September-October 1972-page 22, 23, 26, 27, 28

 

“Southeast Asia”

 

"Pedro Cares"

By TSgt Charles E. Keilholz                                                                                          Photos by SSgt D. P. Jenkins

Combine pilots, firemen, medical technicians and mechanics; add an unusual looking yet efficient aircraft; throw in one primary and many secondary tasks; and stir with gusto. Voila! You have a mission for all seasons. Moreover, this delightful concoction is served by Det 3, 3rd ARRGp (MAC) at Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand.

 

"Our main mission," said LtCol Richard P. Evans, detachment commander,* (*LtCol Evans has since been reassigned to Hq.MAC, Scott AFB, Ill.)  "is to provide local base rescue including fire suppression at aircraft accidents, aircrew recovery and their medical evacuation if required. But we do other things besides that."

Better known by its call sign "Pedro," the unit utilizes two compact HH-43 "HUSKIE" helicopters in its daily work. 

High Monthly Average

Because of Ubon's geographical location and weather, the base receives the bulk of the aircraft emergencies in this section of Thailand. This means an average of 95 alert launches each month for Pedro. "That's far more than the other bases receive," stated the colonel.

While most alerts end with the troubled aircraft safely on the ground, an occasional one will not. "It's not often that little Pedro gets a chance to do the job of big brother Super Jolly," remarked Colonel Evans, "but a few months ago we flew out some 14 miles and picked up two crewmen who punched out of their F-4 before it went down. All Ubon's rescue capability was scrambled but Pedro was first on scene making the pick up." Total time on the ground for the two was 11 minutes.

Responding to aircraft emergencies in the immediate area, the choppers usually carry a ball-shaped. Fire Suppression Kit on an external sling. If an aircraft should crash, Pedro would land the kit and two firemen nearby. The pilot then utilizes the rotor down wash to form a canopy of cooling air for the trapped aircrew as the firemen use foam from the FSK to clear a path and move in on the aircraft for their rescue. Trapped men removed, the airborne medic goes to work looking after their needs until they are evacuated either by ground or air. 

Other Projects Too!

Pedro does indeed get involved in other operations, such as support for base security forces, the base Civic Action program and medical evacuations from remote sites. The helicopters even have the capability of hauling more than 3,000 pounds of cargo if needed.

Ubon's Civic Action team relies heavily on Pedro when wet weather prohibits ground travel to villages around the base. Airlift support includes taking medical teams on trips into difficult locations, helping with aerial site surveys and flying observation missions with Civic Action personnel around the Ubon area. 

When and if munitions are discovered off-base, Pedro provides either the required airlift or backup support for explosive ordnance disposal teams until their operation is completed.

The base community relations program receives a boost from Pedro as well. Working hand in hand with the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing (PACAF) Information Office, the unit provides an interesting tour program for visiting Thai school children and adults. This includes a flying demonstration when possible, and a close examination of the choppers by the inquisitive youngsters.

The unit's own assigned material section performs all maintenance and supply functions for the helicopters except for unique special requirements which are performed by the host base.

"We have a heavy commitment with many of the men working up to 84 hours a week when you take in around­the-clock alert duty," said Colonel Evans. "Yet the work gets done because I've got the finest of people maintaining the aircraft, the best crew members flying them, and the greatest supporting people a commander could ask for."

And that's straight from the chef's mouth!

   

CIVIC ACTION SUPPORT-The 8th Tactical Fighter Wing's Civic Action Program at Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, relies heavily on Pedro choppers when wet weather prohibits ground travel to villages around the base. Flying into rice paddies or jungle areas, the unit carries medical and other teams on weekly visits. The choppers are from Det 3, 3rd Air Rescue and Recovery Group.

 

PRACTICE PICKUP - At left, a forest penetrator seat is utilized to hoist a crewman to an HH-43 during one of the numerous practice sessions held by Det 3. 

MISSION PRACTICE - At right, under the watchful eyes of two evaluators, Pedro helicopter rescue crewmen from Det 3 go through their paces in a simulated accident situation.

 

ALERT LAUNCH - An HH-43 hovers over its FSK while a ground crewman dashes from the launch pad to direct pilot on his way to an aircraft emergency. 

MAINTENANCE INSPECTION - Maintenance men from Det 3 give their helicopter and equipment daily once over while standing alert at Ubon.

   

   

One of Fastest in SEA

FAST "FEET WET" RESCUE

DA NANG AFLD, RVN - An HH-43 Pedro from the 37th ARRSq here plucked two U. S. Marine Corps A-4 crewmembers from the South China Sea in one of the fastest "feet wet" rescues reported in Southeast Asia.

Piloted by Capt Robert R. Ames, the Pedro launched with a Fire Suppression Kit when the Marines radioed that they were losing hydraulic pressure and would attempt an emergency landing here. However, as the battle-damaged A-4 slowed below 140 knots, the pilot could not control the aircraft and was forced to fly out over the sea and eject.

