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Squadron Marks 30 Years of Honoring Fallen Comrades
(March 5, 2011) |
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| CAPONES ISLAND, Philippines (3/2/2011 - AFNS) -- Members of
the 1st Special Operations Squadron at Kadena Air Base,
Japan, marked the 30th consecutive year of honoring their
fallen brethren of call sign STRAY 59 as two loadmasters
from GOOSE 99 released a ceremonial wreath from the ramp of
an MC-130H Combat Talon II here Feb. 26. |
Eight of the nine crew members, and 15 special
operators who were passengers, perished 30 years ago
when a 1st SOS MC-130E (STRAY 59) crashed Feb. 26,
1981, during a joint exercise in the Philippines.
Each year, a crew from the 1st SOS flies more than
three hours to reach the exact coordinates of the
crash site to release a ceremonial wreath in
commemoration of the sacrifice made by the men of
STRAY 59.
"The men and women of the 1st SOS
are truly honored to be able to commemorate the
lives of the crew of STRAY 59 and their special
operations teammates that perished that fateful day
over 30 years ago," said Lt. Col. Andrew Lewin, the
1st SOS commander. "We come from a proud heritage
and this memorial flight is a |
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Loadmasters assigned to the 1st Special Operations Squadron prepare to release a wreath from an MC-130H Combat Talon II Feb. 26, 2011, in memory of fallen brethren lost 30 years ago, when a 1st SOS MC-130E, call sign STRAY 59, crashed during an exercise, killing eight crewmembers and 15 passengers. U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Jonathan Steffen |
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small way for us to honor those who helped build
it." |
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The members of the 1st SOS said they share their commander's
feelings toward their unit and the crew of STRAY 59, and
share a great sense of pride in honoring them -- especially
the crewmembers of GOOSE 99.
"It has been 30 years to
the day," said Maj. Darin Wheeler, the aircraft commander
from GOOSE 99. "I take pride in honoring the memory of our
fallen special operators, and it is a privilege to
participate in any memorial flight. The significance of this
anniversary makes it a special honor."
"For 30 years
the GOOSE family has honored these men for the sacrifice
they made that morning," said Staff Sgt. Zachary Kelhi, a
1st SOS loadmaster and GOOSE 99 crewmember. "Being a part of
this memorial flight shows that we never forget our fallen
brothers, and it makes me proud to be a part of this family.
Every member of this unit deserves to participate in this
flight, and being chosen is a great honor."
In
February 1981, crews from the 1st SOS were responsible for
the airlift during Special Warfare Exercise 81, an annual
joint exercise in the Philippines hosted by the Navy SEALS.
The squadron established an Air Force Special Operations
Base at Naval Air Station Cubi Point, Philippines, and crews
flew day and night missions involving low-level,
psychological operations, infiltration and exfiltration of
forces.
Maj. James Kirk commanded STRAY 59 and a crew
from the 1st SOS that was responsible for a total of 12
missions during the 16-day exercise. STRAY 59 was scheduled
to be his crew's final mission during the Specwarex 81.
The morning of Feb. 26, 1981, the crew's takeoff time
for the mission was slipped from 1:05 a.m. to 4:30 a.m., due
to an extended crew day on their mission a day before. STRAY
59 executed a non-tactical departure from Cubi Point at 4:28
a.m. and executed a tactical landing back at Cubi Point at
5:06 a.m., to quickly load 15 personnel participating in the
exercise. STRAY 59 executed a tactical departure two minutes
later. The crew made their operational normal call six
minutes into their low-level flight, with a ground radio
station. The second, and last, transmission from STRAY 59
was received at 5:21 a.m.; the crew had not indicated there
was a problem with their aircraft.
Minutes later, a
local fisherman watched the aircraft impact the water and
explode. Eight crewmembers and 15 special operators were
killed instantly. One crewmember from the 1st SOS, an
electronic warfare officer, was thrown from the wreckage and
rescued by a local fisherman.
The investigation
conducted on STRAY 59 could not pinpoint the exact cause of
the accident. The lack of physical evidence following the
crash hindered the investigation. Minutes after impacting
the ocean, the wreckage sank to a depth of 240 feet.
The 1st Special Operations Squadron members lost Feb. 26,
1981, during the STRAY 59 crash are: Maj. James Kirk,
aircraft commander; Capt. Norman Martel, pilot; Capt. Thomas
Patterson, navigator; Capt. Gregory Peppers, navigator;
Tech. Sgt. Stephen Blyler, radio operator; Tech. Sgt. Barry
Chumbley, loadmaster; Tech. Sgt. Gary Logan, loadmaster; and
Staff Sgt. John Felton, flight engineer. |
By USAF TSgt. Aaron Cram
353rd Special Operations Group
Copyright 2011 | |
Reprinted from
Air Force News
Service
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