Air Station Traverse City Press Releases

(6-28-08) TRAVERSE CITY AIRCREW SEARCHES FOR MISSING BOATERS

2008-06-27T01:24:56Z

Air Station Traverse City
U.S. Coast Guard

Press Release

Date: June 26, 2008

Contact: Lt. j.g. Chris Yane
(231) 922-8273

TRAVERSE CITY AIRCREW SEARCHES FOR MISSING BOATERS

BAYFIELD, Mich. - A Coast Guard helicopter from Traverse City searched for a father and son after their sailboat was reported missing today near the Apostle Islands in Lake Superior.

The father, 44, and son, 11, were reported overdue when they did not arrive at their intended destination Wednesday after they reported they were heading in to avoid poor weather conditions. A Coast Guard helicopter from Traverse City, in addition to other U.S. and Canadian Coast Guard assets, searched over 2000 square miles. The search ended when the vessel was discovered safely underway in the vicinity of the Apostle Islands.

For more information on this story, contact Lt. j.g. Chris Yane at 231-922-8273. After duty hours, contact the Air Station Operations Center at 231-922-8212.

5-26-08 Damage Control Chief Retires After 22 Years of Service

2008-05-26T18:54:07Z

Air Station Traverse City
U.S. Coast Guard

Press Release

Date: May 26, 2008

Contact: Lt. Jeremy Loeb
(231) 922-8273

DAMAGE CONTROL CHIEF RETIRES AFTER 22 YEARS OF SERVICE

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. - Damage Control Chief Archie Rivers, after 22 years of active service, retired from the U.S. Coast Guard on May 20, 2008 in a special ceremony held at the Air Station's hangar.

Damage Control Chief Rivers, a native of Winter Harbor, Maine, began his Coast Guard career in 1986 following enlistment and Coast Guard Recruit Basic Training. His first assignment was aboard the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter (USCGC) SANIBEL, the Coast Guard First District's inaugural 110-foot patrol boat, from 1986 through 1987. While aboard the SANIBEL, he assisted the Sailing Vessel Commotion, which snapped her mast enroute to compete in the prestigious America's Cup sailing race.

From 1989 to 1992, Damage Control Chief Rivers served aboard the USCGC TAMAROA. While on the TAMAROA, he assisted in the rescue of nine people from the Fishing Vessel Aristocrat and saved six crewmen aboard the Fishing Vessel Prowler by extinguishing a fire in its engine room. He also assisted in several rescues during the northern Atlantic Ocean's infamous "Perfect Storm" of October 1991.

Damage Control Chief Rivers then served at Coast Guard Base Ketchikan, Alaska; Station New London, Conn.; Group Southwest Harbor, Maine; Air Station Humbolt Bay, Calif., and the USCGC RELIANCE from 1993 to 2006.

Damage Control Chief Rivers served his last two years as the Facilities Engineer at Air Station Traverse City.

For more information on this story, please contact the Air Station Traverse City Public Affairs Officer, Lt. Jeremy Loeb, at (231) 922-8273. After duty hours, contact the Air Station's duty desk at (231) 922-8212.

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5-26-08 COAST GUARD OPENS SEASONAL AIR FACILITY

2008-05-26T17:50:22Z

Air Station Traverse City
U.S. Coast Guard

Press Release

Date: May 26, 2008

Contact: Lt. Jeremy Loeb
(847) 599-2489

COAST GUARD OPENS SEASONAL AIR FACILITY

WAUKEGAN, Ill. - The Coast Guard opened its seasonal air facility in Waukegan, Ill. on Friday, May 23, 2008 to provide enhanced search and rescue services to the Chicago and Milwaukee areas.

The seasonal air facility is located on Waukegan Regional Airport and is open during the traditional boating season which runs Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend. Two crews and one HH-65C rescue helicopter from Air Station Traverse City, Mich. man the air facility to provide search and rescue services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Air Station Traverse City, Mich. is a year-round air station maintained under the Ninth Coast Guard District to provide multi-mission capabilities in the Great Lakes region. The air station has 150 members and five HH-65C rescue helicopters and ensures that one ready response helicopter is available in Waukegan throughout the summer season.

