Lackland Air Force Base in Bexar County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

HH-43 Helicopter Memorial

Photographed by James Hulse, August 16, 2024

1. HH-43 Helicopter Memorial

Inscription.

HH-43 Helicopter Memorial. . HH-43 lives saved as reported by the Air Force Times . 1964-1972 in South East Asia more than 1880 persons were saved from certain death or capture., Pararescueman William H. (Pitts) Pitsenbarger was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for heroic actions on 11 April 1966. He was lowered 100 feet by hoist from the HH-43B rescue helicopter to rescue wounded U.S. Army soldiers. He voluntarily remained on the ground to treat and assist the troops and was subsequently killed when their position was overrun., Detachments were deployed worldwide at U.S. air bases with call signs such as "Firebird" - "Rescue 1" - "Pedro". The HH-43 helicopter and it's air and ground crews maintained an alert status to aid aircrews who were downed and some in burning aircraft. At the sound of an alarm the aircrew would be airborne within 2 minutes, hook up a special Fire Suppression Kit (FSK), which could produce 690 gallons of foam. This would allow the fire fighters to remove the aircrews from a burning aircraft. For a downed air crew, the HH-43 alert crew would coordinate with headquarters or king bird, then would depart on a set heading to make a pickup or recovery. The motto of the aerospace rescue and recovery service is: "That Others May Live", Memorable HH-43 records and events , . 18 Oct. 1961 an HH-43B attained an altitude of 32,840 ft. , . Setting the world record for class E-1 helicopters. , . In 1964 it was the first USAF rescue helicopter deployed to southeast Asia. , . In 1963-1964 the aircraft and crews supported the U.S. mapping mission in New Guinea and 1964-1966 in Ethiopia as it was the only helicopter at that time able to work in the high altitudes. , The HH-43 helicopter was manufactured by the Kaman Aircraft Corporation of Bloomfield, CT., Dedicated to air and maintenance crews who flew and maintained the HH-43 and the ones who made the supreme sacrifice "That Others May Live" and let us never take lightly the freedom for which they died, Designed by Ret. TSgt James A. Taylor

HH-43 lives saved as reported by the Air Force Times • 1964-1972 in South East Asia more than 1880 persons were saved from certain death or capture.

Pararescueman William H. (Pitts) Pitsenbarger was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for heroic actions on 11 April 1966. He was lowered 100 feet by hoist from the HH-43B rescue helicopter to rescue wounded U.S. Army soldiers. He voluntarily remained on the ground to treat and assist the troops and was subsequently killed when their position was overrun.

Detachments were deployed worldwide at U.S. air bases with call signs such as "Firebird" - "Rescue 1" - "Pedro". The HH-43 helicopter and it's air and ground crews maintained an alert status to aid aircrews who were downed and some in burning aircraft. At the sound of an alarm the aircrew would be airborne within 2 minutes, hook up a special Fire Suppression Kit (FSK), which could produce 690 gallons of foam. This would allow the fire fighters to remove the aircrews from a burning aircraft. For a downed air crew, the HH-43 alert crew would coordinate with headquarters or king bird, then would depart on a set heading to make a pickup or recovery. The motto of the aerospace rescue and recovery service is: "That Others May Live"

Memorable HH-43 records and events
• 18 Oct. 1961 an HH-43B attained an altitude of 32,840 ft.
• Setting the world record for class E-1 helicopters.
• In 1964 it was the first USAF rescue helicopter deployed to southeast Asia.
• In 1963-1964 the aircraft and crews supported the U.S. mapping mission in New Guinea and 1964-1966 in Ethiopia as it was the only helicopter at that time able to work in the high altitudes.
The HH-43 helicopter was manufactured by the Kaman Aircraft Corporation of Bloomfield, CT.

Dedicated to air and maintenance crews

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who flew and maintained the HH-43 and the ones who made the supreme sacrifice "That Others May Live" and let us never take lightly the freedom for which they died

Designed by Ret. TSgt James A. Taylor

Erected by The Pedro Rescue Helicopter Association.

Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • War, Vietnam.

Location. 29° 23.608′ N, 98° 37.135′ W. Memorial is in Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, in Bexar County. It is on Bong Avenue south of Luke Blvd. The marker is located at the USAF Airman Heritage Museum’s Air Park which is around the parade grounds. Touch for map. Memorial is in this post office area: Jbsa Lackland TX 78236, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this memorial is in South Texas

and in the San Antonio Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Photographed by James Hulse, August 16, 2024

2. HH-43 Helicopter Memorial

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Sergeant 1st Class Walter H. Beech (a few steps from this marker); UC-45 "Expeditor" (a few steps from this marker); F-82E "Twin Mustang" (within shouting distance of this marker); Technical Sgt. Fred L. Clarke • Staff Sgt. Salluel F. Walker Jr. (within shouting distance of this marker); C-123K "Provider" (within shouting distance of this marker); F-4 "Phantom II" (within shouting distance of this marker); Northrop F-5E "Freedom Fighter" (within shouting distance of this marker); P-47N "Thunderbolt" (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lackland Air Force Base.

More about this memorial. The marker, museum and air park are located on the Lackland Air Force Base, an active U.S. military installation which is a part of the Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA). The USAF Airman Heritage Museum and Air Park are open to the public, but appropriate identification is required for access. Visit the museum’s web site for current details on visiting the museum and air park.

Also see . . .
1. Airmen Heritage Training Complex.

Photographed by James Hulse, August 16, 2024

3. HH-43 Helicopter Memorial

USAF Airman Heritage Museum (Submitted on August 28, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

2. Kaman HH-43 Huskie. Wikipedia

The Kaman HH-43 Huskie is a helicopter developed and produced by the American rotorcraft manufacturer Kaman Aircraft. It is perhaps most distinctive for its use of twin intermeshing rotors, having been largely designed by the German aeronautical engineer Anton Flettner.

(Submitted on August 28, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

Photographed by James Hulse, August 16, 2024

4. HH-43 Helicopter Memorial

The HH-43 Helicopter Memorial is on the left side image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, August 16, 2024

5. The HH-43 Helicopter Memorial is on the left side

HH-43B Huskie during a firefighting exercise image. Click for full size.

Public Domain - US Air Force, circa 1960s

6. HH-43B Huskie during a firefighting exercise

The crew of a U.S. Air Force Kaman HH-43B Huskie (s/n 60-289) practicing Local Base Rescue/Firefighting. The downwash air from the rotors opened a path for rescuers to spray foam from the red and white fire suppression kit in the lower right.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 28, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 26, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 274 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on August 28, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.