AW3 Nestor L. Oterolebron

AW3 Nestor L. Oterolebron
HSL-44 SH-60B
BUNO: 165110
Born: October 12, 1978
Died: September 25, 2005
Hometown: Caguas, Puerto Rico

Crashed in an SH-60B shortly before midnight September 24, 2007 during NLQ off the USS Cape St George (CG-71) near North Carolina.

Shipmates Comments:
AW2 Shaun Pierce:
Nestor was one of the best air crewman I've ever worked with. It was an honor and a privilege to be his senior crewman. He was proud to be a Rescue Swimmer and proud to be an AW. He took a great sense of satisfaction in his job. He was eager to learn and confident in his abilities. He had so much potential to be a great senior crewman, and advance in his naval career. I can remember flying with him and teaching him his initial ship landings on DET. From the very beginning, I could tell that Nestor was a natural leader. He was very assertive and straight-forward. He wasn't afraid to take control of the situation. He also wasn't afraid to speak up if he thought something was wrong. I can honestly say that he kept tabs on me. I had to bring my "A-game" if I was going to teach Nestor. He learned very quickly, and excelled at his air crewman duties.
When Nestor wasn't at work, he really lived his life to the fullest. He was real outgoing, and liked to live life in the fast lane. He loved fast cars and fast motorcycles. We used to call him "Minnie Vin Diesel" or "Minnie Vin D" because of his likeness to the actor. He got a real kick out of it. Nestor was always out having fun, whether it was just riding his bike by the beach or shooting pool with the guys. He knew how to kick one back and relax. He loved his native Puerto Rican food. He always talked about how he wished he could go back home and have some "real food." I will truly miss him. A great buddy, and loyal friend.

In the AW community, we look upon ourselves as a family. We are a close-knit community and refer to each other as brothers. And when tragic things happen, and when we lose one of our shipmates, it really feels like losing someone in your family. It feels like losing a real brother. And that pain is felt throughout the entire AW family. Even those who do not know him feel the loss. So, I think I speak for everyone when I say that we have lost one of our courageous brothers.. but he is at home and he is in a better place. He's in heaven's squadron. He is being welcomed ,with open arms, by all the other brothers we have lost over the years. And The tradition of family amongst Aw's will continue.. even in the afterlife. God bless you Nestor, I will miss you my brother.

Media Articles:
Naval Station Mayport Public Affairs:
Missing HSL-44 Air Crew Identified MAYPORT, Fla. (NNS) -- Three Sailors from Naval Station Mayport’s Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron (Light) (HSL) 44, who were killed when their helicopter crashed off the coast of North Carolina Sept. 25, have been identified as: Lt. Robert L. Elortegui, 32, pilot, of Miami, Fla. Lt. Thomas Brantley, 27, pilot, of Ahoskie, N.C. Aviation Warfare Systems Operator 3rd Class Nestor L. Oterolebron, 27, of Caguas, Puerto Rico.
The helicopter lost communications while conducting deck landing qualifications off the coast of North Carolina as part of the Nassau Expeditionary Strike Group Sept. 25 at 10:50 p.m. A search and rescue operation was immediately launched by Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard air and surface assets.
Search and rescue efforts were officially suspended at 11 a.m. Sept. 26 after an extensive search in the vicinity of the debris field. The cause of the accident is under investigation.