On May 3, 2003 a very successful Helicopter Rescue Demonstration Operation was performed off Croton Point Park. The operation, which involved hoisting a USCG Auxiliarist from a moving Auxiliary vessel into a USCG Helicopter hovering above, was a home-run for the cooperative spirit among all Coast Guard Forces - Active Duty and Volunteer alike.
This was a multi-purpose mission drawing the participation of many members from two Division 6 Flotillas (6 & 7) as well as a plethora of other Law Enforcement, Fire/Rescue and Military Agencies. Representatives from the New York Guard, Rye Police Marine Division and other local Police and Fire/Rescue Agencies were on hand to observe this unique and complex operation first-hand as well as assist in donating the use of protective equipment such as Kevlar helmets provided by the New York Guard (S-1, 5th CAREGT). A true example of multi-agency cooperation.
(all
personnel are from U.S.C.G. Auxiliary District 1(SR) Flotilla 6-7 unless
otherwise noted)
[all links will display in another window]
The operation officially commenced at 1100 hours on May 3, 2003. Bonnie & Steve Blaho and Bill Smith arrived in their respective vessels at the site of Greg Porteus' Launch 5 in Ossining. Jeff Grossman, Bill Logan, Kevin Lustyik, Larry Via all brethren from Flotilla 6-6 arrived in Logan's Run - another USCG Aux operational facility. Greg had already launched his rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB) and had it tied to Launch 5. These vessels were to provide perimeter support as well as serve as video and photography platforms. Lt. Colonel Joseph Wooley of the New York Guard (S-1, 5th CAREGT) was to be helmsman aboard Bill Smith's boat while Steve Blaho would pilot his own. James Picciano and Lou Liotti were to be coxswain and crew on the RHIB.
As more crew, videographers, photographers and observers gathered at the Launch, Vinny Stafford of - the de facto quarterback for the event - reviewed roles, procedures and set expectations for the operation. The Kevlar protective helmets on loan from the NY Guard were issued to the crew and the static stick (from Grainger's - Greg's $300) used to discharge static electricity from the rescue basket) was readied by Cliff Forrest who was charged with employing the device during the retrieval of the basket. All hands were mobilized to remove or secure any loose apparatus, flags etc. from Launch 5 to avoid any airborne dangers caused by the helicopter's prop-wash.
At approximately 1400, we were all ready to get underway and get on scene off Croton Point Park - the designated location for the operation chosen to maximize spectator access from land. Tom Smith (civilian volunteer videographer) and Carmen Troesser (Journal News photograper) boarded Bill Smith's boat along with pilot Lt. Col Wooley. Steve Worthy (civilian volunteer videographer) - boarded Bonnie & Steve Blaho's boat along with Flotilla 6-7 Commander Don Lloyd. USCG Auxiliary facilities Logan's Run and the RHIB led the way out of Ossining out past Teller's Point and established a perimeter around the designated operational area.
Major John Mangialardi of the NY Guard (S-1, 5th CAREGT) boarded Launch 5 to act as observer and also to provide inter-boat communications and coordination of the film crews. Also present for training purposes were P.O. Gary Olivier (Rye PD), Rye Bay Constable Michael Outhouse and Rye Harbor Master Caldwell (Port Chester PD).
Launch 5 and its crew from got underway shortly thereafter with Coxswain Greg Porteus at the helm. With Lynn Valenti designated to be placed into the basket and hoisted to the helo, special attention was paid by Janet Morra and Vinny Stafford to secure all protective gear including flotation, helmet, eye protection etc. Once on-scene, all that was left to do was to make some last minute confirmation of perimeter configuration with the supporting vessels and wait for the arrival of the helicopter.
Shortly before 1500 hours, the Coast Guard crew of the Dolphin HH65A Helicopter #6579 from Group Air Station Atlantic City hailed Launch 5 on channel 21alpha and signaled their intention to radio down a detailed set of procedures for the operation while enroute. Although we had already been classroom trained in detail by Vinny Stafford, it was good to obtain validation and the instructions matched our training exactly.
After the instructions were radioed, we established visual contact with the helicopter which arrived overhead shortly and proceeded to perform a few fly-arounds to get acclimated to the area and our vessel. The helo #6579 was crewed by LCDR Andy Dutton, LT Hans Govertsen, AMT2 Dexter Jackman and AST1 Kurt Revels.
Confident to begin the operation, the helicopter crew instructed Greg on what course and speed to maintain while the helicopter moved into position overhead. With Bill Smith videotaping, Paige Flori and Pete Van Markwyk photographing aboard Launch 5, the crew of Janet Morra, Jack Hayes, Chris Stewart and Bill Hughes prepared to receive the trail line lowered from the helicopter. Once the trail line was tended by Janet Morra, the helicopter dropped back dumped into the river a sealed case with a dewatering pump in it. This case was connected to the other end of the trail line which was then used to haul the pump aboard the Launch.
Once the pump was moved out of the way, the helicopter moved back overhead for the main event - the basket "rescue" of Lynn Valenti. After lowering another trail line, the basket was lowered from the helicopter. Before hauling it into Launch 5's aft cockpit, Cliff Forrest was made contact with the grounded static stick to discharge any static electricity generated by the rotating blades. The basket was hauled aboard and Janet Morra, Chris Stewart and Jack Hayes helped Lynn into the basket. The "thumbs up" was given and Lynn was hoisted quite rapidly up into the helicopter. After a tour around the area, the helicopter once again estabilished and maintained perfect position over our moving vessel and lowered the basket containing Lynn down into our aft cockpit. Lynn bounded out of the basket and was met with high-fives from the waiting crew.
After the empty basket and then the pump were hoisted back aboard the helicopter, the crew from Air Station Atlantic City gave us a wave, one final dramatic fly by and headed back to Atlantic City.
Operationally, the mission went completely as planned and was executed flawlessly. The classroom training we received prior to the operation emulated the operation perfectly, contributed directly to the smooth success of the mission. The hands-on experience of this mission not only validated our classroom training practices, but will provide those who participated invaluable confidence in performing such operations in the future in real lifesaving situations or training.
The morale and fellowship boosting impact this operation has had can't be underestimated. Auxiliarist around the division have been energized by the cooperative spirit demonstrated independent of flotilla boundaries. We've established contacts with and have gained the respect of members of other emergency service crews and military organizations that serve our area. Something as seemingly trivial as the loan of safety equipment from the NY Guard is but a small example of how we may be able to help each other out in the time of need. And more intimate relationship building has already been talked about. Finally, it was a real honor to work with our Active Duty Coast Guard forces to observe and learn from their consummate skill and professionalism.
Three video cameras were at work shooting various angles. Some video clips have been made available for online viewing. A full length video production will be forthcoming.
Many still photos were taken of the event. They are still coming in so check back every so often for new ones.
Using special recording equipment setup at a land station, all air-to-ground radio communications were recorded as an invaluable training aid and video soundtrack*. With the continued hard work of our members, this multi-dimensional operation will be one that keeps on giving.
*Note that all dead-air has been removed in between transmissions so it flows more quickly.
The Journal News had a photographer aboard a members vessel. A photograph was published in Sunday's Journal News. Check it out.
by Bill Smith (FSO/CM-67)
NOTICE/DISCLAIMER: Links to non-Coast Guard
entities are not under the control of the United States Coast Guard or the
United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, and are provided for the convenience of our
customers. They do not, in any way, constitute an endorsement of the linked
pages or any commercial or private issues or products presented there. We cannot
make any warranty or representation concerning the content of these sites, or
secondary sites from the pages to which they link.
Email
the Webmaster