Loss of Coast Guard Aircraft 6017

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Posted by: CDR Glynn Smith

Admiral Robert J. Papp, 24th Commandant of the Coast Guard (U.S. Coast Guard photo)

Posted from ADM Papp’s All Hands e-mail of 7/7/2010:

From: Papp, Robert ADM
Sent: Wednesday, July 07, 2010 8:19 PM
Subject: Loss of Coast Guard Aircraft 6017

Shipmates,

It is with deep regret and sadness that I report the crash of CG6017 today along the coast near La Push, WA. CG6017, flown by a four person crew from Air Station Sitka, was in transit from Astoria, Oregon, to Sitka, Alaska. A multi-agency search and rescue effort located the four crewmembers; one was severely injured and three were deceased.

Although many of you want to know the names and status of the crew, we are following the appropriate notification procedures. We will release additional information to all of you as soon as possible.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the officers and crew of Air Station Sitka and their families. Our immediate focus is on providing the necessary care and support to the families of the crew and their shipmates. We will dispatch every resource and provide support services required to meet their needs. The Seventeenth District Commander, RADM Colvin, is headed to Air Station Sitka to stand by our shipmates and their families.

We will conduct an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the mishap to determine the cause and help prevent future incidents. CG6017 salvage and recovery efforts are underway.

Additionally, I am directing operational commanders to conduct a safety stand down for every Air Station in the Coast Guard. The details of which will be conveyed in separate correspondence, a “personal for” message to Air Station commanding officers.

I ask all of you to please take a moment to pause and reflect on your duties and responsibilities as you stand the watch.

Semper Paratus,

Admiral Bob Papp
Commandant

Tags:

  • Theresa Miller

    As a retiree’s daugther, I know the hard work the Coast Guard does for this country. I am very sorry for the crew memebers you lost.
    And a heart felt sorrow for their families.

  • Donald Burr, USCGAUX BA-AND

    May their souls, and the souls of all the faithful departed, rest in peace.

  • Scott MacArthur

    God bless all souls on board, their families, and the service.

  • CDR Kem Siddons, USNR (Ret)

    I’m always saddened when a service members fall. As a naval aviator (NFO) while on active duty, I personally relate to the danger of our profession. My thoughts and prayers go out to the crew, their families, and shipmates. God Bless you all!

  • Michelle

    Gone yet not forgotten.
    Although we are apart,
    Your spirit lives within me
    Forever in my heart
    My prayers goes out to the families of the 3 brave soldiers and for speedy recovery of the wounded soldier.
    May the winds be at your back and the salt air be in you face,
    and the warmth of the sun be atop of you.

  • Jessica Orlowicz

    My heart goes out to their loved ones tonight. It’s heartbreaking to lose more Coast Guard family.

  • LTC (R) Donald & Kristine Hall

    My husband and I just spent the 4th of July weekend with our son who is stationed at the Coast Guard Air Station in Traverse City, Michigan. As we stayed up late one night talking about his job as a Flight Mechanic and a member of a flight crew, we were blown away by the pride and sense of purpose our son feels and how much he loves his job. He made the comment more than once that there is no other place he’d rather be in his life. As the parents of a son who Serves, our hearts are extremely heavy with sorrow for those parents who lost their children. We hope they may find comfort in the Pride a family feels when one of their own unselfishly Serves so that they may help others. God Bless!

  • Miles T. Arima DCAPT AUX

    It is a very sad day when a fellow coastie has crossed the bar, May God bless their souls and give their families and friends the strength to go on.

  • Valorie L Nelson

    Our hearts hurt for the families of our coast guard community. We wish for solace and comfort for you in the knowledge that there are many of us here wanting to help, just not knowing how. You are all in our prayers.

  • Billy

    Does anybody know who was on that jayhawk i have some guys i know who are stationed in sitka.

  • Brad Williams USCGAux

    God bless them all and may the Lord of kindness wrap them, their families and their wingmen, in grace and love as they enter eternal rest. Semper Paratus

  • Christopher Lagan

    All,

    On behalf of the entire Coast Guard family, I want to thank you for your kind words and your prayers.

    As mentioned in the post, the Coast Guard will not be releasing the names of the four crew members until completion of next of kin notifications.

    I appreciate that you might ask out of concern you may know one of the crew members, but out of respect for the families at this most difficult time we ask for your continued patience.

    Respectfully,
    Christopher Lagan
    United States Coast Guard
    Public Affairs

  • David Lever

    Sincere Condolences.

