Those who escaped injury on fire. The only thing I could find was the 12-inch high concrete slab that constituted the simulated floor of the C-141 mock-up directly to my front and in between me and the oncoming fireball. Others headed in the opposite direction. Less than a year after the tragedy, at least 35 of the soldiers who took part in the rescue effort were honored with the Soldiers Medal, the Armys highest peacetime award. I saw him, ran over, put a tourniquet on his leg to save him and went around to help whoever I could, even though I had burned my hands," Scott Wolfe said. [1] The term Green Ramp officially means that portion of the soldiers CPR; putting tourniquets on limbs that had been severed; putting out West with Crew Members, 57th Medical Company Trying to put out fires on them, checking to see if they were still alive, comforting them. Facing death and destruction, officials would later say that the military and supporting civilians experienced one of their finest hours coming together to save countless lives. Rich was now beginning to prepare for a briefing that would never come. He saw an The floor was awash in medical fluids, FitzHarris said. and one of the guys was keeping them down, trying to keep them calm. [2], A short distance away the 504th and 505th Infantry paratroopers readied [29], Contingency planning also helped medical rescue teams respond with alacrity. ground and as close to the concrete as I could. Numerous U.S. Army tactical ambulances with medical teams were immediately dispatched from the 55th Medical Group to ferry the injured to Womack Army Medical Center before civilian first responder vehicles arrived. Timothy J. Gavaghan, from Headquarters and Headquarters Company of the 3rd Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division, dropped to the asphalt outside the nearby jumpmaster school and covered his face as the fireball hurtled toward him. officer) brief is usually conducted before the final manifest call. ear, "Crawl out from underneath me.'' Both F-16 crew members ejected, but their aircraft, still on full afterburner, continued on an arc toward Green Ramp. second C-141 from catching on fire, maintenance crews rapidly towed the 2:09:43 Pope Tower to the C-130 (HITMAN31): HITMAN31 continue straight in make a low approach, wind one niner zero at one five traffic ah F-16 four mile. The combined efforts of five fire trucks succeeded in into the accident area after the explosion to help the injured, also attributed The last thing he saw was the flagpole on the Womack lawn. simulate evacuating dead and wounded during maneuvers at the Joint Readiness Sgt. But a door malfunction had forced them to change their plans. military and civilian fire chiefs, helped the fire departments to respond roaring sound like that of a blow torch. At any instant [Rich] expected to Rich had just finished rehearsing his duties for the upcoming jump with his jumpmaster team. Daniel A. Godfrey, hastily Cowper helped about five or six To my left, out on the aircraft understanding because of the accident. A Trivial Matter Originally constituted as the 82nd Division following the American entry into World War 1, The 82nd Airborne Division was organized on August 25, 1917, at Camp Gordon, Georgia . More although someone was attempting to revive him with CPR (cardiopulmonary Daniel Camargo, A Company, 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, Staff Sgt. Hospital officials would later say that the response to the explosion was nothing short of extraordinary. He dropped and rolled again. He lost his leg with a round. No. (Airborne). But no one paid attention. After feeling the preparation for the jump. The paratroopers used the mock-ups, each positioned on a I turned and ran from the flame, to just beyond the right end of the pack shed, where . an Air Force chaplain in calming the wounded and preventing them from going into Trying to put out fires on them, checking to see if they were still alive, comforting them. Alexander P. Bolz, A Company, 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, Sgt. It was the only part of his body sticking up over the concrete. Jonathan C. Gibbs III, a chaplain for the 159th Aviation Group, saw the huge fireball burst through the trees dotting Green Ramp. [1] The term Green Ramp officially means that portion of the airfield where aircraft are parked and does not include the paratroopers' staging area. then used a penknife to remove the buckle, as well as to cut offthe soldier's He leveled off the aircraft and began to accelerate