Coast Guard Helo down in Mobile Bay

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http://blog.al.com/live/2012/02/coast_guard_helicopter_crashes.html

"MOBILE, Alabama -- A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter with 4 people aboard crashed near Point Clear in Mobile Bay tonight, a USCG spokesman said. One person was being taken to shore, while 3 more were missing, spokesman Lt. J.G. Timothy Williams said."

Praying for the crew and families and hope the find the missing 3 soon.

I hate to say it, but they won't be found alive. Overwater flying is a high-risk endeavor, and a crash usually means that good men will be surrendered to the deep. Godspeed to all.
 
I hate to say it, but they won't be found alive. Overwater flying is a high-risk endeavor, and a crash usually means that good men will be surrendered to the deep. Godspeed to all.

Not what I like to hear this early on, especially prior to the names being released. We can be assured, no matter what happens, this affects the entire service in some way.

A girl that graduated a year ahead of me crashed in the Great Lakes. Everyone came out alive.

Let's give 'em some time before we go ahead an declare them dead.... let's just give them that... especially until I find out if a friend was included in this crew.
 
Not what I like to hear this early on, especially prior to the names being released. We can be assured, no matter what happens, this affects the entire service in some way.

A girl that graduated a year ahead of me crashed in the Great Lakes. Everyone came out alive.

Let's give 'em some time before we go ahead an declare them dead.... let's just give them that... especially until I find out if a friend was included in this crew.

I certainly do hope I'm wrong. Just speaking from previous experiences of overwater incidents. Though many would think that the hard ground is the most unforgiving crash environment, the water is a truly harsh mistress.

Here's hoping they are all found alive and well.
 
It's not over till its's over. Pray for their strength and the strength of the family members.
 
Just a quick update. One member of the crew was recovered unresponsive and was later declared deceased.

http://www.local15tv.com/news/custo...U5OTd0iUfd7dAJTGrQ.cspx#.T04PHDcQWLA.facebook

Eternal Father Lord of Hosts,
Watch o'er all those who Guard our Coasts,
Protect them from the raging seas,
And give them light, and life, and peace,
Grant them Father from thy great throne above,
The Shield and Shelter of your love.

Lord, Guard and guide the ones who fly,
In the great empty spaces of the sky,
Be with them always in the air,
In stormy skies and sunlight fair,
Lord hear us when we lift our prayers,
For those in Peril, in the air.
 
Loss of Coast Guard Aircraft 6535

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 2012

Posted by: LT Connie Braesch

Posted from Commandant of the Coast Guard Admiral Bob Papp’s All Hands e-mail:

Shipmates,

I regret to inform you that last evening, Tuesday, February 28th, CG-6535 from ATC Mobile crashed in Mobile Bay. CG-6535 was flown by a four-person crew and was conducting training operations. A full Coast Guard and interagency search and rescue effort was launched – the aircraft was quickly located. One deceased crewmember was recovered, and extensive efforts continue to locate the other three crewmembers.

I know that everyone desires additional details on the crash and to know the names and status of the crew. We are following the appropriate notification procedures and request your patience and understanding. We will release additional information to all of you as soon as possible.

The aircrew and families must be our first priority. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers as we move through the next few days. I am working with senior leadership to ensure we are providing every available resource to meet their needs.

We will conduct a full investigation into this incident to determine the cause. In the mean time, I ask that everyone remain focused on their duties and take deliberate steps to ensure you and your shipmates are standing a taut watch.

Semper Paratus,

Admiral Bob Papp
Commandant
 
Sad to say, they will likely find the remaining aircrew still inside the aircraft.
 
My prayers and thoughts go out to the families that they my find peace with what is now their lives.

I have to agree with scout, sadly that is probably the fact.
 
I think everyone is keeping their fingers crossed, but I think most are being realistic.

Back in 1990, an F111 went down in the "wash", it took 18 hrs to retrieve their bodies and that was the worst, because you still had hope against hope they were alive. The reality was they had died, but because the AF had yet to retrieve the bodies, they were not officially dead.

