maintain these qualifications? Surely it cannot be that tough to just keep those qualifications current without being paid for it.” One glance at Section Three, Tab E of a NATOPS training jacket would put your questions to rest. The Annual SAR Evaluation and semiannual SAR Fitness Tests alone would justify receiving SDAP regardless of billets, but that is just scratching the surface of what it takes to maintain Annual SAR Qualifications. Also, if a Helicopter Rescue Swimmer was allowed to drop their qualification, the squadron would not be able to execute a crucial mission set required for all helicopter squadrons, Search and Rescue. Not all hope is lost. Although previous attempts at procuring SDAP for all Helicopter Rescue Swimmers have failed, Senior Helicopter Aircrew Leadership is not ready to give up. Recently, leadership has decided to tackle this issue again, emboldened
with the recent discovery of the caveat made for the rest of the “Warrior Challenge Programs.” A “zero cost” proposal is in the works to have Helicopter Rescue Swimmers align with the rest of the “Warrior Challenge Programs.” A simple note in the SDAP authorization charts that mirrors what already exists for the other Warrior Challenge Programs would fix the issue with little administrative burden. Manning shortfalls being what they are, if we were able to pay every single Helicopter Rescue Swimmer SDAP right now, we still wouldn’t max out the total dollar amount budgeted for SDAP allowances already approved. Sailors receiving compensation for their hard work would surely help retention issues. Leadership is hopeful that this new push will finally get the attention it deserves and we can ultimately ensure those who embody the mantra “So Others May Live” are all compensated for their continued tenacity and dedication.
Persian Gulf Rescue By AW3 William "Beaver" Schuetzeberg, USN (Ret.)
S
uper tanker Surf City exploded in the Strait of Hormuz. We were about a mile away. I was sitting in the helicopter on the flight deck at the sensor station using the table to write a letter to my girlfriend back home. From the flight deck, we all heard a loud explosion and then felt a "thud" sensation in our chests. As I stepped out of the helicopter, I saw the Surf City on fire. General Quarters was called. My Senior Crewman, AW2 Bryan Stewart, said that there were survivors in the water and told me to put on my SAR gear. The picture of me with the ship in the background was taken a few minutes before we took off. As we approached the ship, we found the survivors in the lifeboat but could not move close enough to the ship because of the heat. The plan was to lower me down into the lifeboat to render first aid. Next thing I know, I felt three taps on my shoulder, jump, jump, jump. I looked back at Bryan and shouted, "What?" He said, "You're going in.” So, in the water I went. I swam to the lifeboat 150 yards away. Somewhat exhausted, I climbed aboard the boat. I repeated what I was taught in SAR school to say which was very comical in retrospect: "My name is AW3 Schuetzeberg. I am a United States Navy Rescue Swimmer, and I am here to save you." To my surprise, I was greeted with cheers and hugs from the crew. First aid had already been rendered. One man had a large piece of glass in his head, and another had a broken back. Many of the survivors had beards that were half burnt off from the flashfire. Turns out I had to jump because the helicopter rotor wash was just too much for the lifeboat. All the survivors were able to climb a ladder on the side of the USS Simpson to safety.
Author with burning Surf City
Even the man with the broken back, which was discovered later, climbed the ladder. We flew the two survivors in critical condition to a hospital in Dubai. Evidently there must have been reporters there because my girlfriend saw the man with glass in his head on television that day in the emergency room. We then flew back to the ship and spent two days looking for more survivors, but only remains were found. The girlfriend in this story, Sarah, has been my wife for 33 years. I am proud to be a Rescue Swimmer. February 20, 1990. Straits of Hormuz Persian Gulf, USS Simpson (FFG 56) HSL-42 Proud Warriors, Detachment 10 • Pilot LT Jamie Pierce • Co-pilot LT Mike Shanks • Senior Crewman AW2 Bryan Stewart • Junior Crewman AW3 William Cleve Schuetzeberg • 25 people on the Surf City, 23 rescued.
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