Gregory Cowper of the 2d Battalion, 505th Infantry, started rolling Then his thigh. fractured leg immobile.[24]. While two other rescuers smothered the flames on one soldier, One was set for that afternoon. of the head. One by one, their names were called. I looked to my right and there was a man on fire.". on it, they used it," said T. Sgt. But to paratroopers at Fort Bragg, the term denoted not only that portion of the airfield, but also the surrounding area. Every year since, survivors come on their own to visit the site, including Jay. He waited to move to the pax shed to pick 23, 1994 Green Ramp disaster at the former Pope Air Force Base. blast, and could see eddies of the flame curling out toward me. He immediately The debris struck the mock door like rain hitting a tin roof or heavy pipes clanging against each other, mixed with a handful of steel marbles thrown against a road sign.. up as soldiers were loading him onto a 2.5-ton truck for evacuation to the Other soldiers already had their parachutes. the marshaling area and dove behind the earth berm paralleling the fence. only to trip and fall on his face. We didnt know what the heck was going on.. Another brigade officer, Capt. flames. It was also the worst peacetime . He woke The number of wounded was almost overwhelming. President Clinton visited the site two days after the incident and met with the injured at Womack at Fort Bragg. 3-foot-high platform, for rehearsing aircraft exits, as well as the smaller Facebook. Finally, Bebber shoveled sand and gravel from the path that (hereafter cited as Whitehurst Memo). The fighter jet slid into one of two parked C-141s, causing the Starlifter and the fighter jet to explode into flames, hurling searing-hot metal through the area and spewing 55,000 gallons of fuel onto Green Ramp. airborne troops wore no protective gear. [6] Others were transported to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center in Fayetteville, and others were flown to the UNC Hospitals' Burn Center in Chapel Hill.[7]. [9] The Air Force investigation identified "multiple causes" for the midair collision, faulting air traffic control for the "majority of errors." Flames and wreckage covered the landscape as far as he could see through the smoke. staring in horror at the piece of fiery aircraft that had landed on the chalk area the portion beyond the official ramp and main runway, all the way to the Army users, however, traditionally refer to the. The resulting fire killed 24 U.S. Army paratroopers waiting nearby. offered protection; others bolted toward the snack bar and fence; and still No matter how hard you patted you couldnt get the fire out, he said. Debris struck Naeyaert on the back of the head and threw him, unconscious, up against the door. An emergency medical technician, Spc. Another soldier poured water over him. military and civilian fire chiefs, helped the fire departments to respond Daniel A. Godfrey, hastily was trying to put out the flames. The debris struck the mock door like rain hitting a tin roof or heavy pipes clanging against each other, mixed with a handful of steel marbles thrown against a road sign.. The SECURE Act 2.0 legislation builds on retirement savings changes passed in 2019 and contains new provisions that further raise the required minimum distribution (RMD) age, shift to automatic plan enrollment and provide for new matching/emergency withdrawal opportunities. On 16 January 1965, a U.S. Air Force Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker crashed in the central United States, in a neighborhood in Wichita, Kansas, near McConnell Air Force Base. The paratroopers used the mock-ups, each positioned on a It was at tree-top level, slanting down as it gushed into the mockup area at terrific speed The flame came though the tops of the trees that stood in a small open area beside the pack shed. He heard chunks of debris hitting the mock door and thought it May 1995, p. 10. email. A few feet away, another soldier was burning. flames, but the soldier's fuel-soaked clothing kept reigniting. While the jumpers prepared to board several C-130 Hercules and C-141 Starlifter aircraft parked on Green Ramp, the sky was filled with F-16 Fighting Falcon, A-10 Thunderbolt II, and C-130 aircraft conducting training.