March-April 1974-page 06 , 19

“Southeast Asia”

RotorTips  Mar-Apr-1974 - p.6 :

Maintenance Award Goes To Thailand Unit

Detachment 12, 40 ARRS, based at U-Tapao Airfield, Thailand, recently won the Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Service's 1973 Best Detachment Level Maintenance Section Award.

The competition was among other detachment-size organizations with H-43, H-1 and H-3 helicopters. The award was based on a number of factors, including NORS, NORM, and In Commission Rates, Higher Headquarters Inspection Results and Staff Assistance Team visits.

The unit flew over 600 hours supporting the B-52 and KC-135 SAC force, plus transient traffic at U-Tapao, from July 1972, to July 1973. During this period, the unit was never non-operational - the only Thailand based H-43 unit that was always "ready" - and provided continuous 24 hour daily alert coverage. The maintenance section had the highest OR rate in SEA and never received a rating less than Satisfactory on over twenty inspections during the year from base, squadron and wing personnel.

The Maintenance Superintendents, during the period, were SMSgt Paul Koon, now assigned to AFLC as an advisor to Indonesia, and MSgt William Brooks, presently assigned to Hill AFB, Utah. The commander for much of the period was LtCol Norman Buck, who is now in Tanker Operations at Lockbourne AFB, Ohio.

RotorTips  Mar-Apr-1974 - p.19

Pedro Crew Rescues Downed AF Pilot

UDORN, Thailand - A downed O-1 Air Force pilot was picked up recently by an HH-43 crew from the Pedro Rescue Unit, Det 5, 40 ARRSq, stationed here.

The Udorn tower call came at 1605 and - three minutes later - at 1608 the aircraft became airborne. (Launching in three minutes is no unusual occurrence for the HH-43, but incidents like this may serve as a reminder of the Pedro's ability to respond quickly.) The Pedro headed toward the crash site some thirty-five miles southeast of Udorn.

At the scene, Lt Stephan Hatfield found the pilot with no search problems and made a tactical approach into the area that proved too small for the tiny O-1 to handle.

Medic MSgt James Martin attended the rescued pilot's abrasions on the return trip to Udorn. Then an awaiting ambulance took the pilot to the hospital where he was later released.

The crew, in addition to Lt Hatfield and MSgt Martin, included 1stLt Gary Mullins and Sgt Steve Limperopulos.

last update : 31/12/2007