Binh Thuy, RVN
PEDRO RESCUE CARD
A small card with Det. 10 38th ARRSQ. Picture of big hat and mustache guy. I tried to get one of these in every wounded guys pocket I picked up. Has several sayings on the back side. Who knows, maybe someone still has it. That would make my tour. - Major Leslie E. Johnson Jr., USAF (Retired)
Mission Report
The following reports were provided by Edward L. Cartwright
MODEL: HH-43F
Date of Rescue or Mission of Mercy: 21
Jan 68
Pilot: Pedro 39 - Harold Pickering, Maj
Pedro 91 - Thomas D. Precious, Capt
Co-Pilot:
William J. Haugen,
Capt
Albert E. Tollefsen, Capt
Crewman:
Flight Engineer, Gordon L. Browning,
SSgt.
Charles H. Herring,
SSgt
Pararescueman, James L. Parks,
A1C
Lonnie N. Davidson. A1C
Name and Location of Activity: Det 10,
38th ARRS Binh Thuy AB RVN
Location of Rescue: Mekong Delta
Day or Night:
Night Time:
1915L - 2110L
Sea State or Description of Terrain:
Tree lined river in a hostile controlled area
Altitude: Sea
level Visibility:
7 N.M.
Water Temp: Not
recorded Air
Temp:
75 Wind
Velocity: 070 deg at 15 kts
Other Weather Conditions: 2100 - 3000
ft scattered to broken clouds, no moon
Distance Flown to and from Rescue:
56NM No. of
Personnel Rescued: One
Military or Civilian:
Military
Names and Ranks: Not available
Detailed Narrative Description of Rescue or Mission of Mercy:
On 21 January, Detachment 10, 38th ARRSq, responded from a night standby alert
to a call from Navy Operations, Binh Thuy. A Navy "Seal" team
member had received a serious leg wound from a grenade and required immediate
medical evacuation. Both Pedro 39 and 91 were launched due to the hostile
environment at the recovery area and the hazards of a night river patrol boat
(PBR) pickup. Enroute to the area the Pedros were advised that the wounded
sailor had been transferred from the PBR to an LST. Pedro 39 made a
blacked out approach, landed on the LST and on loaded the patient while Pedro 91
flew cover. Both Pedros returned to their home base and released the
patient to the base hospital. Cloud cover was such that both aircraft were
forced to fly at a relatively low altitude over known automatic weapons
areas. The landing on the deck of the LST was noteworthy due to the
blackout landing, the confined space and the hooded red lighting that
illuminated the deck area. One combat save and 1+50 flying hours.
Report Prepared by: Operations
Name: Capt L.W. Conover
Activity: Det 10, 38th ARRSq
Address: APO S.F. 96320
Date: 26 Feb 68
Mission Report
The following reports were provided by Edward L. Cartwright
MODEL: HH-43F
Date of Rescue or Mission of Mercy: 1
Mar 68
Pilot: Laurence W. Conover, Capt -
Pedro 91 Co-Pilot:
Leslie E. Johnson, Capt
Crewman: Flight Engineer, Archelaus
Whitehead,
Sgt.
