AIR FORCE NOW SANDYS HELICOPTER RESCUE IN VIETNAM "ALL FOR ONE" 75522

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This profile of the 40th Helicopter Squadron in Vietnam shows the incredible work of this unit in combat conditions. ALL FOR ONE focuses on the rescue of Capt. Gerald Lawrence on August 20, 1972. It includes interviews with A-1 squadron commander (Sandy), as well as, the forward air controller, excellent live-action footage aboard HH-53s (super jolly greens) of actual rescues, as well as details outlining the specific role of each team member: the pilot, co-pilot, navigator (door gunner) and the para-rescue jumpers, called "PJs."
The squadron was activated as the 40th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron at Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base in March 1968 with HH-3s which were nicknamed "Nitnoy." Later HH-53s arrived and these were nicknamed "BUFF."
In March 1968, Detachment 2 of the 37th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron at Udorn RTAFB operating HH-3s and HH-53Bs, was transferred to the 40th ARRS.
The 40th moved to Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base on 21 July 1971.
20 August 1972, the local base rescue detachments of the 3d Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Group each operating 2 HH-43s were transferred to the 40th ARRS.
30 November 1972, with the inactivation of the 37th ARRS at Danang Air Base, 5 of its HH-53s were transferred to the 40th ARRS, while its two HH-43s remained at Danang as Detachment 7 of the 40th ARRS to provide base rescue during Operation Linebacker II.
Following the Paris Peace Accords all remaining US Forces were withdrawn from South Vietnam by 27 March 1973. Detachment 7 at Danang Air Base and Detachment 14 at Tan Son Nhut Air Base were inactivated during this period. Following the withdrawal from South Vietnam the 40th's force level was 11 HH-53s and 14 HH-43s.
The USAF continued combat operations over Cambodia until 15 August 1973 and the 40th provided CSAR support during this period. Following the end of combat operations the 40th kept 2 HH-53s at Nakhon Phanom on 15-minute alert during daylight and 45-minute alert at night.
In July 1974 Detachment 10 at Takhli was disbanded, followed in August by Detachment 3 at Ubon. On 20 February 1975, Detachment 1 at Nakhon Phanom was disbanded. At this time the 40th's force level had dropped to 8 HH-53Cs and 4 HH-43Fs.
The 40th moved to Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base on 1 October 1975. On 15 October 1975 with the inactivation of the 56th ARRS its 4 HC-130Ps joined the 40th.
On 31 January 1976 the 40th ARRS was inactivated at Korat RTAFB
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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 www.PeriscopeFilm.com

[@lindathrall5133]

THANK YOU DAD FOR SAVING LIVES YOU DIED AS YOU LIVED A HERO I MISS YOU DAD

[@warped-sliderule]

USAF dedication at is best. A search reveals that the rescued Capt. Gerald Lawrence went on and retired after a long distinguished Air Force career. He passed away in 2012 at 69 with family at his side in a small New Hampshire town near me. Can’t help but think about how he was granted a 40-year lease on life by those at his side during the rescue depicted in this video. Very moving thanks for publishing.

[@jamesroberts2115]

Looks like NKP Thailand. I was in the 56th SPS there and stood guard over the two Jolly Greens on alert as a post I asked for because no one else liked it. Loved working on the flight line as opposed to a tower on the perimeter or an entry control point to the flight line. Used to talk to the crews everyday when they came out to preflight the aircraft. Brave men who flew extremely dangerous missions when called upon to do so.

[@bencovington1121]

I flew Jolly Greens out of Danang. I was one of the last HH-3E pilots before the 37 ARRS converted to HH-53 Super Jolly. Good video.

[@caboosesteve]

You didn’t happen to know a Winifred “Win” Smith? He was a crew chief on both helicopters and my grandpa. I am trying to find more information on him. It’s a long shot but thanks.

[@bencovington1121]

@@caboosesteve no I’m sorry. I did not know him. Good luck in your search.

[@johnlaboone6063]

My dentist, George P.Hoffman ,was a p.j.in vietnam,I don't know what year but they sent them to Alaska for cold weather training before they went to Vietnam

[@barrystone3952]

Dad flew A1s with the 1st SOS 70-71.

[@rodeosound]

Bird dogs plus sandies plus jolly greens were relentless

[@tomroderick8213]

I was there when this happened. I was at Task Force Alpha and was very familiar with the QU-22B Vampire operations. Thanks for this video. It brought back many memories to this 71 year old ex Air Force member. I don't think anyone who was at NKP could help but appreciate this.

[@PeriscopeFilm]

Thanks for your service to our great nation.

[@ne1cup]

I was there and I cried watching this..so brave.. pilots avoid eye contact later I learned why but I loved them anyway..great people great missions many lives saved and some lost..SSGT 1972-1973 NKP

[@billirvin9057]

1987th CommSq, 6/72 - 9/73. I was also stationed at Udorn (before NKP) and Don Muang (after NKP) ... NKP was the best tour I had in Thailand.

[@jimgilchrist198]

I, too, was stationed at NKP Jan '72 to Dec '72, and it is very heartening to watch this and know we all were part of this rescue, and many more. So very good to see this film!

