....., -=­

BE IT KNOWN THAT

41 -'-1#

SERVED IN THE INTERIOR OF ALASKA, THE GREAT LAND, DURING BRIM FROST 83 FROM 28 JANUARY TO 2 FEBRUARY 1983 SURVIVING WIND CHILL DOWN TO -40 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. « --I ~ ~ ~I'

172d INFANTRY BRIGADE (AK)

Lb.~ NATHAN C. VAIL BRIGADIER GENERAL, USA COMMANDING

GUARDIAN OF THE NORTH

~tattl\ ~nnu 1I1Uttt5 (Do't-~\\tb. . 'llllltltl1q

Jln 1Jletugnttinn fur ~tlertinn ·as .1!\lU1ner-up

in tIte Qrummanbing <&eneralfs Awarb fur !!maintenante iExtellenrt .. in tqe ]l{eauy iEqutpment Qrategnry

Qrerttfi.cate uf <trummtnbattnn IS awarbtb tn

242D AVIATION COMPANY 172D INFANTRY BRIGADE

FORT WAINWRIGHT) ALASKA

<&iu£n at 1J1nrt ~t'lTtrsnn. ~tnrgia t4is twtlftlT ban nf 1J1tbruul11 1903

~ \~~A.~1RY BRItr3 IJ~~v 'UlBl}[)E: C4l48~ ~4)

CERTIFICATE Of ACHIEVEMENT 15 abJarbrb on tbis 22ND bal' of FEBRUARY ,1933

to 242D AVIATION COMPANY

MOTOR POOL

for MERITORIOUS ACHIEVEMENT DURING FISCAL YEAR 1982. THE 242D AVIATION COMPANY ACHIEVED A 92% PASS RATE FOR VECHILE ROAD SIDE SPOT CHECKS FOR THIS TIME FRAME. THIS ACCOMPLISHMENT COULD ONLY BE ACHIEVED THROUGH MANY HOURS OF HARD WORK WHILE OPERATING THESE VEHICLES UNDER EXTREME LOW TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS. ALL MEMBERS OF THE 242D AVIATION COMPANY MOTOR POOL ARE COMMENDED FOR THEIR DEDICATION AND ATTENTION TO DETAIN IN THEIR PERFORMANCE OF DUTY. THEIR ACTIONS REFL~CT GREAT CREDIT UPON THEMSELVES, THEIR UNIT AND THE UNITED STATES ARMY.

HEADQUARTERS, 2220 AVIATION BATTALION (CBT) FORT WAINWRIGHT, ALASKA 99703

c-~~ OHN C. PARRISH~TC, FA

Commanding

e _tineS . ",-, '..' ~~~ .",'~~.~.~ ",:' ~-;- , ..,. ,':". .~ .... . ,; .;'!.. .,:' .//' ,('v .z~~,~ _.:;:l'1?btt5;;,~~~~'f~.;~~,·~'.oj .",,~ :,.J~~;(t;~,·~.;~t~:·· :<~~~~X:'··~;~r:.:~'./):';~:.r-.:;'.:~,,:,~,~.,i~:~;

Vol. 24, No. 16 Fort Wainwright, Alaska 99703 April 22, 1983

HART readies tf,fpluclH:limbers from Denali'sgrasll---- ..... • _ , v ....

Story,photosbySp5JonChelgren Weather has forced this .. The Chinook helicopter particular landing down to the -makes a long;'-'slow' circle in- the-·-~··:-7,50o_foot Kahiltna.:.... Strip..:ikY before beginning a McKinley, or Denali, "the Great ,]umbering, gradual descent to the:'Oi1e/t- as it~was originally' called­~;.&l1owy glacier below. M<>rethan by the Indians, has closed her [10 tons of helicopter ~. dwarfed doors today and will. not allow ~.. the monstJ;ous-. mountain '" the crews..to .he.Lupper reaches. ~peaks it passes. . . '. . The training is conductedm---­

In the cockpit, the pilot and early spring before hundreds of ~~.pilot tense themselves in. climbers flock to the mountain tfierce concentration as,th~ireyes. in their attempts to conquer ~ and record the~· critical. Denali. The mountain plays an f.(riior~ation . displayed.. on th~.. .unwilling. host to many of these i.ttlaSs of gauges in front of them. . "trespassers." Last year. less ~/Behind them, one of the two than 45 percent of those who ~w chiefs crawls out the open attempted the. climb were i.ramp at the rear or' the successful. In 1980, 10 people ~helicopter. He leans out, . died on the mountain. ~nnected to the chopper's . Since it was formed in 1976, ~~ety by only a two-inch wide the HART team has saved 41 tfttrap. Facing forward, he begins people from Denali's deadly ~g out the altitude to the grasp, including two ·..,~b' over the. intercom. Czecho;slovakian climbers who . ~:. As the Chinook nears the were' rescued from the '. und, its twin rotor blades 18,200-foot level.

.,~c 'p up a blinding curtain of ..

~¥.(.;When

~.

