Medal Winners

Members of the 10th Flight Test Squadron were awarded Air Medals for their role in flying a B-1 from a combat zone to a safe location for repairs after a combat mission engine fire left the bomber with only three engines. Gen. Bruce Carlson, Air Force Materiel Command commander, presented the medals in a Nov. 19 ceremony at the Hill Theater. Awardees pictured with General Carlson are, from left; Lt. Col. Steven Adams, Lt. Col. Jeffrey Wagner, Maj. Erick Peterson and Capt. James Couch. Major Peterson and Captain Couch were each awarded two medals for their roles in two flights moving the crippled B-1. (Air Force photo by Dave Faytinger)

Civilian Achievers

Members of the 555th Aircraft Sustainment Squadron who, in August, assisted in the safe recovery of a crippled B-1 Lancer were awarded the Civilian Achievement medal by Gen. Bruce Carlson in a ceremony at Tinker Nov. 19. Team members posing with General Carlson are, from left; Sam Malone, Mark Quinlan, Mark Druckenmiller, Jimmie Hopkins, Barney Magerus, Kyle Schasteen, Robert Evans, Albert Maeder III and Curtis Smith. (Air Force photo by Margo Wright)

General Carlson recognizes B-1B Rescue Team

Published Nov. 20, 2007
By Kandis West
Tinker Public Affairs

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE -- Gen. Bruce Carlson, Air Force Materiel Command commander, visited Tinker Air Force Base Monday to recognize 21 members of the workforce that assisted in the combat repair and rescue of a B-1 Lancer aircraft.
   In mid-August, while flying in the skies over Afghanistan, a fire burst out in one of the four engines of the aircraft. The aircrew successfully completed a three-engine landing at an undisclosed location in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, which includes Afghanistan, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Bahrain and Iran.
   The Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center was called upon to repair the damage and extract the aircraft from the war zone. Members of the 654th Combat Logistics Support Squadron, the 10th Flight Test Squadron and 555th Aircraft Sustainment Squadron teamed up to repair the damage, and restore the aircraft to flying capability in record time.
   "The fascinating part of this was the teamwork. We drew people from a large cross section of the United States Air Force to make this happen," General Carlson said. "This is a testimony to the kind of people we have who will join together to get a mission done."
   Eight members of the 654th CLSS received Air Force achievement medals. General Carlson presented the medals to: Tech. Sgt. Albert Bryan, Staff Sgts. Stephen Getten, Bradley Klepac, Jeremy T. Harper, Jeffrey J. Kinlaw, Jimmy B. Hardwick, Cody K. Danker and John B. Holliday.
   "Their efforts directly impacted the safe and timely repair of the $283 million strategic combat asset," said Maj. Michael Gibbons, 10th FLTS.
   Four members of the 10th FLTS received Air Medals including: Lt. Cols. Steven G. Adams and Jeffrey P. Wagner, Maj. Erick Peterson and Capt. James T. Couch.
   "Major Peterson and Captain Couch were tasked to fly the aircraft, with only three operating engines and degraded systems, to a secure location for complete repair," Major Gibbons said.
   Nine civilian members of the 555th ACSS received civilian achievement medals for their coordination efforts in the B-1's recovery. Recipients were: Mark J Druckenmiller, Jimmie W. Hopkins, Barney J. Magerus, Kyle R. Schasteen, Mark K. Quinlan, Robert G. Evans, Albert .R Meader III, Sammy C. Malone and Curtis M. Smith.
   "The team provided technical support to allow a safe three engine flight from the area of responsibility to a friendly location," said 2nd Lt. David Cordell, 555th ACSS.
   General Carlson said that a combat recovery mission like this one has only happened two other times in history.