The Unofficial U.S. Air Force HH-43B/F "PEDRO" Crash Rescue - Air Rescue Web Site
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The Unofficial U.S. Air Force HH-43B/F "PEDRO" Crash Rescue - Air Rescue Web Site
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Det. #9, 38th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron Excerpts from the Detachment Historian's Report Mission The mission of Detachment 9, 38th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron was two-fold, Aircrew Recovery and Local Base Rescue. In the first instance, Detachment 9 was responsible for the recovery of downed aircrews within a radius of 60 miles from the base. In the second instance, Detachment 9 was responsible for offering immediate fire suppression, rescue, first aid and recovery of any aircrews or any personnel in the local area. During the period of 1 January 1970 thru 6 February 1970 these missions were accomplished at Pleiku Air Base, Republic of Vietnam. From 2 March 1970 thru 31 March 1970 alert status and above missions were accomplished at Nakhon Phanom RTAFB, Thailand. Organization Detachment 9 was a unit of the 38th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron with Headquarters at Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Republic of Vietnam. While at Pleiku AB, RVN Detachment 9 was supported by the 633rd Combat Support Group and at NKP by the 56th Combat Support Group. The Detachment was organized into five sections responsible to the Detachment Commander: Administrative, Operations, Safety, Maintenance and Supply. Facilities At Pleiku all living quarters were provided at the Air Force Contonement Area about one mile from the flight line. Our officers lived in single rooms and our enlisted men lived in open bay barracks. The enlisted barracks housed all Military Airlift Command enlisted personnel for Pleiku Air Base. At NKP the alert facility was located adjacent to the flight line at the south end of the aircraft parking area. The building which was completely air conditioned, containing 13 rooms and 2 latrines; two rooms were occupied by Detachment 1, 40th ARRSq.; six rooms were jointly shared by Det. 9, 38th ARRSq. and Detachment 1, 40th ARRSq. The Detachment offices, alert lounge, maintenance and supply functions, and the pararescue section were all completely contained within the building. The two aircraft were parked on a one hundred by two hundred foot concrete and asphalt ramp located about one hundred feet west of the building. All living facilities were provided on base approximately one mile from the Detachment work area. Future plans envision 100% utilization of the building by Det. 9. Unit Transfer For several months the Detachment had been under threat of moving to NKP. The problems, lack of aircraft parking space and lack of office space, delaying the movement from Pleiku were being resolved and by the latter part of January the decision was made to move to NKP on the 16th of February. The last day of full alert duty at Pleiku was 6 February. Several items of less essential equipment began the move to NKP on the 2nd of February. On 7 February Pedro 98 was transferred to Det. 13, 38th ARRSq., Phu Cat AB, RVN. On 15 February at approximately 0300 a C-130 cargo aircraft deployed from Pleiku to NKP with all but two of the Detachment personnel, baggage and other related equipment. The remaining two personnel accompanied the bulk of the Detachment equipment, Pedro 83, vehicles, fire suppression kit, etc. aboard a C-133 cargo aircraft that departed Pleiku on 17 February and arrived at NKP 19 February. On 19 February Pedro 74 was transferred from Det. 5, 38th ARRSq. Udorn to Det. 9, 38th ARRSq. NKP. The unit movement was completed on 23 February with arrival of the remaining less essential equipment. Fully operational status was scheduled for 3 March but was delayed until 8 March due to medical incapacitation of several crewmembers. Missions The Detachment flew 225 sorties of which 63 were in support of aircraft or personnel distress. There were 2 ferry flights, 1 base support and 136 training sorties. The remaining 23 sorties were functional check flights. There were no significant and few operational mission flights a t Pleiku. Mission activity has considerably increased since obtaining operational status at NKP. Three ACR missions were flown in March resulting in two Combat Saves and two Non-Combat Saves. The ACR's were as follows: 14 March 1970 A U.S. Air Force A-1, Call Sign Firefly 22 crashed 6 miles south of NKP RTAFB. Pedro 83 scrambled to the crash site at 1235 local followed by Pedro 74 at 1300 local. Pedro 83 landed at the crash site and the PJ, Flight Engineer and Co-Pilot deplaned to search for survivor. Pedro 74 reached the crash site at 1305 local, there were no survivors as the pilot KIA. Note: Exploding ordinance delayed landing at the crash site and prevented ground party from immediately thoroughly searching the area.