For more information on this story, please contact Air Facility Waukegan at (847) 599-2489 or Air Station Traverse City at (231) 922-8211.

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(5-2-08) AIR STATION TRAVERSE CITY AVIATOR RETIRES AFTER 26 YEARS OF SERVICE

2008-05-02T14:49:33Z

Air Station Traverse City
U.S. Coast Guard

Press Release

Date: May 2, 2008

Contact: Lt. Jeremy Loeb
(231) 922-8273

AIR STATION TRAVERSE CITY AVIATOR RETIRES AFTER 26 YEARS OF SERVICE

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. - Lt. Cmdr. Dale Bluemel, after 26 years of military service, retired from the U.S. Coast Guard today in a special ceremony held at the Air Station's hangar.

Lt. Cmdr. Bluemel, a native of Wonderlake, Ill., began his military career in 1982 following enlistment in the U.S. Army as a Communications Specialist. In 1985, he attended Officer Candidate School, and in 1987, he completed Army Flight School and earned his Aviator Wings. He served in the Illinois National Guard flying the OH-58 Kiowa and OH-6A Cayuse observation helicopters and the UH-1 Iroquois utility helicopter until 1991 when he received his U.S. Coast Guard commission.

In the Coast Guard, Lt. Cmdr. Bluemel served at Air Station Miami and Air Station Borinquen, Puerto Rico, twice noted for bravery during life-saving missions. He also served at Coast Guard Aviation Training Center, Mobile, Ala., instructing brand new Coast Guard aviators in the HH-65 Dolphin rescue helicopter. He arrived in Traverse City in 2004.

In retirement, Lt. Cmdr. Bluemel will continue to fly as a helicopter pilot for Spectrum Health Aero-Medical Service in Grand Rapids, Mich.

For more information on this story, please contact the Public Affairs Officer at Air Station Traverse City, Lt. Jeremy Loeb. During non-business hours, please contact the duty desk at 231-922-8212.

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(4-30-08) AIR STATION COMMANDER TO BE PROMOTED TO CAPTAIN

2008-04-30T21:33:32Z

Air Station Traverse City
U.S. Coast Guard

Press Release

Date: April 30, 2008

Contact: Lt. Jeremy Loeb
(231) 922-8273

AIR STATION COMMANDER TO BE PROMOTED TO CAPTAIN

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. - Stuart M. Merrill, Commander of Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City, will be promoted to the rank of Captain on May 1, 2008 at 9:00 a.m. in a special ceremony at the Air Station.

Cmdr. Merrill is a native of Westwood, Mass., a 1983 graduate of Westwood High School and a 1987 graduate of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. He attended Naval Flight Training in Pensacola, Fla., earning his wings in 1990, and was assigned to Air Station Barbers Point where he began his aviation career. He took command of the Air Station on June 15, 2007. Air Station Traverse City has 140 members and operates 5 HH-65C "Dolphin" Rescue Helicopters. The unit annually responds to approximately 250 search and rescue cases covering 6500 miles of Great Lakes' coastline.

Capt. Bruce Jones, Commander of Sector Lake Michigan, will preside over the ceremony.

For more information on this story, please contact the Public Affairs Officer at Air Station Traverse City, Lt. Jeremy Loeb. During non-business hours, please contact the duty desk at 231-922-8212.

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11-19-07 TRAVERSE CITY AIRCREW LOCATES LOST HUNTER

2007-11-19T23:43:50Z

Air Station Traverse City
U.S. Coast Guard

Press Release

Date: November 19, 2007

Contact: Lt. j.g. Jeremy Loeb

(231) 922-8273

TRAVERSE CITY AIRCREW LOCATES LOST HUNTER

CHEBOYGAN, Mich. - An aircrew from Air Station Traverse City assisted the Cheboygan County Sheriff's Department in locating a missing hunter at 1:55 a.m. Sunday near Cheboygan, Mich.