!toss

,t'This

)w and ice. With nothing but U . b'I' . I ~ in front of them, the pilots mque capa Iities !r~Ust now "feel" their way to the. Found, relying on the accuracy ~ile other posts have tthe crew chief's information. helIcopter res~ue teams, the

the chopper finally 2~2nd ~oup IS t~e only true ~,~cbes solid ground, it takes off high alb,tude team, In the Anny.

What one pilot calls a In . specIally outfitted CH·47C ~antucket sleigh ride," skidding C~llnooks. the crews can fly as

the glacier's uneven high as 22.000 f:et and land as ~Cl:ce... high. as ~O,OOO feet..

crew is part of an elite Like fIremen, the team IS not 11 ••1 ---.......... • ...... l .... ,..n +-hl""o'l'"I'\;C

say, must be experienced to be appreciated.

Pressed· for details, they speak to· the earth-bound "as . if

- describing. color. to a blind mand•. "It is a humbling experience~

It really makes you feel insignificant," says one pilot,

- CWO~2~Gary" Junk. As O'Halloran puts it, "You

have never seen a big, old Chinook look so small. It is a different world up there."

One of those differences is the lack of any terrain features or vegetation which tell the pilot his' relationship to and height above the ground. Without these "visual cues," a pilot is virtually flying blind.

"It's like diving into a sheet and not knowing when you'll hit bottom," CWO 3 DavidReis explains. "You may see a r?c~, but you don't know how big It. is. It may be a pebble or it may be the size of two houses."

Equally as troubling for the team is Mount McKinley's ability to literally make its own weather. Fair weather on the ground does not always ensure good weather on the mountain.

"You can go from calm to lOO·mile-per-hour winds in 10 minutes, and you can go from no clouds to dense clouds in about the same time," O'Halloran says.

With danger ever present, ~ ...~_,.. ............ 11""rl. non'Jl1 rltlm:lnrh;,

the complete attention of everyone on board. There is- no time for sightseeing in this

. natural' wonderland. :-~·k-simple-··

mistake:..~.quickly: become: a lethaLerror~"':'-::- -,.<." •. : •.. , '.

. "Itm ~- ..' Very" '~nse environment ,to : fly '. in,"

-.. O?Hallomn-,.says. - ~:You2'have:tQ

concentrate like you never have before. There is very little room

:for error by the pilots· or the crew. You've got to. do..it right and do, it· right theAirst time. "

.'-'Reis.,. . contrasts '.> Oenali operations: with normal. missions, saYing, "All . the' ..things . you

·:;normally· take for grarited.. you're .. thinking about constantly. All

of your turns and power changes must be-' meticulously done."

. Despite Denali's dangers, . HART team members· outwardly downplay the risks involved and deny any heroics on their parts.

::·.They take a casual, sometimes . lightheart~, . attitude . when

questioned by "outsiders." '. That attitude, some say, is merely a cover for the deadly serious relationship the team members share with Denali.

SSgt. TerryVcin Sickle, HART NCOle and a veteran of numerous rescue missions, says; "Everybody has a healthy respect for the mountain. And with that resp~ct there is a fear. We just don't talk abom it."

-0t~

- .

-- - -- b~~-+O~~-MY<-- ------- -. -- m_-~O:_ --:

HEADQUARTERS,UNITED STATES ARMY FORCES COMMAND FORT MCPHERSON, GEORGIA 30330

REPLY TO ATTENTION OF 2 MAY 1983

AFLG-MAM

SUBJECT: Army Chief of Staff Award for Maintenance Excellence

Commander 172d Infantry Brigade (AK) Fort Richardson, Alaska 99505

1. The attached Certificate of Commendation recognizes the selection of 242d Aviation Company, Fort Wainwright for participating in the Army Chief of Staff Award for Maintenance Excellence competition.

2. The unit maintenance profile revealed strong leadership and excellent organizational maintenance operations. Unfortunately, only one winner could be selected from each category for Department of the Army competition. The profile will be returned to your headquarters and it is suggested that it be retained as information for the 1983 competition.

3. Please give our congratulations to the soldiers of the 242d Aviation Company for their outstanding effort in the Army Chief of Staff Award for Maintenance Excellence. Your continued support in this outstanding program is appreciated.

FOR THE COMMANDER:

~~d~~1 Incl ~~ENT M. RUSSO as Major General~ GS

DCS, Logistics

/'7 ~.. /l.../

,:;----c--t/,/ /

FORT

REPt.V TO

ATTENTION OF:

_-;-.-=-:-~ ~ ._ =- ':::_.:... ~.=.-~" :c:::;;;<=' •• "".

