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Old Warriors (145th Comat Aviation Battalion (Vietnam) Association) - Newsletter
Newsletter Item Number: 2336Newsletter611226
[Number of Pages: 32]
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR BY James L. Bodkin


FEATURES:
45th Transportation Battalion History, 1 Jan - 30 June 1963 (edited)
Financial Report
New People Located List
Reunion '95
Issue: 27
Item Creation Date: January 1995
Collection: Larry Leonard Collection
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
 (Click For More Item Information)
Added: 06 Apr 2018 [Updated: 06 Apr 2018]
Item is Copyrighted – Check for access via the Vietnam Reading Room portal.
2015 Calendar, Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA) - VERT-REP
Document Item Number: 20080301001
[Number of Pages: 28]
Table of Contents
Front Cover Photo - VHPA Member Don Joyce took this photo of one of four CH-54As that deployed to Vietnam with the 478th Heavy Helicopter Company, 1st Air Cavalry Division in 1965. Other sources indicate that Wooley Booger was #64-14204, the first CH-54A lost in Vietnam on 5 January 1966.

January
Mark Locatelli's scrapbook phtots from his tour with B Troop, 2nd Squadron, 17th Cavalry, 101st Airborne Division at Camp Evans 1969-1970 - Mark passed away in January 2012. His brother, Larry, who served in an Engineer unit in Vietnam from 1970-1973, mailed the VHPA these photos.

February
SP-5 Jerry Hogan's scrapbook photos from his tour with B Troop, 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry, 1st Air Cavalry Division in 1970 - 1971 - Jeremy Hogan, Jerry's son, collects photos relating to his father's time in Vietnam. Jeremy sent all these photos to the VHPA. Jerry was the crew chief on UH-1H #68-16349 also known as Saber 38 or the Magic Bus. 349 served in B Troop from Nov 1969 until at least June 1971 and possibly until Jan 1972. In 1972 it returned to CONUS so it is possible we could see it in one of the Huey monuments.

March
An Armament Specialist from C Troop, 7th Squadron, 1st Cavalry loads an XM134 Minigun on an AH-1G - 1968. VHPA Subscriber Mike Treinen took these photos at the "Short Strip" at Rach Gia during his tour with Advisory Team 55. The left photoshows the Armorer's "tools of the trade" - in the form of wooden rocket boxes containing extra parts and even an extra set of barrels. The other shows the man loading the minigun housed in the XM18 armament pod. Cranking in the ammo "delinked" the rounds. You can see the pile of links on the ground. Up to 1500 rounds were held by fingers in a "spool" magazine to the rear of the gun. Thus the XM18 pod did not have an ammo "chute" as did the UH-1C configured helicopters.

April
FLIR (Forward-Looking Infrared) - September 1970 and August 1971. VHPA Member Steve Sabree provided these photos. Briefly, the FLIR Detachment formed and trained at Davison AAF, Fort Belvoir, VA in early 1970. The AN/AAS-29 infrared night vision system was complicated new technology and heavy - 570 lbs. It was mounted on the UH-1M gunship. They deployed to I Corps in September 1970 and served with C Troop, 2/17th Cav, 101st Abn Div until 1 Feb 1971. They served with the 7/1st Cav at Vinh Long for 2+ months. In Apr 1971 they returned to I Corps and served with the 282 AHC at Marble Mountain until they stood down in Aug 1971. The Detachment had 5 aircraft and their staffing level was three officers, nine warrants and 23 enlisted.

May
Camp Holloway - September 1971. VHPA Member John Shafer provided this photo. It shows the famous Christmas Tree reevetment area on the left. This is a tribute to all those who flew out of Camp Holloway with special emphasis on the units who were based there about September, 1971. Left to right are the pocket patches for: B/7/17th Cav, 3rd Avn Co, 52nd CAB, 57th AHC, 179th ASHC, 219th Avn Co, 361st ACE and 611th Trans Co. VHPA Member Phil Lanphier provided the small photo of the Memorial Wall.

June
The Gun Platoon of the 120th Assault Helicopter Company (AHC) UH-1Cs - February 1969. VHPA Member Lee Beavers provided these photos. Based at the famous Hotel-3 Heliport at Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Saigon, the 120th's weapons platoon was known as the Razorbacks. Naturally they called themselves Pigs. They saw lots of VIPs as shown in the small photo.

July
CH-37B from the 339th Transportation Company at Nha Trang - 1964. VHPA subscriber RayWilhite provided this photo from the U.S. Army Aviation Museum collection. The 339th had four CH-37s. All had names. VHCMA Member Bob Elzer provided the small photo of a Mojave starting up.

August
AH-1Gs from D Company, 229th Aviation Battalion, 1st Air Cavalry Division at Camp Evans in I Corps - February 1968. VHPA Member Rick Berry took this photo. The digital image came to the VHPA as part of the Richard Berry Collection at the Wisconsin Veterans Museum. Rick says that when he first arrived in A Company in 1967 most everyone was wearing the Stacked Deck battalion patch but later company patches started appearing. D Company had worked with Walt Disney to develop the Smiling Tiger logo.

September
US Navy Helicopter Combat Support Squadron (HC-7) Detachment 113 RH-3As - 1969-1970. VHPA Subscriber and HC-7 Historian Ron Milam provided these photos. HC-7 were also known as 'The Orphans of the 7th Fleet' and Sea Devils. Commissioned 1 Sep 1967 and decommissioned 30 June 1975, the Squadron had 15 dets (detachments) that flew H-2s, H-3s, RH-3s, H-46s and H-34s. This collage is a tribute to Det 113. Det 113's mission was unique - US Navy Air Mine Defense in the Pacific. They had three RH-3As ~ CH-3As modified to deploy and recover mine sweeping gear. Det 113 was based on the USS Catskill (MSC-1) and at NSA Atsugi, Japan. After training, they departed CONUS on 8 Jan 1969 for Japan. They conducted four mine sweeping exercises off Vietnam, Thailand, Japan, Taiwan, Okinawa, and South Korea. The Det was disestablished in Aug 1970. Their normal manning level was seven officers and eighteen enlisted men.

October
Photos from the 25th Anniversary Album of the 25th Infantry Division - October 1966. VHPA Subscriber Les Hines provided high resolution digital images of all 400 + pages of this special Silver Anniversary (25 years) commemorative pictorial. The division was established on 1 Oct 1941 in Hawaii and this album was presented on 1 Oct 1966 at Cu Chi, Vietnam. This collage is dedicated to al those who served in the Tropic Lightning but especially to those in the helicopter units.

November
An HMH-462 CH-53A Sea Stallion somewhere in I Corps - 1968. HMH-462 deployed to Phu Bai, Vietnam in August 1968 as part of MAG-36. The photo credits for this National Archive photo #NN33300514 state it was taken 1 June 1968 at a new mountain-top base in I Corps. All Marine and Navy Squadrons have two character Tail Codes. HMH-462's Tail Code is YF; so this is their aircraft number 5. The Heavy Haulers stayed in Vietnam until March 1971 when they relocated to Okinawa. In 1972 HMH-462 based on the USS Tripoli supported ARVN operations in northern I Corps. In 1975 HMH-462 participated in Operation Eagle Pull (the evacuation of Phnom Penh), Operation Frequent Wind (the evacuation of Siagon), and was sailing to help with the SS Mayaguez rescue. The small photo shows two refueling at Vandergrift.

December
VNAF UH-34Ds - 1968. VHPA Subscriber Mike Treinen took this photo at the "Short Strip", Rach Gia in Kien Giang Province of IV Corps while serving there with MACV Team 55. The Infantry are most likely from the Vietnamese 9th Division based at Rach Gia. The helicopters are most likely from the 84th VNAF Tactical Wing based at Binh Thuy. The 84th had at least three helicopter squadrons, the 211th, the 225th, and the 227th. We are unable to find copies of patches from any of those squadrons. Most of the VNAF helicopter squadrons had patches similar to the 223rd presented here. The small photo shows a 211th Squadron Huey inserting troops on an 18 July 1970 mission.

Attention All Aircraft West of Khe Sanh: Heavy Artillary Warning
VHPA Subscriber Ed Lacobacci provided this photo of a B-52 strike going into Laos during Lam Son 719 ~ February 1971. Ed was a Medic with the 237th Med Det also known as DMZ Dustoff. Ed took this picture while they were flying out to pick up some wounded. One of the most exciting messages you will ever hear over the radio is "Attention all aircraft flying (YOUR LOCATION) ~ Heavy Artillery Warning commencing at (RIGHT NOW!)." Heavy Artillery was the code word for a B-52 strike.

Air America
This famous Keith Wododcock illustration is a tribute to the Air America Bell 205 crew who attacked two North Vietnamese AN-2's after they had attacked the US Air Force radar site at Phou Pha Thi known as Lima Site 85 on 12 January 1968. VHPA Member Ted Moore was the pilot and flight mechanic Glenn Woods did the shooting. Gless was killed in a helicopter crash about a year later.
Item Creation Date: 2015
Collection: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA) Collection
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
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Added: 11 Apr 2018 [Updated: 11 Apr 2018]
Item is Copyrighted – Check for access via the Vietnam Reading Room portal.
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Old Warriors (145th Comat Aviation Battalion (Vietnam) Association) - Newsletter
Newsletter Item Number: 2336Newsletter611220
[Number of Pages: 24]
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR BY James L. Bodkin


FEATURES:
Battalion History: DSC, Silver Stars, DFC
The "Wall", 10 Years After
Reunion 93 Update
Financial Report
New People Located List
Issue: 22
Item Creation Date: August 1992
Collection: Larry Leonard Collection
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
 (Click For More Item Information)
Added: 04 Apr 2018 [Updated: 06 Apr 2018]
Item is Copyrighted – Check for access via the Vietnam Reading Room portal.
Old Warriors (145th Comat Aviation Battalion (Vietnam) Association) - Newsletter
Newsletter Item Number: 2336Newsletter611222
[Number of Pages: 26]
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR BY James L. Bodkin


FEATURES:
Battalion History: January Thru March 1966
Reunion '93 Report
Business Meeting Notes
Financial Report
New People Located List
Issue: 24
Item Creation Date: July 1993
Collection: Larry Leonard Collection
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
 (Click For More Item Information)
Added: 04 Apr 2018 [Updated: 06 Apr 2018]
Item is Copyrighted – Check for access via the Vietnam Reading Room portal.
Old Warriors (145th Comat Aviation Battalion (Vietnam) Association) - Newsletter
Newsletter Item Number: 2336Newsletter611224
[Number of Pages: 30]
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR BY James L. Bodkin


FEATURES:
Obituaries
Battalion History: 135th AHC Jan - Dec 1970
Financial Report
New People Located List
Reunion 95
Issue: 25
Item Creation Date: January 1994
Collection: Larry Leonard Collection
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
 (Click For More Item Information)
Added: 06 Apr 2018 [Updated: 06 Apr 2018]
Item is Copyrighted – Check for access via the Vietnam Reading Room portal.
2017 Calendar, Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA) - We Were Soldiers Once... And Young!
Document Item Number: 20080303001
[Number of Pages: 28]
Table of Contents
Front Cover Photo - We Were Soldiers Once… And Young - VHPA Subscriber Bennie Koon took this photo about 3 April 1968 as his infantry battalion, the 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry, 2nd Brigade, 1st Air Cavalry Division gets ready to leave LZ STUD for their part in Operation PEGASUS (the relief of Khe Sanh). Bennie used a Ricoh 35 mm SLR plus a Gossen Pilot light meter. His wife mailed him rolls of 35 mm with a pre-paid mailer. When Bennie finished taking all the pictures, the roll went back to Georgia in the mailer for processing and hence delivery to his wife. Bennie was a 31B20, one of only two Field Radio Mechanics assigned to HHC/1/5 Cav to service all the battalion’s radios. His served in Vietnam from Oct. 1967 and Oct 1968.

January
Firewater Mission
Ron Richtsmeier with his 119th Assault Helicopter Company UH-1B gunship from the Crocodile Platoon armed with a USAF napalm bomb at Lane Army Heliport – early 1966 – This was the February photo in the 2007 Calendar, but is presented again in keeping with the “We Were Soldiers Once… And Young!” theme. Briefly while in Qui Nhon Ron, traded a USAF Master Sergeant a bottle of Scotch straight across for four canisters plus the igniters and the chemicals needed to turn JP4 into napalm, after learning that the canister would mount on the rocket pod rack. While the full story will be published in the VHPA Aviator, Ron concludes with “we learned that a partially filled napalm container dropped at 80 knots from a helicopter is not as impressive as full ones dropped by a jet at 250+ knots!” Lance Hopkins took the small photo in 1970 of a Crocodile UH-1C with an impressive paint job protected by Turtle Wax. Lance’s story and photos are the September photo in the 2010 Calendar.

February
LZ Candy (again)
1st Air Cavalry Division started rebuilding LZ Candy on 25 Feb 1970 – VHPA Member Mike Egli took these photos from his B/228 ASHB CH-47 after leaving his load on the base. LZ Candy was located due north of Song Be city, in western Phuoc Long Province, III Corps, Vietnam. The small photo shows Jim Wastradowski of Company D, 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry on Candy in late March 1970. He wrote: “It was terribly easy to get as filthy as we look on one of these artillery bases. You sweat in 100 degree temps and the first chopter to land nearby would kick up the dry red dirt, need I say more. This was a former site for 175mm cannons. The red dust was about a foot thick and very powdery.”

March
Movin’ On
Preparing to evacuate a 1st Cav FSB somewhere in Phuoc Long Province – 1970. VHPA Member Mike Egli took this photo as these two B/228 ASHB 1 CAV CH-47As wait for their internal loads. #66-00087 is nearest the camera. It had three tours in Vietnam – two after several months of rehab in the States. The small photo shows #66-19056 from A/228 ASHB loading 1/8th Cav infantry.

April
LZ Stud: Operation PEGSUS
LZ Stud – April 1968. VHPA Subscriber Bennie Koon took this photo on 3 April as his infantry battalion (1/5th Cavalry) prepared to depart west toward Khe Sanh. Operation PEGASUS (1 – 14 April) reopened Route 9 from the coast to the border with Laos, relieved the North Vietnamese Army’s siege of Khe Sanh and positioned the entire 1st Air Cavalry Division for its push into the A Shau Valley.

May
LZ Wharton: Operation DELAWARE
LZ Wharton – May 1968. VHPA Subscriber Bennie Koon took this photo on 1 May as his infantry battalion (1/5th Cavalry) prepared for a combat assault from the base at LZ Wharton. Though Operation PEGASUS ended in mid-April, there were 1st Air Cavalry units continuing to clean up the Khe Sanh are while others participated in Operation DELAWARE – the famous Battle of the A Shau Valley. Not the radar unit on the right side of the photo ~ only Wharton had one during this period of time. The small photo shows a view of LZ Peanuts.

June
Shawnee Scrapbook
A tribute to the Piasecki CH-21C Workhorse/Shawnee. VHPA member Ross Russell provided the iconic photo in the center taken on 17 Jan 1964 by Bernie Quedens, the Operations Officer of the 120th Aviation Company, “The Deans” during the famous airmobile operation at Kien Hoa. We see crew chief Jack Eichmann in the top left photo. Six of Jack’s photos appear in this collage. Al Doucette and Al Laya also provided photos. The small color photo shows a CH-21 outside an I Corps Special Forces camp taken by VHPA member Ramon Williams.

July
Dutchmasters Taking a Break
B Troop, 7th Squadron, 1st Cavalry at Rach Soi – 11968. VHPA Subscriber Mike Treinen took this photo on the “Long Strip” at Rach Soi in Kien Giang Province in IV Corps. Roy Sudeck (a long time VHPA member, now deceased) without his shirt faces the camera next to an unknown person. Roy served in several units in Vietnam for many years. VHPA members Ben Bentley and Ed Thomas provided the cloth pocket patches ~ both were weapons platoon leaders in B Troop. Behind the AH-1G Cobra, we see two OH-6A LOHs (light observation helicopters) plus the UH-1Hs that transported the Air Cavalry Troop’s infantry platoon. Mike also provided the small photo of Roy starting the Cobra with Ben’s name on the side.

August
Golf course/CPT. Hingston fatal crash, Bong Son 1-24-67/”In the office”/Beck’s bullet holes, Kon Tum Area/LZ X-Ray/1LT Brooks, early ‘66/Fuel blivets/Chinooks in the field/Staging Area
A page from Jerry Brooks’ Scrapbook. VHPA Member Jerry Brooks serves with A Battery, 2nd Battalion, 20th Artillery, 1st Air Cavalry Division from April 1966 to April 1967 almost exclusively in II Corps. The battalion had three “letter” batteries: A, B, and C. Each was usually assigned one of the division’s three infantry brigades. Most everyone simply referred to them as “the ARA” ~ aerial rocket artillery or “Blue Max”. The small photo shows LTC Nelson Mahone (Battalion CO) on the right and MAJ Roger Bartholomew (C Battery CO) on the left soon after they arrived in Vietnam in 1965.

September
Flying Tigers at Wunder Beach
US Marine Corps CH-46s from Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 262 (HMM-262), also known as The Flying Tigers. VHPA Subscriber Bennie Koon took this photo at Wunder Beach (also known as Utah Beach) in late March 1968 while his unit, the 1/5th Cav, waited for the start of Operation PEGASUS. Wunder was a logistical base built after Tet-68 to support the increased Army and Marine operations planning for northern I Corps. Nearest the camera is bureau number 153400 that we believe survived the war. Furthest from camera is 154019. It was destroyed 11 July 1968. Both these helicopters appear to be on medivac stand-by for the medical aid station in the sand bagged bunker facilities on the left of the photo. The small photo shows another Tiger with some serious battle damage.

October
Roger, Got Goofy Grape
UH-1Hs from Charlie Company, 229th Aviation Battalion, 1st Air Cavalry Division – April 1969. VHPA Member Bert Outlaw took this picture from the right seat of Caulk 3 (the third Huey in the flight) some place between Tay Ninh and Phuoc Vinh. He says, “Like everyone who talked over the FM radios to the infantry when I didn’t want the enemy to know what we were saying (they listened as well) ~ instead of saying purple smoke, we’d use some slang words that maybe they wouldn’t know ~ goofy grape for example.” VHPA Member Rick Berry provided the small photos of a Alpha Company Huey landing troops.

November
LZ Peanuts
A CH-54A Sky Crane delivers a backhoe to LZ Peanuts – April 1968. VHPA Subscriber Bennie Koon took this photo in late April during a short visit to work on his infantry (1/5th Cavalry) battalion’s radios. A/1/77th Artillery and A/1/5th Cavalry manned the base. On the night of 4/5 May, North Vietnamese Army regulars and snappers breached the perimeter supported by artillery and mortars. During the battle, there was an emergency ammo resupply by helicopters plus the ARA “cleared up” the slopes before Puff arrived with illumination and more fire power. All six 105mm cannons, all their vehicles, the Fire Direction Center, and most of the artillery men’s private bunkers were destroyed. Eleven Americans died on Peanuts that night and at least 20 were medevaced the next morning. This photo is a small tribute to all those involved in this battle.

December
LZ Uplift
A UH-1B burns up at LZ Uplift – Nov 1967. VHPA Subscriber Bennie Koon took these photos. He wrote: “This gunship was a fully loaded with rockets and ammo when it landed to refuel. When it caught on fire the crew ran to a safe place. A lot of ammo cooked off and most of the rockets launched.” The small photo shows a gunship in flight.

Above: VHPA Potential Member Mike Jeffries provided these photos from his time with HML-167 at Marble Mountain ~ Da Nang. He left Vietnam in May, 1969.
Below: Three CH-21C Shawnees from the 120th Aviation Company – April 1964. This photo was taken by Akihiko Okamura (a renowned Japanese free-lance photographer) and appeared in the 12 June 1964 issue of LIFE Magazine. VHPA member Ken Gehler is the pilot clearly visible in the left seat of the closest aircraft. Note that Ken and the doorgunners are wearing short sleeved uniforms! Akihiko took this photo from a Shawnee flown by VHPA member Bob Crissman. This was the April photo in the 1996 VHPA Calendar.
Item Creation Date: 2017
Collection: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA) Collection
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
 (Click For More Item Information)
Added: 18 Apr 2018 [Updated: 18 Apr 2018]
Item is Copyrighted – Check for access via the Vietnam Reading Room portal.
View all documents in this Folder : Box : Collection
2018 Calendar, Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA) - Barrel Bombing Marine Style
Document Item Number: 20080304001
[Number of Pages: 28]
Table of Contents

Front Cover Photo – VHPA subscriber Bill Stilwagen took this photo from another USMC CH-53 in June 1970. In a single day, HMH-463 used twelve helicopters in four flights of three to drop 2,000 55 gallon barrels filled with napalm mixed with diesel onto an enemy tunnel and cave complex. See the January photos and narrative for the details.

January
Operation Thrash Light
CH-53s from HMH-463 (Helicopter, Marine, Heavy), the (Pegasus Squadron, based at Da Nang, I Corps – June 1970 – VHPA subscriber Bill Stilwagen provided the cover photo plus the collage. Bill says the unofficial name for this barrel bombing mission was the surname of Major General Thrash, the commanding general of the 1st Marine Air Wing, plus the famed Arc Light missions delivered by US Air Force B-52’s. The barrels burst on impact when dropped from 1,500 feet, allowing the napalm and diesel filing to flow into the caves and tunnels. A Cobra gunship ignited the firestorm with white phosphorus rockets. The small photo, from the National Archive, was taken in 1968 on a mountain top in I Corps.

February
LZ Wharton
1st Air Cavalry Division started LZ Wharton on 3 Apr 1968 – VHPA subscriber Bennie Koon took this photo while serving with the 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry, 2nd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division during Operation PEGASUS (the relief of Khe Sanh). The blue circle on the door says the Huey is from Company C, 229th Aviation. The door art is one of many variations of the “Fly United” theme as seen in the small photo. American 105 and 155 cannons were installed on LZ Wharton that was under heavy North Vietnamese artillery fire much of the time. A good bunker was a must-have!

March
129 AHC/ROK Tiger Division
The 129th Assault Helicopter Company primarily supported the Republic of Korea (ROK) Tiger Division base in Binh Dinh Province – 1969. VHPA Member Larry Alexander took these photos during his 1968 – 1969 tour with the 129 AHC based at Lane Army Airfield near the village of An Son not far from Qui Nhon in II Corps. This collage is dedicated as a tribute to the Tiger Division and those that supported them. The lower left photo shows Larry with the Division Commanding General’s favorite command and control Huey. They often trained Korean pilots to fly the Huey and conducted Combat Assaults and resupply missions. The Tiger Division, also known as the Capital Division, arrived in Vietnam 22 Sep 1965 and departed 11 Mar 1973. Officially the division suffered 2,111 KIAs and 4,228 WIAs. The 129th’s slicks were BULLDOGS as shown in the small photo, and their guns were COBRAS even though they flew UH-1Cs. They were also known as BITE and STRIKE.

April
Thunderbirds and ARVNs
UH-1Ds from the 118th Aviation Company – 1965. VHPA Member Tommy Thornton took literally hundreds of photos during his first tour in Vietnam with the 118th Thunderbirds based at Bien Hoa. For some sad reason, the VHPA Calendar did not have access to any of his photos until recently. The small photo shows their distinctive aircraft numbers on the tail rotor pylon.

May
Thunderbirds and the 173rd ABN
UH-1Ds from the 118th Aviation Company – 4 May 1966. VHPA Member Tommy Thornton took this frequently published photo showing the 118th Thunderbirds inserting troops from the 173rd Airborne Brigade near Tan Uyen, just about 10 miles north of Bien Hoa. Tommy recalls, “This was a 145th CAB operation. We made seven lifts that day.” This photo is the first a reader sees on their website: www.118ahc.org. The small photo shows Tommy and his Huey.

June
Silver Spur Air Cavalry
A Troop, 3rd Squadron, 17th Cavalry (A/3/17 Cav) OH-58s at Quan Loi – 1971. VHPA Member (deceased) Scott Evans gave most of these photos to the Silver Spur Association. Webmaster and former Scout Platoon line chief Roger ‘Bear’ Young provided them to the VHPA. This collage is dedicated as a tribute to WO1 Wallace and SP4 Gillett, who perished in #68-16945 on 4 June 1970.

