* The O2 incident
The engineer is supposed to know more about the aircraft than any other member of the crew. He works closely with the pilot and co-pilot, checking engine operation, fuel consumption, and the smooth functioning of all equipment electrical and mechanical. He also works with the bombardier and radio operator helping them in their tasks. The engineer when in enemy territory or during fighter attacks also operates the top turret guns.
Berj Bejian was our Engineer/Top Turret Gunner on the Swamp Fire. I remember the one mission that we all had Berj jumpin'. He was busy that day keeping up with everything. We were just getting into the thick of it and Berj had taken his position on the pedestal for the top turret guns. Standing on this pedestal allowed Berj to rotate 360 with the turret . On this day I just happened to look around and saw Berj laying on that pedestal, out like a light. We were flying at altitude and needed oxygen. A quick check confirmed Berj had his mask on. So I called for Matt our Navigator or Ed our Radioman to check on Berj's O2 line and see if it was connected. At some time during all of his running around and his attempts to protect our high positions, his O2 line had come off the supply valve.
It was just a matter of a minute or two that I noticed him starting to move around and regain his footing. Taking one more glance backwards to make sure Berj was alright our eyes caught each others and I could see that grin Berj always wore, right through his mask. I knew then, all was well. Disaster had been adverted that day by a chance glance over my shoulder. Needless to say when we returned to base, our ground crew had a new mission: to redesign those valve to hose connectors.