Elrod (FFG 55) - Naval Cruise Book

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PL Cos Anfleles Slimee . -Jk ' ., ■■► •Mm Sii MViV Crewmen of U.S. Navy frigate EIrod display ter. Shortly afterward, copter in background Christmas greeting to a passing media helicop- helped rescue South Korean freighter crew. Gulf Convoy The tanker Ocean City leads the 21 st convoy out of the Persian Gulf r londay. The convoy also consisted of the U.S. Navy guided missile frigate Ford, the tanker Gas Princess, the Charleston-based guided missile frigate EIrod, the guided missile destroyer Chandler and the tanker Helsbv.

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U.S., Britain rescue victims of Iranian raid MANAMA. Bahrain (AP)— U.S. and British navy helicoplers plucked 20 crew members from a lumber-laden South Korean freighter in the southern Persian Gulf after Iranian gunboats set it ablaze Friday, shipping and mili- tary officials said. Eight hours later, Iranian gun- boats attacked the 9,566-ton Saudi Arabian tanker Nejmai El Petrol in the same area, accord- ing to shipping sources and the London-based Lloyd ' s Shipping ' nlelligcnce Unit. The sources said a U.S. helicopter radioed that it was going to help the Saudi vessel. Iranian gunboats attacked South Korea ' s 19,682-ton Hyun- dai 7 at 4 p.m., about 20 miles northeast of the emirate of Shar- jah. marine salvage executives said. A British Defense Ministry spokesman in London said the frigate HMS Scylla heard a dis- tress call sent by the Hyundai 7 RMe Mo and dispatched helicopters to the A British Royal Navy helicopter hovers over a an Iranian attack in the Persian Gulf. U.S. hel- rescue, burning South Korean cargo ship Friday after icopters helped rescue the 20 crew members. The British helicopters rescued 9 crew members from the Hyun- dai, and the U.S. Navy picked up II, ii- said. The crew Koreans, wen la. where tv nse Ministry t- ' cs, all South ' i 1 to the Scyl- li hem were treated for seiious iiiju- ' ics, the spokesman said. The rest of the crew was ' enjoying typical Royal Navy hospitality and Christmas dinner, the ministry said. Lt. Col. Chuck Manker of the Navy command in Tampa said a helicopter from the guided-mis- sile frigate USS EIrod gave hu- manitarian assistance to the Hyundai 7. He confirmed 20 j people were rescued. CBS producer Bruce Dunning was aboard a chartered helicop- ter that flew near the freighter, about an hour after the attack. The superstructure was engul- fed in flame and smoke. Obvi- ously they had aimed for the crew compartment and the bridge, Dunning said. He said the ship had several See Gulf. pg. 2

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A Merry Christmas in the GuH LAMPS MK III Team Rescues Merchantmen The USS ELROD (FFG 55) with HSL-44 Det-Three embarked was on patrol in the Central Persian Gulf at 1550 local on 25 December 1987. Intercepted com- munications from an unidentified news helo stated a merchantman had been attacked by Iranian gunboats and was on fire and out of control. By 1 608 the decision to launch had been made and the alert SH-60B (Magnum 442) was enroute to the burning vessel. After verifying the area was clear of hostile vessels, the helo commander closed the ship to evaluate the extent of damage and assistance required. The initial fly-by revealed the entire superstructure of the Korean merchantman HYUNDAI 7 to be ablaze with twenty crewmen huddl ing under an overhang on the forecastle. Because of the approaching darkness, the condition of the crew, and the raging fires, LT Hogg, the pilot of Magnum 442, elected to conduct a helo rescue. The crew of Magnum 442 quickly sprung into action. British Lynx Teams with Seahawk While in the initial hover, LT Curth, the co-pilot, began coordinating additional rescue assistance from HMS SCYLLA (F 71) and her embarked Lynx helo. With darkness rapidly approaching, LT Hogg decided to transfer the first two rescued crewmen to the SCYLLA which was closing the location at best speed and was 1 5 miles closer than ELROD. LT Hogg elected to make an athwartship landing on the modified Leander class frigate. Only through ex- lOliicial us Navy Pholo) (From left) LT Greg Curth, A WAN Robert Bauch, AW2 Charles Crissman, and LT Neil Hogg were instrumental in the successful Christmas Day rescue mission of 20 crewmen from the Korean merchantman HYUNDAI 7 in the Persian Gulf ceptional crew coordination and pilot skill was the landing on this unfamiliar ship safely accomplished. Magnum 442 returned to the blazing vessel two more times to rescue nine more crewmen while the Lynx rescued the other nine. By 1658 the entire crew of the stricken vessel was onboard SCYLLA and receiving medical aide. The sound judgment, skill, and professionalism of the LAMPS MK III team prevented a tragedy on the high seas. SOFTAL Ccongratulates the crew of Magnum 442 for this outstanding rescue effort. THIS IS THE LIFE!! HI MOM 63