Risk Management Magazine

Many of us are guilty of trying to hop a ladder a few feet to the side instead of climbing down and moving it the proper way. Or maybe you’ve done the suicide lean by extending your body as far to the side as possible to get to a spot that’s just out of reach. While you may have successfully completed these dangerous maneuvers in the past, chances are you’re heading for a fall.

The airbase descended into chaos for a few moments before a scene of calm efficiency emerged once again. Armed with flight-line fire extinguishers, the maintenance team bravely fought the blaze. But the fire, fueled by the volatile magnesium, spread with terrifying speed. The fire department was summoned, sirens wailing a desperate call to action, but the inferno engulfed the Chinook by the time it arrived.

I immediately directed my recovery team, a group well-versed in recovery procedures but with limited real-world experience. Recognizing the training value and inherent risks of the situation, I decided to observe their actions firsthand.