Aircrew Safety Award of Distinction - Brief Article

On April 4, 2001, 1Lt. Clark Carroll, upgrading pilot, and Capt. Neil Allen, instructor weapons system officer, launched out of Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina, as the number two F-15E of a two-ship, night, surface attack, tactics sortie. Their flight lead was Maj. Greg Engle. The sortie proceeded as planned through takeoff, departure and entry into a Low-Altitude Navigation and Targeting Infrared for Night (LANTIRN) en route to the Dare County Bombing Range.

While flying at approximately 500 feet and 500 knots on terrain-following radar 4 miles in trail of Engle, Carroll and Allen suddenly felt and heard a loud bang. Immediately, the number two engine firelight illuminated and had a bleed air light, smoke began filling the cockpit and there were substantial airframe vibrations, which indicated problems with the number one engine. They initiated a climb to safe altitude and turned toward their home base. They called for a "Knock-It-Off," informed Engle of their situation and requested his assistance as c hase ship. Carroll shut down the number two engine and completed the checklist for an in-flight engine fire. Engle then rejoined and informed Carroll and Allen that a plume of fire and sparks was still streaming out the back of the number two engine. Engle suggested an opposite direction landing to save valuable time and coordinated that with the Supervisor of Flying. Carroll and Allen elected not to dump fuel, executed a flawless single-engine approach and landing and conducted an emergency ground egress. Post flight inspection revealed extensive damage to the aircraft caused by multiple bird strikes to the engines, engine intakes, radome, LANTIRN pod and windscreen. Quick thinking, outstanding airman-ship and appropriate actions by Maj. Engle, Capt. Allen and 1Lt. Carroll contributed to the safe recovery of the aircrew and a valuable Air Force asset.