13th MEU commends service members for saving lives

Photo By Sgt. Alvin Pujols | Seaman Abhan L. Hogan, an airman with the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group is presented a letter of commendation aboard the USS New Orleans, at sea, Feb. 17, 2016. Hidalgo assisted in restraining a U.S. Marine MV-22 Osprey to the flight deck and saving lives. More than 4,500 Marines and Sailors with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit and Boxer Amphibious Ready Group are transiting the Pacific Ocean en route to the Pacific and Central command areas of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Alvin Pujols/RELEASED)  

USS NEW ORLEANS, USPACOM, AT SEA

02.17.2016

Story by Lance Cpl. Alvin Pujols 

13th Marine Expeditionary Unit   

USS NEW ORLEANS, at Sea – U.S. Sailors with the Boxer Amphibious Ready group were awarded on Feb. 17, 2016, for their heroic actions on Dec. 9, 2015, when a U.S. Marine MV-22 Osprey had an emergency aboard the USS New Orleans (LPD 18).

The four sailors that assisted in saving the aircraft and were commended are: Petty Officer 1st Class Jacgary D. Greer, an aircraft handler with the BOXARG, Petty Officer 3rd Class Elliott M. Salgado, an aviation handler with the BOXARG, Seaman Robert A. Doane Jr., an airman with the BOXARG and Seaman Abhan L. Hogan, an airman with the BOXARG.

“A MV-22 Osprey, carrying 26 passengers, came in for a landing on the aft end of the ship,” said U.S. Marine Corps Maj. John Arnold, the commander of troops with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit. “The aircraft came in short and was caught onto the starboard-aft section of the ship. Less than half of the aircraft was hanging off the ship.”

After the aircraft landed on ship it was quickly anchored to the ship’s flight deck.

“The aircraft was quickly anchored to the flight deck of the ship by the Sailors and Marines aboard the USS New Orleans,” said Arnold.

It was an event that no one expects to happen but is trained for constantly and is tested on in order to advance in rank.

“I felt nervous and scared because it was unexpected but muscle memory kicked in and the knowledge to tie the aircraft down and evacuate the passengers on the aircraft; it was like a second nature kind of thing,” said Petty Officer 3rd Class Elliott M. Salgado, an aviation boatswain’s mate handler with the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group. “What prepared me most of for the event was all the training, such as fire drills and educating myself about my own job.”

The Sailors quick, calm and steady movements relieved the situation within minutes.

“The MV-22 was chained down within minutes of the landing,” said U.S. Marine Corps Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jokim M. Davis, a combat cargo officer with the 13th MEU.

Today those sailors were awarded for their life-saving actions, but it’s not the awards that give these Sailors a sense of pride.

“The commendation is nice, but it’s the fact that those Marines and Sailors are safe and alive that makes me proud,” said Salgado.

Thanks to the actions of these Sailors, there are 26 lives that will continue are deploying with the BOXARG and 13th MEU and are happy to be alive.

• Date Taken: 02.17.2016
• Date Posted: 02.19.2016 17:27
• Story ID: 189264
• Location: USS NEW ORLEANS, USPACOM, AT SEA