January-February
1970-page
12,13,14,15
January-February
1970-page
12,13,14,15
“President Honors 3rd ARRGp For Rescue Activities in Vietnam”
UNIT
AWARD
-
Gen
George
S.
Brown,
Seventh
Air
Force
commander,
left,
attaches
the
United
States
Presidential
Unit
streamer
to
the
guidon
of
the
3rd
ARRGp.
Col
Malcolm
C.
Frazee,
commander
of
all
Air
Force
rescue
forces
in
Southeast
Asia,
right,
and
representatives
from
subordinate
units
accept
the
award,
approved
recently
by
President
Richard
M.
Nixon.
Air
Force
rescuemen
have
risked
their
lives
daily
in
saving
the
lives
of
more
than
2,800
Allied
servicemen
in
Southeast
Asia
since
1964.
(USAF
photo
by
SSgt
Paul
J.
Harrington)
TAN SON NHUT AB, RVN - For the second time in three years, the 3rd Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Group, Military Airlift Command, has received the Presidential Unit Citation for rescue and similar operations in Southeast Asia. The 38th ARRSq, one of the squadrons in the Group, received a similar Citation in 1966 for its rescue activities.
The first award to the 3rd ARRGp was presented in 1967 for the "extraordinary gallantry" shown by personnel while carrying out rescue operations from Aug 1, 1965 to June 30, 1966. Presentation of the second award to the Group was made recently by Gen George S. Brown, commander of the 7th Air Force to Col Malcolm C. Frazee, 3rd ARRGp commander.
Recently signed by President Richard M. Nixon, the award citation gave official recognition to 3rd ARRGp aircrews and support personnel from July 1, 1967 to January 1, 1969. During this period the lives of more than 1,370 persons were saved by the Group. "The majority of these rescues were performed over enemy territory, often at sites where enemy forces had established ambushes for the unit's lightly armored, vulnerable helicopters, " the citation said.
The
3rd
ARRGp
and
its
four
squadrons
operate
five
different
types
of
special
rescue
helicopters,
and
the
C-130
Hercules
fixed-wing
aircraft,
from
22
separate
operating
locations
in
the
combat
zone
and
Thailand.
The helicopters are the HH-3 Jolly Green, the HH-43 Pedro (responsible for more saves than any other Air Force helicopter in Southeast Asia), and the HH-53 Jolly Green Giant. Modified versions of the HH-43 and HH-53 constitute the two other types of helicopters. The C-130 carries electronic surveillance and homing gear to find, identify and direct the rescue of downed airmen. It also has aerial refueling capability for the Jolly Green and Jolly Green Giant copters.
More than 2,800 people have been saved since the 3rd ARRGp was activated in Southeast Asia in 1964.
On reading some of the unit's mission summaries, former Air Force Secretary Harold Brown said, "When the history of war in the Republic of Vietnam is finally written, the story of air rescue may well become one of the most outstanding human dramas in the entire history of the Air Force. "
Fulfilling the motto of the Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Service, "That Others May Live, " has not come without loss, however. More than 100 members of the 3rd ARRGp have been killed, more than 25 wounded, and 20 listed missing in action.
Although taken a year ago, this photograph is still "timely" when it comes to showing the Christmas Spirit that prevails at U.S. bases in Vietnam. The following is reprinted from the "PHAN FARE," base paper at Phan Rang AB:
The only "White Christmas" in Vietnam is the honest claim of the men at Phan Rang Air Base. For a half hour starting at 1300 Christmas Day, the soft white crystals floated earthward over the Officers' Open Mess, NCO Open Mess, cantonment area and other locations where men were enjoying the Yuletide cease fire.
This nostalgic bit of Christmas Americana was provided by Det 1, 38th ARRS, at Phan Rang.
Launching an HH-43 "Pedro, " the rescuemen zipped over the base, booming forth with hearty "ho, ho, ho's" through the loudhailer, trailing traditional red and green smoke and showering startled spectators with white crystals - of soap flakes. Taking part in the flight were Maj John C. Acton, Jr. , detachment commander; Capt Glen P. Walther, Sgt Daniel R. Morris, SSgt Francis L. Moran, H, Alc Gregory C. Gerlach, and Sgt Daniel T. Nungesser.
FLIGHTLINE
BALLET
- A
U.S.
Air
Force
flight
engineer
of Det
13,
38th
ARRSq,
Phu
Cat
AB,
does
an
arm
ballet
on
the
landing
pad
as
he
"talks
in"
one
of
the
squadron's
HH-43
Pedro
helicopters
following
a
mission.
From
the
time
the
helicopter
comes
into
sight,
upper
left,
until
touchdown,
left,
the
pilot
is
guided
by
the
engineer.
Following
touchdown,
the
flight
engineer
gives
the
crew
the
thumbs
up
-
okay
sign.
(USAFphoto
by
SSgt
Paul
J.
