Coast Guard - Court Marshal

Wandering Sagebrush

Wandering Sagebrush

Free Range Human
Here's one I don't understand...

http://news.yahoo.com/cg-crash-survivor ... 27666.html

The copilot survived, and is being charged for negligent homicide. Since he was not the A/C commander, this seems unusual. Here's a brief summary.

"Leone faces charges of negligent homicide, dereliction of duty and destruction of government property. The charge sheet alleges Leone failed to properly navigate the helicopter to avoid charted hazards and that he negligently failed to ensure it was flying at a higher altitude. It also alleges that he did "without proper authority, through neglect, destroy by causing the crash of CG-6017," an aircraft valued at $18.3 million."
 
My recollection from my service time is that an article 32 hearing --which is being called, is like a preliminary investigation. He can emerge with "no charge" or recommend "court martial":


(a) No charge or specification may be referred to a general court-martial for trial until a through and impartial investigation of all the matters set forth therein has been made. This investigation shall include inquiry as to the truth of the matter set forth in the charges, consideration of the form of charges, and recommendation as to the disposition which should be made of the case in the interest of justice and discipline.

See:

http://usmilitary.about.com/library/milinfo/ucmj/blart-32.htm

There should be full defense and prosecution testimony. My guess is that they are going to claim that as co-pilot he should have noted the wires which the chopper hit.
 
As noted Article 32 is like a two sided Grand Jury -- defense and prosecution both get to present evidence and the hearing officer makes a recommendation to the convening authority as to what charges if any should be submitted to a court martial.

Not sure how the Coast Guard handles things but Wandering Sage Brush and I both crewed USMC helicopters, the Pilot was in command and the Co-pilot was #2 unless he/she was actually on the controls.

Army had Aircraft Commander who sat left seat and Pilot in the right seat. On Army H34s the left seat only had a partial panel unlike USMC H34 which had full panel on both sides. Army AC was often a Commissioned officer while the pilot was a Warrant Officer. AC could direct where to go but it was the Pilot's responsibility to get you there safely. Made for an interesting hearing when we lost tail rotor control and made a night landing under major power lines spanning the Delaware River and the Major in the left seat was dumping blame on the CW2 in the right seat and the SGT in the back (me) had to testify as to the "real" facts. Came up no harm no foul but the CW2 found another unit and the Major got his LTC -- me I got commissioned as a JAG.

Bill Uffelman
Las Vegas NV
 
This recent Coast Guard helicopter tragedy takes me back to the exact same location in the summer of 1961, when I was twelve years old.

The place is Rialto Beach, near the mouth of the Quillayute River, in full view of James Island and the several unmarked (at the time) powerlines that extended from the Coast Guard Station at LaPush over to the island, which is roughly a 2000' span. The lines established power for CG navigational aids.

I was at Rialto beach with a friend and his mom for a picnic, which is just a short distance from our home in Forks. We were having a great time enjoying the surf.

We spotted a beautiful low flying twin engine plane overhead just above the breaking waves on the beach, and waved with both arms at the people onboard that we could clearly see. It was following the shoreline from Rialto to the mouth of the river, which is an extraordinary picturesque scene.

I watched the plane fly directly over and briefly followed its continuing flight path, and then began playing in the waves again, taking my eyes off the aircraft.

To this day, I feel fortunate......as a twelve year old.......I didn't witness what transpired within a matter of seconds. The plane struck the powerlines and crashed into the mouth of the river below, killing all onboard.

We didn't hear a sound, perhaps due to the crashing Rialto surf.

On the way home a short time later, we saw an ambulance heading for LaPush, but of course did not connect the two events. However, later that evening, news of the crash was reported in Forks.

If I remember correctly, there were approx. 5 people onboard, and there were reports that those onboard were taking pictures for a magazine. But that may or may not be the purpose of the flight.

I've looked online for old news accounts, but could only find one article for this incident, regarding a lawsuit over the crash. (see link below)

One lasting outcome of this tragedy was that large orange balls were hung from the powerlines to prevent future crashes. Whenever I visit Rialto and see the orange balls, it is a vivid reminder of their significance, and we still go there often.

So with these events in mind, I was very saddened to hear of the recent helicopter crash and the deaths of three Coast Guard members, knowing that such a tragedy repeated itself at this location.

Additionally, it was ironic that a Coast Guard helicopter was involved, as the CG was required to hang the orange balls from the powerlines after the airplane crash in 1961, and they certainly would've been on navigational charts. (the lawsuit link discusses the marking of the powerlines issue).

Another harsh lesson, almost a half century later. What a horrific price to pay.

I am hoping the surviving Coast Guard copilot is found not guilty, and especially that all of us can learn something from these events to avoid any similar future tragedies.

(1961 air crash lawsuit link) http://ftp.resource.org/courts.gov/c/F2/343/343.F2d.145.19445.html

Rick
Cara Na Mara
16' Cruiser
 
He should be let off. Pilot not in command, navigator, not well marked lines, tough to see at 80 - 100 knots.

Sounds like a scape goat search party. Govt cover up. Sorry. I don't think this is coming from rank and file, practical USCG. Seems like those wires could be moved to under water, or mark them MUCH better.

I have a lot of respect for the USCG and what they do. This seems out of line.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
Sleepy C,

Most of us who ply the various waters have respect and admiration for the USCG "boots on the ground" personnel who actually risk their lives to save the lives of those imperiled. With that being said one should not discount the possibility that the ship board or aircraft experience of the paper-pushers in charge of or instigating the court proceedings against Mr. Leone might consist of no more than glomming onto a tour of said vessel(s) to see what actual Coast Guard men and women do to benefit society.

I'm guessing that they're a bunch of administrative bureaucrats who wouldn't know bravery from shine-ola.

CV
 
Not to say that those "In Command" (at least some of them) do not know what they are doing or have not been there, but sometimes it really looks like the bean counters and legals are overtaking the practical and common sense applications of the process.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
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