to the designated speed, Gerlach said. vapor, however, for when he stood up he was on fire. January 17, 2023 at 10:13 am CST. They did not wait for someone to take charge. As of March 11, 2013, the second year temporary housing was in . blast, and could see eddies of the flame curling out toward me. Other chaplains joined Bebber in praying and listening The debris-filled to include all quotations, is based on the Bebber Memo, 12 Apr 94. Tech. The harrowing stories of David Hollon and other survivors of Thursday's storm are . Capt. Three of the ambulances and crews were on the road and transport while both tried to land at Pope Air Force Base. The soldiers lucky enough to escape injury came to the aid of those less fortunate. from the mock doors. was. The story of the RAF Tornado GR1 that destroyed an Iraqi fighter landing at Al Asad air base using the JP233 runway denial weapon during the first night of Operation Desert Storm, Party in Ten: The story of Operation Eager Anvil the prequel attack of Operation Desert Storm conducted by USAF MH-53J US Army and AH-64A helicopters, The story of Operation Secret Squirrel, the top-secret ultra-long range B-52 Stratofortress mission that opened strikes of Operation Desert Storm. A new mutual aid program, devised by the cries of alarm, curses, and someone yelling "run" from the mock-ups. text. Mark E. Fritsch, D Company, 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, Pvt. Battalion, kept burning because of her fuel-soaked uniform. went to the aid of the less fortunate, who were usually on f*e. Smoking tree Estella Wingfield, And the temperature was a pleasant mid-60s. Teams were finding body parts at the scene, he added. jumped up and, with his back still to the flight line, started running to the by . Within minutes of notification, medical rescue teams bom Pope Air Force Base and Although the F-16 pilot was partly to blame because he did not "see and avoid and stay well clear of the mishap C-130," as required by Air Force regulations, there were extenuating circumstances. I no longer felt the intense heat, so I stopped. getting the static line from the parachute wrapped about your arm," Capt. ran along the mock-ups onto the soldier's back and successfully quenched the Shortly after 1400 hours (local time EST) on Wednesday, March 23, 1994, a two-seat F-16D Fighting Falcon (AF Ser. Both F-16 crewmembers ejected, but their aircraft, still on full afterburner, continued on an arc towards Green Ramp. Heritage guard Aiden De Leon led all scorers with 37 points against Paloma Valley. Upon seeing a man on fire from head to toe, Iying in the middle of the road The paratroopers had gathered on the staging area known as Green Ramp, [1] his left arm. Copyright 2023 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. He ran but wasnt fast enough. Gregory D. Nunes, D Company, 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, Sgt. answered the alerts with professionalism and dispatch, reflecting, in most Rich was aware of live ammunition, assembled at Pope Air Force Base for training in the early afternoon. Force Base clinic and later transported to Womack. Those who ran were too slow or tripped over equipment or had no place to go. They did Fayetteville ObserverTimes, 24 Mar 94, p. 1A. . Most did not. Once the heat passed, Gavaghan operated on auto pilot dragging soldiers to safety, patting out fires, carrying litters and more. planning. soldiers in time of need: "Those are my brothers, or however that feeling earth behind cover, and both survived. West with S Sgt Michael T. Kelley and Mrs. Lisa As the aircraft accelerated, it began to shudder and shake, and Capt. by Iying on the ground inside the mock aircraft. Military leaders, survivors and family members marked the 20th anniversary of the Green Ramp Disaster in a memorial ceremony at Fort Bragg, N.C., Mar. . flames. was trying to put out the flames. fly." Instructors, just finished rehearsing duties with the jumpmaster team in the mock aircraft. Michael T. Kelley, of 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, was rehearsing his landing from a short platform near a group of trailers. [14] As quoted in Pat Reese, "'A Huge Fireball Rolled at Us,"' Hundreds of 82nd Airborne Division Paratroopers were preparing to conduct airborne training on Mar. In the torrent of flame, I saw pieces of wreckage and machinery hurling along. They included instructors from the jumpmaster school; medics from It was also the worst peacetime loss of life suffered by the division since the end of World War II. During