Coast Guard Aviation Association (Ancient Order of the Pterodactyl)的动态

/// Anyone know Michael Brady - would love a copy of his Air Medal /// TODAY IN COAST GUARD AVIATION HISTORY - 18 NOVEMBER 1994: a Sikorsky HH-60J #6034 assigned to Air Station Elizabeth City, NC and crewed by LT Jack Newby (AC); LT Michael Brady (CP); AT2 Matthew Moyer (FM) and ASM2 Michael Thomas (RS) launched at night in response to the 49-foot Hinkley ketch PILGRIM with three aboard and its engine disabled and sails in tatters, and in danger of foundering in 40-foot seas in the dead of night 100 miles offshore being pummeled by 55-knot winds in the Gulf Stream. This sailboat was caught in the remnants of the same winter storm that produced yesterday's case with the MARINE FLOWER II. The aircrew was engaged in the nighttime rescue of three crewmembers from the sailing vessel PILGRIM, which was encountering treacherous seas associated with Hurricane GORDON, 100 miles east of Elizabeth City, North Carolina. The aircrew found the PILGRIM being battered by 30-to 40-foot seas, her sails in ribbons, the mast support partially ripped from its mount, and the engine dead. After a thorough evaluation of all rescue options, the aircrew made the tough decision to deploy the rescue swimmer. Although this option exposed the rescue swimmer directly to the perils of the stormy seas, it offered the crew of PILGRIM their best chance of survival. Each time the rescue swimmer was deployed, a member of PILGRIM's crew went into the water. With the dark skies above and black fearsome seas below, the pilot was forced to hover at night, with no other visual references except for the huge, foam-covered seas sweeping past the searchlight's beam. Storm-force winds and the sea's constant tossing of the basket and survivors made positioning of the helicopter a physical battle. The rescue swimmer was forced to battle extreme seas and 50 knot winds in order to reach the victims. Once each victim was in tow, he swam towards the basket only to have it ripped from his grasp by the pounding waves. After each recovery, the rescue swimmer - exhausted from the previous hoist - volunteered to reenter the water. The final hoist was the most demanding. The last victim was swept well past him, with only the screams and a strobe attached to the victim to indicate his location. LinkedIn character limit - learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gm8uc8dW LT Newby and ASM2 Thomas earned the Distinguished Flying Cross while LT Brady and AT2 Moyer earned the Air Medal for this case - CITATIONS below: LT Newby - https://lnkd.in/eEAgmCzJ ASM2 Thomas - https://lnkd.in/gSypC5UQ AT2 Moyer - https://lnkd.in/gfzkj6CT ROV Missing Awards: LT Brady - Air Medal. Follow us on Instagram: https://lnkd.in/gXq6HCaN #helicopter U.S. Coast Guard Lockheed Martin GE Aerospace