FLASHBACK FRIDAY: Rescue makes national headlines

  • Published
  • By Public Affairs Archives
  • 920th Rescue Wing
HOMESTEAD AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  This week, we flash back to July 13, 1989, and a rescue got the whole country's attention -- as much for the nature of the rescue as for the story of the man who got saved.

Early that morning, the 301st Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, Homestead AFB, Fla., got a call for help with a man who was unconscious at the wheel ... of his Cessna aircraft.

The 301st immediately launched an HC-130, intercepted the aircraft 150 miles later, and flew 1,000 feet off the Cessna's tail until it ran out of fuel and crashed into the sea near Eleuthera Island in the Bahamas.

The crew dropped a streamer and sea dye to mark the spot, followed by an MA-1 life raft. Pararescuemen deployed soon thereafter, pulled Mr. Root into the raft and began examining and treating him (for a gunshot wound to the abdomen, among other things) until a Coast Guard helicopter arrived to ferry them to the nearest hospital.

The pilot turned out to be infamous Washington lawyer Thomas L. Root, who would later be convicted of 364 counts of securities fraud, conspiracy, counterfeiting and forgery. He was sentenced to 17 years in prison.

Members of the 301st on the mission included aircraft commander Capt. Alan Daniel, co-pilot Maj. Dave Yoak, navigator Maj. Tom Guzik, flight engineer Senior Master Sgt. James Renshaw, radio operator Master Sgt. Sam Loriano, loadmaster Master Sgt. Pat O'Neal and pararescuemen Staff Sergeants Paul Hayden, Scott Tracy and Paul Miller, and Tech Sergeant Dave Dahl.