~~

HEADQUARTERS, 172D INFANTRY BRIGADE (ALASKA)

RICHARDSON, ALASKA 99505

18 MAY 1983

AFZT-CG

SUBJECT: Army Chief of Staff Award for Maintenance Excellence

THRU: Post Commander 172d Infantry Brigade (Alaska) Fort Wainwright, Alaska 99703

Commander 222d Aviation Battalion Fort Wainwright, Alaska 99703

TO: Commander 242d Aviation Company Fort Wainwright, Alaska 99703

1. It is with pleasure that I pass on Major General Russo's comments concerning your maintenance program.

2. You and the members of the 242d Aviation Company can take great pride in your outstanding effort in the Army Chief of Staff Award for Maintenance Excellence competition.

3. Again, congratulations on a job well done.

d,u:du; 1 Incl NATHAN C. VAIL as (w/incl) Brigadier General, USA

Command ing

..,..,.. __ .-:l-~1I!l!J!I!I

. . . .- - _...~._-_._---~-------

AFZT-FW-CO (18 May 83) 1st Ind SUBJECT: Army Chief of Staff Award for Maintenance Excellence

DA, Headquarters, 172d Infantry Brigade (Alaska), Office of the Post Commander, Fort Wainwright, Alaska 99703 1 June 1983

THRU: Commander, 222d Aviation Battalion, Fort Wainwright, Alaska 99703

TO: Commander, 242d Aviation Company, Fort Wainwright, Alaska 99703

1. It is with great pride and pleasure that I forward the comments of Major General Russo and Brigadier General Vail, and I wish to add my thanks for your fine efforts in this competition.

2. Your selection as runner-up for the Commanding General's Award for Maintenance Excellence in the Heavy Equipment category reflects the continuing pride and professionalism displayed by every member of your unit. The members of the 242d Aviation Company can be justifiably proud of this award.

3. Congratulations on a job well done. Keep up the good work!

....,..

~~ 1 Incl EWIS~ nc Colonel, Infantry

Post Commander

----

.r, \.,""­

':~ '!!". __.-'-.0.-' "_,--, ... - __ ......::;.:~ ..-~ .~--,...

- - ._-- - -'--.z::'-~-_~- =-_-- -'--.- "':"=~.-.'-'-~-'-'-_.'''::---- .- -_.- - -- ----. ~~_.- _... ~_.- -- -- .-. --~--",- :;':.'-"'-:':-- .--.,.5. : ..... '" ._--- .:. - ~._ L..;;..' _ ,.- - .- ~ :0. ~ -....--~.-

=~-:-"'r--;F~ ·-".'f,"';

..:;~~..:...a:..:...

-AFZT-Av-co (t8May 83) 2na 'Trid _. .- ... - ..-......

SUBJECT: Army Chief of Staff Award for Maintenance ExceLLence

DA, HQ, 222d Aviation BattaLion (Combat), 172d Infantry Brigade (ALaska), Fort Wainwright, ALaska 99703 3 June 1983

TO: Commander, 242d Aviation Company, 222d Aviation BattaLion (Combat), Fort Wainwright, ALaska 99703

1. I am proud to forward the remarks of Major GeneraL RUSSO, Brigadier GeneraL VaiL, and CoLoneL Driver for your recognition as the runner-up for the Commanding GeneraL's Award for Maintenance ExceLLence in the Heavy Equipment category.

2. Your accompLishment refLects great credit upon your unit and this battaLion.

3. CongratuLations, and thank you for a job weLL done.

-HNC C,p~ TC . PARRISH

, FA ~Command'lng

Vol. 24, !'io. 35 Fort Wainwright, Alask,) 99703 September l. 1983

dclimber rescued offglacier

--ART pulls throughJor man after avalanche '~JIerman McKenzie ~~S. Army helicopter from the High 'f 'Rescue Team (HART) hoisted a

!!limed Anchorage dimber off the iska Glacier Monday afternoon--three Bfter two avalanche-battered climbing '['s-left him in a snow cave to go for help. ~. ,specially-equipped CH-47 Chinooks '!iii'he 24~nd Avn. Co., 222nd Avn. Bn., tied in to rescue John Berryman, 24, l~': Air Force rescue helicopter from ~f .Air Force' Base was pushed'back'by ~ce and was unable :to :rescue him. '~ 'was reported in serious but stable Iii 'at Providence Hospital1n, Anchorage ffiright with neck injuries and frostbite. ;nbing partners, Daniel Jenkins and ·k-Freedm~. of Fairbanks, w~e ~ ~, condition .at. Valley Hospital ..m iR'hey suffered frostbite and bruises. ",~eemen were hit by an avalanche ~while climbing near Mount Marcus

'miles northeast of Anchorage. All' ~bers fell into a crevass .after the ~ pushed them 1,000 feet downslope. 'an and Jenkins decided to leave the

roured Berryman with most of the food ~!uld find af~r the accident and go for

.: - :.~ ...r' . • '., •.L."~.:I_,,,-

~'Wewere 'firsf'ilotified of the accident at 9 a.m. 'MoncIay;','C :stated CW03 Ronald Newsome, co-pilot of the rescue helicopter. "The only inforinationwe received was that there was so.meoneinjured on the slope of the Matanuska Glacier between eight and 11,000feet." . ., .,.." - ,

'After arriving,iIi Elmendorf, specially-trained Air, Force .parar~cue.. (PJ) personnel and an

,avalanche ,exPerl!,J'roni,tb.e Alaska' Park Service .,were' consultedi!~\lMore information on the Victim's locatioiL~rid'COndition were gathered as' ·hypotheririiai:~:,.;medical equipment and extraction', :..-equipment were loaded on the Chinooks. ' , ,

D " .. angerous mIssIon ,_. -- ", ,.. ,.,-,~ ......._-_.._. - .." " .. .. - - ..

