Radioman 1970-72

RMCM Richard Gardner,
USCG Retired
Storis 1970-72

I served on the CGC Storis as the Radioman-in-charge from 1970 to 1972.  During a cold November patrol in the Bering Sea and extremely strong storm kicked up and we were right in the middle of it.  I learned how to put up an emergency antenna in GTMO while serving on 255's but never expected to use that tool.

During that November storm we lost not only all of the wire antennas, but all of the whip antennas as well. When we were able to pull into Akun Pass the winds dropped down below 100 mph. I crafted antenna insulators from mop handles and the ET1 and I went aloft and installed new antennas up so we would talk with CG AIRSTA Kodiak and get back on 500 KHZ morse code with ships at sea.

I served from off of Labrador to Vietnam, but never took green water over the bridge in 55 ft seas as we did that patrol. We worked hard helping the fishing fleet after that storm, but few knew we had our doubts about being able to return home ourselves. The crew did a great job and we returned to Kodiak to our waiting families on the dock.

Comments

[Dan King]

Oh yeah, as the new ET3 on board I was more than happy to observe you and ET1 Roy Keel do that job! Of course, I got the "opportinity" to repair many antennae after that as well. I will also never forget RM3 Miller keying up the 500khz while I was putting the H wire back up after a helo drill. To this day I don't know why I didn't actually follow through with my threat to throw him over the side one night ;-)
Lot's of great memories.

CWO4 Dan King, USCG (Ret)