Guardian of the Week – LT Sean Krueger
Friday, November 13, 2009
Written by: rhopkins
Crew of Rescue 193 at the GAPAN Annual Trophies and Awards Dinner, October 29, 2009, the Guildhall, London. From left to right: Chief Aircrewman Dave Rigg, Royal Navy, Captain Martyn Roskilly, Royal Marines, Lieutenant Sean Krueger, U.S. Coast Guard, Lieutenant Jon Hounsome, Royal Navy. (Photo courtesy of LT Sean Krueger)
Being honored by British royalty is not an everyday occurrence for Guardians but that is exactly what LT Sean Krueger experienced at an awards ceremony in London on October 29.
LT Krueger, the aircraft commander of the Rescue 193 helicopter based at Culdrose Royal Naval Air Station in Helston, Cornwall, UK and his crew, including an embedded BBC camerawoman filming for the television series “Seaside Rescue,” were presented with the prestigious Prince Philip Helicopter Rescue Award by the Guild of Air Pilots & Air Navigators (GAPAN) for “outstanding courage and devotion to duty” during an arduous 20 hour mission to rescue a severely fisherman in gale force 8 conditions.
“It was a great honor to receive this award and be a part of this mission,” LT Krueger said. “I have to credit the excellent training received during my time with the Royal Navy and the exceptional crew for making this mission a success.”
Royal Navy Sea King Mk V rescue helicopter. (Photo courtesy of LT Sean Krueger)
LT Krueger was selected for an exchange program with the Royal Navy that began in January, 2007 and ended in March, 2009. LT Krueger served as a SAR pilot of a Sea King MK5 rescue helicopter with 771 Squadron at the Culdrose Royal Naval Air Station (RNAS).
LT Krueger went through an extensive 8-month training program to meet the incredibly high standard the Royal Navy holds for its pilots. “It definitely prepared me for the challenges we would face later on,” Krueger said. “Culdrose is a very busy SAR station that covers a wide area. We had a lot of challenging cases.”
LT Krueger’s family, including wife Kyla, son Trevor, age seven and daughter Kerry Ann, age five also enjoyed the experience of living in a foreign country and attending the local schools. One challenge though was the language barrier. “It’s an English speaking country but sometimes it was hard to understand what people were saying,” Krueger said.
According to the GAPAN Award citation, the crew of Rescue 193 faced considerable challenges and performed admirably. “Gale Force winds, extremely rough seas, the initial lack of Nimrod ‘top cover’ whilst operating at the edge of the Sea King’s range on a very dark night, all added to the pressures faced by the crew. Although the casualty succumbed to his severe injuries, the crew found solace and consolation in the knowledge that they had performed to the best of their abilities and at the extremities of the aircraft’s operating capabilities”.
Bravo Zulu and Semper Paratus to LT Sean Krueger for earning this prestigious award, his exceptional service and distinguishing himself during his service with the Royal Navy.
Do you know someone in the Coast Guard that has done something great for the service, the missions or the public? Please submit your nominations for Guardian of the Week using the submit button at the top of the page.
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[...] (Coast Guard Compass – November 13, 2009) – Visit the Coast Guard Compass Blog for an extraordinary story of courage during rescue by Lt. Sean Krueger and his crew. Sean was serving in England at the time, attached to an SAR unit of the British Navy. When I read stories like these it is why I always say every chance I get, “Guardians rock!” We’re very proud of you Sean and your team British Navy aviators. [...]
Rest in peace my friend…your family is in our hearts and prayers.
Rest in Peace Lt. You were a gift to this world and your legacy lives on.I knew you you only when we were young, but its obvious yhou grew into a honorable man and deservingly you were well loved.
I knew you when we were young,but even then you were a honorable person and you grew into an exceptional man.It seems you were deservingly well loved, and your legacy will live on.I wish yoiur family the best and Im sure you will be looking over them to keep them safe. Rest inPeace LT.
From a grateful country I just want to give thanks to this brave man and condolences to his family.
The UK is surround by treacherous seas and weather,I can tell you we hold such men as these in the highest esteem.RIP from a RN seaman.
My husband served as the exchange pilot in 771 from 1991 to 1993. Our children were 4 weeks old and 4 when we moved to Helston and when we returned home our son also had a British accent! Our time there was one of the best of our lives. My heart breaks for Lt. Kreuger and his family at this time. I somehow feel a special kinship with them now, knowing that we had this shared experience of a beautiful place, Cornwall, of knowing some very special and dedicated people in 771 and of making special friends in the community. Rest in peace, Sean. Thank you for your bravery and service. It and you will never be forgotten. I extend my deepest sympathy to your wife, children, family and friends. May they find peace and comfort in the love you gave them and pride in all that you lived for.
I served at 771 SAR with sean during his time with us. He was a great character, always chatty and loved what he did.
RIP Sir was a pleasure knowing you