Source: Esteban Parra | www.delawareonline.com

Seventeen guardsmen were hospitalized when smoke and fumes were reported inside a C-130 aircraft following takeoff Monday night from the Delaware Air National Guard base near New Castle. Guardsmen, who were conducting medical training exercises, were taken to a medical treatment facility as a precaution, said Lt. Col. Len Gratteri, a spokesman for the Delaware Air National Guard.

“We don’t know of anyone that had any problems,” Gratteri said. “We went and got them checked out. Nobody has reported back and said there is something serious.”

The incident occurred after 7 p.m. when the military transport aircraft, carrying members of the 142nd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, took off. During the flight, crew members reported smoke and fumes inside the four-engine turboprop plane, declaring the in-flight emergency as standard procedure, Gratteri said. The aircraft landed safely on base and was met by first responders on the runway. Gratteri said a maintenance crew will be inspecting the C-130 to see what the issue was. Squadron members with the 166th Airlift Wing are medical personnel trained to go on the battlefield, pick up injured people and transport them elsewhere.