Pararescueman, Larry D. Nicholson, A1C
Name and Location of Activity: Det 10,
38th ARRS Binh Thuy AB RVN
Location of Rescue: Mekong Delta, RVN
Day or Night:
Night Time:
1600L
Sea State or Description of Terrain:
Open field next to town of Tra On
Altitude: Sea
level Visibility:
4 miles
Water Temp: Not a
factor Air
Temp: Not a
factor Wind
Velocity: 130/3
Other Weather Conditions: Extremely
dark night
Distance Flown to and from Rescue:
90NM No. of
Personnel Rescued: Three
Military or Civilian:
Military
Names and Ranks: Not available
Detailed Narrative Description of Rescue or Mission of Mercy:
At 2125L this unit was notified by Navy River Operations, Binh Thuy, That a
river patrol boat (PBR) had taken a hit down river and was proceeding to the
town of Tra On for a Pedro evacuation. Original notification indicated one
critically injured with a stomach wound. The Pedro crews scrambled from
quarters and were airborne at 2140L with Pedro 91 as primary aircraft and Pedro
39 as high cover. Pedro 91 rendezvoused with Seawolf, a flight of 2 Navy
armed helicopters, who dropped a flare to mark an open field and provided cover
as Pedro 91 descended for the pickup. Ground fire was observed in several
areas around the town but none of it directed towards the helicopter. The
personnel from the PBR's had transported the wounded to the open field and
secured the area. Three patients, one of which had a vicerated intestine wound,
were loaded into the helicopter. Two of the injured personnel had serious
leg wounds and could not walk under their own power. Pedro 71 lifted off
and flew to Dong Tam as Pedro 39 returned to Binh Thuy. Due to extremely
dark night land navigation was impossible and Pedro 91 had to rely on Paddy
Control (radar) for steers to Dong Tam. Enroute the pararescue technician
administered medical aid to the wounded and gave the sailor with the intestine
wound an intravenous injection. Airman Nicholson's quick and correct
action was credited with saving the man's life. The landing at Dong Ta was
made on an unlighted road surrounded by high antennas and telephone poles.
After landing was further complicated by the lack of a landing light which had
burnt out during the earlier landing. The wounded were offloaded and after
a delayed refueling Pedro returned to Binh Thuy at 22355L. Inspection of
the aircraft revealed on the following day revealed battle damage to the left
set of blades. It was undetermined whether the damage was caused by ground
or by picking something up in the blades. A total of 2+25 hours were flown
by the Pedro's as they recorded 3 more combat saves.
Crew for Pedro 39:
Pilot: Capt. Thomas D.
Precious Co-Pilot:
Capt Albert E. Tollafsen
FE: A1C Harold D.
Cooper
PJ: A1C Lonnie N. Davidson
Report Prepared by: Operations
Name: Capt L.W. Conover
Activity: Det 10, 38th ARRSq
Address: APO S.F. 96320
Date: 5 Mar 68
Mission Report
The following reports were provided by Edward L. Cartwright
MODEL: HH-43F
Date of Rescue or Mission of Mercy: 19
Apr 68
Pilot: Laurence W. Conover,
Capt Co-Pilot:
Roland E. Speckman, Lt Col
Crewman: Gordon L. Browning, SSgt.,
FE PJ Lonnie
N. Davidson, A1C
Name and Location of Activity: Det 10,
38th ARRS Binh Thuy AB RVN
Location of Rescue: Mekong Delta
Day or Night:
Day Time:
1600L
Sea State or Description of Terrain:
Soccer field
Altitude: Sea
level Visibility:
6+
Water Temp: Not a
factor Air
Temp: 90 degrees
F Wind
Velocity: 10 knots
Other Weather Conditions: None
Distance Flown to and from Rescue:
95NM No. of
Personnel Rescued: One
Military or Civilian:
Military
Names and Ranks: Not available
Detailed Narrative Description of Rescue or Mission of Mercy:
This unit was notified at 1535 by navy Operations, Binh Thuy, that a navy
personnel with a serious hand wound required medical evacuation from the town of
Sa Doc. Pedro 91 topped off fuel and was airborne at 1540. A smoke
grenade was set off by Naval personnel in the local soccer field in the middle
of town and a steep approach was made to the confined area. The patient
boarded the aircraft and Pedro was again airborne at 1600 and landed at the Dong
Tam field hospital at 1630. Enroute the PJ treated the patient for a
severely cut tendon of the hand. Pedro returned from the med evac after 1+20
flying time.
Report Prepared by: Operations
Name: Capt L.W. Conover
Activity: Det 10, 38th ARRSq
Address: APO S.F. 96320
Date: 25 Apr 68
Mission Report
The following reports were provided by Edward L. Cartwright
MODEL: HH-43F
Date of Rescue or Mission of Mercy: 22
Apr 68
Pilot: Laurence W. Conover,
Capt Co-Pilot:
Roland E. Speckman, Lt Col
Crewman: PJ John C. Wilkins, A1C
FE Gordon L. Browning, SSgt
Name and Location of Activity: Det 10,
38th ARRS Binh Thuy AB RVN
Location of Rescue: South China Sea
Day or Night: Day
Time: 1410L
Sea State or Description of Terrain:
Sea swells 3 - 5 ft.
