Right Place, Right Time: NY Army National Guard Troops Save Plane-Crash Victim

New York Army National Guard Chief Warrant Officer 3, Joseph McCarthy (left) and Sgt. Yaanique Scott-- who are both members of the Fire Department New York-- were members of the Army National Guard aircrew who managed to save one life when a fiery plane crash occured on Long Island on Sunday, Feb. 26.
McCarthy, the pilot-in-charge of the UH-60 callsign Empire 16 landed his helicopter within 200 feet of the burning private plane while Scott and other Army Guard Soldiers exited the aircraft to fight the fire and extract the pilot. ( Photos Courtesy Fire Department New York

WESTHAMPTON BEACH, NY, UNITED STATES
02.28.2017
Story by Master Sgt. Raymond Drumsta
New York National Guard

WESTHAMPTON BEACH, N.Y. – An ordinary training day turned into a rescue mission for New York Army National Guard aviation Soldiers, who rescued a pilot from a fiery plane crash at Gabreski Airport here on the morning of Sunday Feb. 26.

“If it wasn’t for their quick response, and that really heroic action in a burning airplane, we would have three fatalities instead of two,” said Dan Boggs, lead investigator for the National Transportation Safety Board.

The crash took the lives of two people on board. Richard Rosenthal, 61, the pilot and owner of the plane, was rescued from the wreckage by the Guard Soldiers and evacuated to the hospital in critical condition. He is expected to survive.

New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo also praised the Soldiers heroism and quick action.

The incident began as Rosenthal and the others were flying Rosenthal’s Ryan Navion F -- a single-engine plane, with a four-seat cockpit, that was built in 1948. They were practicing landings and crashed in a wooded area near the intersection of two runways at 11:45 a.m., according to accident reports.

Around the same time, the aircrew from Company B, 3rd Battalion 142nd Aviation, on board UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter, call sign “Empire 16,” were approaching the airport, located near the eastern tip of Long Island, to conduct sling-load training.

The company is based at Ronkonkoma, N.Y., closer to New York City.

They were two miles from the airport when the control tower radioed the Blackhawk pilots, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Joseph McCarthy and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Meghan Polis, and advised them of the crash.

The helicopter pilots found the crash site and landed about 200 feet from it.

With the Blackhawk’s fire extinguishers in hand, Warrant Officers Christopher Hansen and Aaron Pacholk, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Ronald Ramirez, and Sgt. Yaanique Scott leaped from the helicopter and ran through the trees and brush toward the plane.

“The aircraft was in flames, and (Rosenthal) was trying to get out,” said Pacholk, a resident of Mattituck, N.Y. Rosenthal held up two fingers to indicate that there were two other victims inside, he added.

There was “lots of smoke” coming from the plane and heavy smoke in the cockpit, recalled Scott, who is a New York City firefighter and Brooklyn, N.Y. resident. The back, front and bottom of the plane were on fire, and the flames were getting worse, he added.

Ramirez and Scott attacked the flames with fire extinguishers, the Soldiers recalled. Though Rosenthal was trying to escape via the left side of the plane, the wind was blowing smoke and heat toward that side, making it difficult to approach, Scott said.

“I went to the other side of the aircraft and was able to climb up on the wing,” he said.

Ramirez joined Scott and they continued to fight the flames, but the fire extinguishers had no effect, the Soldiers said. Scott and Ramirez handed the extinguishers off to Hansen and Pacholk and focused on saving Rosenthal.

Heat was melting the plastic parts of the canopy, Scott said.

“It was hot, but I didn’t notice,” Scott recalled. “It was cold that day, so I was wearing two sets of flight gloves.”

Placing his gloved hands on the canopy, he slid it back, creating a gap so Rosenthal could escape out the left side of burning plane, he said.

“Then he climbed out on his own,” Scott said.

Ramirez then dashed to the other side of the plane to help Rosenthal.

“I had to fight through the brush to get to him,” said Ramirez, of Farmingdale, N.Y. “He was disoriented.”

Rosenthal was also complaining of pain, broken ribs and a weak ankle, Ramirez said. He put Rosenthal’s left arm over his shoulder and gently walked him away from the burning plane, he explained.

“He was the one who went right up into the smoke and helped (Rosenthal) get away from the aircraft,” Pacholk said.

Hanson, a Lords Valley, Pa. resident, and Pacholk moved brush aside to help Ramirez walk Rosenthal walk a safe distance from the smoke and heat, the Solders recalled.

