Thud105 Posted April 24, 2009 Share Posted April 24, 2009 Guys/Gals, Let's take a moment and remember those lost at Desert One. 29 years ago, they "Had The Guts To Try".. May we never forget their sacrifice.. Frank C. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skip Davenport Posted April 24, 2009 Share Posted April 24, 2009 (edited) Bluebeard 3 a RH-53D Marine helo colided with Republic 4 a AF EC-130E during a reposition to fuel. The desert sand was so fine it has been described as talcum powder. The helo's rotor wash obscured the pilots vision and he was unable to clear the vertal tail of the Herk. The AF crew was Pilots - Capt Lewis, Capt Mcintosh, Navs - Capt Bakke, Capt McMillan and FE Msgt Mayo + the 3 Marines on the helo. All wariors, true heros "With the Guts to Try" -- It was an honor to know, fly, fight and serve with each of you. Edited April 25, 2009 by Skip Davenport Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackmac_Project Posted April 24, 2009 Share Posted April 24, 2009 True American Heroes that had "THE GUTS TO TRY" what many felt was impossible. They are true heroes that should never be forgotten for their sacrifice for they are the true representatives of the true spirit of the Quiet Professionals. The Men we lost on that dark night in Iran are "True American Heroes" and take their rightful place as role models for today's Special Operation Community. Engine Mike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
US Herk Posted April 25, 2009 Share Posted April 25, 2009 We are who we are today in AFSOC and SOCOM because of these men's sacrifice. They are never forgotten. The RAF Motto is pretty appropriate in this case: Per Ardua, Ad Astra - From Struggle to the Stars Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rw605 Posted April 25, 2009 Share Posted April 25, 2009 Yes, God bless those brave guys. I actually borrowed the book "Guts to try" from a friend many years ago and he PCS'd before I could give it back to him. I retired in 2003 and met up with him last year and finally got it back to him. He had Col Kyle's autograph on the inside cover (Author) so he was pretty happy to get it back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DC10FE Posted April 25, 2009 Share Posted April 25, 2009 Skip, I don't want to come across as a nit-picker, but MSgt Joe Mayo was an FE on "Republic 4." The helo's call sign was "Bluebeard 3." Thigpen's book, "The Praetorian Starship" has an excellent detailed account of the entire operation. All heros. Don R. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skip Davenport Posted April 25, 2009 Share Posted April 25, 2009 Skip, I don't want to come across as a nit-picker, but MSgt Joe Mayo was an FE on "Republic 4." The helo's call sign was "Bluebeard 3." Thigpen's book, "The Praetorian Starship" has an excellent detailed account of the entire operation. All heros. Don R. You are correct -- I should not have relied on my memory. I have corrected my post. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
agarrett Posted April 25, 2009 Share Posted April 25, 2009 My son's day care provider was on Mayo St. They didn't know anything about it. I told them there were a lot of streets on Hurby named after guys that didn't come back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest cobra935o Posted April 25, 2009 Share Posted April 25, 2009 (edited) The first acft I was ever assigned to, EC-130E 62-1818, was one of the planes on the ground over there in Iran, and had a plaque on board dedicated to those men, and the airplane. I always thought that was the coolest thing to at least get to touch and care for a living piece of history every day while I was there at Keesler. Also I lived on Kanuha Street in Commando Village, named after SSgt Damon Kanuha, the FE on Spirit 03! Shame people dont think about who the bases or streets are named after or why! Nathan Edited April 25, 2009 by cobra935o Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thud105 Posted April 26, 2009 Author Share Posted April 26, 2009 Skip, I don't want to come across as a nit-picker, but MSgt Joe Mayo was an FE on "Republic 4." The helo's call sign was "Bluebeard 3." Thigpen's book, "The Praetorian Starship" has an excellent detailed account of the entire operation. All heros. Don R. Gang, Would anyone have a copy of this publication that I can read. I have a long time association with this event, and would love to read it. I presented a memorial model of a Talon to the 8th a few weeks after the sortie. As of 2 years ago it, it was still standing strong. Thanks in advance Frank Carberry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mongo Posted April 26, 2009 Share Posted April 26, 2009 http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=praetorian+starship&tag=googhydr-20&index=aps&hvadid=1150736201&ref=pd_sl_zyhlb4c4_e try this link. Amazon shows 6 books availeable. or you can find other links with lots of excerpts from the book by googleing key words like desertone, or fulton skyhook-anchor. John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PJShilkitus Posted April 26, 2009 Share Posted April 26, 2009 It's also available as a download from the Air University http://www.au.af.mil/au/aul/aupress/Indexes/books_out.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Metalbasher Posted April 27, 2009 Share Posted April 27, 2009 From the Robins Museum of Aviation webpage...the last acft modified is still in the modified configuration on display behind the museum. Lockheed YMC-130H In 1981 it was one of three C-130H aircraft that were specially modified for use in a possible rescue attempt of the Americans held hostage in Iran in 1981. Code named "Credible Sport", the stock C-130H aircraft had highly modified flight control, flap system and airframe components allowed the installation of various rocket systems for short take off and landing (STOL) capabilities unique to the rescue operation. Although never actually used, one of the aircraft was destroyed during testing and second was demodified and returned to service and the third, this one on display, was retired to the Museum in 1987. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
