USCG pilot honoured
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USCG pilot honoured
The 2011 Master's Medal
awarded to
LIEUTENANT COMMANDER WILLIAM STRICKLAND USCG
The medal was presented at the annual Trophies & Awards Banquet at Guildhall London on Thursday evening.
Citation:
Lieutenant Commander William Strickland was assigned as Mission and Aircraft Commander on Coast Guard helicopter, callsign CG6518 for Operation Unified Response, the multi-nation, multi-service relief effort resulting from the catastrophic destruction of the earthquake that ravaged Haiti on 12 January 2010. Attached to the USCGC Tahoma, the crew of CG6518 reacted quickly and effectively in assisting the Haitian people from 13 to 21 January 2010.
During this period, Lt Cdr Stickland and the crew of CG6518 flew 35 hours, completed 28 sorties and 70 landings, resulting in 27 lives saved directly and hundreds more saved or assisted through indirect action. Lt Cdr Stickland was resourceful and dedicated to the mission. Faced with limited air traffic control, inadequate outdated charts and in an unknown area, Lt Cdr Stickland and his crew adapted by downloading internet based charts, assisted in forming air asset command and control for allied assets in the region and helped develop a working air rescue plan. This important work was pivotal in laying the groundwork for sustained multi-surface air support in the greater Port Au Prince area.
Assigned to the Tahoma, Lt Cdr Stickland and crew worked quickly, using whatever supplies were available to modify the aircraft. The crew improvised by lining the interior of CG6518 with customised body bags and tape to reduce contamination risk. They procured masks, gloves, disinfectant, and disposable rags placing them strategically throughout the cabin for easy access. CG6518 made multiple landings in confined areas and landing zones (LZs) throughout Port Au Prince and outlying areas, assisting with the evacuation of critically injured personnel. As the first US helicopter to land at the improvised hospital LZ in Milot, Haiti, the aircrew braved 50 miles of unfamiliar mountainous terrain overcoming dangerous updrafts and downdrafts while navigating without local charts, eventually locating the LZ at the base of several mountains capped in low lying fog. The rapid transport by helicopter allowed four victims with injuries ranging from multiple amputations, gangrene infections and open head trauma to be quickly offloaded to waiting surgical teams. The crew of CG6518 made multiple return trips to Milot and developed critical route and hazard awareness briefs that were disseminated to Coast Guard and U.S. Navy air support crews to allow for safe continuous follow on medical evacuations from the Port Au Prince area to the trauma centre in Milot.
Lt Cdr Stickland played a crucial role in the early days of the ground based medical support effort for the operational area in and around Port Au Prince. CG6518 transported multiple medical personnel and much needed supplies from the US Embassy and Port Au Prince airport to both makeshift clinics and US Navy hospital ships in the region. The supplies and medical expertise were distributed to the hardest hit areas and hospitals to help treat the most critical patients.
Lt Cdr William Strickland displayed unwavering courage and aeronautical skills throughout this event. Port Au Prince was a city mostly without power or infrastructure. Navigating at night among unlit towers and power lines Lt Cdr Stickland successfully executed multiple night sorties in this dangerous environment. On the night of 19 January, CG6518 was diverted to the vicinity of the Presidential Palace to locate a makeshift LZ that had been established in the hopes of evacuating a critically ill woman who had been trapped in the rubble for seven days. Unable to locate the exact position of the LZ due to the darkness, heavy haze and smoke from burning fires, CG6518 contacted ‘Tahoma’ to have them relay to the on-scene ground-party to flash their flashlights and vehicle lights in order to help locate the LZ. The message was relayed to Coast Guard District Seven in Miami Florida, then to CNN headquarters in Atlanta, and ultimately to an on-scene CNN journalist via text message. With the help of the ground party's torches and headlights beaming through the smoke Lt Cdr Stickland and CG6518 were successfully able to pinpoint the LZ and conduct several low slow reconnaissance passes to survey the scene, identifying multiple hazardous unlit towers and power lines through which they threaded in dangerously close proximity in order to effect the landing. After quickly loading the patient and with little power margin available due to the added weight of the patient, CG-6518 safely cleared the landing zone and transported the patient seaward eventually making a challenging NVG landing to the USS Bataan, again under extremely low light conditions.
The next day, during an evacuation of a young boy with a closed head injury, CG6518 had to make a landing in a neglected field to pick up the patient. On final approach and committed to landing, the aircraft was suddenly enveloped by blowing dirt and debris immediately prior to touchdown. Lt Cdr Stickland and his crew made a remarkable landing in nearly complete brown-out conditions. The patient was loaded and eventually delivered to the USS Comfort for treatment.
Lt Cdr Stickland and his crew displayed remarkable bravery and stamina during the whole of the operation. Operating under a Crew Rest Waiver for lack of sleep, cautiously granted by the USCG Commanding Officer in Jacksonville due to the gravity and urgency of the situation, the crew performed at an extremely high level for many days. CG6518 landed on various USCG cutters and unfamiliar landing decks, both day and night. CG6518 performed a wide array of patient transports, supply runs, and personnel transports under extremely challenging physical and environmental conditions. Over the final two days of their participation, CG6518’ evacuated 16 patients, many of them children, with a wide variety of life-threatening injuries.