Crevasses catacombing the ground prevented the large Chinook from landing near Berryman. 'Strong winds' buffeted the helicopter as the ,pilcjt,CW03~.JoneilIolt;hoveroothe chopper underneath.~:ice.'fall (potential avalanche) to lower the 'tWo PJ . personnel. After receiving emergency first aid, the climber was hoisted in ·a stokes litter onto the Chinook and rushed to Providence Hospital.

"It was a dangerous mission, but we had the

ilf;~ndder~~~~:g ;:f-n~"..-~"... ,

~ol. Lewis F, Driver, post commander, and his personal staff will lead all of the units on Fort Wainwright in a 3.5-mile Commander's Run, starting at 6:30 a.m. tomorrow.

Following the commancil'l's' group will be HQ Co., FWW; 47th E:1~~r. Co.; 472nd MP Co.; 222nd Am. Bn.: USACe; 2nd Bn., 57th ATC; 6th Bn., .s~7i.h Inf. Reg.; 1st Bn., 37th FA; DSD; and finally, the 1. _ .:1 ~ .. _ zo•• _ ..• 'J. .rT""lT""'\r\ A. r'" _._ 1 nV"-Trr' /1..,.,

~st . crew for it," cont~ued Newsome. "It took a very experienced pilot to fly under those conditions and our.two crew chiefs,Stillf Sergeants Daryl Schaal and Gary Moore, instructors for HART, are the very best we have.

''This was a particularly dangerous mission because we could not land," said SSgt. Daryl Schaal. . "It is a lot riskier to bring a victim llP in a stokes littet.~' _ ,- _ . "

"We were up agiinst a.sheer ice cliff," added " SSgt. Gary Moore, "but we were so busy ,we': didn't have time.to ,w.on:y ".about that.··.1t·.is mutual trust ..and a ,team.¢fortbetween .the .. crew chiefs and the pilots.' A highly skilled effort, the failure of one person could 'break or make the mission.

~'The element 'of danger is there/' 'Moore . continued,'~ut you.. ar-e·:.t<>o busy-to:worry.-- ... ''''

You think about it alot1ater but youdon~ ", mention it to anyone. "The feeling you get when you pick them up--people helping other people--js' worth allthe--danger.-:· ,...-. '-' _.

"We are the only·ones -that could ,,1lave_ accomplished that mission. It took' us two-and·a-ha1f hours to complete the mission, get up there, snatch him and get hiro quickly to the hospital. There is no way any other team could have saved him."

runners have withdrawn, the remammg soldiers will keep running the route until they return to their release point.

The Wainwright run is· part of the 172nd Inf. Bde. Commander's Run taking place simultaneously at Forts Richardson and Greely. The route will start at the corner of Neely Road and Santiago Ave., heading south. The formation will then head west over Oak Ave., north over Meridian Rd .• west over Neelv Rd .. north

tUSL-li! pervea ~- -::::::;:: :ix chilGlfen at U:2~ ::..-:. .U:

fr rdlli'S-30 ". -" ",. Vol. 24, No. 35 Fort W;linwri!!!lt, Ala':>!;.a 99703 , o·-JIII·. ~ - "-'----- J

o newireglStrntic;'~ Fe- P,:~:.,;':'_--C

o a,m!~!!: Monda~. tim e Ucif re~ -;;=:r-­

"f- hild' ­ ed climber rescued offglacier)y of tn:~ c s Tr:u::~,.-:: •reschoQ~' -can ~, .:.r. ~ ~.

n-refUJiidable I'Pf)b=":T:;"""'-__=-- ­~!IT ­:11;;­

will ~ held ~=--~~,-' md 'tw~.-day~ ~o.:~' '5, $4(j)f~and $30~ ~ee ....... !ffort~~,"help brin; 2::'~ -' )ser ~~,its fiDaTG ~,-=

rates; ,j for child ::a:= c...' 'jll:ept. l;;':the -cell:ter ~':m=:-' o ~eilt,or childr=z: ~ , . '60 . 'I k i)pel1' wee !X ~ ~.]

