Hurricane Hunter Association takes applications for Swan 38 Memorial Scholarship

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Ryan Labadens
  • 403rd Wing Public Affairs

Having a little extra cash to pay for schooling can often be a big help when it comes to easing the costs associated with education. For the past 11 years, the Hurricane Hunter Association has been doing its part to help 403rd Wing members and their immediate family with their educational endeavors by offering the Swan 38 Memorial Scholarships. This year, two scholarships will be awarded at $1,600 each, and the deadline to submit application packages is June 1, 2018.

The award for last year came to to $1,250 per scholarship, but this year the HHA was able to increase the amount because of donations received by family members of the previous 54th Weather Reconnaissance Squadron commander, Col. (retired) Franklin Ross, said Maj. Kimberly Spusta, 53rd WRS aerial reconnaissance weather officer and HHA treasurer.

“It’s really wonderful to know that the previous commander and his family support the scholarship and want to honor the memory of those who gave their lives serving their country,” said Spusta.

The crew of Swan 38 lost their lives during a reconnaissance mission into Typhoon Bess over the South China Sea Oct. 12, 1974. The crew, which was assigned to the 54th WRS at Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines, was flying a U.S. Air Force WC-130H, tail number 65-0965 with the call sign Swan 38, and preparing for their second pass through the typhoon when radio communication was lost. No emergency communications were received, and after four days of searching only debris and no survivors were found. This was the last reconnaissance flight and the only C-130 lost in a tropical cyclone, according to the NOAA Hurricane Research Division. The Swan 38 crew members were Capt. Edward R. Bushnell 1st Lt. Gary W. Crass, 1st Lt. Michael P. O'Brien, 1st Lt. Timothy J. Hoffman, Tech. Sgt. Kenneth G. Suhr, and Sgt. Detlef W. Ringler.

The Hurricane Hunter Association began offering this scholarship to 403rd Wing members or their family members to provide them with financial assistance for higher education, said Staff Sgt. Krystal Hernandez, 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron personnel technician and HHA chairman.

Hernandez said the scholarship was established to honor those Airmen who died on that mission, and that the recipients of the award are selected based on their academic achievement, strong moral character, and service to others.

She also noted the sense of excitement she felt in taking part in the scholarship award process and in getting to work with the Hurricane Hunters.

“I came to realize that I was working with people who were doing the same type of mission that the Swan 38 aircrew was doing back then, so it makes it feel a little bit more personal, helps me to feel more engaged with it and attached to the scholarship,” said Hernandez.

Scholarship applicants must have been accepted for undergraduate enrollment at a regional accredited two-or-four-year U.S. College or university, be in or have graduated in the top third of their high school class, and maintained a grade point average of 3.0 or higher for the previous five semesters. Individuals must complete the application, submit a 500-word essay explaining their career goals, and provide two letters of recommendation and official college transcripts by no later than June 1 this year.

Further information about the scholarship and the application form can be found online at http://www.hurricanehunters.com/swan38.htm, or by contacting Maj. Christopher Dyke, 403rd Operation Group weather standards and evaluation officer and Swan 38 Memorial Scholarship committee chair, at christopher.dyke.1@us.af.mil.