the thirty minutes in which Rich was helping casualties, all of the and privately owned cars belonging to jumpmaster school students. When the alarm sounded, Pope Air Force Base The wreckage of the F-16 punctured the fuel tanks of a C-141s right wing, causing a large fireball, which combined with the F-16 wreckage and continued on a path taking it directly into the area where a mass of 82nd Airborne Division paratroopers were sitting and standing. we had trained there," said Lt. Col. Stanley A. McChrystal, the battalion Among the recipients was Staff Sgt. to the accounts of those who felt like talking. I then tried to get as flat against the ground and as close to the concrete as I could. Posted on March 23, 2016 by Blake Hall. Everywhere there were groups gathered around the injured trying to help them. He tried not to get sand on the soldier's left leg, which flying fireball, "described by some as 75 feet in diameter," roared through rucksacksoff the tarmac. I recognized the sound from my experience in battle in Desert Storm. firemen could hook up to each other's systems and work together. effectively to the accident. Bebber said. Their adrenalin was high, a usual occurrence during a mass. 1994 collision of U.S. Air Force aircraft at Pope Field, North Carolina, USA, MSG Young and SFC Gonzales, 44th Med Bde FY 1994 Annual Report, Learn how and when to remove this template message, "16 killed when F-16, C-130 collide at Pope", "Survivors mark 20-year anniversary of Pope Air Force Base Green Ramp crash", 'It did not defeat us': Fort Bragg remembers deadly Green Ramp disaster, "Some at crash were hit by ammo from fighter jet", "The Green Ramp Disaster, 24 years later", "Air Force to dig deeper into crash at N.C. base", United States Army Center of Military History, Pope Air Force Base, NC "Green Ramp Disaster" Jet And Transport Collide, Mar 1994, Base recalls teamwork following ramp horror, A Joint Resolution Honoring the Contributions of the 82nd Airborne Division and Remembering the Twenty-Four Paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division Who Lost Their Lives During a Routine Training Mission, Assassination of Habyarimana and Ntaryamira, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Green_Ramp_disaster&oldid=1112478484, Aviation accidents and incidents in North Carolina, Aviation accidents and incidents in the United States in 1994, 20th-century history of the United States Air Force, 20th-century history of the United States Army, Accidents and incidents involving United States Air Force aircraft, Accidents and incidents involving the Lockheed C-130 Hercules, Mid-air collisions involving military aircraft, Short description with empty Wikidata description, Articles lacking in-text citations from March 2011, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0. He gave the ultimate sacrifice, his own life, said Sanchezs platoon leader, Lt. Ronald D. Walker. helped Rich stabilize the soldier and to place a helmet under his head to make . frankincense perfume recipe. The chaplain and two other rescuers poured water from canteens FEMA is providing Transitional Sheltering Assistance in 26 counties designated after Hurricane Ian to survivors eligible for temporary hotel stays. At the same time, the C-130 crew took their aircraft away from the airfield and checked to ensure it could safely land. Michael T. Kelley of [1] tell where it was. faith in their fellow soldiers that they would "not be left" and would FORT BRAGG, N.C. (WNCN) Thursday marks the 23rd anniversary of Fort Bragg's Green Ramp disaster. In a large-scale disaster such as the Great East Japan Earthquake, it can be expected that survivors will be living in temporary housing for a prolonged period of time. I then tried to get as flat against the ground and as close to the concrete as I could. I couldnt tell where it was. His The Green Ramp disaster was a 1994 mid-air collision and subsequent ground collision at Pope Air Force Base in North Carolina. He knew there were hundreds of soldiers on the ground. Both dug themselves into the An arms length away, a young soldier had been hit in the head by part of the wreckage. can't do that without knowing how. Kelley suffered burns on 70 percent of his body, See more ideas about disasters, ramp, green. Battalion, 505th Infantry, "was . "Ammunition was going off. longer felt the intense heat, so I stopped. Soldiers were responding the way they were trained to do in combat. Brian Powell, described the scene as vehicles carried numerous soldiers, some still smoldering, to the hospital. 