Lt Cdr Stickland’s actions, aeronautical skill and heroism directly resulted in the saving of 27 lives and indirectly affected many hundreds more. Leading the rescue effort during the critical first week after the event, Lt Cdr Stickland displayed uncommon bravery and dedication. Flying in a chronic state of fatigue, in an extremely dangerous environment consisting of multiple hazards to flight including cloud shrouded mountains, unfamiliar and confined landing zones, an urban disaster area of unprecedented proportion covered in thick smoke from burning buildings and bodies, and the inherently hazardous work of non-stop day/night landings on multiple USCG and USN ships, Lt Cdr Stickland and the crew of CG6518 laid the groundwork and helped create a workable air rescue effort that undoubtedly advanced the capability and efficiency of follow-on rescue operations. Lt Cdr Stickland’s courage, judgement and devotion to duty displayed during this trying event are testimony to his character and resolve and are in the highest traditions of the United States Coast Guard. He is deservedly awarded the Master’s Medal.
During this period, Lt Cdr Stickland and the crew of CG6518 flew 35 hours, completed 28 sorties and 70 landings, resulting in 27 lives saved directly and hundreds more saved or assisted through indirect action. Lt Cdr Stickland was resourceful and dedicated to the mission. Faced with limited air traffic control, inadequate outdated charts and in an unknown area, Lt Cdr Stickland and his crew adapted by downloading internet based charts, assisted in forming air asset command and control for allied assets in the region and helped develop a working air rescue plan. This important work was pivotal in laying the groundwork for sustained multi-surface air support in the greater Port Au Prince area.
Assigned to the Tahoma, Lt Cdr Stickland and crew worked quickly, using whatever supplies were available to modify the aircraft. The crew improvised by lining the interior of CG6518 with customised body bags and tape to reduce contamination risk. They procured masks, gloves, disinfectant, and disposable rags placing them strategically throughout the cabin for easy access. CG6518 made multiple landings in confined areas and landing zones (LZs) throughout Port Au Prince and outlying areas, assisting with the evacuation of critically injured personnel. As the first US helicopter to land at the improvised hospital LZ in Milot, Haiti, the aircrew braved 50 miles of unfamiliar mountainous terrain overcoming dangerous updrafts and downdrafts while navigating without local charts, eventually locating the LZ at the base of several mountains capped in low lying fog. The rapid transport by helicopter allowed four victims with injuries ranging from multiple amputations, gangrene infections and open head trauma to be quickly offloaded to waiting surgical teams. The crew of CG6518 made multiple return trips to Milot and developed critical route and hazard awareness briefs that were disseminated to Coast Guard and U.S. Navy air support crews to allow for safe continuous follow on medical evacuations from the Port Au Prince area to the trauma centre in Milot.
Lt Cdr Stickland played a crucial role in the early days of the ground based medical support effort for the operational area in and around Port Au Prince. CG6518 transported multiple medical personnel and much needed supplies from the US Embassy and Port Au Prince airport to both makeshift clinics and US Navy hospital ships in the region. The supplies and medical expertise were distributed to the hardest hit areas and hospitals to help treat the most critical patients.
Lt Cdr William Strickland displayed unwavering courage and aeronautical skills throughout this event. Port Au Prince was a city mostly without power or infrastructure. Navigating at night among unlit towers and power lines Lt Cdr Stickland successfully executed multiple night sorties in this dangerous environment. On the night of 19 January, CG6518 was diverted to the vicinity of the Presidential Palace to locate a makeshift LZ that had been established in the hopes of evacuating a critically ill woman who had been trapped in the rubble for seven days. Unable to locate the exact position of the LZ due to the darkness, heavy haze and smoke from burning fires, CG6518 contacted ‘Tahoma’ to have them relay to the on-scene ground-party to flash their flashlights and vehicle lights in order to help locate the LZ. The message was relayed to Coast Guard District Seven in Miami Florida, then to CNN headquarters in Atlanta, and ultimately to an on-scene CNN journalist via text message. With the help of the ground party's torches and headlights beaming through the smoke Lt Cdr Stickland and CG6518 were successfully able to pinpoint the LZ and conduct several low slow reconnaissance passes to survey the scene, identifying multiple hazardous unlit towers and power lines through which they threaded in dangerously close proximity in order to effect the landing. After quickly loading the patient and with little power margin available due to the added weight of the patient, CG-6518 safely cleared the landing zone and transported the patient seaward eventually making a challenging NVG landing to the USS Bataan, again under extremely low light conditions.
The next day, during an evacuation of a young boy with a closed head injury, CG6518 had to make a landing in a neglected field to pick up the patient. On final approach and committed to landing, the aircraft was suddenly enveloped by blowing dirt and debris immediately prior to touchdown. Lt Cdr Stickland and his crew made a remarkable landing in nearly complete brown-out conditions. The patient was loaded and eventually delivered to the USS Comfort for treatment.
