A C-5B transport lost cabin pressure and was diverted to Westover ARB, Mass., on a flight from Ramstein AB, Germany, to Dover AFB, Del., as a safety measure. The airlifter, carrying 25 aircrew and passengers, was cruising at 34,000 feet over the Atlantic Ocean on Feb. 8 when it suddenly depressurized, according to a base release. The Air Force initially reported no injuries, though a Westover spokesman later said one female passenger was hospitalized with minor injuries, reported CBS Boston. “When this incident developed today . . . [the aircrew members] got the checklists out and they brought that airplane down safely and quickly,” said MSgt. Andrew Biscoe. “They came down to 25,000 feet and then down to 10,000 feet and all the oxygen equipment deployed,” he said. Emergency crews at several East Coast bases stood by to help, just in case, states the CBS report.
The U.S. military is maintaining a beefed-up presence in the Middle East, including fighters and air defense assets, following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities June 22 and subsequent retaliation by the Iranians against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