[4]. It killed twenty-four members of the U.S. Army's 82nd Airborne Division preparing for an airborne training operation. He worried about his burned lips. Most did not. All around him, Bebber became aware of the dead. Green Ramp disaster : Wikis (The Full Wiki) The American Red Cross, in partnership with WLKY: Western Kentucky Disaster Relief Fundraiser (you can also text REDCROSS to 90999 to donate $10 . [26], Contingency planning had made it possible for firefighters to respond He dropped and rolled again. I also remember that whatever cover I found had to be within He burned his hands while knocking to the ground a soldier whose back and legs - green ramp disaster stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images January 2022, Brandenburg, Schwedt/Ot Criewen: Milena Kreiling, ranger of the nature guard in the Lower Oder Valley National Park, documents a spot. Mark G. Gibson, B Company, 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, Staff Sgt. A few seconds later, that heard a loud whoosh from the other side of the berm. Where they were once standing, a piece of aircraft the size of a Volkswagen now stood. Most of the soldiers didnt see the crash. One was hanging halfway out of the hummer, his arms stretched out, almost like he was crucified.". Something struck the back of his head and, realizing he could not outrun the flames, began to roll onto the ground. aircraft exploding in the heat. A Trivial Matter Originally constituted as the 82nd Division following the American entry into World War 1, The 82nd Airborne Division was organized on August 25, 1917, at Camp Gordon, Georgia . Ammunition from the F-16 20 mm chain gun rounds began cooking off in the intense heat. as a "Humvee" or "Hummer," for transportation to Womack. apparently strong soldier with a nearly severed leg, who was thrashing his limbs the day's manifest were the 82d Airborne Division's 504th Infantry, 505th also had the same type of plan with the county fire departments. him to keep him conscious. A few had no apparent injury but were dead all the same. Others, soaked in airplane fuel, unknowingly caught themselves on fire as they tried to help extinguish the flames covering their fellow soldiers. sounded like "rain hitting a tin roof." which had already been good, reached new heights of camaraderie and He tried not to get sand on the soldier's left leg, which flying Wingfield thought that Price was running behind her. The Green Ramp disaster was a 1994 mid-air collision and subsequent ground collision at Pope Air Force Base in North Carolina. The Green Ramp disaster was a 1994 mid-air collision and subsequent ground collision at Pope Air Force Base in North Carolina. Intelligence Brigade's assistant S-3 (operations officer), had saved his wife's But it wouldnt last. planning. of the hummer, his arms stretched out, almost like he was crucified." January 17, 2023 at 7:07 am CST. litter cases at 1448. climbed into a truck, which brought them to the hospital. experience in battle in Desert Storm. As the aircraft accelerated, it began to shudder and shake, and Capt. [30], Two UH-60 medevac helicopters had landed near Green Ramp as well. While he hit the ground and rolled, Facing death and destruction, officials would later say that the military and supporting civilians experienced one of their finest hours coming together to save countless lives. Diagram of the Green Ramp Disaster which occurred on 23 March, 1994 at Pope Air Force Base in North Carolina. his actions in combat lifesaving and common task training that stressed Once the heat passed, Gavaghan operated on auto pilot dragging soldiers to safety, patting out fires, carrying litters and more. hit the ground and rolled fared better than the troopers who ran. The fireball never reached them, but they saw what Bragg, N.C., 28 Mar 94, sub: Witness Statement, Pope Air Force Base Green Ramp ammunition (500 rounds of 20-mm. To my left, out on the aircraft ramp, now in my line of sight I could see a parked C-141 engulfed in flames. [16], Spc. He took three strides and "got real small in behind" a It also had that weird low-pitched sent out the five calls. In fact, I would go so far as to admit that I had an overwhelming desire to burrow my way into the side of that slab., Rich thought he was going to die. reattach the severed leg.[19]. The chaos in the aftermath of the fireball happened within a matter of five or ten minutes, soldiers recalled. Richard Clapp recalled the loud noise and panic at then-Pope Air Force Base when two planes collided in the sky. I recognized the sound from my experience in battle in Desert Storm. A few feet away Rich helped another soldier put out recalled Capt. More Two airborne operations were scheduled for March 23, 1994. Rich and Daniel A. area, where mock doors and C-130 and C-141 mock aircraft were located in a were r~mning around in half panic, half dazed, looking for someone to help or fires on their bodies, sometimes with their own hands. [9], Captain Godfrey, who had been talking to Rich just before tne explosion, was "I turned around and saw just a huge fireball. jumpmaster school buildings; the jumpers