Navy F-18 fighter jet crashes near Naval Air Station Key West

WASHINGTON — A U.S. Navy fighter jet crashed Wednesday off the coast of Key West, Florida, killing its two crew members.

The F/A-18 Super Hornet was on approach to land at the naval air station around 4:30 p.m. EDT, and crashed into the water about a mile east of the runway.

The pilot and weapons system officer ejected and were recovered, but U.S. Naval Air Forces reported late Wednesday night that both had died. Their names are being withheld pending notification of next of kin. The cause of the crash is also under investigation.

The aircraft crew is based from the Naval Air Station Oceana-based Strike Fighter Squadron 213 in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The Super Hornet is a twin-engine fighter jet that is larger than the single-seat F/A-18 Hornet.

“At about 4:30 PM Eastern Time, the F/A-18F Super Hornet on a routine training flight, crashed while on final approach to Boca Chica Field on Naval Air Station, Key West, Florida,” said Cmdr. Dave Hecht, spokesman for Naval Forces Atlantic. “At this time, that is all the information I have.”

Hecht could not speculate as to the cause of the “mishap,” saying much remains unknown. The Navy will be investigating the incident to determine the cause of the crash.

The “Fighting Black Lions” of VFA-213 are assigned to Carrier Air Wing Eight, which is currently assigned to the carrier George H.W. Bush.

Navy Times staff writers Geoff Ziezulewicz, Mark Faram and J.D. Simkins contributed to this report.

Bio-Environmental Engineers Give Respirator Tests to Protect Health, Instill Confidence

Photo By Airman 1st Class Randall Burlingame | Lt. Michael J. Avalone, bioenvironmental engineering officer in the 104th Medical Group, prepares Daniel Estee, Lt. Firefighter at the 104th Fighter Wing, for his annual respiratory fit test alongside Master Sgt. Jeffery D. Allard, the NCO in charge of the bioenvironmental engineering shop. All 24 firefighters come through the shop to have their annual mask fit tests conducted. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman 1st Class Randall S. Burlingame) 

WESTFIELD, MA, UNITED STATES

03.09.2018

Story by Airman 1st Class Randall Burlingame 

104th Fighter Wing/Public Affairs  

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Members of the Air Force are first introduced to wearing a gas mask when they go through the gas chamber and undertake chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear training during basic military training. All Airmen receive gas mask fit tests to ensure issued masks fit properly increasing personal protection to maintain war-time readiness.

But the training doesn’t stop there. Airmen will continue to have their gas masks and respirators fitted to include additional training, especially those in career fields that use respirators regularly in the performance of their jobs such as the Air Craft Structural Repair shop, Fuel cell maintenance shop as well as the Emergency responders on base which include the Fire Department, Explosive Ordnance Disposal members and Emergency Management and Bioenvironmental themselves. 

The respirator and gas mask fit tests conducted by the Airmen of the Bioenvironmental Engineering shop at the 104th Fighter Wing allow the Airmen using them to feel confident that they are being protected from CBRN hazards with the gas mask and chemical hazards with the respirators which allow for greater focus on the task at hand. 

“It definitely helps,” said Mike Cote, a firefighter of 19 years for the 104th. “The test checks the seal of the mask and lets you know it’s 100%. That gives you confidence, allowing you to do what you have to do knowing the respirator will work.” 

According to Master Sgt. Jeffery D. Allard, the Bioenvironmental NCO in charge and the unit's industrial hygienist, the fit tests for personnel on the respiratory protection program which includes the firefighters is OSHA mandated and something all Airmen who require respirator use must have done annually. Gas masks, on the other hand, is a onetime requirement unless special conditions occur which could require a refit.

“Today we had an issue with one of the firefighters who wasn't passing the test,” said Allard. “We ended up discovering a crack in the drinking tube which compromised his mask. If that wasn’t discovered he could have had some potential issues if he had to depend on the mask in a real-world situation.” 

Allard said he likes to believe the fit tests are making an impact on protecting the health of Airmen. 

“You will not know if your mask is going to work effectively if you don’t get fit tested,” said Allard. “It's very important that people take the wearing of respiratory protection seriously. Their health or even their life may depend on it.”

The industrial hygienist said that Airmen must also get their mask refitted whether it is the issued Mk50 gas mask or a shop issued respirator anytime they gain or lose 10% of their body weight, have serious dental work done that changes their facial features, or if there is a change in the mask being used and hopes supervisors will help to disseminate this important information to their Airmen.

20th CES Firefighters gear up.

U.S. Air Force Airmen 1st Class Nicholas Denning, left, and Trevor Britt, 20th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighters, don their gear during a competition demonstrating their proficiency at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., March 8, 2018. After receiving notification of an emergency, the Airmen must be prepared to depart the station within two minutes to provide as quick of a response as possible. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kathryn R.C. Reaves)

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, SC, UNITED STATES
03.13.2018
Story by Airman 1st Class Kathryn Reaves
20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs 

After 20th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighters receive notification of an emergency, they have little time to waste.

From donning gear to departing the fire station in trucks, the Airmen must be prepared for quick and efficient actions that could mean life or death.

The 30 pounds of initial gear, which consists of gloves, boots, a hood, coat, pants, and helmet, must be on in less than one minute.

“As a first responder, you want to be as quick as possible,” said Airman 1st Class Trevor Britt, 20th CES firefighter. “We have a minute to get ready, two minutes to leave the station once the tones drop. Basically, think of your house on fire and how fast you want people to be there for you. Faster is always better.”

The equipment is also worn in layers which can be added based on the multitude of threats the firefighters may face, said Airman 1st Class Nicholas Denning, 20th CES firefighter. These additional layers provide barriers against fire, debris and hot water.

The gear also ensures Airmen can withstand the elements.

One such hazard firefighters may be required to face is high expansion foam.

High expansion foam suffocates fires, which is released by fire suppression systems, such as those installed in aircraft hangars.

To protect themselves and to ensure they can help others, the Airmen may don specialized gear such as a self-contained breathing apparatus, oxygen tanks connected to a mask.

The tanks, which must also be on within one minute, provide oxygen for up to 45 minutes in a hazardous environment and adds another 30 pounds to their equipment.

While navigating hectic scenes and maneuvering around obstacles, the extra 60 pounds of gear presents a unique challenge which can be made more difficult by the possibility of also having to carry another firefighter to safety.

Denning said the Airmen maintain physical readiness to overcome the demands of their work by training every day. Through stretching and weight and agility training, the firefighters condition themselves for success.

This training helps because they have to be able to go back into the field time-and-time again and perform emergency tasks that can sometimes last days, said Denning.

By becoming familiar with the equipment at their disposal and maintaining constant physical readiness, the 20th CES firefighters ensure they are ready to aid the local community in an emergency.