USAF ROTORHEAD Members

Thomas “Rocky” M. Ortiz, Jr., TSgt., USAF (Fallen)
July 11, 1950 – October 17, 1984

MH-53J #73-1647
Clark AB, PI
17 October 1984

In October 1984, MH-53 Pave Low crews and aircraft of the 20th SOS deployed to the Republic of the Philippines for Exercise “Cope Thunder 85-1”.

The deployment ended tragically during the exercise when a MH-53 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 M. Ortiz, Jr
Technical Sergeant Wayne A. Johnson
Staff Sergeant Robert G. Barker
Sergeant Max B. “Paco”Lincks, Jr.

Integrity, Honor, and Respect
Some of the best things cannot be bought, they must be earned

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