Remember CG-6505 air crewmembers 09.04.08

Ever since the day I found out about this tragic event..i have been keeping myself updated…logging on the internet and browsing KGMB9 Hawaii’s news...in hopes that the missing pilot would be announced ‘found’… I have been meaning to post this blog....it has been saved on a word document for almost a month now… editing and proofreading it 2304833 times…so here it is…I left it short…all that matters is that the family of these coasties who made the ultimate sacrifice…receive prayers..and comfort throughout their moments of grief and sorrow….only time will heal..and may the Lord guide them…in the coming months…we will celebrate their life…by setting the example…





Coast Guard Helicopter Crashes off Keehi Lagoon
Written by KGMB9 News - news@kgmb9.com
September 04, 2008 11:50 PM

UPDATE: Fire crews stopped their search at 1:30 Friday morning. They plan to pick it up at daybreak. Coast Guard crews continue to search through the night.

A Coast Guard Helicopter has crashed about 6 miles off the reef runway.

Honolulu fire and police crews are at Keehi Lagoon, searching for the downed chopper.

It happened some time around 8:30 tonight. A HH-65 Dolphin helicopter crashed this evening approximately five miles south of Honolulu International Airport. The helicopter's four-man crew was conducting search and rescue drills.

KGMB9's Tim Sakahara reports from Keehi Boat Harbor.



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Office of Public Affairs - U.S. Coast Guard

Press Release Date: Sept. 4, 2008
Contact: Public Affairs
(808) 535-3230

U.S. COAST GUARD HELICOPTER CRASHES OFF HONOLULU INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

HONOLULU -- A U.S. Coast Guard HH-65 Dolphin helicopter crashed this evening approximately five miles south of Honolulu International Airport.

The helicopter's four-man crew was conducting search and rescue drills with a 47-foot motor lifeboat from Station Honolulu when it went down at 8:15 p.m. The Coast Guard was notified by the FAA and immediately launched a C-130 search plane from Air Station Barbers Point.

A crew on board an inbound Air Force C-17 to Honolulu International saw the Coast Guard helicopter go down and circled the site until a rescue boat from the Honolulu Fire Department could get on scene.

The 47-foot motor lifeboat is also on scene, as is the C-17, the C-130 and helicopters from the Honolulu Fire and Police Departments. The Coast Guard will meet with media at 10 p.m. outside the main base at Sand Island.




for updates on this tragic event...visit
http://kgmb9.com/main/content/view/9534/245/


Hawaii's Senator & Rep express their condolences:
Condolences from Sen. Inouye & Rep. Hirono on USCG Crash
Written by KGMB9 News - news@kgmb9.com
September 05, 2008 06:00 PM

Statement by Congresswoman Hirono on the loss of three crewmembers during U.S. Coast Guard Helicopter Crash in waters off Oahu:

"I am deeply saddened to learn of the three lives lost during last night's Coast Guard helicopter crash that took place during a regularly scheduled search and rescue drill.

"I express my sincere condolences to the families, friends and colleagues who have lost loved ones in this tragic and unfortunate event. I also offer my hope and prayers that the fourth crewmember will be found safely, and brought home. We are all extremely grateful to those brave men and women of the United States Coast Guard who serve so proudly and bravely to protect our state, and our country. Their sacrifice and service will not be forgotten."

From U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye:

"I was very saddened to learn of the tragic training accident which has taken the lives of three brave Coast Guardsmen, with an additional one still missing. My heart goes out to their families.

"This is a lesson to one and all about the fragility of life, and that as a member of our Armed Forces, harm's way need not only be on foreign soil, or a battlefield. For the many people who are alive today because of the Coast Guard's valiant search and rescue efforts, this tragic training loss is shouldered by all of us in the community."



I think that Sen. Inouye couldn't have said it better. Many out there think that the Coast Guard isn't the 'real' military. When in fact, the Coast Guard risks their life every day; saving thousands of lives each year. whether it be rescue swimmer propelling out of a helo and saving a fisherman in the roughest seas, whether it be the pilot, the coxswain (the driver of the boat), the E-3 pulling the drowning victim from the ocean, we need not be in foreign soil to be in harm's way...this tragic event occurred while conducting drills/training.


trainning...something way too familiar for me. as a qualified crewman on the 47 foot motor lifeboat at Station Honolulu, this tragic event has really hit home in more ways than one. My heart-felt and deepest condolences goes out to the wives, children, and extended family of these brave coasties…who has made the ultimate sacrifice to defend our wonderful nation.

Memorial clips to follow (courtesy of YOUTUBE.com):