Ground Safety Award of Distinction - Monthly Award Winners - MSgt Randy Henley - Brief Article

Combat Edge, April, 2003

On Nov. 5, 2003, MSgt Henley was a passenger in a "Dragon 3" maintenance truck returning from phase dock to building 1025. As they approached the south side of building 1025, he observed 9th Civil Engineering Squadron personnel using an asphalt laying machine to pave the parking lot next to two external fuel storage tanks. As MSgt Henley got closer, he saw heavy black smoke billowing from around the machine and two workers using a fire extinguisher attempting to put out a fire under the machine. MSgt Henley told the vehicle operator to stop the truck in the street and to notify the Maintenance Operations Control Center of the fire. As MSgt Henley exited the truck, he noticed that the fire extinguisher being used was out of agent and the smoke becoming much thicker. With the fire extinguisher no longer useful, he sprinted to a nearby water hose, turned on the water, and ran back to fight the fire. When he got there, the smoke was very thick and it was hard to see the fire. MSgt Henley began to spray water unde rneath the machine and at that point saw the actual fire. He concentrated the water flow on the flames to put the fire out, and then stood back with the hose until the fire department arrived and took over the situation. The quick responsive action of MSgt Henley prevented what could have easily been a major fire with possible significant collateral damage.

MSgt Randy Henley

9th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron

9th Recon. Wing

Beale AFB, Calif.