P REPARATION
Are You Prepared? By AE2 Rickey O. Frazier
This training can vary from academic discussions to hands-on drills
While acting as Leading Petty Officer of the Aviation Electrician shop at Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ)-131, I was performing a Career Development Board (CDB) for a new checkin when I was interrupted and informed of a suspected battery thermal runaway on the flight line, while our aircrew was conducting a crew swap. I immediately left the CDB, grabbed my cranial and ran toward the flight line. The first thing I remember thinking, was: “Where is the spill kit?” U.S. Navy photo by Ensign Cody A. Milam.
“
Aviation in itself is not inherently dangerous. But to an even greater degree than the sea, it is terribly unforgiving of any carelessness, incapacity or neglect.
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Captain A. G. Lamplugh, British Aviation Insurance Group
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In Naval aviation we train to handle emergencies on a regular basis. This training can vary from academic discussions to hands-on drills, all designed to demonstrate understanding of procedures and safety precautions. Considering all of the training you had in the past, how confident are you that your work center can handle a time critical emergency when the seconds really do matter?
To my amazement, what follows is a true testament that regular training and drills actually affect real-world scenarios. You fight how you train, so your training must be practiced thoroughly and efficiently. As I ran to the line, I saw that most of my shop was already outside. The proper PPE had been donned, a checklist was being read and the scene had been made safe. As the only person in my workcenter that had ever encountered a thermal runaway, I was honestly surprised how well my Sailors handled the emergency without my oversight or input. Continue on Page 15-
