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A3C Michael S. Bell (Unit Historian)
to remember
Melendez Sanchez, Luis M., SSgt.
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Contact Info
Home Town Bayamon, PR
Last Address Ras Siyyan, Djibouti Gulf of Aden
Date of Passing Feb 17, 2006
Location of Interment Puerto Rico National Cemetery (VA) - Bayamon, Puerto Rico
Staff Sgt. Luis M. Melendez Sanchez
33, Bayamon, Puerto Rico
U.S. Air Force
Gulf of Aden [nr. Ras Siyyan]
Non-Hostile - Helicopter crash
1st Communications Squadron, Langley Air Force Base, Va..Killed when two CH-53 helicopters crashed near Ras Siyyan, northern Djibouti, while flying a training mission in the Godoria Range area.
1st Communications Squadron Military Times Link W.Post Link
Other Comments:
1ST COMMUNICATIONS SQUADRON, LANGLEY AFB, VA
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Air Force Staff Sgt. Luis M. Melendez Sanchez
Died February 17, 2006 serving during Operation Enduring Freedom
33, of Bayamon, Puerto Rico; assigned to the 1st Communications Squadron, Langley Air Force Base, Va.; deployed to Djibouti as part of the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa; killed Feb. 17 when two CH-53 helicopters crashed into the Gulf of Aden in the vicinity of Ras Siyyan, northern Djibouti, while flying a training mission in the Godoria Range area. Also killed were Marine 1st Lt. Brandon R. Dronet, Sgt. James F. Fordyce, Lance Cpl. Samuel W. Large Jr., Sgt. Donnie Leo F. Levens, Cpl. Matthieu Marcellus, Sgt. Jonathan E. McColley, Lance Cpl. Nicholas J. Sovie, Capt. Bryan D. Willard and Air Force Senior Airman Alecia S. Good.
2003-2003, HH-53 Sikorsky (Super Jolly Green Giant)
From Year 2003
To Year 2003
Personal Memories
Not Specified
Image
HH-53 Sikorsky (Super Jolly Green Giant) Details
Aircraft/Missile Information
General characteristics
* Crew: 2 pilots, 1 or more crew chiefs * Capacity: 37 troops (55 in alternate configuration) or 24 stretchers * Length: 88 ft 6 in (26.97 m) * Rotor diameter: 72 ft 2.7 in (22.01 m) * Height: 24 ft 11 in (7.6 m) * Empty weight: 23,628 lb (10,740 kg) * Loaded weight: 33,500 lb (15,227 kg) * Max takeoff weight: 42,000 lb (19,100 kg) * Powerplant: 2� General Electric T64-GE-413 turboshafts, 3,925 shp (2,927 kW) each * Width (overall): 28 ft 4 in (8.64 m) * Width (fuselage): 15 ft 6 in (4.7 m) * Rotor systems: 6 blades on main rotor
Performance
* Maximum speed: 170 knots (196 mph, 315 km/h) * Cruise speed: 150 kt (173 mph, 278 km/h) * Range: 540 nmi (1,000 km) * Service ceiling 16,750 ft (5,106 m) * Rate of climb: 2,460 ft/min (750 m/min)
Armament
* Two Door Mounted XM218 .50 BMG machine guns. Some have RMWS (Ramp Mounted Weapon System) GAU-21 .50 BMG machine gun.
