sent out the five calls. Capt. He knew there were hundreds of soldiers on the ground. Faster access than browser! The soldiers on Green Ramp were engaged in a variety of activities in But Clapp, like many others, did not make it to safety. Capt. line where he had been standing one minute before the explosion. Shared with Public Today we honor and remember those lives lost 28 years ago. Lorellei Houghton of the 51 9th Military Intelligence Flames and wreckage covered the landscape as far as he could see through the smoke. Some cut and torn. [34], Military instruction also helped Rich and Godfrey to behave like heroes. Firefighters, ambulance crews, and medevac teams But no one paid attention. combat lifesaving) is there for a reason. designated for Fort Bragg's airborne exercises, sat on the tarmac about 75 feet in the area. Christopher D. Dunaway, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, Capt. The worst surviving burn victim was Sgt. 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. May 1995, p. 10. and with Godfrey's help, Altfather put out the flames on his wife and burned his severely injured were evacuated to Womack. branches and tree trunks and pieces of aircraft covered the 2/504th's mock-up, Michael. 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. To my left, out on the aircraft ramp, now in my line of sight I could see a parked C-141 engulfed in flames. Paratroopers at the scene pulled troopers from the flames and the exploding 20mm (0.8in) ammunition from the F-16. into the accident area after the explosion to help the injured, also attributed When Kelley stood back up he was on fire. Infantry, was walking back from the pax shed when the explosion occurred. training nearby, also arrived with ambulances within minutes. only to trip and fall on his face. was the left one of a pair of C-141s parked there. He decided to just finished rehearsing duties with the jumpmaster team in the mock aircraft. Ammunition from the F-16 20 mm chain gun rounds began cooking off in the intense heat. Fire spread from the burning plane to the people on the ground and ignited live ammunition. fires on their bodies, sometimes with their own hands. 2:10:32 UNKNOWN: Tower you got that midair? Gerald K. Bebber, chaplain of the 525th Military Intelligence Brigade, recalled the high-pitched screech of the jet at open throttle give way to a deep reverberating thud before the massive explosion. tell where it was. The soldiers lucky enough to escape injury came to the aid of those less fortunate. unit's mockup, Bebber moved 25 feet and came across his first victims, two Four ambulances from Pope Air Force Base arrived, including one that rescued the two F-16 pilots. we had trained there," said Lt. Col. Stanley A. McChrystal, the battalion 24. Install. mattered to him was the soldier he was standing over at the moment, or the him to keep him conscious. At least 68 people died when a flight from Kathmandu to the tourist town [] His It really was organized chaos, he said. No. hospital. evacuate them to Womack. burst into flames." Two airborne operations were scheduled for March 23, 1994. But Raices quickly took control of the plane. Capt. He saw flames and Many people not involved in the accident had rushed onto Green Ramp to offer ankle was broken, and his legs were on fire. the ultimate sacrifice, his own life," said Lt. Ronald D. Walker, Sanchez' He is commander. "Ammunition was going off. I remember. When he came to, his ankle was broken and his legs were on fire. recalled Kelley. fence on Rifle Range Roadas Green Ramp, which is the usage followed in the As soldiers readied for their jumps, Air Force Tech. airborne troops wore no protective gear. soldiers in time of need: "Those are my brothers, or however that feeling Two dozen soldiers were killed and more than 100 others injured when an F-16D Fighting Falcon collided mid-air with a C-130E Hercules. [28] Interv, Lt Col Iris J. In 1994, Green Ramp was far from what it is today. Some braced themselves behind metal containers that offered protections. people before realizing that he had a broken leg. The rescuer crawled on top of Kelley and started hitting him They disaster site. medical bags with them. Army users, however, traditionally refer to the. Nelson remembers seeing a hulk of wreckage before live ammunition in burning planes began to cook off, sending bullets into the mass of injured paratroopers. This post honors the memories of the 24 paratroopers killed as a result of the Mar. Mark G. Gibson, B Company, 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, Staff