The other two victims appeared non-responsive and the fire was getting worse, so he got away from the plane, Scott recalled. He wished they could’ve saved the other victims, he added.

“The fire spread so fast after that, there was nothing we could do,” Pacholk said.

They made Rosenthal as comfortable as possible and waited for the rescue crew from Gabreski Air National Guard Base, which is adjacent to the airport, to arrive, Ramirez said.

Gabreski Airport Manager Anthony Ceglio described the Soldiers, first responders and others involved in the rescue and recovery effort as “true heroes.” James Vosswinkel, Rosenthal’s doctor, said Rosenthal’s family was “happy and grateful” to the troops and first responders for helping Rosenthal out of “such a devastating crash.”

“We were in the right place, at the right time, with the right crew, said McCarthy, of Orangeburg, N.Y. “As guardsmen, we train for situations like this, and that day everything came together.”

Hawaii Reserve Airmen strive to conquer Silver Flag

U.S Air Force Staff Sgt. Jason J. Merseburgh, a 624th Civil Engineer Squadron electrician, practices installing the Emergency Airfield Lighting System on March 2, 2017 at the Silver Flag site, Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla. EALS is a runway lighting system designed to be quickly installed at contingency airfields. Ten Reservists from the 624th CES deployed to Silver Flag in February to participate in the contingency training exercise, which focused on hands-on technical training, showcasing what an Airman could expect if deployed to a location without infrastructure. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Raquel Griffin)

PANAMA CITY, FL, UNITED STATES
03.08.2017
Story by Master Sgt. Raquel Griffin
624th Regional Support Group

JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii (March 8, 2017) – Ten Reservists from the 624th Civil Engineer Squadron deployed to a simulated location near Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., in February to participate in a contingency training exercise.

The ten-man team joined more than 200 active duty, Air National Guard and Reserve engineers from Air Force bases across the United States for a seven day exercise known as Silver Flag. The exercise simulates a contingency environment and focuses on hands-on technical training, showcasing what an Airman could expect if deployed to a location without infrastructure.

The training is held on 1,200-acres just east of Tyndall's main base. The training site tests and trains Airmen on how to establish and run an operational base in a remote environment. During training, all Airmen live in field conditions similar to a deployed location and spend hours working under the hot sun.

In the past, Airmen from the 624th CES attended this training in locations across the world such as Okinawa, Japan. This is the first Hawaii Reserve team to attend this training in Florida.

"This training site is bigger, more detailed in simulating a deployed location and provides more equipment for us to train on," said Master Sgt. Randolph A. Soriano, the 624th heating, ventilation and air conditioning NCO in charge.

The training site simulates a bare base environment where the engineering talent of CE is put to the task of establishing the base. Airmen train on the latest equipment and use it as if they were in a real-world operation.

"It makes a big difference...being at Tyndall, we can do everything in our career field because more people are training," said Tech. Sgt. Darren C. Clemen, a power production specialist. "Being here feels more like the real deal."

Civil Engineer Airmen are often the first boots on the ground. This training shows Airmen how to react to deployed situations, and ensures the logistical requirements of maintaining a deployed location are met.

"It is extremely important for us to provide premier training to students before they go down range," said Master Sgt. Adam D. Sorrell, services section chief at the 823rd RED HORSE Squadron. "The training they receive is going to determine how successful their mission will be."

Camp Pendleton Fire Department Conducts Controlled Burn of Debris

Firefighter Curtis Dydell, Camp Pendleton Fire Department, lights a burn and slash pile during a controlled burn of debris from Del Mar Beach on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., March 10, 2017. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Brian Bekkala)

Captain Kenneth Hedlund, Camp Pendleton Fire Department, lights a burn and slash pile during a controlled burn of debris from Del Mar Beach on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., March 10, 2017. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Brian Bekkala)

Miramar ARFF trains to stand the heat

Photo By Lance Cpl. Liah Kitchen | Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Marines with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron (HHS) and Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 473 test their gear before conducting a controlled burn exercise at the ARFF training pit at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., March 4. Marines with ARFF are responsible for any fire or hazardous material mishap that involves an aircraft. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Liah Kitchen/Released

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, CA, UNITED STATES
03.04.2017
Story by Lance Cpl. Liah Kitchen
Marine Corps Air Station Miramar / 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing

Marines with Marine Corps Air Station Miramar Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) are responsible for any fire or hazardous material mishap that involves an aircraft on MCAS Miramar, California and the surrounding areas. 