Altitude: Sea
level Visibility:
6+
Water Temp: Not a
factor Air
Temp: 89 degrees
F Wind
Velocity: 15 knots
Other Weather Conditions: None
Distance Flown to and from Rescue: 190
N.M. No. of
Personnel Rescued: One
Military or Civilian: Military
Names and Ranks: Not available
Detailed Narrative Description of Rescue or Mission of Mercy:
At 1248 this unit was notified by JSARC Tan Son Nhut AB, that a Navy personnel
with a serious gunshot wound required medical evacuation from an LST in the
South China Sea. The patient was being transported to the LST by a smaller
navy boat and the patient would be ready for pickup at 1400. Fuel was
topped off and Pedro 39 was airborne at 1255. A stop was made at the Bac
Lieu aerodrome to again top off the fuel and after leaving Bac Lieu radio
contact was made with the LST. Using the coordinates given Pedro took up a
general heading and located the ship 12 miles from shore. A slight delay
occurred while the landing area was cleared and Pedro touched down at
1410. The LST had set a course to the south and was moving at a steady 8
knots when Pedro landed. This was the pilots first experience at landing
on a moving ship however, there was no difficulty encountered. The litteer
patient was loaded on the helicopter and flown to the Dong Tam hospital.
The PJ treated and redressed the chest wounds enroute to the hospital.
After refueling at Dong Tam Pedro returned to home base after 3+15 flying hours.
Report Prepared by: Operations
Name: Capt L.W. Conover
Activity: Det 10, 38th ARRSq
Address: APO S.F. 96320
Date: 25 Apr 68
Mission Report
The following reports were provided by Edward L. Cartwright
MODEL: HH-43F
Date of Rescue or Mission of Mercy: 2
May 68
Pilot: Thomas D. Precious,
Capt Co-Pilot:
Albert E. Tollefsen, Capt
Crewman: RS Lonnie G. Conner, Sgt
FE Archelaus Whitehead, Sgt
Name and Location of Activity: Det 10,
38th ARRS Binh Thuy AB RVN
Location of Rescue: Binh Thuy AB, RVN
Day or Night: Night
Time: 0050L (1650Z)
Sea State or Description of Terrain:
Flat, rice paddies
Altitude: Sea
level Visibility:
5NM plus in haze
Water Temp: Not a
factor Air
Temp: 78 degrees
F Wind
Velocity: Calm
Other Weather Conditions: None
Distance Flown to and from Rescue: 8NM No. of
Personnel Rescued: 2
Military or Civilian: ARVN
Names and Ranks: Not available
Detailed Narrative Description of Rescue or Mission of Mercy:
Det 10 was notified by the base dispensary that they had 2 critically wounded
Army of the Republic of Viet Nam soldiers that had to be taken to the ARVN
hospital at Can Tho. They could not be transported by ambulance due to the
nature of their wounds. Pedro 39 scrambled at 0110L, after the patients
had been delivered to the alert pad. Since there was heavy artillery
firing at the time, a circuitous route was flown to Can Tho. The hospital
does not have a helipad so Pedro 39 landed in a soccer field where an ARVN
ambulance picked up the patients. While waiting for the ambulance, all
crew members charged their weapons and took defensive positions as there were
many tall buildings around that could very easily be used by snipers. All
lights on the Husky were turned out and the RPM was kept up in readiness for an
immediate departure. pedro 39 returned to Binh Thuy AB, after a short wait
at the soccer field.
Report Prepared by: Operations
Name: Capt T.D. Precious
Activity: Det 10, 38th ARRSq
Address: APO S.F. 96320
Date: 14 May 68
Mission Report
The following reports were provided by Edward L. Cartwright
MODEL: HH-43F
Date of Rescue or Mission of Mercy: 20
May 68
Pilot: Thomas D. Precious,
Capt. Co-Pilot:
Leslie E. Johnson, Capt.
