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Show Hilltop Times April 6, 2006 Crash Continued from 1 ensure the safety and security of Airmen and neighbors in the community." The DCG responds to peacetime major accidents and natural disasters. It provides on-scene command and control of military resources, provides expertise to the on-scene commander in a variety of career fields and helps to restore base operations by minimizing the loss of life, injury, property damage, while preserving the environment, following a military disaster. The pilot was flying a Close Air Support training mission over the UTTR when the accident occurred. CAS missions are conducted to provide air power at a moment's notice in, support of ground forces who are engaged with enemy ground forces. The aircraft was not carrying live munitions. For 1st Lt. Janna Aumick, 75th Mission Support Squadron Ser- vices Division, one of the DCG responders, this was her first real-world response for a DCG operation. She said Services role is to keep up morale and take care of responders in a time of crisis. "Most people are worried about tfie mission, not about themselves - when they will eat, where they will stay," she said. "It's our job to worry about that." Lieutenant Aumick also had the opportunity to assist in search and recovery operations. She was hand-picked to ride alongside UTTR fire chief David Kalhnan on the newly employed hovercraft to search for the F-16's fuel tanks. Chief Kalhnan said this was the first time the hovercraft were used in a real-world situation. Currently, there are only two instructors and eight people certified to operate the two vehicles that joined the range's arsenal of response vehicles last summer. These few members have trained twice a month since August to become proficient with the $70,000 equipment. "I thought it was a really good experience," Lieutenant Aumick said. "I would never have the chance, normally, to go out and look for fuel tanks." The equipment worked like it was manufactured to work. The hovercraft went where no other vehicles could go due to mud flats and gusty winds. Firefighters Cory Lingelbach and Sean Cooreman were the first firefighter responders onscene to rescue Lieuteannt Baer. "We wouldn't have been able to get out to the crash site and rescue the pilot (without the hovercraft)," Chief Kcllman said. An investigation into the cause of the crash is under way and is composed of a Safety Investigation Board and an Accident Investigation Board. Both boards are headed by senior Air Force officers and will contain subject matter experts of officers and senior enlisted members. A report of findings on the investigations is expected in approximately three months. Photos by Todd Cromar Senior Airman Kyle Little, Senior Airman Mtcahel Corum and Tech. Sgt. Brian Mauhar (left to right) survey the crash site. Airmen from the Hydrazine recovery team leave the crash site in all terrain vehicles. VBn7Onwireless We never stop working foryoup Business customers & federal employees, please call: verizonwireless.com 888.550.1713 VERIZON WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS STORES Slr*e hours:M-&tt 9am-8pn>; Sun U 1.800.2 JOIN IN 1.800.256.4646 Hablamosespanol LAYTON KILLS OCOEN Layton Hills Mall Newgate Mall Kiosk Near [he food court Center of the mall 801-593-8220 Near information booth OGOEH CIRCUIT CITY Located I-84 & Riverdale Rd. 801-399-0084 801-612-2543 $35 activation Ice. Important Consumer information: Subject to Customer Agreement, Calling Plan & credit approval. $175 early termination fee, other charges & restrictions apply. Offer not available everywhere. Network details at verizonwirelessxom. Limited-time offer. Network details, coverage limitations & maps at verizonwireless.com. c 2006 Verizon Wireless |