Community Corner

Apollo 13 Astronauts Recovered by Imperial Beach Helicopter Squadron

Before the emergence of the space shuttle, the IB squadron known as the Black Knights recovered most of the Lunar Modules of astronauts that ever went to the moon.

On this day in 1970 the Imperial Beach Star-News published a story about the Naval Air Station Imperial Beach helicopter squadron that recovered Apollo 13 astronauts from the Aquarius Lunar Module in the Pacific Ocean. The recovery actually occurred April 17.

James Lovell, Fred Haise and John Swigert's mission lasted 142 hours and 54 minutes. Due to malfunctions, the three men nearly died and never made it to the moon.

Helicopter Squadron Four, the Black Knights, lifted astronauts from the Pacific Ocean with the assistance of an underwater demolition team from Naval Amphibious Base in Coronado.

Find out what's happening in Imperial Beachwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

They would board the helicopter, change into fresh clothes and land aboard the aircraft carrier Iwo Jima where a red carpet and the world were waiting.

The recovery mission was led by Commander Charles Smiley of Chula Vista. He was accompanied by Chief Glenn Slider and Mike Lounge, who lowered the hoist that pulled the men out of the water.

Find out what's happening in Imperial Beachwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Helicopter Squadron Four picked up nearly every astronaut that ever went to the moon, and helicopter 66, which flew in several of the recovery missions, now sits aboard the deck of the USS Midway in San Diego Bay.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here