Forum: Buddy Finder

I talked about <a href="index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=viewtopic&p=55700#55700">the terrible incident we had at Bentwaters</a> back in 1978, I mentioned a young airmen died, I found his obit, thought I would post it in case some of may have heard or knew this young man. Terrible night we had...

In Memoriam
Airman James Ray Short
Born 1 July 1956 Died 17 April 1978

Airman James Ray Short, "Shorty," assigned to the 81st Tactical Fighter Wing, 81st Field Maintenance Squadron was killed performing aircraft fuel systems maintenance in Hangar 7, Building 688 on Phase Row on the RAF Bentwaters flightline on Monday, April 17, 1978 at 2035 hours.

While performing a Time Compliance Technical Order (TCTO) on a McDonnell Douglas F-4D Phantom II centerline external fuel tank, static electricity ignited fuel fumes within the tank and the tank exploded. The nose cone separated and was blown, with Airman Short, up to the roof and across the Hangar. The remainder of the tank blew through the wall of Hangar 7 landing outside on the grass between Hangars 6 and 7.

You will never be forgotten and I wish for you and for everyone who remembers the evening of April 17, 1978

I know I won't forget it... with respect.

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Nasty old JP-4. Thankfully JP-8 is not quite as hazardous (but should be treated so anyway). Wonder if we could start an "In Memoriam" forum where we could capture all the maintainers who died on duty? Not to ignore the pilots but they already have a list on another site. Wouldn't have to be limited to F-16 as far as I'm concerned.

Sounds fine to me too, any country, any Air Force , whoever died in the line of duty...I like the idea too.

Got a special ring to it, respect is never a bad thing for the living or dead.

Forum: Buddy Finder

In Memoriam - Airman James Ray Short