The Grumman HU16 Albatross first
appeared in the US Air Force inventory in 1949. It was a fix-wing
amphibious aircraft capable of making vertical recoveries on land or over
water, as well as water landings in daylight and mild sea conditions to
rescue downed aircrews. By the end of 1965, it had saved 70 people, 60 of them
combat crews. It was also used as a command and control aircraft
coordinating multi-aircraft missions.
Beginning in 1966, the HU16's, along
with other Air Rescue Services fixed-wing aircraft, were replaced by the
Lockheed HC130 Hercules that was specifically tailored for the global
search and rescue mission.
On 18 October 1966, then Maj. Ralph H.
Angstadt, pilot, Capt. John H.S. Long, co-pilot, Maj. Inzar W. Rackley,
navigator, TSgt. Robert L. Hill, flight mechanic; SSgt. John R. Shoneck,
flight mechanic; AM1 Stephen H. Adams, parajumper; and SSgt. Lawrence Clark,
radio operator; comprised the crew of an HU16 search and rescue (SAR)
aircraft (serial #51-7145), call sign "Crown Bravo," carrying an
elite Air Force pararescue team. The Albatross departed DaNang Air Base at
1101 hours to recover a downed pilot approximately 80 miles off the China
coast in the northern sector of the Gulf of Tonkin.
Two A1E Skyhawks escorting the rescue
aircraft remained on station providing air cover until the mission was
completed, and then they returned to their base. The last contact with the HU16
was at 1745 hours, and at that time, there was no indication of any trouble with
the aircraft. At 2231 hours, all contact was lost with the amphibious aircraft
in marginal weather conditions. SAR efforts were immediately initiated, but
found now trace of the missing aircraft or its crew. The last know position of
the Albatross placed it right on the Asian Coastal Buffer Zone, approximately 38
miles east of the North Vietnamese coastline and 44 miles northeast of the major
port city of Dong Hoi, Quang Binh Province, North Vietnam. At the time the
formal search operation was terminated, all seven Americans on board were listed
as Missing In Action. Because there is no record of the identity of the pilot
recovered during this missing, it is believed he was a member of an allied force
rather than US. Interestingly, even though the HU16 was reported lost over
water, which would indicate the men were not recoverable, several of the crew
were carried in categories which indicated they could have been readily
accounted for.
Approximately one year after the loss
incident, Steve Adams' family received a call from an International Red Cross
representative who stated that he was "alive, well and presumed to be in a
hospital in Southeast Asia," and that "upon exiting the aircraft, his
left side had been severely injured." Shortly after the call, two Air Force
casualty officers cautioned the family strongly "not to listen to
outsiders", and that only "government sources" could be trusted.
Steve Adams' brother, Bruce said, "We have always hoped that what the Red
Cross representative said is true. But the evidence is clear that there ARE
Americans still held captive in Southeast Asia. I don't know if Steve is one of
them, but SOMEONE'S brother is. We as a Nation owe those men our very best
effort to secure their release and return. I could not face myself if I did not
do everything in my power to help bring them home."
After Operation Homecoming in 1973,
all returning POWs were debriefed by US intelligence. In addition to general
intelligence material, they were looking for any information pertaining to other
Prisoners of War known in captivity. Although there was no specific information
provided about most of the crew, US Army MSgt. Harvey G. Brande, who was
repatriated on 16 March 1973, reported he personally observed John Long, the
Albatross' co-pilot, as a prisoner held in Hanoi and that Capt. Long was in good
physical condition. He further reported Capt. Long's full name was circulated in
the camps and that the co-pilot was seen in Citadel, Holiday Inn and Vegas
prisons by him. Additionally, Capt. Long was reportedly held with a group of
POWs captured in Laos and moved into North Vietnam. John Long's post-capture
photo also appeared in a photo album compiled by the United States of American
POWs in captivity referred to as "Reference Volume 1." His photo
appears on page 1-A-112."
Since the end of the Vietnam War well
over 21,000 reports of American prisoners, missing and otherwise unaccounted for
have been received by our government. Many of these reports document LIVE
American POWs remaining captive throughout Southeast Asia TODAY.
Pilots and aircrews in Vietnam were
called upon to fly in many dangerous circumstances, and they were prepared to be
wounded, killed or captured. It probably never occurred to them that they could
be abandoned by the country they so proudly served.
Incidental Information
