Three garner Aviation Well Done Awards

Published Nov. 1, 2012
Air Force Safety Center Public Affairs

KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- Three Airmen recently received the Aviation Safety Well Done Award for outstanding airmanship or support to aircrew that prevented or reduced the impact of a serious flight mishap.

Following are brief descriptions of the recipients' actions taken from the citations accompanying the awards.

Capts. Christopher Bernardo and Richard Smeeding, 80th Fighter Squadron, 8th Fighter Wing, Kunsan Air Base, Korea - On Oct. 5, 2011, Smeeding and Bernardo distinguished themselves through superior airmanship and flight mutual support by safely recovering an F-16 following critical aircraft malfunction. Five hours into a transoceanic deployment sortie, Smeeding received cockpit indications of a severe engine oil system malfunction. He pointed the aircraft toward Eareckson Air Station, Shemya Island, Alaska, the nearest suitable divert location. To maintain flight mutual support, Bernardo assumed the role of safety chase and began backing up Smeeding as they proceeded to the divert field. Smeeding positioned the aircraft for a simulated flameout landing while Bernardo obtained weather information at Eareckson. When they realized that deteriorating weather made arrival at Eareckson an unsuitable option, they readjusted their plan to safely recover the aircraft. Smeeding conducted a go-around, jettisoned the external fuel tanks, and flew a perfect instrument approach in marginal weather to safely land the aircraft.

Capt. Jordan N. Hans, 480th Fighter Squadron, Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany - On April 30, while participating in a large-force engagement involving 10 aircraft, Hans received an oil warning indication and immediately began a flameout landing profile at Ramstein AB, Germany. He quickly contacted Ramstein control tower to coordinate the emergency landing. While gliding the aircraft to the runway, the oil pressure continued to decrease and Hans executed a near-perfect approach and landing. Once safely stopped on the runway, Hans shut down the engine and egressed the aircraft. Hans had approximately 6 to 12 minutes from the time he received indications of an oil malfunction until the engine would have seized, depending on throttle setting. The time elapsed from the low oil warning to touchdown was 4 minutes, 26 seconds. Hans' outstanding judgment, quick decision-making and flawless execution of emergency procedures prevented injury and resulted in the safe recovery of a multi-million dollar combat asset.

Nominations for the Aviation Well Done Award are submitted through the safety offices of major commands, direct reporting units, field operating agencies and Air Staff agencies to the Air Force Safety Center and may be submitted within a six-month period of an event in which an Airman makes a significant contribution to mishap prevention. Recipients are approved by Air Force Chief of Safety.