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Helo rescue Hurricane Katrina
Two children are hoisted into a Coast Guard rescue helicopter from a New Orleans rooftop after Hurricane Katrina.
(U.S. Coast Guard/Kyle Niemi)

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USCG Helos to the Rescue (Part 3)

The final installment in the Coast Guard helicopter series.
By Captain George Krietemeyer, U.S. Coast Guard (Retired)
December 2020
Naval History Magazine
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‘Yes, I Can’

The first Coast Guard swimmer lifesaving mission unfolded on 10 December 1987, when at 1936 a 26-foot fishing vessel named the Bluebird requested assistance. The duty helicopter crew at Coast Guard Air Station Sitka, Alaska, quickly boarded HH–3F number 1486 and prepared to fly directly into a quickly developing storm at near-hurricane strength. Lieutenant Commander John Whiddon, Lieutenant Greg Breithaupt, Aviation Machinist’s Mate First Class Carl Saylor, Aviation Electronics Mechanic Third Class Mark Milne, and Aviation Support Equipment Technician Mechanical Second Class Jeff Tunks were airborne in 17 minutes, immediately buffeted by 60-knot winds, snow, and ice.

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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.

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