Coast Guard Aviation Association

The Ancient Order of the Pterodactyl

Objectives, Accomplishments and Value

Activities and programs in response to our association’s objectives provide value to members, to the Coast Guard and to the public. Absent the existence of this association, this document would not exist, none of the recent past accomplishments listed here would have occurred and none of the ongoing programs of the association would be pursued.

The last decade of Accomplishments

Download Decade of Achievements Brochure

1999

An Initial grant was provided in support of the United States Coast Guard Academy Aviation Club. Financial support was/is provided on a continuing basis.
The Ancient order initiated sponsorship and funding for two rescue awards to be given annually, one for a fixed wing crew and one for a rotary wing crew. An aircrew in each category is selected by the Commandant as the rescue crew of the year. To merit the award the acts or performance of the rescue mission must be accomplished in a manner above that to be normally expected. The Rotary wing award is known as “The Captain Frank A. Erickson Aviation Crew Rescue Award.” The fixed wing award is known as ‘The Commander Elmer F. Stone Crew Rescue Award.”

2000

The Ancient Order assisted in the fund raising and historical research efforts to erect an Aviation Memorial honoring all those who have perished while flying missions in Coast Guard Aircraft. The Ancient order plus individual Pterodactyls donated.

2002

The Ancient Order Donated maintenance funds to the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park Mobile, Alabama for HH-52A CGNR 1378 and HU-16E CGNR 2129. The donation of funds were/are periodically continued. Appearance upkeep of Coast Guard aircraft are aided substantially by volunteer efforts contributed by retired and active duty personnel in the area.

2003

A project was undertaken to develop an electronic repository of Coast Guard Aviation History to be developed and maintained by the Ancient order. Information, data, and photos were/are available to all on an Ancient Order web-site. This project is ongoing and has become extensive in content.
A chronological History of Coast Guard Aviation was begun. The presentation is a chronological digest. It is designed to fully facilitate an interactive kiosk presentation and/or electronic reproduction. Although not a detailed treatise of all aspects of Coast Guard Aviation activities, technical developments and administrative changes, it is a definitive history. The work prints out to 518 pages and contains 513 photo images. It was six and one-half years in the making and in addition to research data sources it contains information provided by 224 first person accounts. The aim was/is to make this a first-source document that people use when they are looking for basic information on Coast Guard Aviation. This was completed in 2009.

The Ancient Order applied for and obtained a tax-exempt 501 (c) (3) status. This was/is of great significance in obtaining material and financial support enabling an expansion of efforts.
The Ancient Order Donated funds towards the establishment of two Vietnam Veterans monuments. One to be placed at the Cape May Training Center in New Jersey and one to be placed at the Coast Guard Academy.
The Coast Guard Aviation Maintenance award – was established and is presented annually. This award recognizes an enlisted aviation maintenance individual who has demonstrated exceptional performance and enhanced the overall quality of Coast Guard aviation maintenance. In 2007 it was named “The Chief Aviation Machinist Mate Oliver F. Berry Award.”

2004

A RD4 -2 Dolphin CGNR 128 restored and placed in the Naval Air Museum
Over 100 Pterodactyl members contributed $28,000 plus to be used for the Coast Guard Pylon at the Monument of a Century of Flight at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.
The story of the participation of US Coast Guard Aviation personnel in combat rescue and recovery operations during the Vietnam Conflict was researched and published. These highly decorated, members of the Jolly Greens were inducted into the Coast Guard aviation Hall of Honor and were recognized by the Ancient Order at the annual Roost. Each member received a personal letter from the Commandant of the Coast Guard attesting to their achievement,

2005

The Coast Guard Aviation Roll of Valor was established. Awards for Valor by precedence, Silver Life Saving and above, awarded to Coast Guard aviation personnel are listed and the citation reproduced. The roll is electronically presented and is ongoing. There are over 600 listings at present. All listings must be researched and solicited as the Coast Guard does not keep a record of these awards with the exception of the Coast Guard Medal.
Over 100 Coast Guard Air Station Patches –new and Old – were solicited and obtained for a Coast Guard Museum display in New London Connecticut.
Individual Pterodactyls contributed more than $37,000 to Coast Guard Mutual Assistance to be used to assist Coast Guard members and family impacted by Hurricane Katrina.

2006

Three HH-52A airframes were obtained from storage at the Army facilities at Aberdeen Maryland and transported to AR&SC Elizabeth city for restoration. The aircraft will need extensive work to bring them up to display standards
The first 50 of a planned 500 Service records of early Coast Guard Aviators (deceased) were obtained through proper channels from the Archives in St. Louis. Data saved in early service records was much more extensive than at present. This will be of significant help in the discovery and recording of early Coast Guard Aviation History. This was/is done in conjunction with the Coast Guard Historian.

