November-December 1974-page 09 , 19 , 21

 

 

“Southeast Asia”

RotorTips  Nov-Dec-1974 - p.9 :

A MAC First …. 2nd Lt Upgraded to Aircraft Commander

UDORN ROYAL THAI AIR FORCE BASE, Thailand ... In photo on left, Second Lieutenant Charles S. White, left, Detachment 5, 40th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron (ARRS) here, is congratulated by Major Fernand M. Espieu, Standardization Check Pilot for the 41st Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Wing (ARRW), Hickam AFB, Hawaii, upon completion of the recent flight upgrading him to aircraft commander. Lieutenant White, a native of Dallas, Texas, is the first 2nd Lt in Military Airlift Command's history to be upgraded to the position of aircraft commander. The 4-hour check ride in the HH-43F Huskie helicopter was conducted in the Udorn area. (U. S. Air Force Photo)

 

 

RotorTips  Nov-Dec-1974 - p.19 :

DET 12, 40 ARRS Receives Maintenance Awards   

 

In photo on left above, Col Walter J. Riley, right, Vice Commander of the 41st Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Wing (ARRW), presents the "Best Detachment Level Maintenance Section Award" in the Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Service (ARRS) to TSgt Jacob W. Hacker of Det 12, 40 ARRS, U-Tapao Airfield, Thailand. TSgt Hacker was NCOIC of Quality Control for the unit during fiscal year, 1973, the period reflected by the award.

The March/April issue of Kaman Rotor Tips reported that Det 12, 40 ARRS, based at U-Tapao Airfield, Thailand, won the Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Service's 1973 Best Detachment Level Maintenance Section Award.

The award was based on inspection results from various levels, outstanding in-commission rates on the unit's aircraft, and the outstanding rescue support the unit provided to the Strategic Air Command during SEA operations. In photo on right above, Col Riley presents a trophy to SSgt Gary W. Brown, left. SSgt Brown was also a member of the crew which earned the coveted award. In addition, Brown was a crew chief on one of the unit's two Kaman HH-43F "Huskie" aircraft. Det 12 provided continuous, 24-hour 7-day/week coverage, never going non-operational during the period covered by the award . . . truly an outstanding record.

MSgt William N. Brooks, presently at Hill AFB, Utah, SMSgt Paul N. Koon, now at Robbins AFB, Ga., were maintenance superintendents and Lt Col Norman C. Buck was detachment Commanding Officer. Colonel Buck is presently commander of the 301st OMS at Lockbourne AFB, Ohio.

The competition was among other detachment-size organizations with HH-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 was never non-operational - the only Thailand based HH-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 USAF photos shown here were taken during presentation of the trophy and were just recently made available.

 

The last issue of Kaman Rotor Tips reported some of the life-saving activities of Det 12, and, in keeping with Kaman's continuing award program, Scrolls of Honor have been presented to members of Det 12, 40th ARRS. A few of the recipients are shown in the photo below.

From left, Capt Hal Schwartz, Sgt Frederick Marshall, SSgt Gary Brown, Capt Chuck Gelatka, Sgt Michael Misiecwicz, and Maj John C. Flournoy. Those who received the award but are not shown in the photo are SSgt Norman Thomas, 1st Lt James Bizzell, TSgt Robert Willouhby, SSgt Gail Stokes, Capt Leslie Bear, MD, Capt Tommy Hilsman, MD, and Capt Adam Romeiser, MD.

 

  

RotorTips  Nov-Dec-1974 - p.21 :

"Missions of Mercy      One Four-Pound Save"

On 13 October 1974, a call was received at the 11th U.S. Air Force Hospital requesting an emergency medevac for a 14-hour-old premature baby. The tiny rescuee, weighing only 4 pounds, was running a high fever. "Joker" was notified and Det 12, 40 ARRS, U-Tapao RTNA, Thailand, received flight clearance within 20 minutes. While arrangements were made by phone with the 5th Army Field Hospital in Bangkok to provide ambulance service from Don Mong Airport to Drommit Hospital, a slight delay was encountered due to a malfunction in the incubator. When the problem was resolved, Pedro and its crew, consisting of pilot, Capt Russell J. Spahr, copilot, 1st Lt Thomas W. Kemper, doctor, Maj Lin Ho, crewmen, SSgt Howard R. Sheets, and SSgt Gary W. Brown headed to Bangkok. Upon arrival, the tiny rescuee and his mother were swiftly transferred to the waiting ambulance. Dr. Ho, the attending physician on the flight, later stated that a "save" should be credited to Det 12.

   

last update : 31/12/2007