Wasp Sailors Participate in Main Space Fire Drill

NORFOLK, VA, UNITED STATES

01.12.2024
Photo by Seaman Apprentice Keresea Illenye 
USS WASP (LHD 1)    

NORFOLK (Jan. 12, 2024) Sailors prepare to fight a simulated fire during a main space fire drill in the hangar bay aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1), Jan. 12, 2024. The drill helps Wasp’s crew remain proficient in damage control and prepared for actual casualties. Wasp is in Naval Station Norfolk conducting a scheduled continued maintenance availability period. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Keresea Illenye)

USS Princeton Conducts a Flight Deck Fire Drill

SOUTH CHINA SEA
01.15.2024
Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Elizabeth Grubbs 
Carrier Strike Group ONE - CSG 1  

240115-N-PV401-1092 SOUTH CHINA SEA (Jan. 15, 2023) Damage Controlman 3rd Class Andrew Fleming, from Hillsboro, Tennessee, simulates checking for hot spots during an aircraft fire drill on the flight deck of Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59). Princeton is assigned to Carrier Strike Group ONE and deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Elizabeth Grubbs)

15th Anniversary of the "Miracle on the Hudson": A Tribute to Heroism and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Critical Role

U.S. Airways Flight 1549 crashed into the Hudson River Thursday, Jan. 15 after leaving LaGuardia Airport on its way to Charlotte N.C. Joint rescue efforts by the Coast Guard, NYPD and nearby ferries and boats ensured that all passengers on the plane were taken to safety. The crash has been dubbed “The Miracle on the Hudson” since there were no major injuries to the passengers. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers New York District sent boats to assist in response efforts.

US Army Corps of Engineers

New York District Website Website

NEW YORK DISTRICT
Published Jan. 17, 2024
Updated: Jan. 17, 2024

New York City, NY- On January 15, 2024, we marked the 15th anniversary of an event that has become emblematic of extraordinary heroism and survival - the "Miracle on the Hudson." America watched as U.S. Airways Flight 1549's dramatic descent into the Hudson River, moments after its takeoff from LaGuardia Airport bound for Charlotte, North Carolina. The flight encountered a dire emergency when it struck a flock of Canadian geese, causing a complete loss of power in both engines.

The story of Flight 1549 resonates globally, symbolizing not just the awe-inspiring actions of Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger and First Officer Jeffrey Skiles but also the remarkable team effort that followed. Their decisive actions in safely ditching the plane on the Hudson River saved all 155 people onboard. This event, now famously known as the "Miracle on the Hudson," stands as a powerful testament to their bravery and skill.

In the wake of the crash, an immediate and coordinated rescue operation ensued, spearheaded by the U.S. Coast Guard, NYPD, and nearby boats and ferries. This rapid response played a critical role in the safe evacuation of passengers from the sinking aircraft.

A key player in these efforts was the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' New York District. The District's involvement was instrumental in the post-crash operations. The Corps, renowned for their expertise in emergency recovery operations, dispatched boats and specialized equipment to aid in the response. Over the past decade, the Army Corps' New York District has been involved in numerous high-profile recovery operations, including the retrieval of historic aircraft, vehicles, marine life, and other significant recoveries. Their contribution to the safe retrieval of the US Airways Flight 1549 airliner stands as a prominent example of their capabilities.

The "Miracle on the Hudson" is more than a story of a near-tragic flight; it is a narrative of resilience, teamwork, and the indomitable human spirit. It highlights not only the courage of the flight crew but also the invaluable contribution of the first responders and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' New York District in managing a crisis of this magnitude.

As we commemorate the 15th anniversary of this momentous event, we honor not just the survivors but all those who turned a potential tragedy into a story of hope and survival. The combined efforts of Captain Sullenberger, First Officer Skiles, the flight crew, the first responders, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' New York District are a testament to what can be achieved when diverse groups work together in adversity. The legacy of the "Miracle on the Hudson" will continue to inspire and remind us of the power of human courage, cooperation, and resilience.

Shaheen urges action to eliminate PFAS from firefighter gear following new data on hazards

U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen. File photo/Andrew Sylvia

Tuesday, January 16, 2024 Press Release Civics, GOVERNMENT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a senior member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement after the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) released a follow-up study regarding  per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the personal protective equipment (PPE) worn by firefighters to determine the risk of exposure to these harmful chemicals in this gear.

“Before these studies, there was limited data to address firefighters’ very valid concerns about the potential dangers associated with the equipment they rely on to do their jobs,” said Senator Shaheen. “The findings from this new NIST report are clear: more than 20 types of PFAS might be present in firefighter gear and regular wear and tear can increase exposure risks, posing a threat to the health of our first responders. We must redouble efforts to develop alternatives that will keep all first responders safe.”

Shaheen secured the authorization and funding of the study in the fiscal year (FY) 2021 National Defense Authorization Act and government funding legislation to inform steps that can be taken to address concerns regarding firefighters’ occupational exposure to PFAS chemicals through their turnout gear. The provision that established the study is based on her bipartisan standalone bill – the Guaranteeing Equipment Safety for Firefighters Act.

The follow-up study from NIST shows that textiles used in protective clothing, called turnout gear, tend to release more PFAS when they are subject to everyday wear and tear. The two studies identified the many PFAS compounds present in selected turnout gear textiles, how much of each was present and whether simulated wear and tear increased the amount of PFAS that the textiles released.

Senator Shaheen has long led action in the U.S. Senate to research, prevent and remediate PFAS exposure. She has also specifically worked on efforts to mitigate exposure for first responders, who are oftentimes occupationally more likely to be exposed to the dangerous substances. In the fiscal year 2023 NDAA, Shaheen added an amendment requesting the Department of Defense (DOD) to prohibit DOD from purchasing PFAS-laden firefighting turnout gear after October 1, 2026, if PFAS-free alternatives are available. This follows Shaheen-led efforts to expand blood testing and treatment for firefighters exposed to PFAS and a similar amendment she secured to ban the use of PFAS-laden firefighting foam in the FY 2020 NDAA.

Abraham Lincoln hosts 2023 Holiday Bowl tour

SAN DIEGO, CA, UNITED STATES
12.24.2023
Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Alonzo Martin-Frazier 
USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72)    

231224-N-CO548-1359 SAN DIEGO (Dec. 24, 2023) Sailors give a crash and salvage demonstration during an open ship tour aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) prior to the 2023 Holiday Bowl. Abraham Lincoln is currently moored pierside at Naval Air Station North Island. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Alonzo Martin-Frazier)