Capt Ames left the FSK at the end of the runway and followed the crippled aircraft to a point at sea, approximately eight miles northeast of Da Nang, where the Marines ejected. The Pedro flew to the probable splash-down area and, as the first pilot surfaced and started swimming for his raft, he found a forest penetration seat, with flotation collar, just to his right where it had been lowered from the HH-43. He placed himself on the penetrator and was hoisted aboard the rescue helicopter - less than one minute after entering the water. The other Marine was hoisted to safety three minutes later. The rescue gave the Da Nang Pedros the first saves of the year and added two more men to the more than 1,100 persons saved by the SEA Pedros since 1965.

Other members of the HH-43 crew were Capt Michael F. Schmidt, copilot; SSgts David C. Newman and Michael J. Kondash, firefighters: Sgt Larry Johnson, medical technician, and SSgt John Szczecina, crewman.

 

Four Medevacs Flown By 37th HH-43's

In another mission, the Pedro crew was contacted at night by the 366 USAF Dispensary to evacuate an Air Force sergeant who had suffered critical injuries in a motor­cycle accident. The weather was poor, with numerous thunderstorms and rain showers in the area, but no other transportation was immediately available. Pedro 61 flew to the dispensary where the patient was onloaded from a waiting ambulance and airlifted to the 95th USA Hospital and a waiting surgical team. The accident victim suffered from multiple lacerations of the face and head and possible fractures of the facial bones and left leg.

Members of the Pedro crew included Captain Ames, pilot; Capt James L. Wilkinson, copilot; Sgt Ronald D. Littleton, helicopter mechanic; and SSgt Gregory A. Brown, medical technician.

In a second mission that day, the same HH-43 crew airlifted a Vietnamese National, seriously injured when hit by a munitions truck while walking. The patient had a compound fracture of the left lower leg with multiple bone fragments protruding, multiple lacerations over all extremities and possible facial bone fractures. Whether or not his leg would be amputated depended on the timeliness of his treatment. The crew has been credited with one non-combat save for this mission.

A sergeant suffering from an overdose of drugs, was also medevaced to the 95th Army Hospital by an HH-43 from the 37th ARRSq. The attending physician credited the Pedro crews' "quick response and professional handling of the mission," as the contributing factor in saving the life of the patient.

The crew consisted of Captain Ames, pilot; Captain Wilkinson, copilot; SSgt Charles R. Worley, helicopter mechanic; and SSgt Fredrick Stordy, medical technician.

A few days later an HH-43 crew from the 37th medevaced two Vietnamese to the 95th Field Hospital. One was severely burned when the aircraft they were working on caught fire and suffered first, second, and possibly third degree burns over 30% of his body. The other man was burned on the arm and shoulder. The mission was conducted without incident. Crewmembers were Captain Wilkinson, pilot; 1stLt William L. Latham, copilot; Sergeant Littleton and Staff Sergeant Stordy.

 

Pedro Rescues Army General

TAN SON NHUT AB, RVN - An HH-43 Pedro crew of Det 14, 3rd ARRGp, here rescued LtGen William J. McCaffrey, deputy commanding general of the U. S. Army in Vietnam (USARV), several weeks ago after his helicopter was forced to make an emergency landing.

The crew of the Army helicopter in which the general was riding declared a "mayday" at approximately 3 p.m. and shortly afterward successfully landed in a rice paddy about four miles east of Tan Son Nhut. None of the six persons on board the aircraft was injured. The Pedro arrived on the scene minutes after the "mayday" call and picked up the general and his aide. The four other men on board elected to remain with the downed helicopter until it could be lifted from the site. The general and his aid were airlifted to the Tan Son Nhut flight line.

Aircraft commander of the HH-43 was Capt Jackie L. Roberts. His crew consisted of Capt Howard A. Randall, copilot; Sgt Robert J. S. Brind, mechanic; and SSgt William T. Matthews, medical technician.

In another Det 14 mission, an HH-43 Pedro crew rescued the survivors of a C-119 plane crash that claimed the lives of the copilot and one passenger. Nine persons survived the crash that occurred when the Republic of Vietnam Air Force (VNAF) cargo aircraft was attempting an emergency landing here.

Ironically, it was the last day of alert for the aircraft commander, Capt Verl K. Diamond, and the mechanic, Sgt Teddy L. Jones, before they departed Vietnam for the United States. The crew scrambled about 8 a.m. to follow the C-119 as it attempted to land with one engine out. In the few minutes it took the rescue team to get airborne, the cargo plane crashed in a rice paddy approximately two miles west of the base.

As soon as the Pedro arrived on the crash scene, the firefighters, SSgt Kenneth Daniels and SSgt Ernest Taylor, doused the flames that had erupted in the engine area. Meanwhile, Sgt Melvin C. Evans, the medical technician, quickly examined the survivors who had freed themselves from the wreckage.

