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USAF Personal Stories & Photos
Updated: Wednesday November 30, 2011

MSgt Gerald (Gerry) Armstrong - Retired
USAF Survival/Rescue 1969-1991
5040th Helicopter Squadron, Elmendorf AFB, AK

Present Day Google Earth Aerial of Elmendorf AFB, near Anchorage, Alaska

Two HH3-Es in formation at the intersection of the two runways at Elmendorf.
Notice the Grey and Red paint scheme on both the Helos as well as the C-130s
on the ramp.

That's me, as SSgt Gerald Armstrong at the crew door, at the Blair Lakes
Bombing Range of Eielson AFB, AK.

The Blair Lakes Bombing Range control tower out at Eielson AFB, AK.

We had to Land at a gravel landing strip in Seward. We are waiting for a
maintenance crew to arrive. We sucked a rock thought the left engine.
We always followed the F-4s at every practice bombing mission to be close in
case there was an accident. We did escort one due to a bird strike that
shattered the canopy.

HH3-E silhouetted by the midnight sun. It was common to fly VFR in the
summer at midnight, And at Night with instruments in the winter.

Two of the HH3-Es over the mud flats on Cook Inlet south of Anchorage.
One Landed and the pilot got out to take the shot. They could get in big
trouble because the incoming tide was quick, swift, horrendous, and you could
get caught in the wall of water rushing in. The pilot took a big chance
getting this shot, and got reprimanded by the Squadron Commander.

Links to Other sites about the 5040th Helicopter Squadron, Elmendorf AFB, AK

http://usafhpa.org

http://usafhpa.org/5040helisq/alaskapics.html

http://usafhpa.org/5040helisq/5040helisq.html