The 54-year-old hunter was missing since 5:00 p.m. Saturday, the time he told his family he would return home. His concerned family contacted authorities. The aircrew, using Night Vision Goggles, spotted the hunter and his small fire at 1:55 a.m. Sunday in a wooded area northwest of the intersection of Mackinaw Avenue and Stoney Pointe Road in Cheboygan. Within 10 minutes of arriving on-scene, the aircrew directed the Cheboygan County Sheriffs, searching on the ground, to his location.

This hunter's successful rescue emphasizes the importance of a leaving a hunting plan with family or friends and carrying matches, a lighter, or signaling device. First, this hunter told his family, very specifically, where he was hunting and what time he expected to return home. Both of these pieces of information expedited his rescuers' response. Second, he lit a small fire that staved off the cold and signaled the aircrew to his location.

Despite the lack of leaves on trees this time of year, detecting a hunter on the ground can be quite difficult from overhead. To better the chance of detection by rescuers, the following survival equipment is strongly recommended:

2 Way VHF-FM radios and/or cell phone
Cold weather survival gear
Handheld GPS (Global Positioning System)
Bright Orange Reflective Clothing
Flashlight, strobe light, or other form of Illumination for Night Vision Goggle Detection

For more information, contact the Air Station Public Affairs Officer, Lt. j.g. Jeremy Loeb, at (231) 922-8273. During non-business hours, please contact the duty desk at 231-922-8212.

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COAST GUARD ASSISTS IN SEARCH FOR INDIVIDUAL OF INTEREST (Mar. 4, 2007)

2007-03-04T17:40:35Z

Air Station Traverse City
U.S. Coast Guard

Press Release

Date: March 4, 2007

Contact: Lt. j.g. Jeremy Loeb
(231) 922-8273

COAST GUARD ASSISTS IN SEARCH FOR INDIVIDUAL OF INTEREST

PELLSTON, Mich. - An HH-65C rescue helicopter aircrew from Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City assisted in the search for an individual of interest being pursued by local, state and federal law enforcement agencies on the ground in the Wilderness State Park, 10-miles northwest of Pellston Saturday at 6:55 a.m..

The aircrew hoisted the individual into the helicopter along with a paramedic and transported them to an awaiting ambulance and law enforcement officers at the Harbor Springs Airport in Harbor Springs, Mich.

With an Emmett County Deputy Sheriff on board, they spotted fresh trails through the wooded terrain and directed the ground searchers to the individual.

After taking the individual into custody, the ground searchers requested the aircrew's assistance to evacuate the individual to a hospital. The individual was found to be suffering from exposure to the cold, and his condition would not allow transportation by snowmobile from the remote location.

The Coast Guard worked in joint coordination with the Macomb County, Emmet County Sheriff's Departments, the Michigan State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to locate the individual safely.

For inquiries regarding the Coast Guard's role in this search, please contact the Public Affairs Officer at Air Station Traverse City, Lt. j.g. Jeremy Loeb at (231) 922-8273. For all other questions related to the investigation, contact the Macomb County Sheriff's Department at (810) 469-5151.

* Hoist camera footage is available upon request.*

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COAST GUARD RESCUES MAN FROM ICY WATER

2007-02-20T21:40:03Z

Air Station Traverse City
U.S. Coast Guard

Press Release

Date: February 20, 2007

Contact: Lt j.g. Jeremy Loeb
(231) 922-8273

COAST GUARD RESCUES MAN FROM ICY WATER

FRANKFORT, Mich. - An aircrew from Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City rescued a man at 2:40 p.m. Tuesday afternoon from the icy waters of Lake Michigan.

The victim, Billy McKeon, 45, was walking on the breakwall when he slipped and fell into the water. A good samaritan saw him fall in and informed Coast Guard Station Frankfort.

Four members from Station Frankfort responded quickly with ice rescue equipment and were able to throw a line to McKeon, but were unable to pull him to safety on to the icy breakwall. Air Station Traverse City arrived on-scene shortly after notification with a HH-65C rescue helicopter and hoisted him to safety.

McKeon was possibly hypothermic but conscious and responsive, he was transferred to a North Flight ambulance that transported him to Munson Medical Center.

