4 Airmen struck by lightning during training exercise at Eglin

  • Published
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. (AFNS) --  Four Airmen were injured by lightning during a field training exercise at approximately 8 a.m. Feb. 22 at a range on Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.

One instructor and three students assigned to the 342nd Training Squadron, Det. 3 from Hurlburt Field were injured while conducting vehicle navigation training.

The Airmen were participating in Day One of a five-day field exercise and were struck as they were exiting their training vehicles.

Staff Sgt. John Dean, an instructor, was directly struck by lightning. All four were transported by ambulance to the Fort Walton Beach Medical Center. The three students, Senior Airman Michael Fox, Airman 1st Class Ryan Cleaver and Airman Basic Duriel Harris, were released and returned to duty. As standard medical procedure, Sergeant Dean will remain at Fort Walton Beach Medical Center for further observation and is listed in good condition.

The 342nd TRS, Det. 3 is an Air and Education Training Command unit based at Hurlburt Field. It is a schoolhouse that trains tactical air control party Airmen.

"Though training is paramount, our people and their safety are our top priority," said Col. Gregory Lengyel, the 1st Special Operations Wing commander and commander of the installation. "We are proud of our safety record and will continue to ensure we practice stringent safety standards to minimize incidents like this."

A board of officers will investigate the incident.