 Both aircraft encountered severe weather conditions and the helicopter was unable to take on fuel.The HH-60 was forced to ditch in the Atlantic Ocean about 60 miles south of the base in what would later become known as "the Perfect Storm", and all but one member of the crew were saved by the crew of the United States Coast Guard cutter "Tamaroa".TSgt Alden Smith, a pararescueman (PJ), lost his life fulfilling the squadron's motto "That Others May Live."