[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 8 (Wednesday, January 13, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E43]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              IN RECOGNITION OF PETTY OFFICER DERRICK SUBA

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. WILLIAM R. KEATING

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 13, 2016

  Mr. KEATING. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Petty Officer 
Derrick Suba, who will receive the Air Medal from the United States 
Coast Guard for his lifesaving actions on February 15, 2015.
   A native of Attleboro, Massachusetts, Petty Officer Derrick Suba is 
a proud alumnus of Bourne High School. After enlisting in the U.S. 
Coast Guard in 2002 and graduating from Basic Training in March 2003, 
Petty Officer Suba began his career in the Coast Guard aboard the Coast 
Guard cutter, USCGC Spencer. After a brief tour, he attended Aviation 
Maintenance Technician School and received orders to report to Air 
Station Elizabeth City, North Carolina. A devoted husband and father of 
two boys, Petty Officer Suba has also been stationed at Air Station 
Kodiak in Alaska and Air Station Cape Cod in my district in 
Massachusetts. In addition to his designation as a MH-60 helicopter 
Flight Mechanic, Petty Officer Suba also has received advanced 
qualifications as a Flight Mechanic Examiner and is qualified in 
Vertical Surface, External Load and Advance Rescue Swimmer Operations.
   On the morning of February 15, 2015, the Coast Guard Rescue 
Coordination Center in Boston was alerted to a distress signal from the 
sailboat Sedona. Facing dangerous weather conditions, the onset of a 
severe winter storm, and no available escort aircraft for helicopter 
missions, the four-man crew of CGNR 6033 left Air Station Cape Cod to 
aid the Sedona. The pilot and copilot of CGNR 6033, Lieutenant John D. 
Hess and Lieutenant Matthew Vanderslice, expertly navigated despite 
deteriorating visibility, battling heavy snow, high winds, 25 to 35 
foot seas, and severe thunderstorms to fly the over 300 nautical mile 
journey to and from the Sedona.
   Hovering above the Sedona, Petty Officer Suba remained calm and 
professional in the face of life-threatening conditions and high-stake 
circumstances. Successfully, he hoisted his fellow crewman, Petty 
Officer Staph, seven times to rescue the two victims from the Sedona. 
His helmet visor became covered in snow and ice during the first hoist, 
so Petty Officer Suba continued to perform his duty without protective 
gear around his face despite gale force rotor wash and driving snow, 
sleet, and seawater.
   During the third hoist, the hoisting system failed to function, 
forcing Petty Officer Suba to execute an emergency procedure. This 
complicated and dangerous maneuver forced Petty Officer Suba and 
Lieutenant Hess to carefully coordinate a constant change in aircraft 
altitude in order to successfully retrieve Petty Officer Staph and the 
two survivors from the crest of passing swells. This extraordinary 
communication and concentration ensured that neither survivor spent 
more than three minutes in the frigid waters--saving their lives. 
Further, Petty Officer Suba administered first aid to his crewman, 
Petty Officer Staph, and the two survivors following injuries from the 
rescue and risk of hypothermia.
   Mr. Speaker, it is my great honor to recognize Petty Officer Derrick 
Suba as he is awarded the U.S. Coast Guard Air Medal. I ask my 
colleagues to rise and join me in recognizing this distinguished member 
of our Armed Services and wishing him the best of luck in his future 
endeavors.

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