A 1960s United States Air Force film, “Helicopter Rescue Operations” takes it viewer along on various air rescue missions. Designed specifically for helicopter pilots, it’s purpose is to present examples of rescue procedures that will allow to use their training to successfully implement a rescue. Mark 01:05 shows a pilot, co-pilot, and paramedic headed for their helicopter for a standard aircraft and equipment check. “Although the best maintenance in the Air Force has pronounced it ready, you follow the first axiom of rescue procedure — double check everything … a simple mechanical failure can mean a victim instead of a survivor.”
“Knowing your equipment is part of your job. Another part is waiting,” the narrator continues at mark 03:40, as helicopter crews and the duty control officer are shown relaxing in a ready alert room, with some reading the AARSM 55-1 Rescue and Recovery Operations manual. Good thing, the narrator explains, as three pilots are shown parachuting into the sea at mark 04:30 — no communication, no mayday. One of the pilots uses a survival mirror to signal a passing aircraft, and a rescue operation is launched at mark 06:55. Following some computations to estimate the time of arrival and fuel consumption, the crew fires up the engine of a rescue and after visually clearing the surrounding area, head out to sea. While keeping track of fuel management during the mission, the target comes into view at mark 15:00, and the crew beings the “smoke placement phase” of the rescue mission by dropping a smoke bomb into the water to gauge wind direction, as the narrator outlines the continued time intervals of the operation.
With the rescue basket in place, the helicopter closes in on the downed pilot in his raft. At mark 18:30, the crew lowers the basket as the officer climbs in. The operation isn’t over, the viewer is reminded, as the rescued pilot informs the crew that were two other men onboard. With the second officer spotted at mark 22:00, the paramedic is lowered into the sea to rescue the unconscious man as the narrator explains the procedures the pilot must follow in the cockpit. Now that the unconscious man is onboard, the paramedic is shown trying to revive him, as the narrator discusses mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, he reminds the viewer at mark 26:35 that “his pick up was made possible by your conscientious application of procedures you learned in training.”
A second rescue helicopter is shown embarking on a separate search for the third officer after calculating his possible whereabouts, based on the locations of the other two men. Fortunately, the officer is shown accessing his URC-4 survival radio receiver-transmitter, as crews carry on with standard operating procedures. After dropping two paramedics into the forest to rescue the final crewman, he is finally brought to a rendezvous point and in the end, to a waiting ambulance. “You have best used your training, skills, equipment so that others may live,” the narrator says, as the film comes to an end.
The film features the Sikorsky H-19 Chickasaw, (sold commercially under its Sikorsky model number, S-55) was a multi-purpose helicopter used by the United States Army and United States Air Force. It was also license-built by Westland Aircraft as the Westland Whirlwind in the United Kingdom. United States Navy and United States Coast Guard models were designated HO4S, while those of the U.S. Marine Corps were designated HRS. In 1962, the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Marine Corps versions were all redesignated as H-19s like their U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force counterparts.
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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD and 2k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com
