MCKINLEYVILLE,
Calif. — The crew of Coast Guard Sector Humboldt Bay held a memorial
service in McKinleyville, Thursday, in remembrance of the crew of the
rescue helicopter 6549 helicopter that crashed 20 years ago during a
search-and-rescue mission.
The
ceremony paid tribute to the two pilots and two crewmembers who lost
their lives aboard a Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter during an
effort to save five mariners stranded on a Canadian sailing vessel
during a storm.
Lt.
Jeffrey F. Crane, 35, of Marshfield, Massachusetts; Lt. j.g. Charles W.
Thigpen IV, 26, of Riverside, California; Aviation Machinist’s Mate
Petty Officer 3rd Class Richard L. Hughes, 33, from Black Canyon,
Arizona; and Aviation Survivalman Petty Officer 3rd Class James G.
Caines, 26, of Hinesville, Georgia, died in the line of duty.
"Flying
helicopters is dangerous in any weather," said Rear Adm. Todd Sokalzuk,
Coast Guard 11th District commander, during the ceremony. "Doing so in
the extremes we regularly ask of our Coast Guard crews requires
courage, skill and dedication to helping others, three traits embodied
by all crew members on the 6549."
Following the memorial, a Coast Guard helicopter crew laid a wreath at sea near the location
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