The Kaman HH43 Huskie was a one-of-a-kind aircraft that made history in the US Armed Forces. Fondly remembered for its strange aesthetic design, it was one of the first helicopters to adopt intermeshing rotors that eliminated the need for a tail rotor.The HH43, better known by its call sign “Pedro,” was designed primarily for local base rescue operations and to deal with aircraft fires. It was a quick-response helicopter that could be ready in a minute with a fire suppression kit that could produce almost 700 gallons of fire-fighting foam.Most notably, the Kaman Huskies operated during the Vietnam War as part of the Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron. From 1965 to 1975, modified Kamans equipped to deal with Asia’s intense tropical climate carried out over 800 combat operations to rescue wounded pilots, Marines, and Army soldiers.During one of these operations, the underpowered helo and the reckless actions of pararescue jumper William H. Pitsenbarger were the protagonists of an extraordinary rescue mission…