USS LEXINGTON Former Crew Member

Name: Gotshall, Bob

Email: [email protected]

Service Dates: March 1973 - July 1973

Rank/Duty Assigned: AT2 (aviation electronics technician - Green Shirt) assigned first to CVT SAR DET which later became helicopter squadron HCT-16. We provided Search and Rescue for each and every cruise leaving Pensacola.

We first used HH-2C single rotor choppers until 1975 when all H-2 choppers were recalled to make the new SH-2F LAMP aircraft.  Then we shifted to HH-46 twin rotor choppers that were salvaged US Marine helos from the Viet Nam War that we patched up ourselves and painted them Orange. In addition to SAR work on the Lexington, we also provided Search and Rescue all along the Gulf Coast.