CRM During DCS Episode 1 CRM During DCS Episode 8 Abstract In March, 2006, Lt Col Kevin Henry experienced one of the worst things that can happen to a single-seat pilot. He was suffering from decompression sickness, and literally losing his mind. As his mental capability continued to degrade, a world-wide team worked together to guide him to a safe landing and the medical attention that would save his life. The different teams involved were separated by continents as well as being from different nations, but all worked together to do whatever they could. This effort demonstrates many of the principles of cockpit resource management and shows how important having all resources available working together can be in an emergency situation. CRM During a Decompression Sickness Episode In March 2006, Lt Col Kevin Henry experienced one of the scariest and most serious malfunctions possible while flying an operational reconnaissance mission over Afghanistan. His brain was malfunctioning. Due to a buildup of nitrogen bubbles in his brain, he was losing the ability to think and perform normal aircraft procedures. By the time he got back to his recovery base, he was losing portions of his eyesight and even lost consciousness several times. Eventually, he was able to land the aircraft and was rushed to receive critical medical care that would save his life. The sequence of events that led to his recovery demonstrate many aspects Human Factors and Cockpit Resource Management (CRM) and demonstrate how they apply in a critical situation.Flying the U-2S Aircraft The U-2 aircraft first flew in 1955. The U-2 that is flown today is different in many ways, but shares some similarities with those early models. It is still a tailwheel aircraft that leaves its outrigger gear (called pogos) that hold the wings off the ground behind when it takes off. This requires the pilot to not only carefully land the aircraft in or near a full stall, but to also balance the wings and fly them to prevent contact with the ground during landing. The current model, the U-2S, is bigger than the original U-2s, has a new engine, has had a glass cockpit installed, and has state-of-the art sensors onboard to fulfill its reconnaissance mission. U-2s are deployed world-wide, gathering the intelligence data for use at all levels of US decision-makers. The pilots that fly the U-2 are a special group. They all volunteer to fly the U-2, and submit an application package once they have enough experience flying other aircraft. They can come from any aircraft in the US Air Force, as well as from any of the other US military services. If selected for an interview they go to Beale AFB, California, for the interview, including three flights in a training model of the U-2 to see if they will be able to master the aircraft known as the DragonLady, the hardest aircraft to fly and land in the US Air Force. Due to the difficulty of landing the aircraft, especially after lo.