Wing quickly responds to two emergencies in 4 days

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Samantha S. Crane
  • 366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office
MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho --  On Oct. 24 at approximately 4:15 p.m., an F-15C Eagle from the 366th Fighter Wing declared an in-flight emergency, or IFE, due to unsafe landing gear. The plane was able to snag the airfield barrier cable and came to a stop just off the runway.

The following Monday, Oct. 27, a fire broke out in base housing. Both incidents remain under investigation.

In both cases, the pilot and the occupants of the home exited safely. And in each incident, Gunfighters showed what they were made of in their speedy and accurate responses.

During the IFE, emergency response crews from the 366th Civil Engineer Squadron fire emergency services and the 366th Equipment Maintenance Squadron crash recovery team were on the scene before the aircraft was on the ground, as the IFE was reported when the pilot was still in the air. The aircraft arresting system managed to stop the aircraft just off the runway. Once the plane was down, the pilot was recovered by medical personnel, and the 366th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron secured ordnance from the aircraft. The 366th Security Force Squadron also secured the area with a perimeter.

"All crash recovery checklists were followed and support equipment and aircraft documentation were immediately impounded," said 1st Lt. Michael Taddy, 366th AMXS on scene commander. "Additional support was provided by wing safety and the 366th Operational Support Squadron airfield operations flight."

The 366th Logistics Readiness Squadron jumped into action and put three buses, a tractor-trailer combination, an all-terrain forklift and wrecker on standby to move at a moment's notice. The 366th Maintenance Operations Squadron became the focal point for all coordination and emergency checklists with plans and scheduling collecting all aircraft records in a secure location, which quality assurance began processing.

Before the aircraft could be moved, an alert photographer from 366th Fighter Wing public affairs office responded to the scene to document the incident. The crash recovery team then secured the aircraft until it could be deemed safe for transport. After being determined "fire safe," maintenance personnel began the recovery process.

The 366th EMS transported the aircraft to a secure location, and the 366th Component Maintenance Squadron performed necessary inspections. The jet was cleared off the runway and secured in a hangar within seven hours.

With 15 aircraft in the air at the time of the IFE, each jet was informed they would be diverting to Gowen Air National Guard Base, Idaho. The four F-4F Phantoms and 11 F-15E and C models, were met by Mountain Home AFB personnel who were transported to Boise, Idaho, in time to meet the aircraft by the 366th LRS with the necessary equipment to recover the aircraft and bed them down for an over-night stay at Gowen Field.

"Although very unfortunate, this event again proved our wing's readiness and flexibility in the face of adversity," said Lieutenant Taddy. "Members from across the wing came together, responding in a quick and safe manner, to ensure the security and safety of our pilot and aircraft. In addition, enough cannot be said about the men and women of Gowen Field. Although faced with minimum manning, they were able to safely recover the diverted aircraft. They also provided pivotal assistance in launching the aircraft the following day."

By the next day, the diverted aircraft flew out of Gowen Field and operations returned to normal on the Mountain Home AFB runway.

"The wing knew exactly what to do and got it done," said Col. Timothy Fowler, 366th Maintenance Group commander.

"It takes a lot more than a downed aircraft on the runway to shake the resolve of the maintainers of the 366th FW," said Lt. Col. Dave P. West, 366th MXG deputy commander.

On Oct. 27 at approximately 3:10 p.m., a fire was reported to Fire Station #2. Four minutes later, crews were dispatched and arrived on scene. Fire fighting operations continued for more than an hour to suppress the fire. After being deemed "fire safe," crews entered the building to remove belongings not damaged by the fire or smoke. Around 6:20 p.m., the emergency was terminated and crews returned to the station.

Many other agencies came together to ensure a speedy and safe resolution along with any care needed for the family or response team. The 366th Medical Group supplied and examined all involved, including firefighters who fought the blaze. The 366th SFS created a secure perimeter around the scene and 366th FW/PA provided an alert photographer to document the damage.

The base chapel and first sergeants were also available for counseling. In a show of support, the Gunfighter community began making donations to the family the very next day.

"Numerous agencies became one team in response to this tragedy with an array of donations provided by base personnel and their families," said Tech. Sgt. Jess Roen, 366th CES fire emergency services.