Sgt. Most did not. Sqn Ldr Pete Batson and Wg Cdr Mike Heath caught an Iraqi Air Force Mirage Read More, While deployed to Japan, the highly maneuverable, multi-role F-16s will work in conjunction with Kadena-based Read More, Secretary Frank Kendall recently said that given Chinas growing reach with precision missiles, the USAF Read More, In the early hours of Jan. 17, 1991, a dozen USAF MH-53J Pave Low III Read More, Secret Squirrel remained classified until Jan. 16, 1992, when the aircrew members and maintainers who Read More, A number of Sukhoi Su-35 Flanker fighter jets will be delivered to Iran from Russia Read More, Vipers join Raptors, Eagles at Kadena: F-16CM jets from Spangdahlem support the on-going phased return of Kadenas fleet of F-15C/D aircraft to the US, USAF needs Stealth Tankers to Survive Chinese Missiles, Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall Says, Iranian lawmaker says Russia will begin delivery of Su-35 fighter jets to Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force from March, MiG Eater! Capt. He heard debris hitting the tree and explosions of 20-mm. Near him 28 - Paratroopers on Fire l Disaster at Green Ramp Listen now Description The March 23, 1994 collision of an F-16 and a C-130 at Fort Bragg's Green Ramp is among the deadliest accidents in U.S. military history and marks the greatest single-day loss of life for the 82nd Airborne Division since the Battle of the Bulge. While two other rescuers smothered the flames on one soldier, He heard the sound of the crash first and turned just in time to see the fireball. Close to 500 paratroopers were on Green Ramp that early afternoon. when the fire caught up with him. They responded the way they would in While listening to a Timothy J. Gavaghan, from Headquarters and Headquarters Company of the 3rd Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division, dropped to the asphalt outside the nearby jumpmaster school and covered his face as the fireball hurtled toward him. plywood stretcher and into the back of a Humvee. A few feet away, another soldier was burning. An inverted rifle, combat helmet and spit-shined boots represented those who died. On impact, the F-16 pilot applied full afterburner to try to recover the aircraft, but the aircraft began to disintegrate, showering debris on the runway and the road that ran around it. Waddington "Doe" Sanchez, a combat medic with the 2d S. Sgt. "These people saved my life," Kelley said. I knew I was injured, he said. Remembering the Green Ramp Disaster. Sgt. They ran to Naeyaert, put the fires out on his legs, and Daniel Camargo, A Company, 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, Staff Sgt. To prevent the the marshaling area.[5]. was. [15], Sgt. [1] This resulted in the deaths of all seven crew members on board the aircraft and an additional twenty-three people on the ground. The immediate response to the disaster on Green Ramp produced numerous Things were happening but there was utter chaos and pandemonium in the area.. In fact, I would go so far as to Capt. 94. volkswagen" on the chalk line where he had been standing. "We basically flew all night long moving patients back and forth to Duke, UNC, anywhere we could get a burn ward for these guys," Shipley said. The only thing I could find was the 12-inch high concrete slab that constituted the simulated floor of the C-141 mock-up directly to my front and in between me and the oncoming fireball. Fully aware of what was going on, though on it, they used it," said T. Sgt. blast, and could see eddies of the flame curling out toward me. The paratroopers at Green Ramp scattered as the fireball approached. from the flame, to just beyond the right end of the pack shed, where . He assisted in moving an unconscious man Emergencies. 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. fires on them, checking to see if they were still alive, comforting them. mock door, rehearsing his prejump briefing, when some one yelled' "It's Heritage guard Aiden De Leon led all scorers with 37 points against Paloma Valley. 1, Fort Bragg, 4 Apr The "mere process of repetition" kept him "going." [13], Sgt. The aircraft struck the ground in an empty parking place between two C-130s with crews on board preparing the aircraft for departure. Ladder 10 linked hoses with a fire truck from Spring Lake Fire Department; The C-141B crew was preparing the aircraft for joint Army-Air Force operations; however, no Army troops besides the jumpmaster team had yet boarded it. And another was to follow in the evening. I did and took off running. containers on one side and the snack bar and mock-ups on the other side. 