Wasp's crash and salvage team three-peats

0 Comments | Naval Aviation News, Nov-Dec, 2001 | by Kory M. Deur

Wasp (LHD 1) was on her way to Naval Weapons Station Earle, N.J., for ammunition onload. As the ship pulled away from the pier at Naval Base Norfolk, Va., a few Sailors were left behind. The crew members comprised the Crash and Salvage Team, which was staying to defend its title as the best on the East Coast.

Various large-deck amphibious assault ships and aircraft carriers participated in the 2001 Crash and Salvage Olympics, including Nassau (LHA 4), Saipan (LHA 2), Iwo Jima (LHD 7), Theodore Roosevelt (CYN 71), Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) and George Washington (CVN 73). The competition covered three categories: written tests, a propane trainer for firefighting and salvaging an aircraft.

Wasp was only .8 of a point from winning the written portion. The team placed second again in the firefighting scenario, leaving them in good position to win the overall title if they could nail the salvaging event. Each team was given five minutes to complete the event, after which points were deducted from their scores. When each team finished, Wasp was the only team able to accomplish the task in less than five minutes.

"The way we prepare for an event like the Crash and Salvage Olympics is doing our job on a daily basis," said ABHAN(AW) Ryan Heemer. "We have drills every morning after quarters until lunch. We keep changing the way we do them until we find the fastest and safest way."

It was clear the training paid off. Their salvaging time of 3 minutes, 16 seconds propelled the team into first place and brought the trophy back to the LHD for the third consecutive year.