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¡Si', hablo Español!
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NATIVE AMERICAN FIREFIGHTER News, March 2003 Golden Eagles Hotshots Assist in Space Shuttle Columbia Recovery Effort
On February 1, 2003, the Space Shuttle Columbia and her crew of seven astronauts was lost in the skies over Texas as she prepared for landing at the Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral, Florida. Returning from a 16-day mission dedicated to experiments in medicine, physics and biology, the shuttle Columbia and the crew of STS-107 broke up while traveling at a speed of approximately March 18, at an altitude of approximately 210,000 feet. All seven crew members were lost. In response to this disaster, NASA, FEMA, the EPA, and other governmental agencies began a massive effort to recover debris from the orbiter and to determine the cause of the incident. Information obtained from NASA Mission Control Center in Houston, Texas indicated that debris was scattered over an area over 200 miles long by six miles wide. The initial response to the disaster was made by local volunteers and by members of the Texas National Guard. But it soon became apparent that more was needed. FEMA turned to the Forest Service and it's dedicated, professional firefighting crews to help in the massive task of locating and collecting some 240,000 pounds of space shuttle debris. The Golden Eagles Hotshot Crew, hailing from the SYCUAN BAND of THE KUMEYAAY NATION in San Diego, California, accepted the challenge. They arrived at Hemphill, Texas on 12 March and joined nearly 600 other fire fighters in the search for space shuttle debris. Working for 14 straight days, the crew led by Battalion Chief Ray Ruiz Sr. worked the woods of eastern Texas looking for debris that could help NASA determine the cause of the disaster and allow the space shuttle fleet to resume operations. The woods of eastern Texas are filled with dense undergrowth, snakes, and swamps. Two weeks of near steady rain had turned dirt roads into quagmires. Working in all imaginable weather conditions, the Golden Eagles collected over 300 pieces of Columbia for return to the Kennedy Space center for analysis. These pieces, ranging from pieces of Columbia's metal skin to critical avionics and computer equipment will help NASA determined the cause of the breakup and allow the shuttle fleet to continue operations in support of the International Space station, now in orbit some 200 miles above the Earth. The Golden Eagles Hotshots are justifiably proud of their contribution to the shuttle recovery efforts. Throughout their tour of duty in east Texas, their performance was marked by pride, determination, and professionalism. NASA, and the nation, owes a debt of gratitude to the fire crews of the National Forestry Service, and the selfless service of crews like the Golden Eagles Hotshots Crew. These guys never ceased to amaze me. It was my pleasure to work with them at Hemphill. When the final chapter on this disaster is written, it will be the work of the Golden Eagles Hotshots Crew, and all of the other Forest Service crews, that made it possible for manned space flight to continue. Submitted by: Native American firefighter, qualified.... |
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