This color recruitment film showcases the rescue mission of United States Air Force pilot Captain Gerald Lawrence (1943 – 2012) on August 20, 1972, by members of the 40th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron (ARRS) operating out of Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, during the Vietnam War. You’ll see the whole mission from start to finish (including combat over the extraction point) interspersed with an interview with the freshly rescued Capt. Lawrence. Also briefly shown is Colonel (then Major) James C. Harding (1934 – ), who served two tours in Vietnam, flew 596 missions, and is one the twenty-five most decorated American veterans. Produced and directed by Captain Bill Hines. Filmed by Technical Sergeant Tom Kulick and Sergeant Mike Moore. Sound recorded by Sergeant Andy Wells. Edited by Jim Lucas, Don Housholder, and Bill McDonald. Presented by the Department of the Air Force.

The 40th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron was a helicopter rescue squadron of the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War. The squadron was activated at Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base in March 1968 with Sikorsky HH-3 (nicknamed the “Jolly Green Giant”) and later Sikorsky HH-53 (“Super Jolly Green Giant”) helicopters. The 40th moved to Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base on July 21, 1971. Following the Paris Peace Accords, the USAF continued combat operations over Cambodia until August 15, 1973, and the 40th provided combat search and rescue support during this period. The 40th moved to Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base on October 1, 1975 and was inactivated there on January 31, 1976.

00:08 Members of the 40th ARRS speak about their jobs 00:25 TITLE ANIMATION 00:31 POV: Rescued pilot being lifted aboard a helicopter via cable harness 00:52 TITLE CARD 00:56 Captain Gerald Lawrence, recently rescued, is interviewed as his wounds are dressed 01:17 “Jolly Greens” Rescue Squadron Commander, crew members describe their roles in operations 02:12 Major James C. Harding interviewed beside his Douglas A-1 Skyraider 02:31 Forward Air Control (FAC) pilot interviewed 03:00 POV: Shot-down pilot landing in jungle 03:30 Pilot and crew ready Sikorsky HH-53 helicopters for takeoff 04:36 Helicopters taxi, takeoff 05:03 Rescue control center 05:07 FAC North American Rockwell OV-10 Bronco 05:30 Douglas A-1 Skyraider takes off 06:14 “Jolly Greens” en route to rescue; pilots adjust controls, door gunners prep M134 Miniguns 06:45 Skyraiders escort, Bronco determines pilot location 07:32 Bronco marks target, Skyraiders attack 08:38 “Jolly Greens” approach downed pilot’s location 09:15 Orange signal smoke spotted 09:46 Pararescueman prepares for descent 10:02 Pararescueman begins descent 10:18 Pararescueman connects with Capt. Lawrence 10:28 Helicopter receives enemy fire, door gunners open up 10:57 White phosphorous smoke screen deployed 11:27 “Jolly Green” crewman retrieves Pararescueman and Capt. Lawrence 12:12 Rescue mission withdraws 13:06 Lockheed HC-130P Combat King refuels “Jolly Greens” in-flight 13:57 Rescue mission returns home, Capt. Lawrence cheered, helped into ambulance 14:46 CREDITS