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1 - Tom Beard is seeking the CG's highest rescue.
National news carried a 22 July HH-65C mountain rescue carried out by CGAS Port Angeles. There is some remarkable film footage of this hoist at 6,500 feet. I just talked with the air station’s operations officer and he said that this rescue was only possible with their new Charlie models, which they are just receiving.
I mentioned that I did a mountain rescue in a HH-52A from a meadow at 5000 feet—by landing and taking off—not by hovering and hoisting (it was within a few miles of the present rescue site, as I recall). We had to land; the victim had a broken back and we had no way to assist loading him for hoisting. The flight was done with just a single pilot with one crewman on this rescue. But I could only get to 13 feet above the ground after takeoff with the injured hiker and his backpack. There was no running room to get up to speed for translational lift. Surrounding treetops presented some minor obstacles and there was no wind. But the rescue finally succeeded well after sunset and in near darkness after a lot of burning down of fuel. I guess I can confess now, 32 years later, that I probably topped a few fir trees in my departure—that darkness hid.
The PA ops officer asked me today if I knew of any higher rescues by CG helos. I knew of none. So, this is the time for old memories to come out and create new myths. What was the highest ever mountain rescue by each type of CG helo? The curious want to know.
Please respond to Tom Beard at: tom@fcgh.org
View the trailer from the Coast Guard-themed movie, "The Guardian":
http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1809264831/trailer
During the course of collecting and researching history information, the Ptero History Committee found a Search and Rescue (SAR) summary report about a crash of Belgian Sabena Airliner Charlie Baker George in Newfoundland near Gander. The story evoked interest. It was the world’s first major airline crash, and at the end of WWII, helicopter development funding had been terminated by the government and all helicopters ordered to desert storage. Development and operation of seaplanes had been a long hard fought battle for Coast Guard seaplane pilots. They viewed the new helicopter as a threat, and gave little resistance to the cut in its government funding. All but two Coast Guard helicopters, a HNS and a HOS, had been disassembled and in crates destined for the bone yard. Most significant was the two USCG early helicopters were torn down and transported to Newfoundland by USAF C-54 aircraft where they were restored to flying condition and flown by the Coast Guard to rescue 18 survivors of the crash. Since the reports and official records were focused on the mission there was little to encourage any additional interest – except, one statement by LT August Kleisch, USCG helicopter pilot. He made a rather matter of fact statement that an Army doctor named Martin had been at the site giving medical aid. Dr. Martin’s insistence on helicopter evacuation for survivors resulted in a major successful joint rescue operation saving the eighteen survivors and restoring helicopter operation and development.
All this spawned an inquiry about Dr. Martin. Who was he? Where did he come from? What had he accomplished there at the site? Was he still alive? What happened to him after the rescue?
We learned that he was a special man and doctor. He was respected in every way as a doctor, a teacher, a citizen and a human being. He had died in Gainesville, Florida at age 80 of lymphoma. He had three children, Dr. Samuel Preston Martin IV, Dr. William Barry Martin, and Dr. Celia Martin.
Dr. Willam Martin was found practicing as an Orthodontist along with his sister, Celia in Gainesville, Florida while the other son is a surgeon, practicing in Orlando. Interesting to note that Dr. Samuel P. Martin III’s father and grandfather were doctors and that on his mother’s side of the family 15 of 17 children were doctors in Tennessee. The apple does not fall far from the tree.
In the conversation with Dr, Martin’s son, William, we found that Dr. Martin had received no recognition for what he had done at the crash site except from the Belgium Government. As Dr. William Martin put it, “He did get some recognition from the Girl Scouts.” He received no recognition from the Army, the Coast Guard or the Canadian Government.
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The following naritive was written by Gib Brown and Robert Workman.
The Coast Guard awarded the Legion of Merit to Captain Samuel Martin, U.S. Army Medical Corps at CGAS Clearwater, 1400, 26 March 2007. In addition to valor, Dr. Martin had a significant influence on Coast Guard aviation as a principal player in the first major world airline crash and preserving helicopter development from termination.
February of ‘07 was special for the Aerospace Museum of California at McClellan, California near CG Air Station Sacramento, host of our 2004 roost. Some twelve thousand people visited the opening of a new 37,500 square foot exhibit pavilion on what was billed as museum day. The pavilion includes space for a Coast Guard exhibit the theme of which is “U.S. Coast Guard — America’s Maritime Guardian.” An opening day highlight turned out to be rescue swimmers from Sacramento Air Station standing by a temporary CG exhibit to answer many questions of visitors. The temporary exhibit included showings of a TAM Communication video of “Helicopters to the Rescue” with rescue swimmer Jim Peterson, who is featured in the video, present along with other shipmates.
