Weapons Safety Award Of Distinction - Brief Article

Tech. Sgts. Gary H. White and Anthony Koberstein 33rd Maintenance Squadron, 33rd Fighter Wing Eglin AFB, Fla.

Tech. Sgts. White and Koberstein's quick and unfaltering reaction to prevent an arcing electric conduit from developing into a more dangerous situation was exemplary. Sgts. White and Koberstein were restoring live AIM-9 missiles after completing scheduled periodic inspections. Upon completion of the storage operation, they gathered their crew book and technical orders and proceeded to exit the building. As Sgt. White turned the light switch off, there was a severe electrical arc from the conduit, immediately followed by sparks and flames. Sgt. White ran to the opposite end of the building where the circuit breaker was located. He tripped the circuit breaker while Sgt. Koberstein manned a fire extinguisher at the site of the arcing. Once the circuit breaker was tripped, all sparks, flames and arcing ceased. Sgt. White immediately notified Munitions Control to initiate Emergency Action Checklist procedures. Sgt. White and Koberstein's quick thinking, knowledge of munitions mishap procedures and deft actions prevented further damage to the building and averted the potential loss of human life and the wing's live missile stockpile.

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