The Official Publication of the Coast Guard Aviation Association The Ancient Order of the Pterodactyl Sitrep 3-13 Fall 2013 AOP is a non profit association of active & retired USCG aviation personnel & associates C O N T E N T S President’s Corner……………...............................2 CG Foundation Awards Dinner….................3 You Know You’re an Aircrewman if………………..3 Ancient Al Letter to Pteros….....……..…......4 A Selfless Calling……………………........................4 “MacDee and Swede” by Ptero Tom Beard…6 Victor Utgoff, Russian ‘Ace’ in CG……………........7 2013 Roost Report..………………..……...…...8 Mail…………………...……………………………........14 AirSta Cape Cod Highlighted.……..….........15 Dilbert Dunker……..….……………….…………......16 ‘Guarding Alaska’ Book Review……………..17 ATTC Honor Grads & New CG Aviators……….....18 Tidbits of CG Aviation History…...............18 Membership Application/Renewal/Order Form.19 Pthirty-seventh Annual Ptero ‘Roost’ Celebrated in Fine Fashion Ptero Ancient Al’s Currier (L), Kunkel, Blore, Olson, Thorsen, and Thompson presented a ‘Retrospective of CG Aviation: Then & Now’ at Saturday’s Discourses. Our 37th annual convention honoring Air Station Washington and Air Station Atlantic City from 26-29 September was a rousing success! Even though attendance was less than usual, everyone who attended thoroughly appreciated the hard work of the Roost Committee, the phenomenal Professional Discourse sessions, the awesome awards banquet, and the compelling comments on the state of the CG and CG aviation by the Commandant and Vice-Commandant. BZ to the Roost Committee for stepping up to the plate to ensure the success of the Roost down to the smallest detail: Co-chairs Ptero VADM Vivien Crea, Av. 1820, and Ptero Mont Smith, Av. 1520, Ptero Ben Stoppe, Av. 1646, Anne Stoppe, Ptero Prez Steve Reynolds, Av. 2863, Ptero VP Joe Baker, Av. 2511, Pteros Ray Copin, Av. 744, RADM Jim Van Sice, Av. 1777, Steve Goldhammer, Av. 1207, Marilyn Goldhammer, Sperry Storm, Av. 1111, Christa Storm, Dana Goward, Av. 1825, Dana Goward, Jerry Surbey, Av. 1271, Becky Surbey, Bob Powers, Av. 1458, Jay Crouthers, Av. 1360, Christine Hunt, Larry Hall, Av. 1923, Glenn Gebele, Av. 3103, Tony Hahn, Av. 3158, Bill Paradise, Av. 1895, Janis Nagy, Av. 2791, Les Smith, Av. 1676, and Stu Merrill, Av. 2841. Chris Martino, Av. 2701, also assisted the committee. Please see P. 8 for a full Roost Report. DUES CURRENT ? — Please CHECK YOUR MAILING LABEL Your mailing label includes the DATE to which YOUR TAX DEDUCTIBLE AOP DUES ACCOUNT is AOK. IF THE DATE READS June 2013, PLEASE PAY AGAIN NOW TO REMAIN IN GOOD STANDING. Check out page 19 or the website http://www.aoptero.org/htm/newmbr.html for the renewal application and current dues. Executive Board A Message from 2863 (CGAA/AOP President): President Steve Reynolds Greetings, Fellow Pterodactyls: What a fantastic roost! The (703) 250-5143 Washington DC Roosts always turn out to be a great mix of ac- tive duty, retirees, spouses and sponsors, and this was no excep- ExecutiveVice President Joe Baker tion. From the professional discourse sessions, to Mr. Sean (808) 333-9689 O’Keefe’s incredibly moving luncheon speech, to the elegant awards dinner, and the Arlington Cemetery Ceremony, the Secretary Paul Milligan Roost committee exceeded every measure of success. In addition to catching up with (703) 730-3647 old friends, making new ones, and telling the standard mostly true “sea stories,” we were honored to have both the Ancient Albatross (VADM Currier) and the Ancient Treasurer Ben Stoppe Mariner (ADM Papp) attend the awards dinner to recognize heroic accomplishments (434) 989-2443 from across the USCG. Board Members In the way of big news, the Board has followed through with discussions from last Vice Pres. History year to create the Executive Director position. This will help add a sense of stability Vacant across the many elected positions. In terms of elected positions, we are forming a Scribe/Editor search committee to identify some candidates to take over the President and Vice Steve Goldhammer Vice Pres. Sponsorship President positions. If you have any suggestions or want to volunteer, please contact Vacant one of the board members. We’re looking forward to another busy and challenging Vice Pres. Communications/ year and I’m hoping to find some new and energetic volunteers to take the controls. Media Support Gary Gamble Steve Reynolds, Ptero 2863, Life Member Vice Pres. Museum Exhibits Vacant Historian Taps Tom Beard We regret to report that the following members have recently logged their last flight: Vice Pres. Annual Gatherings Jay Crouthers Gerald H. Hotchkiss, 949, 7/18/13 Vice Pres. Detachments Vacant Sylvia H. Hartman, (wife of Ptero Jeff Hartman, 1128) 7/20/13 Vice Pres. Membership Donald C. Addison, 982, 8/8/13 