 MRS JEANNE BARRETT
On 10 July 2003, Mrs. Barrett, an Immediate Operation Requirement (IOR) clerk with Sea King Supply, was processing an item for disposal, which local authorities had discovered on the shoreline. In the course of her inspection, Mrs. Barrett realized that although the item had been described as a sonobuoy, she did not recognize this particular type.
In order to clarify the item's designation, Mrs. Barrett called an expert in armament stores who identified the item as a LUU 2/B flare that had apparently been armed, but had not ignited. This flare emits 2,000,000 candlepower and is composed of magnesium and white phosphorous. Once ignited, these materials will burn until exhausted. Had this error gone undetected, the key ingredient would have been in place to start an almost inextinguishable fire. The flare was sent to 14 Wing Greenwood Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team for disposal, where it was confirmed that the flare had stopped its explosive train just before igniting the candles.
Mrs. Barrett does not come in contact with LUU 2/B flares in her day-to-day tasks. Ensuring that an investigation be made of the unfamiliar item was well above and beyond her call of duty. Due to her outstanding situational awareness, Mrs. Barrett removed the potential for a serious incident, and may well have prevented a very serious fire.
Mrs. Barrett continues to work at 12 Air Maintenance Squadron, 12 Wing Shearwater.
Back to Index
|
