Flight line safety: award of distinction

Combat Edge, Oct, 2004 by Scott D. Blakemore, Aaron J. Hemberger, Joseph C. Salisbury, Adam T. Enyeart

A1C Enyeart was launching aircraft number 90-0234 for the first go on Day 2 of a scheduled 192 sortie surge. With engines running he started performing his launch inspection and quickly noticed a hydraulic leak coming from the right Airframe Mounted Accessories Drive (AMAD) bay. Amn Enyeart notified the flight line expediter of the leak in the right AMAD bay. SSgt Hemberger and SSgt Salisbury quickly exited the expediter truck and did a quick inspection of the bay. With smoke starting to billow, SSgt Salisbury looked into the bay through an inspection panel and saw the AMAD bay was now on fire in the area of the right utility hydraulic pump. MSgt Blakemore saw the smoke and went over to evaluate the situation and preposition a 150-pound Halon fire extinguisher closer to the aircraft. SSgt Salisbury immediately alerted the expediter of the fire, who declared a ground emergency through the Maintenance Operations Center (MOC) who, in turn, notified the fire department. With MSgt Blakemore holding open the inspection panel, SSgt Salisbury charged the fire extinguisher and SSgt Hemberger took control of the nozzle and began to fight the fire. A1C Enyeart, who was still in communication with the aircrew, directed them to execute an emergency shutdown of both engines and immediately egress the aircraft. The fire was quickly extinguished and the aircrew moved to safety. A few minutes later the fire department arrived to evaluate the scene and verified the aircraft was safe. All individuals were evaluated by medical personnel for possible Halon inhalation and were cleared of any medical conditions associated with the incident. Sergeants Blakemore, Salisbury, Hemberger and Amn Enyeart's exceptional ability to recognize and react to the fire displayed great poise under pressure and superior situational awareness. Together, they saved an Air Force asset valued at over $39 million and prevented the potential loss of life to the aircrew and other maintenance technicians.

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MSgt Scott D. Blakemore, SSgts Aaron J. Hemberger and Joseph C. Salisbury (not in photo), A1C Adam T. Enyeart, 366th Aircraft Maint. Unit, 366th Fighter Wing, Mt Home AFB, Idaho