Jnd~dtpree; -- ',~ ?rlllflti~p';o~''Child~L_=-~~

~~5~~~:~~~~. ,.J :,.'I:j-.t~~.~O"'~~~~~

e;grlJ.tP:~

hii¥r~:,,;~"~;~~eAAti\ii4%. live,tq' atre :grDU;J om..~_ . an, or~izatio~ ~ , ~ -at th~,Golden !~:-'---:::..::

:_J~@n~I~,.NL~eee- .J_ IIld: .~ Ufamily ~ ""C ~ ~ ~ .. :-j':llf

:. aI"~.-;:~~P.?o~oed 'U ~ ~;i ,. ,I" i1-1~- '., ~ting::f!,g~da-will ~ ..~.~ id,,~hoiW;-mucb in~~ ,~::-:Ik~

r--tliitl~rid, "defuE -po =- ~ "d" 'te - .,n "an!l wn a c:::~

on' PQ~t who bi: u""':-- . • :arp,en~:&-, has st.a?-~ ~-. '£",

ted ma'( ob·~;- -f-_=- "- "";<:".:J l,,(LJ.l~ ........ ~ _. ---- ."J

2nd. +~.Bailey 0: =.::':. ~~,f l7· l!!· . ., ,I • ~II

atlq~ piCniC SlE

Seinember 1, 19

ART pulls through for man afteravalan(j~:.

'if>.' "SHerman McKenzie

[[So Army helicopter from the High ~~·;'Rescue Team (HART) hoisted a ijured Anchorage clim ber off the

Jska Glacier Monday afternoon-·three ~er two avalanche·battered climbing

j'-:left him in a snow cave to go for help. ~~:,specially-equipped CH-47 Chinooks

lje 242nd Avn. Co., 222nd Avn. Bu., in to rescue John Berryman, 24,

'iLAir Force rescue helicopter from "Irf Air Force Base was pushed back by 8ance and was unable to rescue him. ln was reported in serious but stable pat Providence Hospital in Anchorage

