Teamwork shown as Airmen respond to helicopter crash

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Jeff Loftin
  • 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) --  Six Airmen of the 379th Civil Engineer Squadron here used teamwork to recover a 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.

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