Active duty coasties, reservists, retirees and auxiliarists worked with the museum to establish a CG aviation history anchor in the museum and are working hard to see construction of a permanent interactive exhibit. The team is led by Ptero Captain Steve Delikat, USCG (Ret.), Aviator 2152, Ptero Captain Jerry Mohlenbrok, USCG (Ret.), Aviator 951 [both former Air Station Sacramento Skippers] and Auxiliarist Ed Sweeney. Others on board include the current CGAS Sacramento commanding officer, , life Ptero Captain George Heinz, LCDR Chris Shivery, ASTC Rioux and a host of U16 renovation worker bees.
Working with a renowned exhibit designer, an impressive permanent exhibit is planned which will display current operations with a mural, overhead projected aerial scenes, dramatic CG rescue video, an interactive computer and displays of the significant contributions of the Coast Guard to aviation’s progress and Coast Guard future assets.
Our Executive Board approved a grant of $5,000 to this effort near the end of 2006, and, already, an additional $4,000 has been donated by coasties or coastie supporters. Incidentally, HU-16E 7209 is part of the outside aircraft displays at the museum and is currently being spruced up by, again, dedicated coasties and friends. A photo and history of ‘7209’ is on the museum website under photo gallery and aircraft details (www.aerospacemuseumofcalifornia.org).
Watch for more on this west coast museum venture aimed at preserving and displaying CG aviation history. To learn more about the project, to get involved, or to make a tax deductible donation to the effort, contact Ptero Steve Delikat at (stdelikat@hotmail.com) or at 424 Venezian Ct., Roseville, CA 95661-5661.An image of the exhibit and donation form are also available at www.coastguardchannel.com in the latest news section.
From the spring edition of PTEROGRAM, journal
of
the Coast Guard Aviation Association (The Ancient
Order of the Pterodactyl)
WRECK OF U.S. COAST GUARD UF-2G ALBATROSS #1240
In July 2006, A.U.E. divers investigated the wreck of an unidentified aircraft resting offshore Carrabelle. The site was dominated by the aircraft's wing and two radial engines. Both engines had become dislodged from their mounts, though no trace of their propellers was observed. The nose was heavily damaged, and the cockpit was all but absent. The lower hull of the fuselage was largely collapsed, which complicated the initial identification as an amphibious aircraft. The aft portion of the fuselage was fractured, with the tail resting parallel to the wing and on its starboard side. The horizontal stabilizers appeared to be missing from the tail assembly. Based on the diagnostic features observed on the wreckage, the location of the site in relation to the historical account of the crash, the lack of other documented aviation accidents in the general area, and expert opinions from veteran Grumman Albatross mechanics and pilots, we conclude the previously unidentified aircraft wreck off Carrabelle is missing U.S. Coast Guard UF-2G Albatross #1240. The site has potential significance because the wreck represents the very first Grumman Albatross delivered to the U.S. Coast Guard. According to Federal Aviation Administration records, there are only 11 Grumman Albatross representative of UF-2G (later designated HU-16E) #1240 currently flying.
FLIGHT CREW OF U.S. COAST GUARD UF-2G ALBATROSS
#1240
Lieutenant Clifford E. Hanna (U.S. Coast Guard Aviator #1061)
Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Charles F. Shaw (U.S. Coast Guard Aviator #1199)
First Class Aviation Machinist Mate Ralph H. Studstill
First Class Aviation Electronics Technician Eckley M. Powlus, Jr.
Second Class Aviation Electronics Technician James B. Thompson
Third Class Aviation Electrician's Mate Arthur L. Wilson
The following is reprinted from the Association of Underwater Explorers (with permission)
A memorial is planned for 29 May 2007 (date tentative)
at CGAS Clearwater.
A bronze plaque, provided jointly by the Foundation for Coast Guard History
and the Pterodactyls is planned for placement at CGAS Clearwater. An
identical plaque will be placed at sea at the scene of the wreckage.
UF-2G Albatross #1240 was assigned to C.G.A.S. St. Petersburg. On the evening of March 5, 1967, the 40-foot yacht Flying Fish became disabled and began sinking, which prompted her captain to make a distress call. Lt. Clifford E. Hanna and a crew of five boarded UF-2G Albatross #1240 and flew north towards Carrabelle to assist the sinking vessel. Even though heavy fog blanketed the area, Lt. Hanna located the Flying Fish just before 9:00 P.M. The Albatross made a low pass to drop a dewatering pump to the sinking yacht. The pump was successfully dropped with near perfect precision, however, as the aircraft disappeared into the foggy night following the low-level pass, a loud noise cracked across the dark Gulf of Mexico.
(U.S. COAST GUARD PHOTO)
The captain of the Flying Fish reported seeing an orange glow "like a camp fire" approximately two miles southeast of his position. The crash was believed to have occurred about 22 miles east of Apalachicola; 20 miles south-southeast of Dog Island Light; 8 miles from the Carrabelle Sea buoy. Over the next several days a small armada of U.S. Coast Guard and Navy vessels combed the area. Numerous Coast Guard aircraft, as well as Navy aircraft using magnetic anomaly detectors, probed the Gulf of Mexico. The searchers were unable to find the aircraft, though they did find the bodies of pilot Lt. Hanna, copilot Lt. (J.G.) Shaw, and crewman Studstill. As Lt. Hanna was found tied to a float tank and had a pen flare gun with two expended cartridges in his flight suit, it was apparent that at least some of the crew survived the initial crash. The three remaining servicemen and the wreck of the UF-2G Albatross #1240 were never found.
