| Story By: HS-14 PAO email: pamoor52@cv62.navy.mil Date: May 6, 1998HS-14 Chargers and CVW-5 exemplified speed and safety in the rescue of an Indy-based F/A-18 pilot who went down with his plane, April 27th, into waters 20 miles southwest of the carrier.
On the flight deck’s spot 3, the helicopter crew of Lightning 617 had just shut down after a two-and-a-half-hour plane guard flight. Once alerted, the crew manned up, started engines, engaged rotors, and went airborne in less than three minutes. Adrenaline pumping, the crew hurried to the scene of action. Lt. Cmdr. George Whitehead, Helicopter Aircraft Commander, flew from the right seat while Lt.j.g. J.P. Goggin handled tactical navigation plot and copilot duties. In the cabin, Aviation Warfare Systems Operator 2nd Class Troy Kyle and AW2 Dan Gilley prepared the cabin for the rescue. "When we first launched, I was shocked I was getting the chance to rescue someone," Kyle said. "At the same time, I was concerned for the condition of the pilot and wondered what we’d find when we arrived on station." Radio contact was soon established with an E-2 Hawkeye (VAW-115) inbound from an Operation SOUTHERN WATCH mission. The circling Hawkeye directed the rescue helicopter toward the area where the F/A-18 Hornet went down. Meanwhile, Lt. James "Marvin" Haigler in another F/A-18 took control as the On-Scene Commander. Haigler made low passes over the area in search of the downed aviator. Several tense minutes passed until he finally made radio contact with Voors, and actually saw him. Within 10 miles of Voors position, the rescuing helicopter pilot sighted Haigler in his F/A-18. "I asked Chippy 410 (Haigler) to wag his wings when he was directly over the survivor," said Lt. Cmdr. Whitehead, the Hawkeye’s HAC. "I saw the Hornet rocking his wings and we made a bee-line for that spot." The Charger aircraft arrived on-station just 12 minutes after launch from the Indy. Working quickly, Kyle operated the rescue hoist and had both Voors and the rescue swimmer aboard six minutes after the swimmer went into water. "Once we had Voors on board, I was relieved to find him in such good condition," Kyle said. "The whole crew breathed a sigh a relief when he offered a crooked smile and gave us a thumbs up." With Voors quickly back on Indy for a medical exam the flight deck was ready for its next cycle. Caption: (Left to right) Lt. Cmdr. George Whitehead, AW2 Dan Gilley, AW2 Troy Kyle, and Lt.j.g. J.P. Goggin from HS-14 made the rescue. PHOTO BY: PHAN CHRIS HOWELL |
During a routine
Functional Check Flight, a system failure forced the pilot, Lt. Cmdr. Patrick
"Voodoo" Voors, to eject from his aircraft, call signed ‘Dragon 301’.
A quick "Mayday" from the distressed aviator put the Search and Rescue machinery
of CVW-5 and