January-February 1974-page 05 , 24 , 26 , 27

“Southeast Asia”

RotorTips  Jan-Feb-1974 - p.5 :

HH-43 Crew Honored By Kaman

An HH-43 crew from Det 12, 40th ARRSq (MAC), U-Tapao RTNA, Thailand, was honored by Kaman Aerospace recently for the hazardous medical evacuation of two injured U. S. Navy seamen from the USS Halleakala. Receiving KAC Scrolls of Honor for the mission were, left to right, SSgt Norman V. Thomas, medical technician; Alc John M. Coiro, flight mechanic; LtCol Norman C. Buck, Det 12 Commander, copilot; and Capt Lawrence S. Laronge, pilot.

The night medevac, at sea, involved light rain showers, high gusty winds and poor visibility. Despite rough seas, a successful landing was accomplished on the stern of the Halleakala, an ammunition supply ship which was in Sattahip Deep Water Port, Thailand, at the time of the mission. The patients were placed aboard the HH-43 and then airlifted to the hospital. (USAF photo)

RotorTips  Jan-Feb-1974 - p.24 :

An Old Friend Returns To Fly Pedro

 SCOTT AFB, Il.- Maj John C. Flournoy, Hq ARRS, H-1 Aircrew Standardization Pilot, recently departed for his new assignment as Detachment Commander, Det 12, 40th ARRSq, U-Tapao AB, Thailand. Major Flournoy's association with the H-43 goes back to October 1962 when he traded in his H-19 at Spangdahlem AB, Germany, for a brand-new HH-43B.

Major Flournoy has more than credit, including 3000 hours in rotary wing aircraft of which 2300 hours has been flown in the H-43. He returned to Germany from H-43 training at Stead AFB, Nev., in 1962. From Germany he moved to another H-43 detachment at Moody AFB, Ga., in 1965, followed by an assignment as H-43 Detachment Commander at Thule AB, Greenland, in 1967. Departing Thule in 1968 he returned to Georgia, this time to Robins AFB as the H-43 Aircrew Standardization Officer for the Eastern Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Center. In 1970, Major Flournoy departed Robins for Scott AFB, Il., as the Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Service Worldwide Aircrew Standardization Officer. He remained with the H-43 at Scott until converting to the H-1 in 1971. Major Flournoy flew the H-43 "Pedro" in Southeast Asia on TDY visits there from Scott in 1971 and 1972 and is looking forward to his PCS to U-Tapao.

While Detachment Commander at Thule, Major Flournoy received eight Kaman aircraft citations for participating in missions of mercy and two Kaman Scrolls of Honor. He received his 1000-hour Kaman plaque while at Moody AFB and passed the 2000-hour mark in the H-43 while stationed at Robins AFB. At Scott AFB as the Air Rescue Service H-43 pilot he was instrumental in developing and testing the smokeless fire system and procedures that were adopted by Air Force for use at the 1550th Aircrew Training and Test Wing at Hill AFB, Ut., prior to the deletion of the fire suppression mission. Many improvements have been made in the H-43 since its inception and Major Flournoy has been involved with most of them. Pedro says "Welcome Back" to an old friend.

RotorTips  Jan-Feb-1974 - p.26 :

Pedro Provides Unique Reenlistment

Edited by 1stLt Roland J. Hamel Det 3, 40ARRS

HH-43 Pedro crew of Det 3 prepares to take MSgt Hairl D. Thacker up to 3000 feet for his reenlistment at Ubon, Thailand. Left to right are, Sgt Rex A. Kenney, Jr., flight mechanic, Sgt Delano Bowers, medical technician, 1stLt Jerry P. Christiansen, aircraft commander, 1stLt Gregory J. Seidenberger, MSgt Thacker, and 1stLt Roland J. Hamel, pilot.

Master Sergeant Hairl D. Thacker, taking his reenlistment oath aboard HH-43. Administering the oath is Lieutenant Seidenberger. Also pictured is Sergeant Bowers. (USAF photos)

UBON RTAFB, Thailand (OI) - MSgt Hairl D. Thacker, Maintenance Superintendent for Det 3, 40ARRS at this base, recently completed 20 dedicated years of active military service. Master Sergeant Thacker's military career began in May of 1952 in Belfry, Ky., where his wife Louise and son William now reside. It has included tours at Bolling AFB, Washington, D. C., Wiesbaden, Germany and Hill AFB, Ut., to mention a few, and has presently taken the Sergeant to Ubon, Thailand, for his second Southeast Asia assignment.

Master Sergeant Thacker has been assigned to the Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Service for the past five years and it was only fitting that he take the initial step towards three more years in military service aboard one of the most worthy rescue helicopters in ARRS inventory - the HH-43 Pedro. On 13 Dec 1973, MSgt Hairl D. Thacker was administered the reenlistment oath by 1stLt Gregory J. Seidenberger, Detachment Aircraft Commander, at 3000 feet above Ubon, Royal Thai AFB.

We ; the members of Detachment 3, salute Master Sergeant Thacker as one of the most outstanding NCO's in the USAF. "His outstanding ability and professionalism has been demonstrated throughout his entire career and at Detachment 3 he continues to strive for perfection." 

last update : 31/12/2007