July
How a Flipper Earns an Aircraft Recovered Silhouette!
CH-47 from the 196th Assault Support Helicopter Company at Lane Army Airfield – 1968. VHPA member Larry Alexander took the center photo while serving with the 129th AHC at Lane of a Flipper Chinook. Later he donated the slide to the U.S. Army Aviation Museum at Ft. Rucker. VHPA subscriber Ray Wilhite provided a digital copy of this photo to the VHPA. VHPA subscriber Tom Crawley provided the two photos on the right when the Huey he was riding in as a passenger made a forced landing and needed to be recovered. This collage is dedicated to the seven (7) 196th men killed on 16 July 1969 when their aircraft crashed during a test flight. These are the only KIAs known to the VHPA from this unit. Please note the small black silhouettes of Hueys near the front door of the Chinook. This is the Vietnam version of mission markers used in WWII. There is no known name for these markers, so we juat called them aircraft recovered silhouettes. Lots of Chinook units painted them on their aircraft in Vietnam. Larry also provided the small photo of a Chinook lifting off a hill- top base.

August
Charlie Troop at LZ Two Bits
UH-1C from C Troop, 1st Squadron 9th Cavalry, 1st Air Cavalry Division at LZ Two Bits in II Corps – 1967. VHPA subscriber Jim Hohman took these photos during his tour as a gunner and crew chief in the weapons platoon. VHPA member Rudy Ribbeck flew with Jim for several months and provided the VHPA with copies of Jim’s photos. The presentation is dedicated to the crew chief, and 1LT Honorio as observer. The small photo shows Jim’s “office” on the flight line.

September
LZ Two Bits ~ July 1967
OH-13s from C Troop, 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry, 1st Air Cavalry Division at LZ Two Bits in II Corps – 1967. VHPA subscriber Russ Underwood took these photos during his tour as a crew chief in the scout platoon. On 21 July while flying with VHPA member John Lee in 64-15394, they experienced a tail rotor failure and crashed on the side of a hill. You can see what remained after the wreck was returned to Two Bits. Russ is the guy in the middle of the photo in the center. He says he traded a package of cigarettes in a nearby village for the monkey. Notice they didn’t have to walk too far from their tents to get to their helicopters!

October
CH-54A Tarhe Sky Cranes. Most everyone associated with helicopter in Vietnam after 1965 recalls seeing a Crane. Many have photos of them. VHPA Subscribers Robert Brackenhoff, Bennie Koon, and Jim Sheridan plus VHPA Member Rick Berry contributed photos to this collage dedicated as a tribute to the three US Army Heavy Helicopter Companies.

November
The End Of Easy Rider #1
UH-1C #66-15045 at Duc Pho in I Corps – Nov 1970. VHPA subscriber Robert Brackenhoff took all these photos while serving in the maintenance platoon. The 174th AHC’s gun platoon was called the Sharks. He Wrote, “045 was with the company from Mar 1970 until Nov 1970. It was on a night mission down in the Rice Bowl (South of Duc Pho near FSB Debbie) when while maneuvering at low level it had a tail rotor strike when a tree got in the way. Despite the fact the crew chief’s seat belt broke, sending him rolling across the rice paddy, everyone walked away from the scene.”

December
BLUE MAX Going To Song Be
BLUE MAX going to Song Be – 25 Dec 1968. VHPA Member Steve Shaw took this photo of his wingman early on Christmas Day 1968 en route to stage at Song Be in case anyone called in an ARA (aerial rocket artillery) mission. This AH-1G Cobra is 67-15685. Records show it was direct from the factory when it joined Charlie Battery, 2/20th Artillery, 1st Cavalry Division in December. On 17 February 1969, it was destroyed by a mortar round while parked in a revetment. The small photo shows the two crews eating Christmas dinner with the infantry that day. They are: WO1 Crumpton on the left, WO1 Jon Rowe in the center holding the menu, and 1LT Bill Drummer on the right. To the best of the VHPA’s knowledge, Steve is the only one still living today.

Above: VHPA Member Gary Gard provided this photo of Purple Fox 23, A HMM -365 CH-46, on an artillery ammo resupply mission into the famous Khe Sanh (notice the runway at the top of the photo above the aft pylon) during February 1968. These were very challenging days – monsoon weather, heavy incoming NVA artillery, virtually non-stop resupply and medevacs missions, dodging American artillery and air strikes, plus external loads (reduced maneuverability). SEMPER FI!!! The patch came from VHPA Member Allyn Hinton’s USMC Insignia website.
Below: One of hundreds of photos Life Magazine accumulated during the Vietnam War. This shows Hueys delivering more infantry into an uncontested landing zone.
Item Creation Date: 2018
Collection: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA) Collection
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
 (Click For More Item Information)
Added: 18 Apr 2018 [Updated: 18 Apr 2018]
Item is Copyrighted – Check for access via the Vietnam Reading Room portal.
View all documents in this Folder : Box : Collection
2016 Calendar, Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA) - VERT-REP
Document Item Number: 20080302001
[Number of Pages: 28]
Table of Contents
Front Cover Photo - VHPA Member Frank Jensen provided this photo showing US Navy H-46 Bureau # 154036 from Helicopter Combat Support Squadron THREE Detachment 104 (HC-3 Det 104) conducting a vertical replenishment (VERTREP) operation from the USS San Jose (AFS-7), a combat stores ship. The photo was taken in late 1972 in the Gulf of Tonkin while te USS San Jose was supporting the US Navy's 7th Fleet based off North Vietnam.

January
HC-3 Det 103 - A Load Every 49 Seconds
CH-46s from Det 103 and Det 104 HC-3 - 1972 - VHPA Member Frank Jensen provided these photos from his cruise aboard the USS San Jose. Most of these photos were taken when the San Jose was stationed off Da Nang. The San Jose was a combat stored ship desired for underway replenishment of a carrier task force group. Each detachment had two aircraft plus five pilots, one maintenance officer, and 20 to 25 enlisted. Their primary mission was vertical replenishment (VERT REP).

February
First Team Going to Work
1st Cav Infantry and Hueys - VHPA Subscriber Barry McAlpine, who served as a Sergeant in the Aero-Rifle Platoon of B Troop, 1st Squadron 9th Cavalry of the 1st Cavalry Division in 1967, sent this photo to the VHPA. By way of details, all we know is what we see! It was published in the famous Life Magazine and many of the soldiers are wearing 1st Cav shoulder patches. The small photo was also published in Life Magazine.

March
The Elephant Nuts You Ordered
C Company 159th Assault Support Helicopter Company 101st Airborne Division CH-47C - 1969 - VHPA Subscriber Dan Stroeing took this photo while elements from his unit, the 2/327th No Slack Infantry 101st Airborne, provided security as a base in the A Shau Valley. Notice severalRome Plow land clearing tractors waiting, we assume, for the fuel in the two blivets. CH-47C #67-18514 joined the Army in May 1968. By Jan 1969 was serving with C/159 ASHB in Vietnam. On 3/30/70 with 902 hours on the airframe, it was damaged by an exploding round and evacuated to CONUS. VHPA Member Grant Bobbitt provided this copy of their pocket patch.

April
Checkride's Over! Rearm This Ship and Get to Work!
C Troop, 7th Squadron, 17th Cavalry AH-1G - 1969-1970 - VHPA Subscriber James Speed Hensinger took this photo during his tour with the 173rd Airborne Brigade based at LZ English in Binh Dinh Province. C/7/17th Cav was based at Lane Army Airfield also known as An Son. Why these guys are sleeping in this Cobra is anyone's guess! VHPA Member Steve Shepard provided the small photo of another C Troop Cobra flying near An Khe.

May
604th Transportation Corps Detachment, 189th Assault Helicopter Company - 1969. VHPA Member Terry Opdahl took these photos during his 1968-69 tour with the 189th AHC based at Camp Holloway, Pleiku. This presentation is a tribute to all the helicopters they lost while serving in Vietnam from May, 1967 to March, 1971. Each white cross represents a destroyed Huey. The two inserts show all the remains of some of them. The 604th TC Det, the company's maintenance platoon used the radio call sign CARETAKER and patch shown on the sign. The small photo shows their hangar area.

June
478th Heavy Helicopter Company (HHC) CH-54A #67-18430 at Qui Nhon - 1969-1970. VHPA Subscriber James Speed Hensinger took this photo during his tour with the 173rd Airborne Brigade based at LZ English in Binh Dinh Province. This helicopter joined the Army in Dec 1967, did a tour at Fort Sill, came to Vietnam in Nov 1968 abd was assigned to the 478th HHC. After the 478th departed Vietnam, 430 served with the 62nd Corps Aviation Comapany and left Vietnam in Dec 1972. In 1975 it was still flying at Fort Benning. The small photo shows another 478th Crane refueling.

July
"Helicopter Valley" Survivor
CH-46A #151917 EP-9 from the HMM-265. VHPA member Richard 'Clutch' Hendrie provided these photos taken in 1967. They are presented here as a tribute to this USMC Squadron. On 15 July 1966, HMM-164 and HMM-265 each lost two aircraft in LZ Crow in the Ngan River Valley near the DMZ. From that day forward the Marines referred to this part of the Ngan River Valley as 'Helicopter Valley.' Sadly #151917 and its entire crew were lost on 11 Oct 1968. They are part of the twenty-seven HMM-265 Marines who perished in the war.

August
Another Bong Song Day
UH-1H from A Company, 229th Aviation Battalion, 1st Air Cavalry Division over the Bong Son Plain in II Corps - December 1967. VHPA Member Rick Berry took this photo of the flight lead while flying #2 in a trail formation. They are descending to an LZ obscured by the Huey. The small photo shows another company Huey landing troops.

September
Phan Thiet ~ Early Days
A Tribute to all those who served at Phan Thiet - Nov 1966. VHPA Member Dave Rittman took this photo during his time at Phan Thiet with C/229th AHB 1st Cav. Other than MACV Advisory Teams, we believe the 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry (Airmobile Infantry) was the center of a small 1st Cavalry Division task force sent to Phan Thiet in 1966 to fight against two Viet Cong battalions controlling most of Binh Thaun province. They were there for 16 months! Dave believes the Huey in the photo crashed at the refuel point due to a hydraulic system failure. Luckily the fire was extinguished before it could reach any of the fuel blivets. The small photo shows the airfield from the ocean.

October
Pleiku PEDROs
HH-43s from Detachment 9, 38th Air Rescue and Recovery Squadron at Pleiku Air Base - 1969. VHPA Member Terry Opdahl took this photo of the two HH-43 Kaman Huskies in 1969 serving with Det 9, 38th ARRS at Pleiku Air Base. Besides the Headquarters at Tan Son Nhut there were 14 detachments in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. The small photo is labeled Vung Tau Pedro even though there was no formal detachment based at Vung Tau. This photo is dedicated to the five-member crew of Pedro 44 from Deetachment 1 at Phan Rang who died on 10 October 1968.

November
One Lucky LOH
OH-6A #67-16326 from H Troop, 10th Cavaley - February 1972. VHPA Member Steve Shepard took this photo at An Khe. This OH-6A joined the Army in Sep 1968 and by Nov was in Vietnam serving with the 1st Cav. After logging 2,353 hours it was returned to CONUS for ten months of repairs starting in Nov 1970. The VHPA's databases give us no clues as to the causes or extent of the damage. In Oct 1971, 326 was back in Vietnam serving with C/7/17th Cav and the H/10th Cav. In Feb 1973, after logging 2,986 hours during its 42 months in Vietnam, it returned to CONUS in flyable condition. One Lucky LOH (Light Observation Helicopter) for sure!!!

December
Left Bank Radio Research
Project Left Bank UH-1D - circa 1968. VHPA Members Bruce Breisch and A. H. 'Tim' Wilson provided these photos. Project Left Bank was a unique airborne SIGINT (Signal Intelligence) collection method used by two Radio Research (RR) Direct Support Units (DSUs), the 371st RR Co (supporting the 1st Cavalry Division) and the 374th RR Co (supporting the 4th Infantry Division). The supporting unit (11th General Support Company for the 1st Cav) provided air crews and maintained the helicopters. The RR DSUs provided the radio operators. In the top left photo you can see the two external components of the AN/ARQ-27 DF system ~ the direction finding array under the nose and the black cable antenna extending beneath the Huey. Their job was to monitor (including locating the antennas) and record North Vietnamese Army radio traffic.

Thousands of Stories in this Boneyard
VHPA Subscriber James Speed Hensinger took this photo during his tour with the 173rd Airborne Brigade based at LZ English in Binh Dinh Province. It was taken somewhere in the Qui Nhon area. To date we have not been able to identify the name of the unit that owned this property disposal area. Near the center of the photo, just behind the sand bagged bunker notice the wrecked CH-53A sky crane pod. It is the sad remains of a tragic accident at An Khe on 27 September 1968.

Sniper Response
VHPA Subscriber James Speed Hensinger took this photo during his tour with the 173rd Airborne Brigade based at LZ English in Binh Dinh Province. This photo has the informal title of "sniper response." According to Jim, this sniper kept shooting at their camp night after night. Jim set up his camera and took a time exposer of M60 7.62 cal. machine guns, M2 .50 cal Browning Machine Gun, and twin 40 mm anti-aircraft Bofor (Pom-Pom) guns mounted on a M42 Duster (tank) firing long bursts of tracers at night.
Item Creation Date: 2016
Collection: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA) Collection
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
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Added: 13 Apr 2018 [Updated: 17 Jan 2019]
Item is Copyrighted – Check for access via the Vietnam Reading Room portal.
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2005 Calendar, Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA) - VHPA 2005 Calendar
Document Item Number: 20080211001
[Number of Pages: 28]
Table of Contents

January
A CH-54 with a 155 mm howitzer sling load over the highlands. The aircraft, serial number 66-18430, was part of the 478th HHC. This photograph was taken by Ron Magnus during his tour in 1969.

February
The Kaaman Huskey HH-34 was an aircraft operated by the U.S. Air Force. It’s primary mission was to recue aircrews from disabled Air Force aircraft. By design, it created a downdraft and was able to spray a fire extinguishing agent down into the crash site to assist the firefighting crews. This photograph was taken by Don Joyce in 1967, at Pleiku.

March
This photo was taken by Ben Prieb during his tour in 1966. It is of the staging area in preparation of a combat assault, lifting ground troops into combat.

April
This photo was taken by Al Oliver during his tour with the 195th AHC Skychiefs. It is of a Navy UH-1B at Nha Be. The other photo shown below was taken by Al Oliver of a UH-1C gunship of the 195th gun platoon, the “Thunder Chickens”.

May
Steve Stephen took this photo in February 1972. It is of a medevac UH-1H, serial number 15780.

June
The photographs show above and below of the CH-21 Shawnee were taken by VHPA member Al Coucette while serving as a CH-21 crew chief at Campy Humphrey’s, South Korea. He, along with other crew members, volunteered for TDY to join the 81st Transportation Company in Pleiku in 1962.

July

This photo was taken by Bill Robie of a 92nd AHC, “Stallion” UH-1H conducting recondo training at Nha Trang in May 1968. After an all day hover mission involving the ladder and rappelling training, Bill climbed out of his Aircraft Commander seat, harnessed up and rappelled out of his own aircraft. “Exiting you own helicopter while it is still in the air is a strange feeling,” says Bill. The ladder assembly in the photo was used to extract recondo troops from areas where there was no possible landing sight. The other photos shown below are of a “Maguire” rig, which was similarly used to extract special forces troops from tall canopy jungle areas. The hardware consisted of nylon ropes 150 feet long with a parachute harness attached to the end. To penetrate the jungle canopy, a sand bag was tied to the harness to give the necessary momentum through the trees.

August
This photo was taken by Bill Robie of a UH-1B was operated by Air America in 1968-69. It is of the aircraft waiting out of a rain storm at Bao Loc.

September
Ken Rubin took this photo of two AH-1G Cobras enroute over III Corps to their next mission. They are from the Playboy Platoon of the 334th AHC, 145th Avn Bn, which was the first unit to fly Cobras in combat in Vietnam.

October
This photo was taken by Bill Robie of a CH-47 supporting Republic of Korea troops in Qui Nhon.

November
Steve Stephen took this photo of an OH-6A scout aircraft landing at Camp Holloway in early 1972. The aircraft is serial number 17327 assigned to H Troop, 10th Cavalry.

December
This photograph shows a Marine CH-53 with a sling load in the background with a 101st Airborne Division CH-47 in the foreground. It was taken by Fred Thompson during his tour.

Above
This photograph of an OH-13 from the D/14 Cav “Outcast” was taken by Ellwood Soderlind in December 1967, somewhere in the I Corps area.
Item Creation Date: 2005
Collection: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA) Collection
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
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Added: 30 Apr 2018 [Updated: 30 Apr 2018]
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1998 Calendar, Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA) - Have Guns Will Travel
Document Item Number: 20080205001
[Number of Pages: 28]
Table of Contents
Front Cover Photo – Have Guns Will Travel by Joe Kline circa 1995. Featuring CUH-1C Huey Gunships.

January
In the Beginning…
Although these photos were not taken in Vietnam, few good photos of these helicopters exist. They were the forebears of the most successful helicopters in history, the UH1 series and the CH47 series. So they deserve to be shown. Clockwise from upper left: CH21 goes hot, CH34 Choctaw in flight, CH37 Mojave at a hover, CH21 with sling load. These sots were taken at Fort Rucker, source unknown. If you have better photos, please send them with captions to Ken Fritz, c/c VHPA Hqs, for a future calendar.

February
Big Boy at Rest
CH54A Sky Crane with pod removed at An Khe. This photo was taken by SP5 Allan Holm, USA SP Photo Det, Pacific, December 10, 1965. On the back it says, “An Khe, RVN where the 1st Cav Div. (Air Mobile) is stationed”. Note the Cav patch on the door and the logo on the nose. Further details are sought. Please send comments to the VHPA Newsletter.

March
Tomcat 31
UH1-B gunship of D Co. 229th AVN (AW) 1st Cav, December 1966. Near Phan Thiet with pilots WO1 John Mateski and CPT Dave Hockett. Photo by VHPA member Dave Rittman. Look carefully in the background below the clouds for the C-130 flying right to left. Inside the blue emblem on the door is a Smiling Tiger by Disney Studios. Disney sent them decals to use for their “nose art” after one of the crew members wrote complaining that they had no good artists, but since Disney had good artists, maybe they could help? Resourceful!

April
Flight Lead
A Minuteman UH1-H, 176th AHC, 14th CAB, 16th CAG, Americal Div. out of Chu Lai carries a load of grunts from 198th Lt Inf Bde into the mountains of southern I Corps on a late combat assault along the river west of Quang Ngai. Photo by VHPA member Ken Fritz, Minuteman 17, ’68-’69.

May
The Deans at Work
These CH21 Shawnees arrived in Saigon December 1961 aboard the USS Core, with the 57th Transportation Co., first helicopter company in Vietnam. The photo was given to the VHPA by LT. John “Peg Leg: Givhan, one of the Deans of the 120th AVN Co. Dated 1/17/64, the Kien Hoa assault was the largest heliborne assault in the history of Vietnam to that date. This date was taken after an all day series of lifts into bad Lzs and is good formation, especially after logging over 10 hours of assault work. Thanks John!

June
Looking For Holes
At LZ Oasis, Trp C, 1/9 area, April 1967, a USAF Kaman H-43 Husky landed to check out the ship for holes after receiving enemy fire over Cambodia on a rescue mission. Note the civilian blade antenna under the hose. 1/9 crew member was there to look over what he called a strange looking bird in their area.

July
Smiling Tiger
A Smiling Tiger UH1-B, D Co. 229th AHB 1st Cav Div. flies through the Bong Song pass June 1967. Armed with four flex mounted .30 cal machine guns, fourteen 2.75 inch rockets and m-6 40 mm grenade launcher, it is ready to go to work. Photo by VHPA member Al De Mailo, Smiling Tiger 21, ’67 – ‘68.

August
Cobra on the Move
Photo taken somewhere in the Delta by Don Agren, Emu 10 of the 135th AHC, LZ Bearcat and later Dong Tam, August ’70 – August ’71. Anybody who can identify the aircraft’s unit and location, please write to the VHPA Newsletter with details so Don will know whose photo he took.

September
Precision Delivery
CH47 delivering the goods near Hue, October 1968. Photo by VHPA member Curt Knapp, 2 Bde 101 Abn, ’67 – ’68.

October
Dust Storm
Troops of C Co. 1st Bn 50th Mech 1st Cav at LZ Quick hunker down from the dusty rotor wash from the CH47 Chinook after it unloaded. They are preparing for a search and destroy mission on the Cay Giep mountains, 29-30 October 1967. Photo by SSG Alfred Batungbacal, US Army Photo Det, Pac.

November
Minuteman Fly By
176th AHC UH-1H’s from 176th AHC, 14th CAB, 16th CAG, Americal Div. do a fly by over LZ Gator for this 198th Lt Inf Bde with smokes in the doors. Near Chu Lai, this was taken November ’69 by VHPA member Ken Fritz, Minuteman 17.

December
EMUs, Go Trail
“Emus, Go Trail” was the command from the lead ship as the group flew into the sunset at Moc Hoa Airfield, southwest of Saigon in the Plain of Reeds region. Although an emu is a flightless Australian bird, it was also the call sign of the Experimental Military Unit which was composed of both US Army and Royal Australian Navy Pilots. VHPA member Don Agren, Emu 10 of the 135th AHC ’70 – ’71 took the photo of his flight leader in 1971.

