I was assigned to Adak from April, 1970, to October, 1971. Year round low temperatures in the Bering Sea and Northern Pacific, combined with high winds and elevated sea states made the waters proximate to the Aleutians a potential deadly, high risk environment. The VP squadrons (and dets) deployed to Adak performed critical ASW operations, under hazardous conditions. Alpha Foxtrot 586’s aircrew performed admirably, as did the Air Force, Coast Guard, PatRon Nine, and Soviet fishing trawler’s crews; their professionalism and tenacity were indispensable in rescuing 10 sailors from certain death, under highly adverse conditions. May God rest the souls of their shipmates who were lost.
Not related to this case but by accident I became the radio op on a P-3 when they were short a crewmember. I flew as a PAX on a Navy P-3 from NAS Barbers Pt where I was stationed at CGAS Barbers Pt to NAS Moffet, CA. On arrival at Moffet I signed up for a return flite and my name was put on the board for a scheduled flite leaving 5 days later. When I arrived at Moffet base ops for my return flight I saw my name had been placed on the board as a Navy AT1 as the radio operator. This P-3 was fresh out of overhaul and didn't need a radio op while flying over CONUS but did need one from Moffet to BarbPt. I was in my flite suit with my fore and aft hat. The co-pilot looked at me and asked You are in the Coast Guard? and got into a little panic and told the A/C they would have to find a radio op for the flite. But the A/C asked me if I flew on the CG C-130's at BarBt and I replied yes, all over the world. We went out to the acft and the A/C showed me the radio seat and asked if I could handle it. I repied sure, its the same setup as our C-130's. So off we went and I had the HF Comms.
To All Hands here; Thank you! Your story of long ago helped us on PC-63 VP-6 survive nearly an exact replica of events on Jan 3, 1987 on a flight out of and back to Barbers Pt, Oahu. Would love to connect with you to swap stories! Guest FE, Crew 8, Patron 6.
I am so glad that this story is not to be forgotten. I was 21 yrs old and watched for every bit of news as it was going on with my father . It made an impression on me. A hopeful impression Thank you for sharing
John and Gary, thank you for developing this video for reunion 45.... it is amazingly well scripted and an intriguing use of AI narration of your script. Bravo Zulu!
Just for your fyi, (I’m not trying to be petty) the loiter shut down of an engine would have been done using the feather button only, not pulling the e-handle. The procedure has since been changed to use the e-handle.
