Choloy, France
1976 – Lahr – Assorted Sources
Details:
16 May 1976 - Captain Ronald G "Buck" McBride
Comments from John MacBride:
Captain "Buck" McBride was a pilot with the 444 Tactical Helicopter Squadron stationed at CFB Lahr, Germany at the time of his death. He was participating in a humanitarian mission following an earthquake in northern Italy when his CH-136 Kiowa helicopter struck a wire and crashed.
Detail by the Air Force Public Affairs Team (DND)
In the mid to late 70's, NATO forces had reported numerous wire strikes which killed 56 personnel. An investigation by the Canadian Forces concluded that, in a helicopter wirestrike, there is a 70-80% chance the wire will ride up the nose towards the rotor mast and controls and entangle or sever the rotor system. The end result of this research was the Wire Strike Protection System (WSPS). Tests on the new system were carried out by AETE, NASA and the US Army, leading to the installation of the WSPS on CF Kiowas being completed in the early 80s.
Detail by Captain Bonnie Golbeck
AVASINIS, Italy In May 1976, an earthquake devastated parts of northern Italy. Soldiers from 4 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group based in Germany at the time were called in to assist the Italian government with earthquake relief. Aircrew and CH-136 Kiowa helicopters from Squadron 444 THS provided support. Squadron Operations Officer Captain Ronald G "Buck" McBride was one of the pilots who participated in the relief operation known as Operation DOLOMITE.
Nearly 25 years later, on February 23, 2001, Lieutenant-Colonel Ross Wuerth, Commanding Officer of Task Force Bosnia-Herzegovina Rotary Wing Aviation Unit, and several members of his unit conducted a memorial service in Venzone. A second service was also conducted at the crash site memorial and was attended by local politicians, Italian Air Force personnel and Carabinieri. Colonel (Ret) David Rooke, a friend who served with Captain McBride in 444 THS, gave the eulogy. "Buck's death was a very sad time at the Squadron. He had a passion for life," said Col (Ret) Rooke. Canadian and Italian flags stand vigil near the crash site in Avasinis. Every year the local citizens remember those who died in the earthquake, and they remember Captain McBride. In addition to the memorial, Avasinis paid its respect by naming a nearby street via RG McBride.
Local communities also erected a memorial to Captain McBride - a statue of Icarus, in nearby Venzone, which is surrounded by houses rebuilt to withstand future earthquakes. Ella McBride, Captain McBride's widow, was invited to hand the house keys to the owners. The square is known as McBride Piazza. "Buck loved being a pilot; he adored it," said Mrs. McBride. "He died doing what he wanted to do."
![[Captain RG McBride Grave Marker]](../../metz/choloy/pcholoy/choloy164.jpg)
![[Captain RG McBride Grave Marker]](../../metz/choloy/pcholoy/choloy164a.jpg)
Grave marker photos courtesy of Malcolm Cromarty - February 2001