“Fellow Pterodactyls:
When I relieved George Krietmeyer as President, George had embarked on a very prestigious project to commemorate significant events in the history of Coast Guard aviation. This project involved commissioning nationally-recognized artists and selecting either single memorable events of enormous proportion…or a significant event to memorialize an ongoing operation. “Cuban Refugee Operations” will pull at the heart of every crewmember who has flown the Florida Straits, Old Bahama Channel, or Yucatan Channel over the past nearly 50 years…in aircraft ranging from the HU-16E, HC-130B/E/H, HC-131A, VC-4A, HH-52A, HH -3F, HH-65A, E-2C, CASA, Schweitzer, and more.
George collaborated with the U.S. Coast Guard Academy Class of 1962 to create a stewardship for artwork that would represent the Coast Guard Team. Carl Burkhart, the Class of 62 project coordinator, has generously included the Ancient Order of The Pterodactyl in their $750,000 art endowment. We believe “Cuban Exodus Operations” will hang at the CGA Alumni Association Center until the new Academy Library is completed, when the 4’ X 4’ mural will hang over a reading room entry door at the new facility. At that time, future Coast Guard aviators from all sources (Academy, OCS, and Direct Commission) will have the opportunity to view the artwork, learn about Coast Guard aviation history, and be inspired as they make their way to the field. You can learn more about other paintings in the Class of 62 portfolio at http://uscga1962.org/mural/booklet/intro.htm.
The artist, Andy Whyte, is a charter member, Fellow, and past president of the American Society of Aviation Artists. A mechanical engineering graduate of the University of Oklahoma, Andy worked for Sikorsly Aircraft for 48 years doing configurations for helicopters. He was hired to work for the creative Igor Sikorsky, the "father of the helicopter industry," just twelve years after Sikorsky introduced the VS-300, the world's first practical helicopter in 1939. At Sikorsky, Andrew Whyte was tasked as the Configuration Manager for Advanced VSTOL Aircraft. He explained, "I was challenged to start with a blank sheet of paper and to produce a helicopter. I generally produced layout work, or the `packaging' of the aircraft, including some preliminary aerodynamics, weight and balance, and initial sizing of all various components. My job was to respond to a Request for Proposal (RFP) issued by the U.S. Government, to create an aircraft that met all the proposed requirements and specifications and to come up with a finished design that could be readied for production." He said, "I feel that my fine art is complimentary to the engineering work that I've done for Sikorsky. When we proposed a new aircraft, I did a painting of it that conceptualized the design and promoted it to the particular military service for which it was designed." His paintings are on permanent display at the New England Air Museum.
“Cuban Exodus Operations” can be found on the web at http://uscga1962.org/mural/booklet/cuban.htm. The original artwork will be presented to the Academy by the Class of 62 and the AOP on October 6th, 2007. Bob Hallock ’72, President of the CGA Alumni Association and co-pilot of HH-52A 1455 will join Ben Stoppe ’72, AOP Treasurer, Paul Ibsen ’68, pilot of HH-52A 1455, Andy Whyte, and Carl Burkhart ’62, at the dedication ceremony.
The funding for this project was made possible by the Coast Guard Aviation Association’s industry sponsors: EADS CASA, Sikorsky Aircraft, DRS Technologies, and EADS American Eurocopter. Please join me at the Roost in thanking these generous companies for helping perpetuate the accomplishments of Coast Guard aviation. I invite you to purchase a copy of this painting to pass down to your children and grandchildren a little bit of the history that you helped make. Copies signed by the artist will be limited to the first few who respond. Get yours today! Send your check with the attached order form.
Very respectfully,
1520”
As the Coast Guard's Helicopter Interdiction Squadron Jacksonville switches to new aircraft over the next year, the squadron will grow from the 76 personnel it had before this summer to about 235, requiring it to take over two buildings at Cecil Field. Complete article at http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/072407/met_186459998.shtml
Moderated by Vice Admiral Deese Thompson, USCG (Ret)
Just a few of the award recipients!
click on page for full page size image
New
Orleans Rescue Video from ATC
Flash-8
required, download here
(Audio removed because of copyright restrictions) 
USCG Air Crew: In their own words
On April 12, 2007 the Coast Guard Auxiliary from the Gulf Coast supported Coast Guard Aviation at the National Museum of Naval Aviation.
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November 2006 Commandant's Ops Brief
This is a slide presentation of the briefing given at the Traverse City
Roost.
Video clip of Sabena Aircraft crash and rescue prepared for the Coast Guard Aviation Association by Dr. Summers, Shoestring Productions
and screened at the award ceremony.
Large files, these may take a minute or two to load.