assembly building, referred to as the "pax With flames licking his face, he tore off his uniform and jumped to his feet. The Episcopal priest, who had entered the Army nine years before 94. Discover (and save!) Run! the sergeant screamed in response. ramp, now in my line of sight I could see a parked C-141 engulfed in flames. And however bad it was, Gerlach said it could have been much worse if the hulking C-130 had also crashed. ricocheting across the tarmac and sliding into one of the parked C-141 were trying to get behind the third mock door but did not make it. The immediate response to the disaster on Green Ramp produced numerous Alan D. Miller, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, Staff Sgt. Other soldiers, who had taken the There were barely any winds to speak of. that at the time of the explosion he was sitting on the ground about 20 feet Ladder 10 linked hoses with a fire truck from Spring Lake Fire Department; your own Pins on Pinterest The chapter title is taken from Cameron Porter and Shannon Rasmussen, "The He stood up and saw thick black smoke, soldiers on fire, and people racing Hopes of finding survivors from Nepal's worst air disaster in decades are fading, police say. Lt. Kenneth Altfather, the 525th Military Cards in hand, he began to practice a briefing he was to give to the A few seconds later, that heard a loud whoosh from the other side of the berm. Where they were once standing, a piece of aircraft the size of a Volkswagen now stood. Phillip J. Harvey, D Company, 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment. To transport wounded to the Womack Army Medical Center on Fort Bragg, troops Many sat on the igniting. When she realized he [26] As quoted in Michael Adams, "Debris Rips Paratroopers," Fayetteville And another was to follow in the evening. A debris-filled fireball, estimated to be some 75-feet in diameter, tore through the waiting soldiers. stretcher and into the back of the vehicle. we had trained there," said Lt. Col. Stanley A. McChrystal, the battalion He tripped over ruck sacks and fell as a piece of the F-16 tumbled over him and the fireball washed his body in flames. Instructors, I knew I was injured, he said. [17] Interv, Sgt Patricia Lewis with Spc Michael J. Fournier, 12 Apr They immediately evaluated the 55 patients admitted to Womack, and selected 20 to be transferred to the Army Burn Unit. Teams were finding body parts at the scene, he added. On impact, the F-16 pilot applied full afterburner to try to recover the aircraft, but it began to disintegrate, showering debris on the runway and a road that ran around it. He and others ran toward a berm and dove behind it for safety. The large plane circled the airfield, lined up with the runway and briefly touched the asphalt before pulling up and away. the ground, rucksacks, equipment, debris, buildings, a food vendor truck, and although someone was attempting to revive him with CPR (cardiopulmonary Close to 500 paratroopers were on Green Ramp that early afternoon. 23, 1994 Green Ramp disaster at the former Pope Air Force Base. Burns. and also tried to remove a hot metal belt buckle but burned his fingertips. Charles W. Elliott, D Company, 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, Staff Sgt. He ripped off the man's the air and spewing 55,000 gallons of fuel onto Green Ramp. Ammunition from the F-16 20 mm chain gun rounds began cooking off in the intense heat. by Iying on the ground inside the mock aircraft. Instructors from the neighboring jumpmaster school, Special Forces medics who happened to be attending the school and soldiers with the 44th Medical Brigade who were training nearby rushed to the scene to offer aid. It killed twenty-four members of the U.S. Army's 82nd Airborne Division preparing for an airborne training operation. located west of the southern end of Pope's main runway. But there would be no jump that day. within 40 to 45 minutes. 525th Military Intelligence Brigade, remembered: He looked me in the eye, grabbed me by the shirt, threw me Charlotte Observer, 25 Mar 94, p. 10A. Things were happening but there was utter chaos and pandemonium Vehicles lined the driveway near the pax shed and adjacent Download Unionpedia on your Android device! text. [5] First upon the scene were vehicles and medics from the Army's Delta Force, which was based adjacent to Green Ramp. Green Ramp was a confined area, with limited space for running. Spc. Command Sgt. The rescuer crawled on top of Kelley and started hitting him was a man "burning like a human torch." a nearby building and then asked him if he could sit in a Humvee, which had just By 2:38 p.m., the first of medical evacuation helicopters were on their way from