Coast Guard pilot receives top honor for helicopter rescue

A Coast Guard helicopter pilot was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross this month for his work in commanding a several-hour rescue operation in late 2023 to save four people stuck in a canyon.

The rescue operation had to overcome severe weather, mechanical problems, limited fuel and expanding targets. Despite all the obstacles, Lt. Cmdr. Jacob Conrad and his crew were able to rescue the stranded people and bring them to safety. Conrad was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross at a ceremony on December 12.

“There are only a few people that I know of that could have done this,” Capt. Christopher Huberty, commanding officer of Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco, said at the event, to KTVU.

The award is given for “extraordinary heroism or achievement while participating in an air flight.” The rescue operation on December 29, 2023, Conrad and his crew continued to have many challenges to overcome. Two teenagers were stranded in a canyon in Yolo County, California, northwest of Sacramento. Both were injured, one seriously after falling 100 feet into the canyon, while the other was on top of the cliff.

Conrad, along with the MH-65 Dolphin rescue helicopter crew of co-pilot Lt. jg Thomas Smith, Petty Officer 3rd Class Jordan Sanchez and Rescue Swimmer Petty Officer 1st Class Michael Romano leave for the canyon at night. A winter storm hit the area, causing navigational problems and causing the helicopter to freeze. The crew had to make an emergency landing.

The four took off again at daylight. After the initial rescue mission began, the goals grew. A ground rescue crew also deployed, but the two became stranded near the canyon after the storm triggered a rock slide. Conrad flew the helicopter down the canyon, driving three miles into it like a trench race before the Coast Guard crew found the trapped men. Now new challenges have arisen. Fuel was low and the weather still wasn’t great.

“Maneuvering in the fog bank above, he established a precision plane over the survivor’s position,” the Coast Guard said in the announcement. “While in a critical fuel condition and surrounded by only his feet on three sides by high cliffs and trees, he overcame numerous lifting hazards and sent the rescue swimmer to the cliff 200 feet below.”

In a brief video and audio clip of the rescue released by the Coast Guard, the MH-65 Dolphin can be seen fighting the wind to stay steady as Romano descends to the brush and rock-covered point to save the crew. “Ground speed is significantly higher than our airspeed at this time,” he said in audio released from the rescue.

The wind picked up and the fuel was almost gone. Conrad held the helicopter steady and Romano made four total descents to recover the wounded and trapped.

The rest of the Coast Guard helicopter crew were also honored this month. Sanchez, Smith and Romano all received Air Medals for their role in the rescue.

The latest information on Tasks and Purpose

• To save a team of Rangers under fire, this pilot dropped every bomb from two different F-16s
• The opinions of the lower ranks may soon be taken into account officer promotions
• Marine Astronaut says the space station is “luxurious” compared to how sailors usually live
• These Vietnam-era mini-grenades were known as “Hooch Poppers‘
• Veterans benefits are a cost of war America is bound to pay, top veterans group says