| Date: 28 December 1972 |
| Aircraft type: RA-5C Vigilante |
| Serial Number: 156633 |
| Military Unit: RVAH-13 |
| Service: USN |
| Home Base: USS Enterprise |
| Name(s): |
| Lt Cdr Alfred Howard Agnew (POW) |
| Lt Michael Firestone Haifley (KIA) |
| An RA-5C had just completed its photo run over a POL storage site when its escort warned of a MiG in the Vigilante’s eight o’clock position. The escort vectored the Vigilante towards the coast and turned to attack the MiG. However, before the MiG could be engaged it fired a missile which hit the Vigilante (call sign Flint River 603). The aircraft caught fire and crashed into the sea. The pilot ejected and was captured but his NFO was killed in the incident. Lt Cdr Agnew was released on 29 March 1973. Lt Cdr Agnew had served in AEW and ASW squadrons before converting to the reconnaissance role in the RA-5C. This was the 90th and last US aircraft shot down by a MiG during the war. This was also the last of 26 RA-5C Vigilantes to be lost in Southeast Asia.
HC-7 Rescue Attempt Helicopter Combat Support Squadron SEVEN (HC-7) was established September 1, 1967. While simultaneously providing several fleet support activities in the Gulf of Tonkin, HC-7 assumed the responsibility for North Vietnam naval combat search and rescue. HC-7 prepared for action using UH-2B Kaman Sea Sprite helos inherited from HC-1 and were stationed in detachments aboard small boys, destroyers (DDs) and Guided Missile Frigates (DLGs), patrolling off the coast of North Vietnam primarily for the purpose of Search and Rescue (SAR) duty. The information at the following link was compiled by Ron Milam, the historian for HC-7, from ship's deck logs, official HC-7 Rescue Reports, other official and unofficial documents, interviews with crew members and survivors, and other sources, including the Chris Hobson book upon which this site is based. The details for the rescue attempt associated with this fixed wing loss can be accessed by clicking on this link. |
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