Pacific Stars and Stripes information
for 38 ARRS DET 4

For date 680602


38 ARRS DET 4 was a US Air Force unit
Primary service involved, US Army
Thailand
Location, Korat
Description: Unusual Rescue Mission, Copter Saves Man on Tower KORAT ROYAL THAI AFB, Thailand (OI) - "It was the most unusual rescue mission I've ever flown." Capt. John A. Canfield, 28, Memphis, Tenn., a pilot in Det. 4, 38th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Sq. here was describing a rescue which took place recently atop the base's new 100-foot water tower. The 20-minute mission involved some tricky maneuvering of an HH43 Huskie helicopter and probably saved the life of a Thai worker. The Thai was working alone in about three feet of water insider the tower during a chlorination test. When the water release valves were accidentally opened he was drawn into a whirlpool, receiving bruises and abrasions as he was washed across the floor. Fellow workers discovered the Thai was too badly hurt to be lowered down the ladder attached to the side of the tower. The rescue came Canfield and Maj. Paseo Parker, 35, Jacksonville, Tex., the detachment commander. On their way, they picked up Capt. Gerald R. Schwarz, 29, Lake Oswego, Ore., a member of the 388th USAF Dispensary staff. "Our biggest worry was that the copter's downwash might blow some of the other workers right off the top of the tower," Canfield said. "We had to get on our public address system and ask them to keep the roof area clear."
Comments: CPT Canfield, John A.; pilot; ; MAJ Parker, Paseo; Det CO; ; CPT Schwarz, Gerald R.; ; ;

The source for this information was 6806PSS.AVN supplied by Les Hines 3/97


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Date posted on this site: 05/13/2023