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Contact Info
Home Town Austin, Texas; Phoenix, Arizona
Last Address Niceville, Florida
Date of Passing May 21, 1986
Location of Interment United States Air Force Academy Cemetery (VLM) - Colorado Springs, Colorado
Wall/Plot Coordinates Section 006, Row A, Site 030
Then Major Brims was killed in an HH-53H accident during exercise Elated Cyclone in the Nevada test range on May 21, 1986. He was engaged in testing the limits of the 53H helicopter and crew. The aircraft impacted the ridgeline at night during formation approach at Exercise "Elated Cyclone" near Nellis AFB, Nevada. Sources: http://www.jollygreen.org, http://www.thepavecave.com and http://www.veteranstributes.org.
His Air Force Cross Citation:
"The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Cross to Richard C. Brims, First Lieutenant, U.S. Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an opposing armed force as an HH-53 Helicopter Aircraft Commander of the 21st Special Operations Squadron, Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand. SEVENTH Air Force, in action on 15 May 1975, at Koh Tang Island, Cambodia. On that date, while engaged in the recovery of the S.S. MAYAGUEZ and crew, Lieutenant Brims successfully landed United States Marines on Koh Tang Island despite overwhelming ground fire. Prior to leaving the island, Lieutenant Brims held his position against heavy ground fire and managed to extract five seriously wounded Marines. He then twice flew his aircraft into intense ground fire, successfully removing remaining groups of United States Marines. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of hostile forces, Lieutenant Brims reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force."
1972-1986, HH-53 Sikorsky (Super Jolly Green Giant)
From Year 1972
To Year 1986
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.