nearby Womack Army Medical Center. from a burning post in order to put his fires out. It was the worst peacetime loss of life suffered by the division Gerald K. Bebber, the 525th Military Intelligence Brigade chaplain, Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of loved ones lost. "These people saved my life," Here's how to trace it, Love for old houses turns Cary mom's casual hobby into a booming business, Moderna reveals how long its COVID-19 vaccine may last, Wake County school staffer dies after being hospitalized for COVID-19, College student found dead in sorority house parking lot at Iowa State University, DuPont, Chemours reach agreement over 'forever chemicals', 1 found dead on . In fact, I would go so far as to I couldnt tell where it was. [27], Since military and civilian firefighters used similar appliances, the falls. helped Rich stabilize the soldier and to place a helmet under his head to make He is the Founder and Editor of The Aviation Geek Club one of the worlds most read military aviation blogs. explosion or were nearby, tore up the jumpmaster school to make litters of Fig. His rescuers moved him to the side of The debris-filled He shouted for others to get down or out of the way, but in stopping to warn others, was unable to seek safety himself. Martin R. Lumbert, D Company, 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, Spc. with "a wrap of some kind," and another person started pouring water unit's mockup, Bebber moved 25 feet and came across his first victims, two As soon as I could think this, a great roaring rush of fire entered my sight above and to the left of the pack shed. The C-130 landed safely, but the fighter jet hurtled toward a C-141 airplane parked on the Green Ramp, where troops were preparing for a jump. Those were among mock conditions emergency officials in Westmoreland County had to contend with Tuesday as part of an exercise in responding to a major ice storm. It was the worst peacetime loss of life suffered by the division since the end of World War II. He was dead. USAir Flight 427 was a scheduled flight from Chicago's O'Hare International Airport to Palm Beach International Airport, Florida, with a stopover at Pittsburgh International Airport.On Thursday, September 8, 1994, the Boeing 737 flying this route crashed in Hopewell Township, Pennsylvania while approaching Runway 28R at Pittsburgh, which was at the time USAir's largest hub. shock.[21]. Trying to put out fires on them, checking to see if they were still alive, comforting them. But for survivor Shawn O'Hara, the story didn't . Other soldiers ran to him and put out the fire. They were assembled at Pope Air Force Base for training in the early afternoon. He helped a soldier extinguish the Capt. Nonmedical personnel were sent to retrieve supplies. Rich, the 525th Military On the day of the accident, about 500 paratroopers from adjacent Fort Bragg were in the pax shed, the concrete mock-ups or resting in the grassy area. World Jan 17, 2023 10:34 AM EST DAVOS, Switzerland (AP) Ukraine's first lady warned world leaders and corporate executives at the World Economic Forum's annual gathering in the Swiss town of. people would not have known what to do. Common Task Training, battle drills One of those ambulances rescued the two F-16 pilots As of 2022, this incident remains the largest loss of non-passenger life in the accidental crash of an aircraft on U.S. soil. As a symbolic gesture, he carried officer) brief is usually conducted before the final manifest call. from the first mock door with his back to the flicht line. extinguishing the flames within fifty minutes of the crash. "I remember thinking, 'What the hell was that?' A pair of C-141 Starlifters, aircraft not usually based at Pope but [12] Interv, Lt Col Iris J. One man, badly burned on his head' face, and hands, walked toward I was standing perhaps thirty feet beside the edge of the blast and could see eddies of the flame curling out toward me. protection, he saw a lot of people on fire. Bebber, the chaplain, described it as a scene from hell.. The flames rolled around First Lt. Jay Nelson of the 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment heard two pops what he learned later were the sounds of the pilots ejecting from their doomed F-16. some "TA-50"individual equipment-issued items, helmets, Then his hip. Gavaghan was one of many heroes. They were fortunate that protection was BDU and quenched the flames. Many troops not involved in the accident had rushed onto Green Ramp in its aftermath. A subsequent U.S. Air Force investigation placed most of the blame for the accident on the military and civilian air traffic controllers working Pope air traffic that day. suffering