21
The quick thinking, astute
situational awareness, and
incredible teamwork by our
brothers at Boston Center
saved the life of VENOM01.
This is typical of the actions our
brothers and sisters at ZBW
show each and every day.
ยป New England Regional
Vice President Mick Devine:
"I don't know if we could arrange that, if you can, or if you want,
be interested in getting a little refuel prior to going to Syracuse,"
Aulbach asked.
"Yes!" came the immediate and resounding reply from the
fighter pilot.
Aulbach then provided intercept vectors to the tanker and
relayed vital communications and position information to both
aircraft.
VENOM01 would have one shot to make an approach and
landing at snowy SYR. A successful approach was not a
sure thing, with the SYR weather not that much better than
anywhere else in the Northeast. "It was my opinion that the
emergency refueling was the best option over a risky approach
in marginal weather," Aulbach said.
After BISON21 and VENOM01 joined together to refuel, the
pilot of BISON21 informed Aulbach and Jacobson that the flight
would need to stray out of the refueling area to ensure that
VENOM01 would successfully "get on the boom." The flight
strayed into a busy flight corridor between Utica and Albany,
N.Y., causing several flights to be vectored away from the
emergency aircraft. Jacobson assisted Aulbach by coordinating
with adjacent sectors about the flight.
After the refueling, BISON21 stayed in the area (BISON22 left
to return to Niagara Falls) until VENOM01 made a successful
landing at SYR.
The VENOM01 pilot expressed his appreciation.
"Thanks for your help today," he said. "That was a nice job with
getting that tanker involved."
"VENOM1 no problem, my pleasure," Aulbach said.
