445 AW aircrew receives AFRC flight safety award

  • Published
  • By Stacy Vaughn
  • 445th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  Six Airmen assigned to the 89th Airlift Squadron and one Airman assigned to the 445th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron received the 2015 Air Force Reserve Command Aircrew of Distinction Award for their efforts following two inflight emergencies downrange.

Lt. Col. Thomas Gervais, instructor pilot, Lt. Col. Brett Manger, aircraft commander, 1st Lt. Ryan Belew, first pilot, Chief Master Sgt. Jason LeMaster, instructor loadmaster, Master Sgt. Kelly Earehart, mission loadmaster, Tech. Sgt. Steven Sherman, first loadmaster, and Tech. Sgt. William Burdick, crew chief, handled two inflight emergencies during a C-17 Globemaster III aeromedical evacuation mission in support of Operation Freedom Sentinel. While en route to Ramstein Air Base, Germany, to Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, the crew experienced a major oxygen leak that caused the aircraft to divert back to Germany. The aircrew's flawless crew coordination isolated the oxygen leak. The swift planning and crew coordination with Egyptian air traffic control allowed the mission to continue, rescuing three litter patients, 12 ambulatory and attendants.

Subsequently, the aircrew experienced an electrical fire over the Atlantic Ocean while en route from Ramstein AB to Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. The crew ran multiple emergency checklists to isolate the faulty component while smoke billowed from the C-17 underdeck. Rapid crew risk management proved essential in isolating the electrical fire and preventing a possible catastrophic event.

Valiant team effort ensured the safe and successful transport of critically wounded patients, crew and aircraft.

"In-flight emergencies and emergency landings do happen," said Manger. "We train extensively year-round in the aircraft and simulator for unlikely events such as these. Without a doubt, we provide some of the best training and preparation of any professional flying organization from not only an individual, but also a crew standpoint. This was definitely a crew effort!"