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1432 Remembrance Ceremony

TODAY IN COAST GUARD AVIATION HISTORY – 18 FEBRUARY 1979 an HH-3F #1432 was assigned to Air Station Cape Cod, MA and crewed by LCDR James D. Stiles (AC CG Aviator #1384); CPT George R. Burge (CP – RCAF); AD2 Mark Torr (FM); AT2 John B. Tait (AV) and HM2 Bruce A. Kaehler (FC) launched at night in response to an injured 47-year old crewman from the Japanese fishing vessel KAISEI MARU #18 in deteriorating weather and heavy seas about 180 miles southeast of Cape Cod, MA.  The aircraft ditched after a reported power loss in a hover while hoisting the injured sailor.  After descending into the water – the aircraft overturned and only Torr was able to egress.  

Lost on the mission were:
LCDR James D. Stiles 
CPT George R. Burge
AT2 John B. Tait
HM2 Bruce A. Kaehler

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