    Yours,Aye.

    Canadian CG SAR

    “That Others May Live”

  • Jessica Clackum Herman

    RIP fellow Coasties. God Bless the crew of CG6017 and their families.

  • Bob Puharic

    As an Auxiliarist, and as a watchstander at Station Sandy Hook, I work with our Coast Guard heroes frequently. It is an honor to be among such courageous men and women. My thoughts are with the crew member who was injured, the families of the deceased, and all of our Coast Guard active duty and reserve members.

  • Peggy Attaway

    We, like most here, are a proud Coast Guard family. Our hearts are heavy for those families left behind by this tragedy. Our son is also an active duty AMT. We worry, like most, but also know that those who serve our country selflessly are the true heroes. We will keep those grieving families in our thoughts and prayers and will pray for the continued safety upon those that serve our US Coast Guard. We could not be more proud to be a part of such a committed group of men and women. God speed and thank you fallen Coasties for your service.

  • Nance & John Johnsen

    As Coast Guardian parents, he my only child, we are deeply saddened and grieve yet again tremendously for the loved ones of the brave CG crew of 6017. Our deepest condolences to the families and friends, to the Sitka station and the entire CG family. God bless them, and we thank them for their unselfish courageous honor and devotion to duty.

  • BM3 Jennifer Rose

    All that needs to be said from one coastie to all others is….
    Fair Winds and Following Seas.

  • T.J. Granito

    My heart felt sorrow and prayers go out to the crew’s families, friends. Guardians to Guardian Angels…May they rest in peace.

  • FS1 Charles Williams

    As a former Air Station Sitka crew member I know it is hard for everyone up there. Fair Winds and Following Seas shipmates.

  • Michael Barnes AET2

    My prayers and thoughts go out to those lost, and thier families. They were, and always will be Brothers of Blue who will be missed and never be forgotten. As a fellow Airdale I salute you and with a proud but humble heart take the watch for you, SEMPER PARATUS.

  • Thom Roddy

    We will never forget them, nor the last time we saw them, this morning, as they prepared for the journey and waved goodbye and ‘slipped the surly bonds of earth’ to ‘touch the face of God.’

    President Ronald Reagan – January 28, 1986

  • Danielle Tessier

    As a former crew member of Air Station Sitka and CGC Maple, my heart and prayers go out the members and their familys. Fair Winds and Following Seas. You will be missed.

  • Jane Brown

    As a very proud wife to an active duty AST, these accidents terrify me not only for my husband and all the Coasties who are near to my heart but for all members of the Coast Guard family. While I always fear such an accident, I am thankful for all of the brave men and women who risk their own lives in the hopes of helping others. I am keeping the families of the fallen crew members, the survivor and the entire Coast Guard community in my heart and in my thoughts. And I can only hope and pray that no more heroes lose their lives. Thank you to all who serve and who support those who serve!

  • Tracey Nelson

    As a Coastie’s wife/family (AST), we pray for the families of the lost and injured; lean upon God and may you have His peace; God Bless you and the entire Coast Guard Family.

  • Kieran Mac Mahon Irish Coast Guard

    My prayers and thoughts are with your colleagues andd their families. RIP

  • James O’Connor

    I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of the members of our Coast Guard. I have a strong appreciation for what the Coast Guard does as a private citizen, but I also have enjoyed a wonderful working relationship with aircraft crews and boat crews in my professional life as an Oregon State Police fish & wildlife trooper. My thoughts are with the families.

    Sincerely,
    James O’Connor
    Oregon State Police – Astoria, Oregon

  • wolflady1229

    May God bless these brave souls & their families.

  • John Shouey, CDR (R)

    It is with very heavy heart we send our condolences to the families and men and women of the USCG over the loss and injury of four fellow CG Aviators. May God grant you peace and comfort now and in the days to follow and may He grant His eternal peace to our fallen heroes as they crosss the bar for the final time.

    God Bless,
    The Shoueys

  • Casey

    I am very shocked to hear about the loss of the Coast Guard members and this aircraft. Seconds before the crash, our family and kids watched them pass by while camping on Second Beach in La Push and even took some pictures. The kids got excited to see a helicopter, and its always comforting to see these guys while out in the remote coastal backcountry. We were in complete disbelief what happened just beyond our view. If we can be of any help, let us know.

