| On 14 February after leading a division
in extracting combat troops from the Arizona Territory,
Maj. VAN LEEUWEN and his copilot Lt. KUX were called upon
to do an emergency extract of a Recon Team
located deep on Charlie Ridge. Using a SPIE rig another
Recon Team was successfully extracted from a dangerous situation.
On 15 February the "Purple Foxes" flew their last Swift combat mission. The following day found LtCol. STEADMAN in the pilot's seat and SgtMaj. RAPPOLD in the co-pilot's seat as the last scheduled Swift flight launched for a few laps around the field. In the ensuing days the "Purple Foxes" turned their attention to the tedious job of closing down the squadron for its deployment back to the States and eventual deactivation. The 24th of February rolled around and the remainder of the squadron paid tribute to their "Papa Fox", LtCol. H. W. STEADMAN as he was relieved by Maj. N. R. VAN LEEUWEN. On the 25th of February all HMM-364 aircraft were towed to the DaNang Deep Water Pier and loaded for their shipment from Vietnam bringing to an end the vital role the "Purple Foxes" played in the Vietnam conflict. Over 45,000 combat hours were flown in Vietnam by HMM-364 carrying some 16,000 med- evacs, over 10,000 tons of cargo and nearly a quarter of a million passengers. Part III
2 February 1971 - YK-5 was destroyed in a crash due to hostile fire. A Korean medevac was killed in the crash, the crew escaped with minor injuries. 24 February 1971 - LtCol. H. W. STEADMAN was relieved of command by Maj. N. R. VAV LEEUWEN.
The End
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