I am with you in hoping for finding them alive, but I am with Scout, that because of how the notification process works, they will probably be found inside the helo.

Not to make this morbid, but we do know 1 has already died. What is the CG tradition in this situation. I.E. the Army for ground troops, do the boots, helmet, rifle display. The AF does a missing man for fliers. What is their tradition that they will do? Is there a helo formation?
 
Just saw the Mobile news break at 0930. One confirmed deceased. Still in "search" mode for balance of crew heading to fuselage. Fuselage in 13' of water.

Our hearts go out to these brave young people and their families and until we are notified otherwise will still believe that a miracle is possible.
 
Back in 1990, an F111 went down in the "wash",
Completely different ballgame. Actually, Navy and CG helos going in the water is not always fatal to the crews. Very cold water can prove fatal. As can hitting at high rates of speed. However, both the CG and the Navy spend a lot of time hovering. Inadvertent or unplanned water entry during these maneuvers can be very controlled. And highly survivorable. Also, aircrews both plan and drill for water entry. The 9D5 dunker is very realistic and most seagoing aircrews practice in it until they can egress in their sleep, blindfolded, inverted, with only a single exit functioning. It builds confidence. I think individual oxygen breathing devices are relatively standard now. They are required to wear anti-exposure clothing when water temperatures drop below certain levels. After, all this though, the odds of surviving the night decreases almost exponentially with each passing hour.
 
A sad day indeed, Our prayers for the crew and their families.

Semper Paratus
 
Completely different ballgame. Actually, Navy and CG helos going in the water is not always fatal to the crews. Very cold water can prove fatal. As can hitting at high rates of speed. However, both the CG and the Navy spend a lot of time hovering. Inadvertent or unplanned water entry during these maneuvers can be very controlled. And highly survivorable. Also, aircrews both plan and drill for water entry. The 9D5 dunker is very realistic and most seagoing aircrews practice in it until they can egress in their sleep, blindfolded, inverted, with only a single exit functioning. It builds confidence. I think individual oxygen breathing devices are relatively standard now. They are required to wear anti-exposure clothing when water temperatures drop below certain levels. After, all this though, the odds of surviving the night decreases almost exponentially with each passing hour.

If we were talking about an open water search and an unknown crash location, I'd agree. But in a bay with a located crash wreckage....those aviators are not missing.

As for the F-111...the big difference is the ability to eject.
 
If we were talking about an open water search and an unknown crash location, I'd agree. But in a bay with a located crash wreckage....those aviators are not missing.

As for the F-111...the big difference is the ability to eject.

Just watched the latest news update - they're calling 4 deceased. It's a hard day for our sister service and all of us.

RIP with God

Romad
 
Mongo, I really did not want this to be a service peeing contest, nor a lesson in the flying atmosphere. Hearts are breaking in this community and they could not give a crap left, right or indifferent about speeds, water temps., or dunkers.

My point was only to state that I supported Scout's position that unfortunately they probably are dead, but due to regs they are not according the CG.

Again, as morbid as this may seem, there were be a funeral for at least one. To enlighten everyone here all of how they recognize the life of that officer will also give a sense of pride that our country acknowledges their life.
 
But in a bay with a located crash wreckage....those aviators are not missing.
Not following your logic at all. You're not making sense. I guess the shifting tides of sands in the desert doesn't move things at 5 kts a few hours four times a day. Bays are the worst.
 
Scout, I have to give this to Mongo regarding the "wash", it is all about getting to the bodies. Again, no peeing contest, my post was to only illustrate why they were not declared dead.

We are getting off topic, family members are crying. CG members are feeling a loss. This is the time we stop and say a prayer for those who will never be the same.

There are parents that lost a child. Wives that lost their soul mate. Children that will never have their parent attend their HS graduation.

We need to embrace the CG and let them know that their pain hurts all of us too.
 
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