opspecial Posted July 20, 2009 Share Posted July 20, 2009 if memory serves me right, I believe the Bird that went down during testing/practice was a retired DC-130. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
talons1555 Posted July 20, 2009 Share Posted July 20, 2009 It was my understanding that the three acft came from Dyess. I was in -21 section then, when we where told in the a.m. to inventory them and they left that afternoon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobdaley Posted July 20, 2009 Share Posted July 20, 2009 They were 3 C-130H slicks from Dyess, None had been DC's 4658 74-2064 the one that crashed 4667 74-2065 Returned to Dyess 4669 74-1686 Robins Museum Bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Wilson Posted July 25, 2009 Share Posted July 25, 2009 The first acft I was ever assigned to, EC-130E 62-1818, was one of the planes on the ground over there in Iran, and had a plaque on board dedicated to those men, and the airplane. I always thought that was the coolest thing to at least get to touch and care for a living piece of history every day while I was there at Keesler. Nathan Nate, I remember those plaques. All three surviving planes had them, 1818, 1857 and I dont remember what the third tail was. BTW 1857 was the crookedest plane I have ever flown on, they bent it pretty good getting it out of the desert but you gotta do what you gotta do. I usually take occasions like this to remember all my fellow Herky Aviators that have paid the final price, Rest in peace. Dan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RavenFE Posted August 7, 2009 Share Posted August 7, 2009 Dan, Only 3 EC-130E aircraft were involved in the operation, 62-1809 Republic 4 (destroyed) - 62-1818, Republic 5 and 62-1857, Republic 6 (last aircraft out). There is not an April that passes that I don't remember these guys, real American Heroes! Check out this site: http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/joelmayo.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Wilson Posted August 10, 2009 Share Posted August 10, 2009 Ahhh that explains why I couldn't remember another tail number other than 1818 and 1857:p Thanks Dan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GACFaja Posted August 30, 2009 Share Posted August 30, 2009 Dan, Only 3 EC-130E aircraft were involved in the operation, 62-1809 Republic 4 (destroyed) - 62-1818, Republic 5 and 62-1857, Republic 6 (last aircraft out). There is not an April that passes that I don't remember these guys, real American Heroes! Check out this site: http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/joelmayo.htm I was in the 42nd ACCS when they closed the unit. 1818 went to the boneyard; not sure where 1857 went. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobdaley Posted August 30, 2009 Share Posted August 30, 2009 62-1857 is at Hurlburt Bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wpauwells Posted November 30, 2009 Share Posted November 30, 2009 I was assinged to this aircraft 62-1818 at Moody AFB GA right before it as sent to AMARC (Boneyard) for cracks in the wing box. Where exactly was this plaque? Was it removed? I know the Acfts name was the Bad Boy, and was it the acft to bring back the hostages from Iran? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John H Wilson Posted November 30, 2009 Share Posted November 30, 2009 The helicopter that was left behind was later flown by the Iranian AF. It was flown by the pilot from Iran to Saudi one night with his family onboard to escape from Iran. I saw it at one of the air bases during Desert Storm.. It now belongs to the Saudi AF. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wil Sanchez Posted November 30, 2009 Share Posted November 30, 2009 Thanks for remembering those heroes. It is to bad they did not succeed in freeing our fellow Americans. It is good that they are not forgotten. I was assigned to 62-1809 for my first trip into Viet Nam. On July 15, 1967 she was damaged in a rocket attack in Danang, VN. the left wing was burned to number 1 engine. She was later repaired and continued to fly the ABCCC mission until her heroic loss in Iran along with her valiant crew. thanks to all my fellow warriors for your service and sacrifice. Wil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Wilson Posted November 30, 2009 Share Posted November 30, 2009 Where exactly was this plaque? Was it removed? The plaques were mounted above the navs station, just to the right of the spares storage panel. Dan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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