Pictured above are four officers and two airmen from Seymour Johnson AFB that were responsible for the successful recovery of 1st Lt. Robert Zembraski, center, front row, a pilot of the 482d FIS, when he was forced to leave his "Injured" F-102 and make what pilots refer to as a "Nylon Let Down."
Lieutenant Zembraski was on a normal training mission when an engine failure forced him to use the escape equipment incorporated in all modern jet fighters. The first step for Lieutenant Zembraski was to separate from the aircraft by use of the ejection seat. Pictured above (left, front row) is A2C John Nelson who works in the egress shop of the 482d FIS. Airman Nelson was responsible for the correct installation and the flawless functioning of the aircraft's ejection system. The next step required the use of the parachute worn by pilot Zembraski. A1C Wilfried Rust, (right front row) works in the base parachute shop as a rigger and was responsible for the packing of Lieutenant Zembraski's chute.
Once he was safely on the ground, the four men pictured in the back row (left to right) SSgt. Boyce W. Allen, Capt J. R. Oberst, Capt. C. R. Morrill, & SSgt. G. H. Parker, put their rescue helicopter into action and within minutes after Lieutenant Zembraski landed south of Seymour Johnson, the helicopter rescue crew had picked him up and on his way back to the base.
Needless to say Lieutenant Zembraski followed the prescribed procedures right down the line to avoid injury to himself and those on the ground. The aircraft landed in an unpopulated area south of the base. A very professional attitude and a high degree of teamwork was demonstrated by all those responsible for safely recovering a pilot from his stricken aircraft.
[ED NOTE: No By-line. The top row IDs, re 2or3 officers vs 1or2 NCOs is noted but not easily solved. The "Steve Canyon" glasses bring back memories, as do the somber attitudes. Thanks to John M. Nelson for saving and scanning this data to us.]
