Stay Safe – And Well – This Holiday Travel Season

Filed under DoD News by on November 19, 2009 at 4:15 pm {no comments}

By Judith Snyderman

Holiday air travel always takes patience and preparation. But this season there are new ways to improve the chances of smooth sailing to holiday destinations.  At a Nov. 19 press conference, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano and Rear Adm. (Dr.) Anne Schuchat, Assistant Surgeon General, United States Public Health Services, Director, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases offered some timely tips.

Napolitano said the Transportation Security Administration’s new secure flight program, which is being phased in, pre-screens passenger data against government watch lists on both domestic and international flights.  The main purpose is to prevent known, or suspected terrorists from obtaining boarding passes.  To clear security checkpoints with ease, she recommended, “When booking airline tickets, use your name as it appears on the government I.D. you plan to use when traveling,” said Napolitano.

She also said that in the past year, the TSA has expanded family lanes at X-ray security points to include every airport in the United States.  Infrequent travelers, families and anyone who needs assistance should take advantage of those lanes, Napolitano said.

Her advice on avoiding catching, or spreading H1N1 flu is to use commonsense and courtesy.

“Cover your cough or sneeze, wash hands regularly and stay home if you are sick,” she said.  She added that if you become ill with fever while away, stay put until 24 hours after the fever breaks.

(more…)

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    The only African-American ace of World War II, and a former Tuskegee Airman, went on to have a career in the Air Force, as well as success in the business world.

    Lee A. Archer joined the Army in 1941 with high hopes of becoming a pilot, but was initially denied because of his race. When the Army’s policy changed about a year later, Archer was accepted to the training program for black aviators at the Tuskegee Army Airfield in Alabama.

    Archer is best known for a day in late 1944 when he was involved in a series of dogfights over German-occupied Hungary. Flying a P-51 Mustang fighter, Archer shot down three German fighters. He would go on to add two more German fighters to his credit to become the first and only African-American ace of the war.

    As a civilian, Archer enjoyed even greater success, serving as vice president for urban affairs with General Foods, as CEO of North Street Capital Corp. and chairman of Hudson Commercial Corp. He also served on the board of directors of Beatrice International Foods and the Institute for American Business.

    Read the rest of his story here.



  • Navy Lt. Aaron Lanzel is on a mission, his goal to join the U.S. Olympic track team this summer in London. Lt. Lanzel is working out daily at U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. He trains daily in a couple of events, the 1500 and 3000 meter run. This is his second try at being a US Olympian, an active duty U.S. Naval officer, he’s hoping this time, that he can make the team and run for his country.


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    navyhistory:

    On 7 February 1800, USS Essex became the first U.S. Navy vessel to cross the Equator. This 1799 image of Essex was painted by E. Tuffnell, R.N. (Retired). NHHC Photograph Collection, NH 72804-KN.