THESE
THINGS WE DO
Editor’s Note: In this new Column, we will document Rescues made by
HH-43 Detachments. If you have a Rescue Story (with or without photos) send
them to the Editor at pedronews@libby.org
.
On 16 June 1965, DET5
WARC Mc Chord AFB, WA was contacted by the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department
requesting assistance in locating a 16 year old boy lost in the Wilkeson Area.
The lost boy was separated from a Fishing Party the previous afternoon and had
spent a cold rainy night in the heavily forested area. The Sheriff had
identified the Search Area in a canyon leading up to
Several F-106s were
up, so the Command Post would not allow the Alert Bird to respond until all the
airborne aircraft had landed. This would occur shortly and there was to be a
ninety minute open period before the next launch. We were in the air as the
last F-106 touched down and headed straight for the search area located 30
miles east of McChord.
Upon reaching the area,
we landed at the Sheriff’s Command Post and were briefed on the possible
location of the youngster. We then launched and proceeded up the canyon as far
as possible restricted by a 600 foot ceiling. As visibility failed, we reversed
course and started a contour search on the way back down.
Almost immediately,
one of the Crewmembers in the cabin reported seeing a single individual below
us. We came to a hover above the 80 foot tall Spruce trees for a closer look. He
waved to us and we concluded this was our victim. With no place in the vicinity
to land and plenty of power, we elected to make a hoist pick up.
(FE) TSGt
Eddie Hagerman lowered the hoist, made sure the young man was secured properly and
brought him back up. We flew back to the Sheriff’s Command Post, dropped off
the missing boy and returned to the base in plenty of time for the afternoon’s
first Fighter launch.
When they only give you an hour and
a half for a mission, then I guess you just have to complete it in the allotted
time!
KAMAN Aircraft Corporation sent
(P)
Capt. Paul R. Schildgen
(CP) Capt. Thomas D. Precious
(FE)
TSGt Edward Hagerman
(MT)
A1C William J. Emery
(ABR)
A1C Roger W. McDonald
Narrative
by Paul R. Schildgen, USAF (ret)
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