Lucky Bag Yearbook

From the 1978 Lucky Bag:

ALAN W. HAMMOND

When he left Rochester, N. Y. on his way to USNA, “The Book” had only one thing on his mind. Attaining the front seat of an F-14 was of paramount importance. To pursue this end, he became an Aero major and during second semester youngster year Al put his major to work by designing and re-designing the “perfect” paper airplane. I guess Book will be remembered mainly for his Pennsylvania battles with the automobile. It seems that ten out of nine times he drove through PA something went wrong. Those include, losing a front wheel at 55, blowing up several engines, and wrecking someone else’s brand new car (“How the hell can I get this fixed before Lanny gets back?”). I guess our biggest wish for Al is that he never has to fly his Tomcat over such hostile territory. The air community is gaining a good man in Book; we wish him good luck and good flying.

Loss

Alan was lost on June 9, 1986 when his SH-60B anti-submarine helicopter crashed soon after takeoff from USS Underwood (FFG 36) during a routine training mission off the coast of Florida.

The other pilot was also killed, but one crew member survived by kicking out a window as the helicopter sunk. They were assigned to the Rotary Wing Test Directorate of the Naval Air Test Center.

Other Information

From USNA ‘78¹:

Lt. Alan Winchell Hammond, USN was killed with his crew in a helicopter crash on 9 June 1986 off the coast of Florida during a training exercise. A memorial service was held on 16 June at the NAS Patuxent River chapel and burial services with full military honors were later conducted at Arlington National Cemetery.

Born in Watertown, New York, Hammond graduated from the Naval Academy in 1978. After graduation, “Book” earned his wings in Pensacola, Florida in 1980.

He was then attached to HSL-31 before going to HSL-35 at North Island, California. During that time, he completed deployments with the USS Cook (FF-1083) and USS Harry W. Hill (DD-986). His superior performance and airmanship led to Lt. Hammond’s selection to the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School at NAS Patuxent River.

Graduating from the Test Pilot School in 1985, Lt. Hammond joined the Rotary Wing Aircraft Test Directorate where he was program manager for the SH-60B helicopter. He has been awarded the Navy Expeditionary Medal, the National Defense Ribbon and the Sea Service Ribbon.

Lt. Hammond is survived by his wife Julia Ann, his parents George and Irma, two brothers Robert and David, and three sisters Edie, Deborah and Hope.

Alan became an Eagle Scout in 1973.

He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

Pilot error may have contributed to the accident.

Memorials

Hammond Road, aboard Naval Air Station Patuxent River, is named in honor² of Alan.

References