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ARIA Held
Hostage On Sunday, February 24 1980, I arrived at Paramaribo Surinam on ARIA aircraft 374 for an overnight stay in route to Ascension Island. It was a very eventful stay. By the time we arrived at the hotel it was late. Of course not late enough to venture out and see whatever there was to see. A group of us were out and about and about 230am Monday the 25th we heard what sounded like small arms fire. There were just a couple of rounds fired. We didn't think much of it at the time. We decided to return to the Hotel. Within an hour and a half gunfire and explosions rang out. I went into Gil Siefert's (SA 374) room and he was at the window and named the building that was on fire. Police headquarters was being bombarded from a gunboat on the Surinam River just a short distance from the Hotel. Morning was upon us and as daylight came there were crowds of hundreds running through the streets. Military in vehicles discharging weapons. It was mid afternoon before we could attempt to return to the airport. We loaded up into a bus and followed a vehicle from the American Embassy. The crowds had dissipated and the streets were quiet. We arrived at the airport and was welcomed by the Surinam Army. Looking out the bus window I watched as our representive was told to lay on the ground face down. The soldier then placed his machine gun to the back of his head. As time proceeded he was allowed to get up. Additionally we were allowed to retrieve the portable clocks that we had left at the airport upon arrival the day prior. They allowed us to be dropped off at our aircraft. A lot of time had passed as we, the PMEE crew, were waiting for the flight crew to arrive at 374. We were standing towards the front of the aircraft when a military truck with two soldiers drove up. They told us to get into the truck. We did not comply and they didn't press the issue. We decided it was time to get into the aircraft and remain out of site. Neil Hendricks manned the HF section at that time on 374. He provided a communications link between the American Embassy Surinam and Patrick AFB Florida. The HF equipment had been operated for hours without cooling in an already hot aircraft. The overheat lamps on the equipment racks had also been illuminated for hours and none of the equipment failed. He took pride in maintaining the HF equipment. It was late afternoon and we
were finally allowed to leave. It wasn't until we were airborne
for a short time that I felt relief from fear of being shot
down.
SSGT.
Randy L. Losey
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