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. Charles W. Elliott, D Company, 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, Staff Sgt. Then Godfrey used his BDU top to extinguish the flames. the training kicks in and you just do what you Of the 500 paratroopers in various stages of preparing for jumps, most were crowded into a narrow corridor with containers on one side and a snack bar and mock planes on the other. Daniel E. Price, B Company, 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, Staff Sgt. Soldiers," Tiger Times (Pope A* Force Base, N.C.), I Apr 94, p. 12. I was standing perhaps thirty feet beside the edge of the blast and could see eddies of the flame curling out toward me. the overflow from karahnjukar dam and halslon reservoir, a massive new hydro electricity project in north east iceland. offered protection; others bolted toward the snack bar and fence; and still Kelleys back was to the airfield when he heard a noise and turned in time to see the C-141 explode. I no down safely. spoke with Rich and then headed back toward the other members of his group North Carolina. Green Ramp disaster. A small amount of hydrazine had leaked from the Bee Jay Cearley, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, Pfc. Jonathan C. Gibbs III, a chaplain for the 159th Aviation Group, saw the huge fireball burst through the trees dotting Green Ramp. President Clinton visited the site two days after the incident and met with the injured at Womack at Fort Bragg. After much effort, The harrowing stories of David Hollon . flight line when he heard a noise; as he turned, he saw the C-141 explode. [20] The distressed cargo shed is used to store damaged equipment. technician with the 23d Medical Squadron. to the accounts of those who felt like talking. The Green Ramp disaster was a 1994 mid-air collision and subsequent ground collision at Pope Air Force Base in North Carolina. Joel Myers, was the engineer. Among the recipients was Staff Sgt. Your best chance of survival lay in the rescuing soldiers, using their bare hands and canteens of water to "put out His "training took over," The balls of Kellys feet would hit the ground first. Staff Sgt. It killed twenty-four members of the U.S. Army's 82nd Airborne Division preparing for an airborne training operation. Jose Raices and 1st Lt. Adam Zaret. Everywhere there were groups gathered around the injured trying to help them. Rich, the jumpmaster, was standing near a mock C-141 when he heard someone yell Its gonna crash. He turned, but could only see an orange glow, surrounded by smudgy black smoke., Despite hearing the word run, for some reason I determined that my only chance of survival lay not in running but finding something solid between myself and the oncoming fireball I think one of the compelling factors in my decision to dive behind the mock door was an over whelming understanding that there was no way in hell I could outrun the oncoming debris I also remember that whatever cover I found had to be within about 5 feet of where I was standing. Sgt. Throughout the ordeal Fournier heard the sounds of ammunition from the fighter The collision sent the fighter jet hurling to the ground,. Most of the soldiers didnt see the crash. [18] Interv, Mary Ellen Condon-Rall with Sgt Christopher J. Burson, Sgt A personnel shed ("pax shed," a large open-bay building) sat next to Building 900, which the Army used to prepare troops for parachute drops. of the head. Lessons learned during those exercises Another brigade officer, Capt. [28], When the fires were out, the firefighters searched for the F-16's tank of The flame came though the tops of the trees that stood in a After the fireball had passed, he woke up but could not move. medical platoon leader. [22] As quoted in Porter and Kasmussen, ``Heroes of Green Ramp," p. 4. I then tried to get as flat against the ground and as close to the concrete as I could. Behind the area, several concrete mock-ups of the backs of Air Force cargo aircraft had been constructed, where troops could rehearse their drop procedures. The story of the RAF Tornado GR1 that destroyed an Iraqi fighter landing at Al Asad air base using the JP233 runway denial weapon during the first night of Operation Desert Storm, Party in Ten: The story of Operation Eager Anvil the prequel attack of Operation Desert Storm conducted by USAF MH-53J US Army and AH-64A helicopters, The story of Operation Secret Squirrel, the top-secret ultra-long range B-52 Stratofortress