A Miracle at Attu: The Rescue of CG-1600 is an historic nonfiction account documenting the phenomenal rescue of nine survivors from a U. S. Coast Guard HC-130H that crashed on a logistics mission to the remote Coast Guard Long Range Navigation Station on Attu Island Alaska. Be prepared as you are transported back in time to a cold isolated mountain on Attu for a truly remarkable rescue. It is an inspiring and emotional story of human error, courage, bravery, and survival. It takes a special mindset to go into harm's way and fly into the storm so others may live. You will come to know and see the many perspectives of the rescue through the eyes of the survivors, and the crews of the Coast Guard Cutter Mellon, LORAN Station Attu, Rescue-1602, and Rescue-1425. The author guides the reader to feel the tension, risk, and danger to locate and rescue the downed crew. Alaska and particularly the remote Western Aleutian Islands pose a unique and unforgiving operating environment. Weather is constantly poor with high winds, poor visibility, low clouds, precipitation, and high sea states. High speed vessel transits are extremely risky as there are no navigational aids and near shore nautical charting is unreliable. Helicopter operations are always risky due to low ceilings, limited visibility, high gusty winds, and steep mountains right down to the water's edge. You will feel as if you are right in the cockpit, on the side of the mountain, on the Mellon flight deck and bridge as the rescue team works against all odds to save their fellow aviators and shipmates.
About the Authors -
CAPTAIN Bill Peterson- Peterson graduated from Vanden High School Travis AFB, CA, in 1972. He entered the U.S. Coast Guard Academy graduated in 1976 with a Bachelor of Science Degree focused on marine science and ocean engineering. Peterson was winged a Naval Aviator in 1979 and is designated Coast Guard Aviator number 1953. Peterson retired from active duty as Chief of Aviation Forces for the Coast Guard in late 2005. Peterson has two grown sons. His oldest is a Federal Parole Officer and National Guard Officer. His youngest is an Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agent and Naval Reserve Corpsman. He is married to Susan (Albright) Peterson and combined they have five married children and nine grandchildren to spoil.
CAPT Mike Wallace- Wallace graduated from Cambridge High and Latin High School in Cambridge, MA, in 1970. He then graduated from North Adams State College, North Adams, MA, in 1975, majoring in biology with a minor in chemistry. He earned his Emergency Medical Technician certification in May 1976, married in June, and then entered and graduated from Coast Guard Officer Candidate School in December 1976. Wallace was winged a Naval Aviator in 1977 and is designated Coast Guard Aviator number 1883. Wallace retired from active duty after 31 years of service in 2007. Wallace has been blessed with the love and support of his wife Sharon, for more than 40 years, and they are both very proud of their family: daughters Meghan and Michelle and granddaughters Emily and Sophia.
Keywords: Rescue, Bravery, Survivors, Helicopter, USCGC MELLON, Risk, Coast Guard, Storm, Seas, Miracle, Plane Crash, Alaska, ATTU
