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From late 1968 through the spring of 1970, the 'Black Knights' of the Navy's Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Four (HS-4) participated in and pioneered techniques for the Apollo capsule recoveries. HS-4 was on scene for Apollo missions 8, 10, 11, 12, and 13.  The helicopter's flight number was changed from '66' to '740' (The Navy had switched to a three number squadron designator - but the chopper was repainted with the number '66' for each recovery thereafter for public relations reasons).  

For their efforts, the members of HS-4 received the Navy's Meritorious Unit Commendation ribbon, the service's third highest unit citation.

Helicopter 66 hovering over the Apollo 10 command module "Charlie Brown" & crew

Recovery: Dec 27, 1968Recovery: May 29, 1969Recovery: July 24, 1969Recovery: Nov 24, 1969Recovery: April 17, 1970

Recovery Pilot:

CDR Donald S. Jones

Recovery Pilot:

CDR Chuck B. Smiley

Recovery Pilot:

CDR Donald S. Jones

Recovery Pilot:

CDR Warren E. Aut

Recovery Pilot:

CDR Chuck B. Smiley

Vessel: USS Yorktown, CVS-10Vessel: USS Princeton, LPH-5Vessel: USS Hornet, CVS-12Vessel: USS Hornet, CVS-12Vessel: USS Iwo Jima, LPH-2
@ 8°6' N-165°1' W@ 15°2' S-164°39' W@ 13°19' N-169° 9' W@ 15°47' S-165°9' W@ 21°38' S-165°21' W

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