Westover News

A Blaze of Glory

By , 439th Airlift Wing Public Affairs / Published August 03, 2006

Base Airmen and civilians would've wrapped themselves in the flag Wednesday--or anything else they could find to shield them from the searing, mid-day sun as temperatures here hovered at 100 degrees. Although the thermometer stopped one degree short of Massachusetts' 54-year-old mark for the hottest day on record, the oppressive conditions prompted base officials to declare a "Black Flag" heat condition, which limits outdoor activities to critical missions. Even then, workers must follow the 20/40 rule--40 minutes rest for every 20 minutes of work--and consume 1-2 quarts of water every hour.

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(U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Paul Flipse)

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WESTOVER AIR RESERVE BASE, Mass. -- Base Airmen and civilians would've wrapped themselves in the flag Wednesday--or anything else they could find to shield them from the searing, mid-day sun as temperatures here hovered at 100 degrees.

Although the thermometer stopped one degree short of Massachusetts' 54-year-old mark for the hottest day on record, the oppressive conditions warranted a 'Black Flag' heat index, which limits outdoor activities to critical missions only. Even then, workers must follow the 20/40 rule--40 minutes rest for every 20 minutes of work--and consume 1-2 quarts of water every hour.