I was an A.S.R.T. (Air Support Radar Team) 5961/5943 Aviation Fire Control Tech attached to MASS-2, DET-2 Cubi Point from 1972 to early 73. A lot was going on then: Heavy bombing north of the DMZ; on and off, and on again "peace" talks (directly related to how much bombing being done); first P.O.W's coming into Clarke AFB. There was talk of using mine sweepers to clear the rivers and harbors of the North Country. The proposal included Navy's Helms Matron 12, and Marine HMH-463. HMH-463 showed up in Cubi, and "practiced" pulling sleds up and down Subic Bay. At one point, it was decided to try and use the A.S.R.T. to "control" the sweepers in a grid search to improve accuracy of search. I did not know for sure, but I thought HMH-463 must have been based in Hawaii, as they had pineapples on their nose with the aircraft number. I spent several days flying with them over the bay in "00", which I believe was the Squadron Commander's aircraft . Besides falling in love with the CH53, the crew was professional, relaxed, and fun to be around. True Air Wingers all.

One night I got word, and the next morning Feb, 14th, 73' Valentine's Day, I hopped a C-130 and re-joined my Squadron now in Okinawa. I never found out if that operation ever took place, or if the A.S.R.T.'s were part of it. Does anyone out there know?