LZ English Goes Ballistic
Artillery illumination flares were drifting over and dropping into the ammo dump at LZ English, Bong Song, II Corps, June ’67. The gunships belong to D Co. 229th AHB , 1st Cav. Div. Note the shrapnel in the blade on the blade on the far ship. Although VHPA member Al DeMailo reported this when it began, he was later surprised by the sound of what he at first thought was incoming. In his attempts to photograph the fireworks he was almost wounded by the flying shrapnel. He speculates that the incident was probably attributed to enemy activity rather than the artillery group.
Item Creation Date: 1998
Collection: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA) Collection
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
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Added: 25 Apr 2018 [Updated: 25 Apr 2018]
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Old Warriors (145th Comat Aviation Battalion (Vietnam) Association) - Newsletter
Newsletter Item Number: 2336Newsletter611213
[Number of Pages: 16]
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR BY James L. Bodkin


FEATURES:
Unit Historians
George "Pops" Ecker, 1923-1988
Financial Report
New People Located List
Issue: 7
Item Creation Date: July 1988
Collection: Larry Leonard Collection
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
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Added: 30 Mar 2018 [Updated: 06 Apr 2018]
Item is Copyrighted – Check for access via the Vietnam Reading Room portal.
Old Warriors (145th Comat Aviation Battalion (Vietnam) Association) - Newsletter
Newsletter Item Number: 2336Newsletter611215
[Number of Pages: 28]
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR BY James L. Bodkin


FEATURES:
Cancer/PTSD Survey
Battalion History: 15 - 21 April 1966
Finanacial Report
New People Located List
Issue: 15
Item Creation Date: November 1990
Collection: Larry Leonard Collection
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
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Added: 30 Mar 2018 [Updated: 06 Apr 2018]
Item is Copyrighted – Check for access via the Vietnam Reading Room portal.
Old Warriors (145th Comat Aviation Battalion (Vietnam) Association) - Newsletter
Newsletter Item Number: 2336Newsletter611216
[Number of Pages: 30]
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR BY James L. Bodkin


FEATURES:
145th Comabt Aviation Battalion (Vietnam) Association Reunion and Schedule
Battalion History: Battle of Dong Xoai, 10-20 June 1965
Financial Report
New People Located List
Issue: 16
Item Creation Date: January 1991
Collection: Larry Leonard Collection
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
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Added: 30 Mar 2018 [Updated: 15 May 2018]
Item is Copyrighted – Check for access via the Vietnam Reading Room portal.
Fortitudine : Newsletter of the Marine Corps Historical Program (History and Museums Division, U.S. Marine Corps) - Serial
Serial Item Number: 2112Serial611015
  • NOT DIGITIZED
Issue: 20
Item Creation Date: Winter 1990-1991
Collection: Ronald P. (Phil) Marshall
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
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Added: 21 Feb 2018 [Updated: 01 Mar 2018]
Fortitudine : Newsletter of the Marine Corps Historical Program (History and Museums Division, U.S. Marine Corps) - Serial
Serial Item Number: 2112Serial611016
  • NOT DIGITIZED
Issue: 20
Item Creation Date: Spring 1991
Collection: Ronald P. (Phil) Marshall
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
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Added: 21 Feb 2018 [Updated: 19 Mar 2018]
The UH-IC Huey - The Cobra Company - Publication
Document Item Number: 8850931001
[Number of Pages: 59]
Author(s): Pete Harlem
Item Creation Date: No Date
Collection: Michael Sloniker Collection
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
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Added: 01 May 2025 [Updated: 01 May 2025]
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From Khe Sanh to Chepone - Viet Nam Courier - Photocopy of Book Excerpt
Document Item Number: 8850921001
[Number of Pages: 47]
Item Creation Date: No Date
Collection: Michael Sloniker Collection
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
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Added: 11 Apr 2025 [Updated: 15 Apr 2025]
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Reno/Tahoe – Marketing Perspectives, Inc. – Magazine and Showguide
Document Item Number: 8851041010
[Number of Pages: 19]
Item Creation Date: Spring/Summer 1991
Collection: Michael Sloniker Collection
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
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Added: 20 Jan 2026 [Updated: 28 Jan 2026]
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Report, U.S. Army, 9th Infantry Division - Operational Report, Lessons Learned, 01 November 1968 thru 31 January 1969
Document Item Number: 8850414002
[Number of Pages: 62]
Item Creation Date: January 1969
Collection: Michael Sloniker Collection
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
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Added: 29 Aug 2012 [Updated: 07 Apr 2023]
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Report, U.S. Army Center of Military History - RLG Military Operations and Activities in the Laotian Panhandle, 1961 - 1975
Document Item Number: 8850501001
[Number of Pages: 131]
Author(s): Brigadier General Soutchay Vongsavanh
Item Creation Date: 1 January 1981
Collection: Michael Sloniker Collection
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
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Added: 03 Sep 2012 [Updated: 13 May 2024]
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Pamphlet, U.S. Army - Historical Study of German Defense Tactics Against Russian Breakthroughs
Document Item Number: 8850520005
[Number of Pages: 94]
Item Creation Date: 1941-1945
Collection: Michael Sloniker Collection
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
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Added: 11 Sep 2012 [Updated: 16 Sep 2012]
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Airborne Mission Commander (AMC) Training and Qualification Regulation, ARRSR 51-4 - Department of the Air Force, HQ Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Service (MAC)
Document Item Number: 2970406002
[Number of Pages: 28]
Item Creation Date: 25 March 1980
Collection: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA) Collection: Manuals
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
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Added: 05 Jun 2002 [Updated: 23 Jan 2019]
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The VHPA Aviator (Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)) - Newsletter - Citrus Heights, California
Newsletter Item Number: 293Newsletter611114
[Number of Pages: 36]
FROM MIKE LAW, PRESIDENT OF THE VHPA BY Mike Law


FEATURES:
Suggested Reading BY John Penny
One More Huey Driver BY Steve Bookout
So Others May Live BY Terry Garlock
Let's Smoke on this... BY Charlie Gossett
Please Gentlemen.... Embellishments must be allowed BY Howard D. Horton
Announcement of a Special Warrant Officer Veterans History Project
Federal Way pilot retires after front-line service spanning Vietnam, Afghanistan
Report on the Funeral Services for CW3 Andy Howes BY John Mateyko
VHPA'ers in the News
B Troop, 7/17 Cav re-flags to the Scalphunter Troop from the Vietnam Days BY Mike J. Hodges
Museum Announces Opening of "Tropic Lightning" Exhibit


REUNION:
From the Chairman of the 2011 Reunion in Orlando BY Mike Law
VHPA leadership and Military Reunion Planners BY Julie Kink
Orlando Reunion Raffle BY Moon Mullen
The Members of the VHPA Are Invited


LETTERS:
To the Editor of the VHPA Aviator FROM Al Roettger
To the Editor of the VHPA Aviator FROM Kenneth Roach
To the Editor of the VHPA Aviator FROM George Hadeler
To the Editor of the VHPA Aviator FROM Bill Campbell
Dear Editor the VHPA Aviator FROM Bob Thompson
August 10, 2011 Editor, VHPA Aviator FROM Thomas K. Farley
To the Editor of the VHPA Aviator FROM LeRoy R. Brown
Looking For - a Huey Crew in need of a GCA at Hue/Phu Bai on 10 Jan 1970 FROM Gary Breault
Gary (Roush) answered Gary (Breault) with the folling E-Mail FROM Gary Roush
Looking For tow long-lost friends FROM A.H. Timothy Wilson
Looking for help ID'ing a book about a Vietnam Helicopter Pilot FROM Doug Chadwick
Looking For anyone who might have known George Mellinger FROM Misty Reynolds
Looking For - Correction to a previous request for information FROM Seppo I. Hume


TAPS:
Aberlt N. "Al" Turner - David Jacob Feigert - Delmer Mason 'Mac' McConnell - Edward Tolfa Jr. - Frederick G. Funk - Glenn M. Ebaugh - James R. Grissom - James (Jimmy) Allen Smith - James Joseph Hughes Jr. - John Berrien Whitehead - John W. Alber - John M. Stoen - Kenneth Lindstrom - Lanley Jerry Chavis - Lee "Tex" Westbrook - Oscar L. 'Bud' Shuler - Richard Michael Levy - Robert Andrew Stroud - Wayne Rex Bryan - William "Bill" Barrett - William (Bill) Edward Rowe - William C. "Bill" Hinton - Bobby Gene "Bob" Walls - Michael E. Neufield


CHAPTER ACTIVITIES:
Alamo chapter BY Bob Dillon
California chapter north BY Ken Fritz
Central New York chapter BY Tom McMillen
Fort Rucker chapter BY Roscoe Souders
Fort Wolters chapter BY Mike Sheuerman
Georgia chapter BY Skip Bell
Louisiana Gulf Coast chapter BY Phil Ness
Montana chapter BY Todd Brandoff
Mid-South chapter BY Pete Norman
New England chapter BY Bill Williams
North Alabama chapter BY Jim White
North Carolina chapter BY J.D. Lawson
Ohio River LZ chapter BY Jim Miller
Rocky Mountain chapter BY Phil Lanphier
South Carolina (Celebrate Freedom) chapter BY Larry Russell
South Dakota chapter BY Harold Pardew
South Missouri chapter BY Russ Emory
VHPA of Florida chapter BY Gary Harrell
Virgina chapter BY Ben Gay
Washington State chapter BY Mark Hansen


BOOK REVIEWS:
Dear Mom, I'm Alive: Letters Home From Blackwidow 25 BY John Penny
Sharks, Dolphins, Arabs, and the High Priced Help BY John Penny
Strength and Honor: America's Best in Vietnam BY John Penny
Volume: 29
Issue: 5
Item Creation Date: September/October 2011
Collection: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA) Collection: General Files
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
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Added: 24 Jan 2018 [Updated: 22 Feb 2018]
Operation Double Eagle - Marine Aircraft Group 36 - Combat After Action Report
Document Item Number: 2930508001
[Number of Pages: 74]
Item Creation Date: 20 March 1966
Collection: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA) Collection: General Files
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
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Added: 06 May 2019 [Updated: 08 May 2019]
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United States Air Force Serials 1946 to 1977 - Merseyside Aviation Society - List with annotation
Document Item Number: 2930614002
[Number of Pages: 25]
Item Creation Date: 17 December 1997
Collection: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA) Collection: General Files
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
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Added: 23 Sep 2019 [Updated: 24 Sep 2019]
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Cloth Patch of the U.S. Armed Forces - American Society of Military Insignia Collectors - Booklet
Document Item Number: 2930807002
[Number of Pages: 60]
Item Creation Date: No Date
Collection: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA) Collection: General Files
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
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Added: 20 Aug 2020 [Updated: 23 Sep 2020]
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Unit Patches with descriptions
Document Item Number: 2930713005
[Number of Pages: 57]
Item Creation Date: No Date
Collection: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA) Collection: General Files
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
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Added: 15 Jan 2020 [Updated: 15 Jan 2020]
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Attitude Instrument Flying - Department of the Army - Technical Manual
Document Item Number: 4030208002
[Number of Pages: 77]
Item Creation Date: December 1958
Collection: Chuck Carlock Collection
Association: Rattler/Firebird Association
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Added: 28 Sep 2023 [Updated: 28 Sep 2023]
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The VHPA Newsletter (Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)) - Newsletter
Newsletter Item Number: 2299Newsletter610698
[Number of Pages: 32]
FROM THE PRESIDENT BY Joe Bilitzke


LETTERS:
Former VHPA counsel glad to stay the course FROM Jim "Gunny" Gunderson
Flying with Army pilots an adventure FROM Wade Hubbard
IP would have a tizzie FROM Jack Knotts
Directory best one yet! FROM Bob Paine
Vietnam acquaintances put reality back in focus FROM Robert "Russ" Jones
Chopper pilot writes story for scale model brochure FROM Roy Harris Olive
Attempt to ignore disorder perpetuates PTSD stigma FROM George W. Williams
Pilot/author participated in PTSD effects study FROM Rick Curtin, Dave Eastman
Few soldiers prepared for Vietnam experience FROM Bill Hull
Suggesting most pilots have PTSD is absurd FROM Rick Williams


TAPS:
James Harvey Brown Jr. - Eldon Ideus - Emmett F. Johnson - James D. O'Neill - Michael Russell - Bill Shobel


REPORTS:
VHPA announces election policy
Bunn resigns from selection position BY Kenny Bunn
UN honors VHPA member for rescues
Amendment to bylaws goes to a vote BY executive council
Bylaws of the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)


BRIEFS:
Author writes about Schilling
Membership directory correction BY Mike Law
Mini-reunion planned on July 3


REUNION:
Time draws near for reunion 2003 BY Dave Rittmann
VHPA shuttle service available at airport
Taking cruise after reunion? here is update
Reunion schedule
Volume: 21
Issue: 1
Item Creation Date: January/February 2003
Collection: Jack Swickard Collection
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
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Added: 24 Mar 2017 [Updated: 05 Sep 2017]
UpTight (U.S. Army Vietnam (USARV)) - Serial
Serial Item Number: 2842Serial610914
[Number of Pages: 49]
Combat Action
A Lesson From History by CPT Gary McKillips the story of the Kit Carson Scout
Battle Report action from December through February
The Job of Gunner spotlight on doorgunners
The Edge of War by SGT Steve Banko pointment at work

Service and Support
Vietnam's Talent Scouts by SP4 Bryan Heliker the entertainment branch of Special Services
Every Minute Counts by SP4 Keith Pritchard a dustoff mission
Soldiers oof the Deep underwater engineers at work

Human Interest
High and Mighty by SP4 Keith McKeown life at Fire Support Base Fuller
the Center of a Culture by SP4 T. Jay Williams inside Hue
Between Country and People by SP5 Gene Cudworth the importance of RD cadremen

Special Features
Brief Bursts late news affecting you
Where East Meets West by LT Joe E. Moreland Jr. R&R in Japan
Combat Art impressions of an artist team
Nevah Hoppen humor under combat conditions
Volume: 2
Issue: 4
Item Creation Date: Spring 1970
Collection: Charles Winer Collection
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
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Added: 17 Oct 2017 [Updated: 30 Oct 2025]
The VHPA Aviator (Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)) - Newsletter - Citrus Heights, California
Newsletter Item Number: 2841Newsletter611006
[Number of Pages: 28]
FROM THE PRESIDENT BY Jack Salm


LETTERS:
A Shau Revisted FROM W.E. "Chico" Fernandez
Homecoming Friends FROM Art Jacobs
Dear Editor FROM Donald J. Smith
News from our Brothers in the CHPA FROM Jay Brown
The VHPA recieved a letter from Terry Wood FROM Terry Wood, Lisa Wood
The VHPA is looking for help... FROM Mike Law
Dear Editor FROM Lane Liston
Joe Kline responds FROM Joe Kline
Dear Editor FROM Phil Marshall
School loses high percentage of helicopter pilots KIA in Vietnam FROM Mike Sheuerman
Ed Freeman - "We Were Soldiers" FROM J. Michael Murphy


FEATURES:
Status of the 2009 VHPA Calendar Program BY Mike Law
Damn Helicopter Pilots
Old Eddie BY LaRue D. Wisener
Don Purser Recovers From Motorcycle Accident BY Tom Nesbitt, Don Purser
Vietnam veteran UH-1D takes final "Flight"
After Action Report - Return to Vietnam BY John Mackel
Farewell to an American Hero BY Joseph L. Galloway, Jack Heslin, Jim Stein


REUNION:
Help needed for the Philadelphia Reunion
San Antonio Reunion Followup BY Mike Whitten, Mike Maloy
2011 through 2012 Reunion Update... BY Jack Salm
Our next reunion in Phildelphia BY Dana Young, Dave Rittman, Joe Bilitzke
Pilots and Crewmembers celebrate together BY "MIK" Mikulan


CHAPTER ACTIVITES:
California chapter north BY Ken Fritz
Fort Wolthers chapter BY Adam Stezcko
Georgia chapter BY Bill Stanley
Mid South chapter BY "Pete" Norman IV
North Carolina chapter BY J.D. Lawson
Ohio River chapter BY John Flanagan
Rocky Mountain chapter BY Rick Beaver
Southern California chapter BY Ed Holguin
VHPA of Florida BY Don Welch
Washington State chapter BY Paul Fleming


TAPS:
Paul Michael Brennan - Ed (Too Tall to Fly) Freeman - Phillip H. Fisher - Gerald (Jerry) E. Froman - Robert L. Hartman Sr. - Michael B. Howe - Junius (Jay) Linwood Jones Jr. - Roger Montgomery - Elton G. Prine - Timothy P. Robbins - Ernest Rickenbacker - Bill Shadrick - Freddie A. Teaford - Gene Zacsek
Volume: 26
Issue: 05
Item Creation Date: September/October 2008
Collection: John Shafer Collection
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
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Added: 19 Oct 2017 [Updated: 22 Feb 2018]
Special History of 350th Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron Part II
Document Item Number: 27860107001
[Number of Pages: 159]
Item Creation Date: No Date
Collection: John B. Konek Collection
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
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Added: 25 Oct 2018 [Updated: 25 Oct 2018]
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Regimental Aviation Squadron FM1-114 - Headquarters Department of the Army - Booklet
Document Item Number: 28250102001
[Number of Pages: 56]
Item Creation Date: August 1986
Collection: James C. Smith Collection
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
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Added: 17 Oct 2018 [Updated: 23 Oct 2018]
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Woodstock One-Three - Manuscript Draft
Document Item Number: 30100420003
[Number of Pages: 54]
Author(s): Tom Marshall
Item Creation Date: 13 December 1994
Collection: William Thomas Marshall, Jr. Collection
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
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Added: 31 Jan 2022 [Updated: 08 Feb 2022]
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Woodstock One-Three - Manuscript Draft
Document Item Number: 30100420004
[Number of Pages: 63]
Author(s): Tom Marshall
Item Creation Date: 27 January 1995
Collection: William Thomas Marshall, Jr. Collection
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
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Added: 31 Jan 2022 [Updated: 08 Feb 2022]
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Woodstock One-Three (Patriot's Toll) - Manuscript Draft
Document Item Number: 30100421001
[Number of Pages: 89]
Author(s): Tom Marshall
Item Creation Date: 08 May 1995
Collection: William Thomas Marshall, Jr. Collection
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
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Added: 31 Jan 2022 [Updated: 08 Feb 2022]
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Interview with Bob Clewell
Oral History Item Number: OHD0115

[This Item may contain objectionable materials.]

Bob Clewell discusses his experiences in Vietnam with the U.S. Army. Clewell served as an artillery battalion advisor in IV Corps, August 1964 to September 1965. He returned for a second tour of duty as a fixed-wing pilot with the 145th Aviation Battalion, 74th Reconnaissance Airplane Company in March 1967.
Item Creation Date: 11 March 2024
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
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Added: 11 Mar 2024 [Updated: 11 Mar 2024]
Warrant Officer Candidate Student Guide - United States Army Primary Helicopter Center - Handbook
Document Item Number: 25830101002
[Number of Pages: 94]
Item Creation Date: 01 July 1966
Collection: Loren Hall Collection
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
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Added: 26 Oct 2022 [Updated: 26 Oct 2022]
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The VHPA Aviator (Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)) - Newsletter - Citrus Heights, California
Newsletter Item Number: 999Newsletter613675
[Number of Pages: 48]
FEATURES:
President’s Corner
From the Staff at HQ!
From the Managing Editor
A Letter About Butch Mchugh BY Donald Spivy
Welcome to the VHPA!
Mission 21 BY Colonel Rodger McAlister
Leave No Man Behind
Veteran’s Quilt Presentation and Quilters Show and Tell
Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association Membership Application
Book Reviews BY Phil Marshall
Cobra Reunion BY Dave Sale
The Devil’s Front Porch BY Stephen Helm

LETTERS:
Looking For FROM Ed Ban
Looking For FROM Brian Andrew
Looking For FROM Clarence Lewis
Looking For FROM Janet P. Price
Letters to the Editor FROM Mike Sheurman
Letter to the Editor FROM Al Doucette

CHAPTER ACTIBITIES:
VHPA Chapters
Alamo Chapter BY Mike Clark
Alaska Chapter BY Lynn Kile
American Huey 369 Chapter BY Philip Marchall
Georgia Chapter BY Doug Lackey
Michigan Chapter BY Rich Deer
North Alabama Chapter BY Ralph Weber
The Rocky Mountain Chapter and the Helicopter War Museum (HWM) BY Dale House
South Missouri Chapter BY Chuck Guy

TAPS:
Chapman, George – Cornwell, Donald O. – Davis, Alfred N. – Davis, Rudy P. – Deane, Howard D. – Ebbinga, Clarence T. – Fairley, Gerald B. – Fowler, Gary S. – Frazer, John W. – Garcia, George T. – Harbison, Kenneth R. – Dr. Huddleston, Elton M. – Kilduf, Rodney E. – McCown, Leland A. – Poe, Gerald D. – Potter, Leroy D. – Scott, James O. – Suillivan, Vincent J.
Volume: 42
Issue: 06
Item Creation Date: November/December 2023
Collection: Vietnam Center Collection
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
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Added: 13 Feb 2026 [Updated: 13 Feb 2026]
The VHPA Aviator (Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)) - Newsletter - Citrus Heights, California
Newsletter Item Number: 999Newsletter613676
[Number of Pages: 48]
FEATURES:
President’s Corner
From the Staff at HQ!
From the Managing Editor
A Letter About Butch Mchugh BY Donald Spivy
Welcome to the VHPA!
Mission 21 BY Colonel Rodger McAlister
Leave No Man Behind
Veteran’s Quilt Presentation and Quilters Show and Tell
Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association Membership Application
Book Reviews BY Phil Marshall
Cobra Reunion BY Dave Sale
The Devil’s Front Porch BY Stephen Helm

LETTERS:
Looking For FROM Ed Ban
Looking For FROM Brian Andrew
Looking For FROM Clarence Lewis
Looking For FROM Janet P. Price
Letters to the Editor FROM Mike Sheurman
Letter to the Editor FROM Al Doucette

CHAPTER ACTIBITIES:
VHPA Chapters
Alamo Chapter BY Mike Clark
Alaska Chapter BY Lynn Kile
American Huey 369 Chapter BY Philip Marchall
Georgia Chapter BY Doug Lackey
Michigan Chapter BY Rich Deer
North Alabama Chapter BY Ralph Weber
The Rocky Mountain Chapter and the Helicopter War Museum (HWM) BY Dale House
South Missouri Chapter BY Chuck Guy

TAPS:
Chapman, George – Cornwell, Donald O. – Davis, Alfred N. – Davis, Rudy P. – Deane, Howard D. – Ebbinga, Clarence T. – Fairley, Gerald B. – Fowler, Gary S. – Frazer, John W. – Garcia, George T. – Harbison, Kenneth R. – Dr. Huddleston, Elton M. – Kilduf, Rodney E. – McCown, Leland A. – Poe, Gerald D. – Potter, Leroy D. – Scott, James O. – Suillivan, Vincent J.
Volume: 42
Issue: 06
Item Creation Date: November/December 2023
Collection: Vietnam Center Collection
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
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Added: 13 Feb 2026 [Updated: 13 Feb 2026]
The VHPA Aviator (Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)) - Newsletter - Citrus Heights, California
Newsletter Item Number: 999Newsletter613661
[Number of Pages: 48]
FEATURES:
President’s Corner
From the Staff at HQ!
A legacy Committee Update BY Art Jacobs
Monument Unveiling at Fort Novosel BY Art Jacobs
Greetings for an Aviator: A poem written for Buck Elton
VHPA Veterans with Service-Connected Asbestos Injuries Should File a Claim with the VHPA BY Larry Dandridge
16th Annual Reunion of the 121st Assault Helicopter Company BY Vicky Kendig
Fort Rucker VHPA Monument Update!
Book Reviews BY Phil Marchall
Welcome to the VHPA!
The Day My Thoughts BY Bruce Girvan
Vietnam Helicopters Pilots Association Membership Application

LETTERS:
Some Thoughts on the Quilting Project FROM Dee Forringer
MIA Report: Rhode Island Vietnam Veterans War Memorial FROM Tom Morrissey
Malaria Symptoms Evident Long After Asia Service FROM Ross Ivey
Looking For FROM Randy Willis
Looking For FROM Paul Fitch
Looking For FROM Jim Chiles

CHAPTER ACTIVITIES:
Alamo Chapter BY Mike Clark
Georgia Chapter BY Doug Lackey
Michigan Chapter BY Rich Deer
North Alabama Chapter BY Ralph Weber
North Carolina Chapter BY Vic Rose
The Rocky Mountains Chapter and the Helicopter War Museum (HWM) BY Dale House

TAPS:
Anderson, Robert C. – Applegate, Warren – Atkinson, Arthur B. – Barnes, Edd G. – Brofer, Duane R. – Bucher, Burton W. – Charest, Donald S. – Conyers, James D. – ‘D’Enbeau, Joseph H. – Elton, Albert M. – Fitzgerald, Curtis W. – Fuller, Gregory D. – Genna, Christopher C. – Hankins, Guy L. – Harrison, Sammie L. – Hensen, Kenneth C. – Hill, Frank D. – Hipp, Gerold T. – Jackson, Wilfred A. – Jameson, Stephen R. – Jones, Rodger L. – Jones, Thomas H. – Lamkin, Ulyses – Lipper, Donald H. – Lockhart, Henry D. – Louch, Robert J. – Lynn, Ellie E. – Matthews, Arlie B. – Mattie, Vernon C. – Michal, Thomas K. – Patterson, Robert W. – Patterson, William A. – Price, Arthur R. – Pritchard, Robert N. – Roberts, William R. – Rodgers, James W. – Schmidt, Rodney A. – Sheridan, Joseph M. – Young, James H. – Zensen, William N.
Volume: 44
Issue: 02
Item Creation Date: April/June 2025
Collection: Vietnam Center Collection
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
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Added: 09 Feb 2026 [Updated: 11 Feb 2026]
The VHPA Aviator (Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)) - Newsletter - Citrus Heights, California
Newsletter Item Number: 999Newsletter613662
[Number of Pages: 48]
FEATURES:
President’s Corner
From the Staff at HQ!
A legacy Committee Update BY Art Jacobs
Monument Unveiling at Fort Novosel BY Art Jacobs
Greetings for an Aviator: A poem written for Buck Elton
VHPA Veterans with Service-Connected Asbestos Injuries Should File a Claim with the VHPA BY Larry Dandridge
16th Annual Reunion of the 121st Assault Helicopter Company BY Vicky Kendig
Fort Rucker VHPA Monument Update!
Book Reviews BY Phil Marchall
Welcome to the VHPA!
The Day My Thoughts BY Bruce Girvan
Vietnam Helicopters Pilots Association Membership Application

LETTERS:
Some Thoughts on the Quilting Project FROM Dee Forringer
MIA Report: Rhode Island Vietnam Veterans War Memorial FROM Tom Morrissey
Malaria Symptoms Evident Long After Asia Service FROM Ross Ivey
Looking For FROM Randy Willis
Looking For FROM Paul Fitch
Looking For FROM Jim Chiles

CHAPTER ACTIVITIES:
Alamo Chapter BY Mike Clark
Georgia Chapter BY Doug Lackey
Michigan Chapter BY Rich Deer
North Alabama Chapter BY Ralph Weber
North Carolina Chapter BY Vic Rose
The Rocky Mountains Chapter and the Helicopter War Museum (HWM) BY Dale House