Crewman: FE Archelaus Whitehead,
Sgt. RS John
C. Wilkins, A1C
Name and Location of Activity: Det 10,
38th ARRS Binh Thuy AB RVN
Location of Rescue: 10 mi south of city
of Can Tho
Day or Night:
Day Time:
0400Z
Sea State or Description of Terrain:
Rice Paddy
Altitude: Sea
level Visibility:
8 miles
Water Temp:
N/A Air
Temp: Not
recorded Wind
Velocity: 090/10
Other Weather Conditions: 2500
scattered
Distance Flown to and from Rescue:
20NM No. of
Personnel Rescued: 4
Military or Civilian:
Military
Names and Ranks: Not available
Detailed Narrative Description of Rescue or Mission of Mercy:
Pedro Ops was notified by Binh Thuy tower of a Mayday distress call 10 miles
south of the city of Can Tho. Pedro 91 scrambled at 0345Z with limited
information and flew to crash site. Paddy Control was called and informed
Pedro 91 of the exact location. Pedro 91 arrived at the site at 0355Z and
4 Huey gunships were orbiting the area. As we made the approach to the
downed helicopter the gunships came down to 100 feet altitude to give cover for
Pedro 91 on the ground. Eight personnel were aboard the downed helicopter
but only 4 were taken aboard as the others were to remain to guard the
helicopter. The pickup was made in a minimum amount of time as the downed
helicopter was an artillery spotter and had called in artillery for that
area. Several rounds struck the area before Pedro 91 was able to lift off
at 0405Z. Pedro 91 flew to Can Tho field and offloaded the Army personnel
and was returning to the crash site to retrieve the other 4 personnel when Paddy
Control notified us that an Army Dustoff helicopter was landing to pickup the
remaining personnel. Pedro 91 returned to Binh Thuy and landed at
0415Z. 4 combat saves. No hostile fire encountered.
Report Prepared by: Operations
Name: Capt T.D. Precious
Activity: Det 10, 38th ARRSq
Address: APO S.F. 96320
Date: 20 May 68
Quarterly Unit Report - December 1969
- Mission
-
- Detachment 10 maintains a constant state of readiness to provide a continuous helicopter local base rescue and aircrew recovery coverage at Binh Thuy Air Base, Republic of Vietnam. It provides a capability for prompt recovery of personnel involved in
aircraft/missile accidents, incidents or similar occurrences. The unit provides a means of medical evacuation for personnel and assists in Search and Rescue/Aircrew Recovery missions within a 75 nautical mile radius of Binh
Thuy AB. Support for all units is also provided, as long as the basic rescue mission is not jeopardized.
- Organization
-
- The detachment is directly under the command of the 38th ARRSq. Above the squadron are the 3rd ARRGp., 41 ARRWg., ARRS and MAC, in that order. The Base Commander maintained operational control and supported and augmented the unit with host base personnel. All functions of Detachment 10, with the exception of Command, are headed by an assigned pilot as additional duty.
Aircraft
- Two HH-43F's were assigned to the unit during this quarter. Aircraft 62-4560 was transferred out 11 August 1969 and aircraft 62-4508 was transferred 1 September 1969 leaving this unit without a helicopter.
Aircraft 62-4560 was assigned to Det 10 on 15 October 1969 and transferred out on 20 December 1969 when the detachment received deactivation orders.
- Missions
-
- August through September 1969 - There were 27 FSK scrambles consisting of 15 VNAF, 9 AF, 2 Army, and 1 Navy aircraft. In addition there were 54 support missions, 4 false missions, 11 missions involving wounded personnel resulting in 8 combat saves plus 14 people
MEDEVAC'ed. There were two ACR Missions: one downed F-100 pilot was picked up and 4 Army helicopter crewmembers were picked up on the other. A total of 85.1 hours were flown.
October through December 1969 - There were 11 FSK scrambles consisting of 5 VNAF, 3 AF, 1 Army, and 2 Navy aircraft. In addition there were two ACR missions in which no one was picked up. A total of 68.5 hours were flown.
