May-June 1972-page 13

 

“Southeast Asia”

 

Det 3 Saves Pilots

UBON RTAFB - The crew of an HH-43 Pedro helicopter from Det 3, 3rd ARRGp rescued the two pilots of an F-4 Phantom recently.

The pilots ejected from their jet at 5:05 p.m. approximately 12 miles from this Thailand base after the aircraft developed mechanical difficulties. One landed in a rice paddy while the other pilot parachuted into a tropical jungle. Less than 20 minutes after the crash, the Ubon Pedro had the pilots safely on board in good condition.

The crew of the HH-43 consisted of Capt Richard W. Standish, aircraft commander; Capt Charles T. Jernigan, copilot; SSgt Stewart P. Smith and SSgt Danny J. Chaney, firefighters; Sgt Larry G. Bull, medical technician; and Sgt Harvey B. Long, flight mechanic.

 

Life And Death Flight Made By Det 12

U-TAPAO AFLD - A sergeant who fractured his neck while diving near an island in the Gulf of Thailand was medevaced to the hospital by an HH-43 crew from Det 12, 3rd ARRGp, stationed here. The accident victim was located after a 15-minute flight through haze and a landing was made on the beach. Minutes later the patient was aboard and on his way to the hospital. Afterward, the commander of the 11th USAF Hospital said the mission had been a life and death emergency and was a definite "save." Capt Dante O. Fierros was pilot of the rescue helicopter and Capt Ralph H. Bell was copilot. Other crew members were Col John R. Hoch (MC), a flight surgeon; Sgt Thomas W. Hooker, helicopter mechanic; and Sgt Frederic A. Praitano, medical technician.

 

NEW COMMANDER

Col Cecil N. Muirhead, Jr., is the new commander of the 3rd ARRGp. Colonel Muirhead was formerly Director of Safety at ARRS Headquarters. Before that, he served as commander of the 57th ARRSq, Lajes Afld., Azores.

 

3rd ARRGp Establishes Safety Record

TAN SON NHUT AB - The 3rd ARRGp has established a safety record never before achieved during combat search and rescue (SAR) operations in Southeast Asia.

The unit has flown more than 30 months without a flight accident involving their rescue aircraft, the HH-43 Pedro and HH-53 Jolly Green Giant helicopters and HC-130 Hercules. The 3rd ARRGp units flew more than 125,000 accident free hours during the period, including 28,000 hours in the last year.

SAR operations of the 3rd ARRGp are flown by four squadrons and 10 detachments and out of four forward operating locations. Seven hundred lives have been saved over the 30-month period and 417 of them were under combat conditions.

Safety has been the prime element in the performance of SAR missions, which have been flown in monsoon rains, extreme heat and over treacherous jungle terrain.

 

 

last update : 22/10/2007