The trio of enlisted men then turned to the survivors still trapped in the aircraft. With Sergeant Jones coordinating between the men working in the C-119 and Captain Diamond and 1stLt William K. Rubertus, copilot, the HH-43 shuttled between the crash site and the base with survivors and equipment.

The rescue brought the total number of saves performed by the 3rd ARRGp during 1972 to 225.

   

 

Kitty Hawk Crewman Aided By 37th

DA NANG AFLD, RVN - At 1800 the 37th ARRSq was notified through the primary crash network that a Navy C-1A from the aircraft carrier "Kitty Hawk" was bringing in a man who had suffered a cerebral hemorrhage. Because an aeromedical neuro-surgeon was immediately required due to the patient's critical condition, and one was not available at Da Nang, a rapid medevac of the patient to the U. S. Army 95th Field Hospital was required. An HH-43F Pedro met the inbound aircraft as soon as it pulled off the runway and the patient and his doctor were transferred to the helicopter. Eight minutes after the Navy plane touched down, the patient was in the hospital five miles away.

Manning the Pedro were Capt Allan C. Spitler, pilot; 1stLt William I. Latham, copilot; SSgt John Szczecina, helicopter flight mechanic; and SSgt Randall S. Swens, medical technician.

 

   

3rd Unit Citation

PRESIDENT HONORS 3rd ARRGp

   

FOR EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM - General Vogt places the streamer signifying the third Presidential Unit Citation on the group's streamer-laden flag. MSgt Aaron D. Farrior holds the unit's flag. (USAF photo)

 

TAN SON NHUT AB, RVN - The Presidential Unit Citation for extraordinary heroism was presented recently to the 3rd Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Group. It was the third Presidential Unit Citation awarded the 3rd ARRGp for service in the Republic of Vietnam.

Gen John W. Vogt, commander, 7th Air Force, made the presentation of the award which covered the period of Feb. 1, 1969 to April 30, 1970.

The citation stated that "during this period, aircrews of the 3rd ARRGp daily risked their lives by exposing themselves to intense hostile fire to rescue other downed crew-members. Their selfless courage and dedicated professionalism resulted in the rescue and recovery of 714 American and allied personnel. Of these personnel, 516 were saved from almost certain death or capture by enemy forces."

The citation further noted "the profound impact on the morale of combat aircrew members serving throughout Southeast Asia."

The following units share in the award for the same period unless otherwise indicated: 37th, 38th, 39th and 40th ARRSq's; Detachments 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14 of the 38th; and Detachment 1 of the 40th. Det 10 of the 38th received the award for the period Feb. 1, 1969 to Dec. 27, 1969.

The Department of the Air Force Special Order GB-162 is dated March 24, 1972.

In addition to the Presidential citations, the group has received the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with V device and the Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm for its service in Vietnam.

 

Outstanding Rescue Units Named

The 37th ARRSq and Det 5, both of the 3rd ARRGp have been named the outstanding rescue units of 1971 by the Military Airlift Command. Gen Jack J. Catton, commander, MAC, presented the Commanders Trophies to the units at a ceremony held at the 3rd ARRGp's headquarters.

The 37th ARRSq performs search and rescue operations out of Da Nang Afld, while Detachment 5 is responsible for base rescue operations at Udorn RTAFB,Thailand. The 37th was cited for saving 118 men from either death or certain capture by the enemy. Last year, its HH-53 Super Jolly Green Giant and HH-43 Pedro helicopters flew 5,721 combat hours.

It was pointed out that the 37th preserved a perfect safety record last year while operating out of one of the most congested areas of the Republic of Vietnam without a flying accident.

Last year, men assigned to the 37th earned 12 Silver Stars, 99 Distinguished Flying Crosses, 8 Bronze Stars, 395 Air Medals, 100 Air Force Commendation Medals and 17 Purple Hearts.

In the three years the ARRS Commanders Trophy has been presented, this is the second time a 3rd ARRGp squadron has received the award. Det 5 became the first unit to ever receive the new Commanders Trophy for units of its type.

The officers and men of Detachment 5 were cited for their outstanding mission accomplishments during 1971. Last year, they scrambled more than 350 times for in-flight emergencies, aircraft accidents or emergency medical evacuations. They were credited with saving three lives.

Included in the citation was recognition of the flying training program conducted by Detachment 5 for its own crews and other units' pilots in the use of the new light water fire-fighting agent.

Det 5 also received recognition for having one of the most outstanding maintenance sections in the Air Force. During a recent visit, an Air Force Inspector General Team reported that its maintenance section was one of the best it had ever inspected.

 

37th, DET 5 "OUTSTANDING"-Looking over the Commanders Trophies presented to the units are, left to right, Maj John R. Cassarini, Det 5 commander; MSgt Willie Bostic, Jr., the detachment's line chief; and Col Cecil N. Muirhead, Jr., 3rd ARRGp commander. (USAF photo)

last update : 22/10/2007