Squadron marks 30 years of honoring fallen comrades

Published Feb. 27, 2011
By Tech. Sgt. Aaron Cram
353rd Special Operations Group

NEAR CAPONES ISLAND, Philippines -- Members of the 1st Special Operations Squadron marked their thirtieth consecutive year of honoring fallen brethren of STRAY 59 as the two loadmasters released a ceremonial wreath from the ramp a MC-130H Combat Talon II here Feb. 26.

Eight of nine crew members and 15 special operators that were passengers perished 30 years ago when a 1 SOS MC-130E, call sign STRAY 59, crashed Feb. 26, 1981, during a joint exercise in the Philippines. Each year, a crew from the 1st SOS flies more than three hours to reach the exact coordinates of the crash site to release a ceremonial wreath in commemoration of the sacrifice made by the men of STRAY 59.

"The men and women of the 1 SOS are truly honored to be able to commemorate the lives of the crew of STRAY 59 and their special operations teammates that perished that fateful day over 30 years ago," said Lt. Col. Andrew Lewin, the 1 SOS commander. "We come from a proud heritage and this memorial flight is a small way for us to honor those who helped build it."

The members of the 1 SOS said they share their commander's feelings toward their unit and the crew of STRAY 59, and they share a great sense of pride in honoring them -- especially the crew members flying the memorial flight.

"It has been 30 years to the day," said Maj. Darin Wheeler, the 1 SOS aircraft commander. "I take pride in honoring the memory of our fallen special operators; and it is a privilege to participate in any memorial flight. The significance of this anniversary makes it a special honor. "

"For 30 years the Goose family has honored these men for the sacrifice they made that morning," said Staff Sgt. Zachary Kelhi, a 1 SOS loadmaster. "Being a part of this memorial flight shows that we never forget our fallen brothers, and it makes me proud to be a part of this family. Every member of this unit deserves to participate in this flight, and being chosen is a great honor."

In February 1981, crews from the 1 SOS were responsible for the airlift during Special Warfare Exercise 81, an annual joint exercise in the Philippines hosted by the U.S. Navy SEALS. The squadron established an Air Force Special Operations Base at Naval Air Station Cubi Point, Philippines, and crews flew day and night missions involving low-level, psychological operations, infiltration and exfiltration of forces.

Maj. James M. Kirk commanded STRAY 59 and a crew from the 1 SOS that was responsible for a total of 12 missions during the 16-day exercise. STRAY 59 was scheduled to be his crew's final mission during the Specwarex 81.

The morning of Feb. 26, 1981, the crew's takeoff time for the mission was slipped from 1:05 a.m. to 4:30 a.m. due to an extended crew day on their mission a day before. STRAY 59, executed a non-tactical departure from Cubi Point at 4:28 a.m. and executed a tactical landing back at Cubi Point at 5:06 a.m. to quickly load 15 personnel participating in the exercise. STRAY 59 executed a tactical departure two minutes later. The crew made their operational normal call six minutes into their low-level flight with a ground radio station. The second, and last, transmission from STRAY 59 was received at 5:21 a.m.; and there had been no indication from the crew to indicate a problem with their aircraft.

Minutes later, a local fisherman watched the aircraft impact the water and explode. Eight crewmembers and 15 special operators were killed instantly. One crew member from the 1st SOS, the electronic warfare officer, was thrown from the wreckage and rescued by a local fisherman.

The investigation conducted on STRAY 59 could not pinpoint the exact cause of the accident. The lack of physical evidence following the crash hindered the investigation. Minutes after impacting the ocean the wreckage sank to a depth of 240 feet.

The 1 SOS members lost Feb. 26, 1981, during the STRAY 59 crash are Maj. James Kirk, aircraft commander, Capt. Norman Martel, pilot, Capt. Thomas Patterson, navigator, Capt. Gregory Peppers, navigator, Tech. Sgt. Stephen Blyler, radio operator, Tech. Sgt. Barry Chumbley, loadmaster, Tech. Sgt. Gary Logan, loadmaster, and Staff Sgt. John Felton, flight engineer.