Bio: Arndt, Airman 1/c Gary L. (Military Notes - 1967)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Arndt, Wesley

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 6/22/1967

Arndt, Airman 1/c Gary L. (Military Notes - 1967)

Airman 1/c Gary L. Arndt, son of Mr. and Mrs. William C. Arndt of Rt. 2 Neillsville, has received personal praise from his commanding officer for his assistance in averting a serious and costly aircraft accident during a recent flight at Lajes Field, Azores.

Airman Arndt, an HC-130 Hercules loadmaster, became aware that the aircraft’s nose gear had jammed after take-off on a routine flight.

Arriving at their destination at Lajes, the crew had to find a way to secure the nose gear in its normal position before they could bring the aircraft in.

After working for an hour, the airman and other crew members managed to secure the nose gear by tying it down in position with a chain. This enabled the aircraft to land safely and prevented what might have been a tragic accident.

Lt. Col. James r. Wesley, commander of the 57th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery squadron at Lajes, was on hand for the landing and congratulated the crew for the professional manner in which they handled the emergency.

Arndt is a graduate of Neillsville High School.