TAPS:
Anderson, Robert C. – Applegate, Warren – Atkinson, Arthur B. – Barnes, Edd G. – Brofer, Duane R. – Bucher, Burton W. – Charest, Donald S. – Conyers, James D. – ‘D’Enbeau, Joseph H. – Elton, Albert M. – Fitzgerald, Curtis W. – Fuller, Gregory D. – Genna, Christopher C. – Hankins, Guy L. – Harrison, Sammie L. – Hensen, Kenneth C. – Hill, Frank D. – Hipp, Gerold T. – Jackson, Wilfred A. – Jameson, Stephen R. – Jones, Rodger L. – Jones, Thomas H. – Lamkin, Ulyses – Lipper, Donald H. – Lockhart, Henry D. – Louch, Robert J. – Lynn, Ellie E. – Matthews, Arlie B. – Mattie, Vernon C. – Michal, Thomas K. – Patterson, Robert W. – Patterson, William A. – Price, Arthur R. – Pritchard, Robert N. – Roberts, William R. – Rodgers, James W. – Schmidt, Rodney A. – Sheridan, Joseph M. – Young, James H. – Zensen, William N.
Volume: 44
Issue: 02
Item Creation Date: April/June 2025
Collection: Vietnam Center Collection
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
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Added: 09 Feb 2026 [Updated: 11 Feb 2026]
The VHPA Aviator (Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)) - Newsletter - Citrus Heights, California
Newsletter Item Number: 999Newsletter613678
[Number of Pages: 48]
FEATURES:
President’s Corner
From the Staff at HQ!
A Korean, A Huey, A Lizard BY Richard Deer
Welcome to the VHPA!
Hooch-mates Reunion BY George Van Piper
Sometimes It’s Easier to Seek Forgiveness than Ask Permission BY John Wemlinger
Writers Panel Report: San Antonion 2023 By Tom Morrissey
Veteran’s Quilt Presentation and Quilter’s Show and Tell
Book Reviews BY Phil Marshall
Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association Membership Application
Charitable Gift Annuity
A Remembrance of Brigadier General Terence Henry, USA Retired
Help Prevent Mailing Lists

LETTERS:
Looking For FROM Walter Ringler
Looking For FROM Janet P. Price
Looking For FROM Jason Forsyth
Information About Future Air Travel FROM Tom Hirschler
Veteran’s Memorabilia FROM Jerry Mellick
Letters to the Editor FROM Ray Godfrey

REUNION:
Connecting the Past with the Present – VHPA Runion Welcomes Gold Star Families
Highlights from the 40th VHPA Reunion in San Antonio, Tx

CHAPTER ACTIVITIES:
VHPA Chapters
Alamo Chapter BY Mike Clark
American Huey 369 Chapter BY Phil Marshall
Georgia Chapter
North Alabama Chapter BY Ralph Weber
North Carolina Chapter BY Bey Gay, Phil Keith, Bill Dorn, Rick Mitchell, and Vic Rose
The Rocky Mountain Chapter and the Helicopter War Museum (HWM) BY Dale House
South Missouri Chapter BY Don Abrams

TAPS:
Alsip, Benard – Anderson, James D. – Berger, Curtis G. – Briggs, George R. – Broz, Vladmir R. – Byrd, William B. Jr. – Cater, John P. – Caplinger, Dick – Cross, Dennis – Cutts, Gerald S. – Damonte, Carlton R. – Deese, Victor T. – Dowdy, Roy G. Jr. – Graham, Charles E. – Dessau, Gunter H. – Haley, Robert H. – Himes, John L. – Hinks, Thomas E. – McCoy, James D. – McGowan, John J. – Miller, James L. – Phelps, Thomas D. – Price, Donald A. – Robert, Raoul W. – Sexton, Harry E. – Smith, Rayburn G. – Tarbe, ben – Warner, Ronald L. – Wayne, O. B. III
Volume: 42
Issue: 05
Item Creation Date: September/October 2023
Collection: Vietnam Center Collection
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
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Added: 13 Feb 2026 [Updated: 13 Feb 2026]
The VHPA Aviator (Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)) - Newsletter - Citrus Heights, California
Newsletter Item Number: 999Newsletter613677
[Number of Pages: 48]
FEATURES:
President’s Corner
From the Staff at HQ!
A Korean, A Huey, A Lizard BY Richard Deer
Welcome to the VHPA!
Hooch-mates Reunion BY George Van Piper
Sometimes It’s Easier to Seek Forgiveness than Ask Permission BY John Wemlinger
Writers Panel Report: San Antonion 2023 By Tom Morrissey
Veteran’s Quilt Presentation and Quilter’s Show and Tell
Book Reviews BY Phil Marshall
Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association Membership Application
Charitable Gift Annuity
A Remembrance of Brigadier General Terence Henry, USA Retired
Help Prevent Mailing Lists

LETTERS:
Looking For FROM Walter Ringler
Looking For FROM Janet P. Price
Looking For FROM Jason Forsyth
Information About Future Air Travel FROM Tom Hirschler
Veteran’s Memorabilia FROM Jerry Mellick
Letters to the Editor FROM Ray Godfrey

REUNION:
Connecting the Past with the Present – VHPA Runion Welcomes Gold Star Families
Highlights from the 40th VHPA Reunion in San Antonio, Tx

CHAPTER ACTIVITIES:
VHPA Chapters
Alamo Chapter BY Mike Clark
American Huey 369 Chapter BY Phil Marshall
Georgia Chapter
North Alabama Chapter BY Ralph Weber
North Carolina Chapter BY Bey Gay, Phil Keith, Bill Dorn, Rick Mitchell, and Vic Rose
The Rocky Mountain Chapter and the Helicopter War Museum (HWM) BY Dale House
South Missouri Chapter BY Don Abrams

TAPS:
Alsip, Benard – Anderson, James D. – Berger, Curtis G. – Briggs, George R. – Broz, Vladmir R. – Byrd, William B. Jr. – Cater, John P. – Caplinger, Dick – Cross, Dennis – Cutts, Gerald S. – Damonte, Carlton R. – Deese, Victor T. – Dowdy, Roy G. Jr. – Graham, Charles E. – Dessau, Gunter H. – Haley, Robert H. – Himes, John L. – Hinks, Thomas E. – McCoy, James D. – McGowan, John J. – Miller, James L. – Phelps, Thomas D. – Price, Donald A. – Robert, Raoul W. – Sexton, Harry E. – Smith, Rayburn G. – Tarbe, ben – Warner, Ronald L. – Wayne, O. B. III
Volume: 42
Issue: 05
Item Creation Date: September/October 2023
Collection: Vietnam Center Collection
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
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Added: 13 Feb 2026 [Updated: 13 Feb 2026]
Magazine Articles (4) with Cover, Newsweek - Vietnam: The Specter of Defeat / Vietnam's Thieu Fights A One Man War / Another Ordeal Looms For Hue / What Went Wrong in Vietnam: The Fallacies in U.S. Policy
Document Item Number: 8850721004
[Number of Pages: 7]
Item Creation Date: 15 May 1972
Collection: Michael Sloniker Collection
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Added: 30 Nov 2017 [Updated: 01 Dec 2017]
Item is Copyrighted – Check for access via the Vietnam Reading Room portal.
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2013 Calendar, Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA) - HOW BLUEGHOSTS KEPT SCORE
Document Item Number: 20080219001
[Number of Pages: 28]
Item Creation Date: 2013
Collection: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA) Collection
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
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Added: 28 Aug 2018 [Updated: 28 Aug 2018]
Item is Copyrighted – Check for access via the Vietnam Reading Room portal.
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2014 Calendar, Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA) - A 177TH AHC LRRP INSERTION
Document Item Number: 20080220001
[Number of Pages: 28]
Table of Contents
Front Cover Photo – A 117th AHC LRRP Insertion – VHPA Member Ray Johnson took this photo of two 117th AHC UH-1Hs in 1969 while escorting them in a Huey gunship someplace in western III Corps. #68-15582 is nearest the camera. In April 1969 #582 joined the 117th straight from the factory and in September 1970 it was removed from US Army inventory for unknown reasons. On this day they were inserting a Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol (LRRP).

January
Iroquois Night Fighter And Night Tracker (INFANT)
UH-1M INFANT NETT – March 1971 – VHPA Subscriber Doug Elgin took this photo during a maintenance check at Phu Loi. Doug was a civilian engineer with Hughes Aircraft Company who built the AN/ASQ-132 image intensification system that worked at night sometimes augmented with infrared searchlights. The INFANT detachment deployed to Vietnam in Nov 1969 and inititally served with D/229th AHB 1st Cav Div at Lai Khe before being assigned to the 1st Avn Bde and based at Phu Loi. A total of about eight INFANT systems served in Vietnam from Nov 1969 through the end of 1971. This photo is dedicated to the crew (LTC Kvernes, 1LT Carmichael, WO1 Debner, and SFC Spivey) of #66-0726 who died on 2 Jan 1970 while on an early INFANT mission.

February
H Troop 10th Cavalry
OH-6A and AH-1G from H/10th Cav – May 1972 – VHPA Member Steve Shepard took these photos at Camp Holloway not long after C/7/17th Cav was reflagged H/10th Cav on 30 April 1972. Though C Troop had been based at Lane Army Heliport at An Son near Qui Nhon since April 1969, H Troop frequently conducted ‘dual operations’ around Pleiku or Phan Rang and the Bong Son for weeks at a time in 1972. The small photos were taken in the Cobra maintenance area at Phan Rang.

March
A PipeSmoke Recovery
A 357th Transportation Company team recovers a downed UH-1 – November 1968. VHPA Member Joel Nicoll provided these photos taken near Lai Khe. Starting at the top left – the Infantry secures the area, the rigging crew checks for booby traps, then in a little more than 60 seconds (if no one is shooting at them) the main blade is secured low to the toes of the front skids and to the tail boom. The rotor head adapter plus a second strap are secured to receive the Chinook’s hook. The rigging crew then depart for home to their Huey.

April
A Tribute to UH-34 Equipped HMM-361
HMM-361 – December 1967 and April 1968. VHPA Member Seppo Hurme took these photos. The main photo shows HMM-361’s aircraft leaving the USS Iwo Jima. The aircraft in the top photo is fresh out of PAR and has been retrofitted with a powerful AM/FM/SSB 2-30 MHz radio, whose antenna you can see on the port side. (See the small photos.) Squadron mechanics are working on the rotor head in the center photo. The ’34 has a relatively complex rotor head including lead and lag hinges with dampers and flapping hinges. Additionally there are bearing stacks that keep the rotor blades from detaching from the rotor head and that allow for pitch changes. All of these had to be lubricated periodically requiring lots of maintenance hours. HMM-361 arrived in Da Nang in June 1963 and served in or off Vietnam until late May 1968 when it returned to CONUS. There it was redesignated HMH-361 with CH-53s. HMH-361 arrived in Vietnam in August 1969.

May
DUSTOFF
UH-1H Air Ambulance – 1969. VHPA Member Ray Johnson took this photo someplace in III Corps during 1969. We’ll just use it as a tribute to all who crewed or flew DUSTOFF.

June
Gun Platoon 240th AHC
240th Assault Helicopter Company (AHC) UH-1Cs - 1968 and 1969. VHPA Members Glenn Hoffman and Ray Johnson provided these photos from their tours. We’ll use them as a tribute to all the MAD DOGs that served in the gun platoon.

July
1st Brigade 101st Airborne Division
OH-6As and UH-1Hs from the Aviation Platoon of HHC 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division in I Corps – 1968-1969. VHPA member Pete Rzeminski took these photos. Collectively they are a tribute to WO1 TS Michael (pilot), 1LT DM Noonaw (observer), and SP5 DE McGee (CE) who perished in a 1st Bde OH-6A on 4 July 1969. When Pete joined in Aug 1968 their Hueys used the Griffin radio callsign and the LOHs LITTLE GRIFFIN – as per the nose art in the B and W photo. The patch changed to the round ‘bullseye’ design and the nose art to the large red, blue square with the white ‘1’. The small photo shows part of the Camp Eagle Flight Line.

August
271st Assault Support Helicopter Company
CH-47 from 271st ASHC at Rach Soi in IV Corps – 1968. VHPA Subscriber Mike Treinen took this photo at the “Long Strip”, Rach Soi in Kien Giang Province of IV Corps while serving there with MACV Team 55. The 271st, based out of Binh Thuy Air Base at Can Tho, were known as the “Innkeepers.” The 164th CAG’s patch is shown on the calendar grid.

September
A Tribute to the H-3 Detachments of HC-7
US Navy Helicopter Combat Support Squadron (HC-7) H-3As Yankee Station – 1967-1975. VHPA Member Tom Phillips and HC-7 Historian Ron Milam provided these photos. HC-7 were also known as ‘The Orphans of the 7th Fleet’ and Sea Devils. Commissioned 1 Sep 1967 and decommissioned 30 June 1975 the Squadron had 15 dets (detachments) that flew H-2s, H-3s, RH-3s, H-46s and H-34s. This collage is a tribute to Big Mother (slang for the large H-3 helicopter) Dets 110 and 111. The following attempts to describe what we see in the main photo. H-3A sitting on the makeshift flight deck of a Farragut class DLG (guided missile destroyer leader). Tail wheel is about six feet from the deck edge coaming. Blade tips are about six feet from the missile launcher. Another H-3 folded and stuffed tail first up along the portside of the missile house. Left engine cowling door/maintenance platform is open with a red engine host rigged to change #1 engine.

October
Doug Jackson’s Tour
OH-23s from D Troop, 1st Squadron 10th Cavalry, 4th Infantry Division – 1967-1968. VHPA Member Doug Jackson provided these photos of the first half of his tour with D/1/10th Cav at Camp Enari. He states: “I joined Delta Troop as a WO1 in Oct 1967. I flew 23s as a Shamrock scout for about six months until we got Oh-6As. On 28 Oct 1967 SP4 LP Lepage and I crashed in #64-15168 after the engine failed. We were hovering over some trees when the engine blew a jug. That’s why I wrote that message on the photo. That was the only one I crashed. I flew OH-6As for about two months then the rest of my tour I flew in the Troop Commander’s Command and Control Huey. I have fond memories of my friends and times in that Air Cavalry Troop.”

November
307th CAB Supports Operation Sealords
OH-6A #67-16013 from the 307th Combat Aviation Battalion at Rach Soi, IV Corps – December 1969. VHPA Subscriber Mike Treinen took this photo at Rach Soi in Kien Giang Province of IV Corps while serving there with MACV Team 55. Army Aviation Battalions had UH-1Hs and OH-6As in the Aviation Platoon of their Headquarters and Headquarters Company. The 307th CAB, based at Can Tho, was known as the “Phantoms.” This LOH is landing on a US Navy Armored Troop Carrier (ATC (H)) boat also known as a “Tango” Boat.

December
He Ain’t Heavy … He’s My Brother!
HMH-463 CH-53A recovers a UH-34D – 1967. VHPA Member Richard ‘Clutch’ Hendrie took this photo from a USMC gunship while covering this recovery mission somewhere southwest of Da Nang. A four-plane detachment from HMH-463 arrived in Vietnam in December 1966. The remainder of the squadron deployed during May 1967 to Marble Mountain where they participated in combat operations the next four years.

Above – Thank You 25th Aviation Battalion
VHPA Member Mitch Wilhelm received this memento after flying the 25th Infantry Division’s Commanding General’s Huey for three months ending in July 1969. The original artist is not known. The illustration tries to capture some of the 25th Aviation Battalion’s interesting missions. The little note tags are difficult to read. Starting near the tail rotor Leaflet Drop System, Aerial Observer, Frequency Monitor, Smoke Generator, Litter, C and C, Search Light, Radar, Camera, People Sniffer, supporting Rome plows, rockets, 750 lb bomb, dropping mortar rounds, dropping Phougas, sling load, flares, CS canisters, loud speaker, star light on door gun.
Below – 15 April 1968 HC-7 Rescues #30 and #32
Two F-4 from VF-114 apparently collided over North Vietnam near Vinh. All four ejected and landed in the water ¼ to ½ mile off shore. USS Halsey (DLG-23) on South SAR station had Clementine and Big Mother on deck. Both launched. Big Mother 72 was on scene first, locating two survivors and picked them up. Clementine 2 made two passes and put their swimmer in the water. Clementine made passes and picked up each survivor and the swimmer. Both helos received fire from shore batteries. During the rescue, Strike A-4s bombed shore batteries. Both helos returned to USS Halsey with survivors. LTJG Nicholson (pilot), ENS Wiant (co-pilot), AX3 Peters, ADJ3 English of Det 110 in H-3 BIG MOTHER 72 rescued LCDR Farnsworth and LTJG Sarnecky. LTJC Jansen (pilot), LTJC Armstrong (co-pilot), ADJ3 Leagon, AN Grubbs of Det 109 in H-2 CLEMENTINE 2 rescued LTJG Baer and LTJG McCrealy.
Item Creation Date: 2014
Collection: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA) Collection
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
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Old Warriors (145th Comat Aviation Battalion (Vietnam) Association) - Newsletter
Newsletter Item Number: 2336Newsletter611227
[Number of Pages: 32]
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR BY James L. Bodkin


FEATURES:
Battalion History: Commander’s Combat Notes
Helicopter Tactics
New People Located List
Reunion Reports
Financial Report
Issue: 37
Item Creation Date: March 2002
Collection: Larry Leonard Collection
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
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Added: 09 Apr 2018 [Updated: 09 Apr 2018]
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2006 Calendar, Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA) - 2006 Calendar
Document Item Number: 20080212001
[Number of Pages: 28]
Table of Contents

January
This Sikorsky CH-53A was photographed by Robert Brackenhoff at Quang Tri in Feb 1971 during Lam Son 719. Other pictures this month are of Marine CH-53s; one taken by Dean Nelson at Chu Lai and another by Fred Thompson at Khe Sanh.

February
This photograph of three AH-1 Cobras assigned to the 3/17 Air Cav was taken by Robert Brightwell during his Vietnam tour in 1970. Other pictures appearing this month are a Bell AH-1G as it returns to Quang Tri on a late February afternoon in 1971 during Lam Son 719, taken by Rober Brackenhoff, and a picture of a camouflage-painted Cobra snapped by Larry Winters at Song Be in 1970.

March
This CH-54, Skycrane was photographed by Michael Inlow during his 1970-71 tour. It was taken at Khe Sahn during the Lam Son 719 operation. Michael Inlow also photographed the Skycrane during refuling at the Quang Tri POL site in September of 1970. The other CH-54 picture shown this month was taken by Joe Duvall.

April
Robert Brightwell photographed this OH-6A assigned to C Troop, 3/17 Cavalry during his 1968-69 Vietnam tour. Other photos: The two OH-6As were photographed in flight by Jack Cattilini. A Hughes OH-6A (serial number 67-16680) taken in Quang Tri revetment in Feb 1971 during Lam Son 719 by Robert Brackenhoff.

May
The three photographs appearing this month were taken by Robert Brackenhoff. They are of a Bell 204B of Air America (manufacturer’s serial number 2198 – civil registration N1306X). One of the photos shows the aircraft sitting at LZ Bronco, in front of the Headquarters of the 11th Infantry Brigade, “Jungle Warriors” in 1970 or early 1971. The aircraft survived the war and research shows it is recently registered as N204AQ. Another picture of this aircraft with an OH-6A in the background was taken at Quang Tri in Feb 1971 during Lam Son 719.

June
The photo of these two UH-1B helicopters was taken by Robert Brightwell at Sandy Point in IV Corps during his Vietnam tour. The aircraft belonged at one time to the U.S. Army and later transferred to the U.S. Navy. Other pictures shown during this month are of a UH-1 landing on a Naval ship, photographed by John Nielson in 1966, and of a CH-47 Gunship, call sign “birth control,” on the USNS Corpus Christi Bay taken by Al Doucette in 1967.

July
This Boeing-Vertol CH-47A of the 196th ASHC (serial number 66-19052) shoots a touch and go at Duc Pho in 1970. This aircraft survived the war and was later upgraded to a CH-47D. A second photo of a Boeing Bertol CH47A belonging to the 196th ASH (serial number 65-7997) is shown after a practice GCA approach to Duc Pho in 1970. Both photos were taken by Robert Brackenhoff during his 1970 tour. Te third picture was taken by Jack Cattilini.

August
Robert Brightwell photographed this UH-1 assigned to the U.S. Air Force during his 1968-69 tour. The other picture shown below is of a Air Force HH-43, Pedro sitting on a standby pad at Cam Ranh Bay.

September
The CH-37, Mojave, being towed to the flight line was photographed by John Nielson in 1965. John also took the picture of the two CH-37s framing the UH-1 landing formation. The other photo of a CH-37 on the ramp in Bangkok was taken by Don Joyce.

October
This OH-13 was employed as a scout aircraft of an Air Cavalry unit prior to being replaced by the OH-6A. Both photographs appearing in this month were taken by John Nielsen.

November
Al Doucette photographed all three of the pictures shown this month. This CH-21 is awaiting its next mission in 1962. Montagnaard villagers can be seen curiously inspecting the helicopter, a new sight to them. The CH-21 armament consisted of 30 caliber door guns shown in one of the photos below.

December
This photograph of a UH-1H sling loading an OH-6A belonging to the 7/17 Air Cav was taken by John Kawa in October of 1968. The picture of the CH-47 with a UH-1H on a sling was taken by Jack Cattilini. The third photo is of the Chinook Flight Engineer’s most frequent view of UH-1D Huey. This busted bird is a “Minuteman” from the Lift Platton of the 176th AHC at Chu Lai as it was being lifted back to maintenance by a 178 ASHC, Boxcar Chinook. It was photographed by Dean Nelson.

Above
This photograph of a Bell OH-58A (serial number 68-16884) was taken by Robert Brackenhoff at Quang Tri in Feb 1971 during Lam Son 719.
Item Creation Date: 2006
Collection: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA) Collection
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
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2009 Calendar, Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA) - 2009 Calendar
Document Item Number: 20080215001
[Number of Pages: 28]
Table of Contents
Front-Cover-Photo – An official US Army photo taken on 29 Mar 1970. Members of Company D, 503rd Infantry, 173rd Airborne Brigade return sniper fire and call in support while on a search and secure mission northwest of Bong Son. The Huey is from the Casper Aviation Platoon of HHC 173rd Abn Bde.

January
God’s Own Lunatics
This is another magnificent painting from VHCMA member Joe Klein. Joe attends all our Reunions and provides customized prints. The Casper Aviation Platoon pocket patch and the 173rd Airborne Brigade shoulder patch are presented here as a tribute to the soldiers shown on the cover photo.

February
The Case of the Disappearing Chinook
These photos were taken by VHPA member Joe Riley in April 1969 of a CH-47 delivering supplies and a water trailer to a fire support base some place in III Corps. Dust was a huge problem for helicopter operations during the war. The insert photo shows the dust storm caused by the Chinook’s rotor wash. VHPA member Ron Magnus provided the small photo of the Chinook lifting an artillery piece. VHPA member Steve Shepherd provided the photo of the Chinook flying overhead.

March
Views from Jim’s Office
Views from the Flight Engineer’s seat in a 355th Heavy Helicopter Company (HHC) CH-54A in late 1968. These photos belong to VHCMA Member Jim Sheridan. They were taken from #67-18425 that was nicknamed ‘The Hulk.’ The top left photo was taken at the Workhorse Corral at Camp Holloway, Pleiku. Jim arrived in Vietnam in May 1967 with the MOS of 67T30 (CH-54 mechanic) and served with the 478th HHC until March 1968. He extended and served with the 355th HHC as a Flight Engineer until late Jan 1969. The lower left photo shows a 155mm howitzer. The lower right shows a load of Class V (ammunition). The top right photo shows the fuselage of 478th HHC CH-54A #67-18414 that crashed at An Khe on 27 Sep 1968 with a pod carrying passengers. VHPA member Al Fink provided the photo of the Skycrane cockpit.

April
Welcome to Chu Lai Dustoff
54 denotes the revetment row for the 54th Med Det Hueys and 68 for the 68th Med Det Hueys. Dick was standing at the X when he took the colored photo of the flight line. M shows the Motor Pool area, S the shower and out house, C the club, H the living area hooches (about 8 in number), R the radio shack (received DUSTOFF calls), B the Bunker, V where the camp Veterinary team lived, HQ the administration building, CO the Commanding Officer’s hooch, and O the joint operations for both Dets. The down arrow points toward the area for the 68th Med Det’s buildings and the mess hall. These photos were taken by VHPA member Dick Lund about July 1970 at Chu Lai while he was with the 54th Medical Detachment. Dick says, “Chu Lai was a good base to work from. The pilots and other personnel in the 54th and the 68th were good to work with.”