They attend a three-month course at Goodfellow Air Force Base in San Angelo, Texas. This base is home to the firefighting training center for all branches of the military. During this training, Marines learn how to fight structural fires, deal with hazmat situations and train to become first responders. After this training is complete, Marines specifically specialize in aircraft firefighting.

“The training that we receive in the schoolhouse is valuable,” said Sgt. Troy Bloom, a firefighter and the hazardous material chief with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron (HHS) ARFF. “But in order to stay ready, you need to keep training for what you may face if an aircraft goes down.”

Marines with HHS and Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 473 ARFF reinforced these skills by conducting a controlled burn exercise at the ARFF training pit on MCAS Miramar, March 4.

During a controlled burn, Marines with ARFF light fuel fires in a water training pit, simulating how hot a fuel fire is and how it reacts to firefighting techniques.

The training allowed Marines from MWSS-473, a reserve unit, to integrate with the HHS active duty Marines during their drilling period. 

“It’s really great to get out and train,” said Sgt. Michael McAngus, the platoon sergeant and a firefighter for MWSS-473 ARFF. “Being a reserve unit, we don’t always have the time or resources to get out and conduct training with a live fire.”

Controlled burn exercises allow ARFF Marines familiarity with their gear in a real world experience.

“We had several Marines in the unit who had never conducted this training before,” said McAngus. “It was a good for them to be around a live fire, to understand what to do if they make a mistake or fall during an actual fire.”

Due to the high tempo of airfield operations, Marines with HHS ARFF work varying shifts, ranging from 48-72 hours. 

“When the airfield is open, we have to have a crew posted on the flightline,” said Bloom. “This ensures that we will be able to respond to a mishap if it should occur at any point during the day or night.”

Situational readiness is one of the most important traits required by ARFF firefighters.

“If we have to do our job, that means that we have an aircraft that went down somewhere,” said Bloom. “It’s important for us to be able to know what we are doing to go in and rescue that aircrew.”

Firefighters teach jaws of life lessons

A fire helmet rests on a seat, during Vehicle Extrication training, Jan. 13, 2017, at Moody Air Force Base, Ga. This training was included as part of an Emergency Medical Technician refresher course where students learned about vehicle extrication from Moody’s own firefighters. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Janiqua P. Robinson)

By Airman 1st Class Janiqua P. Robinson, 23d Wing Public Affairs / Published January 18, 2017

MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --
The culmination of a week’s worth of classroom and hands-on training came to a head Friday as students ended their Emergency Medical Technician refresher course by participating in a Vehicle Extrication training, Jan. 13, 2017, here.

Students donned gear and used tools firefighters would use in the field to remove vehicle parts that would free a patient and allow them to be removed from the vehicle. They were instructed by firefighters, who know the importance of teamwork.

“It’s important for us to practice together because we’re going to be working together on scene,” said Tech. Sgt. Andrew Nickeson, 23d Civil Engineer Squadron, NCO in charge of the emergency communications center. “We have to work as a team and there’s no better way [to foster that dynamic] than through training.”

For this training, students wore firefighters bunker gear, which consists of three layers to protect the wearer from debris and extreme temperatures. The first layer prevents abrasive material from getting through the gear. Then the second and third layers provide protection from water and heat during a fire.

While it was important for students to know about the gear and what it’s designed to do, they also needed to know its limitations.

“For vehicle extrication, we wear our gear to protect us from sharp objects,” said Jeremy Valler, 23d CES crew chief. “If we’re cutting out a victim with hydraulic power tools, the bunker gear will stop minor impacts from injuring you, but, you’re not immortal in the bunker gear.”

While the bunker gear provides protection, the knowledge of how the tools work, and what firefighters do on scene for vehicle extrication helps keep everyone safe.

“They need to be knowledgeable about what we’re doing,” said Nickeson. “If they know exactly what we’re doing and why we’re doing it, it’s only going to make it that much safer on scene.”

Safety is the number one concern of first responders. Whether it’s keeping themselves safe, or ensuring the safety of the patients they rescue, they put safety first.

“We have to ensure that we’re all safe,” said Nickeson. “Responder safety is number one because if you get hurt, you can’t help anyone.”

Members of an Emergency Medical Technician refresher course, listen to final instructions, during Vehicle Extrication training, Jan. 13, 2017, at Moody Air Force Base, Ga. The students donned the top half of the protective gear to shield them from any debris during the training. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Janiqua P. Robinson)

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