Photo By Tristan Pavlik | NAVSUP FLC San Diego employee swiftly stops fire during hot pit refueling evolution at...... read more read more
On Friday, Feb. 10, 2023, while fueling an EA-18G Growler from the visiting “Gauntlets” Electronic Attack Squadron VAQ-136, Stephen Beaton, Aircraft Direct Fueling Station Operator, Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center San Diego Site Lemoore, noticed flames near the landing gear of the aircraft. Declaring an emergency, Beaton immediately shut down the fueling operation and worked with the ground crew to secure the area and notify the Federal Fire Department at Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif.
“Once I realized a fire had started, my training took over and I just took each consecutive right action," said Beaton, who also spent eight years as a fire captain with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. "Safety of the team was my number one priority and then preventing spillage of any fuel."
Once the pilot had exited the aircraft, Beaton grabbed a fire extinguisher and attacked the flames, eventually containing the fire. His quick actions led to saving the personnel, facility and aircraft from damage.
At the time of the fire, both hot pit fuel stations were occupied by EA-18G Growlers actively engaged in refueling. “Hot pit” refueling occurs when an aircraft is fueled immediately after landing, with both engines still running. This form of refueling reduces response time and keeps aircraft ready to complete any mission or exercise.
When the aircraft rolled into the hot pit refueling station, Beaton stated that the brakes did not appear to be hot. It was only after roughly five minutes into the fueling evolution that Beaton noticed the flames. He immediately stopped the fueling operation at that time.
As a result of his quick and efficient communication, the second hot pit was immediately secured, which prevented damage to that aircraft. Beaton’s work enabled the onsite team to help both aircrews safely egress and extinguish the fire before the FedFire trucks arrived on scene.
“Observing from my own aircraft in the adjacent hot pit, I witnessed the ground personnel shut off fuel flow to both of the aircrafts and then have a firefighting agent on the fire within a minute of detection,” stated Lt. Ryan Dougherty, a VAQ-136 Naval Flight Officer and Public Affairs Officer. “The fast detection and timely action taken by the ground crew ensured the safety of both aircrews and minimal damage to the aircraft.”
The VAQ-136 squadron, based out of Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash., was deployed to NAS Lemoore to participate in Strike Fighter Advanced Readiness Program Exercise with their Carrier Air Wing, CVW-2. This was the first time this particular exercise was executed in NAS Lemoore, and despite this event, the Gauntlets were able to successfully execute the Growler component.
“Our squadron maintenance personnel were even able to get the aircraft back to a flight status by the following day,” expressed Dougherty. “We at VAQ-136 commend the actions of the ground crew that morning and thank them for keeping us and our jets safe.”
NAVSUP FLC San Diego is one of eight Fleet Logistics Centers under Commander, NAVSUP. Headquartered in Mechanicsburg, Penn., NAVSUP employs a diverse, worldwide workforce of more than 25,000 military and civilian personnel. NAVSUP and the Navy Supply Corps conduct and enable supply chain, acquisition, operational logistics and sailor and family care activities with our mission partners to generate readiness and sustain naval forces worldwide to prevent and decisively win wars. Learn more at www.navsup.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/navsup and twitter.com/navsupsyscom.
| Date Taken: | 02.10.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 03.06.2023 12:00 |
| Story ID: | 439578 |
| Location: | LEMOORE, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 786 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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