May
Pop A Smoke
VMO-2 UH-1E in April/May 1968 at Da Nang. These photos belong to VHPA and Pop-A-Smoke member Seppo Hume. The large photo was taken from an HMM-361 UH-34D landing on the pad for the CG of the 1st Marine Division. Among its many missions, VMO-2 was tasked to support several VIPs, including the CG of the 3rd Marine Amphibious Force (MAF), the overall commander of all Marine forces in Vietnam. On this particular day VMO-2 apparently did not have enough UH-1E slicks so a gunship was stripped of its machine guns and rockets, although the supporting rails are still there, as well as the Emerson Electric TAT101 nose turret (which did not work half the time). The small photo shows Seppo in late May, after he and six other HMM-361 pilots had transferred to HML-167 when the former had stood down. HML-167 came into existence in April of that year. It shared crews and aircraft with VMO-2.

June
Sharks
The paint schemes for the UH-1Cs of the gun platoon, The Sharks, of 174th AHC were always special. The late VHPA member Fred Thompson took this photo in late 1970 in southern I Corps. He also provided the small photo of another Shark UH-1C being refueled

July
The 228th ASHB Goes To War
VHPA member Ron Ehmann took the large picture on 11 September 1965 as aircraft from the 228th Assault Support Helicopter Battalion, 1st Air Cavalry Division were leaving the USNS Boxer anchored in Qui Nhon harbor. The insert photo shows the aircraft in their protective shrouds or cocoons en route to Vietnam. This ship departed Mayport, Florida on 15 August, crossed the Atlantic, went through the Suez Canal, around Singapore and arrived off Qui Nhon on 10 September. From Ben Silver’s wonderful book Ride At A Gallop we learn there were 26 CH-47s, 4 CH-54s, 50 UH-1s, plus some OV-1s on the Boxer. Ron flew an H-13 from the Boxer. He served with HHC 1st Bde, 1st Cav until he was wounded on 5 May 1966 and evaced. VHPA member Ellwood Soderlind provides the small photo of a CH-47 in III Corps delivering supplies to an Armored Cavalry unit.

August
Almost A Super Gaggle!
VHPA member Pete Baxter took these photos about May 1967 of a 227th Assault Helicopter Battalion, 1st Air Cavalry Division Combat Assault north of Qui Nhon and south of LZ English. We count 15 Hueys plus Pete’s. Pete says, “we used the term ‘super gaggle’ whenever multiple Huey companies were involved in the same insertion. While this was a pretty good sized operation, we had conducted a larger one about a month prior to this.” In the small photo Pete is looking back while his good friend and now VHPA member, Roger Gallagher, is driving.

September
This Is DMZ DUSTOFF
VHPA member Phil Marshall helped gather these photos from members of the DMZ Dustoff, 237th Medical Detachment (Helicopter Ambulance) Association. CW2 Bob Hill (KIA 9/27/1970) took the upper left and the small photo of UH-1H #66-01125 at the 18th Surgical Hospital in Quang Tri. This Huey was an upgraded D Model that no one liked to fly, hence it was named Black Bitch. Sitting in the right seat is WO1 Michael Bradley who was killed with Bob Hill while searching for another downed 237th ship. Bob also took the lower right photo of a hoist mission with the patient being loaded on to the Jungle Penetrator. Bob’s photos were contributed by his brother Bruce Hill. Former medic Geoffrey Morris took the upper right photo in Laos during Lam Son 719 while landing to a hilltop position manned by the ARVN. VHPA member R. Lee Wood took the lower left photo during some training on the use of the Stokes Litter.

October
OH-6A LOH
VHPA members John Kawa and Steve Shepard provided most of these photos of 7/17th Cav aircraft. In the upper left we see the left side of OH-6A #67-16326 about February 1972 with the minigun system without the cowling that was common in earlier years. The upper right photo shows the flames coming from the minigun and how near it is to the pilot’s left arm. The lower right shows just how close to the vegetation (and hence the enemy weapons) an air cavalry LOH (Light Observation Helicopter) was. The second to the right shows a small collection of homemade bombs that the enlisted gunners and scout observers loved to make! The second to the left shows how various grenades were carried for easy and quick access by the observers. The lower left shows the successful recovery of a downed LOH. However, LOH crews will testify that the US Army left many, many crashed, burned, and otherwise destroyed LOHs all over Vietnam! The small photo shows a Scout crew “training” for their next mission.

November
H Troop (Air) 10th Cavalry
VHPA Member Frank Beall contributed the color photo of him and these unusual black and white after-mission photos taken by a USAF reconnaissance aircraft on 5 June 1972 near the Phu My-LZ Crystal area about 30 miles NNW of Qui Nhon. 1LT Beall and SP4 Doug Hansen were shot down by an SA-7 “Strella” heat seeking missile in OH-6A #69-16049 while on an air cavalry visual reconnaissance mission. Frank’s right leg was badly injured in the crash. The Command and Control Huey #68-15485, flown by CPT Zane Brown, WO1 Theodore Clymer, SP4 Mark Ely as crew chief and SP4 Denver Richards as gunner, rescued Frank and Doug but was shot down by enemy fire almost immediately after takeoff. Doug and Mark were badly injured when the Huey crashed. Following an impressive fire-power demonstration by the USAF and USN fighter-bombers directed by the USAF Forward Air Control (FAC) radio call sign WOLFMAN and Cobra gunships from H/10th Cav and the 129th AHC, a 129th AHC UH-1H flown by MAJ Alan Jones (the names of the other crew members are not currently known) successfully rescued the six cavalry troopers. That evening the Eagle Battalion Intelligence/Operations staff showed Frank the photos taken by the USAF and gave him prints of these photos. The small photos are enlargements of another USAF ‘close-up’ photo.

December
Another Purple Fox Extraction
VHPA and Pop-A-Smoke member Walt Wise contributed this photo of three HMM-364 CH-46Ds extracting an infantry unit on a beautifully day in July 1970 about 8 miles southeast of An Hoa in what the Marines called The Arizona Territory, also known as the An Hoa Basin in Quang Nam province in I Corps. The white circle on the aft-pylons hosted their famous patch. If you happen to meet a veteran from the 1966s, ask him about the ‘Give a S---‘ patch. Most Purple Foxes love to tell that story!! VHPA and Pop-A-Smoke member Seppo Hurme took the small photo of an Army 478th HHC CH-54A recovering a Marine HMM-364 CH-46 in July 1968 at Da Nang.

Top
Welcome to the 339th Transportation Company
VHCMA Members Bob Elzer and Ed Buys provided these photos from their tours with the 339th Transportation (Aircraft Direct Support) Company based at Nha Trang in 1964. The 339th TC had two UH-1Bs (one was armed) plus four CH-37Bs. All the 37s had names like “BUF” and “Igor’s Numba Wun.” The photos on the left show what happened when a CH-37 lost power while taking a hanger-tug to another airfield about June 1964. The tail rotor was damaged during the landing. Luckily the water wasn’t too deep and they were still near Nha Trang. They opened the clam-shell doors, drove the tug out, brought in a metal stand, repaired the tail rotor, made carburetor adjustments and took off.

Bottom
Bob Snead Commemorates the Ruthless Riders
VHPA Member Bob Snead is a professional cartoonist. His cartoons appeared in the Pacific Stars and Stripes and the Army Times newspapers even while he was flying for the 170th AHC out of Pleiku in 1968. He is the author of ‘Hours and Hours of Boredom’ – a wonderful collection of cartoons about Army flight school, fixed and rotary wing aviation situations. For the 1992 VHPA Directory, Bob was kind enough to draw some cartoons from Mike Law’s ideas from the folklore of the 7/17th Air Cavalry Squadron who used the Ruthless Riders nom de guerre from 1967 until late 1972 in the II Corps area. The LOH has B Troop’s Scout Platoon pocket patch but it was taken from a picture of C Troop OH-6A #67-16096 that crashed on 20 Nov 1968 during a training flight. The Infantry cartoon was adapted from a John (Tim) Stidham photo of A Troop’s Blues taken in 1968 in the mountains near Dak To.
Item Creation Date: 2009
Collection: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA) Collection
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
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Added: 02 May 2018 [Updated: 02 May 2018]
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2002 Calendar, Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA) - A 174th AHC Shark
Document Item Number: 20080208001
[Number of Pages: 28]
Table of Contents
Front Cover Photo – Fred Thompson provided this photo of a 174th AHC UH-1C gunship. As mentioned in the 1994 VHPA Directory, this gun platoon loved to name and paint their UH-1Cs around things relating to the ocean. Dolphin and Seahorse were the favorite radio callsigns for the 174th slicks and Shark for their gunships. Several of their UH-1Cs displayed a very wide and colorful version of shark’s teeth. The back cover of the 1994 VHPA Directory shows the rescue of the crew of ‘Surfer Girl’ from Laos during Lam Son 719. This photo may be showing ‘Surfer Girl’ during a rest break in southern I Corps.

January
A Dusty Rearm Point
Rick Gillihan was a field rearmer for A Troop, 7th Squadron, 17th Air Cavalry from April 1970 until April 1971. This picture was taken about August 1970. A Troop was still based at Camp Holloway near Pleiku at the time. We believe the rearm/refuel point was located on the dirt strip near Plei Do Lim or possibly Plei Me. Most of the time fuel and ammo was prepositioned by Chinooks but on this day you can see the rocket boxes still on the truck. On a normal day, A Troop would position two field rearmers, mostly for their Cobras, at the staging area. The rearmers were also experts in weapons system maintenance, especially the mini-guns. Rick says that this was a slow day; but when the Blues had been inserting or the Cobras were firing a lot – that would be a fast day.

February
Rescuing Grumpy
These photos originally appeared on the March 1970 issue of the 1st Aviation Brigade HAWK magazine and were republished on the covers of the 1990 VHPA Directory. In January 1970, CW4 Tom Pride and CW3 Walt Malson from the 273rd Aviation Company (Heavy Helicopter) experienced a transmission failure while flying a CH-54A named “Grumpy” about 160 miles south of Long Binh and made a successful forced landing. Field repairs were not possible, so the next day CW4 George Gagnon and CW3 Paul Eilers flew another crane to the rescue. Grumpy’s huge rotor blades were loosened by mechanics, then the assembly was lifted off and deposited on the ground. The blades were dismantled and loaded into a Chinook from the 205th ASHC. George said he was well “overgrossed” when he and Eilers pulled Grumpy from the Delta mud and took it to Can Tho where the engines were removed for the rest of the journey. Grumpy had to be unslung four times so the rescue crane could refuel; but nine hours later it was back on the Sanford Army Airfield maintenance pad. George finished the story by saying that Grumpy’s fuselage picked up a number of bullet holes in it during the return flight.

March
Robinhood and Crossbow Maintenance
Joel Dummer served in various maintenance positions with the 173rd AHC at Lai Kha, Dong Ha, and Da Nang during 1970 and 1971. This picture was taken while they were still at Dong Ha in June 1971. Robinhood was the favorite radio callsign for the 173rd slicks and Crossbow for their gunships.

April
A Rockpile Resupply
Dave Althoff provided this photo of an HMM-262 CH-46 on the famous Rockpile in 1967. This photo also appeared on the back cover of the 2000 VHPA Directory. Pop A Smoke is the name of the USMC Vietnam Helicopter Association.

May
A Dolphin CA
Fred Thompson took this photo of a 174th AHC Combat Assault someplace in southern I Corps during November 1970. This photo also appeared on the front cover of the 2000 VHPA Directory. The infantry are from the Americal Division. Dolphin was one of the favorite radio callsigns for the 174th slicks and Shark for their gunships. Fred was flying cover in a Shark gunship when he took this picture.

June
An Apache Troop Scout
Charlie Palek provided this photo of his A Troop, 7th Squadron, 1st Air Cavalry OH-6A taken in northeastern III Corps during the famous Cambodian Incursion of May and June 1970. This photo was taken with a 110 camera which explains why it is not very sharp. Today Charlie is a commercial photographer and wishes he had used a 35mm camera in Vietnam. A detailed account of Charlie’s second tour in Vietnam with the Blackhawks (7th Squadron, 1st Cavalry) of Vinh Long appeared in three installments in the VHCMA Newsletter starting with issue No. 49 for July 1999. Charlie is the guy in the back with the smile on his face and an M-60 in his lap.

July
Charlie Palek’s LOH Collection
Charlie Palek provided these photos of various A Troop, 7th Squadron, 1st Air Cavalry OH-6As. They were taken during early 1970 with a 110 camera.

August
A Ghostrider Ladder Ship
Former 195th AHC Crew Chiefs Don Hasse, Gene Neel and Jim Sallee provided several photos of their UH-1Hs wearing a camouflaged paint scheme. The unit’s primary mission was to support MACV-SOG operations in III Corps and over-the-fence in Cambodia. This ladder ship is heading for a SOG team extraction. During the summer of 1968, the 195th sought and was granted approval to repaint its aircraft; thus being the only ‘authorized’ camouflaged Army aviation unit. The U.S. Air Force at Binh Hoa agreed to provide the paint and do the work in a similar manner to their camo helicopters. This paint scheme consisted of a blue-white bottom to the aircraft and four tints of greens and browns on the upper surfaces. All markings indicating the aircraft ownership were eradicated. The 195th flew camo slicks and gunships during the last part of 1968, all of 1969, and the first half of 1970. Since the enemy could easily recognize these Hueys from all the other Army Hueys flying in III Corps, the camo birds found themselves frequent targets especially when operating out of Quan Loi. In mid-1970, the 195th repainted their aircraft to the traditional Army scheme.

September
Inserting the Blues
Jim Pratt provided these two photos of the same squad of B Troop, 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry infantry being inserted west of Duc Pho in May 1967. Both photos were taken by SSG Howard C. Breedlove. Jim obtained the negatives from the National Archives. The photo on the right is one of the most famous Vietnam Huey photos because it has appeared on several book covers in several more books. Jim reports there is still a friendly rivalry as to who is flying the UH-1D in the ‘famous’ photo. McNally and Mike Covey think it was them while John Flannagan and Jim Pratt think it was them. Everyone believe the crew chief was Earl Hobbs. Jim flew ‘DARLIN JENNY II’ until it was traded in for an H model.

October
Wretched Mildred
Tom Dooling provided this photo of a D Troop, 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry Cobra taken in 1970 at Dau Thieng. During most of its tour in Vietnam, D Troop supported the 25th Infantry Division based at Cu Chi.

November
An OH-58 KIOWA
Tom Elliston provided this copy of an official US Army photo taken in April 1970 of this OH-58 Light Observation Helicopter from C Troop, 3rd Squadron, 17th Air Cavalry.

December
Paul Frett’s Sikorsky Collection
Paul drew the Navy SH-3 in 1989, the Marine CH-53 in 1987, the Air Force HH-53 in 1986, and the Army CH-54A in 1981. You can see Paul’s complete line of Aviation Art on the Wings Aviation Products website.

Paul Frett’s Army Collection
Paul drew the UH-1H in 1980, the lower UH-1H in 1990, the CH-21C in 1988, and the CH-47C in 1981. You can see Paul’s complete line of Aviation Art on the Wings Aviation Products website.
Item Creation Date: 2002
Collection: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA) Collection
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
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Added: 27 Apr 2018 [Updated: 27 Apr 2018]
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The Observer (Information Office, U.S. MACV) - Newspaper - Saigon
Newspaper Item Number: 293Newspaper610946
[Number of Pages: 11]
Volume: 8
Issue: 24
Item Creation Date: 17 October 1969
Collection: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA) Collection: General Files
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Added: 29 Aug 2018 [Updated: 29 Mar 2021]
Annex A: H Troop (Air) 17th ACS Operations Standard Operating Procedure - Administrative Manual
Document Item Number: 30080105001
[Number of Pages: 55]
Item Creation Date: 1971
Collection: John G. (Jack) Heslin Collection
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
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Added: 04 Mar 2019 [Updated: 18 Mar 2019]
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The FWC-VHPA Newsletter (Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)) - Newsletter
Newsletter Item Number: 999Newsletter595231
[Number of Pages: 24]
FROM THE PRESIDENT BY Charles Holley


LETTERS:
Green inducted into aviation hall of fame FROM Retired Maj. Gen. M.J. Brady Sr.
February 1968 medevac crew still has not returned FROM Don Caldwell
Air museum small, but very impresive FROM Mel Latham
Australian member recalls terrific time at reunion FROM Andy Perry
Newsletter article answers pilot's 30-year question FROM Greg Smith
Pilot finds way to strengthen his system after exposure FROM Huey Walsh
Pilot may hold key to flood information FROM Koert Davidse
Promoting attendance draws pilots from units FROM Mike Sheuerman


TAPS:
William Thomas 'Bill' Graves - Terry A. Gunter - Bob Stafford - John B. "Brent" Morel - Merlin H. Olson - John Wallace - Jim Watkins


VHPA scholarship fund takes off BY Tom Payne


REUNION:
Rooms can handle maxi-reunions
United Airlines is official airline of Reunion 2001


FEATURES:
National reunion takes new direction BY Joe Bilitzke
Volume: 19
Issue: 2
Item Creation Date: June 2014
Collection: Vietnam Center Collection
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
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Added: 09 Jun 2015 [Updated: 05 Sep 2017]
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Book Excerpts from "The Blood Road: The Ho Chi Minh Trail and the Vietnam War" (John Wiley & Sons) - (pages 326-350 = part of ch.13: 1971, No Plug in the Funnel / 351-379 = ch.14: 1971-1975, The Road Turns South)
Document Item Number: 30100218001
[Number of Pages: 29]
Author(s): John Prados
Item Creation Date: No Date
Collection: William Thomas Marshall, Jr. Collection
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
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Added: 19 Jan 2021 [Updated: 19 Apr 2021]
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The VHPA Aviator (Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)) - Newsletter - Citrus Heights, California
Newsletter Item Number: 300Newsletter611009
[Number of Pages: 52]
FROM THE PRESIDENT BY Bob Hesselbein


LETTERS:
From the VHPA staff at HQ! FROM Sherry Rodgers
To the VHPA Reunion Committee, FROM George Van Riper
To the VHPA Reunion Committee, FROM Ken Bartholomew
To the VHPA Reunion Director, FROM Tom Wood
To the Members of VHPA... Thank You! FROM Susan Clotfelter Jimison
Gary Sterling Fowler, a member of the Fort Wolters Chapter of the VHPA, tends to hang on to things FROM Edward T. "Edd" Luttenberger
A Member of the VHPA wrote us to say:
To the Editor of the VHPA Aviator FROM F.L. (Fritz) Gruetzmacher
To the Editor of the VHPA Aviator FROM Michael Lazares
To the Editor of the VHPA Aviator FROM Larry Smith
To the Editor of the VHPA Aviator FROM John Brennan
Looking For.... Members and Trainers of Task Force Sea Wolf
Looking For.... The crew of Inagodadavita FROM Denise Hart
Looking For.... Information concerning a 24 February 1967 Dustoff Mission FROM Jim Burns
Looking For... Mister Wilson FROM Jan van den Noort
Looking For... Lost COpies of the Charger, the Vietnam magazine of the 196th Brigade of the Americal Division FROM Les Hines
Looking For.... more information concerning my father, John Leaf FROM Jennifer Ray
Looking For... Members that can provide details about the loss of a medivac helicopter on 5 September 1969 FROM David R. Holdsworth
Looking For - any information about the attached patch FROM Dana Merrill
Looking For... anyone who knew my father Richard Pearcy FROM Sheryol Pearcy Miller
What Can I Do With My Vietnam Stuff? FROM Mike Law


FEATURES:
An afternoon Search and Rescue mission in the southern Gulf of Tonkin BY Tom Phillips
Eyes with Teeth BY John Shafer
Gentlemen, we're incredibly lucky to have Julie Kink working for us and our familes...
A 15-year dream comes to completion BY John Hagleroad
Cambodian Sunset BY Robert Graham
Bringing Tony Home BY Tom Phillips
So You Actually Considered a Career in the Helicopter Industry? BY Chuck Ramsdell
So Few Vets... BY Danny Fisher
Susan J. flies with the Army Aviation Heritage Foundation BY Jerry Mellick


REUNION:
And the praise for our 2014 Reunion keeps rolling in...
"HOT LZ" Honors Vietnam War Vets BY Jim Singleton, Mike Neu


TAPS:
Ralph L. Allison - Kent W. Bennetts - Charles Wayne Dickerson - Jesse E. Felter - William E. Finney Jr. - Terrence Gese - Charles David Jochetz - Charles F. Johnson - Duane C. Ingram - Stanford N. Kaplan - John Patrick Leonard Jr. - Louis J. Martinez - David A. Measels - Robert N. Norona - Albert M. Orgain IV - Cecil W. Parker - Steven Paul Rhule - John Larry Rovetto - Ralph Edward Saylor Sr. - David Auther Ware - Patrick M. Wilson III - Randall Vern Wolfe


CHAPTER ACTIVITIES:
Alamo chapter BY Chip Brown
Georgia chapter BY Bill McRae
Oklahoma chapter
Southern California
Upper Midwest chapter BY Bert Leach
Washington State chapter BY J.C. Combs
North Alabama chapter
Michigan chapter BY Rich Deer
Rocky Mountain chapter
South Missouri chapter BY Bill Thompson
Old Dominion chapter BY Tom Rountreer


REVIEWS:
Duty, Honor and Betrayal BY John Penny
Missile!Missile!Missile! BY John Penny
We Gotta Get Out of this Place, Volume 2 BY John Penny
Eleven Months and Nineteen Days: A Vietnam Illustrator's Memoir BY John Penny
Volume: 33
Issue: 05
Item Creation Date: September/October 2014
Collection: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA) Collection: VHPA Newsletters
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
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Added: 20 Oct 2017 [Updated: 03 Jul 2018]
The VHPA Aviator (Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)) - Newsletter - Citrus Heights, California
Newsletter Item Number: 293Newsletter611103
[Number of Pages: 40]
FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE VHPA BY Gary Roush


REUNION:
VHPA 27th Annual Reunion San Diego
Veteran's Day, 2009 BY Gary Roush
Remarks at the Ronald Reaggan Presidential Library BY Gary Roush


LETTERS:
Neither Rain ~ nor Snow ~ nor Bullets FROM Thomas H. Nadeau
To the Editor of the VHPA Aviator FROM Paul Hart
Clarification FROM Tom Payne
To the members of the VHPA FROM Chuck Carlock
Hello David FROM Leo (Doc) Flory
I think I can add a small postscript FROM Lionel Shrago
Seeking the owner of a lost Class Ring FROM Linda Tuck
Dear Editor FROM Ron Garrison
ATTENTION: Pilots who flew the Central Highlands FROM John Everhart
We learn more about last issue's Found On Post Huey FROM John M. Harris
General Brady Needs Help FROM General Brady
More on the Unidentified Cav Guidon at Fort Irwin FROM William T. (Tom) Clary
Mr. Roush FROM Jack Stamps
Dear Sirs FROM Doug Robinett
Dear Sirs FROM Charles Johnson
Dear Members of the VHPA FROM Joe Parnar
To the Members of the VHPA FROM Joe Parmer
Dear members of the VHPA FROM Bill Parrish
Dear Sir FROM Stan Allen
Old Warrior, Hu1-D 64-13736 Seeks Crew Members FROM Bill Spies
Dear Sirs FROM Jack Morrison
Dear Sirs FROM Rod Henson
Webmaster FROM Chris Kohl
VHPA Members


FEATURES:
Story of a Warrior BY Tara Dixon Engel
Doing the right thing pays your Heart Dividends! BY Paul Bartlett
Liz's Story... BY Liz Rick
The VHPA Needs a Few Good Men... BY Moon Mullins
Head Up Members BY Jim Fulbrook
UH-1 Retirement Ceremony at Ft. Myers BY Jim FUlbrook
Army Aviation Association of America Hosts Ceremony BY Michael J. Wheeler
Downed Pilots Endure 30 Minutes of Intensity Before Rescue BY Sgt. 1st Class Thomas Mills
Dinner at the Cattleman's BY Howard D. Horton
I Should Have Never Let Dusty Go On That Crappy Little Mission by Himself BY David Adams
Chief WOPA BY Dan Grigsby
Where Eagles Dared: Focke and Flettner's WWII German Helicopters BY Ken McElroy
We Return to the Battle of An Loc... BY R.D. Toms Jr.
Scholarship Awarded
Attention VHPA Members ~ Now is the Time! BY Mike Sheuerman


CHAPTER ACTIVITIES:
Fort Wolters chapter BY Pat Richardson
VHPA of Florida chapter BY Jim Basta
Rocky Mountain chapter BY Gary Hurelle
Southern California chapter BY Tom Crosby
North Carolina chapter BY J.D. Lawson
South Missouri chapter BY John Sorensen
Georgia chapter BY "Skip" Bell
Montana chapter BY Todd Brandoff
San Antonio chapter BY Jon Osborn
Washington State chapter BY Frank Jones


