McGuire Airmen aid injured parachutists Published June 2, 2008 By Staff Sgt. Matthew Bates Air Force Print News SAN ANTONIO (AFPN) -- Army parachutists suffered injuries after a mid-air collision during a routine jump at the 2008 McGuire Air Force Base, N.J., Air Expo May 31. The parachutists belong to the 82nd Airborne Division's 40-member airborne parachute team from Fort Bragg, N.C. Both Soldiers were treated at the scene before being transported to Helene Fuld Hospital in Trenton, N.J. where they are being treated for those injuries. "We had a medical emergency out on the flightline, so I just got into emergency mode and was ready to go at it," said Airman 1st Class Terrell Fulton, a medical technician with the 305th Medical Group at McGuire AFB. In a situation like this, training makes all the difference, he said. "We train vigorously so we are ready for stuff like this," Airman Fulton said. "Without this training, I probably wouldn't be as prepared [for situations like this]." Helping others is at the heart of what it means to be a medical professional -- something Airman Fulton was glad he was able to do. "Every day you go in thinking you don't want anything serious to happen to anybody," he said. "But it sure feels good when you can go home saying that you helped somebody out." Though an investigation has not been completed, officials believe the two parachutists collided under the belly of an aircraft from which they jumped. "A lot of times, it can be accidental," said Army Sgt. Jacqueline Pryor, spokeswoman for the 82nd Airborne Division, based in Fort Bragg. "It's just something that can happen." The McGuire Air Expo was the culminating event for Air Force Week Philadelphia. Comment on this story (comments may be published on Air Force Link) View the comments/letters page