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The Coast Guard experienced the tragic loss of four of its crew members when “Coast Guard 6505” crashed during the evening of Sept. 4. The HH-65C crew was home based out of Air Station Barbers point, Hawaii. The accident took place during a hoisting exercise with a 47-foot motor lifeboat from Station Honolulu. Lt. Cmdr. Andrew Wischmeier, AST1 David Skimin and AMT2 Joshua Nichols were immediately recovered by the boat crew after the crash. Cmdr. Thomas Nelson, the aircraft commander and executive officer of the air station, remained missing despite an exhaustive four-day search. All Coast Guard members stationed on the island of Oahu, accompanied by Adm. Thad Allen, MCPOCG Skip Bowen, Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle and supporters from various federal, state and local agencies met together at the air station to solemnly honor and remember the sacrifice given by these four men. “Our hearts are breaking with the loss of our shipmates,” Allen said to the families of the fallen aviators. “But in our loss, we know, understand and celebrate the lives of Tom Nelson, Andrew Wischmeier, David Skimin and Joshua Nichols.” Always Remembered Story by PA1 David Mosley, CG Magazine