We lost three yesterday;



Press Release                                                  
Date July 8, 2010
Contact: District 13 Public Affairs

U.S. Coast Guard identifies MH-60 helicopter crew
MH-60 crashed Wednesday off of James Island, Wash.



SEATTLE — The U.S. Coast Guard has identified the one survivor and three crew members who lost their lives, Wednesday, after their MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crashed in the waters off of James Island, near La Push, Wash.

Lt. Lance D. Leone, 29, of Ventura, Calif., survived the crash and is being treated at a Seattle hospital with non-life threatening injuries.  He is married.

Deceased are:

Lt. Sean D. Krueger, 33, of Seymour, Conn.  The Aircraft Commander is married with three children.  His awards/accolades include: Air Medal, Coast Guard Commendation Medal, Coast Guard Achievement Medal, four Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Service Medal, Coast Guard Unit Commendation Medal, three Coast Guard Meritorious Team Commendation, Commandant's Letter of Commendation, Armed Forces Service Medal, Global War Terror Service Medal, Coast Guard "E" Ribbon, two National Defense Service Medal, two Humanitarian Service Medal, Coast Guard Overseas Service Medal, Coast Guard Pistol Expert Medal, Coast Guard Presidential Unit Citation, Transportation 9-11 Medal, DOT Outstanding Unit Award.

AMT1 Adam C. Hoke, 40, of Great Falls, Mont.  The Air Crewman is single with one child.  His awards/accolades include:  Aircrew Insignia, Coast Guard Commendation Medal, two Coast Guard Unit Commendation Medal, three Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendations, Global War Terror Service Medal, two Commandant's Letter of Commendations, Coast Guard Meritorious Team Commendation, two Coast Guard "E" Ribbons, two National Defense Medals, Humanitarian Service Medal, Coast Guard Presidential Unit Citation, five Coast Guard Good Conduct Medals, DOT Outstanding Unit Award, Coast Guard Rifle Marksman Ribbon, Coast Guard Rifle Expert Ribbon, Coast Guard Pistol Sharpshooter Ribbon.

AMT2 Brett M. Banks, 33, Rock Spring, N.Y.  The Air Crewman is married with two children.  His awards/accolades include:  three Coast Guard Unit Commendation Award, three Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendations, two Coast Guard Meritorious Team Commendations, Commandant's Letter of Commendation, National Defense Service Medal, Coast Guard Presidential Unit Citation, Coast Guard Sea Service Ribbon, three Coast Guard Good Conduct Medal, Transportation 9-11 Ribbon, Global War Terror Service Medal, Coast Guard Rifle Marksman Ribbon, Coast Guard Pistol Marksman Ribbon.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families, co-workers and friends of the survivor and with those that have lost their loved ones to this tragic accident.  Team Coast Guard nationwide mourns this loss,” said Rear Adm. Gary T. Blore, Commander of the 13th Coast Guard District.

The next step of this response is the salvage and investigation phase.  The investigation includes survivor interviews, witness interviews, and examination of the wreckage and flight data recorder.

For additional information, updates and/or media inquiries, contact the Thirteenth Coast Guard District Public Affairs Office at (206) 220-7237.

Press Release      

RIP

I was reading this in the papers today.

Sorry, but these episodes hit home.  At my first duty station after boot camp, a guy I had met and worked with, was killed in a rescue.  I had been working in sick bay for my career after the Honor Guard when I got the call - then three days later I was on the firing squad at his funeral.  
The Pacific coast of Washington has some very tough terrain, and seas, that the CG trains in, accidents happen, but it doesn't make it any easier.

SITKA, Alaska — Coast Guard Air Station Sitka hosted a memorial service for the aircrew of Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk rescue helicopter 6017 Tuesday at 2 p.m.

Alaska Gov. Sean Parnell, Coast Guard Commandant, Adm. Robert J. Papp and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Michael P. Leavitt, along with many members of the community attended the service to show their support for the three men who lost their lives.

The crew of the Sitka-based rescue helicopter was transiting from Air Station Astoria, Ore., to Sitka Wednesday morning when it went down in the waters of La Push, Wash.  One of the four crewmembers was taken to a Seattle hospital after the helicopter went down.
“Our service, Air Station Sitka, the family and friends are all shocked by these events,” said Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Robert J. Papp.  “Of all the events we face in life, the loss of a husband, brother, shipmate is the most difficult.  We all gather here today to morn together and help the families with their loss.”