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Coalition, Iraqi team recover damaged C-130

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Amanda Callahan
  • 447th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs
SATHER AIR BASE, Iraq --  An Air Force C-130 that was forced to make an emergency landing in a field north of here June 27 started a chain of events that day that would test the skills and professionalism of many Airmen and Soldiers.

Within minutes of the landing, Col. Dave Pavey, 447th Air Expeditionary Group commander, was notified and started the wheels in motion by recalling the Sather Emergency Operations Center and all the major players that would be involved in the incident.

Lt. Col. Rob Brisson, 447th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron commander, mentioned the Iraqi army was the first on scene after the landing. "They were fast, they were effective and they were efficient in their duty." He continued, explaining how important their role was in the safety and security of the passengers and crew who, luckily, walked off the plane.

Once the EOC established that the crew and passenger were uninjured, the aircraft was secure and the proper notifications were made, the question started being asked; "how do we get this aircraft out of that field?"

To find the answer, Colonel Brisson recruited professionals in maintenance, explosive ordnance disposal, fire protection and photography to assess the situation, bring back any items that could be returned to base and document the instruments and equipment in the aircraft.

It was determined that the disabled, 24-year-old cargo plane was at risk of potential enemy attack or exploitation, and moving it intact was not an option.

"After a site evaluation, it was determined that dismantling by a series of controlled detonations would be the safest and most effective way to remove the remainder aircraft to a safe location," Colonel Pavey said.

With the decision made, the same team came together to become the belly-button of the invaluable operation. The crippled aircraft sat in a barren field northeast of Sather, outside the perimeter of the Victory Base Complex, forcing the team to work through many logistical and security concerns. Every unit in the 447th AEG, members of Multi-National Corps - Iraq, Multi-National Division - Baghdad, and U.S. and Iraqi Soldiers worked together to complete the task.

"There are so many people that have been involved with this," he added. "The Iraqi army is out here doing security; 50 percent of the security of the location was provided by them."

Once all the players were identified and the area was secure, the final phase of dismantling started.

"We've got to segment the aircraft so we can put it on flatbeds and move it to a safe place," said Master Sgt. Kenneth Johnson, 447th EOSS. This maintainer, who normally works to keep aircraft together, found it interesting to be part of the team charged with dismantling the C-130. "It is extraordinary for the main fact that everyday we don't have aircraft that land in fields, and we actually get to take it apart to some extent."

Sergeant Johnson's sentiment over being a part of the project was echoed by other members of the dismantling team.

"I personally haven't had a chance to cut up an aircraft," added Senior Master Sgt. Pervis King, 447th Civil Engineer Squadron EOD superintendent. "But, my team was kind of excited about going out there and explosively cutting up the aircraft. They were ready to make it happen."

Although the focus of the mission involved several explosions, safety was the priority.

"My main responsibility was safety out there," commented Sergeant King. "I was looking at the forest rather than the trees, where they [the EOD team members] were in the trees actually making it happen. I was actually worried about everybody's safety." He added that the explosives themselves posed a danger, but in the event something didn't go as planned, he was prepared for the worst.

Luckily for all personnel on site and for the aircraft, all did go as planned. After four carefully planned explosions, the fragmented C-130 was ready to transport. Contractors were available to place the smaller, more manageable part of the aircraft on trailers for their trip back to Sather Air Base.

"It was absolutely a team effort, it wasn't just the 447th EOSS," Colonel Brisson added. "It was absolutely everybody in this entire fight that's been a part of this, and without them, none of this would've been possible."