Hank Schaeffer Albert D. Young, Jr., 634, 8/23/13 John Pasch-at large Joseph C. Russo, 853, 8/24/13 Ancient Albatross John P. Currier-ex officio Nancy K. McPherson, (wife of Ptero Bill McPherson, 1226) 8/30/13 Enlisted Ancient Albatross Frank Carman, 944, __/__/13 Pete MacDougall-ex officio Ptero ‘Dave ‘Young, 634, USCGA ‘49, RIP PTEROGRAM is published three times annually as the official This photo of David, his wife Bonnie, & his rag-top T-Bird with the CGAA banner, compli- publication of The Ancient Order ments of http://jaysphotoshop.com/ Old Saybrook CT, was taken just prior to the Madison, CT of the Pterodactyl which 4th of July Parade. The Assn's banner raised much interest. Many stood along the parade route perpetuates recognition of USCG and commented on the "Flying since the World was Flat" with a rather large grin on their faces. aviation history and its personnel. Reproduction of Pterogram These fine patriots ranged in age from elementary school to grey beards. All appreciated the for further distribution logo and many clapped in appreciation for the job well done by so many CG pilots and crew. is authorized and encouraged. Being a shore line community, several could have been assisted Correspondence may be sent to: by the local CG units themselves; their gratitude was heartfelt. AOP Unfortunately, David passed away unexpectedly on 23 August. P.O. Box 222905, As his son-in-law and Parade driver (we've done a few), I can say, Chantilly, VA 20153-2905 he was proud to put on his CG uniform. He often shared with his or family, his enjoyment saying "The Ancient Order of The Ptero- Editor, Pterogram dactyl" how the name was just off key enough, making it a pleas- 4816 Powder House Drive Rockville, MD 20853 ant "inside" joke for those in the know. David's sense of duty, his Email: [email protected] dry humor and presence will be missed by all. Francois Pelletier CW3 SC, CTARNG 2 Pterogram - Fall 2013 lessly, AST2 Heller volunteered to re- main in the water with the remaining survivors, while they waited for addi- tional CG support to arrive. Prior to leaving the scene, the helicopter crew decided to deploy its own survival raft, into which Heller loaded the three re- maining survivors. Heller's presence in the raft helped the fraught sailors remain calm as he continually worked with a CG C-130 aircraft to guide a 47-foot boat from CG Station Kauai to their lo- cation. Heller's selflessness, technical The CG Foundation recognized mis- connection to the CG Foundation, and expertise, and physical strength were sion and individual excellence on Thurs- especially the New York Dinner. When critical in the success of this rescue case. day, October 10 in New York City at the he was a young lieutenant in 1982, Papp His instinctive, disciplined actions and 33rd Annual Salute to the U.S.C.G., a won the national award from his time as decisive leadership on scene saved seven national awards dinner which raised CO of the Cutter RED BEECH. lives that night. more than $1M. The honors for heroism “The challenges we face are real, but The crew of the Cutter MOHAWK and professionalism in the line of duty I’m optimistic, because I know our value was awarded for unit excellence for a were awarded to the crew of the cutter to the nation is enduring. I’m also opti- series of maritime law enforcement mis- MOHAWK for unit excellence, and mistic because of all of you. The Coast sions during the period of May 1, 2012 AST2 Abram A. Heller, a rescue swim- Guard and its people do fantastic work,” to April 20, 2013, which resulted in the mer, for individual heroic action. Adm. Papp said. He continued: “You seizure of 1,032 kilograms of cocaine, The dinner was MC’d by 13-time Emmy know that I’m tremendously proud of and 600 pounds of marijuana, which Winner, Al Roker, who knows the im- that, but we simply can’t do it alone. held an estimated street value of $35 portance of the CG’s mission, since he And it’s through the hard work and gen- million. MOHAWK worked in conjunc- serves as executive producer of the docu erosity of the Coast Guard Foundation tion with aircraft from Customs and Bor- -series CG Alaska and CG Florida. that we’re able to take care of our Coast der Protection, and the U.S. Navy. The program featured remarks from Guard people in the manner that they These heroes deserve our thanks. The Captain of the Port, Gordon Loebl, as truly deserve. I want to thank you so 33rd Annual Salute to the U.S. Coast well as video messages from VADM much for all that you do for all of us.” Guard is a small gesture of gratitude for Robert Parker, commander of the CG’s AST2 Abram Heller was recognized the men and women who stand the Atlantic Area, and Commandant ADM for individual heroic actions for a night watch day in and day out, keeping our Robert J.