March-April 1968-page 13,14,15

"Southeast Asia"

CHANGE OF COMMAND-LtCol Logan Fagner, right, new commander of Det 11, 38th ARRSq, receives personal equipment from former commander, Maj John J. Elliff. Major Elliff was scheduled to depart shortly afterward for a new assignment. A veteran of more than 20 years service, Colonel Fagner was assigned to the Pentagon prior to coming to Tuy Hoa AB. The Colonel's new command has been credited with 11 combat and 23 non-combat saves while participating in 42 search and rescue missions in less than one year. Personnel have been awarded eight Distinguished Flying Crosses and 42 Air Medals for rescues made while flying in the detachment's HH-43 HUSKIES. SSgt William O. Johnson, below, HH-43 flight engineer, was one of the eight men from Det 11 who was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross during 1967. Ser­geant Johnson and Major Elliff took part in the rescue of the Vietnamese fisherman reported on this page. (USAF photo)

When not on missions of a military nature in South Vietnam, ARRS helicopter crews often bring aid and comfort to civilians in that wartorn country. Typical is the action of an HH-43 crew from Det 11, 38th ARRSq, at Tuy Hoa AB, which not only saved a fisherman from possible drowning but also performed an act of kindness that meant almost as much as life itself to three Vietnamese families.

Two detachment HUSKIES launched after a report was received that a small boat offshore in the South China Sea was in imminent danger of capsizing in rough seas. The two and one-half miles to the scene was quickly covered and one of the Pedros -call sign for the rescue helicopters - made a pass over the boat and dropped a smoke bomb. The second HH-43, piloted by Maj John J. Elliff, then hovered over the badly frightened man in the boat. He was frantically waving a Vietnamese flag and making gestures to be picked up. SSgt William O. Johnson, the flight engineer, lowered a rescue basket while Major Elliff and the copilot, 1stLt James P. F. Egbert, fought to hold the HUSKIE in position over the pitching boat below. The fisherman scrambled into the basket and Sergeant Johnson, assisted by SSgt Thomas H. Miller, rescue specialist, brought the survivor aboard. The helicopter then headed for shore- but the mission wasn't over! The following report tells in the words of the rescue crew what happened then: 

"We had noticed that the boat was anchored but shipping water rapidly. We also noticed that it had a brand new motor mounted at the center of the keel. The poor man who had been picked up was distraught at the prospect of losing his boat. He let us know about it in voluble Vietnamese, accompanied by pleading gestures. We had a quick conference back at the base and decided to get the boat. We loaded 1500 feet of rope into the chopper and headed back to the beach where a huge crowd had gathered. Capt David Dean, riding as lifeguard, hopped out and managed to convey to the crowd that their help would be needed. Capt John E. Passant, on his "day off," volunteered to be lowered into the boat. He attached our rope and a sea anchor, for stability, then cut the anchor line. Major Elliff hovered back to the beach and dropped the line to the waiting crowd. By now 400 to 500 people had gathered. Captain Passant was picked up and the crowd heaved the boat ashore. The fisherman and his two sons had pooled their money and purchased the boat on the day of the rescue. Its loss would have been a serious blow to their three families. The man bowed to Sergeant Johnson and kissed his hand in gratitude. The whole crowd was happy and kept yelling, 'Number one G. I.'! We got back to our pad wet, tired but satisfied we had won a few new friends for 'Pedro'."
Others who participated in the mission were: Capt Troy G. Irvin, TSgt Ronald W. Smitham, SSgt Martin L. Spriggle.

Another ARRS mission saved the lives of a Vietnamese woman and two small children. The flight was made at night over mountainous terrain by Maj Bert E. Cowden and his HH-43 crew from Det 13, 38th ARRSq., at Phu Cat AB. The Vietnamese, ARVN dependents, suffered gasoline burns over 40 percent of their bodies when a lantern was knocked over and set their home afire. Immediate evacuation was necessary as facilities at the base were not adequate for extensive medical treatment. After the patients were delivered to the 67th Evacuation hospital at Qui Nhon the HUSKIE left on the return flight. Right after takeoff light ground fire was encountered and tracers passed directly behind the helicopter but, fortunately, missed their target. With Major Cowden on the mission were 1stLt Ronald P. Wojack, copilot; TSgt Arthur J. Cole, flight engineer; and Sgt Stephen B. Jones, medical technician.
Major Cowden, commenting on the mercy mission afterward, said, "It is very gratifying to be able to help and aid the Vietnamese people." 

