roym Posted October 29, 2013 Share Posted October 29, 2013 This was a cool sight to a young teen in Ireland back in the day. They flew right over my house while plugged in. A conversation with a fellow modeller who saw them as well that day and has been trying to research it put me on the case as well. There was a rescue mission planned from Ramstien to rescue a sailor from a US Navy nuke sub approx 200 miles off the south coast of Ireland, on or about the 1st July (or possibly the 8th July) 1983. The mission was launched from Woodbridge, Suffolk, using 2 HH-53Cs (the local paper had them as CH-53s, but I do remember them air-air refuelling so they had to be HH-53s) from the 67th ARRS supported by one and possibly 2 HC-130s. Is there any way I can ID the helos used (serials??) as well as the Hercs? Even cooler would be the name of the sub, as this might help narrow down the aircraft involved as there may be more literature of the event from that side. I have the name of the sailor, but don't know how I can use that info to ID the aircraft. Any help in pointing us down the right road would be appreciated. Cheers, Roy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gary1701 Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 (edited) Hi Roy, Let me ask about as I'm local to the area. I concur they would have been HH-53s though. Ipswich Aviation Society, of which I'm a member meets next Wednesday evening and many of the more senior members were keen fence watchers at Bentwaters and Woodbridge when they were active, as they were only a few miles North of Ipswich. No promises but I'll see what they come up with as many of them keep their logs of aircraft activity for years. Failing any luck there, I can ask somebody from the Bentwaters Museum (which also covers the history of Woodbridge). Gary Edited October 31, 2013 by gary1701 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
roym Posted October 31, 2013 Author Share Posted October 31, 2013 Hi Gary, That would be great. Date could also have been the 6th July 1983. Cheers, Roy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gary1701 Posted November 8, 2013 Share Posted November 8, 2013 (edited) Hi Roy, Just a note to say I haven't forgotten. I didn't have any luck at the local aviation society on Wednesday but I do have some leads to follow up on so all may not be lost. I'll do my best as it's got me quite interested as to the details as well. Gary Edited November 8, 2013 by gary1701 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.