21st SOS Downed Crew and Rescuers, February 1969

John Holt, one of my squadron mates, has the dubious honor of being the pilot on the last CH-3 shot down during a sensor drop in Feb '69. By then the number of CH-3's lost convinced everyone that dropping sensors from helicopters in active areas was ill advised and the mission was transferred to F-4's. However, we picked up the MACSOG "Prairie Fire" missions as a replacement. From the frying pan to the fire! Third from the right wearing aparachute harness is Col (later B/Gen) Ed White, the 56th SOW WingCommander. He was flying the lead A-1 escort that provided protective fireduring the rescue.

(Photo and info from Bob Arnau.)