TAPS:
Alfredo Coy - Billy J. Slusher - Bryson Ernest Penny - David (Dusty) Rhodes - Gary Eugene Pidock - George Wilson Derrick - Howard M. Moore - James H. Brahney - James Howard (Lucky) Edwards - John Hodnett - Larry Carmichael - Lee Kohl - Lloyd Dennis Lessor - Michael A. Martin - Michael Wayne Haley - Orville Elmer Bilhofner - Ray L. Chase - Vincent Joseph LeDuc - Willard M. "Will" Bennett Jr. - William "Bill" Robert Menucci - William Harold "Bill" Miller - William Gregg Stegemann - Michael J. Novosel Jr. - Dennis R. Freeman - Richard Eugene Warren


BOOK REVIEWS:
Distant War BY John Penny
Centaurs in Vietnam BY John Penny
Volume: 28
Issue: 1
Item Creation Date: January/February 2010
Collection: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA) Collection: General Files
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
 (Click For More Item Information)
Added: 22 Jan 2018 [Updated: 22 Feb 2018]
The VHPA Aviator (Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)) - Newsletter - Citrus Heights, California
Newsletter Item Number: 293Newsletter611113
[Number of Pages: 36]
FROM MIKE LAW, PRESIDENT OF THE VHPA BY Mike Law


FEATURES:
The 229th Assault Helicopter Battalion is Back on Active Duty BY Lewis J. McConnell
Retirement Ceremony fot the last Huey assigned to Fort Rucker BY Lawrence (Larry) Castagneto
The Wall That Heals BY Terry Garlock
Museum Activities continue to build through 2010-2011
"Why We Went" BY Charlie Gossett
US Army Special Operations Aviation Unit Activated BY Henry Cuningham
Helicopter Squadron 4 (HS4) sails into the sunset.... BY Robert Aguilar
The Vietnam Vet BY Michelle Riley Taylor
The VHPA visits the AAAA Convention in Nashville, Tennessee BY Christopher Horton
A Red Flag BY Randolph E. Crew
After Action Report - Smokey III is placed in the Smithsonian BY Al Watkins
Hall of Fame Inductee's



LETTERS:
To the Editor of the VHPA Aviator FROM Gene, Spider Man, Franck
To the Editor of the VHPA Aviator FROM Bob Mabey
To the Editor of the VHPA Aviator FROM Bob Eustice
To the Members of the VHPA FROM Lanny Julian
To the Members of the VHPA FROM Andrew "Sam" Hover
To the Editor of the VHPA Aviator FROM Neil Lee
To the Editor of the VHPA Aviator FROM Mike Bergman
To the Editor of the VHPA Aviator FROM Richard Deer
Gary Gluth FROM Ron Pepper
To Gary Roush, Author of the last issue's story about "Preserving Our Heritage" FROM A.H.T. Wilson
Gary Roush answered Tim with FROM Gary Roush
To the Editor of the VHPA Aviator, I must share this with the VHPA membership FROM A.G. McEntire
To the Editor of the VHPA Aviator FROM Jerry R. Martin
To the Members of the VHPA FROM Doug DeMint
Dear Editor of the VHPA Aviator FROM Bob Thompson
Looking For....... Gary Gluth FROM Ron Pepper
Looking For - Anyone who might have known WOC James A. Godfrey Jr. FROM Edward W. Horton
Looking For - Gunship and Transport Pilots involved in "Nine Days in May" battles FROM Warren Wilkins
Looking For.... members of D Troop 229th FROM Nick "Animal" Nicolai
Looking For... Dustoff Pilot from 1969 FROM Rich Hoffman
Looking For... Information on a CH-37 Mohave Helicopter FROM Stewart W. Bailey
Looking For..... the widow of Glenn Peter Burns FROM Brian Foulkes
VHPA'ers in the News BY Ramon Antonio Vargas


TAPS:
Andrew Benton Banks, Jr. - Bertram Arthur Maas - Bobby G. "Bob" Franklin - Chuck Johnson Pickett - David Blinn McLean - David Sherman Crighton, Jr. - Edward McClellan Lowry - Edward G. Quinlan - Emil "Jack" Kleuver - Frederick G. Funk - George J. "Joe" Montgomery - Jack E. Hughes - Jerry Rawlings - Joe W. Hill - John Douglas "Doug" Perrin - John McKinley Wilson - John Kettlewell II - Joseph F. Rutkokski - Phillip Moore Lee - Michael D. Pierce - Richard C. Warren - Robert Douglas McWilliam - Ronald H. Lilly - Roy J. Lowery - Tom Buckley - Theodore W. "Ted" Pratt - William John Derus - William Thomas Hargrove, Sr.


CHAPTER ACTIVITIES:
The Alamo chapter BY Chuck Oualline, Bob Dillon
Fort Rucker chapter BY Roscoe V. Souders
Georgia chapter BY Skip Bell
New England chapter BY Bill Williams
Southern California chapter BY Carl Cortez
South Carolina (Celebrate Freedom) chapter BY Larry Russell
South Dakota chapter BY Harold Pardew
Washington State chapter BY Doug Decker, Mark Hansen
North Alabama chapter BY Jim White
North Carolina chapter BY J.D. Lawson
Virginia chapter BY Ben Gay
Central New York chapter BY Jack Salm
Hawaii chapter BY Don Harlor
Montana chapter BY Todd Brandoff
Rocky Mountain chapter of the VHPA BY Ed Fickes
South Missouri chapter BY John Sorenson
Louisiana Gulf Coast chapter BY Phil Nuss


BOOK REVIEWS:
Crusader 23, I'd Rather Be Lucky Than Good BY John Penny
Before the Memories Fade BY John Penny
The Rise and Fall of Captain Methane: Autobiography of a Maverick BY John Penny
Wind Loggers BY John Penny
Volume: 29
Issue: 4
Item Creation Date: July/August 2011
Collection: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA) Collection: General Files
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
 (Click For More Item Information)
Added: 22 Jan 2018 [Updated: 22 Jan 2018]
The VHPA Aviator (Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)) - Newsletter - Citrus Heights, California
Newsletter Item Number: 293Newsletter611115
[Number of Pages: 40]
FROM MIKE LAW, PRESIDENT OF THE VHPA BY Mike Law


FEATURES:
Returning Fire: In the Beginning BY James W. "Pete" Booth
Let's Smoke on this... "Why We Went" BY Charlie Gossett
Christmas Day 1967
More than a Gunship Pilot...... BY Joseph M. Sheridan
VHPA'ers in the News BY Patrick Brady
Christmas Trick or Treat, thanks to some beautiful Australian girls... BY Bob Potvin
Christmas of 1966 with the 25th Infantry Division BY Benjamin R. Crabtree
Walt Winters recognized by the FAA
Another Close Call BY Robert C. Scarbrough
Eighteen VHPA Applicants Receive Scholarships From AAAA BY Mike Sheuerman
Welcome to the VHPA!
VHPA Membership Numbers Really Growing....... BY Mike Sheuerman
Chapter Six - My friendship with Bob Hope BY Ron Miller


LETTERS:
Dear David FROM John M. Schmidt
To the Editor of the VHPA in response for your request for Christmas in Vietnam stories... FROM Arthur Nussel
Looking for pilots on a mission in May of 1968 FROM Lloyd Crowl
Looking For pilots flying from Bearcat in 1968-70 FROM Eugene (Gene) Hansen
Looking for anyone knowing CWO Paul Rasmussen FROM Julie (Rasmussen) Osina


REUNION:
It's New Orleans - you're different there! BY Gary Roush


TAPS:
Charles D. Perriguey - Conrad "Buz" Keister - David Franklin Bunting - Donald C. Gray - Donald Lee Nichols - Donald Wayne Pickens - Douglas Scott - Dwight L. Lorenz - Edward A. Parnell - Frank Joseph Daniel Vassett - Gary Aus - Gary E. Lott - Glenn M. Erbaugh - Harry F. Pellett - Jack Harlan Carpenter - James "Jim" Riovo - James Snyder - Jimmy Dale "Jim" Helm - Jimmie Mitchell - John Anthony "Tony" Musci - John E. Pirkle - John G. Daneker - Ronald Ehmann - Kenneth Linville - John M. Stoen - Kenneth Francis Wilson - Leon Sidney Skeen - Martin Walker - Otis R. Key - Richard C. Brunell Jr. - Richard Michael Levy - Robert "Bob" Everett Durie - Ronald F. Young Jr. - Ronald R. Garner - Ronald Gordon "Rock" Rhoades - Richard Dean Baker - Thomas Daniel Casey - Thomas William Moritz - Floyd Ray Burchett


CHAPTER ACTIVITIES:
California chapter north BY Ken Fritz
Central New York chapter BY Tom McMillen
Fort Rucker chapter BY Roscoe Souders
Fort Wolters chapter BY Mike Sheuerman
Georgia chatper BY Skip Bell
Louisiana Gulf Coast chapter BY Vic Lent
Mid-South chapter BY Pete Norman IV
Montana chapter BY Todd Brandoff
New England chapter BY Bill Williams
North Alabama chapter BY Jim White
North Carolina chapter BY J.D. Lawson
Ohio River LZ chapter BY Jim Miller
Southern California chapter BY Sven Akesson
South Missouri chapter BY Russ Emory
South Carolina (Celebrate Freedom) chapter BY Larry Russell
VHPA of Florida chapter BY Jim Basta, Gary Harrell
Washington State chapter BY Mark Hansen
Volume: 29
Issue: 6
Item Creation Date: November/December 2011
Collection: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA) Collection: General Files
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
 (Click For More Item Information)
Added: 24 Jan 2018 [Updated: 22 Feb 2018]
Aviation, Army Lineage Series - U.S. Army Center of Military History - Book
Document Item Number: 2930606001
[Number of Pages: 206]
Item Creation Date: 1986
Collection: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA) Collection: General Files
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
 (Click For More Item Information)
Added: 15 Aug 2019 [Updated: 19 Aug 2019]
View all documents in this Folder : Box : Collection
Helicopter Primary Flight Training Manual - United States Army Primary Helicopter School
Document Item Number: 4030515001
[Number of Pages: 148]
Item Creation Date: 01 July 1966
Collection: Chuck Carlock Collection
Association: Rattler/Firebird Association
 (Click For More Item Information)
Added: 04 Dec 2024 [Updated: 06 Jan 2025]
View all documents in this Folder : Box : Collection
Attitude Instrument Flying - Department of the Army - Technical Manual
Document Item Number: 4030208003
[Number of Pages: 88]
Item Creation Date: December 1958
Collection: Chuck Carlock Collection
Association: Rattler/Firebird Association
 (Click For More Item Information)
Added: 28 Sep 2023 [Updated: 29 Sep 2023]
View all documents in this Folder : Box : Collection
Old Warriors (145th Comat Aviation Battalion (Vietnam) Association) - Newsletter
Newsletter Item Number: 2336Newsletter611217
[Number of Pages: 32]
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR BY James L. Bodkin


FEATURES:
145th Combat Aviation Battalion 1991 Reunion and Schedule
Battalion History: June 1966 to November 1967
Financial Report
New People Located List
Issue: 17
Item Creation Date: April 1991
Collection: Larry Leonard Collection
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
 (Click For More Item Information)
Added: 30 Mar 2018 [Updated: 06 Apr 2018]
Item is Copyrighted – Check for access via the Vietnam Reading Room portal.
1997 Calendar, Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA) - Widow Maker
Document Item Number: 20080204001
[Number of Pages: 28]
Table of Contents
Front Cover Photo – An Ah-1G Cobra from the Air Cavalry Troop, 11th Armored Cavalry. Late 1971. This photo belongs to VHCMA member Donivan Earhart. From 1970 to 1972, Donivan was at Pgu Loi and during his spare time setup a camera in POL (the refuel point). The name “Bill” is on the helmet of the pilot in the backseat and we think CPT Billy Johnson is the front seater because of the distinctive helmet. The white stenciling near the rear canopy reads AC CPT P.E. LE?? And CE SP4 ?HITCH???. The XM134 minigun nearest the camera in the turret, could fire 2,000 or 4,000 rounds per minute. Up to 4,000 rounds for this gun could be stored in the ammo compartment marked by the crossed sabers. The XM28 40mm grenade launcher or “chunker”, on the right in the turret, fired at 450 rounds per minute. Up to 300 rounds could be stored for this weapon. The M158 and M200 rocket launchers on the wing carried seven and 19 2.75” rockets. The exact date this picture was taken is not known. ACT/11th ACR was based at Phu Loi and pilots from that period believe “Widow Maker” stood down with the unit in early 1972.

January
A Pink Team Taking a Day Off
An AH-1G and an OH-6A from the Air Cavalry Troop, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. During 1971. This photo belongs to VHCMA member Donivan Earhart who was at Phu Loi from 1970 until 1972. From about 1968 on, Air Cavalry tactics were based on a team of one or more Scouts in OH-6As and one or more Guns in AH-1Gs. The Scouts were called “Red Birds,” “6s,” “LOHs,” “Little Birds,” “Low Birds” and even “White Birds” by various troops. The Guns were called “White Birds,” “Snakes,” “Cobras,” “High Birds,” “Bad Birds,” and even “Red Birds.” The term “Pink Team” was very popular and meant some mix of Red and White Birds. A “Heavy Pink” had at least one extra Cobra.

February
A UH-34D from HMM-163. Early 1964. This photo was donated by VHPA member Dan Ross, who flew with HMM-361 during the SHUFLY Era. SHUFLY was the code name of the USMC helicopter support operations in Vietnam that began in April 1962, when HMM-362 moved into Soc Trang. The exact date and location this picture was taken is not known and neither is the owner. This photo has been a favorite with Marine helicopter pilots for years and appeared on the cover of the 1991 VHPA Directory. The Sikorsky-built HUS was first delivered to the Marines in 1957 as a utility version of the Navy HSS developed for anti-submarine duties. In 1962 the Department of Defense changed the name to UH-34, but to Marines all over the world the slang word HUSS stood for the reliability, simplicity and capability of this legend. Before the last one was delivered in 1964, the Marine Corps had received over 540 of this type. At the height of the Vietnam War when its more-sophisticated cousins were grounded periodically for technical problems, or when a ground unit absolutely needed assistance, the radio would say: “Give me a HUSS!”

March
Cheap Thrills
An OH6A from the 11th Armored Cavalry. During 1971. This photo belongs to VHCMA member Donivan Earhart who was at Phu Loi from 1970 until 1972. “The Blackhorse Regiment” came to Vietnam in September 1966 with 51 tanks, 296 armored personnel carriers, 18 self-propelled 155mm howitzers, nine flame-throwers and 48 helicopter. There was an aviation platoon in the headquarters with 10 aircraft and each of the three cavalry squadrons had four more (two OH-6As and two Hueys). With the passenger seat installed in the aft compartment, “Cheap Thrills” most likely belonged to one of these units versus the Air Cavalry Troop. The OH-6As were used for courier, C&C (command and control) and scout missions. The passenger is not wearing a flight helmet in this picture, so this might be a courier mission. The names stenciled in white read AC Cpt H…tt and CE Sp 5 Fa…. In all the US Army lost 954 OH-6As during the war.

April
Extracting the Apache Blues
Hueys from A Troop, 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry, landing in a pickup zone near Tay Ninh. April 1970. This photo was taken by Art Dockter from the fourth ship in the Aero Rifle Platoon and was donated by Kregg P.J. Jorgenson, author of Acceptable Loss, published by Ivy Books. Each of the 28 Air Cavalry Troops that served in Vietnam was a miniature self-contained, combined-arms team. Besides a maintenance platoon and the headquarters section, each troop had 10 Scouts and nine Gunships, plus five Lift helicopter for the 22 men in the Rifle platoon. Most Air Cav Troops called their Rifle platoon “The Blues” because that is the color of the Infantry Branch. Kregg served with the Blues and Art was a doorgunner in A/1/9th CAV, whose members called themselves the Apaches. Inserting and extracting Infantry units was Job One for many helicopter crews in Vietnam, but there are surprisingly few good pictures of these operations.

May
One Red Dog
An OH-58 from the 11th Combat Aviation Battalion. During 1971. This photo belongs to VHCMA member Donivan Earhart. From 1970 to 1972 he was at Phu Loi, and during his spare time set up a camera at the refuel point. The aviation detachments within the Signal, Engineer, and Field Artillery units were the first to receive the 58 during 1970. It replaced their OH-6As which were needed by Air Cavalry units. Because the 58 required only a one-man crew and comfortable carried four passengers, it soon bacem the aerial equivalent to the jeep. The 58 also replaced the Huey in the aviation sections of aviation battalions. This picture clearly shows the 1st Aviation Brigade shoulder patch on the pilot (wearing a flight helmet) and passenger (not wearing a helmet). The 11th CAB came to Vietnam in 1965 and supported the 1st Infantry Division plus other II FFV units. “Red Dog” was its radio callsign. Obviously someone within the 11th CAB had a sense of humor and could paint cartoon characters!

June
This is DMZ Dustoff
A UH-1H from the 237th Medical Detachment (Helicopter Ambulance). About June 1969. This photo was donated by VHPA member Phil Marshall, who was flying in this very aircraft, #66-17626, for the 237th Med the night he was wounded. This photo appeared in the 1993 VHPA Directory. The exact date and location this picture was taken are not known and the name of the professional photographer who took it is not known. MAJ Don Hull, the CO of the 237th, was the Aircraft Commander and the Crewchief was John D. Tyler. The co-pilot and medic are not known. The 237th used the radio callsign “DMZ Dustoff” because they were the northern-most Army medevac unit. Note the bomb just exploding on the left in the tree line and the blur of the “fast mover” (jet aircraft) climbing out of the valley. Note also the medic has left the ship and is helping the grunts with their wounded friends. This Huey does not have even one skid on the ground – just hanging there rock-solid for minute after tense minute. Not long after the picture was taken a machine gun opened up from the tree line but was silenced by some gunships. On 27 April 1970, this aircraft crashed into the sea near Da Nang and only the co-pilot survived. This photo is “classic DUSTOFF.”

July
Comin’ Hot
The Weapons System Sight Reticle as seen by the pilot in the back seat of an AH-1G. Late 1968. This photo belongs to VHPA member Jack Dale Jordan and was taken in 1968 near Happy Valley in northeastern II Corps. Jack flew with the 361st Aviation (Escort) Company from Pleiku. This gun sight was used to fire the weapon systems mounted on the stubby wings on each side of the Cobra. After pulling the trigger on the cyclic, the next thing you heard was “FROSSH” as the rockets left the tubes, or “GRRRRR” from the mini-guns. Almost instantaneously you saw the white exhaust trails from the rocket motors or what seemed like a red-golden rod formed by the tracers streaking towards the target. The hundreds of guys who flew and fought from the back seat of a Snake should remember this picture all too well!! Generally, “Comin’ Hot!” was a nice way to tell others on the radio that you were firing.

August
A New Black Cat Super Hook
A CH-47 “Super C” Chinook from the 213th Aviation (Assault Support Helicopter) Company. About 1971. This photo belongs to VHCMA member Donivan Earhart. From 1970 to 1972, Donivan was a Crewchief for the Blackcats at Phu Loi and was asked by the company leadership to take this picture of a newly-new “Super C” they had just received. SGT ???, the Crewchief, is clearly visible wearing a headset at the front window. All C models had the distinctive square shape to the aft part of the rear pylon, plus bigger and longer blades than the earlier models. The “Super C” had more powerful engines than the “Small C.” Naturally, the pilots preferred the more powerful model because they could really get the work done, but had to be careful not to overstress the drive train with these engines. For a while, the #2 engine had a harmonic problem that caused the turbine blades to come apart, which severed hydraulics lines and caused a fire. There must have been great peace of mind for these crews – knowing that not only were the bad guys against you, but you could actually catch fire and die all by yourself!! Still, most everyone enjoyed flying the “Super C” because they were low-time machines.

September
Refueling a Taipan ‘Hog’
A UH-1C from the 135th Aviation (Assault Helicopter) Company. About September 1970. This photo belongs to VHCMA member Donivan Earhart. From 1970 to 1972, Donivan was at Phu Loi, and during his spare time set up a camera at the refuel point. Traditionally, the 3d platoon in an AHC contained armed helicopters and used a different radio callsign from the transport helicopters in the 1st and 2d platoons. The 135th’s guns were Taipans and their slicks were Emus. The Charlie Model was an extremely popular gunship because of its power, speed, and its doorgunners. The distinctive features of the UH-1C are the cambered shaped of the tail rotor pylon and the “540” rotor head with a wider blade. Taipan 31 is armed with the XM200 launcher full of 2.75-inch rockets with 17 lb. high explosive warheads. To put this warhead in perspective, it had more destructive capability than a 105mm howitzer round! The rocket pod was big and heavy, hence the name “Hog.” The helicopter once had a “thumper” (a M-5 40mm grenade launcher) mounted in the nose. The small rectangular covers on the battery compartment door mark where that weapon system was. The names on the pilot doors read AC Smith and CE Jackson. It might be possible to date this picture because the 135th lived at Bear Cat (not far from Phu Loi) until about October 1970, when they moved to Dong Tam. The 135th was unique among all Army AHCs because about one-third of its personnel were Australian. The Australians’ hard-working, fun-loving attitude always was appreciated by the Americans.

October
One Purple Fox
A CH-46D Sea Knight from HMM-364 at Duc Pho. November 1970. This photo is owned by VHPA member Fred Thompson who took a lot of good pictures while flying for the Army in I Corps. This picture was taken at the refuel point at Duc Pho. The Marine Corps acquired the Boeing Vertol-built CH-46 as the turbine-powered replacement for the venerable UH-34. The A model was first delivered to operational squadrons in June 1964. HMM-164 brought 27 CH-46As to Marble Mountain, Vietnam, on 8 March 1966. On 28 October 1967, HMM-364, officially known as the PURPLE FOXes, was denoted by the white circle around the fox head on the rear pylon. This aircraft has the same emblem painted on the front pylon immediately over the windshields. The PURPLE FOXes stayed in Vietnam until March 1971.

November
Another Seawolf Lift Off
A Navy UH-1B Seawolf from Helicopter Attack (Light) Squadron Three. November 1967. This is official U.S. Navy photo number 1129035 and was donated by Philip Chinnery, a British aviation author and friend of the VHPA. This photo appeared in his book, Vietnam: The Helicopter War, published by the Naval Institute Press and in the 1993 VHPA Directory. HA(L)-3 was born during the summer of 1966 to provide armed helicopter support for the River Patrol Boats. The UH-1B Hueys came from the Army, which also provided some initial crew training and logistical support. Ultimately, nine detachments based on ships and air fields covered III and IV Corps. On a nice day without much ammo and fuel, flying off a ship in a B Model would be easy. Think about doing it at night or in some rotten weather, when you are armed to the teeth, to go help someone in real trouble….

December
Chalk 2’s View Going to Work!
A UH-1H from B Troop 7th Squadron 17th Cavalry. About December 1969. This photo belongs to VHPA member Doug Stenberg and was taken from the second ship during a morning flight from Ban Me Thuot to Bu Prang in southwestern II Corps. The traditional names for the positions within a formation flight of troop transport helicopters were “lead” for the first ship, “Chalk 2” for the second, “Chalk 3” for the third, and so on. Even though the war and sometimes the weather was ugly, you did not have to fly in Vietnam very long to see something beautiful. Listening to Armed Forces Vietnam on the AM radio, joking with the guys in your crew, flying with some great friends, sipping a little warm coffee, seeing the sun just coming up, looking at some pretty white clouds, marveling at the endless shades of green below, watching the seemingly-peaceful countryside go by – remember the good times? Luckily Doug has a picture of one of his!

Two Purple Foxes
Two CH-46D Sea Knights from HMM-364 at LZ 401 Recon pad. 1971. This photo is owned by VHPA member Doug Orahood who flew for HMM-364. LZ 401 was the recon pad at Da Nang. Those who flew from Da Nang will certainly remember the hills in the immediate area, especially on bad weather days. The Sea Knights had 50 cal doorguns and their crewchiefs spent a lot of their time leaning out of the window. HMM-364 had three tours in Vietnam: with UH-34s from 1 Feb until 30 Jun 64 and from Sep 65 until Dec 66 for 578 days and with CH-46s from 28 Oct 67 until Mar 71 for 1221 days.
Item Creation Date: 1997
Collection: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA) Collection
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
 (Click For More Item Information)
Added: 23 Apr 2018 [Updated: 23 Apr 2018]
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1995 Calendar, Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA) - The Long Green Line
Document Item Number: 20080202001
[Number of Pages: 28]
Table of Contents
Front Cover Photo – “It’s dawn in the central highlands of Vietnam. The air is heavy with the smell of rain and moist vegetation. The thunder of a passing monsoon rumbles through the mist-shrouded valley as a scouting platoon arrives on a rocky outcropping. Soon, however, the tranquility of this seemingly pastoral setting is shattered by a new thunder – the sound of a long, green line of UH-1 Iroquois helicopters (Huey) winding down the valley to a landing zone. The “Huey” was the chosen vehicle for U.S. Army’s Air Cavalry. It served as a troop transport, provided armed support and was used for casualty evacuation.” William S. Phillips, himself a veteran, painted this as a tribute to the men who served in Vietnam and to the machines they flew.