[@comontoshi]

The unsung heroes! 👏👏👏🇺🇸

[@fabeckett]

Thank you this video. My father was a 1LT Officer at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base 1970. Flying missions over the HMT. Im a Marine tours in Iraq. I LOVE THE SANDY'S. I named my handgun after them. "ALL FOR ONE" "SO OTHER MAY LIVE"

[@fabeckett]

SORRY FOR THE SPELLING ERRORS DAMN FIREBALL....

[@albertoconnor443]

A friend of mine, Mike Moore, was the Air Force cameraman who shot the film footage of this rescue mission.

[@PeriscopeFilm]

Very cool! Is he still with us today?

[@walkaway6353]

James Manor 27MAR72...and crew of Jolly 23 RIP. You are still, not forgotten. Vietnam has changed a lot since thows days. (still got a ways to go;) But we helped make it a better place. You guys made a difference and are dearly missed.

[@PeriscopeFilm]

Thank you for remembering a fallen comrade. May he rest in peace and may his sacrifice be remembered always.

[@commdate]

By chance I ran into the flight engineer working the hoist today, SMSgt Rick Simmons. Great American!

[@saigoneze4465]

love the lift off countdown .To actually hear the original audio from these old reels is a treat .These rescue missions are truly amazing .To be a downed airmen and to know you have this many assets that will do their damnedest to get to you and bring you home must have done wonders for your motivation to survive as long as possible until the jolly greens came into sight

[@sin3kal]

Thank you for publishing this. My family has been looking for this video for a couple years. My dad has a couple appearances in the video. He is the doc wrapping the hand of the pilot at the beginning and assisting him into the ambulance at the end. Great video about PJs and CSAR.

[@PeriscopeFilm]

+Tony Moll Very cool!

[@dorothyalonzo1712]

Your dad is quite a doctor. As was Lt Col, Doc Gordon Lockridge, assigned there also in the same time frame. I was on that mission and was glad he was on duty when we returned. I'm glad you found the video. Tom Green (not my daughter Dorothy)

[@ne1cup]

very good , thank you so much for the memories made me cry..

[@PeriscopeFilm]

Love our channel? Help us save and post more orphaned films! Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/PeriscopeFilm Even a really tiny contribution can make a difference.

[@wesleycook3181]

That took some balls to do that job.

[@charlipiloto6800]

Felicitaciones al grupo de rescate muy valientes ¡¡¡¡

[@PlasmaCoolantLeak]

Fortunate enough to have worked with the crews and PJs of the then 129th ARRG. Selfless professionals.

[@rodeosound]

These guys were all such bad asses

[@bryanchulander]

that was cool, felt intense just watching. I can't imagine what the actual rush must have been like. thanks for sharing!

[@coolhandluke6840]

I remember Medivacs refusing to pick up wounded and KIA...and the slicks had to go into a hot LZ. Kudos to the non-Medivacs pilots that showed no fear!

[@greasyflight6609]

Shit show all around

[@kwm123123]

What an OUTSTANDING video! Thank you for posting this.

[@2-Hands]

Worked on them at Depot when we made them into MH-53J "Pavelows". PAVELOW Leads...

[@Wolfkin18]

I heard a story that these guys never paid a beer when in they landed at the airbases, is this true?

[@bionicsjw]

A close friend was a PJ in Vietnam. Some great stories. So much respect for these warrior angels.

[@pfrstreetgang7511]

The Jolly copilot is the definition of "steely eyed".

[@markharrison5321]

I remember seeing this film, or at least part of it, when I was in ROTC in the 1980s. I think it may have been during a presentation by Duane Hackney, or some other highly decorated Vietnam era PJ.

[@cindyellis6051]

Wow! Awesome!! A feel good true story.

[@somsaksomprasong583]

Super job, well done!

[@lmartinez3633]

Brave souls

[@ne1cup]

yes sir they all were..

[@allgood6760]

Salute and respect 👍.. Read a book called Cheating Death Combat Air Rescues in Vietnam and Laos by George J Marrett

[@Yosemite-George-61]

Thanks!

[@tonydouque3240]

This was badass

[@ne1cup]

they got it down to a science, a dance of aircraft and other resources ,sometimes we had Ravens on the ground to help..

[@jeremiahmullikin]

@@ne1cup what were the Ravens?

[@mohawkdriver2504]

If these rescues are of interest to you, Google “ Rescue of Lady Ace 72”.

[@Saguanay]

In around 10:56, you can see branches getting cut off by gunfire.

[@rodeosound]

Sandies were bonified bad asses

[@randyboggy719]

What is the song being played

[@greasyflight6609]

Two Birds hovering....for Documentary purpose?...I thought the second Jolly would be better concealed? God Bless America.

[@Yosemite-George-61]

...to confuse Charlie...

[@greasyflight6609]

@@Yosemite-George-61 Spads went in hard

[@macparoo]

Blackout!

[@Retroromancer]

the trees are talking vietnamese

[@ne1cup]

lots of viet cong in the area

[@kwm123123]

I hope all thsee HEROES made it back home. 🫡🇺🇸