Harrington,
7th
AF)
BIEN HOA AB (7AF) - MSgt David D. Rhody, below, a pararescue technician assigned to Det 6, 38th ARRSq here, recently received the Air Force Silver Star for his recovery of three seriously wounded personnel.
BrigGen Allison C. Brooks, ARRS commander, presented the medal which is the United States' third highest military award for heroism. It is awarded for gallantry in action.
Last year, Sergeant Rhody flew in an HH-43 Pedro to assist in the recovery of three members of a U. S. Army long range reconnaissance patrol (LRRP), 22 miles northwest of Bien Hoa City. When the Sergeant first arrived on the scene, enemy automatic weapons fire was directed toward his aircraft. The helicopter took 24 hits and was forced to return to the base for repairs. Another helicopter was exchanged for the damaged one and Sergeant Rhody was flown back to the scene. In the interim, an Army AH-1 Cobra helicopter gunship crew moved in to clear the area and a quick reaction team of eight soldiers formed a 40-yard perimeter around the LRRP soldiers for additional protection.
Sergeant Rhody was lowered into the area. While raising the first two litter patients, sporadic ground fire again erupted and he instructed the HH-43 pilot to evacuate the scene to avoid further damage to the aircraft. He remained behind for an hour to provide protection for the third wounded man. The rescue team returned with another armored helicopter to pick up the injured soldier and Rhody. On their way back out, their aircraft was pierced with five enemy bullets, but continued on to Lai Khe where the wounded were given medical attention. Sergeant Rhody escaped harmon the hazardous mission. (USAF photo by Alc John S. Gurley)
EVERYTHING
IN
ITS
PLACE
-
TSgt
Thomas
B.
Margagliano,
left,
and
Sgt
Lawrence
E.
Woods
install
an
engine
compartment
fire
sensing
element.
FLIGHT CONTROLS - SSgt Michael Klickovich Jr., adjusts the HH-43 main flight control system.
TUY HOA AB (7AF) - The boxy little rescue helicopter settled easily onto the pad, "talked down" by a flight engineer giving hand signals to the pilot. The pilot and engineer exchanged the "thumbs up" okay signal - a perfect check flight.
Two days before the HH-43 Pedro helicopter, packaged in kit form, arrived by C-130 Hercules transport from the United States. Highly qualified mechanics of the Air Force's Det 11, 38th ARRSq, assembled the major components of the aircraft and then adjusted the flight controls. The Pedro has twin tails and two large rotor blades that rotate together, but in opposite directions like the beaters of a mixer. Once the kit was together, 38th ARRSq pilots gave the new aircraft a rigorous test flight.
"It was a pleasure putting the aircraft together, " remarked detachment maintenance line chief, TSgt Thomas B. Margagliano. "All the pieces fit perfectly. Everything went right into place. "
TWIN ROTOR HEADS - Sgt John Doughterty lockwires lifting eye bolts on one of the HH-43 Pedro helicopter's rotor shafts.
CYCLIC CONTROL - Seen through the protective bubble on the front of the aircraft, Sgt Neil E. Swanson installs the HH-43's flight control stick.
UPTIGHT
-
Sgt
Thomas
E.
McKitrick
adjusts
torque
on
the
mounting
bolts
of
the
HH-43
rescue
helicopter's
rotor
shaft
and
housing
assembly.
COMING IN - Sgt Roy L. Barney, a flight engineer with Det 2, 38th ARRSq, Takhli RTAFB, Thailand, directs an HH-43 Pedro helicopter back to its parking pad. The helicopter, carrying afire suppression kit, was airborne to meet an inflight emergency on the base flight line. Crews are airborne within 60 seconds after being alerted by base operations. (USAF photo by SSgt Stewart W. Hurd, 7th AF)
MAINTENANCE - Alc Edward C. Broussard, left, and Sgt Norman C. Schultz work on the rotors of an HH-43 Pedro rescue helicopter assigned to Det 6, 38th ARRSq, Bien Hoa AB. Pedro helicopters require no engine warm up time, and can be airborne within 30 seconds after the alarm is sounded. (USAF photo by Sgt Walter S. Jensen, 7th AF)
READY TO GO - An HH-43B from Det 12, 38th ARRSq(MAC), at U-Tapao Royal Thai Navy Airfield stands ready for use in support of emergency operations. The helicopters of the unit, along with the crews, are "on call" 24 hours a day to carry out rescue and firefighting missions. (USAF photo by Sgt Richard Berger)
TAN SON NHUT AB (7AF) - BLADE CHECK A1c Raymond R. Levesque moves the blades of an HH-43 helicopter into position for inspection. The HUSKIE's twin rotors has a span of 47 feet. HH-43's are used by Det 14, 38th ARRSq here, for fire suppression and rescue work. (USAF, photo by Alc Steve Ridolphi)
last update : 15/08/2007