20th anniversary of Green Ramp disaster
20 years ago on this date, at Pope Air Force base an F16 fighter collided with a C-130 while they were trying to land. As the F16 hit the runway, the two pilots ejected while the F16 continued on his path into another parked C141 which waiting on Green Ramp for loading of paratroopers of the 82d Airborne Division. The two aircraft exploded into flames and the resulting fireball and debris washed over the waiting paratroopers loaded down with their parachutes and equipment.
24 were killed and 80 more were injured. Some of the survivors remember that day at Military.com and more at army.mil. One survivor and his wife remember the struggle afterwards.
Category: Military issues
I remember that day well. We were at the range, then all of a sudden we heard a “cease fire” as all available ambulances and medical personnel were ordered to Green Ramp.
A captain I knew from Korea was pretty badly burned, although he recovered pretty well. Last I saw he was an LTC in Korea in 2000.
Hard to believe it’s been 20 years.
Also IIRC this was only a few weeks after an F15 on “No fly zone” duty over Kurdistan shot down two Blackhawks’ filled with GIs and Kurdish personnel. It seemed like USAF mistakes were costing a lot of Army lives then.
I’ve told the store here before but here I go again….
….
I was in the air in a C-141 from Andrews AFB in a major military exercise flying to Avon Park Florida and Fort Bragg. Our crew decided to take the long leg of the flight first and then fly on to Bragg second.
Had we stopped at Bragg first, we’d have been sitting right on the Green Ramp when this all happened. (That was our work area with the 3rd MAPS as Aerial Porters. We marshaled the 82 and their gear on to the C-141 or whatever aircraft of choice.
As it was, we diverted and landed in FULL Battle Rattle at Fayetteville (Civilian) airport and then the shit hit the fan when the press saw us. They thought we were going to war (or something like that. The base commander had to explain that it was an already scheduled exercise and we just happened to be arriving (luckily) late.
One of our Cheifs said that evening, that was the only time he’d ever seen Green Ramp dark in his entire career and we were at Pope/Bragg with the 3rd MAPS almost every year as a Reserve Annual Tour
As the saying goes. There but for the grace of God, go I.
69th APS, Andrews AFB MD.1988-2007
I was stationed in Germany, and spent the next couple days just shocked. I had been to Green Ramp so many times, pre jump, PAC Shed, sitting on the grass rigged up waiting to JMPI and board the aircraft.
It is just something no one even thought about.
I remember being overcome with sadness and grief. What a tragedy that was. God bless those who were lost and God help those who survived who to this day, may be suffering from that disaster.
Lost a great friend that day.
RIP 1LT Ken Golla.
When I clicked on the link and read the report, I took notice of the statement that this was the worst peacetime military disaster since the Second World War.
But, wasn’t the crash at Gander, Newfoundland much worse, and wasn’t that a peacetime incident?
As an Army brat, I grew up in Spring Lake, North Carolina, and back in those days (pre-Viet Nam), we freely travelled to and through Fort Bragg and Pope Air Force Base.
Today, I understand that neither of those installations can be so easily and carefreely accessed, due to increased security.
Also, the news article mentioned the Warrior Transition Center located in the old Womack Army Hospital.
Well, I and two of my sisters had our tonsils and adenoids removed in the old wooden hospital before Womack was constructed.
My mother died in Womack (the one that’s currently the WTC)of pancreatic cancer, and when my father had his final heart attack, after Womack had done all they could, he was transferred to a nursing home in Pinehurst to die.
Gosh, gee whillikers, I remember, as a kid, when we’d visit the open house static displays and demonstrations at Fort Bragg or Pope Air Force Base on Armed Forces Day, and I remember other times when we’d go to the DZs to watch the paratroopers jump from the C-119s, or we’d go to Pope Air Force Base just to watch from the side of the runway as planes took off or landed.
Felt the explosions all the way to Grave Street that day. Still want to curb stomp everybody in Pope ATC that day.
I left Ft. Bragg in the Fall of 1993 to attend a medical course at Ft. Sam Houston. There were a dozen guys in our class from Ft. Bragg. When we heard the news, some of our classmates were doing their rotation through the burn center. Eventually I went through the burn center and met some of the most gravely injured. One individual, whose name I won’t forget, had the toughest time. When I returned to Ft. Sam Houston for BNCOC in 1995, I listened to the radio and found out that he had died at a local hospital. He survived 85% burns for 11 months.
The wounded, responders and others that were there have a burden. I read a case study of the responders that arrived at the crash site in Newfoundland. The study involved the coping and support mechanisms that need to be in place for seeing these gruesome tasks.
Rochambeau,
The Soldier you speak of, was my fiance’, SPC Lumbert. He had a long brave fight before passing in Jan 1995. Thank you for taking the time to visit him while he was in at the burn center.
Sincerely,
Kelly
Kelly,
Marty was my favorite and he will be forever missed.
Kelly,
It was a distinct privilege to provide care to Marty. Whether it be during war or peace, the loved ones of our Soldiers make a huge commitment too. I’m thinking of Marty and you. Thanks for commenting.
A former co-worker of mine was asked about the reason he was missing an ear and had scarring on his body. He was on the ground when it happened.
The Times article should be required reading for all those who think military pensions are too high and need to be reduced.
Excellent point, David. RIP to the fallen.
Jonn,
Thanks so much for posting this in remembrance. I don’t know how but someway missed the news story back in 1994. It may have been due to having no TV reception (in the north California mountains) plus the only newspaper was a weekly publication that only covered local issues.
I read all three stories that were linked to the article and could only feel sadness and tears (for real) for those that we lost and those injured. I’m really proud of how the others reacted, and the heroism of others. It’s the military way, take care of your brothers and sisters.
To “Kelly” let me walk by your side for I have been there too.
I was in 3/505 PIR at the time. We were getting ready for a command and laugh when the “boom” was heard and saw the dark smoke rise. We had a few guys at Green Ramp strap hanging but weren’t seriously injured.