In early September, the rain-swollen Han River in the northern part of South Korea spilled over its banks, killing at least 81 people, driving 100,000 from their homes, and stranding more than 100 in the Seoul area.
The Western Pacific Rescue Coordination Center dispatched helicopters to rescue flood victims. On September 2, the 38th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron used two HH–3s and a CH–3 to lift more than 96 flood victims to higher ground. One helicopter was forced to land because of an engine fire, but there were no injuries. An Army HH–60 helicopter also participated in the emergency missions. The four aircraft rescued 136 flood victims in 15 sorties that day.
I was stationed at Camp Stanley during the 84 flood. Spent 3 straight days unloading empty sand bags from Huey helicopters as they landed on air field. Then reloaded onto 2 1/2 ton military trucks that distributed them to off base flood areas.