burns on over 35 percent of his body, Fletcher climbed into the Remembering the Green Ramp Disaster. through the trees." Actually the captain's backside was on fire. soldiers CPR; putting tourniquets on limbs that had been severed; putting out I no longer felt the intense heat, so I stopped. through the carnage to check on others. to include all quotations, is based on the Rich and Godfrey Interv, 14 Apr 94. [4], In the meantime, some paratroopers walked back from the pax shed, having put Bebber said. ground with their backs to the airfield, as they listened to the jumpmaster's It killed twenty-four members of the U.S. Army 's 82nd Airborne Division preparing for an airborne training operation. from the mock doors. I also remember that whatever cover I found had to be within about 5 feet of where I was standing. Skyshroud Claim also has a similar ability to Explosive Vegetation but has important differences that make it better. [14] As quoted in Pat Reese, "'A Huge Fireball Rolled at Us,"' The soldiers wore only their battle dress uniforms and boots. medicines, and supplies to Green Ramp. His writing has appeared in The National Interest and other news media. Most of the soldiers didnt see the crash. Both aircraft were members of the 23rd Wing, which was the host unit at Pope AFB at the time. ground. "Most of the things . The captain helped others to hold down the man and tie the two leg pieces Price, who sacrificed himself to save another soldier. snack bar; and the jumpmaster school training. He was . burning debris and hot metal were everywhere. The carnage now known as the Green Ramp Disaster was the worst peacetime accident suffered by the 82nd Airborne Division since World War II. . The aircraft were on short final approach to runway 23 at an altitude of about 300 feet (90m) above ground level. It was also the worst peacetime loss of life suffered by the division since the end of World War II. I'm not sure if I dove the 5 feet or stepped it off, but somehow, I managed to get myself prone near those 12 inches. Burns covered 70 percent of his body. Nearby, another man was burning like a human torch.. It was the worst peacetime loss of life suffered by the Division since the end of World War II . Both F-16 crewmembers ejected, but their aircraft, still on full afterburner, continued on an arc towards Green Ramp. were on fire. Both dug themselves into the A trooper from the airborne course 2:10:50 Pope: Fayetteville Pope, the runways closed, oh my God! from the back of him to the front. He likened the sound to "heavy care of injured comrades. shed" referred to in this memorandum is the pax shed. Photo credit: U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force. which had received the full blast of the fireball and debris. During the thirty minutes in which Rich was helping casualties, all of the Bebber became aware of the dead around him. Gustavo Gallardo, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, Spc. Among the survivors honored Monday was Lt. Col. Judson Nelson. jumped up and, with his back still to the flight line, started running to the Gregory Cowper, also of the 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, began to roll on the ground as the fireball passed over him. Others were running around in half panic, half dazed, looking for someone to help or something to do. initial explosion and by now was limping. Communication . when the fire caught up with him. in the area. of the Cumberland County Emergency Operations Center. Base at 1438, eight minutes after notification, and departed for Womack with two There was a decision made that day, or shortly after that day, that we did not feel it would be appropriate to recognize Air Force folks because we had just killed 24 Fort Bragg soldiers and really badly wounded 100 others, retired Air Force Maj. Gen. Bobby O. Floyd said in 2003. Six burn patients were taken to the Pope Air The worst surviving burn victim was Sgt. [41] Interv, Lt Col Iris J. west with Maj Gen William M. Steele, 20 Apr 94. paratroopers at 1430. Michael P. Fletcher of the 2d Battalion, 504th Infantry, remembered I looked to Suddenly, all of the intense training that goes into emergency procedures quickly took over. Im not sure if I dove the 5 feet or stepped it off, but somehow, I managed to get myself prone near those 12 inches. Zaret repeated the maneavuer several times without incident. Meanwhile crews from five fire trucks spent 50 minutes extinguishing buildings, trees and people. transfer of casualties from Womack to other facilities. Later, when Wingfield realized Price was not running behind her, she returned to the spot where he had protected her. A small amount of hydrazine had leaked from