Helicopter Accidents

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MH-53J
Hurlburt Field, FL
17 Oct 1984

S/N #73-1647

In October 1984, MH-53J PAVE LOW crews and aircraft of the 20th SOS deployed to Clark AB in the Republic of the Philippines for Exercise “Cope Thunder 85-1”.

The deployment ended tragically during the exercise when an MH-53J Pave Low, serial number #73-1647, impacted a ridgeline in Crow Valley, near Clark AB, Philippines, during a night TF mission in a heavy rain squall, crashed and was destroyed killing its crew.

Dead in the crash were:

  • Major James S. Prowell
  • Captain Michael W. Skeen
  • Technical Sergeant Thomas “Rocky” M. Ortiz, Jr
  • Technical Sergeant Wayne A. Johnson
  • Staff Sergeant Robert G. Barker
  • Sergeant Max B. “Paco” Lincks, Jr.

Integrity, Honor, and Respect
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