March-April 1968-page 6

"Kaman Helicopters Rescued 650 in '67"

Kaman HH-43 HUSKIES and UH-2 SEASPRITES continued their saving ways in 1967, rescuing at least 650 persons in all corners of the world. As in the past, this figure will rise as other rescues made last year are reported. USAF crews manning HH -43 s rescued more than 510 persons while more than 140 were saved by UH-2s crewed by USN or USMC personnel.

In Southeast Asia alone, the HUSKIES were credited with 365 saves, including 215 armed forces personnel downed in combat zones. Some 52 percent of total combat zone rescues made in Southeast Asia by the Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Service were made with HUSKIES which share the Air Force rescue mission with HU-16, HC-130, HH-3, and HH-53 aircraft. About 54 percent of the worldwide rescues accomplished by the ARRS were made by HH-43s.

The Kaman-built twin rotor synchropter continued to demonstrate its proven record of a low accident rate and high availability. Operating in the rigorous climate of Southeast Asia, HUSKIES recovered 118 crewmen and 247 non-crewmen. Elsewhere in the world, the HH-43s rescued 145 persons, ranging from airmen at crash scenes, to Italian sailors sinking off Libya, to Navajo Indians stranded by blizzards.

Since entering USAF service in 1959 as the first turbine helicopter deployed with the Air Force, HUSKIES have been credited with nearly 1, 000 rescues. More than 200 HH-43s are in service with the Air Force at bases in 23 states and 15 countries, and with the air arms of six friendly nations. Since entering service with the US Navy in late 1962, SEASPRITES have been credited with saving 634 lives and providing other rescue aid to 260 additional persons. Total SEASPRITE rescues in Southeast Asia now stand at 220, including at least 120 pilots and 29 crewmen. Last year 61 military personnel were rescued in Southeast Asia by UH-2s.

During 1967, the UH-2 fleet was joined by an improved SEASPRITE, the UH-2C, with twin engines. Kaman Aircraft Division of Kaman Corporation is retrofitting UH­2A/B models to a twin-engine configuration under Navy contract. Deployed in November, the first UH-2Cs in service immediately began rescue operations and have, so far, saved seven persons.

As the Navy's standard utility helicopter, the UH-2 also is used for personnel transfer, vertical replenish­ment and fire fighting. Present Navy plans call for modification of a limited number of UH-2s to accommodate new fire-fighting equipment for use at land air stations.

South China Sea Medevac

Below, plunging at 16 knots through heavy seas off the Vietnamese coast, was the USS Chemung. Above, maintaining a forward hover over the bow of the ship and fighting a 30-knot wind to stay in position, was an HH-43 HUSKIE from Det 6, 38th ARRSq, Bien Hoa AB. The helicopter had made a 35-mile flight to sea in order to evacuate a seriously-ill officer from the Navy tanker, but conditions were anything but favorable for the pick­up. A litter was lowered to the ship - which was pitching up and down through a 20 to 30-foot arc - and then was cautiously hoisted back to the chopper as soon as the blanket-wrapped figure had been placed inside. Ens Gordon H. Van Zee was on his way to the hospital thanks to the precisely coordinated efforts of Capt James A. Darden, pilot of the rescue chopper, and SSgt Donald S. Kearton, flight engineer and hoist operator.

The evacuation had been an unusual one: The pickup had to be made from the bow because it was the only place with clear deck space, and the tanker had to remain underway in order to stay on course. Since Captain Darden could not see the vessel beneath him while hovering, Sergeant Kearton verbally guided him into position and then, while continuing his instructions, made the exacting pickup. On the trip to shore, the Navy officer was treated by Sgt Roger A. Porter, the pararescue medic. A few days later, a call to the hos­pital revealed that Ensign Van Zee was on the road to recovery.

"That made the whole mission worthwhile and meaningful," said 1stLt Jon C. Long, copilot of the HUSKIE, "because, after all, that's our job - rescue and recovery. "

Flying escort throughout the mission was another HH­43 manned by Maj James F. Okonek, pilot; Capt Sheriden K. Hawk, copilot; SSgt Richard D. Almond, flight engineer; and Alc Terrence A. Treutel, pararescueman.

last update : 30/06/2007