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Nellis Airmen respond to civilian aircraft crash

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Julie Parker
  • Nellis Public Affairs
Four Nellis Airmen currently deployed from the 66th Rescue Squadron to the 64th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron, Balad Air Base, Iraq, responded immediately to the crash of the Aeriantur-M Air Cargo Co. civilian airliner outside the base Jan. 9.

The Turkish civilian-contract employees on board the aircraft were en route to Balad and other bases in Iraq to provide services for the U.S. military.

On their initial flight in theater, Maj. Dave Carder, Maj. Julie Grundahl, Senior Airman Derek Brock and Staff Sgt. Rick Harrington received reports indicating the civilian aircraft was missing and may have crashed in the local pattern.

The Jolly 22 aircrew, along with eight pararescuemen currently deployed to the 64th ERQS from the 38th RQS at Moody AFB, Ga., were approved to launch from Al Udeid Air Base. After launch, they waited a short time for thick fog and haze to dissipate just enough to see a short distance ahead, and then proceeded to the coordinates of the crash site.

The crewmembers landed at the scene, and the PJs began a ground search for survivors from the point of impact to the wreckage.

Emergency responders from the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing and the 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) mobilized the resources to secure the crash site and provide security on the scene. Army and Air Force firefighters responded to the site.

Of the 35 passengers and crew members on board the flight, two individuals were pulled from the wreckage. One died after being transported by an Army ground ambulance to the Air Force Theatre Hospital.

After confirming there were no more survivors, the PJs and Jollys began recovering the victims' bodies.

"Seven flights were made from the scene to the hospital pad, dropping off 26 victims who were able to be immediately removed from the wreckage," said Lt. Col. T.J. Porterfield, 66th RQS commander, currently deployed as 64th ERQS commander.

The commander continued, "The performance of Jolly 22's crewmembers on their very first flight validates our training to prepare for deployments, and demonstrates the professionalism and passion all of our squadron members have for this vital mission."

The cause of the crash is under investigation.




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