Hurlburt Field in Okaloosa County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Combat Talon Aircrew S-59
Lost In The Line of Duty In The Philippines
— 26 February 1981 —
Photographed By Mark Hilton, November 17, 2016
1. Combat Talon Aircrew S-59 Marker
Capt. Norman Martel - Co-pilot
Capt. Gregory S. Peppers - Navigator
Capt. Terry D. Patterson - Navigator
SSgt. John T. Felton - Flight Engineer
MSgt. Barry R. Chumbley - Loadmaster
TSgt. Gary W. Logan - Loadmaster
SSgt. Stephen A. Blyer - Radio Operator
They Made the Ultimate Sacrifice
For God and Country
There Is No Higher Calling
Memorial Dedicated 7 October 2001
Presented by
Stray Goose International
Erected 2001 by Stray Goose International.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Disasters • Military. A significant day of the year for for this entry is May 31.
Location. 30° 24.806′ N, 86° 42.059′ W. Marker is in Hurlburt Field, Florida, in Okaloosa County. Marker can be reached from Cody Avenue. Located at the Hurlburt Field Memorial Air Park and access to the base is restricted. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 315 Independence Road, Hurlburt Field FL 32544, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Combat Talon Aircrew S-01 (here, next to this marker); Medal of Honor Recipients (here, next to this marker); Jockey - 14 Memorial (a few steps from this marker); A-26 Counter-Invader (a few steps from this marker); A.A.F. / U.S.A.F. Explosive Ordnance Disposal Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Spirit 03 (a few steps from this marker); Memorial to the USAF Dead in Operation Eagle Claw (a few steps from this marker); MC-130P Combat Shadow (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hurlburt Field.
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Regarding Combat Talon Aircrew S-59. Former Project Heavy Chain and Desert One (Operation Eagle Claw) veteran Combat Talon aircraft, tail number 64-0564, crashed into the Pacific Ocean (South China Sea) shortly after a pre-dawn takeoff from NAS Cubi Point, Philippines, on February 26, 1981, killing 15 passengers and eight of nine crewmen. The Combat Talon aircraft was taking part in Special Warfare Exercise 81 and had flown 12 missions in the preceding 16 days. Following an administrative flight the day before, the crew was scheduled for its last mission, a night exercise that was set back from 01:00 local time to 04:30. The flight profile consisted of a normal takeoff, a tactical landing a half hour later to onload 15 Navy SEALs, followed by a tactical takeoff. The Talon reported normal flight conditions six minutes after the tactical takeoff, but crashed nine minutes later. No cause was determined, but investigators found that the likely causes were either crew fatigue from operations tempo, or failure of the terrain following radar to enter "override" mode while over water.
Photographed By Mark Hilton, November 17, 2016
2. Combat Talon Aircrew S-59 Marker on right side of photo.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 21, 2016. It was originally submitted on November 21, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 702 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 21, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