In a third ARRS mercy mission, an HH-43 crew from Det 8, 38th ARRSq, Cam Ranh Bay AB, responded after a seven-year-old Vietnamese girl was struck by a truck in her village. She had suffered critical head injuries and immediate evacuation was necessary. The tiny patient, accompanied by her father and uncle, was taken aboard the HUSKIE which then headed for the Army hospital at Nha Trang. On the way, Sgt Larry E. Lancaster, flight engineer, did all he could to comfort the girl and her grief-stricken relatives. Pilot on the mission was Capt Eugene H. Boortz and 2ndLt Ronald W. Bashant was copilot.

One hour after a downed pilot landed in thick jungle growth 35 miles from Udorn AFB, Thailand, he found himself safely aboard an HH-43B from Det 5, 38th ARRSq. Capt Wilson T. Arnold and his crew had taken off as soon as word was received of the bailout and, after a flight over mountains and jungle-covered terrain, spotted a chute near the crest of a 1500-foot ridge. Voice contact was established with the survivor and SSgt Jesus Munos readied his medical supplies and prepared for a descent, if necessary; however, Sgt Curtis E. Nickles was able to hoist the survivor through a five-foot opening in the jungle canopy and the rescue helicopter then headed for the base. Copilot on the mission was 2ndLt Benjamin P. Lorge.

With mortar and small arms fire nearby, and the added hazard of numerous ground obstacles, an HH-43F crew from Det 12, 38th ARRSq, Nha Trang AB, made a night landing on an athletic field to evacuate two wounded soldiers from a special forces camp at Kien Khanh. Intermittent illumination was provided for the landing by an AC-47, and Capt Gary E. Robertson, RCC, also used the helicopter landing light briefly to aid in avoiding ground obstacles. Sharing in the hazardous mission were Capt Ardven L. Blythe, HH-43 copilot; A2c Louis C. Felker, pararescueman; and Alc Edwin L. Simonson, Jr. , flight engineer.

In an earlier mission, Airman Felker dropped from an HH-43 into a jungle ravine, adjacent to a recent air strike, to aid in hoisting wounded aboard the hovering HUSKIE. The pararescueman then stayed behind with one soldier when the loaded helicopter headed for the hospital five miles away. During this time the Airman applied external heart massage to the seriously wounded man and, later, when the helicopter returned and picked them up, he continued the treatment. Despite his valiant efforts, however, the wounded soldier was dead on arrival at the hospital. Other members of the crew were Maj James W. Langston, Capt John L. Belina and Flight Engineer William Grimes.

Two HH-43 HUSKIES from Bien Hoa AB airlifted five US Army Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol members to safety recently. Army gunships laid down a deadly barrage of suppressive fire during the rescue operation. The patrol had discovered a base camp, 60 miles northwest of Saigon, with a large Viet Cong emplacement. The patrol had also been discovered and spent a harrowing night evading the enemy.

A distress call went out to the Joint Search and Rescue Center, Tan Son Nhut AB, reporting their escape chances were extremely small. Early that morning, Army helicopters had tried to extract the five patrol members, but were unable to land. The Air Force was called and the two Bien Hoa HUSKIES arrived at the scene. A forward air controller (FAC) directed the two helicopters to the pick up point and Army gunships began firing into the enemy positions around the rescue operation. They poured a heavy concentration of rockets, grenades and 7.62 mm mini-gun fire into areas on each side and in front of the vulnerable HUSKIES as the helicopters hovered at tree top level. Within 15 minutes the five soldiers were lifted aboard and the HH-43s were leaving the area as Air Force jet fighters moved in to attack the enemy.

Both rescue helicopters were from Det 6, 38th ARRSq, Bien Hoa AB. Manning one HH-43 were Capt James A. Darden, Jr., RCC, 1stLt Jon C. Long, RCCP; SSgt Donald S. Kearton, FE; and Alc Terrence A. Treutel, RS. In the other HUSKIE were Capt Charles W. Burridge, RCC; LtCol Robert J. Kavanagh, RCCP; Sgt Robert A. Sloat, FE; and Alc Gunther Bahrenburg, RS.

SAVING PRECIOUS MINUTES-Medical personnel of the 12th USAF Hospital at Cam Ranh Bay AB have combined their efforts with Air Force and Army heli­copter crews to provide faster medical attention for injured men in the Bay area. A helo pad has been built next to the hospital and is now used daily. The pad can receive a helicopter from the field with less than five minutes notice and, by the time a patient is unloaded, medical specialists are standing by in the emergency room to receive him. Patients requiring emergency medical attention have been picked up by HH-43s as far as 30 miles at sea and delivered to the hospital. In the short period it has been in opera­tion, the helo pad has proved invaluable. Shown is a patient being taken from an HH-43 HUSKIE from Det 8, 38th ARRSq, at Cam Ranh Bay AB. (USAF photo)

An HH-43B crew from Det 13, 38th ARRSq, Phu Cat AB, scrambled with a fire suppression kit after word was received that an Army helicopter had crashed five miles from the base. When it was later learned that the downed chopper was 15 miles from the base and in a river, Maj Bert E. Cowden, RCC, left the FSK with friendly forces and continued to the crash site. The unescorted flight was made over hostile, rugged territory and through a mountain pass where low hanging clouds were encountered. Five survivors were picked up by the HUSKIE and delivered to safety. Copilot on the mis­sion was 2ndLt Kurt O. Diefenbach and the medical technician was SSgt Felix H. Havis. Rescue specialists were SSgt Noel S. Davidson and Sgt Andrew J. Andrews.

