Photo By Maj. Travis Mueller | Soldiers with the 28th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade and Eastern ARNG Aviation...... read more read more
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HARRISBURG, Pa. – Soldiers with the 28th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade and Eastern Army National Guard Aviation Training Site, as well as rescue technicians with the Pennsylvania Helicopter Aquatic Rescue Team, received heroism awards during a ceremony at the Sheraton Harrisburg Hershey Hotel, April 27, 2019.
Lacey Coleman, with Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, presented the Sikorsky Rescue Award to UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crew members who performed lifesaving rescues during flooding in Pennsylvania and after Hurricane Florence in South Carolina last year.
Charles Weaver, with Airbus Helicopters, presented the Airbus Award of Valor to UH-72 Lakota helicopter crew members who provided reconnaissance and aerial command and control in support of the rescue missions in Pennsylvania.
“It was nice for Sikorsky and Airbus to send representatives up here to recognize what we do,” said 1st Sgt. Frank Palfrey, a Black Hawk crew chief who participated in a rescue mission in South Carolina after Hurricane Florence. “The award is nice, but for me it was really about helping people.”
On Aug. 13-14, 2018, Black Hawk and Lakota crews performed multiple lifesaving rescues in Benton and Towanda, Pennsylvania after flooding impacted the area. The effort resulted in hoist rescues of 19 people and several household pets.
On Sept. 20, 2018, a Black Hawk crew performed a rescue for a couple in need of medical attention in Mullins, South Carolina after flooding from Hurricane Florence surrounded their home.
Black Hawk crew members awarded for their actions were:
Chief Warrant Officer 3 William Arters
Mr. Anthony Beers
Staff Sgt. Bryce Behmyer
Mr. George Drees
Maj. George Giles
Maj. Greg Gobel
1st Lt. Matthew Groff
Chief Warrant Officer 3 Richard Hill
Chief Warrant Officer 4 Keith Hogan
Staff Sgt. Rebecca Holman
Command Sgt. Maj. Jeff Huttle
Mr. Oren Kauffman
Mr. Darrin Kephart
Sgt. Donald Mackenzie
Sgt. 1st Class Sean Merrill
Sgt. 1st Class Michael Moy
1st Sgt. Frank Palfrey
Chief Warrant Officer 4 Jake Russell
Chief Warrant Officer 5 Joe Sandbakken
Lt. Col. Daniel Schwartz
Sgt. 1st Class Bryan Shaw
Staff Sgt. Michael Simmers
Sgt. Matthew Terchanik
Chief Warant Officer 4 Mark Ulsh
Mr. Ryan Walt
Lakota crew members awarded for their actions were:
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Dave Berry
Maj. Ernie Carlson
Staff Sgt. John Goodwin
Chief Warrant Officer 3 Jason Jakubowitz
The ceremony took place during Safety Stand-down 2019. The event brought together aviators across the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, including flight operations personnel, air traffic controllers and unmanned aerial system crews, to re-focus themselves on safety and survival. The 28th ECAB halted usual training activities to ensure maximum attendance. Over 400 Soldiers attended the event, which featured presentations from industry experts as well as leaders within the Pennsylvania National Guard.
| Date Taken: | 04.28.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 04.28.2019 21:24 |
| Story ID: | 319823 |
| Location: | HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, US |
| Web Views: | 988 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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