Helo Ops

I spent a lot of time underneath Coast Guard helicopters during more than 30 years driving Coast Guard rescue boats and training others to command and crew them. On this 1987 day, Active Duty and Reserve Coast Guardsmen taking part in a two-week “boat school” were conducting “helo ops” on Lake Charlevoix aboard Station Charlevoix’s 44-foot motor lifeboat with an HH-3F Pelican helicopter from Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City. The precision drills included hoisting a boat crewman to the helicopter in a rescue basket. Skill and teamwork was always paramount and on display. “Always Ready” “44345 Fire Rescue”