* Hoist camera footage is available upon request.*

For more information on this event, please contact the Public Affairs Officer at Air Station Traverse City, Lt j.g. Jeremy Loeb. During non-business hours, please contact the duty desk at 231-922-8212.

Official Coast Guard photo from Station Frankfort for release.
Click on photo for full size image.
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CORRECTION TEEN AIRLIFTED AFTER 80-FOOT FALL

2006-11-09T19:06:36Z

Air Station Traverse City
U.S. Coast Guard

Press Release

Date: November 9, 2006

Contact: Lt j.g. Jeremy Loeb
(231) 922-8273

***CORRECTION*** TEEN AIRLIFTED AFTER 80-FOOT FALL

GAYLORD, Mich. - *** CORRECTION*** A 17-year-old male was airlifted by an aircrew from Air Station Traverse City after he fell 80 feet from a tree while camping in Otsego County. The original press release incorrectly stated that he fell 30 feet from a tree stand while hunting.

The teen was camping with four other individuals when he fell from a tree and suffered head and internal injuries. Otsego County 911 received the initial call and requested a rescue helicopter from Air Station Traverse City due to the terrain at the scene and the seriousness of the teen's injuries.

The aircrew arrived at the scene at 11:20 p.m. and performed a 105 foot hoist. Once safely aboard, the teen was flown to Otsego County Airport in Gaylord, where he was transferred to an awaiting ambulance. The teen was stablized at Otsego Memorial Hospital in Gaylord before being transferred to Covenant Healthcare in Saginaw.

For hoist camera footage or more information on this story, please contact the Public Affairs Officer at Air Station Traverse City, Lt j.g. Jeremy Loeb. During non-business hours, please contact the duty desk at 231-922-8212.

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Coast Guard Locates Missing Hunter

2005-11-16T14:58:13Z

Air Station Traverse City
U.S. Coast Guard

Press Release

Date: 15 Nov 2005

Contact: LTJG Gabe Somma
(231) 922-9273

COAST GUARD LOCATES MISSING HUNTER

Proper Survival Gear Prompted Quick Rescue

      (Traverse City, MI) Only one day after the Coast Guard issued a press release urging northern Michigan hunters to take pack proper survival gear, Coast Guard helicopters assisted local DNR and Beaver Island EMS personnel located and rescue a 62 year-old Michigan man from deteriorating conditions. As 40-knot winds pounded Beaver Island with sleet and snow, an H-65B Dolphin helicopter from Traverse City searched with Night Vision Goggles while DNR and Beaver Island EMS personnel searched on the ground. Although visibility was less than ½ mile, LCDR Marshall Branch, LTjg Brendan Evans, AMT3 Hannah Pecue, and AST2 Noel Hutton were able to locate the hunter within minutes of arriving on scene thanks to a flashlight. Night Vision Goggles can pick up even the smallest light source from miles away, but hunters without a light source are very difficult for air crews to spot in the woods even in the best of conditions. As the snow storm increased in intensity, DNR personnel were vectored in to the hunter’s position by the crew of Coast Guard Helicopter 6530. EMS treated him on scene and the air crew returned to Traverse City.



AS A REMINDER CONCERNING HUNTING SAFETY……

        Hunters should take the necessary precautions before venturing out into Michigan’s wilderness. Weather during this time of year can change dramatically in a very short period of time. Hunters should know their limitations and be in good physical health if heading out into the woods. It is also recommended hunters leave a hunting plan with family or friends, outlining locations and time of expected return. DO NOT file hunting plans with the Coast Guard.

To better the chance of detection by rescuers, the following survival equipment is strongly recommended:

·         2 Way VHF-FM radios and cell phone

·         Cold weather survival gear

·         (GPS) Global Positioning System

·         Bright Orange Reflective Clothing

·         Flashlight, strobe light, or other form of Illumination for Night Vision Goggle Detection



        Despite the lack of leaves on trees this time of year, detecting a hunter on the ground can be quite difficult from overhead. Hunters should maximize the amount of orange clothing worn to increase their chances of detection by rescuers.