.w.'night with neck injuries and frostbite . fubing partners, Daniel Jenkins and

~~~~~:tiO~f atF~~~~ksHO:P~~ _~ ;,rhey suffered frostbite and bruises. . ;hree men were hit by an avalanche

',;;while climbing near Mount Marcus o miles northeast of Anchorage. All . bers fell into a . crevass .after the

"We were first notified of the accident at 9 a.m. Monday," stated eW03 Ronald Newsome, co-pilot of the rescue helicopter. "The only information we received was that there was someone injured on the slope of the Matanuska Glacier between eight and 11,000 feet. "

After arriving in Elmendorf, specially-trained Air. Force pararescue (PJ) personnel and an avalanche expert from the Alaska Park Service were consulted. More information on the Victim's location and condition -.weregatherect ' as hypothermia medical" .equipment and extraction .equipment were loaded on -the Chinooks.

; • •

. .._P_'!fJg_f!rQU§_JT1/~.~!~n Crevasses catacom bing the -gound prevented

the large Chinook from landing near Berryman. Strong -winds buffeted -the ilelicopter as the pilot, ew03 Jones Holt, hover-ed the chopper underneath.an ice fall (potential -avalanche) to

.' e pushed them 1,000 feet downslope.. lower the two PJ personnel. After receiving"an and Jenkins decided to leave the emergency first aid, the climber was hoisted in, 'ured Berryman with most of the food a stokes litter onto the Chinook and rushed to uld find after the accident and go for Providence Hospital.

"It was a dangerous mission, but we had the

~stcrew' ~jorit"" continued Ne took a -very experienced pilot 1

those conditions and our .two -crew Sergeants Daryl Schaal and ( instructors for BART, are the . have. ­

''This was a particularly dange because we could not land," said Schaal.. 4 'lt .-i5 ,a lot riskier to b up in a stok~, .1itteJ:."

"We-wer~up;agiinsta sheer ice SSgt. "Gary~~o9ret '''but we were .didn ~t.:j}av~;nme_to worry aboui mutual trust-.and ---a .team effort crew -chiefs JlIldthe pilots. A 1 effort, -the· failure of one person or make the mission.

"The element of danger is tl .continued,4!lJut you...are too bw You think .-about it a lot later b­mention it to anyone. The fel when you pick them up-people people--is worth' ali-the danger.

''Weare the only_ones that accomplished that mission. two-and-a-half hours to com plete get up there, snatch him and get to the hospital. There is no w team could have saved him,"

Col. Lewis F. Driver, post commander, runners have withdrawn, th and his personal staff will lead all of the soldiers will keep running th, units on Fort Wainwright in a 3.5-mile they return to their release

nd N99A mern~-*~: L: Commander's Run, starting at 6:30 a.m. The Wainwright run is· tomorrow. 172nd Inf. Bde. Commander~~~t~~itL5:c~';~':. A~rigade Alaska

place simultaoi;:ously at Fon Following the commanders' group will:'ling until 'i: 3~' :. ::::. and Greely. The route willbe HQ Co., FWW; 47th Engr. Co.; 472nd'- beverages, ,':,: _. corner of Neely Road and S,MP Co.; 222nd Avn. Bn.; USACC; 2nd,I§ff and running~'--~. :eus i.:·....__.c- .. heading SQuth, The formatBn., 57th ATC; 6th Bn., 327th Inf. Reg.;() each major __. __ ~. _1--, _ l --.;j.-il."~ ~ __ •••• __ •• 1st Bn., 37th FA; DSD; and finally, the head west over Oak Ave.

... 'r'I~T"\ A. rt ... _.J T"\'C'l\T'T' A r' Meridian Rd., west over NeE

I

1 t:CV~L1l~.1VJJ, \.qIC: ':~:S()Clati?l. .. VU: Army and tlw Non-Com:' ')<'.' I,.~ " d' ~ l.. ,neers .""SSOClatlOl1; a Inneiii ole the:NCO Club and a packet: Army! Air Force Exchange n ;~;

Kudos A wards as reported:

l't:;i'l't d·.,,".. .~.

Army ~mmendation Medal ~ lLt: Shifflett, Guy, 472nd AlP: SSgt. Burton, Roy, MEDDAC' SS~. Levay, Arpad, USACC ~ Sgt., Null, James, 472nd MP Cpl.' Najar, Tony, 472nd MP ~.

Army -A.chievement Medal SSgt.Head, ,Joel, 472nd MP

! "sr4.r~~~~~~, _Donald, MEDD~ , "... ", •.i'\.~." t! .: ," ,;;,j

Certitici.te·~i •.AChievement :~ ~ SSgt~}Aiid~~ii... Paul, 472nd ~~. ! - SSgt~ }Head,::;~l, 472nd MP CO~

Sgt..~~tIj~~~iEdwin, 472nd MP ' Sgt. :Levay, Arpad, USACC Cpl: :Brasel, James, 472nd MP ~, Sp41',AndersoD,Thomas, 472nd ~.

~ -SP41'Bacoil,''Ran'dY'~ 472nd MP" - -.' : Sp4}Bergener,Gene MEDDAC '. , .Sp4]jBoal;~t. 472nd MP Co. ~ .SP4J~~~&n~ 472nd MP . Sp4 .~rnbs; :Robert, 472nd MP

Sp41jDraksier, l)onald, 472nd MP4] Sp4 ~EvaDs, T~dd, 472nd MP Co:;·' Sp4 ;Henshaw, William, 472nd MP·,,, Sp4o'Mencl, Roger, 4072nd MP Co.j Sp4 Q'Bryan, Barry, 472nd MP Co:'~

Sp4 ..a.eese".Raymond, 472nd MP ~ Sp40 :Rowland, Ricky, 472nd MP ~:. Sp4 ;ROwley,' Spencer, 472nd MP~. Sp40 'RUbright, Ronald, MEDDAC;~ Sp4 Scoggins, Wayne, 4072nd MP (;o,:i Sp4 Szuminsky, Roger, 472nd MP ~ Sp4 Todd, James, MEDDAC .~ Sp4 Wisnewski, Dale, 472nd ~1P C~;.1 Sp4 Zakrzewski, James, 4i:!:IC \IP , PFC Alves, Dave, 472ncl M~' Co. PFC Caban, Ralph, 4721ld !\~P (\1.

PFC Cook, Terry, 4i2nci \l? ~'n~ i.'.... .':""~.~:. PFC Harry Dorman 47::nc :.;j·lO.. ~~~f'.f-::.,. f'FC 'Kiser,' Gregory,' 472nd MP c:...> '1:+.L

[,: .. ,the rear of the -:., He lealls out, 'rj to the t:hopper's

., ..only a two·inch wide .Ppg forward, he begins .1t:the altitude to the .Lthe, intercom. '" Chmook nears the

.. twin rotor blades ,::--blin~ing cu~ain of

