Center When you call or send an e-mail, your comments will be recorded and staffed through the agency responsible for action. Please give your supervisor and chain of command the opportunity to work with you in answering questions and solving problems before calling the Action Line. This will help me better serve your interests. Items of basewide interest will be published in the Hilltop Times. "I am inspired by my mother who decided to earn her master's degree while her kids were in school. At the age of 56 she died of breast cancer but fought it out as long as she could." Staff Sgt. Sherry McMasters Ogden Air Logistics Center "Amelia Earhart. She accomplished things that society did not expect her to do and were anything but accepted cultural norms. She achieved things that women had long been unable to do." THINK SAFETY Airmen Against Drinking and Driving provide rides when designated drivers ara unavalliibic. Call 777-1 ill anytime to nqueit a ride. Hill's La_( Dill: MirchUnlt fnvolvcd: 75th CommuD-Csliona Squadron running- Why no reveille? w hy are we not hearing reveille at 7:30 a.m. anymore? The Giant Voice speaker towers are operating at partial capacity because of damaged equipment. The Giant Voice tower in the 1200 Area is completely out. The 75th Communi- cations Squadron has ordered parts to repair the towers and they should be here by the last week in April. You should start hearing reveille soon afterward. Thanks for your patience. "The US. Air Force — meeting the challenge through Global Vigilance, Reach and Power." 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