This evening, 11 October, at about 1700 hours local, 1st Lt Jeffrey T Rodgers and Lt Col Sarah R Lynch, CAP members of the Coeur d'Alene Composite Squadron were fueling one of our aircraft at Coeur d'Alene Airport and observed a ultralight aircraft crash immediately after takeoff, pinning the pilot under the airframe. They safely secured the CAP craft and immediately rendered aid, removing the fuel tank and assisted rescue personnel in unpinning the pilot. Airport rescue then called transport and the pilot was taken to a local hospital.
The above is based on reporting from the scene by Capt. Michael Venning, CAP the unit commanding officer.
Commendable service. 😀
Good on them, however this would not qualify as a "save".
The members, however, may qualify for Lifesaving Decorations if submitted.
Always nice to see members putting others first.
Quote from: Eclipse on October 12, 2019, 02:26:11 AM
Good on them, however this would not qualify as a "save".
The members, however, may qualify for Lifesaving Decorations if submitted.
Always nice to see members putting others first.
Can you walk me through what makes a "save" versus a "Lifesaving Decoration" versus ????
Saves and Finds only happen on AFRCC ES missions, and the controlling agency is the approver.
See 60-3 and 39-3 for award criteria.
This was great no matter what it is called. Most things are worth more than the recognition that may or may not accompany them.
Official save or not, Hopefully the local and Wing PAOs are taking full advantage and using this for PR and Marketing use. 😀
Quote from: etodd on October 12, 2019, 04:02:18 PM
Official save or not, Hopefully the local and Wing PAOs are taking full advantage and using this for PR and Marketing use. 😀
We are!
I'd want more details, but there could be a basis for Bronze Medal of Valor in the fuel tank removal. Certainly worth considering when preparing and award nomination.
Bravo-zulu! Agreed that this may be MOV level.
The two members involved are both retired - one LEO the other USAF. They were first on scene, they verified downed pilot was breathing, but given the high probability of neck/spine injury did not want to extricate him. The leaking fuel was a serious hazard and they dealt with that, waved off aircraft trying to use runway as well as alerting rescue teams. Airport management closed the runway, rescue extricated pilot and took him to look med center were he was admitted in serious/critical condition.
Injured pilot is a newlywed, a USAF veteran and local PI.
Definitely worth a BMW nomination.
Quote from: ZigZag911 on October 13, 2019, 08:43:09 PM
Definitely worth a BMW nomination.
That's an expensive nomination!