e. WIth nothmg but ~t of them, the pilots .~" their way to the·'

Ivmg on the accuracy~:

! "~"chief's information. .'. e chopper finally J~ ground, it takes off :,: one pilot calls a .:~.

'iuleigh ride," skidding ~~. glacier's uneven

part of.an elite of Fort

f 242nd Aviation .,;~{~igh Altitude Rescue - T}. Their domain

20320-foot Mount .ir:'th~ highest peak in.

'\\merica and the tallest -'t:'in the world when

..S4'r.om-base to -summit.-- . sitlJation.~' ..__.. _._'.-. ._._._._..._._~: ':. bdmg is not to make a

laugh. It is just a .;-~'Practice landing, -one ~ade .during the annual' ~~ training which Jt:week. Because of the '~pects to flying around " McKinley, even ced pilots and crews fresh their skills each

~ y,' practice sessions ducted above 14,000 feet.

-'

sllccessful. In 1980, 10 neople dled on the mounrai n, .,

Since it was formed in 1976, the HART team ha~ saved 41 people from Denali's deadly grasp, including two Czechoslovakian climbers who were rescued from the 18,200-foot level.

U 0 bOlo 0

mque capa Iities . .

While . other posts have hehcopter res~ue teams, the 2~2nd ~oup IS t~e only true high altl,tude team. m the Army. In speclally outfltted CH-47C C?lOooks, the crews can fly as ~gh as 22,000 feet and land as high. as ~O,OOO feet..

Like fIremen, the team IS n~t ..n.

called upon unless ~here IS ,..~ :flying' .aroun'd·..Denali ·irlem.andS~t:·:~· .,' trouble. Undersconng the·,":;· o,,;,'~; '~.; ,·'l:,,','I.:. ··"·>·:"F:'!;<!!:;;~i.~~~·"': '.':,.­~gency of their .mission, CW,O'S i.. -:.,_. :.... ~ ..~ ·::"';':",:i:j:.:.::" ;~·:';~/$.:b04't:.<~i. ;.. Bill O'HallorlU}.. ~ ..veteran t~·,,:.:,.J member, explains, We·are not m ':<~r' j ~is business to 'give. people !re,e .: ':'..' ndes off the mountain. We don 1. go up unless it is a life or death·

That role, 0 !Halloran says,;.",,: serves as a source ~f pride for the '~;'!.:" cre,;s and the unlt. "

- . 'It does you good-mslde .. when y?U pick someone off ~he' "'_ .:..;c .......=:.:

mm,mtam who would have died .. ':':', otherwise," he s~ys. . .wh~n asked to describe wh~t It 1S lIke to fly around DenalI, HART team members's first responses range from a simple "awesome" , ,to a_. vague. "different." The mountain, they

the b'TOund. Without these normally take "visual cues," a pilot. is virtually thinking abO\ flying blind. of your turns

"It's like diving into a sheet must be met and not knowing when you'll Despite hit bottom," CWO 3 DavidReis HART team 1

explains. "You may see a r?c~, downplay the but you don't know how bIg It deny, any her is. It may be a pebble or it In;3Y They take a be the size of two ~ouses." lighthearted,

Equally as·' troublmg for the questioned bl team is MOUIl~McKinleY'~.~bi).it.Y... ,..... r.That attit to literally ..:make its·,:;,:",pWJl~~tmerely a co, weather ·F8ll' ·weather --on ·.-the-'. . I t·'., senous re a . ground does not always ens~/:; ': .. members shat good weather on the mountain;· : SSgt. Tel

"You can go from eal~:to . ,HART NCOll 100-mile-per-hour winds in 10 ' . numerous res minutes, and.you can go from po,. ,. '!Everybody clouds to dense clouds in a1?ou(:< . respect for tl the same time,". O'Halloran ~ys;-·.· with that res~

With ..dang~J;' ..ever :'. 'pr~t~~;~,,~;>:We just don ~

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\what one pilot CaliS a cket sleigh ride," s1:iddmg

the glacier's uneven

crew is part of an elite ~.~members of Fort -wright's 242nd Aviation

ny's High Altitude Rescue ':"....(HART). Their domain es 20,320·foot Mount

~ey, the highest peak in -, L:A-merica and the tallest

• I in the world when from base to summit.

dlanding is not to make a : though. It is just a .le" practice landing, one 'y made during the annual ,,:"" team training which

.. :J.ast week. Because of the _.J.ar -aspects to flying around r.,,~_..: McKinley, even

~ed pilots and crews­fresh their skills each:" .

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y, practice sessions .ucted above 14,000 feet.

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Chinooks, the crews can fly as high as 22,000 feet and land as high as 20,000 feet.

Like firemen, the team is not called upon unless there is trouble. Underscoring the urgency of their mission, CWO 3 Bill 0 'Halloran, a veteran team mem ber, explains, "Weare not in this business to give people free rides off the mountain. We don't . go up unless it is a life or death",.,...,<\ -situation." f-' " "'~-:;~;;~;-'i

That role, O~Halloran says, '. ';'};'" serves as a source of pride for the . crews and the unit. .

"It does you good inside when you pick someone off the' mountain who would have died otherwise," he says.

When asked to describe what ,,'" : it is like to ,fly.ar'ound.Denali..,\.:~;;:/,:';,:.~·.'; HART team· menibers~:' first ;'i~~;~:',.:::·-·;:

····E£;f~:.;;:~~;~;J' ... .. ­

minutes, and you can go from no clouds to dense clouds in about the same time," O'Halloran says. . With danger ever present, flying around Denali demands

"Everybody has a h~ait'hJ respect for the mOUm[oJ.ll. Anc with that respect therE: is a fear. We just don't talk about it."

.:' t;--=-- ~.'.'''; ~~~;T~:;t·,~· ..'-:-­

