November-December 1973-page 09 , 29

“Southeast Asia”

RotorTips  Nov-Dec-1973 - p.9 :

Ubon HH-43 Crew Aids Downed Pilots

UBON RTAFB, Thailand - Two F-4 pilots who ejected from their crippled aircraft as it approached the runway were rescued shortly afterward by an HH-43F crew from Det 3, 40th ARRSq (MAC), at this base. Piloting the rescue helicopter was Maj Thomas F. Madden. Copilot was 2ndLt Arthur J. Kenney; mechanic was Sgt David B. Southard; and Medic was Sgt David L. Miller.

One of the downed pilots was sighted in a rice paddie with numerous trees in the vicinity. Major Madden set the helicopter down in the confined space without incident despite the minimum rotor blade clearance and the numerous villagers who thronged to the area. As the survivor's condition was checked, Sergeants Miller and Southard were directed toward the last known position of the other pilot. He was located in a tree, his body suspended 25 feet above the ground by his parachute. Sergeant Miller climbed the tree and assisted the pilot in reaching the ground safely. Both survivors were then returned to base.

RotorTips  Nov-Dec-1973 - p.29 :

Sailors Medevaced In Hazardous HH-43 Night Mission

After landing at night on the rolling deck of a US Navy ammunition ship, an HH-43F crew successfully evacuated two injured sailors to the hospital. Pilot of the rescue helicopter from LBR Det 12, 40th ARRSq (MAC), was Capt Lawrence S. Laronge. LtCol Norman C. Buck was copilot; SSgt Norman V. Thomas, medical technician; and A1C John M. Coiro, helicopter mechanic. Det 12 is based at U-Tapao Royal Thai Navy Base, Thailand.

The hazardous mission began with a call from the U-Tapao 11th USAF Hospital Commander. Two men had suffered head injuries when a winch gave way as they were loading ammunition on the deck of the ammunition supply ship USS Haleakala. Both were unconscious and choppy, four-foot waves made it unsafe to risk a transfer by small boat.

Pedro 36 launched and headed for the vessel which was located outside the Sattahip deep-water port. Due to the poor visibility, the ship could not be located visually but, after radio contact was established, Navy personnel used strobe lights to pinpoint their location for the Air Force helicopter.

Pedro 36 flew a high recon over the ship and then to the stern where a small flat area was used as a landing deck. Despite the darkness and 18-knot winds, the landing was made without incident and Airman Coiro and Sergeant Thomas began examining the injured men. Meanwhile, Colonel Buck and Navy personnel checked the overhanging superstructure and guidewires around the landing area.

Once the injured men were aboard, the helicopter took off from the pitching deck and headed for shore through a light rain. Much of the return mission was flown on instruments due to the high overcast and poor visibility. One sailor was released from the hospital two days later, the other was in the hospital for eight days.

Captain Laronge said afterward that the mission was "made easy by fine crew effort and coordination."

last update : 31/12/2007