Air Rescue Team

Readers...Remember the story about two Air Rescue Team members from MSSR (commandos) who were killed on two separate incidents on board Mej (U) Chong Keng Lay's Nuri? On both occassions, it involved the same aircrew. Well...below is the unedited story written by Sgt Mohsain (WO2 (R)), the AQM.

From left 2Lt (U) Johan, Mej (U) Chong , Sgt Mohsain

Unforgetable Flying Experience.

In my 1st posting as an aircrew is No.3 Sqn TUDM Butterworth Feb 1978. As expected being an aircrew flying is the way of life.To relate back the incidence, come 16/8/1978, it was a fasting month

Flight detail of the day ..16 Aug 1978

Tasking – C/S Cepung 475 Juliet Alpha

                 Kroh – LP’s – Kroh

                 Casualty Evacuation

Crew -      Mej (U) Chong Keng Lay ( A/C Captain)

                 2Lt (U) Johan ( Co-Pilot)

                 Sgt Mohsain Hj Hashim . AQM

                 Lance Kopral Ismail- Komando- Air rescue team

                 Tropper Jamian – Komando - Air rescue team

Aircraft - FM1725

Location- Ops Selamat Swadee Kroh Detachmet

Time – Approx 1600 hrs

Every muslim crew member including the komandos busy preparing for buka puasa dishes, few minutes later came the Ops guy informing the situation i.e to pick up casevac at marker “E”. During the flying, our aircraft were escorted by gunship. The clearence to go for the pick up will be given by the gunship.Once the clearence given, tactical flying and menouvering done by aircraft captain assist by copilot and airquatermaster.

As the pilot flying towards the LP, I started pattering the aircraft towards the LP at forward 60, 40,20, forward 10 and clear turning anticlock.at that moment I heard through my intercom the pilot shouted “ we have been shot” I yell toward L/K Ismail “ Tembak” unfortunately there’s no respond from him, I noticed blood came out from his body and informed the pilot L/K Ismail has been hit . The aircraft managed to fly back to kroh and L/k was sent to Penang Hospital and pronounced dead the same night.

Well, what a day, the aircraft was shut down and on investigation done by the ground crew 13 bullet holes were found.

Mission not accomplish yet……. The same crew minus L/k Ismail fly back to the same location, now with better coverage and support we managed to pull him out safely. Few years ago I’ve met one of his friends who is running food stall in Kluang, he said that guy still alive, by then I don’t think he remember me……….

One of the bullet holes that hit the aircraft fuselarge

Letter of appreciation that I received

Note: Finally I manage to 'copy & paste' pictures/commendation letter from WO2 Mohsain's e-mail for this posting. My appreciation to a reader, Katon Tin Ton, for his assistance. Initially I faced some problems to include the photographs in my posting, having to print and scanned first before pasting it. That method was unsatisfactory because the images produced were not clear.

 

En Mohsain dan Katon Tin Ton...Thank you.

To be continued...