USAF ROTORHEAD Members

Craig McGraw

1968 – 1969, at Patrick AFB, FL. with Det. 15, EARRC, as a HH-3E Helicopter Mechanic.

1969 (Mar–Dec), at Wheelus AB, Libya with the 58th ARRS as a HH-3E Crew Chief.

1970 – 1971, at RAF Woodbridge, UK. with the 67th ARRS as a HH-3E Crew Chief.

1971 – 1973, at Hurlburt Field, FL. with the 317th SOS as a UH-1N/CH-3E Crew Chief.

1973 – 1976, at Hickam AFB, HI. with the 6594th Test Group as a CH-3B/HH-53C Crew Chief.

1976 – 1979, at Bergstrom AFB, TX. with the 4502nd CAMS as a CH-53 Crew Chief/QA.

1979 – 1984, at Hickam AFB, HI. with the 6594th Test Group as a HH-53C Flt. Eng. (IS/FE/Supt).

1984 – 1988, at Sheppard AFB, TX. with the 3760st TTG as Supt., Basic Helicopter FE Course.

1 July 1988, Retired from AF as a SMSgt and went to work at Bell Helicopter in Hurst, TX. on 1 Aug 1988. I worked at Bell for 20 years and 5 months taking an early retirement. I worked in Logistics throughout my career at Bell supporting various US Army, USMC, USAF, US Coast Guard and civilian helicopters and tiltrotors. Positions included:

Technical Writer (Navy Programs) – AH-1W/AH-1J/AH-1T/UH-1N.

Chief, Technical Publications – CV/MV-22.

Chief, Supportability – BA609 Commercial Tiltrotor.

Chief, Military Technical Publications – OH-58D/AH-1W/UH-1N.

Chief, Military Training – CV/MV-22, VUAV (USCG Tiltrotor UAV).

Director, H-1 Upgrade Integrated Logistic Support – AH-1Z/UH-1Y.

~CAREER COMMENTS~

1) While stationed with the 58th ARRS at Wheelus AB, Libya, I was part of the initial ground maintenance team that supported 3 HH-3Es during the Tunisian floods rescues in 1969. I noticed there were a couple of other “USAF RotorHeads” members mentioned in the document. The last part of the document also describes the travel of the Jollys from the 58th ARRS to the 67th ARRS in UK to include the en-route rescue.

2) The second rescue took place in 1983 while stationed with the 6594 Test Group, Hickam AFB, HI. I was one of the two FEs on the lead aircraft (tail # 68-10360 in AR and deck landing pix) that picked up the injured sailor.