19 March 1970 During fire suppression training Pedro 74 was notified of an A-1, Firefly 26, with zero oil pressure. It's position was 290 degrees at 20 NM miles. Conversation between Firefly flight indicated that a bailout was imminent. Pedro 74 deposited the Fire Suppression Kit within the field boundaries. While this was being done the bailout was completed at 1500 hrs. local. Pedro 74 departed Nakhon Phanom immediately for the crash site, steers were given to the site by Firefly 27 as well as assistance from Invert. The downed pilot was located a t 290 degrees at 20 NM in the center of a small village. He used smoke (M-13), when it was requested. He then went to the edge of the small village, Pedro lowered the hoist, 20 feet to pick up the survivor. It was impossible to land due to numerous trees, etc. in the vicinity. The pilot was returned to the Pedro pad after spending approximately 15 to 20 minutes on the ground. 30 March 1970 At 1250 local the crew of Pedro 74 was notified that an F-4 with blown canopy and fire in the cockpit was approaching NKP and was 50 miles out. The crew scrambled without the FSK expecting a possible bailout. When airborne Pedro 74 was informed that the aircraft was approaching Runway 33. Two minutes later tower informed Pedro 74 that the aircraft was now taking an approach to Runway 15. As Pedro 74 proceeded to a new orbit position a column of black smoke was seen by the crew rising to the northeast of the field. A check with the tower confirmed that the F-4 crew had bailed out. Pedro 74 proceeded directly to the crash site and with directions from the F-4's wingman spotted the survivors immediately upon arrival. Pedro 74 landed in an open field about 500 feet east of the survivors and discharged three crewmembers (PJ and 2 Firefighters) to render aid if necessary and lead the survivors back to the helicopter. While leading the survivors back to the helicopter the PJ was informed that two nearby villagers had been injured by debris from the crash. Since the two survivors were not seriously injured, they were led to the helicopter by one of the Firefighters while the PJ and the other Firefighter examined the injured villagers. One villager, a small boy, was found suffering from a severe contusion while the other, a Buddhist Priest, was suffering from a severe head injury and was bleeding profusely. Once the bleeding was brought under control both villagers were placed aboard the helicopter and all four persons involved were returned to NKP and an awaiting ambulance. Awards and Decorations Air Force Commendation Medal = 2 Hours Flown The Detachment aircraft flew a total of 193.2 hours during the past quarter. Of these 20.5 hours were flown on Operational Missions, 157.6 hours flown for training, 1 hour flown for Base Support, and 11.1 hours flown for Functional Check Flights (FCF). Operation Readiness VS Non-Operational Readiness The Detachment aircraft were operationally ready 87.9% of the quarter. The Air Force standard is 71%. Not operational ready for maintenance or supply was 12.1% of the quarter as against the Air Force Standard of 29%. Assigned Aircraft Pedro 74 - HH-43B - Tail Number 62-4543
Excerpts from the Detachment Historian's Report Mission The mission of Detachment 9, 38th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron was two-fold, Aircrew Recovery and Local Base Rescue. First, Detachment 9 was responsible for the recovery of downed aircrews within a radius of 75 nautical miles from the base. Second, Detachment 9 was responsible for offering immediate fire suppression, rescue, first aid and recovery of any aircrews or any personnel in the local area. Organization Detachment 9 was a unit of the 38th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron with Headquarters at Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Republic of Vietnam. The Detachment was supported at NKP by the 56th Combat Support Group. The Detachment was organized into six sections responsible to the Detachment Commander: Administrative, Operations, Safety, Maintenance, Supply and Standardization. Facilities Det. 1, 40th ARRSq. vacated our building early in the quarter leaving us free to complete renovations. With the addition of copious paint and new floor tile during a self help project, offices finally became settled, comfortable, and pleasing. Transportation Three vehicles were provided Detachment 9 for the transportation of personnel and equipment. One was marked and equipped for the alert crew's rapid response from the remote living and dining areas. The other two provided transportation and hauling capabilities to various parts of the base and hangar area. Missions The Detachment flew 231 sorties of which 68 were in support of aircraft or personnel distress. There was 1 base support and 133 training sorties. The remaining 29 sorties were functional check flights. Mission activity decreased markedly from very active at the beginning of the quarter to a rather slow pace toward the end. One mission was completed during the quarter. Beginning this quarter a less restrictive policy for base support was inaugurated allowing Detachment 9 to become more useful to its operational commander. As a result the above Medivac mission was possible. Also an EOD (Explosive Ordinance Disposal) base support sortie was flown. A recent decision to replace Detachment 9's Pararescuemen with local medics accounted for numerous training missions for the checkout of the Medics. This was accomplished during the normal course of flying and with only a slightly increased strain upon our instructors. 8 April 1970 The 56th S.O.W. notified Pedro that Camp Hunky Special Forces Camp had a soldier that had been bitten by a Cobra and that it was a life and death Medivac. JRCC was called for approval. Mission planned and departed at 08/0515Z with one doctor and one Med Tech. from 56th USAF Dispensary. Arrived at Camp Hunky at 08/0550Z. On-loaded patient and departed for 56th USAF Dispensary at NKP RTAFB at 08/0553Z. Arrived at NKP at 08/0630Z and patient admitted to the Dispensary. Awards and Decorations Air Medal =1 Hours Flown The Detachment aircraft flew a total of 192.4 hours during the past quarter. Of these 18.5 hours were flown on Operational Missions, 155.4 hours flown for training, 2.1 hour flown for Base Support, and 16.4 hours flown for Functional Check Flights (FCF). Operation Readiness VS Non-Operational Readiness The Detachment aircraft were operationally ready 78.2% of the quarter. The Air Force standard is 71%. Not operational ready for maintenance or supply was 21.8% of the quarter as against the Air Force standard of 29%.
The following photographs are provided by and are the property of Ricky Sheets. They were taken in 1972.
Local teachers Tour Det. #9. Web Master Notes - Community relations was an important part of the Mission in Thailand. Detachments participated in many ways. Probably one of the most common was MEDCAPS. Base medical people would be flown to surrounding villages to administer medical care to villagers. Some Dets. went as far as to sponsor orphanages.
Ricky Sheets The following photos were provided by Phil Carroll. Phil
served at NKP as a Security Police Dog Handler. If you have anything you would like to
contribute to the Det. 9 Page (photos, personal anecdotes, etc., please
contact me. This Page was Updated March 26, 2008 . |
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