Wednesday
January 17, 2001
Video Shows Record Coast Guard JAYHAWK Rescue
STRATFORD, Conn., USA ( Sikorsky Press Release ) -
Two Sikorsky HH-60J JAYHAWK helicopters took part in the record rescue. A
total of 26 survivors were flown to safety aboard the first helicopter, while eight
were hoisted onto the second JAYHAWK in the Dec. 17 mission. Both aircraft
exceeded the Coast Guard mission requirement for the JAYHAWK, which calls
for the helicopter to accommodate up to six rescuees. Each aircraft also carries
a crew of four. The 26 evacuees set a single-aircraft record for the Coast Guard
HH-60J.
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The helicopter crews will be honored by their service Jan. 17 at Coast Guard Air
Station Elizabeth City, N.C. Sikorsky is honoring the crews with its Winged-S
Rescue Award. The award, symbolized by a gold winged-S lapel pin with
"RESCUE" written within the company logo, is a badge of honor among civil and
military helicopter pilots and aircrews around the world. It is awarded to aviators
who take part in the saving of human life with a Sikorsky helicopter.
The stricken 600-foot cruise ship SeaBreeze I was 225 nautical miles east of
Virginia, when the scramble alarm sounded at Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth
City, N.C. Within minutes, the airmen were headed for the ship in the first of two
JAYHAWK helicopters. On scene, the seas were running 30 feet and more,
lashing the shipÕs deck and at times dousing the helicopters with salt water as
survivors were hoisted aboard. The winds were 50 knots, gusting to more than 75
knots.
"This mission could not have taken place without the mighty JAYHAWK," said Coast Guard Guard Lt. j.g. Craig Neubecker, co-pilot of the first JAYHAWK. "It was able to get us there and back safely, and had the power to get the mission done despite the horrific weather and sea
conditions. I said a lot of prayers before, during and after the mission, and one of them was to thank God that we were flying the HH-60J, because nothing else could have done the job."
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