Technical training translates to Airman's real-world proficiency Published Aug. 24, 2006 By Susan Griggs 81st Training Wing Public Affairs KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. (AETCNS) -- On just her second day on the job, an airman trained at Keesler AFB found she had the tools needed to handle a catastrophic situation. Airman Basic Alexandria Pickering, a February graduate of the 334th Training Squadron's aviation resource management course, is assigned to the 62nd Fighter Squadron at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. She and her superintendent, Master Sgt. Lon Sage, and Staff Sgt. Tomekia Lamb were working the squadron's duty desk April 11 when a student F-16 pilot crashed on take-off. "We got the radio call from another pilot, looked out the window and saw smoke," explained Sergeant Sage. "In the minutes following the crash, you could cut the tension in the 62nd FS operations center with a knife," said Senior Master Sgt. Matthew Grengs, the career field's functional manager at Luke, who arrived five minutes after the crash occurred. "The tension wasn't created by the members around the duty desk, but from what had just occurred and the unknowns about the crash - What happened? Was the pilot alive?" Sergeant Grengs found the team members engaged and functioning at full speed. They had already initiated the aircraft mishap procedures and coordinated requirements with senior officials while securing critical documentation and keeping the safety officer informed of their progress. "In the middle of this tremendous effort was Airman Pickering - I emphasize she was in the middle of the effort, not on the sidelines looking in," Sergeant Grengs commented. "I was excited and proud to see her making a positive difference during a terrible situation. "By the way, the pilot survived the crash - receiving that news definitely deflated the tension around the ops desk that morning," he added. "It was evident that Airman Pickering had received in-depth training on aircraft accident procedures," Sergeant Sage recalled. "She knew exactly what to do. She ran the squadron aviation resource management checklist and ensured that Sergeant Lamb and I were informed of all items that still needed to be accomplished. "In 20 years on the job, I had never been involved in an aircraft accident, and here was Airman Pickering, her second day on the job, calmly and professionally doing what she was trained to do," he continued. "We were the test squadron for these procedures during Luke's last Operational Readiness Inspection, so we knew what to do, but when it really happens, it's very different." "My technical training prepared me fully for the experience," said Airman Pickering, who hails from San Diego. "I was able to run the aircraft accident checklist smoothly with little or no help. "The only thing I wasn't prepared for was the adrenaline rush, which was a good thing because it kept me focused," she pointed out. "While the training at tech school was good, nothing compares to a real-world situation." The training team back at Keesler was thrilled to learn of Airman Pickering's success. "She performed flawlessly in the middle of a catastrophic situation," remarked Capt. Scott Walker, commander of the 334th TRS airfield operation training flight. "When training is put to the test like this, it provides wonderful motivation for both our students and instructors." "This is what being an instructor is all about," commented Master Sgt. Philip Kreiser, aviation resource management instructor supervisor. Even the career field manager at the Pentagon praised the young airman and the trainers who prepared her for the job. "Kudos to Airman Pickering," said Chief Master Sgt. David Boseman. "It looks like our schoolhouse is teaching the right stuff and doing it well."