- Mission Narrative
-
- On 10 Jul 69 at 1152, Paddy Control notified Pedro Operations of an F-100 down 20 NM North of Binh Thuy. Pedro 39 scrambled and launched at 1155L for the rescue site. While enroute, Pedro 39's UHF transmitter became inoperative making communications with the downed pilot and orbiting cover ship
impossible. Pedro 39 made a visual contact with the orbiting F-100 who was providing cover and then sighted the downed pilot at 1205L. An immediate approach and landing was made, picking up the uninjured airman. Pedro 39 terminated at Binh Thuy at 1220L offloading the survivor. In the ensuing conversation it was learned this pilot had been picked up in April, three months earlier by a Det 10 crew.
- Mission Narrative
-
- On 16 Jul 69 at 1213L Binh Thuy Tower called and notified Pedro Operations of a downed UH-1D 50 NM North of Binh Thuy. Pedro 91 scrambled and was airborne at 1215. Enroute, radio contact was made with a C-47 orbiting the downed aircraft and two gunships were on the way. An Air America Helicopter got to the scene before the Pedro crew and rescued five of the nine survivors. Upon arriving at the site, an immediate approach and landing was made and the four other survivors were taken aboard with their gear. The survivors were taken to Vinh Long and left there. Pedro 91 arrived back at Binh Thuy at 1355L. As the helicopter was making the approach for landing, the standby crew in Pedro received a call from Navy Operations to
MEDEVAC two wounded by mortar 25 NM East of Binh Thuy. The fuel truck was called immediately. Pedro 91 and the fuel truck arrived at nearly the same time and in five minutes, the crew was airborne again. The crew arrived at the location and made visual contact with the ground personnel. They landed, loaded the two critically wounded men and were off again for the 29th Army Field Hospital. Arrival at the 29th Evac was at 1445L, with termination ten minutes later. In two and one half hours, the crew had been on two missions making six combat saves. This upped the total combat saves for 1969 to 75, going over the total of 69 for all of 1968.
- Mission Narrative
-
- On 19 Jul 69 at 0625L Pedro Operations was called by the Army Special Forces TOC at Can Tho. Request was made for
MEDEVAC of one wounded 50 NM Northwest of Binh Thuy. JSARC was called for permission to launch, permission was received at 0635L. Due to telephone difficulties with Can Tho, our acceptance of the mission could not be relayed and the
call sign and frequency of the outpost could not be received. Pedro 91 took off at 0655L and by contacting the Special Forces Camp at That San, obtained the needed
call sign and frequency. While enroute to the pickup point, a second soldier was wounded by walking into a booby trap. With smoke to confirm the exact location on the mountain, the approach and pickup of the two wounded was made. Pedro 91 departed the site at 0755L, delivering the wounded to the 29th Army Field Hospital at 0835L.
-
-
- Combat Losses
-
- There were no losses to combat.
Detachment #10, 38th ARRSq. was deactivated December 1969
Det. 10 Photos and Personal Anecdotes submitted by
Major Leslie E. Johnson Jr., USAF (Retired)
Det. 10 Photos, Articles, Mission Reports and Personal Anecdotes
submitted by Edward L. Cartwright.
Pacific Stars &
Stripes -
Jungle Rescue,
Ordeal in VC's
Back Yard |
Article -Huskie
Drenches Blazing
Helicopter and
Mission Report |
Article - Refuses
to Give Up
Medevac |
Another Det. #10
Calling Card |
Crew Photo -
Lt. Col. Speckman
Lt. Kamman |
Chuy Hoi Pass |
Unit Photo |
Article -
Southeast Asia |
Article -
Unknown
Source |
Battle Damaged
Aircraft #4560 |
Binh Thuy Times -
6 December 1968 |
Articles - Outpost
Blaze |
Mortar Splattered
4560 |
Mortar Attack 1 |
Mortar Attack 2 |
Mortar Attack 3 |
Mortar Attack 4 |
Binh Thuy Times
November 22, 1968 |
Tools of the Trade |
Navy Missions Log
January 1968 |
Operations on the
Line |
Binh Thuy
February 12, 1968 |
Binh Thuy Times
Jan. 31, 1968 |
Cattle Cowed By
Capt. Conover |
Navy Riverine Support
Thank you!! Ed for your contributions to the Det. #10
Historical Section.
If you would like to contribute any photos, personal
anecdotes, etc. to the Det. 10 page, please contact me.
This Page was Updated February 16, 2007
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