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55th FS pilots win ACC air crew award

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  • By the 55th Fighter Squadron
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  As a result of the actions of the pilots that participated in the ocean search and rescue of Shaw F-16 pilot Capt. Ted Shultz, Air Combat Command recently bestowed on them the prestigious title of Air Crew of Distinction. 

On April 5 at 5:40 p.m., Capt. Shultz ejected over the Atlantic Ocean more than 35 nautical miles off the coast of South Carolina. 

Immediately after ejection, Capt. Craig Simmons called off the training mission the Shaw jets were participating in and set up a search and rescue air patrol. 

Lt. Col. Thomas Littleton was working the north part of the area when he heard the radio call and could tell something was very wrong. 

"I maneuvered directly to Capt. Simmons' position while directing his wingman to a high cover position to act as a radio relay. With Link 16 awareness, I was able to be over the crash site while Capt. Shultz was still descending in his parachute," Col. Littleton said. "I informed the area controller and Shaw's supervisor of flying that we had a plane down and to scramble a Coast Guard helicopter." 

After splashdown, Capt. Simmons and Col. Littleton used their helmet mounted cueing systems to mark and pass the coordinates of both the crash site and the survivor. The coordinates were then relayed to the Coast Guard. 

Col. Littleton also directed his wingman to contact Maj. Doug Schaare's flight, F-16s in an adjacent working area that had two external wing tanks and much more flying time, to further assist in the search and rescue air patrol. 

In the meantime, Capt. Simmons established an overall fuel requirement for the patrol assets while flying at low altitude over the crash site and trying to maintain a visual on Capt. Shultz. 

Col. Littleton gave instructions for players in the search and rescue effort, while Capt. Simmons orbited over the crash site at 1,000 feet trying without luck to establish communication with Capt. Shultz. 

With fuel dwindling, Capt. Simmons flew over Capt. Shultz's last known position one more time and passed on-scene commander responsibilities to Col. Littleton before returning to base. 

Col. Littleton took over and said he was able to see the survivor only once in the next 20 minutes due to wave action and a low sun angle as dusk approached. 

A Coast Guard rescue helicopter was 30 minutes out and began coordinating a common radio frequency for the rescue. Col. Littleton directed Maj. Schaare to coordinate with Shaw's SOF to launch additional assets to help relieve aircraft that was low on fuel. Impending darkness was also becoming an issue. 

As fuel became critical, Col. Littleton flew over the survivor's last known position, then relinquished on-scene commander responsibilities to Maj. Schaare. 

When the Coast Guard helicopter arrived, Maj. Schaare talked them into the area where Capt. Shultz was last seen. After this coordinated search failed, the Coast Guard returned to the crash site and placed buoys out to track the movement of the current. 

Unbeknownst to anyone, a U. S. Navy frigate that had heard the distress calls entered the area at flank speed. 

Maj. Schaare saw the vessel and flew over twice trying to raise them on ultra-high frequencies and very high frequencies guard. On the second attempt, the commander of the USS Klakring responded. 

With Maj. Schaare's fuel tank approaching empty, he made one more pass over the last known location of the survivor and dropped two flares so the personnel on the Klakring and Coast Guard helicopter could refocus their search and know where to look. 

Maj. Schaare handed on-scene commander responsibilities to the Coast Guard helicopter and diverted to Myrtle Beach Airport. 

Then, a sailor aboard the Klakring spotted Capt. Schultz in the water. The Coast Guard was informed and a rescue swimmer went into the ocean. Due to Capt. Shultz's extensive injuries, the rescue swimmer said a hoist would be impossible and asked for the Klakring to launch a rescue boat for pick up. 

Once aboard the Klakring, Capt. Schultz was stabilized by medical personnel and made ready for transport ashore. The Coast Guard helicopter refueled on board the Navy ship and Capt. Schultz was transported to the Medical University of South Carolina at Charleston for emergency surgery. 

"The exceptional actions of Capt. Simmons, Colt. Littleton and Mad. Schafer were instrumental in the safe rescue of Capt. Schultz. Special thanks is also due to Coast Guard 6553, and to the men and women of the Klakring," said Col. Mike Byrne, 20th Fighter Wing vice commander.