Enterprise Training Scenario Recalls Tragic 1969 Flight Deck Fire

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Austin Rooney, USS Enterprise Public Affairs

USS ENTERPRISE, At Sea (NNS) -- Sailors aboard the deployed aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) conducted a successful ship-wide flight deck fire and mass casualty drill Jan. 19, during the week of the 42nd anniversary of one of the ship's darkest days.

The morning of Jan. 14, 1969, was supposed to be just another normal day underway for Big 'E'. When Sailors woke up, flight operations were about to begin and the ship was brimming with life as the crew traveled through passageways to their work centers.

Then it happened: A deafening explosion rang out at 8:19 a.m., caused by the accidental detonation of an aircraft's missile. Debris from the explosion rained down on the flight deck, quickly igniting JP-5 fuel and engulfing adjacent aircraft in flames.

As burning fuel poured into the ship from holes in the flight deck, the interior of the ship began to ignite as all hands scrambled to their repair lockers to fight the fire. Before the crew succeeded in extinguishing the flames, 28 Sailors had been killed, and 314 were injured - many severely.

Sailors deployed aboard Enterprise experienced a flight deck fire Jan. 19, resulting in more than 100 casualties, but this time the fire and casualties were simulated.

"I think our crew is on point as far as damage control is concerned," said Lt. j.g. Andrew Dietzel, USS Enterprise assistant damage control assistant. "I have faith that our Sailors would be able to effectively combat a fire similar to the one in 1969."

Through constant training and drills, Dietzel said he thinks today's Sailors are better prepared to deal with an emergency on the flight deck than those in 1969. To ensure history does not repeat itself, every Sailor receives basic damage control training as soon as they enter boot camp and are continually trained and drilled throughout their career.

Damage control was not the only skill Sailors practiced during the drill. The exercise had a mass casualty scenario and required the full response of the ship's Medical department, just as it would during an actual emergency.

"Mass casualty is any situation that exceeds Medical department's capabilities and resources on the ship," said Lt. Cmdr. Sondra Santana, USS Enterprise nurse practitioner. "The whole purpose of the drill is to prepare us for the real thing. We have to pool our resources and treat as many people as we can."

Sailors throughout the ship are trained as stretcher bearers, and all warfare qualified Sailors have received first aide training. Additionally, the ship's Medical and Dental departments operate a program called the 'walking blood bank' where pre-screened Sailors can be gathered to provide blood according to need.

Santana said the drill was held to prevent a situation such as the fire in 1969, from claiming as many lives as it did. Through training, routine drills and advances in technology, Santana said she believes Big 'E' Sailors would be able to handle a similar situation with better results.

"We don't ever want to have to deal with the real version of a mass casualty situation like this," said Santana. "However, if we get called on to respond, we are 100 percent ready."

Enterprise is currently deployed on its 21st deployment.

Enterprise Strike Group consists of Enterprise, the guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55), the guided-missile destroyers USS Bulkeley (DDG 84), USS Barry (DDG 52) and USS Mason (DDG 87); USNS Arctic (T-AOE 8), Carrier Air Wing 1 and Destroyer Squadron 2.

For news regarding Enterprise Strike Group's deployment, log onto www.navy.mil/local/cvn65, or visit the USS Enterprise Facebook page at www.facebook.com/USS.Enterprise.CVN.65.

For more news from USS Enterprise (CVN 65), visit www.navy.mil/local/cvn65/.