Crew honored for West Point cadets' rescue

The motto of the NYPD aviation rescue unit is "If you need us, call us."

Tuesday, the skillful helicopter crew members who rescued two West Point Military Academy freshman cadets from a frigid, windblown mountain over the weekend got another call - this time from a department grateful for their heroics.

"This is a case where skill, experience and bravery combined," said NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly during a special ceremony at police headquarters in Manhattan.

As other top police officials looked on, Kelly awarded pilot Steve Browning, 52, of Shirley, and his four crew members certificates of recognition for daring nighttime exploits early Sunday, which the commissioner said by now the whole world knew about. Eventually, the entire crew is expected to get formal medals for bravery, police officials said.

Buffeted by 50-knots winds, Browning, who has been a helicopter pilot for more than 29 years, steered the Bell 412 Air-Sea-Rescue aircraft to within spitting distance of the craggy Storm King mountain. His co-pilot Det. Michael Sileo read out engine readings to guide Browning, who was looking out the window with night vision goggles. Dets. Fernando Almeida, Christopher Condon and William Stevens worked to get the two cadets, stranded during a hike, hoisted from a narrow ledge into the helicopter.

Back at Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn, Browning and the crew finally relaxed.

"I was extremely tired and I was exhausted at that point," said Browning, a former military pilot. "This was a lot of work."

Though the rescue was dangerous, Browning, who is married to Suffolk Legis. Kate Browning, said the crew never felt in danger.

Military officials said the grateful cadets were back at class Tuesday.