JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Residents and drivers who passed by Jacksonville Executive at Craig Airport Friday saw military and emergency responders in action. Naval Station Mayport's HSM-48 flew a helicopter to Craig and simulated a chopper crash.
The U.S. Navy said it's in a constant state of training on shore and at sea, and the scheduled drill allowed the Navy to coordinate and practice with civilian agencies in a real-world scenario.
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In all, 30 to 40 people participated from HSM-48, the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department, emergency responders with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, JAXEX airport staff and ControlCam.
Aviation Safety Officer with HSM-48, Lcdr Jeff Storer, told News4Jax that the helicopter was in the grass area north of Runway 14/32. Multiple fire, rescue and police vehicles were on scene simulating a first response. Pictures of aircraft parts were scattered around the scene to simulate the crash. Overhead, ControlCam flew a Navy pilot to obtain aerial photography of the simulated crash site.
“So, what could be the most benign flight from Mayport to Jacksonville Executive can go really bad, really fast if you’re not in the game -- if you’re not paying attention to what you’re doing,” U.S. Navy Cmdr Jeff Hill said.
Storer said it’s the first time the Navy has done a crash drill like this with Craig Executive -- which is located at Atlantic Boulevard and St. Johns Bluff Road.