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Seabees Render First Aid, Perform Salvage Operations

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS100805-22
8/5/2010

By Equipment Operator 3rd Class Christopher Herrick and Construction Mechanic Constructionman Brian Leird, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 5 Public Affairs

HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan (NNS) -- Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 5 Seabees responded to a plane crash at Forward Operating Base Dwyer in Afghanistan July 28, safely removing passengers and performing first aid until crash and rescue personnel arrived.

The contracted cargo plane overshot the runway, crashing through the safety berm. None of the six passengers on the plane were seriously injured.

Constructionman Equipment Operator (EO) Jamie Lenger witnessed the accident, and said he saw the plane as it collided with the berm.

"I caught it out of the corner of my eye, just a bunch of dust and a plane where it shouldn't be," he said.

The six-man crew of the plane, which was transporting fresh fruit and dairy products, were quickly assisted out of the wreckage by Equipment Operator 2nd Class Pandraig Martin and other Seabees working in the area: Equipment Operator 3rd Class (SCW) Christopher Herrick, Equipment Operator 3rd Class Joseph Flint, Equipment Operator 3rd Class Gary Collins, Construction Mechanic 3rd Class Devin Dunn and Legner.

After ensuring the passengers were safe, Seabees surveyed the scene, eventually safely draining the six tons of jet fuel still in the fuel tanks. They next examined methods of transporting the downed aircraft to another area.

After a failed attempt to drag the whole plane to a clearing away from the runway using a D-5 and D-7 bulldozer, a decision was made to break the plane into several smaller pieces.

Herrick operated a Komatsu excavator, separating the downed aircraft's tail section and both wings from the fuselage. Herrick said using the excavator in that fashion was a unique experience.

"I got to do something with an excavator that I will probably never be able to do again," he said.

The smaller, more manageable pieces were moved from the runway by Dunn and Flint.

The main cabin of the plane, the heaviest section, was last to be moved, and required a combined effort between the Seabees D7 bulldozer pulling and the Marines D5 bulldozer pushing the object.

Seabees and Marines then removed the remaining scattered debris, clearing the runway for incoming aircraft.

Although the plane crash was minor, with no serious injuries or damage to camp facilities, the Seabees' initiative facilitated reopening the runway the same day as the crash, contributing to an overall mission affecting untold numbers of service members.

Onsite liaison between the Seabees and Marines during the salvage operations Command Master Chief (SCW/PJ) Charles Courchesne said the efforts were representative of the Seabees ability to adapt and overcome.

"Responding to this type of disaster is something we always train for, but hope to never use," Courchesne said. "However, the selfless actions, quick thinking and tremendous efforts that these six troops displayed today are exactly what epitomizes the Seabee 'Can Do!' spirit, and I am proud to serve with each one of them."