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Lt. Cmdr. Frank Erickson seated at the controls of an HNS-1.
In 1943, U.S. Coast Guard helicopter pioneer Commander Frank Erickson took the helm as commanding officer of Coast Guard Air Station Brooklyn, New York. Pictured here, Lt.Cmdr Erickson is seated at the controls of an HNS-1.
(Coast Guard Historian’s Office)

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USCG Helos to the Rescue (Part 1)

The Coast Guard develops search and rescue techniques using helicopters beginning in World War II.
By Captain George Krietemeyer, U.S. Coast Guard (Retired)
December 2020
Naval History Magazine
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On 15 February 1943, Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Ernest J. King—having quickly determined that rotary-wing aircraft's unique capabilities would increase World War II maritime security—assigned sea-going development of the helicopter to the U.S. Coast Guard. Naval aviation’s first designated helicopter pilot, Coast Guard Lieutenant Commander Frank Erickson, tested and accepted the first such aircraft in the Navy inventory, an HNS-1, at Bridgeport, Connecticut, on 16 October 1943. Erickson had brought along his trusted lead mechanic, Aviation Machinist’s Mate Oliver Perry, to inspect the helicopter and sit in the copilot’s seat during the one-hour test flight.

This proved to be the beginning of a continuing journey featuring man’s ingenuity, skill, and daring, as industry and technology constantly improved rotary-wing aircraft.

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Captain George Krietemeyer, U.S. Coast Guard (Retired)

Captain Krietemeyer, a graduate of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, amassed over 5,000 flight hours as pilot of amphibious aircraft and helicopters during his 32-year Coast Guard career. Prior to serving as Chief of the Training and Education Division in Coast Guard Headquarters, Captain Krietemeyer commanded the Aviation Technical Training Center, Elizabeth City, North Carolina, and the Aviation Training Center, Mobile, Alabama. The Mobile Bay Area Veterans Commission selected Captain Krietemeyer as its 2017 Veteran of the Year.

More Stories From This Author View Biography

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USCG Helos to the Rescue (Part 2)

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USCG Helos to the Rescue (Part 3)

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