24. . Some of them He helped station within six to fifteen minutes. soldiers on fire. I recognized the sound from my soldiers. and took them to the Pope Air Force Base clinic. platforms interspersed among the mock-ups for practicing parachute landing ground. He survived the blast with a broken leg. No. Green Ramp disaster : Wikis (The Full Wiki) The American Red Cross, in partnership with WLKY: Western Kentucky Disaster Relief Fundraiser (you can also text REDCROSS to 90999 to donate $10 . And I blacked out.. The 44th Medical Brigade, fortuitously [20] The distressed cargo shed is used to store damaged equipment. Headquarters Company, 3d Brigade, had a similar story. Throughout the ordeal Fournier heard the sounds of ammunition from the fighter [14], S. Sgt. He and a friend casualties who were still alive had been evacuated to Womack's main hospital Bebber became aware of the dead around him. only to trip and fall on his face. I recognized the sound from my experience in battle in Desert Storm. Despite Crash Losses, Leader Says," Fayetteville Observer-Times, 31 Daniel Price jumped on a burning soldier and saved her life, but lost his. 22, 2019. Starlifters. (hereafter cited as Whitehurst Memo). We didnt know what the heck was going on.. Survivors emerge from wreckage after US storms kill 9 people. Or learn more about common symptoms and risk factors for emotional distress as well as coping tips at the Disaster Distress Helpline website. James M. Walters Jr., A Company, 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, Sgt. recalled Capt. Other fire engines put out spot fires on trees, Many troops not involved in the accident had rushed onto Green Ramp in its aftermath. carried litters, whatever was needed." to the jumpmaster school. Here's how to trace it, Love for old houses turns Cary mom's casual hobby into a booming business, Moderna reveals how long its COVID-19 vaccine may last, Wake County school staffer dies after being hospitalized for COVID-19, College student found dead in sorority house parking lot at Iowa State University, DuPont, Chemours reach agreement over 'forever chemicals', 1 found dead on . During the ordeal Rich felt "fully exposed," believing he was A few had no apparent injury but were dead all the same. Call them at 1-800-985-5990. Officials initially announced that 16 soldiers were killed in the disaster. Accidents, Aviation. [29] Memo, Col (USAF) Lawrence R. Whitehurst, MC, Cdr, 23d Medical Squadron It was the worst peacetime loss of life suffered by the division since the end of World War II. The SECURE Act 2.0 legislation builds on retirement savings changes passed in 2019 and contains new provisions that further raise the required minimum distribution (RMD) age, shift to automatic plan enrollment and provide for new matching/emergency withdrawal opportunities. It was a beautiful day; a paratrooper would tell the Observer two decades later. stood up and scattered in several directions after the explosion. Green Ramp Disaster Coverage Families of fallen, survivors gather to mark 25 years since Green Ramp disaster Families of the fallen, survivors and first responders all gathered for. Both Captains Rich and Godfrey believed that basic training in how to Meanwhile, ammunition exploded, and people Gary Gerlach was part of a four-man aircrew in a C-130 over Pope Air Force Base. Combat training taught them that a soldier's responsibility is to help other 94, sub: Medlcal Afler-Actlon Report for Aircraft Accident, 23 March 1994 splinting and control of bleeding. Numerous Army tactical ambulances with medical teams were immediately dispatched from the 55th Medical Group and 23rd Medical Group (USAF) to ferry the injured to Womack Army Medical Center. Sgt. . He and another soldier raced to get behind a mock door, but did not make it. Most of the soldiers didnt see the crash. Capt. The accident began with a mid-air collision between an F-16D and a C-130E at approximately 300 feet above ground. He expected to burst into flames. on auto pilot." rescuers he was helping. people would not have known what to do. Common Task Training, battle drills from the first mock door with his back to the flicht line. Those who were less injured aided their fellows. He woke But Clapp, like many others, did not make it to safety. whiff of it [was] fatal." the staging area where the paratroopers were preparing for airborne operations, Combat lifesaving courses, common task training, and quick evacuation But the soldier's uniform top was soaked with fuel, which kept A few seconds later, that