  • Amber Lange

    My thoughts and prayers go out to the families. I hope this will be the last one. Seems to be happening a lot. I just want all of our guys safe. I am here in Hawaii and within driving distance to Barbers Point. Please let me know if there is anything I can do!

  • Lisa C. Jackson

    Thanks for a job well done; to the Search and Rescue units.
    thanks to all of the supporting units .
    I am also greatly sadden by the accidently deaths of our fellow
    coast guard members.

  • Admiral Bob Papp

    Thank you all for the heartwarming comments in remembrance of our three lost Shipmates. This show of support will help many who are grieving the loss of CG6017 through a very difficult period.

    v/r

    Admiral Bob Papp
    Commandant

  • Michelle Putz

    As a Sitkan and a friend and neighbor of many Sitka CG folks, I grieve for and with you. I am so sorry for your loss, for OUR loss. We know how lucky we are to have you guys in our community and as part of our daily lives. We’ll do what we can to support you through this tragic event and into the future.

  • AE1 Wayne Smith (RET)

    God Bless the crew, family and friends of the members of 6017.

  • Randy Miller MSTC (RET)

    I always enjoyed working with the Aircrews in Kodiak. I still feel the pride of knowing those who flew and still fly those birds of hope. It always hurts to hear of such a loss. My heart goes out to the Family, Friends and Crew of AIRSTA Sitka.

  • Diana M

    As a Coast Guard wife it saddens me when a service members dies because I know how dangerous their job is. My husband is an AMT and every time he flies I pray that he comes home safely. My heart and prayers go to the families and the Coast Guard members that passed.

  • nick bonelli ex us navy enlisted

    god bless all who serve in the name of freedom u s a all the way

  • Karl Kuster (BM1 Ret.)

    May God’s peace, and love, compass all the families of CG6017. Their honor and devotion to duty is an example to us all that follow the Guardians Creed.In my CG career I had great respect for the people in the aviation field, they helped me on many missions.God bless coasties and there families everywhere. The crew of 6017 have new wings and sleep with the Lord forever.

  • Laura Roberson, Alabama

    Most of the members along my famiy tree have been in other branches of the service, and my dad and uncle still speak with pride of the time they spent in the Air Force.May I add my condolences to the Coast Guard upon the loss of 3 members,and my prayers for their families. I hope and pray that their surviving crewperson recovers fully and is able to return home. Thank you is such a small phrase to cover our gratitude for all our service people do for us in keeping us safe.May God comfort and sustain you in the days and weeks ahead.

  • Steve Coyle

    As I am getting ready to start my day here. I realize that I am fortunate. The families left behind never know. It is correct to say to them “Fair Winds and Following Seas, I would like to add they will continue to protect the bar.” I will see them when I do finally cross the bar. My condolences to the family, friends and shipmates.

    Steve, DCC USCG ret.

  • BJ

    My prayers go out to the families of those lost and to the injured. The USCG holds a special place in my heart and I know how brave and dedicated Coasties are. Condolences to all associated with the crew of 6017.

  • RON GONZALEZ

    GODSPEED AND GODBLESS THE CREW OF CG 6017!! I HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF MEETING A BROTHER IN CHRIST FROM THE COAST GUARD AIR STATION IN CLEARWATER FL (PIE). I WAS A PILOT FOR THE PINELLAS COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE AND MET AM1 ANDY COYKENDALL BY CHANCE ONE EVENING WHILE ON DUTY. MY CHANCE MEETING WITH ANDY WHO HELPED ME FURTHER MY FAITH WITH OUR LORD HAS BEEN STRONG EVER SINCE AND CONTINUES TO THIS DAY SOME 20 YRS LATER.
    ANDY COYKENDALL WAS A FRIEND OF THE FLIGHT MECH ON THIS CG 6017 CREW (ADAM HOKE). ANDY AND I HAVE SINCE RETIRED IN 2004 BUT OUR LOVE FOR THE LORD AND DEVOTION TO DUTY REMAIN STRONGER THAN EVER. ANDY WAS STATIONED AT SITKA BEFORE RETIRING AND SET UP HIS “PERMANENT QUARTERS” IN SITKA. ANDY MISSES HIS FRIEND ADAM

  • Ned Hutchings

    Fair Winds and following Sea’s…
    FT2 Pat Hutchings

  • Therese Moss(Labor)

    My heart goes out to the families…I was in Kodiak Alaska when our Coast Guard 1600 crashed on Attu , fortunately there were 9 survivors.