Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont honored Connecticut Air National Guard firefighters and Guardsmen who responded to a B-17 crash at Bradley International Airport October 2. Lamont also met with 103rd Airlift Wing command chief Chief Master Sgt. James Traficante who was aboard the flight and opened an escape hatch following the crash.
Transcript
[Steven] Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont honored Connecticut Air National Guard Firefighters, who responded to a B-17 crash at Bradley International Airport, October 2nd. These first responders were a part of a mutual aid response with Bradley International Airport Fire Rescue, and surrounding towns. Lamont also met with 103rd Air lift Wing Command Chief, Chief Master Sergeant James Traficante who was aboard the flight and opened an escape hatch following the crash. Lamont expressed his appreciation for all the Guardsmen involved in the response.
These are the folks that stand up, put themselves at risk and saved lives that day. And I just thought I owe them that debt of gratitude.
[Steven] Connecticut Air National Guard Fire Chief, Chief Master Sergeant Robert Cross set prior training and familiarity with mutual aid partners paid off when his fire fighters responded to the crash.
We all came in, we knew what our jobs were and if there was something that needed to get done, people just stepped in and did it. I really do think that how fast of a response and how well we work together, made a difference on how we stabilized the incident.
[Steven] Reporting for the 103rd Air Lift Wing, I’m Staff Sergeant Steven Tucker. (laughter)