Elrod (FFG 55) - Naval Cruise Book

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UNIDENTIFIED AIRCRAFT, THIS IS U.S. WARSHIP aFOC ' SLE mine WATCH

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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

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«0S1 (SW) CATHERWOOD AND OSl HANVEY RECEIVING RADIO MESSAGES FROM THE PERSIAN GULF. i -•ENSIGN BROWN AND OSl PERSICO HARD AT WORK IN COMBAT. J aTHE 50 CAL. TDT AND STINGER PARTY ON THE 0-3 LEVEL.