PEDRO RESCUE HELICOPTER ASSOCIATION (PRHA)

I appreciate the fact that Steve Mock and Paul Metzner have graciously offered space in this and future “PEDRO NEWS” editions for the dissemination of pertinent PRHA information.  While separate entities, we both have the goal to preserve, promote, and share the proud history of the Kaman HH-43B/F helicopters and of those crewmembers who are united by the bonds formed by their association with the helicopter and it’s life saving mission ………

Membership is open to all persons who flew in the Air Rescue Service’s H-43 series “Pedro” (its radio call-sign) Helicopters either as a crewmember or assigned Rescue Headquarter Staff and Detachment personnel.  Also included are the wives and children of the aforementioned individuals.  Moreover, associate membership is open to any person that was “rescued or recovered” by the HH-43.

An election of the association’s officers was held towards the end of 2005 and the following members were elected (or re-elected) to the Executive Board (also included is their crew position or affiliation):

President:  John Christianson (formerly VP)—Pilot

Vice President:  James Taylor—Flight Mechanic

Secretary (also Membership Chairman):  Ed Cartwright—Firefighter

Treasurer:  Chris Taylor (re-elected)—James Taylor’s son

Chaplin:  Nathan Greene (re-elected)—Pilot

Member at Large:  Clyde (Red) Lemke (re-elected)—Pilot

Member at Large:  John Flournoy (re-elected)—Pilot

Our next reunion (SCRAMBLE) will be in the Hartford, Connecticut area, August 3, 4, & 5, 2006.  This location was chosen due to its close proximity to Bloomfield, CT, and to the Kaman Corporation, the manufacturer of the HH-43B/F.  One of the highlights of the reunion will be a tour of the facility.  We will also be considering a side-trip to the New England Air Museum at Windsor Locks, CT, a short distance from Bloomfield.  This will be a great time to renew old friendships and the camaraderie that we once shared.

 If you are interested in joining the PRHA, please checkout our website listed below for membership information.  We would love to have you come on board and join us at the reunion.

 If you are already a member, please plan on attending the reunion.  Ed Cartwright will be sending out additional information as we get our reunion plans firmed up.

 John Christianson

PRHA President

The PRHA website is located at:  http://pedroafrescue.org/.

EDITOR'S NOTE:

Pedronews welcomes the addition of the PRHA to our humble publication. We look forward to a longstanding relationship with your organization and will do all we can to help you

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