This could have turned out much, much worse. Some good luck after the bad for the aircrew, being on a base with a PJ squadron.
EA-18G Growler Crew Saved By Portland-Based PJs After Canopy Explosion
I thought the last bit was a pretty classy move.
EA-18G Growler Crew Saved By Portland-Based PJs After Canopy Explosion
On Friday a pair of EA-18G Growlers belonging to VAQ-132 “Scorpions” flew down to Portland International Airport on a special mission—to say thank you to two 304th Rescue Squadron airmen for rushing to help their squadron mates right when they needed it most.
The incident occurred as three Growlers were preparing for a mission, when upon startup one of the aircraft began to over-pressurize. The pilot and electronic warfare officer, trapped inside the jet’s clear canopy, were subject to some of the worst conditions a human can survive. The pressure built so quickly and violently that the jet's plexiglass canopy exploded, sending shards flying.
“As soon as I got in the ambulance with John, we knew this was extremely serious… When someone is having pressure in their chest you decompress it by putting a needle through the chest to release air so the lung can re-inflate.” said Staff Sergeant Mellencamp. The men went to work quickly along with other first responders, and once on the helicopter inbound to Seattle’s Harborview Medical Center they continued the chestal decompression procedure over and over again, keeping their patient alive, barely. Due to their actions and those of everyone involved that day, the Growler crew lived. One was just released from the hospital while the other will hopefully be released in the coming weeks.
The Scorpions CO handed the two men engraved bottles of scotch as a thank you from his squadron.
I thought the last bit was a pretty classy move.