HC-7 RESCUE 142(1) 26-Nov-1973 (Monday)

SH-3A Sikorsky Seaking helo Big Mother
HC-7 NAS Imperial Beach Routine Day (2)

Pilot – LT Donald L. Nicholson
Co-pilot – LTJG Richard E. Quinn
1st crew – ADJ-1 John L. Wilson III
2nd crew – AMSAN Richard G. Lapinsky

F-4J Phantom 150450 VMFA-323, (Death Rattlers) USMC
written off at MCAS El Toro, salvaged at NAS North Island, CA. (5)

Capt. Phil Singleton

On a NATOPS check flight, the helo crew heard a distress beeper, proceeded in the direction of the beeper and contacted another aircraft in the area an F-4 was down 9 miles southeast of San Clemente Island and one of the survivors had already been picked up by another H-3 nearby (LT Snakenburg). Upon reaching this crash scene the crew spotted the survivor.(3) Survivor was aboard fishing vessel. Swimmer dropped close, swimmer-towed survivor clear of vessel for pickup. Effected the rescue and took him to El Toro Marine Corps Air Station for medical observation. (3)

1) Numbering as per HC-7 Rescue Log (accumulative rescue number)
2) HC-7 Rescue Log
3) HC-7 1973-1975 Command Report
4) Map – Google Earth
5) “Forgotten Jets” – www.millonmonkeytheater.com
10) HC-7 History collection; Ron Milam – Historian

(Compiled / written by: Ron Milam, HC-7 Historian – HC-7, 2-1969 to 7-1970, Det 108 & 113)