"My people are very proud of the medevac job they are doing. It is particularly rewarding to know that we have contributed in no small way towards the eventual recovery of many of these critically wounded Marines and soldiers."

Maj William E. Cline, commander of Det 7, 38th ARRSq, at Da Nang AB was referring to the unit's activity in airlifting more than 500 patients to hospitals last year in addition to the primary mission of aircrew rescue. All of the litter patients are delivered by the Det 7 HH-43 HUSKIE crews to either the Naval Support Activity Hospital at nearby Marble Mountain or to the Navy hospital ships, Repose and Sanctuary.

The 500th litter patient - a Marine with a serious head wound, suffered during a mortar barrage near Con Thien - was airlifted in mid-December (1967). The wounded man was first taken to Dong Ha airstrip, where an Air Force C-123 had been diverted to make the pickup, and then flown to Da Nang. From there an HH-43 crew flew him to the Naval Hospital at Marble Mountain. Within an hour after being wounded, "Number 500" was re­ceiving expert care by a team of Navy doctors.

Maj Herbert V. Staudemaier, who commands the 903rd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron at Da Nang, said. "The evacuation by chopper is probably the difference between living and dying for many of these casualties. Detachment 7 helicopter support has been tremendous. They're always there when we need them. "

Det 7 is also there when downed airmen need them. Since its organization in December, 1964, more than 175 combat saves have been made by the unit. Last year detachment crews flew their HH-43 HUSKIES on almost 1900 sorties and more than 625 intercept missions were flown while carrying the fire suppression kit. Within recent months, members of Det 7 have been awarded three Silver Stars, two Distinguished Flying Crosses, 48 Air Medals, two Bronze Stars, three Airman's Medals, two Purple Hearts and five Air Force Commendation Medals.  

The Army helicopter had been on a night firing pass when it was brought down in hostile territory about five miles from Cam Ranh Bay AB. Despite the danger, the HH-43 crew from Det 8, 38th ARRSq, at the base, used flares and the lights on the helicopter in an attempt to locate survivors. When a critically injured soldier was found near the fiercely burning aircraft, the medical technician, SSgt George S. Armstrong was lowered to the ground. Disregarding flying shrapnel from ordnance exploded by the heat, Sergeant Armstrong calmly attended the injured soldier's wounds and then he and the survivor were hoisted aboard the HUSKIE, Maj Armand J. Fiola was RCC and 1stLt Willie L. Farrow was RCCP. Sgt Larry E. Lancaster was flight engineer.

In an earlier mission, Major Fiola and an HH-43 crew flew through 25-knot winds to a US Coast Guard cutter in the South China Sea and evacuated a seriously injured seaman. The ship was forced to face into the heavy seas so Major Fiola hovered the helicopter downwind above the rolling, tossing vessel. A stokes litter was lowered and the injured patient and two medical attendants were hoisted into the HUSKIE. Others aboard the rescue helicopter were 1stLt Roy M. Litzen, copilot; SSgt Thomas Hand, flight engineer; and SSgt Jacob V. Carter, medical technician.

Four members of a five-man crew from a downed US Army helicopter were rescued by an HH-43 crew from Det 9, 38th ARRSq, Pleiku AB. When the HUSKIE arrived at the brush-covered crash site, five miles from the base, the stunned crew was crawling out of the wrecked helicopter. Two Army helicopter gunships and a forward air controller were flying overhead to give cover in case hostile forces attacked. Sgt Wayne A. Baguio, pararescueman, was lowered through the jungle canopy to aid the injured. Two were hoisted to the HH­43 at one time and then two more survivors and approximately 400 pounds of gear and ammunition from the downed helicopter were taken aboard the HUSKIE. The fifth soldier elected to await the arrival of an approaching ground party, so the Det 9 chopper headed for Hensel Field near Pleiku. Capt Jack V. Butler was RCC of the HH-43 and Maj Richard A. Smith was pilot. The flight engineer was TSgt Dale G. Haley.

A few weeks earlier an almost identical mission was flown by another Det 9 crew after an Army helicopter crashed six miles from the base. Manning the HH-43, which rescued five soldiers were Capt Keith H. Ricks, RCC; Capt Robert L. Osborne, copilot; and SSgt Arthur L. Wood, flight engineer.

last update : 30/06/2007