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Lejeune forestry service aid NASA search

USMC News

Story Identification Number: 200331916913
Story by Cpl. Kristin S. Gambrell

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C.(March 19, 2003) -- The country's space program suffered a blow February 1, when the Space Shuttle Columbia was lost during its re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere. Seven crewmembers' lives were taken during the tragic incident, and spacecraft debris was scattered across New Mexico desert and rolling Texas plains.

Three base firefighters - Wayne H. Gray, Brian W. Geller and Steve Shepard - traveled to Nacogdoches, Texas, February 17 to March 3. Joining NASA, the FBI, the CIA and other federal agencies, they gathered shuttle debris to assist in the investigation process.

Despite inclement weather, long hours, the tedious combing of huge expanses of dense underbrush, the search party remained dedicated to their mission.

"It is amazing to know we had a part in helping to find out what happened and were able to make a difference," said Geller, a Richlands, N.C., native.

Twenty member crews looked for pieces of the shuttle for up to 12 hours a day. The crews had Environmental Protection Agency and NASA technicians working with them, letting them know what parts could and could not be touched, according to Grey.

"Everyone worked together to accomplish the mission," Geller said. "The technicians told us what the pieces were and where on the shuttle they fit."

Each morning the crews started searching at 6 a.m. and continue until 6 p.m. They searched through everything from cow pastures to backyards looking for pieces of the shuttle, covering nearly 2,000 acres daily, according to Geller.

During the search, residents came out and expressed their feelings for the teams' efforts, said Geller.

"The community was so supportive of everything we were doing there," Grey said. "One of the local churches and a Girl Scout troop brought all of us baked goods to show their appreciation. It meant a lot to us."

During the search they found everything from tile shards to pieces of fuel line relating to the disaster.

Despite the somber overtones, NASA officials expressed their gratitude to all who assisted, Grey said.

During the two weeks the Lejeune firefighters were there, the search yielded almost 14,000 pounds of wreckage and covered close to 25,000 acres of land.

A "big piece of history" just happened, Grey said. It was not something anyone wanted to witness, but having the opportunity to go out and help was an honor.