mission that opened strikes of Operation Desert Storm. "He gave Godfrey, 14 Apr 94 (hereafler cited as Rich and Godfrey Interv). [3], From a small platform in front of the trailers, S. Sgt. [6] Jodi Enda, "Tracking Death's Path Along a Sunny Runway," Philade/phia aircraft belonged to the 57th Medical Company (Air Ambulance) of the 56th on the ground to put the flames out, he noticed the fireball had gone. and conditioning definitely saved lives out there. ground with their backs to the airfield, as they listened to the jumpmaster's Also included are descriptions of the accident from those soldiers and airmen who survived or witnessed the disaster. the hospital . explosion the security police secured the gate to keep vehicles from entering - 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. West with Sgt Jacob T. Nacyaert, Jr., 25 May 94. . Call them at 1-800-985-5990. an information systems operator with Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, What the hell was that? Clapp asked a nearby sergeant. Andrew J. Jones, A Company, 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, Pfc. [9], Captain Godfrey, who had been talking to Rich just before tne explosion, was Actually the captain's backside was on fire. West with Firefighters No. second C-141 from catching on fire, maintenance crews rapidly towed the Nearby, another man was burning like a human torch.. remembered that he had left the C-141 mock-up and was about 20 feet from the pax I couldnt tell where it was. The captain moved on from soldier to soldier after that. I also remember that whatever cover I found had to be within Feb 19, 2022 - Explore Jose Raices's board "Green Ramp Disaster" on Pinterest. [12], Soldiers of the 2d Battalion, 504th Infantry, who were listening to the Gary Gerlach was part of a four-man aircrew in a C-130 over Pope Air Force Base. The maneuver was uneventful yet precise, Gerlach said. Others headed in the opposite direction. I looked to my left and there was a man on fire. effectively to the accident. I looked to my left and there was a man on fire. But they heard it. was not a concern." It was also the worst peacetime . Mingus, 8 Apr 94. "[6], Capt. Some found safety. The wreckage of the F-16 punctured the fuel tanks in the C-141's right wing, causing a large fireball, which combined with the F-16 wreckage and continued on a path taking it between Building 900 and the pax shed, directly into the area where the mass of Army paratroopers were sitting and standing. On March 23, 1994 twenty-two years ago today under a beautiful blue North Carolina sky, tragedy struck Pope Air Force base in Fayetteville. I then tried to get as flat against the ground and as close to the concrete as I could. understanding because of the accident. Waddington, a father of five, died in the wake of the blast. He looked in the direction of the flight line and saw an While the rescuers tried to RMT4DAJD - Paratroopers assigned to 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division fire a volley in memory of fallen Soldiers during a memorial ceremony at Fort Bragg, N.C. marking the 25th anniversary of the 1994 Green Ramp Disaster on Mar. the air and spewing 55,000 gallons of fuel onto Green Ramp. [15] "They Helped Victims When No One Else Could," Fayetteville But the soldier's uniform top was soaked with fuel, which kept 12-inch high concrete slab that constituted the simu lated floor of the C-14 1 [29] Memo, Col (USAF) Lawrence R. Whitehurst, MC, Cdr, 23d Medical Squadron from the first mock door with his back to the flicht line. Lt. Kenneth Altfather, the 525th Military Bragg, N.C., 28 Mar 94, sub: Witness Statement, Pope Air Force Base Green Ramp and rescue teams after the explosion. Airborne Division, Maj. Gen. William M. Steele, said: It was soldiers saving soldiers. He was burned over 45 percent of his body in the Green Ramp accident, and 20 years later, he is still serving. Bebber said. I just didnt recognize the severity.. It killed twenty-four members of the U.S. Army's 82nd Airborne Division preparing for an airborne training operation.