A Pat On The Back For All Helo Bubbas...

[BusyBee604]

As the 46th anniversary of my shootdown (06-25-66) and dramatic double rescue under fire, by SH-3A C/S "Fetch 53" approaches, I received a package in the mail today. It was from my dear friend, squadronmate & combat wingman in VA-146 on the '66 & '67 cruises; (then LT) Bill Douglas NWA Capt. (Ret.). It contained a beautiful book titled "The Sikorsky Legacy", by Sergei I. Sikorsky with the Igor I. Sikorsky Historical Archives. Having just a quick scan so far, it's a history of 'The Man', his contribution to rotary-wing flight, and his company, containig numerous photos spanning the entire 20th century.
'
I'd like to share the note Bill enclosed:

"Hugh,
Thank you for your outstanding service to our country.

I hope the enclosed gift of 'The Sikorsky Legacy' will enrich and enhance your memory of one of the most fateful days of your entire military career. Cheers! BDF
Bill Douglas" (BDF=Blue Diamonds Forever VA-146)

IWas amazed fo receive such an thoughtful and appropriate gift for such an occasion. But then again. Blue Diamond wingmen/leaders ARE forever!

Despite the jesting hard time us'n pointy noses give the AW rotorheads around here, I for one, will ALWAYS owe a great debt of graditude to the helo community, and will never forget what the brave crew of Fetch 53 did to save LCDR Weber and myself, on that fateful Friday at Vinh!
*My name is BusyBee604 and I approved this message...

BzB

 

[BACONATOR]

God bless BzB. I can't imagine the kind of steel balls those helo bubbas had doing the things they did in the jungles of Vietnam, but what I read astounds me. Glad they got you back. Sounds like quite the harrowing mission.

 

[phrogpilot73]

Despite the jesting hard time us'n poiny noses give the AW rotorheads around here, I for one, will ALWAYS owe a great debt of graditude to the helo community, and will never forget what the brave crew of Fetch 53 did to save LCDR Weber and myself, on that fateful Friday at Vinh!

We've all got thick skin BzB - keep the jests coming! Hell, I jest about the suck & blow crowd myself...


Glad you're still around to share your stories, and I think that you'll be fascinated by the Igor Sikorsky story - he was an amazing man. And, it is well known that he was most proud of his helicopter and the fact that it could save lives... Here's some Sikorsky quotes for you:

"For me, the greatest source of comfort and satisfaction is the fact that our helicopters have saved up to the present time (1969) over fifty thousand lives and still continue with their rescue missions. I consider this to be the most glorious page in the history of aviation."

"The many interesting flight activities and great variety of service rendered by the helicopter are well known, the most important being the saving of many thousands of lives."

"It would be right to say that the helicopter's role in saving lives represents one of the most glorious pages in the history of human flight"

"If a man is in need of rescue, an airplane can come in and throw flowers on him, and that's just about all. But a direct lift aircraft could come in and save his life."

 

[Catmando]

Great stuff, BzB! And happy anniversary. Good to have you here.

 

[Renegade One]

Despite the jesting hard time us'n poiny noses give the AW rotorheads around here, I for one, will ALWAYS owe a great debt of graditude to the helo community, and will never forget what the brave crew of Fetch 53 did to save LCDR Weber and myself, on that fateful Friday at Vinh! BzB

Man, I'll drink to that. My own splashdown was far less dramatic/significant/important, but the embarked helo guys surely saved my and my pilot's little weenie asses one dark and stormy night. I only feel bad because I can't recall the squadron embarked for that underway...HS-4/8/12? I should have taken better notes.

 

[RobLyman]

We've all got thick skin BzB - keep the jests coming! Hell, I jest about the suck & blow crowd myself...


Glad you're still around to share your stories, and I think that you'll be fascinated by the Igor Sikorsky story - he was an amazing man. And, it is well known that he was most proud of his helicopter and the fact that it could save lives... Here's some Sikorsky quotes for you:

"For me, the greatest source of comfort and satisfaction is the fact that our helicopters have saved up to the present time (1969) over fifty thousand lives and still continue with their rescue missions. I consider this to be the most glorious page in the history of aviation."

"The many interesting flight activities and great variety of service rendered by the helicopter are well known, the most important being the saving of many thousands of lives."

"It would be right to say that the helicopter's role in saving lives represents one of the most glorious pages in the history of human flight"

"If a man is in need of rescue, an airplane can come in and throw flowers on him, and that's just about all. But a direct lift aircraft could come in and save his life."

A testament to Sikorsky's (the company) continued pride, they continue to give out Sikorsky "Winged S" life saving awards to the pilots and crew of life saving missions.