Lt Cdr Stickland and his crew displayed remarkable bravery and stamina during the whole of the operation. Operating under a Crew Rest Waiver for lack of sleep, cautiously granted by the USCG Commanding Officer in Jacksonville due to the gravity and urgency of the situation, the crew performed at an extremely high level for many days. CG6518 landed on various USCG cutters and unfamiliar landing decks, both day and night. CG6518 performed a wide array of patient transports, supply runs, and personnel transports under extremely challenging physical and environmental conditions. Over the final two days of their participation, CG6518’ evacuated 16 patients, many of them children, with a wide variety of life-threatening injuries.
Lt Cdr Stickland’s actions, aeronautical skill and heroism directly resulted in the saving of 27 lives and indirectly affected many hundreds more. Leading the rescue effort during the critical first week after the event, Lt Cdr Stickland displayed uncommon bravery and dedication. Flying in a chronic state of fatigue, in an extremely dangerous environment consisting of multiple hazards to flight including cloud shrouded mountains, unfamiliar and confined landing zones, an urban disaster area of unprecedented proportion covered in thick smoke from burning buildings and bodies, and the inherently hazardous work of non-stop day/night landings on multiple USCG and USN ships, Lt Cdr Stickland and the crew of CG6518 laid the groundwork and helped create a workable air rescue effort that undoubtedly advanced the capability and efficiency of follow-on rescue operations. Lt Cdr Stickland’s courage, judgement and devotion to duty displayed during this trying event are testimony to his character and resolve and are in the highest traditions of the United States Coast Guard. He is deservedly awarded the Master’s Medal.
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The Award was presented by the guest of honour, Maj. Gen. David J. Scott, Director Operations, Strategic Deterrence and Nuclear Integration, HQ USAF Europe
at the Guild's annual Trophies & Awards Banquet held at London's Guildhall last Thursday evening.
at the Guild's annual Trophies & Awards Banquet held at London's Guildhall last Thursday evening.
Bravo Zulu Commander.....Thank You! For your service.
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An honor earned and well deserved. 
Is it just a coincidence that the threads around Pprune about Brits who got awards have had lots of approving comments but this thread is very quiet?
Is it just a coincidence that the threads around Pprune about Brits who got awards have had lots of approving comments but this thread is very quiet?
Is it just a coincidence that the threads around PPRuNe about Brits who got awards have had lots of approving comments but this thread is very quiet? - Bronx
Probably more to do with the geographical make-up of the PPRuNe audience than anything more nefarious. - - Ian Corrigible
Probably more to do with the geographical make-up of the PPRuNe audience than anything more nefarious. - - Ian Corrigible
I'm also sure that FL thought very carefully which forum was most appropriate for publication of Lieut Cdr Strickland's thoroughly deserved award, but I'm equally sure that he will not mind me drawing attention to this thread on the Military forum by posting a link on the HMS CHATHAM Flight's award thread.
As an aside, having an NY State based daughter who personally raised enough charitable funds to pay for and organise not one but two plane loads of food and medical supplies to go to Haiti, and went herself on both flights to ensure that these reached the right people, despite all the risks and horrors to which she was exposed, I probably have a better idea than some of what was involved. I therefore appreciate Lieut Cdr Strickland's outstanding achievement, and that of his crew, to the full.
Jack
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Originally Posted by Um... lifting...
Just the chassis, actually.
Couldn't find an image of 6518 in MH-65C spec (as she was at the time of the rescue), so you'll have to make do with this combination:
(Original images deleted/lost by hoster)
I/C
Last edited by Ian Corrigible; 27th Aug 2014 at 17:25.
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Bronx,
The two awards were written up in rather different styles too. The "Brit" event was written up so that you could feel you were there, in the cockpit so to speak. I am sure that struck a chord with us pilots.
The USCG write-up was at a higher level and by comparison omitted lots of detail of specifics. Lt Commander Strickland's remarkable achievements extend far beyond an individual set of flights, and into managing a whole operation over an extended period.
The way people look at "heroes" is not necessarily objective or logical. You might characterise the Lynx rescue as risk-taking whilst the Haiti operation was a classic example of exceptional risk management.
I am in awe of both efforts (and jealous at the same time) which is the strange state that those of us who have worked in emergency services find ourselves.
The two awards were written up in rather different styles too. The "Brit" event was written up so that you could feel you were there, in the cockpit so to speak. I am sure that struck a chord with us pilots.
The USCG write-up was at a higher level and by comparison omitted lots of detail of specifics. Lt Commander Strickland's remarkable achievements extend far beyond an individual set of flights, and into managing a whole operation over an extended period.
The way people look at "heroes" is not necessarily objective or logical. You might characterise the Lynx rescue as risk-taking whilst the Haiti operation was a classic example of exceptional risk management.
I am in awe of both efforts (and jealous at the same time) which is the strange state that those of us who have worked in emergency services find ourselves.