January
Medina Medevac
A Ch-34D from HMM-361 (Flying Tigers). 13 Oct 1967. This drawing was recently rendered by VHPA member A. Michael Leahy from photos he took during this mission. C Co 1/1 Marines sustained 39 WIAs (wounded in action) in an encounter with the North Vietnamese Army during operation MEDINA. Here we see a crew from HMM-361 delivering C rations and ammunition prior to picking up the wounded in a zone in the Hai Lang forest about 15 kilometers south southwest of Quang Tri. Mike served as helicopter crew chief and pilot during the Korean and two tours in Vietnam as a helicopter pilot and combat artist. Mike has interviewed several pilots and airman that flew for HMM-361 on this day. One is VHPA member Roger Herman. In recent years Roger has worked tirelessly for the USMC Vietnam Helicopter Pilots and Aircrew Reunion organization which has had several extremely successful reunion. Mike is a faithful supporter of both the VHPA and USMC Vietnam Helicopter Pilots and Aircrew Reunion. Mike has a fine collection of USMC Vietnam Era helicopter drawings; some customized for every Marine Corps helicopter squadron that served in Vietnam.

February
A Super Jolly Green Giant
A CH-53C from the 37st Air Rescue and Recovery Squadron (ARRS). Late 1969. This photo belongs to VHPA member Bill Byrd and came to the VHPA via Philip Chinnery, the author VIETNAM, The Helicopter War, and a good friend of the VHPA. Besides flying CH-53s for the US Air Force, Bill was also one of the PIOs (public information officers) for the 37st ARRS. It comes as no surprise that Bill has a rather impressive collection of photos. The USAF CH-53B and later C models were close cousins to the US Navy and Marine Corps CH-53 Sea Stallion and shared many components with the US Army CH-54 Skycrane. The USAF CH-53Cs were powered by two 3,435 shp General Electric T64 engines. With the two auxiliary jettisonable 450 gallon fuel tanks and its internal tanks, the CH-53 could fly about 800 miles without refueling. It was well suited to leave bases in Thailand and Vietnam for missions over Laos and North Vietnam. Like the HH-3 it replaced the CH-53 had the air refueling capability as a standard feature. It is safe to say that those who flew other types of helicopters in Vietnam would have loved to have this feature! If you flew in a helicopter in Vietnam, you should remember the seemingly endless variety of greens in the landscape. Bill’s photo provides this statement!

March
The Ride Back
Two UH-1Hs from the 176th Aviation (Assault Helicopter) Company. May 1969. This painting was rendered by Sam Lyons, Jr. from several photos owned by VHPA member Ken Fritz. Ken was Minuteman 17 with the 176th AHC based at Chu Lai. He took the pictures while hauling some 11th Infantry Brigade troops back to LZ Fat City, their base camp. The 176th arrived in Vietnam on 20 Feb 1967 and served with the 14th Combat Aviation Battalion until standing down on 10 Nov 1971. The 176th was part of Task Force OREGON which became the 23d Infantry Division (AMERICAL). Sam’s painting was issued as a limited edition print in late 1993 and captures the feelings of many a dirty, hungry, exhausted grunt who gladly enjoyed an air conditioned ride back to the base camp. It also captures a moment in the lives of those who crewed a Huey. The Ride Back is copyrighted by Sam Lyons, Jr. and reproduced with his permission.

April
Inserting the Infantry
A squad from the Rifle Platoon, B Troop, 1st Squadron, 9th Air Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division dismount a UH-1D. 24 Apr 1967. This famous photo has graced book covers and appeared in many Vietnam publications. It is an official U.S. Army photo taken by SSG Howard C. Breedlove. It was taken on a hill top about three kilometers west of Duc Pho in Quang Ngai Province during Operation OREGON, a search and destroy mission. This picture “says it all” for many an infantryman and many an aircrew member. A pile of rocks on the spin of a ridge in I Corps. Naturally, the winds are always tricky during pinnacle operations and you are completely silhouetted for the enemy gunners. Single ship and don’t even think about putting a skid on the ground. Sounds like the ideal place to land a helicopter or roll down the slope in a ball of fire with a few of your closest friends.

May
PEDRO
A U.S. Air Force HH-43B from the Det 3, 40th ARRS at Ubon Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand. May 1974. This photo belongs to VHPA member Tuck Kemper. The HH-43 Husky was manufactured by Kaman Rotor Works. In Southeast Asia it was used almost exclusively for air rescue of downed aircrews. Its unique sombrero shaped rotor system was especially well suited for a local base rescue where they used the PEDRO radio call sign. With no tail rotor, and a main rotor system tilted aft 15 degrees and each pylon tilted laterally 7 ½ degrees, the Husky was able to hover into a downed, burning aircraft and blow the flames away from advancing rescue personnel. It could also be in the air in 45 seconds after the stand-by crew climbed in. Years before automatic flight stabilization systems were introduced, the Husky could sustain a very stable hover because it had no horizontal torque. It was a powerful aircraft for its size; indeed, it once held the world load/altitude record with 3,000 lbs. at 26,000 feet. It was developed before hydraulics were used in helicopters, so it had the unique characteristics of vibrating the cyclic about 1 to 2 inches fore and aft. A lot of guys are growing old naturally today because Charlie Kaman built one fine helicopter many years ago!!

June
A Helping Crane
An Army CH-54A recovers an Air Force HH-3. Date unknown. This photo belongs to VHPA member Bill Byrd and came to the VHPA via Philip Chinnery, the author of VIEtNAM, The Helicopter War, and a good friend of the VHPA. The CH-54A was powered by two Pratt and Whitney JFTD12A-1 turbine engines, each capable of producing 4,500 take-off horse power. With more powerful engines and without the large fuselage found on the USMC CH-53s and USAF HH-53s, the US Army CH-54A was correctly labeled the Sky Crane. The USAF HH-3, Jolly Green Giant, belonged to the 37th Air Rescue and Recovery Squadron (ARRS). This picture may have been taken in Laos because the makings on the crane do not match any of the three CH-54A companies that were based in Vietnam. However, the 478th Aviation Company, which covered I Corps, often sent a bird to Laos to provide heavy lift support. During these missions they were instructed to wear civilian clothes and act like a civilian contractor. Right!! To this day we are certain these instructions completely fooled the North Vietnamese.

July
A Super C Chinook
A CH-47C Chinook from the 213th Aviation (Assault Support Helicopter) Company. About 1971. This photo belongs to VHCMA member Donivan Earhart. From 1970 to 1972, Donivan was a crewchief for the Black Cats at Phu Loi. All C models had the distinctive flat back end to the aft part of the rear pylon plus bigger and longer blades than the earlier models. The CH-47C was developed in response to an Army requirement calling for a helicopter capable of transporting a 15,000 lb. sling load at 4,000 feet over 30 nm radius on a 95 degree day. The CH-47C had a usable gross weight of 46,000 lbs., could hover with a 22-981 lb. pay load at sea level or carry 15,775 lbs. at 4,000 feet on a 95 degree day. In Vietnam, the C model had twice the performance of the A model. VHPA’s aircraft databases show that aircraft 18515 did not have an easy tour. On 12 Dec 1969 one of aft blades struck a steel antenna tower and the aircraft landed on a row of concertina wire. The engineer stakes that held the wire punctured the aircraft’s belly but no one was hurt. On 10 March 1970, while setting down a sling load a sandbag went through the rotor system and damaged one forward blade. On 6 May 1970, while taking off from an LZ a mortar round exploded near the aircraft and one crew member was wounded. On 8 July 1970 it was involved in a minor accident but the details are not known. This aircraft may well have departed Vietnam with the 213th ASHC on 31 Mar 1972.

August
Plantation Lightship
A UH-1H from the 117th Aviation Company (Assault Helicopter). August 1970. This photo belongs to VHPA member Bob Hamilton who flew for the 117th AHC from May, 1970 until May, 1971. This Huey is on the stand-by pad at the Plantation airstrip, just outside of Bien Hoa as part of a “Night Hawk” team. It has a cluster of seven C-130 landing lights, a mini-gun mounted on one side and a 50 caliber machine-gun on the other. The 117th flew “Night Hawk” with the lightship flying lead and low level (about 100 foot AGL at about 70 knots) followed by a set of gunships. The light cluster could be focused to about a 100 foot square or to cover a large area. Anyone caught in the spot light usually died in the next few seconds. Almost everyone that served in Vietnam has memories of some marvelous incandescent sunsets; certainly Bob’s photo has to be ranked near the top!

September
A Deuce in Action
A CH-37C from MAG-16 recovers a UH-34D. Oct 1965. This is official U.S. Marine Corps photo A186125. This aircraft originally came to the Marines Corps in the early 1950s named the HR2S (Helicopter Transport #2 from Sikorsky). The “2” designation became the base for the nickname “Deuce” even when the Department of Defense officially named it the CH-37C “Mohave”. This huge helicopter’s five main rotor blades swept a 72 foot diameter and the fuselage was 55.5 feet long. It was powered by two Pratt & Whitney R-2800-54 piston engines that generated 2,100 bhp for take-off. The Marine CH-37Cs had special features for ship-borne operations (e.g. a rotor brake and a main rotor blade folding mechanism) that the Army CH-37Bs did not have. A Deuce detachment arrived in Vietnam about 1 Sep 1965 and on the 12th recovered their first UH-34D for HMM-263 eight miles southwest of Da Nang. The Deuce’s normal 6.673 lb. payload capability was reduced because it had to hover our of ground effect to lift a UH-34 from a zone or crash site. So one Deuce recovered the transmission and rotor head while a second retrieved the fuselage. The UH-34 squadrons had long since developed a QEC (Quick Engine Change) capability; so we can assume they pulled the engine from the fuselage first. In all about six to nine CH-37Cs served in Vietnam and all were assigned to H&MS-16 as part of MAG-16 based at Da Nang. The last operational “Deuce” flight in Vietnam was made on 14 May 1967 and by that June there were none listed in the active Marine Corps inventory.

October
Goooooood Morning Vietnam!
A full prep of mini gun fire and rockets from a UH-1C prior to an air assault. October 1967. This photo is owned by VHPA member Al DeMailo, Smiling Tiger 21, who was the aircraft commander of the UH-1C from the 2nd Platoon, D Company, 229th Assault Helicopter Battalion, 1st Air Cavalry Division (Airmobile). The dissipating gray smoke is from artillery and ARA (aerial rocket artillery). The white smoke is from a white phosphorous (also known as willie pete) artillery round, indicating that it is the last one fired for this mission. Note the C&C (command and control) ship near the top right of the smoke. The gray explosions on the right are Al’s impacting rockets. The tracers are from the mini guns, a 7.62 mm electrically fired gattling gun. It was not uncommon to do a full prep air assault four to eight times a day in the 1st Cav. This picture was taken prior to the first assault of the day as indicated by the rising fog and low clouds. Sometimes during the LZ preps a 229th pilot would come up on the UHF radio and announce to the flight “GOOOOOOOD MORNING VIETNAM!”

November
This is Red 15
An OH-6A from C/7/17 Cav. November 1968. This photo is owned by VHPA member John Kawa who deployed to Camp Enari, Vietnam with C Troop in June, 1968 and flew Scouts until December when he joined the 170th AHC. During this period, C Troop flew “2 on 2” (two OH-6A LOHs (Light Observation Helicopter) as a low level Scout team covered by two AH-1G gunships). The Scouts used the radio call sign RED plus a number. The Scout leader’s aircraft was configured for a pilot and an observer/crewchief/gunner in the front and another observer/gunner in the rear compartment. The wingman’s ship mounted a mini-gun in lieu of the second observer/gunner. Many a great scout pilot preferred to fly wing because he had the mini-gun advantage during a shoot-out. Air Cavalry LOHs were war birds in the truest sense. If you could walk over and look inside this ship you’d find so much ammunition and smoke grenades that you’d swear it couldn’t fly! For sure there’d be a case of every type of grenade available at the time! The LOHs flew right on the trees and hovered down trails looking for the enemy. Many times they found enemy camps by smelling their cooking areas. Tear Gas and White Phosphorous grenades as well as their machine guns and the mini-gun were especially usefully when working a bunker complex.

December
First in Vietnam
Three CH-21C Shawnees from the 57th Transportation Company (Light Helicopter) Circa 1962. This photo is owned by Philip Chinnery the author of VIETNAM, The Helicopter War, and a good friend of the VHPA. The Army obtained 334 CH-21Cs from Piasecki Helicopter that became Vertol Aircraft and eventually a division of Boeing. Its piston engine was rated at 1,425 hp. The wooden blades swept a 44 foot diameter. With a gross weight of 14,700 lbs. and a useful load of 4,700 lbs., the Flying Banana was also known as the Workhorse. The 8th and 57th Transportation Companies (Light Helicopter) arrived in Vietnam on 11 Dec 1961 with 32 CH-21Cs. The 33rd, 81st, and 93rd Transportation Companies soon followed. These five companies were the only CH-21 units to serve in Vietnam. The only records the VHPA has for aircraft 62061 indicate it belonged to the 57th TC and later the 120th AVN Company. It was involved in a minor accident on 2 Dec 1963. During the summer of 1963 the CH-21 companies were redesignated Aviation Companies and started receiving Hueys to replace their CH-21s. The CH-21s were still flying combat missions as late as June 1964.

Heading Home
An AH-1G from C/7/17 Cav. December 1968. This photo is owned by VHPA member Jim Cunningham who frequently flew in the Command and Control (C&C) Huey for C Troop during the last half of 1968. In early 1969 he joined the 155th AHC. While on he way home to Camp Enari one evening, Jim took this picture out the door of the Huey at the lead Cobra passing one of the mountains in the Kontum – Dak To area. Jim has been a faithful VHPA member for a number of years and some time back sent a copy of this picture to the VHPA. It is such a good picture that it really needed to be used. The Newsletter Editor sent it to the Directory Committee saying that it was just too beautiful to be included in a black and white Newsletter. Jim’s picture finally found a home in the VHPA Calendar.
Item Creation Date: 1995
Collection: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA) Collection
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
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Added: 20 Apr 2018 [Updated: 03 Apr 2019]
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2003 Calendar, Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA) - Routine MEDEVAC?
Document Item Number: 20080209001
[Number of Pages: 28]
Table of Contents
Front-Cover-Photo: Cpl R.J. Del Vecchio provided this photo of Echo Papa (EP) 6, a CH-46A from HMM-265, conducting a medical evacuation in April 1968. See the narrative for the June photo in this calendar for more details.

January
A Mojave in Thailand
CH-37B #55-00623 from the 611th Transportation Company – October 1965. This photo was taken by VHPA member CWO Don Joyce on the military side of the Air Field at Bangkok while he was serving there with JUSMAG. 1LT Wilbur (Bill) P. Lusker (now deceased) and CW3 Bob Edens had recently flown 623 via a hopscotch route from Vung Tau to Bangkok. Bill’s son, Dave, is also a member of the VHPA. Don recalls that a USAF aircraft had crashed ‘up country’ in Thailand and they wanted to recover at least one of the engines for analysis. Don believes this aircraft and crew only stayed in Thailand about two weeks and then returned to Vietnam. The sign reads Army Aviation Branch. JUSMAG stood for Joint United States Military Advisory Group.

February
Working the Hole
CH-47A #66-19088 from the 178th ASHC – August 1967. VHCMA member Dean Nelson took these photos while serving as a Flight Engineer with the 178th Assault Support Helicopter Company, the Boxcars, at Chu Lai. Often they would put pieces of their body armor on the deck for some protection from hostile fire and then lay on a cushion. The man had to lay there during the entire sling load operation to watch the load and immediately report anything unusual that was happening. On the right you see their load; a busted Minuteman, 176th AHC, UH-1D being returned to Chu Lai. Dean printed these photos in the 2002 Boxcar Calendar that he prepared for the 178th ASHC Veterans Association.

March
A Joker Snake
AH-1G #69-16445 from the 48th AHC – May 1972. This photo was taken by VHPA member CPT Ron Magnus of his wingman as they climbed the Hai Van Pass north of Da Nang. Ron recalls, “I don’t remember the other pilot in my Cobra that day nor the crew of 445. We were flying north as we did on most every mission. My collection of slides shows that I took several pictures on this day. What you can’t see are the bullet hole patches in 445. This was during the famous NVA Easter Offensive, we were taking hits almost every day. This was ‘business as usual’ for me until May 21st when I took a round through the left while flying a Cobra and was medically evacuated from Vietnam.”

April
Outcast 6, this is 3 – I have a problem!
OH-6A #66-07855 from D/1/4th Cav 1st Infantry Division – 9 May 1968. VHPA member CPT Ellwood Soderlind, Outcast 6 (the Scout Platoon Leader), provided these photos of his wing man’s ship flown that day by VHPA member WO1 Mike Guillot and SP4 D.A. Brown as Crew Chief/Observer. Ellwood recalls they were working northwest of Lai Khe that day when Mike, Outcast 3, announced that he had a problem because he’d just flown through a tree. Ellwood thought, “We fly through trees all the time – what’s the big deal!” When he got a look at Mike’s ship, he radioed, “You don’t have any skids!” Mike says, “We were working a defoliated area and being a good Scout, I had my head out of the aircraft. I was flying west. Late afternoon, sun in my eyes (he adds – ‘This is all an excuse, but hey, it all worked out in the end!’). There was a tall, dead, gray-colored tree that I just didn’t see. I was flying from the right seat. The right front bubble was gone. I remember I could hardly talk on the radio with all the wind noise. We were almost done with the mission anyway, as we broke for home. I don’t think I could fly faster than about 60Kts and that took about 20 to 30 minutes. The maintenance guys had the pill of sandbags ready when I got there, so it wasn’t any big deal to land on top of them. I remember the observer’s legs were bruised from the tree branches but I don’t think he had an serious injuries.” The accident summary in the VHPA Helicopter database reads: ‘Wing ship was on a low level recon and had a tree strike. The aircraft was flown to the airfield and landed on a sandbag pile with no further damage.’ The database also provides the name of the CE/Observer, SP4 D.A. Brown. The un-cropped version of the photo on the right shows a mini-gun laying on the ground. Mike added, “We liked those mini-guns but you had to keep reminding yourself – you are a small gunship! There was a time to fire the mini and then there was a time to put out the smoke, get the heck out of there and let the Cobras pound the bad guys!!”

May
This Ain’t No Teeter-Totter!
These photos were taken by VHPA member WO Steve Shepard of H Troop, 10th Cavalry (formerly C/7/17th Cav) at Camp Holloway in May 1972. Steve explains: “This was just after the NVA Easter Offensive in MR II had peaked. We were still flying everything we had long hours every day. I took my camera everywhere I went. I was down on the flight line and saw this 180th ASHC Chinook making a very SLOW approach. I waited until it got pretty close and I could include the Holloway control tower in the picture. The CH-47 passed almost directly over our Cobra revetments. There were two men working on one Cobra’s main rotor system. The Chinook’s rotor wash caused the Cobra’s blades to turn and the men started yelling. I saw the blades make a 180-degree arc and took this picture just as they managed to get them stopped. You can see that the push-pull tubes are disconnected from the head. Naturally, they had untied the blades so they could sit on them. Not only were they concerned that they might fall off but that the turning blades could damage other parts of the helicopter. Several guys from H/10 have looked at this photo. We believe the man on the left is either SP5 Chadwick or Jones and on the right SP4 Eugene C. Thompson or SP4 Gabriel.”

June
More on the Routine Medevac
CH-46A Bureau Number 151959 also known as Echo Papa 6 or EP 6 from HMM-265 – April, 1968. This photo was taken by Cpl. R.J. Del Vecchio of the Photographic Services Section, Service Company, HQ Battalion, 1st Marine Division using a Nikon F camera with the 43-86 zoom lens using Ektachrome film rated at ASA 400 in the mountains south and inland of Da Nang. “My partner on this trip was Cpl. John C. Pennington who was killed in action on 9 June 1968. We had open travel orders to go wherever the action was, so we went from unit to unit as the situation presented itself. On this mission, we had joined an Infantry unit sent to check out a bunker complex that had been located by Recon Marines and heavily bombed a couple of days before. One of the Marines was injured, possibly by a booby trap, and required evacuation. The pilot had to bring the helicopter up a long valley from the plateau. This was just amazing because the valley was very steep and narrow and there was very little clearance for their rotor blades. After threading their way between the trees, they arrived over a small cluster of bomb craters where they lowered the hoist, retrieved the man, did a slow 180-degree turn, and went back out. I’d guess this entire effort was completed in less than 20 minutes. But while it was going on, I had time to move to several locations on the side of the valley to take a sequence of about a dozen pictures. I was out of film by the time he started to make his turn to depart. You can tell by the relaxed posture of the Marines that the enemy had left the area. Even 34 years later, I am still impressed with the skills of that helicopter crew. As a grateful former passenger, with sincere admiration for the job the helicopter crews did, and in memory of those who did not return, I am glad to contribute these pictures to the VHPA for publication.

July
The 195th Ghostriders
UH-1Hs from the 195th Assault Helicopter Company – 1968. VHPA member Al Fink, Ghostrider 21, provided the photo of the PZ (Pick-up Zone) which shows at least seven Hueys gathering to load troops from the U.S. 9th Infantry Division during the May Offensive of 1968. At this time, the 195th had been in-country about six months. The August 2002 VHPA Calendar describes how they “camoed” their aircraft during the summer of 1968. The bottom three photos were provided by Crew Chief Don Haase. They all show the camouflaged paint scheme. The left most photo shows a ladder ship, equipped to support MACV-SOG operations in III Corps and in Cambodia. Don is in the center photo that also shows some Ghostrider nose art. The aircraft in the right most photo is landing at Dau Tieng to refuel.

August
The Original DUSTOFF
UH-1B #63-08717 from the 57th Medical Detachment (Helicopter Ambulance) – July 1965. VHPA member CW3 Don Joyce took this picture at Tan Son Nhut in July 1965. By this time the 57th had been flying in Vietnam for three years. The only other DUSTOFF unit in Vietnam was the 82nd Med Detachment at Soc Trang. But the Air Ambulance platoon of the 15th Med Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division was on the way as were other medical evacuation units. The VHPA Helicopter database shows that this aircraft was destroyed on 22 September 1965 with VHPA Member 1LT James Truscott as the Aircraft Commander.

September
Convoy Escort
A C/7/17th Cav AH-1G and OH-6A on the An Khe Pass – March 1972. These photos were taken by VHPA member WO Steve Shepard from the front seat of the second Cobra flown by VHPA member WO Roger Lone. The Cobra in the picture was flown by VHPA members CW2 Jeff Clink and CPT Tom Butz. The LOH pilot may have been WO Russell, now deceased, or VHPA member WO John P. Johnson. Steve says: “C Troop who still called themselves the Ruthless Riders, maintained a ‘Convoy Escort package’ of two Cobras, a LOH, and a Huey at An Khe. The Transportation command that controlled the convoys from Qui Nhon to Pleiku and back would notify us when they had trucks getting ready to enter the critical sections of QL 19 and we would launch. Most of the time the Huey, which could have served as our C and C or chase/rescue ship, was tasked to fly some important people around the Pleiku – Kontum – Dak To area. CPT Zane Brown usually flew our Huey. On this day we were orbiting an American convoy that I think had some equipment from units that were standing down in the Pleiku area. They were coming down the An Khe Pass when a truck tipped over in one of the worst possible places for an ambush. The dust hadn’t settled by the time we arrived over them. They were scared (well, you know the word) because the road was now blocked. You can see the ammo containers spilled on the roadway. Our LOH landed to see if anyone was injured or if they needed to fly someone out. Those familiar with the old 1st Air Cavalry Division basecamp at An Khe should recognize old Hong Kong mountain and parts of what was once the Golf Course behind the Cobra.”

