First responders pull simulated pilot free of F-16

Firefighters from 51st Civil Engineer Squadron pull a mock unconscious pilot from the F-16 Fighting Falcon during readiness exercise Beverly Midnight 16-01, March 9, 2016, at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea. First responders worked together to pull the mock pilot from F-16 to test their tactics and techniques during this exercise. Beverly Midnight 16-01 is an exercise to assess Team Osan’s capabilities to defend, sustain and execute combat operations in a chemical environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff. Sgt. Jonathan Steffen/Released)

First responders pull simulated unconscious pilot free of F-16

Published March 10, 2016
By Staff Sgt. Jonathan Steffen
51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs

OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- Osan’s first responders are continually tested with a variety of scenarios during Exercise Beverly Midnight 16-01 here. One of those scenarios was to test the responders’ ability to extract a simulated unconscious pilot from a running aircraft, March 10, 2016.

Firefighters from the 51st Civil Engineer Squadron were first at the scene.

“We had an F-16 with a ground emergency that was running. Our objectives were to turn it off and get the pilot out of it,” said Airman 1st Class Joshua Scott, 51st Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter.

First responders worked together to safely remove the mock unconscious pilot from the F-16 Fighting Falcon.

“Our goal is life safety and conservation of property, said Airman 1st Class Jhonny Taborda, 51 CES firefighter. “We made sure the pilot was safe and the aircraft wasn’t damaged.”

During the scenario, members from the wing inspection team evaluated the first responders, observing their tactics and techniques during the rescue scenario.

After the pilot was removed, he was transported to an ambulance so that medics assigned to the 51st Medical Group could evaluate the situation and provide the appropriate medical care.

“Our goal as firefighters is having everyone going home safely,” said Scott.