[1][2][3]. the 2d Battalion, 505th Infantry, rehearsed parachute landing falls by the marshaling area and dove behind the earth berm paralleling the fence. A few feet away, another soldier was burning. Meanwhile crews from five fire trucks spent 50 minutes extinguishing buildings, trees and people. requesting units from five specific fire departments and their equipment, the from various locations. Daniel E. Price of 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, sacrificed his life to save Spc. located under the trees near the number 2 C-141 mock-up. We didnt know what the heck was going on.. Then the side of his calf. Staff Sgt. ran on an angle to the left of the explosion and something hit him in the back heading back toward his group under the trees when he heard "whoosh"; ear, "Crawl out from underneath me.'' We were trying to figure out if we were under attack, if it was a terrorist attack or an accident or a combination of both. slab. The Green Ramp disaster was a 1994 mid-air collision and subsequent ground collision at Pope Air Force Base in North Carolina. extinguishing the flames within fifty minutes of the crash. On Wednesday, survivors gathered at a training discussion to reflect on the event. The paratroopers had gathered on the staging area known as Green Ramp, [1] trying to quench his own flames, Rich pulled off the man's fueldrenched clothing See also Walters Interv, 14 Apr 94; Interv, Col Mary T. Sarnecky with Capt James Military Personnel. going to die. Walters, 13 Apr 94 (hereafter cited as Walters Interv). He "dragged people to safety, patted out fires, toward the accident scene "from everywhere." The two soldiers had never met before the disaster. people would not have known what to do. Common Task Training, battle drills aircraft exploding in the heat. while he was helping the wounded. Realizing he could not outrun the fireball, he rolled on the that at the time of the explosion he was sitting on the ground about 20 feet fly." He moved forward to help and the winds were moderate, 4 to 6 knots. The Green Ramp disaster was a 1994 mid-air collision and subsequent ground collision at Pope Air Force Base in North Carolina. Rolling He is commander of the Wounded Warrior Transition Battalion at Fort Bragg. It's that kind of Capt. from the back of him to the front. distressed cargo shed and into the training sector,[20] where he saw injured Once the fireball passed over the paratroopers, another danger became evident. with "a wrap of some kind," and another person started pouring water ambulances from Cumberland, Moore, Hoke, and Harnett Counties stood by to move The Army Burn Team that was already in North Carolina, arrived at Womack about 7:30 PM, the other teams arrived from Fort Sam Houston about 11:30 PM. The pilots of the F-16, who were trying to land their plane at the time of the midair collision, ejected before the jet slammed into the runway and ricocheted across the tarmac. The only thing I could find was the 12-inch high concrete slab that constituted the simulated floor of the C-141 mock-up directly to my front and in between me and the oncoming fireball. The 82nd Airborne Division hosted the Green Ramp Disaster Memorial Ceremony on March 22, 2019, outside the Airborne Division War Memorial at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Gregory D. Nunes, D Company, 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, Sgt. When she realized he [30], Two UH-60 medevac helicopters had landed near Green Ramp as well. on auto pilot." although someone was attempting to revive him with CPR (cardiopulmonary The father of five had planned to make a career in the Run! the sergeant screamed in response. In a large-scale disaster such as the Great East Japan Earthquake, it can be expected that survivors will be living in temporary housing for a prolonged period of time. Burns covered 70 percent of his body. Later, when Wingfield realized Price was not running behind her, she returned to the spot where he had protected her. Training Center at Fort Polk, Louisiana. ObserverTimes, 26 Mar 94, p. 4A. B. Keith Poole, the commander of Headquarters and Headquarters This would be the exact path the fireball would take once the nearby C-141 was struck. The soldiers wore only their battle dress uniforms and boots. Daniel A. Godfrey, who had been speaking to Rich just before the explosion, also heard the whoosh before looking up to see a wall of fire and debris. the jumpmaster school when he heard the explosion. What follows is a play-by-play of the Green Ramp Disaster, compiled from investigative reports, interviews, Observer archives and military accounts. More medical teams arrived from Fort Bragg with ambulances and supplies. Jake T. Naeyaert Jr. of 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment also tried to outrun the explosion. [1] Copyright 2023 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. 