2007

Researched, requested, and arranged a ceremony for the presentation of the Legion of Merit awarded to Captain Sam Martin US Army Medical Corps for his outstanding accomplishments during the rescue of survivors of he Sabena Airlines Crash in Newfoundland Canada, in 1946. This was the first large scale rescue performed by helicopters.
The First of two paintings commissioned as an opportunity to depict Coast Guard Aviation “on the walls” of the Coast Guard Academy. The viewers will not only include Academy cadets and graduates but also direct commissioned Officers, Officer Candidates, senior enlisted personnel as well as parents and friends. The first painting depicted the Olo Yumi helicopter rescue which took place during the large Cuban migration known as the Mariel Boatlift of 1980
Under the leadership of a group of Pterodactyls a Coast Guard Aviation exhibit titled “US Coast Guard America’s Maritime Guardian” was begun and will be part of the Aerospace Museum of California at Sacramento. The first of a series of $5000 grants was provided as well as individual donations by Pterodactyls. HU-16E 7209 is part of the outside exhibit and has been restored to mint condition by dedicated Coasties and friends. The Ancient Order provides annual support for the Coast Guard display.

2008

An Ancient Albatross Hall, a tribute to the Ancient Albatrosses of the Coast Guard was completed by CGAS Miami with Pterodactyl assistance
Historical background and data was provided to the Academy Class of 1962 for their dedicated painting depicting Coast Guard Aviators flying Combat Rescue during the Vietnam War. This was the first of many ongoing formal requests for Coast Guard aviation history as provided by the established historical repository, The Pterodactyls have become recognized as an initial source of Coast Guard aviation history.
A tracking program of all Coast Guard aircraft by individual number, from inception of Coast Guard Aviation to the present was begun. This program is extensive and will be ongoing.
Master Chief Aviation Survivalman Larry E. Farmer, and, posthumously, Chief Aviation Machinist Mate Chief Oliver F. Berry were inducted into the Coast Guard Aviation Hall of Honor .
A Coast Guard Heritage Tour, taking place at Arlington National Cemetery, was organized and conducted by the Ancient Order for those attending the Commanding Officers Conference. It was repeated again in 2010 by request. Tom King planned, organized and implemented the Tour.
Commissioned an intern historian to extensively research and compile a master Index of all information related to Coast Guard Aviation contained within the collection at the Naval Air Museum Archives.

2009

30th anniversary memorial ceremony of HH-3F 1432 loss (CGAS Cape Cod, February 18, 2009)
The second painting commissioned as part of the opportunity to display Coast Guard Aviation at the Academy was completed and dedicated. It depicted the Hurricane Katrina operations.
Extensive historical information, data, and photos were provided to the Museum of the Albemarle to assist them in establishing a Coast Guard Aviation section in the museum. The Ancient order also provided interface and liaison with active duty Coast Guard personnel and with representatives of germane corporate entities which also provided assistance. It was an extensive project over a nine month period. The end product produced by the Albemarle Museum, named “Out of the Blue/Coast Guard Aviation” is outstanding.
The Ancient Order funded and Pterodactyl Bob Workman spent many hours building large museum quality models of the NC-4, MF Flying boat and presently working on the C-130. All aircraft will be initially displayed at the Museum of the Albemarle. In addition a C-130 model has been constructed and donated to the Aerospace Museum of California.
A HH52A helicopter in relatively good condition was located, purchased, and commercially transported to ALC Elizabeth City for restoration. This helicopter with dedicated work can be brought up to museum standards. When completed this aircraft is scheduled to be placed in the Smithsonian Air and Space Udar-Hazy facility in the 2012 timeframe. It will be the first Coast Guard aircraft displayed in the Smithsonian.
Individual Pterodactyls contributed significant funding to support the Jack Columbus Rittichier Memorial at Kent State University. Rittichier, a graduate of Kent State was KIA while flying a rescue mission during the Vietnam War. This project was spearheaded by Pterodactyl Jim Loomis; one of the Coast Guard Jolly green pilots. CCGD 9 Chief of Staff, RADM David Callahan represented the Coast Guard for the monument unveiling last fall.
Dedication of the Air Station Barbers Point Memorial took place. The memorial is dedicated to the aircrews of HH-65A 6505 which was lost 4 September 2008 and HH-52A 1420 who were lost on 7 January 1982. CGAA contributed $8,000 via Coast Guard Foundation to the families of the 6505 victims in order to permit them to attend the memorial dedication on the first anniversary of the accident. In addition, CGAA acted as a “pass through” conduit, sponsoring a website collecting donations through a “Buy a Brick” promotion to fund the walkway to the memorial site. CGAS Barbers Point arranged for Navy Sea Bees to prepare the walkway and site. The CGAS BARPT Project Officer, LCDR Dan Long, supervised the construction of the lava rock wall, and installation of bronze compass rose, helmet and boots. CGAA paid out monies collected from brick sales and after the dedication on September 4, 2009, transferred ownership of the memorial to Commander, 14th Coast Guard District with the understanding the memorial would be maintained in perpetuity. A memorial project to honor the crew of HC-130H 1705 is underway at CGAS Sacramento. CGAA may, or may not, be involved in that project.
Hosting USCGA summer cadets to dinner at pterodactyl homes at Elizabeth City, NC
Participated and assisted in the 75th Anniversary celebration of CGAS Salem located on Winter Island conducted by the Winter Island Park Authority. The Authority indicated that further discussions with the CGAA as to the possibility of converting the Salem hangar into a Coast Guard Aviation museum and display area. This, if funding can be obtained, would be an outstanding project.
CDR Frank Shelley USCG (ret) was inducted into the Coast Guard Aviation Hall of Honor, for his history making role in the development and acceptance of the HH-52A helicopter. This helicopter in addition to saving thousands of lives is responsible for the full acceptance of the helicopter today as the primary lifesaving vehicle.