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:·~.~CC ti~~1~~~~~~~·· .. . '."> v.~. ~' lliffl:' .' 1:' t~ACC ~ .. -:."' , U::.-\.CC i' A. O1inook wheels past a rock ridge on Denali. Denali looms ahead as CWO 3 Ronald Newsome pilots a HART Chinook. _~cc ' .. '

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"(nd, relying on top accuracy e crew' clllef's information. en the chopper finally

hes solid ground, it takes off Zwhat one pilot calls a tucket sleigh ride," skidding

.s the glacier's uneven ceo

crew is part of -an elite ~..members of Fort '~ght's 242nd Aviation ~Y 's High Altitude Rescue (~ (HART). Their domain ~es 20,320-foot Mount

ey, the highest peak in ._ America and the tallest

in the world when r:.ed from base to summit. :~~'landing .is not to make a.

.: though. It is just a '. .

Unique capabilities ~Vhile other posts have

hehcopter rescue teams, the 242nd group is the only true high altitude team in the Army. In specially outfitted 'CH-47C C.hinooks, the crews 'can fly as hIgh as 22,000 feet and -land as high as 20,000 feet..

Like firemen, the. team is not called upon .unless .,th~_re. ~s . trouble. Ond~ri.ng·.·--the ~gencr of their .riiissi0ri;;~.O"3 Bill 0 Halloran, a 'VeteraIl,;'team member, explains, "We are not in this business to give people free rides off the mountain. We don't go up unless it is ·a life-or death situation. " .

That - role, 07fIanoran-''Says, serves asa source of ;pri,~.:ior the

£JLIU<:lUY ~ LrUUDllng ror Ine team is Mount McKmley's abilir~r

to literally make its own . weather. Fair weather on the ground does not always ensure good weather on the mountain.

"you can go from calm to 100-mile-per-hour winds in 10 minutes, and you can go from no clouds to dense clouds in about the same time," O'Halloran says.

. With danger ever present, flying' around Denali demands

~.~ practice landing,' one" ..'.:-crewsand the uni~~:::·.~'~5::,#,-: Ji7'made during the;annual ".' ".. :"It does your<good·-f;..mside. ~-team training~which '''when 'you .pick -someone';ioff' the'. ­~. t week. Because ofthe,~" ·-mountain -who'would..il:UlYe·~died

"ltg-aspects t.o flying around· .' "otperwise;" 'he .~y.s.'~:'j;~:·i;'.':: .. .~ McKinley, even nced pilots and crews

fresh their skills each ~.-_.--"--_. .--_. ._.. nally, practice sessions ~ucted above 14,000 feet.

When asked to descnbe what it is like to fly around :Denali, HART team members's first

_. :---Tesponses--range'--from~-:a~~ple --_.~_.

"awesome'" to a- ..'. vague ' "different." The..rn?~ntain, they

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questioned by "outsiders." That attitude. ~()me say,

merely a cover for the deadl:) serious relationship tne tean members share with Denali.

SSgt. Terry Van Sickle HART NeOIC and a veteran 0: numerous rescue missions, 'says "Everybody has a' health,) respect for' the mountain. Anc with that respect there is a fear. We just don't talk about it."

:;

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY UNITED STATES ARMY SAFETY CENTER

FORT RUCKER, ALABAMA 36362

REPLY TO ATTENTION OF

PESC-A 1 NOV 1983

SUBJECT: Army Aviation Mishap Prevention Award of Merit

THRU: Commander 172d Infantry Brigade ATTN: Aviation Office Fort Richardson, AK 99505

TO: Commander 222d Aviation Battalion (Cbt) l72d Infantry Brigade (AK) Fort Wainwright, AK 99703

1. Enclosed is a Department of the Army Aviation Mishap Prevention Award of Merit certificate for the 242d Aviation Company (ASH) (WDYDAA), 222d Aviation Battalion (Cbt), 172d Infantry Brigade (AK), Fort Wainwright, AK 99703.

2. Eligibility for this award reflects a vigorous support on the part of the organization concerned for the Army Aviation Mishap Prevention effort. You are to be commended for your distinguished mishap prevention achievement.

3. It is requested that the certificate be presented at a suitable ceremony.

FOR THE DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF FOR PERSONNEL:

~~\< C~.1l\~,XO 1 Encl ., JOSEPH R. KOEHLER

Colonel, IN~ U. S. Army Aviation Safety Officer

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY UNITED STATES ARMY SAFETY CENTER

FORT RUCKER, ALABAMA 36362

REPLY TO ATTENTION OF

PESC-A 1 NOV 1983

SUBJECT: Army Aviation Mishap Prevention Award of Merit

THRU: Commander l72d Infantry Brigade ATTN: Aviation Office Fort Richardson, AK 99505

TO: Commander 222d Aviation Battalion (Cbt) l72d Infantry Brigade (AK) Fort Wainwright, AK 99703

1. Enclosed is a Department of the Army Aviation Mishap Prevention Award of Merit certificate for the 242d Aviation Company (ASH) (WDYDAA), 222d Aviation Battalion (Cbt), l72d Infantry Brigade (AK), Fort Wainwright, AK 99703.

2. Eligibility for this award reflects a vigorous support on the part of the organization concerned for the Army Aviation Mishap Prevention effort. You are to be commended for your distinguished mishap prevention achievement.

3. It is requested that the certificate be presented at a suitable ceremony.

FOR THE DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF FOR PERSONNEL:

~t"'~ C~, ~~,)(O 1 Encl ., JOSEPH R. KOEHLER

Colonel, IN~ U. S. Army Aviation Safety Officer

Accident Prevention is a Combat MUltiplier