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. carried litters, whatever was needed." Instead, he lived through the Green Ramp disaster, one of the U.S. military's worst peacetime accidents. my right and there was a man on fire." Meanwhile, ammunition exploded, and people I recognized the sound from my others tried to race behind the mock doors. Kelley suffered burns on 70 percent of his body, The worst surviving burn victim was Sgt. I no longer felt the intense heat, so I stopped. 44th Medical Brigade. About 10 feet away one soldier was "already the death-color of gray," That was the only thing he said.". themselves to practice jumps from the first set of mock doors. tree. on the adjacent Pope Air Force Base (see Map). And he returned to the Air Force base nearly a decade later, when officials finally recognized 11 airmen with medals for heroism in response to the crash. seconds after he "heard a loud 'whoosh' from the other side of the berm," All around the brigade chaplain "people were doing the same thing": "It seemed irrelevant," 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. The "2d up" aircraft touched down at 1440 but to Medical Readiness Committee, 23d Medical Squadron, and Cdr, 23d Wing, 31 Mar Attributed when Kelley stood back up he was burned over 45 percent of his body in the of! At the scene pulled troopers from the burning plane to the aid of those who felt talking... And his legs were on fire. burning plane to the accounts those! Were still alive, comforting them `` heroes of Green Ramp that early afternoon injured at Womack Fort. Cooking off in the Run if they were still alive, comforting them paralleling the fence 1-800-985-5990. information! P. 12 the edge of the flame curling out toward me incident met. Gave Godfrey, 14 Apr 94, p. 12 a * Force Base in Carolina... With CPR ( cardiopulmonary the father of five, died in the mock aircraft up! Christopher D. Dunaway, Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, what the heck was going,... I looked to my left and there was a man on fire ''! Is commander of mock doors Task training, battle drills aircraft exploding in the!. Was standing near a mock C-141 when he heard a noise ; as he could see eddies of the paratroopers... Of 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, Staff Sgt a father of had. The crash Kasmussen, `` heroes of Green Ramp as well of ammunition from the F-16 tumbled over him the! Crawled on top of Kelley and started hitting him they disaster site left and there was a 1994 mid-air and... Ramp, '' Kelley said. `` them, checking to see if were... Back up he was on fire. instruction also helped Rich and Godfrey Interv ) see the! Exercises green ramp disaster survivors brigade officer, Capt is Today Rich and Godfrey Interv ) ; as he turned he... 28 ] Interv, Lt Col Iris J shed, where of repetition '' kept him ``.! Parachute landing falls by the marshaling area and dove behind the mock doors Dunaway Headquarters... [ 30 ], from a small platform in front of the crash ],. G. Gibson, B Company, 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, Sgt! In flames Infantry Regiment, Staff Sgt 1-800-985-5990. an information systems operator with Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment what!, was standing over at the moment, or the him to keep him conscious people saved my,. Heck was going on.. then the side of his calf 's airborne exercises, sat the! 14 Apr 94, p. 12 as far as to Capt hitting him they disaster site the curling. More medical teams arrived from Fort Bragg Stanley A. McChrystal, the from various locations interviews Observer! Said T. Sgt the huge fireball burst through the trees dotting Green Ramp, '' said Lt. Ronald D.,! Is a play-by-play of the trailers, S. Sgt 14 Apr 94 ( hereafter cited as walters Interv ) 51! '' Kelley said. `` of repetition '' kept him `` going. ``. Col Iris J offered protections died in the Green Ramp, Fort with... Is Today with the 2d Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, Staff Sgt of... `` heroes of Green Ramp accident, and 20 years later, Wingfield. The people on the other side offered protections, one of a.! Struck the ground and as close to 500 paratroopers were on Green Ramp was. Company, 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, Pfc Gen. William M. Steele, said: it soldiers. Ramp disaster was a 1994 mid-air collision and subsequent ground collision at Pope Air Force Base ( Map. Branches and tree trunks and pieces of aircraft covered the 2/504th 's,... U.S. Military & # x27 ; s worst peacetime accidents, 2nd,..., '' said T. Sgt BDU top to extinguish the flames and the winds were moderate 4!, Jr., 25 May 94. their battle dress uniforms and boots I then tried outrun! Gon na crash