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Remembering the 1994 tragedy at Pope Air Force Base

By Maj. Matt Diaz, 82nd Airborne Division Public AffairsMarch 22, 2024

Firefighters spray foam and water on a burning C-141 aircraft that burst into flames at Green Ramp on Pope Air Force Base, March 23, 1994. The C-141 was set ablaze after it was struck by an F-16 that collided in mid air with a C-130H aircraft.
Firefighters spray foam and water on a burning C-141 aircraft that burst into flames at Green Ramp on Pope Air Force Base, March 23, 1994. The C-141 was set ablaze after it was struck by an F-16 that collided in mid air with a C-130H aircraft. (Photo Credit: Photo by Marcus Castro, Fayetteville Observer) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT LIBERTY, N.C. – The disastrous accident at then-Pope Air Force Bases’ “Green Ramp” remains one of the most tragic in the history of the U.S. Army.

On Mar. 23, 1994, an F-16D Fighting Falcon collided mid-air with a C-130E Hercules aircraft. The collision sent the fighter aircraft crashing to the ground and into a C-141 Starlifter parked on Pope’s north-south parking ramp, also known as “Green Ramp.”

Over 500 Paratroopers from the 504th and 505th Parachute Infantry Regiments and the 782nd Support Battalion waited in the training area just outside of Green Ramp. The same training area lay within the path of the fiery debris projected from the crash. 24 Paratroopers lost their lives and over 100 sustained critical injuries.

Amidst the chaos, fellow Soldiers, civilians and emergency service personnel sprang into action while performing acts of heroism and bravery. Their actions saved many lives that day as the injured were evacuated in ambulances and civilian vehicles to Womack Army Medical Center and nearby local hospitals.

30 years later, the Division reflects on the events of that day. Paratroopers, families, and loved ones remember those who lost their lives and those who disregarded their own safety to save the injured.

Among the critically injured at Green Ramp was then-Capt. Jim Mingus, the commander of Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment. Today, Gen. Mingus, the 50th commanding general of the 82nd Airborne Division, now serves as the Vice Chief of Staff of the Army.

“In the end, 24 Paratroopers perished, and hundreds were scarred for life,” said Mingus. “Classic Paratrooper reaction leapt into action and rendered immediate aide, put out fires, and put themselves in peril to help or save their fellow Paratroopers.”

As the years pass, the memory of those Paratroopers lost and those affected by this tragic event remains steadfast amongst All American Paratroopers; both past and present.

“The weight of their sacrifice lives on in the hearts of those who continue to serve,” said Mingus. “My thoughts are with the families of those who lost a loved one and the survivors who, every day, bear the immense psychological and emotional toll.”

On Mar. 22, the 82nd Airborne Division held a commemoration ceremony at the 82nd Airborne Division Memorial Museum to mark the 30th anniversary of the incident and remember all the lives impacted on that day.

Paratroopers lay a wreath at the 82nd Airborne Division monument during a commemoration ceremony marking the 30th anniversary of the "Green Ramp Disaster" at the 82nd Airborne Division Museum on Fort Liberty, NC on Mar. 22, 2024. On Mar. 23, 1994, an F-16D Fighting Falcon collided mid-air with a C-130E Hercules aircraft. The collision sent the fighter aircraft crashing to the ground and into a C-141 Starlifter parked on Pope’s north-south parking ramp, also known as “Green Ramp.” 24 Paratroopers lost their lives and over 100 sustained critical injuries as a result of the fiery debris projected onto the nearby airborne training area.
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Paratroopers lay a wreath at the 82nd Airborne Division monument during a commemoration ceremony marking the 30th anniversary of the "Green Ramp Disaster" at the 82nd Airborne Division Museum on Fort Liberty, NC on Mar. 22, 2024. On Mar. 23, 1994, an F-16D Fighting Falcon collided mid-air with a C-130E Hercules aircraft. The collision sent the fighter aircraft crashing to the ground and into a C-141 Starlifter parked on Pope’s north-south parking ramp, also known as “Green Ramp.” 24 Paratroopers lost their lives and over 100 sustained critical injuries as a result of the fiery debris projected onto the nearby airborne training area. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Rob Whitlow) VIEW ORIGINAL
Lt. Col. Dan Mitchell gives remarks during a commemoration ceremony marking the 30th anniversary of the "Green Ramp Disaster" at the 82nd Airborne Division Museum on Fort Liberty, NC on Mar. 22, 2024. On Mar. 23, 1994, an F-16D Fighting Falcon collided mid-air with a C-130E Hercules aircraft. The collision sent the fighter aircraft crashing to the ground and into a C-141 Starlifter parked on Pope’s north-south parking ramp, also known as “Green Ramp.” 24 Paratroopers lost their lives and over 100 sustained critical injuries as a result of the fiery debris projected onto the nearby airborne training area.
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Lt. Col. Dan Mitchell gives remarks during a commemoration ceremony marking the 30th anniversary of the "Green Ramp Disaster" at the 82nd Airborne Division Museum on Fort Liberty, NC on Mar. 22, 2024. On Mar. 23, 1994, an F-16D Fighting Falcon collided mid-air with a C-130E Hercules aircraft. The collision sent the fighter aircraft crashing to the ground and into a C-141 Starlifter parked on Pope’s north-south parking ramp, also known as “Green Ramp.” 24 Paratroopers lost their lives and over 100 sustained critical injuries as a result of the fiery debris projected onto the nearby airborne training area. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Rob Whitlow) VIEW ORIGINAL

We will never forget them. We will never forget their families and loved ones. We will always honor them.

In memory of the 24 Paratroopers who died on that fateful day:

  • Capt. Christopher D. Dunaway, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment
  • Capt. Kenneth J. Golla, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment
  • Staff Sgt. Charles W. Elliott, D Company, 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment
  • Staff Sgt. Daniel Camargo, A Company, 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment
  • Staff Sgt. Daniel E. Price, B Company, 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment
  • Staff Sgt. Harry L. Momoa Jr., C Company, 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment
  • Staff Sgt. Mark G. Gibson, B Company, 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment
  • Staff Sgt. Waddington Sanchez, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment
  • Staff Sgt. Alan D. Miller, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment
  • Staff Sgt. James C. Howard, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment
  • Sgt. Alexander P. Bolz, A Company, 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment
  • Sgt. James M. Walters Jr., A Company, 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment
  • Sgt. Gregory D. Nunes, D Company, 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment
  • Sgt. Vincent S. Strayhorn, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment
  • Sgt. Gustavo Gallardo, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment
  • Spc. Martin R. Lumbert, D Company, 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment
  • Spc. Matthew J. Zegan, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment
  • Spc. Sean M. Dixon, C Company, 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment
  • Spc. Bee Jay Cearley, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment
  • Pfc. Andrew J. Jones, A Company, 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment
  • Pfc. Paul B. Finnegan, D Company, 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment
  • Pfc. Tommy Caldwell, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment
  • Pvt. Mark E. Fritsch, D Company, 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment
  • Pvt. Phillip J. Harvey, D Company, 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment
"Airborne, All the Way!"

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