 

[Renegade One]

A testament to Sikorsky's (the company) continued pride, they continue to give out Sikorsky "Winged S" life saving awards to the pilots and crew of life saving missions.

And Martin-Baker continues to give out neckties to their survivor "rail riders"...nice!

 

[BusyBee604]

And Martin-Baker continues to give out neckties to their survivor "rail riders"...nice!

Well, I got no 'remembrance' from my seat mfr. Douglas, but did receive a certificate & gold Caterpillar Club lapel pin, from Mr. Jeffrey Switlik, owner Switlik Parachute Co. He was giving out a shit ton of these pins back in those days!

The bounty back then for a successful punchout/rescue Was a case of beer/ or a bottle of hootch for the PR who packed the chute, and a case of hard stuff for the rescuing helo crew. In my case, the helo crew would not accept...'just doin' our job'. I respected that. Found out later that most SAR crews felt that way!
BzB

 

[Renegade One]

Well, I got no 'remembrance' from my seat mfr. Douglas, but did receive a certificate & gold Caterpillar Club lapel pin, from Mr. Jeffrey Switlick, owner Switlick Parachute Co. He was giving out a shit ton of these pins back in those days!

The bounty back then for a successful punchout/rescue Was a case of beer/ or a bottle of hootch for the PR who packed the chute, and a case of hard stuff for the rescuing helo crew. In my case, the helo crew would not accept...'just doin' our job'. I respected that. Found out later that most SAR crews felt that way!
BzB

Helo crew got a case of Michelob from me and my pilot...the two dudes at Miramar AIMD paraloft who packed our 'chutes each got a bottle of Ron Rico 151. Small prices to pay for the exquisite service!

 

[helolumpy]

...tthe helo crew would not accept...'just doin' our job'. I respected that. Found out later that most SAR crews felt that way

Most rescue swimmers will only ask for your name patch (the patch that velcros to your flight suit) when they pull you out. A couple of AW's I've flown with take great pride in having a couple of those patches on thier helmet bag or on their survival vests as a sort of trophy for saving a shipmate's life.

 

[DanMa1156]

Most rescue swimmers will only ask for your name patch (the patch that velcros to your flight suit) when they pull you out. A couple of AW's I've flown with take great pride in having a couple of those patches on thier helmet bag or on their survival vests as a sort of trophy for saving a shipmate's life.

That is a very cool tradition.

 

[RobLyman]

Each crew got a case of beer of our choice for the one Navy rescue I was involved in. Didn't really want it, but thought it was a bit rude to refuse, especially since the CO of the F/A-18 squadron called and our CO insisted. "Just doing our job" was they way I felt.

Same in Iraq for the Medevacs we did. From my perspective, I always felt a lot of gratitude for the guys who patrolled outside our FOB keeping the mortar and rocket guys (somewhat) at bay. Also, the guys flying overhead in the F-16s, F/A-18s, etc.. did their job detering the bad guys. There may not have been much of a threat for those guys near the end, but knowing they were up there scaring the bad guys literally helped us sleep better.

 

[BACONATOR]

A testament to Sikorsky's (the company) continued pride, they continue to give out Sikorsky "Winged S" life saving awards to the pilots and crew of life saving missions.

As well as a certificate and letter from Sikorsky. Pretty nice recognition.

 

[BusyBee604]

ATTN: All Helo SAR/MEDEVAC Fans...

I watched the National Geographic documentary Inside Combat Rescue last night, and it was excellent. Lots of good Afghan combat SAR & MEDEVAC video. It's USAF-centric; however these Pilots & Crewmen are dedicated, courageous and awesome! Description follows.

INSIDE COMBAT RESCUE​

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"The elite Combat Rescue members of the U. S. Air Force Pararescuemen or PJs have one mission: rescue American or Allied forces in extreme danger. Whether their targets are shot down or isolated behind enemy lines surrounded, engaged, wounded, or captured by the enemy... PJs will do whatever necessary to bring those in peril home. For the first time in their history, the PJs allow camera crews to cover their missions in Afghanistan. Inside Combat Rescue is the story of the lives of these elite airmen."​

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The National Geographic Channel will air an encore presentation of this outstanding documentary tomorrow evening, Wednesday 20 February at 8PM PST (see TV schedule for air time in other time zones). Should be of great interest to helo Bubbas/crews, aviation fans, and especially lucky dudes like myself, who have had their saved be courageous SAR Helos!​

BzB​

 

[1rotorhead]

Involved in a rescue of 3 VFA types a few years ago. The kids of one of the guys we picked up sent a care package to the swimmer that pulled him out. The kids made a thank you letter hand written in crayon. Every person who read it teared up a little.