'Elmendorf tower, Yukla 27 Heavy has an emergency' Published Sept. 28, 2007 By Staff Sgt. J.D. Erhard 3rd Wing Public Affairs ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- It has been 12 years since that fateful day when an Air Force AWACS, call sign Yukla 27 crashed shortly after takeoff. Twelve years of grieving, mourning and remembering our fallen brethren. September 22, 1995, started out as any other day might and ended in our worst nightmare. Yukla 27 was airborne at 0745:29 on the morning of Sept. 22, 1995. Just a short while later at 0746:43 the copilot declared an emergency to the control tower. At 0747:11 Yukla 27 crashed just a short distance away from where it began its mission. Yukla 27 was airborne for only 40 seconds before the flight ended in tragedy. Twenty four U.S. and Canadian Airmen lost their lives, giving the ultimate sacrifice to their countries. Accident investigators officially confirmed everyone's initial suspicion. The crash was unequivocally due to bird strikes. Yukla 27's number 2 engine lost all power and the number 1 engine was severely damaged as the Canada Geese destroyed the fan blades in both engines. Due to the significant loss of power in this critical phase of flight the flight deck diligently tried to make an emergency landing. After a slow left turning climb the aircraft pitched earthbound uncontrollably. The National Transportation and Safety Bureau have found human error to be the proximate cause in over 90 percent of all aircraft mishaps. Human error played no part in this fatal accident. Our Airmen were doing everything correctly the way they were trained. I would be remiss if I didn't include some of the additional preventive steps that this base has relentlessly pursued to try and alleviate any possibility of bird strikes immediately following the Yukla tragedy. According to leading experts the Bird Abatement Strike Hazard (BASH) program on Elmendorf revolutionized BASH programs not only here at Elmendorf but around the world. A mixture of patrolling, pyrotechnics, and scarecrow coyotes has been used in the past to deter Canada Geese from landing in and around Elmendorf. Pair these active deterrents with passive deterrents such as planting specific grasses and trees in certain areas and Mother Nature is working side by side with us in the BASH program. The Anchorage area Canada goose population is increasing each year exponentially. Elmendorf's BASH initiatives have been so effective that Canada geese hardly give Elmendorf a second thought when they look for a place to land. It is paramount that everyone remains vigilant regarding the BASH program and its 2,400 acre bird exclusion zone. If you see bird activity report it at 552-BIRD. To the 24 crewmembers aboard Yukla 27, we will keep you in our prayers and memories. Your service and sacrifice will never be forgotten and is greatly appreciated. Yukla 27 Crew 1st Lt. Carlos A. Arriaga Weapons Director Tech. Sgt. Mark A. Bramer Flight Engineer Staff Sgt. Scott A. Bresson Airborne Radar Technician Tech. Sgt. Mark A. Collins Communications Systems Operator Senior Airman Lawrence E. DeFrancesco Communications Systems Operator Tech. Sgt. Bart L. Holmes Sr. Flight Engineer Lt. Col. Richard G. Leary Navigator Master Cpl. Joseph J.P. Legault Canadian Forces, Communications Technician Capt. Robert J. Long Senior Weapons Director Master Sgt. Stephen C. O'Connell Advanced Airborne Surveillance Technician Capt. Bradley W. Paakola Co-pilot Tech. Sgt. Ernest R. Parrish Area Specialist Sgt. David L. Pitcher Canadian Forces, Battle Director Technician Capt. Glenn "Skip" Rogers Jr. Aircraft commander Airman Jeshua C. Smith Airborne Surveillance Technician Staff Sgt. Raymond O. Spencer Jr. Airborne Surveillance Technician Maj. Richard P. Stewart II Mission Crew commander Tech. Sgt. Charles D. Sweet Jr. Airborne Radar Technician Maj. Marlon R. Thomas Mission Crew commander Tech. Sgt. Timothy B. Thomas Computer Display Maintenance Technician Maj. Steven A. Tuttle Airborne Surveillance Officer Tech. Sgt. Brian K. Van Leer Advanced Airborne Surveillance Technician Airman Darien F. Watson Airborne Surveillance Technician Senior Airman Joshua N. Weter Computer Display Maintenance Technician