Six Airmen of the 379th Civil
Engineer Squadron used teamwork to recover a Aerospatiale SA330J
helicopter that crashed Dec. 15 at a forward operating base in
Afghanistan.
The firefighters rushed to the scene and began command and
control measures after being notified of the helicopter crash that
landed in a ditch between the runway and the helicopter landing
zone.
"The aircraft was positioned at a 30- to 40-degree angle," said
Tech. Sgt. Jerome Williams, the fire department assistant chief of
operations. "The tail rotor was destroyed and the main rotor was
within 10 feet of smashing into the other side of the ditch."
"We are trained to start scene size-up when we first receive the
call," Sergeant Williams said.
Sergeant Williams and Airman 1st Class Trevor Williams arrived
at the scene first. They took a position to the rear of the
helicopter and readied a fire hose. Two other crews arrived and
positioned at the front and also prepared for the worst.
"During this time, I checked the area around the aircraft for
hazards and injured personnel," Sergeant Williams said. "I then
entered the aircraft with an aircrew member to retrieve the chocks
to stabilize the helicopter."
Medics arrived and treated one of the aircrew members for a
minor hand laceration. The responders then began to remove the
cargo and fuel from the downed aircraft.
"We worked with contractors and the Army's movement control team
to remove 4,000 pounds of ammo and transfer the fuel from the
helicopter," the firefighter said. The helicopter was eventually
picked up by a crane, loaded on to a flatbed truck and removed from
the scene.
"The communications and teamwork between all agencies,
contractors and local nationals were a success," Sergeant Williams
said. "Within 30 minutes a crane, bulldozer, tractor trailer,
generator and lights were on scene and operational. Everyone knew
their job and did it well."
"People must realize that firefighters do more than fire
extinguishment and rescue at these events," said Senior Master Sgt.
Shawn Ricchuito, the fire and emergency services chief. "They also
provide critical command and control functions as the incident
commander under the Air Force Incident Management System
construct."
He said the success was largely due to the culmination of
training, proper equipment and teamwork.
"Air Force firefighters are some of the best trained in the
world and stand ready for any challenge they may face because of
their superb training, equipment and wingman creed," he said. [ANN
Salutes Master Sgt. Jeff Loftin, 379th Air Expeditionary Wing
Public Affairs]