Helicopter Heroes

While I have frequently been irked, irritated and riled by editorials and “Letters to the Editors,” I am seeing-red mad with the letter that George W. Hoopes wrote (Aug. 13). I cannot express adequately in words what I would like to say to Mr. Hoopes, because you find such words unprintable. It is inconceivable to me that any sane person would write this: “Every time I see or read of a helicopter crash, I just say, ‘Hooray! Another filthy, rackety, pounding, slam-banging helicopter that will never disturb the peace, quiet and tranquility of our rural and bucolic area ever again!’ ”

Having logged many hours in helicopters during my more than 30-year Air Force career, as an observer, courier and passenger in such places as Korea, the Philippines and Vietnam, I feel fortunate to have come through unscathed. Many of my friends did not. Most of them were crew members on the Air Force’s “Jolly Green Giant” rescue helicopters who saved hundreds of fliers in both peacetime and war. The Army’s “Dust Off” choppers saved literally thousands of GIs in Vietnam who never would have made it had they had to depend on ground evacuation after being severely wounded.

Now, it is employed by most communities, as it is here in San Diego County, as the primary means of transporting critically injured accident victims to trauma centers via Life Flight. Helicopters are used by police and sheriff’s departments in tracking criminals as well as searching for lost people in our backcountry. They are also used in fighting our frequent brush and forest fires.

When a helicopter crashes, as Hoopes wishes, there are, more often than not, no survivors. Hoopes is beneath contempt, a real sicko, to say “HOORAY!” when life-saving heroes die.

EDWIN O. LEARNARD

San Diego