U.S. Coast Guard Lt. David Shook, son of Pat and Lee Sutphin, of Tryon was recently awarded the Air Medal for his efforts in a rescue mission in October.
Shook and his HC-130 Hercules aircrew from Air Station Barbers Point were awarded the high honor for their performance of duty during a rescue mission that involved 10 people off the French Frigate Shoals, (FFS) an atoll in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, Oct. 20, 2009
Officials from the local U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service contacted Coast Guard search and rescue coordinators here requesting the evacuation of their personnel as a precaution to the inbound Hurricane Neki.
The runway at FFS is very short and consists of crushed coral; the island is also covered with birds that pose a serious bird strike risk; however, the Coast Guard C-130 long-range search plane crew was able to safely land their aircraft.
“I turned to my crew and said, If a storm hits this tiny island, these people might not make it – we have to get these guys,” said Lt. j.g. David Shook, the C-130 pilot. “The landing was a major concern for me and my crew, but the crews professionalism made all the difference.”
“We are incredibly grateful to U.S. Coast Guard District 14, especially the pilots and crew of todays C-130; they are true heroes in todays world,” said Susan White, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Superintendent for Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument.
“Theyve gone above and beyond the call of duty to ensure the safety of our 10 people on Tern Island. Knowing that our people are safe is our primary concern, and now a huge weight is lifted thanks to the Coast Guard,” White said. “Our attention now turns to focusing on status and recovery of nesting seabirds, other marine wildlife, and our facilities. Once again, the Coast Guard lived up to its motto of Always Ready.”
The Air Medal is awarded to any person who, while serving in any capacity in or with the Armed Forces of the United States, shall have distinguished himself/herself by meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.
Awards may be made to recognize single acts of merit or heroism, or for meritorious service. Award of the Air Medal is primarily intended to recognize those personnel who are on current crew member or non-crew member flying status which requires them to participate in aerial flight on a regular and frequent basis in the performance of their primary duties
Mom, Pat Sutphin, says her son always wanted to be a pilot and received his license at the age of 15.
“Dave gives most of the credit to his flight crew and as he says, he couldnt have done it without them,” Sutphin said. “When he received the distress call he told them the danger of the flight and asked if they wanted to try it and they all did.”
Following is Shooks email to his mother after the rescue:
“If it goes through, here are two pics of the small Island we pulled the 10 people off of. The island is called French Frigate Shoals and is a small coral atoll just under 500 miles WNW of Oahu. Hurricane Neki is enroute as a direct hit and the FWS chartered aircraft would not go and pull these folks out so they called me while I was on duty. I launched the next morning. The runway has been closed since the late 80s and is 3000 long, 2000 of which was usable. The birds were nesting on the runway and Im afraid we took many of em out on landing and the subsequent take-off. None downed the engines and only mild airframe damage. I overtorqued three of the four motors to get her out of the muck and climbing through and away from the birds. I think I used up my luck for the rest of the month. Ill be taking it easy the next few days.
The passengers were fish and wildlife personnel, two scientists, 4 contractors and a couple of volunteer workers.
Ill be in touch soon and hope all is well back in the mainland.”
Sutphin says what her son didnt tell her was that they had to fly with minimal fuel to reduce the aircrafts weight in order to be able to stop the plane and then be able to lift off.
“He sent a video that one of the scientists took and the number of birds was incredible,”Sutphin said. “His visibility had to be greatly reduced. A few birds make for a very dangerous situation but flocks of them can cause major damage He has received calls from all over the US congratulating him on a flight that a C130 is not capable of. He landed back in HI with minimal fuel. Like they say, he returned on a wing and a prayer.”
Shook, 34, has a wife, Elise, and son, James, who is 3 years old. He lived in Tryon with his parents for a few years and graduated from East Henderson High School before graduating from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, AZ. He was a pilot in the U.S. Marine Corp until two years ago when he transferred to the Coast Guard.
“His first love is flying and a close second is helping people,”Sutphin says. “The coast guard allows him to do both full time. He serves our country with dedication, distinction and feels honored to be able to do so.”