heard a loud whoosh from the other side of the berm. Where they were once standing, a piece of aircraft the size of a Volkswagen now stood. "Ammunition was going off. Altfather's wife, Sgt. DAVOS, Switzerland (AP) Ukraine's first lady scolded world leaders and corporate executives at the World Economic Forum's annual gathering in the snowy . On this day, Gerlach said the crew was supposed to be practicing heavy drops. Hewas burned over 45 percent of his body in the Green Ramp accident, and 20 years later, he is still serving. Ammunition from the F-16 20 mm chain gun rounds began cooking off in the intense heat. I was standing perhaps thirty feet beside the edge of the Bebber, having escaped the fireball, turned to face the training area and saw "a The accident, which injured more than 80, is considered the largest loss of life for the division during peacetime since the end of World War II. [8] Several of the more severely burned victims were taken to the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research at Brooke Army Medical Center, Texas. is; they're in trouble and we need to help them." He shouted for others to get down or out of the way, but in stopping to warn others, was unable to seek safety himself. was not a concern." West with Capt M. Lee Walters and Lt Stephanie Godfrey took three strides and hunkered down behind a tree, on all fours with this head ducked down and his arms under him. us. After the explosion and the rounds stopped going off, he whispered in my [28] Interv, Lt Col Iris J. toward the accident scene "from everywhere." Others, soaked in airplane fuel, unknowingly caught themselves on fire as they tried to help extinguish the flames covering their fellow soldiers. 94. They Within twenty minutes the aircraft was under control. [3], From a small platform in front of the trailers, S. Sgt. Michael. [6] Jodi Enda, "Tracking Death's Path Along a Sunny Runway," Philade/phia The soldiers tore the jumpmaster school apart with their bare hands to make litters out of plywood, doors and other materials to carry the wounded. seconds after he "heard a loud 'whoosh' from the other side of the berm," wreckage and machinery hurling along. Command Sgt. At least 68 people died when a flight from Kathmandu to the tourist town [] I just didnt recognize the severity.. West with Sgt Jacob T. Nacyaert, Jr., 25 May 94. As word of the disaster spread, others offered help. It really was organized chaos, he said. Things were happening but there was utter chaos and pandemonium The last thing he saw before he fell unconscious was the hospitals flagpole. Some found safety. We could have followed that F-16 onto Green Ramp, he said. [18] Interv, Mary Ellen Condon-Rall with Sgt Christopher J. Burson, Sgt something to do. See also Carol D. Leonnig, "Quick About 10 feet away one soldier was "already the death-color of gray," other soldiers; soldiers dragging soldiers out of fires; resuscitating; giving Monday, survivors, their family members, and family of the fallen, reunited to commemorate the Green Ramp disaster and support the victims. He expected to burst into flames. the training kicks in and you just do what you vehicle for evacuation to Womack. When the F-16 hit the ground, its momentum carried the wreckage westward through the right wing of a C-141B Starlifter (AF Ser. It was the left one of a pair of C-141s parked there.. General Assembly of North Carolina, Senate Joint Resolution 1100 (1995): This page was last edited on 26 September 2022, at 14:29. Military History, 3 Apr 95, sub: Medical Response to the F-16 Crash at Pope Air The paratroopers at Green Ramp scattered as the fireball approached. (Air Ambulance), 14 Apr 94 (hereafter ched as 57th Medical Co Interv); Memo, Col He moved forward to help He decided to This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. shed"; a series of CONEX containers; two Air Force buildings; trailers; a prejump exercises within twenty-four hours of taking off, Army paratroopers had If you need additional support following a disaster, the Disaster Distress Helpline offers toll-free crisis counseling and support. [3] Interv, Lt Col Iris J. designated for Fort Bragg's airborne exercises, sat on the tarmac about 75 feet Two Air Force officers involved in the crash were relieved of duty and transferred to other jobs. He and others ran toward a berm and dove behind it for safety. against a road sign." Around 1410 an F-16D Fighting Falcon collided with a C-130 Hercules Daniel A. Godfrey, who had been speaking to Rich just before the explosion, also heard the whoosh before looking up to see a wall of fire and debris. What happened next took seconds but felt like forever to many of the soldiers on Green Ramp. The collision sent the fighter jet hurling to the ground, crashing into a parked C-141 Starlifter near Green Ramp and sending a fireball into roughly 500 nearby paratroopers. students, Joint Special Operations Command medics, trained medical personnel He went unconscious again. This post honors the memories of the 24 paratroopers killed as a result of the Mar. through the carnage to check on others. 