OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. -- On March 15, 1981, the Fightin’ Fifty-Fifth lost six members of their unit when an RC-135S Cobra Ball crashed upon landing in severe weather at Shemya Air Force Base, Alaska.
On March 15, 2016, exactly 35 years ago to the day, the wing will pause to remember and honor those members of aircraft 61-2664 at a ceremony set for 2 p.m. at the 45th Reconnaissance Squadron headquarters.
“Memorializing events such as the loss of the six fallen Cobra Ball aircrew members refocuses our collective attention to our responsibilities and what may be asked of us as United States Airmen,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Brian Thomas, 45th RS commander. “It is an honor to remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice to protect our nation.”
Lost to the Cold War, but not forgotten I time that day were U.S. Air Force Maj. William R. Bennett, Capt. Larry A. Mayfield, 1st Lt. Loren O. Ginter, Master Sgt. Steven L. Kish, Staff Sgt. Steven C. Balcer and Staff Sgt. Harry L. Parsons III.
“As we enter the 45th Reconnaissance Squadron we are reminded daily that our actions are important,” said Thomas, referring to a memorial to the crew that stands in front of the 45th RS headquarters facility. “We seek to guarantee Russian and Western relations do not enter a new Cold War, but it is important for our Airmen to remain ever vigilant and take the appropriate steps to defend our nation while deterring aggression.”
Retired U.S. Air Force Col. Bill Ernst, who was serving as the Strategic Air Command strategic reconnaissance center director of worldwide operations at the time, will be the main speaker at the event.
“I have vivid memory of bringing 664 on line and monitoring the training of the 24th Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron crews that flew her,” he said. “I was probably the first to be called when she crashed and had to brief the SAC (director of operations) on what we knew at the time.”
On March 15, 1981, the 24 crew members of 61-2664 were in route to the small Aleutian Island from Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, where they had been waiting for poor weather to clear.
When the aircraft approached Shemya, the weather continued to deteriorate with blizzard conditions and extreme crosswinds across the island. After holding for quite some time due to the inclement weather, the tower finally gave them the clearance to land.
Upon descent, the aircrew knew they were in for a challenge and a rough landing, but they had no idea to what extent.
“The gear came down, the flaps let out and the engines altered their whine,” wrote Dr. K.A. Crooks, who was a second lieutenant and electronic warfare officer on the flight, in his article, ‘The Ides of March: Tragedy on a Small Island.’ “Then suddenly the aircraft banged, screamed and lurched. I immediately knew we were in for a world of hurt.”
According to one eyewitness account, the aircraft’s main landing gear was stripped off by the lip of the island's cliff on the approach end of the runway.
As the aircraft impacted the end of the runway, engines three and four burst into flames and the fuselage began to break up. Seats and equipment inside were shaken loose and the RC-135 slid roughly 2,000 feet, sliding off the runway surface and plowing and twisting through a large pile of discarded rail ties, building materials and timbers.
In the midst of flaming chaos, the crew members did all they could to exit the aircraft and find their way to safety.
"Because I had been trapped by shifting heavy equipment, I was the last crew member to exit the aircraft forward of the (electrical systems center) positions near the tail,” Crooks wrote. “I reached the left overwing hatch with flames swirling around me.”
While the tragic event did claim the lives of those six crew members, it also left many severely injured. And to this day, they are left with constant reminders.
“When the massive electronic-array equipment shifted in the crash to pin my leg, it took every bit of effort to get free, resulting in damage for which even my youth couldn't compensate," Crooks said. "Most of those injuries never healed properly, so my body nudges me daily with reminders of the events of March 15, 1981.”
Ernst was directed to go to Shemya as soon as possible to inspect the crash site and assist the investigating team.
“The crash site was still pretty much untouched and it was easy to see what had happened,” he said.
The last remembrance ceremony was five years ago, so this event provides another opportunity for those in the 55th Wing to learn about the sacrifices of those who came before them.
“The dedication required to perform our missions is as important as it was 55 years ago when the C-135 aircraft began to perform reconnaissance,” Thomas said. “We must never forget their dedication and strive to carry on their legacy today and tomorrow.”
Following the official ceremony, there will be a reception in the 45th RS Heritage Room and all base personnel are invited to attend.