Author of 'Adak: The Rescue of Alfa Foxtrot 586' visits Misawa Air Base

Photo By Senior Chief Petty Officer Ryan Delcore | 150217-N-EC644-031 MISAWA, Japan (Feb. 17, 2015) Andrew Jampoler, author of "Adak: The Rescue of Alfa Foxtrot 586," speaks at the Misawa Air Base Theater about the efforts made to rescue the crew of Alfa Foxtrot 586 and the crews' struggle to survive. Jampoler also took the opportunity to meet with fans and sign books during his visit to Misawa Air Base. (U.S. Navy photo by Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist Ryan C. Delcore)  

MISAWA AIR BASE, AOMORI, JAPAN

02.17.2015

Story by Senior Chief Petty Officer Ryan Delcore 

Naval Air Facility Misawa

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan - Andrew Jampoler, author of "Adak: The Rescue of Alfa Foxtrot 586," spoke at a book signing at Misawa Air Base, Feb. 17.

Jampoler recounted the events surrounding the Alfa Foxtrot (AF) 586 U.S. Navy patrol aircraft flying from Naval Station Adak, in the Aleutian Islands that was ditched in 30-foot seas with 15 crew members aboard on Oct. 26, 1978.

The aircraft was flying a reconnaissance mission when a propeller malfunction followed by a series of small fires forced Lt. Cmdr. Jerry Grigsby, AF 586’s plane commander, to ditch the aircraft.

Stories of the crew's losses and survival along with the many rescue attempts were shared by Jampoler.

Jampoler talked about the extensive efforts he made to gather information for his book. He personally interviewed many crew members who manned the aircraft and ships that attempted to rescue AF 586’s crew. Numerous copies of reports and audio recordings, that were shared with those in attendance, were also collected in an attempt to create an accurate recollection of the event.

Many active duty Navy pilots, currently deployed to or stationed in Misawa, took the opportunity to get autographs and take photos with Jampoler, who is a retired U.S. Navy captain who piloted the same model aircraft as AF 586 from the same Naval Station in Adak during his career.

“It’s an honor for me to take this chance to step back in time and be with people who do their job so well. It’s important for me to tell the story and let everyone here know how important their mission is and the most important part is that I mean it,” said Jampoler.

Jampoler is an award-winning author who has written numerous non-fiction books that take an in-depth look into lesser-known aspects surrounding historical events.

For more news from U.S. Naval Air Facility Misawa, Japan, visit www.navy.mil/local/nafmisawa/ or https://www.facebook.com/NAFMisawa

• Date Taken: 02.17.2015
• Date Posted: 02.18.2015 18:32
• Story ID: 154782
• Location: MISAWA AIR BASE, AOMORI, JP
• Hometown: MISAWA, AOMORI, JP
• Hometown: MISAWA AIR BASE, AOMORI, JP
• Hometown: LOST CORNER, VA, US