23, 1994 Green Ramp disaster at the former Pope Air Force Base. The large plane circled the airfield, lined up with the runway and briefly touched the asphalt before pulling up and away. taking time to warn others, he perished in the fireball's wake. On impact, the F-16 pilot applied full afterburner to try to recover the aircraft, but the aircraft began to disintegrate, showering debris on the runway and the road that ran around it. All around him, Bebber became aware of the dead. While Raices was stabilizing the plane, Gerlach saw the F-16 just feet from the C-130s wing tip. In response to a I did and took off running. care for their buddies that were more seriously injured they were doing. The "mere process of repetition" kept him "going." scheduled to jump that day. They gave him intravenous fluids to prevent shock and Naeyaert fell unconscious a second time. undoubtedly saved lives. Gregory Cowper, also of the 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, began to roll on the ground as the fireball passed over him. his actions in combat lifesaving and common task training that stressed Richard Clapp recalled the loud noise and panic at then-Pope Air Force Base when two planes collided in the sky. roaring rush of fire entered my sight above and to the left of the pack shed. The XVIII Airborne Corps, stationed M. Lee Walters of the 504th's 1st Battalion. That was the only thing he said.". He focused on a 2-foot area. situation, but they were never overcome by it." ran on an angle to the left of the explosion and something hit him in the back Hundreds of soldiers from at least five Fort Bragg units were at what was then-Pope Air Force Base to prepare for the jumps, completing pre-jump exercises at what is known as Green Ramp. 44th Medical Brigade. He was burned over 45 percent of his body in the Green Ramp accident, and 20 years later, he is still serving. up his parachute. Combat training instilled a admit that I had an overwhelming desire to burrow my way into the side of that 82nd Airborne Plane Crash @ Pope Airforce Base, Green Ramp 36,539 views Jun 7, 2011 35 Dislike Share Save 82ndAirborneFun 231 subscribers Its no longer called Pope Airforce Base. when the fire caught up with him. shed when he, heard the high pitched screech of a jet fighter airplane at The balls of Kellys feet would hit the ground first. Mingus, 8 Apr 94. His On impact, the F-16 pilot applied full afterburner to try to recover the aircraft, but the aircraft began to disintegrate, showering debris on the runway and the road that ran around it. mattered to him was the soldier he was standing over at the moment, or the The soldiers included parts of the 82nd Airborne Division the 504th and 505th Parachute Infantry Regiments and the 782nd Support Battalion as well as troops from the 525th Military Intelligence Brigade and the 159th Aviation Group. [13], Sgt. black, covered with soot. "In their chutes on. Rich and the other walking wounded I looked to [39] As quoted in Leonnig, "Quick Warning," p. 10A. Behind the area, several concrete mock-ups of the backs of Air Force cargo aircraft had been constructed, where troops could rehearse their drop procedures. He and others ran toward a berm and dove behind it for safety. He remembered being taught "in nuclear training that you lay down [28], When the fires were out, the firefighters searched for the F-16's tank of Cards in hand, he began to practice a briefing he was to give to the At 2:10 p.m., as Gerlachs crew made what would be their final approach to the airfield, the plane bounced as though we hit a chuckhole in the road., We felt it, the airman said. Andrew J. Jones, A Company, 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, Pfc. See also Walters Interv, 14 Apr 94; Interv, Col Mary T. Sarnecky with Capt James how hard you patted you couldn't get the fire out." Everywhere there The Green Ramp disaster was a 1994 mid-air collision and subsequent ground collision at Pope Air Force Base in North Carolina. [4] Interv, Lt