This story is an attempt to document the history of Sikorsky Helicopter #63-09676, the “Black Mariah”, now on display at the USAF Aircraft Museum at Wright-Patterson AFB. The information offered is gleaned from personal experiences and other sources pieced together to hopefully portray a fairly accurate history of this aircraft.
Any additions or corrections are welcome.
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CH-3C #63-09676 was delivered to the USAF on December 31. 1963.
First CH-3C’s In SEA
In July 1965, two Sikorsky CH-3C’s arrived at Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, to initiate a new era for Search and Rescue in Southeast Asia. The two helicopters, 63-09676 and 63-09685, were on loan from the Tactical Air Warfare Center at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. These early model CH-3C’s were not equipped with any armor, auxiliary fuel (drop) tanks, air refueling capabilities and the winch/hoist with only 100 feet of cable.
The helicopters were assigned to the newly fashioned Det. 1, 38th ARRS which currently had HH-43’s. The added speed and range over the HH-43 made the CH-3C a more adequate Aircrew Rescue Vehicle. The “Jolly Green Giant” nickname was originated by the pilots of the CH-3 and therefore these two aircraft were the first “Jolly Greens”.
CH-3C 63-09685 made the First “Jolly Green” combat rescue pickup in SEA. Using the call sign of “Jolly Green 1”, Capt. Frank Tullo (F105 pilot) was picked up by the crew, Pilot Capt. George Martin, Copilot Orville Keese, Crew Chief Sgt Curtis Pert and PJ Sgt George Thayer on 27 July 1965. This was the first time the call sign, “Jolly Green” was used in a combat rescue.
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CH-3C #63-09676 (later to become the infamous “Black Mariah”) made the second Jolly Green rescue pickup with the call sign “Jolly Green 2”. On 24 Aug 1965, Maj. Dean Pogreba (F105 pilot) was picked up by the helicopter crew of Captain Phil Stambaugh, Capt George Martin, HM Sgt Francis Hill, HM Sgt James Armenia and PJ Sgt George Thayer.
(On 6 November 1965, CH-3C 63-09685 was shot down during a rescue attempt over North VietNam. This was the first Jolly Green lost in SEA. The crew, Capt. Warren “Bob” Lilly, 1st Lt. Jerry Singleton, Sgt Arthur Cornier, bailed out and except for the Flight Engineer, were captured and held captive by the North Vietnamese for over six years. FE Sgt. Berkely Naugle was delayed in bailing out and landed a distance from the other crew members and was rescued by Navy helicopters several hours later. (See his story on the Jolly Green website)
These were the only CH-3C’s to have served with Rescue in SEA. They were replaced in 1966 by HH-3E’s which had armor, more powerful engines and in-flight refueling capability. The Sikorsky H-3 helicopters served with the 20th Heli Sq, 21st SOS, and several ARRS units in VietNam.
CH-3C #63-09676 was returned to the Tactical Air Command in January 1966 and soon assigned to the 20th Helicopter Squadron’s “Pony Express” and deployed to its operations in SouthEast Asia. The 20th split its CH-3C’s into three units at Tan Son Nhut, DaNang, and Cam Rhan Bay. It is not known exactly which base ‘676’ was initially assigned to. In the spring of 1966, all 20th CH-3C’s were moved to Udorn RTAFB, Thailand.
The Black Mariah
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Just when or why “676” was painted black is not completely documented. Apparently a plan to conduct night infiltration missions into Laos and North VietNm was planned and a “black” bird would be harder to detect but the enormous hazards of night operations quickly dispelled this idea. There was no real need to repaint the aircraft now known as the “Black Mariah”. The Black Mariah flew many support and counter-insurgency missions while assigned to the “Pony Express”. It was rumored that the VC had a $50,000 bounty on the Black Mariah.
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In 1969, the 20th SOS CH-3E’s were reassigned to the 21st Special Operation Squadron at Nakhon Phanom RTAFB.
In 1971, 63-09676 was reassigned to the 6200st ABW, Clark AFB, Philippines and in 1974 to 405th FW, Philippines.
March 31, 1976 found the former Black Mariah assigned to the 302nd SOS, Luke AFB, AZ. It is believed that somewhere between VietNam and here she was repainted either camo or silver.
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In December 1986, 676 moved to 304th ARRS, Portland, Oregon and in October 1987 to 71st SOS, Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ.
In 1990, CH-3E #63-09676 was selected to be refurbished and sent to the USAF Museum at Wright-Patterson AFB. The story goes that when the aircraft was being prepared to be re-painted the technicians discovered a coat of black under the existing top coat. Knowing that black was not the standard primer color an investigation began to uncover some of this helicopter’s history. The story of the “Black Mariah” began to unfold. She is believed to be the only “black” CH-3 to serve in Southeast Asia. What better way to enshrine this aircraft but to return it to the color of its glory days. The “Black Mariah” left Tucson on February 15, 1991 and is now proudly on display at the USAF Air and Space Museum, Wright-Patterson AFB, at Dayton, Ohio.
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(I attended the USAFHPA reunion there as she was being placed on display in 1992 and had the privilege of once again sitting at the controls of the historic aircraft. We had flown many missions together in 1967-68.)
K.V. Hall
Historian, USAFHPA