2010

Pterodactyl members individually and the CGAA contributed over $11,000 to the Coast Guard Foundation financial disaster fund for the families of the CG 1705 accident.
At the request of the RFMC the Coast Guard Aviation Association presented at the Leading chief Petty Officers Conference held in San Antonio Texas. The subject was The CGAA and what they can/are doing for the LCPO, aviation enlisted and Coast Guard Aviation as a whole. It was very well received
The 25th anniversary celebration of the Coast Guard Rescue Swimmers took place. The Ancient Order was strongly committed to assist and was one of the sponsors. It also acted as a pass-through agency to receive other sponsor donations and coordinate payment. CGAA Treasurer Ben Stoppe enabled this function. Coordination with Bryan Snuffer, an artist that does Coast Guard paintings, resulted in the funding of a “25th Anniversary print to every attendee.
·A Letter of Agreement was executed with the Association of Naval Aviation after they graciously made any sons and daughters of Naval Aviators and Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard Aircrewmen who died while on active duty serving in the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps or United States Coast Guard eligible for scholarship assistance. The Executive Board approved a donation of $1,000 per year.
·CGAA assisted the Chief Petty Officers at CGAS Clearwater in acquiring HU-16E 0-17176 from the USAF. The aircraft was on display at the Pate Aviation Museum in Ft. Worth. After the elder Mr. Pate passed away, the family decided to close the museum. CGAA contacted the curator at the National Museum of the Air Force at Wright-Patterson AFB, OH and arranged to transfer ownership of the non-airworthy aircraft to the CO of CGAS Clearwater. CGAA paid per diem and travel expenses for 4 senior and Chief Petty Officers who traveled on permissive orders to Ft. Worth and disassembled the aircraft under the supervision of an experienced salvor. An anonymous benefactor paid half of the overland shipping charges to get the fuselage, center and outer wing sections, engines, nacelles, props, and empennage to CGAS Clearwater, where the aircraft is being reassembled and painted as CGNR 1023, a sister ship assigned to CGAS St, Petersburg when HU-16E 1240 was lost in 1967 during a night search in the Gulf of Mexico. CGAA paid the remaining $6,500 in flat bed shipping charges, and another anonymous donor paid $1,000 in oversize shipping charges to get the aircraft to Clearwater.
CGAA contributed $1,000 to help the “Colorado Coasties” re-paint HC-131A 5794 at the Weisbrod Aviation Museum, Pueblo, CO. It is presently outside and the paint is in poor condition. Once painting is complete, it will be towed into a new hangar for inside display.

Note: Historical data and information has been provided by the CGAA and its members for the following books and publications.

o   Wonderful Flying Machines (Tom Beard)
o   Grumman Albatross (Wayne Mutza)
o   H-60 series helicopters (Wayne Mutza)
o   HH-52 History (Lennart Lundh)
o   USCG Aviation (Robert Dorr)
o   The Coast Guard (Tom Beard )
o   So Others May Live ( Martha LaGuardia)
o   CGAS Elizabeth City Photo History
o   CGAS San Diego Photo History