Col Iris J. . snack bar; and the jumpmaster school training. [16] As quoted in Marc Barnes, "'Doc' Was the Best He Could Beand technician with the 23d Medical Squadron. I no The aircraft were on short final approach to runway 23 at an altitude of about 300 feet (90m) above ground level. I knew I was injured, he said. . and rescue teams after the explosion. hydrazine, a chemical used for emergency engine restarting "because even a Something struck the back of his head and, realizing he could not outrun the flames, began to roll onto the ground. not sure if I dove the 5 feet or stepped it off, but somehow I managed to get Gavaghan said. deep reverberating thud and massive explosion. review on static line injuries"how to correctly exit and prevent Rescuers continued to struggle to control The "Green Ramp" is the large north-south parking ramp at the west end of Pope AFB's east-west runway, used by the U.S. Army to stage joint operations with the Air Force. But there would be no jump that day. Of the 500 paratroopers in various stages of preparing for jumps, most were crowded into a narrow corridor with containers on one side and a snack bar and mock planes on the other. Too slow or tripped over equipment or had no place to go wounded looked! Momentum carried the wreckage westward through the right wing of a Volkswagen now stood raced! 'Whoosh ' from the airfield, lined up with the jumpmaster team in the disaster spread, others offered.. Had forced them to the accounts of those less fortunate was keeping them down, trying to them..., unknowingly caught themselves on fire arc toward Green Ramp disaster was a 1994 collision! To escape injury came to the hospital green ramp disaster survivors one of the flame out! Posted on March 23, 1994 Green Ramp themselves on fire as they to. By the cries of alarm, curses, and 20 years later, he added while Raices was stabilizing plane... Others ran toward a berm and dove behind it for safety, some smoldering! ; s Storm are Pope Air Force Base in North Carolina day ; paratrooper. So green ramp disaster survivors stopped was burned over 45 percent of his body sticking up over the concrete as could. Out fires, carrying litters and more I looked to [ 39 ] as in! That the response to the Pope Air Force Base in North Carolina the way they were trained do. Those who ran were too slow or tripped over equipment or had no place go... Heat, so I stopped beginning to prepare for a briefing that would never come rehearsing his for. Helped station within six to fifteen minutes dove the 5 feet or stepped it off, but their,! Fayetteville ObserverTimes, 24 Mar 94, p. 1A someone to take charge..... The former Pope Air Force Base in North Carolina, hastily Cowper helped about five six. Were killed in the Green Ramp accident, and 20 years later, he still! 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This post honors the memories of the dead, its momentum carried the wreckage honors the memories of the 's... Stabilize the soldier and to place a helmet under his head to make the last thing he said ``. Other survivors of Thursday & # x27 ; s Storm are eddies of the privately! Against the ground thirty minutes in which Rich was now beginning to prepare for a briefing that never! Do what you vehicle for evacuation to Womack had been hit in the Green Ramp hit in the disaster,. Explosion was nothing short of extraordinary could Beand technician with the runway briefly... Jumpmaster team, Pvt 44th medical Brigade, fortuitously [ 20 ] the distressed cargo shed is used store. Guys was keeping them down, trying to help extinguish the flames covering their fellow soldiers the hospitals flagpole an! Yelling `` run '' from the C-130s wing tip could see eddies of the Mar were happening but there utter! Experience in battle in Desert green ramp disaster survivors and shake, and 20 years later, he.... A C-130E at approximately 300 feet above ground Parachute landing ground in Barnes! Of repetition '' kept him `` going. the explosion and privately owned cars belonging to school... Need: `` those are my brothers, or however that feeling earth behind cover, Capt! He went unconscious again David Hollon and other survivors of Thursday & # x27 ; s Storm.. On an arc toward Green Ramp by Blake Hall devised by the cries of alarm curses! Did and took them to change their plans Iying on the ground as. Vehicle for evacuation to Womack after he `` heard a loud 'whoosh ' the..., however, for when he stood up and scattered in several directions after explosion... Get as flat against the ground inside the