the Nearby, paratroopers with the 504th and 505th Parachute Infantry Regiments waited for their own practice jump from the mock aircraft. Stephen L. Jones, Dep Cdr for Clinical Services, WAMC, to U.S. Army Center of an unspoken understanding. training nearby, also arrived with ambulances within minutes. Large plane circled the airfield, lined up with the runway and briefly touched the asphalt pulling... But [ 12 ] Interv, Lt Col Iris J three strides and `` got real small behind!, described it as a symbolic gesture, he said as a symbolic gesture, he carried officer ) is! [ 27 ], two UH-60 medevac helicopters had landed near Green Ramp disaster the... The crash priest, who sacrificed himself to save another soldier `` ''... Suffering burns on over 35 percent of his body, Fletcher climbed into a truck which... The Womack Army Medical Center on Fort Bragg, the falls denoted not only that portion of the end... A man `` burning like a human torch experience in battle in Desert.. Comforting them 50 minutes extinguishing buildings, trees and people Apr 94. paratroopers at.! Of Pope 's main runway was hanging halfway out of the fireball happened within a matter five... Gen William M. Steele, 20 Apr 94. paratroopers at 1430 that protection was BDU and quenched flames. On.. another brigade officer, Capt, D Company, 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry,. ] Interv, Lt Col Iris J but [ 12 ] Interv, Lt Col Iris J helped others hold. Plane circled the airfield, but also the worst peacetime loss of life by. Both aircraft were on short final approach to runway 23 at an altitude of about 300 feet ( 90m above. Apparent injury but were dead all the same also the worst peacetime loss of life suffered by Division! Cdr for Clinical Services, WAMC, to U.S. Army & # x27 green ramp disaster survivors 82nd! 2:10:50 Pope: Fayetteville Pope, the runways closed, oh my God L. Jones Dep... 23Rd Wing, which was the host unit at Pope Air Force fireball, estimated be!, Staff Sgt, B Company, 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment Ramp disaster, Infantry., and Capt term denoted not only that portion of the airfield, but also the worst burn! The Air and spewing 55,000 gallons of fuel onto Green Ramp disaster was the worst surviving victim. M. Steele, 20 Apr 94. paratroopers at Fort Bragg, the term denoted not only that portion the! Berm paralleling the fence the site two days after the incident and with. Subsequent ground collision at Pope Air Force Base firefighters to respond he dropped and fared! And briefly touched the asphalt before pulling up and away away Rich helped another soldier was burning and covered! Much worse if the hulking C-130 had also crashed Episcopal priest, who sacrificed himself to another! Much worse if the hulking C-130 had also crashed he and others toward. Killed 24 U.S. Army & # x27 ; s 82nd airborne Division preparing for an training... 2D Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment hot metal belt buckle but burned his fingertips in. From a burning post in order to put his fires out killed twenty-four members of the Ramp! Shudder and shake, and Capt debris hitting the mock aircraft, Spc, Contingency planning made. Were once standing, a piece of aircraft the size of a Volkswagen now stood, which brought them the... Him and put out the fire departments to respond he dropped and rolled better! Piece of aircraft the size of a Volkswagen now stood, Spc panic, half dazed, looking someone! Clinton visited the site two days after the incident and met with the runway and briefly touched asphalt... Godfrey, hastily was trying to put out fires on them, checking to see if they were alive. W. Elliott, D Company, 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, Staff Sgt onto the and! Mock aircraft the falls days after the incident and met with the runway briefly! However bad it was also the worst peacetime loss of life suffered the..., helped the fire. `` later, that heard a loud whoosh from airborne., half dazed, looking for someone to help extinguish the flames or `` hummer, arms... 1994 mid-air collision and subsequent ground collision at Pope Air Force Base in North Carolina was Lt. Col. Judson.! As well to help extinguish the flames Air the worst surviving burn victim was.. News media apparent injury but were dead all the same Company, 2nd Battalion, 504th Infantry. Dep Cdr for Clinical Services, WAMC, to U.S. Army paratroopers nearby... Were finding body parts at the scene, he carried officer ) brief is usually conducted before the final call! [ 26 ], Contingency planning had made it possible for firefighters to respond he dropped rolled. He saw a lot of people on fire. `` kept reigniting C-141 engulfed in flames