U.S. Coast Guard Honors Helicopter Heroes

Lt. Daniel Molthen, AST1 Darren Reeves and AMT2 Lorne Green were three of eight men honored for their heroism.

Eight U.S. Coast Guard officers and men aboard two Sikorsky HH-60J Jayhawks, along with 12 other aircrew members, were honored for heroism at a ceremony held in mid-January at USCG Station Elizabeth City, NC. The aircrews saved 34 merchant mariners from the cruise ship Sea Breeze I, after it started taking on water in the stormy Atlantic some 225 miles east of Virginia, on December 17.

The aircrews had to use radar to pick their way out and back through thunderstorms to the rescue site, frequently encountering near zero visibility conditions, severe turbulence, lightning and wind shear.

Arriving at the rescue site, the aircrews had to cope with winds gusting from 50 to 75 knots and waves that often topped 30 feet. Salt spray swept the helicopters and high seas swept the stricken vessel.

Dramatic rescue of 34 Sea Breeze I sailors prompts Coast Guard honors.

In spite of the adverse weather conditions, the first Jayhawk hoisted aboard 26 merchant mariners, well in excess of its design capacity of six rescued souls. In the process, the crew set a new record for the Jayhawk. The second Jayhawk rescued the remaining eight survivors.

The first Jayhawk was crewed by Lt. Daniel Molthen, Lt. (JG) Craig Neubecker, AMT2 Lorne Green, and flight mechanic and AST1 Darren Reeves, rescue swimmer. The second aircraft was manned by Lt. Cmdr. Randall Watson, Ens. Steve Bonn, AVT2 Sam Pulliam (flight mechanic) and AST3 Bob Florisi, rescue swimmer.

By Fred George