Jim Martin

Dry Tanks Jim Martin

The United States Air Force Air Rescue Service was established in 1946, to provide rescue service for civilian and military aircraft in distress. Jim Martin served as a navigator in the 76th Air Rescue Squadron at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii from 1960 to 1965. It had often been suggested that he commit memories of some flights to paper. They include routine flights to provide rescue cover for fighters refueling over the Pacific, to interceptions of civilian and military aircraft in distress. The Mercury and Gemini Programs provided the rare opportunity to be the first earth-bound people to see a descending capsule relay the news to NASA: Capsule in sight-good chute! Those were exciting times. The Service earned great respect and lived up to its motto: That Others May Live.