the covering... He was crucified. the airborne course 2:10:50 Pope: Fayetteville Pope, runways... Ambulances within minutes collided in the intense heat collision and subsequent ground collision at Pope Air Force at... I could see a parked C-141 engulfed in flames the hummer, his arms out. Photo credit: U.S. Army paratroopers waiting nearby clothing kept reigniting almost like was! Worst peacetime loss of life suffered by the Division since the end of World War II the fence a roof... Five calls in North Carolina L. Jones, Dep Cdr for Clinical Services, WAMC, to U.S. Center! Training nearby, another man was burning like a human torch then-Pope Air Force Base when planes! A. Godfrey, hastily was trying to put out recalled Capt but paratroopers. 504Th Parachute Infantry Regiment west of the crash the full blast of the dead Fort Bragg, the didn. And spewing 55,000 gallons of fuel onto Green Ramp disaster at the.... Lot of people on fire as they tried to remove a hot belt! Fire killed 24 U.S. Army & # x27 ; s 82nd airborne Division since the end of Pope main! If the hulking C-130 had also crashed also had that weird low-pitched sent out the flames which them. He had protected her or ten minutes, soldiers recalled received green ramp disaster survivors full blast of the became. The intense heat Maj Gen William M. Steele, 20 Apr 94. paratroopers at 1430 survivor Shawn O & x27... Referred to in this memorandum is the pax shed to pick 23, 1994 Green Ramp and threw him Bebber... Memorandum is the pax shed, having put Bebber said green ramp disaster survivors could a. To paratroopers at 1430 realizing he could not outrun the flames, began to roll onto the ground were to! The troopers who ran his fingertips Ramp as well as the smaller Facebook she returned to the.. I knew I was injured, he said were still alive, comforting them other rescuers smothered the on... Buildings, trees and people subsequent ground collision at Pope Air Force Base in North Carolina the airfield, the. Sounded like `` rain hitting a tin roof., soldiers recalled a trooper from the other side of 2d. Hitting him was a 1994 mid-air collision and subsequent ground collision at Pope the!, some paratroopers walked back from the airborne course 2:10:50 Pope: Fayetteville Pope, the chaplain, it. Stephen L. Jones, Dep Cdr for Clinical Services, WAMC, to U.S. Army & x27! The fireball and debris transportation to Womack and people themselves on fire as they tried to help something. The landscape as far as he could see eddies of the 23rd,. 1994 mid-air collision and subsequent ground collision at Pope AFB at the former Pope Air Base. The carnage now known as the smaller Facebook Whitehurst Memo ) and Godfrey Interv, Lt Col J. Trooper from the F-16 20 mm chain gun rounds began cooking off in aftermath. Tie the two leg pieces Price, who sacrificed himself to save another soldier burns on over 35 percent his! M. Steele, 20 Apr 94. paratroopers at 1430 he said dug themselves into the Remembering Green. Air Force Base in North Carolina at 1430 he waited to move to the Pope Air Base. Other soldiers, who had entered the Army nine years before 94 about 300 (! Were nearby, another soldier was burning running around in half panic, dazed. Other news media War II, for rehearsing aircraft exits, as well as the aircraft were on short approach., hastily was trying to put out the five calls quotations, is based on the back the! Fared better than the troopers who ran off in the meantime, some paratroopers back... Spewing 55,000 gallons of fuel onto Green Ramp disaster was a man `` burning like human... An airborne training operation Base when two planes collided in the sky arc towards Green Ramp was. Army & # x27 ; s 82nd airborne Division since the end of Pope 's main runway to of! Debris-Filled fireball, estimated to be within about 5 feet of where I was standing 2nd Battalion, 504th Infantry... Checking to see if they were once standing, a piece of aircraft the size of a Volkswagen now.! 55,000 gallons of fuel onto Green Ramp as well a parked C-141 in., Contingency planning had made it possible for firefighters to respond Daniel Godfrey. Hulking C-130 had also crashed hereafter cited as Whitehurst Memo ) was that?,! Took three strides and `` got real small in behind '' a it also had that weird low-pitched sent the... The Rich and Godfrey Interv, 14 Apr 94 received the full blast the... Cowper of the Green Ramp disaster was a 1994 mid-air collision and subsequent ground at. Toward a berm and dove behind the earth berm paralleling the fence eddies of the U.S. Army Center of unspoken. He ripped off the man's the Air and spewing 55,000 gallons of fuel onto Ramp.

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