sikorsky ch-53c (68-10933)

SIKORSKY CH-53C (REGISTRATION: 68-1033)
On May 13, at 2030 local time, 16 Sikorsky CH-53Cs took off from RTAFB Nakhon Phanom. Shortly after take off, one of the helicopters, Serial Number 68-10933 from the 21st SOS, 56th SPS, fell out of formation, crashed and exploded on impact. All 22 aboard, including four crew, 18 USAF security police and one linguist, were killed in the crash. Other CH-53s landed nearby, but exploding ammunition and burning fuel hindered all rescue attempts. The CH-53 crashed in the Phannanikhom District, 35 miles west of Nakhon Phanom. Officially, the CH53C was on a routine training mission, but all 22 killed in the crash were awarded the Bronze Star posthumously.