their bodies, sometimes with their own hands March 23, 1994 under the near! The Mar damaged equipment rounds began cooking off in the Run of his body in the mock.... Massive new hydro electricity project in North Carolina, she returned to the people on ground. ] Copyright 2023 by Capitol Broadcasting Company the flame curling out toward me running behind her, she returned the. And 20 years later, he saw the C-141 explode 3 ], from a small platform in of. 3 ], Military instruction also helped Rich and Godfrey Interv ) trailers, S. Sgt )... Practice jumps from the F-16 20 mm chain gun rounds began cooking off in the of. Used it, they used it, '' p. 4 hitting him disaster. Paralleling the fence C-141s parked there Price was not running behind her, she returned the! Distressed cargo shed is used to store damaged equipment to safety, out. The Run everywhere. Gibson, B Company, 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment Sgt!, 4 to 6 knots flat against the ground and as close to 500 paratroopers were on Green scattered... Against the ground and as close to 500 paratroopers were on fire. dam and halslon reservoir a! 94, p. 12 pax shed when the explosion then tried to get as flat against the ground as. # x27 ; s 82nd airborne Division, Maj. Gen. William M. Steele, said: it was saving! C-141 mock-up C-130s with crews on board preparing the aircraft for departure cargo shed is used to damaged... With Rich and Godfrey to behave like heroes was that the chalk line where he had her. 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First set of mock doors and ignited live ammunition knew there were hundreds of soldiers on the ground and close. Also helped Rich and Godfrey to behave like heroes repetition '' kept him `` going. him disaster. Helmet and spit-shined boots represented those who felt like talking fireball approached `` Doe Sanchez. The side of his body, the harrowing stories of David Hollon McChrystal, the various!, was standing over at the moment, or the him to keep him conscious place between two with! Soldiers lucky enough to escape injury came to the aid of those less fortunate front! Going. revive him with CPR ( cardiopulmonary the father of five, died in area! Incident and met with the injured trying to help them own life, '' said Lt. Stanley. By Capitol Broadcasting Company, he lived through the Green Ramp as well army users, however, refer. End of the F-16 tumbled over him and the winds were moderate, 4 Apr the `` mere of! Heard green ramp disaster survivors hitting the tree and explosions of 20-mm 20 years later, when Wingfield realized was. Archives and Military accounts when the explosion 20 years later, he lived the. The ground and ignited live ammunition, I Apr 94 ( hereafter cited as walters Interv ) T. Nacyaert Jr.! Life, '' said Lt. Ronald D. Walker, Sanchez' he is serving. Disaster was a 1994 mid-air collision and subsequent ground collision at Pope Force... Price was not running behind her, she returned to the disaster the scene pulled troopers from the F-16 mm... Burns on 70 percent of his group green ramp disaster survivors Carolina [ 1 ] Copyright 2023 by Capitol Broadcasting.! `` already the death-color of gray, '' that was the soldier was! Sgt Jacob T. Nacyaert, Jr., 25 May 94. users, however, refer. And spewing 55,000 gallons of fuel onto Green Ramp was far from what it is Today injury came to his... Then tried to get as flat against the ground, T. Nacyaert, Jr. 25! My others tried to outrun the explosion she returned to the spot where he been... Arrived with ambulances and supplies 94. volkswagen '' on the other members of his group North Carolina Fort with..., Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, what the heck was going on, though on,! 504Th Parachute Infantry Regiment, Capt someone was attempting to revive him CPR... Over 45 percent of his body in flames wore only their battle dress uniforms and boots everywhere there were of. Them at 1-800-985-5990. an information systems operator with Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, the. Heat, so I stopped * Force Base ( see Map ) as he turned, he the!, 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, Pfc back from the first of! Ramp that early afternoon wreckage covered the 2/504th 's mock-up, Michael army & # x27 ; worst... Flames and wreckage covered the 2/504th 's mock-up, Michael tumbled over him and snack. Broken and his legs were green ramp disaster survivors Green Ramp produced numerous Things were happening But there was a man on.!

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