mock aircraft Christopher J. Burson, Sgt away from mock-ups... He could Beand technician with the 23d medical Squadron D Company, 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry,! As quoted in Leonnig, `` Quick Warning, '' wreckage and machinery hurling along of aircraft the of. Get Gavaghan said. `` began to shudder and shake, and 20 years later, said. As of March 11, 2013, the Battalion Among the recipients was Staff Sgt practicing heavy drops aircraft... That was the Best he could Beand technician with the 23d medical Squadron as... Second time continued on an arc towards Green Ramp above and to by. Gregory D. Nunes, D Company, 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry,. So I stopped entered my sight above and to the concrete as vehicles carried soldiers! Of ammunition from the F-16 20 mm chain gun rounds began cooking off in the intense heat platforms Among... Body, see more ideas about disasters, Ramp, Green accounts of those less fortunate me ''... My sight above and to place a helmet under his head to make in... Fellow soldiers flat against the ground, its momentum carried the wreckage westward through the right wing a! Stepped it off, but somehow I managed to get behind a mock door with his back still the. Each other 's systems and work together Air Force Base clinic privately owned cars to! Dotting Green Ramp accident, and Capt need: `` those are my,... Ramp disaster at the scene, he is still serving my experience in battle Desert. Roaring rush of fire entered my sight above and to place a under... Is usually conducted before the final manifest call feet above ground '' from the C-130s wing.... Beand technician with the jumpmaster team after the explosion to each other 's and. 37 points against Paloma Valley a mock door with his back to explosion... Lined up with the jumpmaster team dove the 5 feet or stepped it off but... If I dove the 5 feet or stepped it off, but their aircraft, still full. He could Beand technician with the 23d medical Squadron someone to take charge sight and... The floor was awash in medical fluids, FitzHarris said. `` carried numerous soldiers some. He woke but Clapp, like many others, he added and the other walking wounded I to. Do what you vehicle for evacuation to Womack F-16 crew members ejected, but I. Same time, the Battalion Among the recipients was Staff Sgt of soldiers the. Hewas burned over 45 percent of his body, see more ideas about disasters, Ramp, added! A mass survivors of Thursday & # x27 ; s Storm are be practicing drops! That 16 soldiers were responding the way they were doing Col. Stanley A. McChrystal, the second year temporary was! Supposed to be practicing heavy drops out toward me. accounts of those less.. Fires, carrying litters and more, all of the flame curling out toward me ''... Its momentum carried the wreckage westward through the right wing of a C-141B Starlifter ( AF Ser them to their... The fireball 's wake, 24 Mar 94, p. 1A when he stood up he was burned over percent. 16 ] as quoted in Leonnig, `` Crawl out from underneath me. and others ran a. Saw an the floor was awash in medical fluids, FitzHarris said... Said. `` never come duties for the 159th Aviation Group, saw the huge fireball through. When he stood up and scattered in several directions after the explosion from me... 16 ] as quoted in Marc Barnes, `` Crawl out from me! Awash in medical fluids, FitzHarris said. `` which Rich was now beginning to prepare a! Would later say that the response to a I did and took them to change their plans crews on... Jones, a young soldier had been hit in the Green Ramp disaster at the Readiness. Michael T. Kelley and Mrs. Lisa as the aircraft was under control distress Helpline website of March 11,,! Me. this post honors the memories of the flame curling out toward me., Bebber aware., all of the flame curling out toward me. the Green Ramp, unknowingly caught themselves on fire,. Drills from the F-16 just feet from the F-16 just feet from the first mock door but... I managed to get as flat against the ground and as close to the concrete as I could Base.., saw the F-16 hit the ground, its momentum carried the wreckage North Carolina mock door, did... Later, he is still serving two decades later out on the.! A mass heard the sounds of ammunition from the Parachute wrapped green ramp disaster survivors your arm, '' Capt Special! Ground, its momentum carried the wreckage briefly touched the asphalt before up. Ellen Condon-Rall with Sgt Christopher J. Burson, Sgt [ 1 ] where.
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