October
One Mortar Round
A Boxcar CH-47A at Phu loi – Late 1966 or early 1967. VHCMA member Dean Nelson provided this photo which also appeared in the 2002 Boxcar Calendar. To the best of our knowledge, there wwere no 178th ASHC or 400th TC Detachment casualties from this attack where most of the rounds fell on the flight line and runway. However, this Chinook would be in maintenance for some time! It sustained damage to two aft rotor blades, the left pilot’s door, the left chin bubble, and 78 shrapnel holes in the skin. One 60-mm mortar round did all this damage.

November
Retrieving A Village Search Team
Four B/7/1st Cav Hueys – Late 1969. This photo was taken by VHPA member WO Don Clarke from the front seat of a Cobra. He believes this is a village near Vi Thanh in western IV Corps. A close inspection shows what appears to be ARVN troops moving onto the pickup zone. All the bomb craters would suggest that this was NOT a friendly place to visit!

December
Doug’s Tour
These photos were taken by VHPA member 1LT Doug Neil. As a brand new ROTC 2LT, he attended the Artillery Officers Basic Course and then graduated with helicopter flight class 71-6 on 6 March 1971. In late April he joined D/1/10th Cav and was assigned to fly Hueys in their Lift Platoon. During mid-1971, the majority of D Troop was based at An Son but they also had resources near the old An Khe Special Forces base and that is where Doug lived. Until about September 1971, D Troop had three primary missions. QL 19 convoy escort, general security for the An Khe area using their Blues and standard Air Cav VR (visual reconnaissance) tactics, and working with C/75th Rangers (the Long Range Patrol company from the 4th Infantry Division). The center and right photos on the top show a D Troop Huey racing off to pickup a Ranger team. Doug remembers guys in D Troop replacing their 4th Infantry Division patches with 1 Field Force patches. The center photos of the Cobras were taken at An Khe during this period. During late 1971, D Troop started the stand-down process. Doug was the Supply Officer. In late December, he and CW3 Ringo took the Troop guidon and the Property Books to Long Binh as part of the close-out of D/1/10th Cav. In January he was assigned to the 48th AHC and was involved in one of the last super-gaggles in II Corps – a 60-ship operation using Korean Infantry. Then a strange thing happened. He and four other Artillery officer pilots were assigned to the 196th Light Infantry Brigade at Da Nang. When the Americal Division withdrew, the 196th was reconstituted as a separate command to safeguard this area; but they were short Artillery Forward Observers( FOs) and there were none in the pileline for them. Doug was assigned to A/3/82nd Artillery (Flying Red Horse) served three 40-day tours in the field with A/1/46th Infantry commanded by CPT Mills. The three photos at the bottom and left top are of I Corps helicopters. They patrolled around Fire Base Linda. Doug DEROSed in April 1972 to a pilot assignment in the States.

Blue Max (ARA)
UH-1Bs from C Battery, 2d Battalion, 20th Artillery , 1st Cavalry Division – 1966 and 1968. These photos were presented to the VHPA by Russ Warrier, President of the Blue Max Aerial Rocket Artillery Association. In his younger days, Russ was the Crew Chief of #64-14054, which is shown in the lower left corner equipped with the Maxwell SS-11 system. Russ took this photo of VHPA member WO Edwin W. Fuller at LZ Evans in 1968. The upper left photo shows three aircraft at the Bong Son refuel point in 1966 from a copy someone gave Russ several years ago. The upper right photo shows #64-14054 with a CS gas ejection canister to compliment the 24-shot rocket pod. The lower right photo shows a C Battery ship on display, for an unknown reason, as LZ Evans.
Item Creation Date: 2003
Collection: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA) Collection
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
 (Click For More Item Information)
Added: 27 Apr 2018 [Updated: 27 Apr 2018]
Item is Copyrighted – Check for access via the Vietnam Reading Room portal.
View all documents in this Folder : Box : Collection
2004 Calendar, Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA) - VHPA 2004 Calendar
Document Item Number: 20080210001
[Number of Pages: 28]
Table of Contents
Front-Cover-Photo – UH-1C Easy Rider from the 176th AHC in late 1970. VHPA member Fred Thomposn took this photo from the wing aircraft while flying low level somewhere in Southern I Corps. Fred, who contributed to many VHPA publications, passed away in Nov. 2002. This calendar is dedicated to the memory of Fred as one OUTSTANDING VHPA supporter!

January
Tet of 68
A village near Binh Hoa – Early 1968. These photos were taken by VHPA member Brian Wold while flying over a village near Binh Hoa air base when serving with Company A, 101st Aviation Battalion, 101st Airborne Division. During Tet of 68 (the North Vietnamese and Viet Cong offensive that lasted from 31 January until early February in most areas of the country), he had a front row seat to much of the action. The before picture was taken in late January 1968, the after picture in mid-February.

February
Lam Son 719
A U.S. Marine Corps CH-53 – March 1971. VHPA member Fred Thompson took this photo while serving with the US Army 176th Assault Helicopter Company during the famous Lam Son 719 operation in the Khe Sanh area. This Sea Stallion is most likely from HMH-463 since that squadron provided the majority of the USMC heavy lift support for this operation. HMH-463 lost one complete crew and had two CH-53s destroyed while supporting Lam Son 719. This aircraft is delivering fuel blivets to the aircraft refuel point.

March
A 1st Cav PZ
UH-1Ds from the 229th Aviation Battalion, 1st Air Cav Division – April 1967. These photos were taken by VHPA member Lanny Julian who served with Company A, 229th Aviation Battalion, 1st Air Cavalry Division from December 1966 through December 1967. The troops in these photos are loading the Hueys in preparation for a combat assault into the An Lao Valley.

April
The Flying Circus on Standby
Four UH-1Hs from C Troop, 7th Squadron, 1st Air Cavalry – Spring 1971. This photo was taken by VHPA member CWO Ross McCoy after he had shut down his Cobra in this staging area somewhere in IV Corps. Each Air Cavalry Troop had an Aerial Rifle Platoon with five UH-1Hs to provide transport for their infantry platoon. By 1971, the 7/1st Cav was not allowed to use the American GIs but were assigned ARVN soldiers, called ‘troopies,’ on a mission by mission basis. C Troop’s Aerial Rifle Platoon called themselves the Flying Circus. The crews of these Hueys in the staging area monitored a radio to communicate with the Command and Control (C and C) aircraft. On order from the C and C, they would fly off to pick-up, insert or extract troops, detainees, equipment, etc. They would also perform medical evacuations, downed crew rescues and even sling out downed Scout helicopters.

May
Slowmotion Jean
OH-6A from the Aviation Platoon, 198th Light Infantry Brigade, Americal Division 1971. VHPA member Ron Petrovich took this photo of #66-7930 flown by CW2 Doug Lackey, Slowmotion 4, some time prior to October 1971. Slowmotion was the radio call sign of the Brigade’s Aviation Platoon. All the Brigade’s OH-6As were given female nicknames, this aircraft is “Jean.” Ron stayed with the 198th until October when they started preparations to depart Vietnam. Dutch DeGroot, who served with a Military Police platoon attached to the 198th and flew door gunner on a volunteer basis whenever he could, provided the Slowmotion art work. The VHPA thanks Ken Bigelow, brother of helicopter pilot Ralph Begelow who was killed while flying for the 198th, for bringing Ron and Dutch’s work forward.

June
Assembling a new Sky Crane
The 14th Transportation Battalion assembles a new CH-54A at Nha Trang – June 1967. These photos were taken by VHPA member Steve Bosan when he commanded the 14th TC Battalion. He recalls that his battalion assembled three CH-54As during the summer of 1967. He believes all the pieces for one CH-54A arrived in a single Military Airlift Command C-133 aircraft. They assembled a team of between twenty and twenty-five specialists who worked about four days to assemble the Sky Crane. They had to borrow a mobile crane from an Engineer unit and the mobile air conditioning unit from the Air Force.

July
2nd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division
Aircraft from the Aviation Section, 2nd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division – 1968. VHPA member Curt Knapp, TADPOLE 795, provided these photos taken at LZ Sally in late 1968. The OH-6A is # 66-17795. It was the Brigade’s first OH-6A and is still flying today with the Army Aviation Heritage Foundation. The two photos on the right are of UH-1H #66-01055. It was the first Huey Command and Control (C and C) for the Brigade and was lost due to damage received after an engine failure and night autorotation on 11 December. UH-1H #67-17554 shown in the lower left, was the C and C ship for MG Zais, the Division’s Commanding General. It was called “Lucky Eagle.” Curt says, ‘554 had nicely padded and upholstered seats plus a good stateside-manufactured radio console in the back.’

August
Wicked Escort
The 540th Transportation Company Chinook revetments and maintenance area at Qui Nhon – May 1968. VHPA member CWO Rich Johnson provided these photos of their CH-47s. The 540th TC’s radio call sign was ‘Wicked Escort.’ While other Chinook units did aircraft recoveries, the 540th TC was the only dedicated aircraft recovery unit in the 14th Transportation Battalion. During his tour, Rich made recoveries all over II Corps and most of I Corps for the US Army. The ‘door frame art’ chronicles their recoveries.

September
The LZ is Marked with the Burning LOH
The Death of C/7/17th Cav OH-6A #66-7875 on the Bong Song plain – 28 September 1969. These photos were taken SP4 Jim Yamnitz and were given to VHPA member Bruce Carlson a few days later. Jim had previously flown with Bruce but at this time was serving with C Troops’ Blues, their infantry platoon. These pictures were taken soon after they stepped off the Hueys that had transported them to start the rescue mission. Since the Blues were often inserted on very short notice, the Huey crews were always asking the Command and Control aircraft – ‘Where is the Landing Zone (LZ)?’ Air Cavalry Troops had a lot of LOHs (Light Observation Helicopter) shot down and soon invented the macabre expression: ‘The LZ is marked with the burning LOH.’ Bruce was still strapped in the burning LOH when it exploded. He and the two enlisted crewmen, SP4 Floyd Hansen and SP5 Rocky Conklin, managed to get out of the LOH, avoid being captured or killed by the local North Vietnamese who were living in caves on the side of the hill, and were rescued by the Blues. Bruce’s book “Red Bird Down!” includes two chapters that novelize this event.

October
Cam Ranh Bay Pedro
A U.S. Air Force HH-43 at Cam Ranh Bay – April 1967. VHPA member Lanny Julian took this photo during one of his visits to Cam Ranh Bay Airbase while serving with the 229th Aviation Battalion, 1st Air Cavalry Division in 1966 and 1967. The 7th Air Force’s Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Service (ARRS) had several two helicopter detachments equipped with Kaamen Husky HH-43s at its basses throughout Southeast Asia. The Husky was ideally suited for local base rescue operations.

November
Left Base to a Zero Five Approach at Nha Trang Airbase
An Intruder UH-1H from the 281st AHC landing at Nha Trang Airbase – Early 1969. This photo was taken by VHPA member Steve Matthews who was “Rat Pack 15,” the gun platoon of the 28ast Assault Helicopter Company, and is now the Intruder Webmaster. “Intruder” was the radio call sign for the 281st’s transport Hueys. This Huey is on the left base to zero five approach at Nha Trang Airbase.

December
Vietnamese Children
Almost every Vietnam veteran had pictures of Vietnamese and Montagnard kids. A parked helicopter was a sure ‘kid magnet.’ The upper left photo was taken by VHPA member Brian Wold with his A/101st AHB Huey north of Phu Loi about March 1968. The upper right photo was taken by VHPA member Lanny Julian near his A/229th AHB Huey in March 1967 at LZ English. The lower right photo was taken by VHPA member Bill Robie in March 1969 through the left front chin bubble of his 92nd AHC Huey at the Phan Rang MACV pad. The lower left photo shows VHPA member Mike Law with his B/7/17th Cav AH-1G at the Phan Rang MACV pad in June 1969.

Shawnee Maintenance
CH-21C maintenance area at Nha Trang – November 1962. This photo was taken by VHPA member Don Joyce during his first tour in Southeast Asia. At this time he was flying CV-2 Caribou for the Army’s 1st Aviation Company. Don’s company would send aircraft all over Southeast Asia hauling people and supplies for the American units, mostly aviation units at that time. Don took lots of pictures and has generously shared them with the VHPA. Anyone who can provide details about the aircraft in this picture is encouraged to contact the VHPA Calendar Editor. Don states that the aircraft being moved was eventually repaired and returned to flying status.
Item Creation Date: 2004
Collection: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA) Collection
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
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Added: 30 Apr 2018 [Updated: 30 Apr 2018]
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2007 Calendar, Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA) - Rock Pile Resupply
Document Item Number: 20080213001
[Number of Pages: 28]
Table of Contents
Front-Cover-Photo – Rock Pile Resupply painted by Mike Leahy in 2005. VHPA member John (J.R.) Aucella commissioned this painting because he flew this mission about thirty times in late 1967, while HMM-361 operated from the USS Iwo Jima in the waters off northern I Corps. J.R. often flew these missions with VHPA member Seppo Hurme. Mike Leahy, also a VHPA member, has allowed the VHPA to publish several pieces of his artwork over the years.

January
A Camouflaged Cobra
AH-1G NETT Cobra at Bien Hoa – November 1967. This photo of AH-1G #66-1529 was taken by VHPA member Chip Decker. Chip flew for the 128th Assault Helicopter Company. While landing at Bien Hoa, he saw this newly painted Cobra. VHPA and NETT (New Equipment Training Team) members Jerry Childers, Dick Jarrett, and Ken Rubin provided the following details: “In August 1967, Major Paul Anderson took the NETT to Vietnam on TDY (temporary duty) orders. We were attached to the 334th Aerial Weapons Company for maintenance and administrative support. We shared part of their flight line. Since the 334th was a TO and E (table of organization and equipment) unit, they technically ‘owned’ our aircraft. Our six AH-1Gs arrived via USAF C-133s. By October, thanks to our First Sergeant Spears, all of them had this camo paint scheme courtesies of the USAF A-37 Squadron, also based at Bien Hoa. 1SG Spears wsa very good at repairing beat up air conditioners, trading, and making friends.” While there were other helicopter gunship units in Vietnam that used the name Cobra and had snakes on their pocket patches prior to 1967, the AH-1G NETT’s patch would be liberally copied by most every unit that flew AH-1Gs from that time onward. VHPA member Larry Winters provided the small photo of a camouflaged B/1/9th Cav AH-1G near Song Be in 1970.

February
Firewater Mission
A UH-1B from the Crocodile Platoon, 119th AHC – Early 1966. This photo was taken of VHPA member Ron Richtsmeier at Lane Army Heliport just west of Qui Nhon. The full details of Ron’s adventure appeared in the July/August 2003 VHPA Newsletter. Ron says: ‘To the best of my knowledge, this was the only B Model gunship to drop napalm during the war. While in Qui Nhon one day, I met an USAF Master Sergeant who was in charge of the ammo dump. He gave me a tour of the facility and I became interested in the napalm bombs. The more I learned, the more intrigued I became. I ended up trading him a bottle of Scotch straight across for 4 napalm canisters, 4 igniters and an appropriate amount of powder to turn JP4 (standard helicopter jet fuel) into flaming jelly. My platoon leader, Captain Bob Wright, decided that he would fly the aircraft and I was to be in the left seat as the “bombardier.” Ron goes on to detail the events to the next two days when they dropped all four bombs. He concludes with, ‘As it turns out, napalm dropped from a UH-1B at 80 knots really doesn’t do as well as if dropped form an F4 at 250 knots. It only spreads out about 50 feet or so. VHPA member Barrie Turner provided the small photo of the B/a/9th Cav UH-1B hog in western II Corps in 1965. VHPA member Dean Lauerman provided the small photo of the 129th AHC UH-1B hog at Lane AAF in March 1969.

March
Resupplying ‘The Herd’
A UH-1H from A Company, 4th Aviation Battalion, 4th Infantry Division – March 1968. These Polaroid photos were taken by SGT E-5 Charles A. Lewie of B Company, 3/503rd Airborne, 173rd Airborne Brigade during Operation MacArthur in the mountains of Kontum Province. SGT Lewie’s company had cut a hole in the jungle at their night lager site to accommodate the resupply helicopter. These photos came to the VHPA via member Phil Lanphier. Officially, the 173rd is known as the ‘Sky Soldiers,’ but many American fighting men in Vietnam called them ‘The Herd’ because of their high esprit and close bond to each other (black and white). History shows they were more often than not Vietnam’s ‘fire brigade’ because they were shuttled from battle to battle. Thus it was when the 4th Infantry Division needed ‘more rifles’ during MacArthur, that units from the 173rd were assigned to fight in Kontum Province. Many Army and Marine infantry units fought hard in Vietnam and covered themselves with honor and glory – but in the author’s opinion ‘The Herd’ stands at or near the top of the class. Thank you SGT Lewie and all your brothers in arms!! VHPA member Charlie Ostick provided the small photo of the A/4th AVN 4th Inf Div UH-1H somewhere in II Corps in April 1967.

April
OUCH!
UH-1H #67-17513 from B Company, 101st Assault Helicopter Battalion, 101st Airborne Division – 25 August 1968. VHPA member Brian Wold provided this photo of 513 just prior to its recovery from a ridgeline approximately five miles south of Camp Eagle. Brian flew for A Company, 101st AHB and brought additional men and equipment to this firebase. It is easy to see that the rigging crew (with their shirts off) have finished their work and are waiting for a Chinook to remove the Huey so the Artillery guys can complete the construction of their firebase. The accident record for this event states that 513 was the number two aircraft of four that landed the troops initially. Due to turbulence and center of gravity changes as the troops unloaded, 513’s tail moved into the main rotor disc area of the number three aircraft. Number three’s main rotor blade struck 513’s tail rotor, knocking off the 90 degree gear box. VHPA member Ross McCoy provided the small photo of the C/7/1st Cav UH-1Hs somewhere in IV Corps in the Spring of 1971.

May
First With Guns
UH-1As and UH-1Bs from the Utility Tactical Transport (UTT) Helicopter Company – December 1962. VHPA member Charlie Ostick provided these photos. The UTT arrived in Vietnam with A models in October 1962. The paint scheme for their A models was ‘toned down’ by re-spraying over their standard Army markings. The ship nearest the camera on the flight line at Tan Son Nhut is UH-1A #59-01683 (tail number 91683). Brand new B models started arriving November 1962 with standard high visibility markings. The second ship on the flight line is UH-1B #62-0188(unable to read the right digit) with the standard Army markings. The upper left photo provides a closer view of an A model with the MA-2 2.75 inch rocket launcher plus the M-38, 30 cal machine gun. The upper right photo was taken in January 1963. The name of the SP6 walking away is not known, but we see Charlie Ostick in front of a B model with XM-6 Quad MG system and a UTT installed 2.75 inch rocket kit. VHPA member Don Joyce provided the small photo of the 57th Med Det UH-1B lifting off from Saigon in August 1965.

June
Night Minigun Run
Cobras from the 235th Aerial Weapons Company – June 1970. SP5 Lloyd Newell took this photo while serving with the 345th Aviation Detachment from October 1969 through September 1971. This detachment was stationed at the Can Tho airfield to provide ATC (air traffic control) tower and GCA (ground control approach) functions. They were assigned to the 165th Combat Aviation Group. For some time Lloyd had been trying to take photos of nighttime fire missions flown by AH-1Gs from the 235th Aerial Weapons Company also based on Can Tho. He mounted his 35-mm camera on a tripod in the tower and used a cable release to control the shutter. Because the airfield was frequently the target of enemy attacks by fire, the area around it had been cleared of civilians and a free fire zone established. Since their official guard post position was the four-story ATC tower in case of attack, the two or three man crew in the tower were expected to stay put during an attack versus having to run to a bunker. The attacks by fire were so frequent that the 235th usually maintained a firefly or air cap over the airfield. On the night this photo was taken, Lloyd believes the Cobras were from either the Viper or the Death Dealer Platoon. The pilot radioed Lloyd that they had a fire mission, told him where it would go in, and asked if he wanted to take some pictures. There are several sets of small circular and diamond shaped red lights in the image. Lloyd explains that these were reflections from the camera lens and/or the glass in the tower. They were not part of the actual nighttime display in the sky. Lloyd also provided the small photo of the Can Tho tower.

July
A Muleskinner atop Nui Ba Den
A CH-47A from the 242nd Assault Support Helicopter Company – early 1969. VHPA member Gary Roush provided this photo. See the ‘thumbs-up’ hand on the left side pilot’s window? That’s Gary’s hand from the aircraft commander’s seat. He passed his camera to the radio operator who snapped the photo. The Black Virgin Mountain, as Nui Ba Den was also called, is a 3,000-foot high monolith rising out of the otherwise flat plain about 10 kilometers northeast of Tay Ninh in eastern III Corps near the Cambodian border. Other mountains in the area are named Nui Ba Ra and Chua Chan. All were sites of important radio relay stations. VHCMA member Robert Brackenhoff provided the small photo of the 196th ASHC CH-47A landing near Duc Pho in January 1970.

August
Some Guys Have all the Luck
UH-1Hs from C Company, 227th Assault Helicopter Battalion, 1st Air Cavalry Division – September 1967. VHPA member Troy Wise provided these photos from his first tour that was divided between being an infantryman with B/2/8th Cavalry and a doorgunner with C/227th AHB. The large photo shows a line of UH-1Ds some place near Bong Son, getting ready to pick up an infantry unit to insert them into the single ship LZ shown in the smaller photo. This LZ was in the mountains north and west of the famous LZ English. Troy was on the Command and Control Huey when an USAF C-130 dropped a ‘daisy cutter’ (10,000 pound bomb) that blew down the trees to form the LZ. He says, ‘It was like watching your own private B-52 strike but with just one bomb.’ After Troy’s first tour, he went to helicopter school and returned to Vietnam to fly with – you guessed it – the 227th again!! Some guys just seem to have all the luck!! VHPA member Larry Winters provided the small photos of the 1st Cav Hueys from early 1970.

September
Time to Refuel
An Assault Helicopter Company arrives at a 1st Cav Refuel Point – November 1965. VHPA member Jim Oden took this photo at a 1st Cav Div refuel point somewhere between Qui Nhon and the An Khe Pass along Highway 19. Jim was a CH-54A pilot with the 478th HHC and often flew #202 showed in the November photo in this calendar. The 478th deployed to Vietnam with a special communications section that contained an ADF (Automatic Direction Finding) radio station. The original idea was to allow their Sky Cranes to fly bad weather and night missions but still be able to use the ADF radio to get back to base. The 1st Cav Div posted this communications section near a refuel point along Highway 19, so their aircraft had a safe option rather than returning to An Khe all the time. Jim said the 478th rotated their pilots to be the OIC (Officer In Charge) of the communications section for about one week at a time. VHPA member John ‘Peg Leg’ Givhan provided the small photo of the CH-21Cs from the 120th Aviation Company en route to Kien Hoa in January 1964.

October
A Dust Devil over Laos
An Air Force CH-3E from the 21st Special Operations Squadron over Laos – December 1969. These photos were taken Bill Crawford of the 21st SOS and came to the VHPA via VHCMA member Jim Henthorn. Jim served with the 21st Helicopter Squadron from November 1967 to May 1969. The 21st HS was redesigned the 21st SOS on 1 Aug 1968. The large photo shows #66-13287. It crashed in Laos on 24 October 1970, killing two USAF crewmembers. The small photo shows an USAF CH-3C. Besides having internal vital component armor, the E model had a purpose-built external hoist with a 250-foot cable versus an internal hoist with a 135-foot cable in the C model. Notice the extension on the ends of the stub-wing on the E model – this allowed the helicopter to carry external fuel tanks that could be dropped if necessary. The 21st normally had twelve aircraft. They were stationed at Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base with the primary mission of SAR (Search and Rescue). The VHPA’s records show that twelve pilots and eleven crewmembers were killed serving with the 21st during the Vietnam War Era. A good friend of the VHPA, Judy Porter who served with Air America, provided the small photos taken at Udorn Thailand in 1973.

November
1st Cav Sky Cranes
CH-54As from the 478th Heavy Helicopter Company, 1st Air Cavalry Division – November 1965. These photos were taken by VHCMA member Ed Lemp when he was with E Battery, 82nd Artillery, 1st Cav from September 1965 to August 1966. The large photo was taken at the famous ‘Golf Course’ near An Khe and shows #64-14202 getting ready to lift part of a Huey. Notice the ‘Golf Course’ still has a fair amount of natural grass preserved to prevent the dust from becoming air borne in the helicopter rotor wash. The smaller photo was taken about February 1966 at the Bong Son Special Forces camp during Operation Masher. The Sky Crane carrying a pod is possibly #202. We believe there were only four pods in Vietnam and photos of them in the air are very rare. This pod was configured as a Command and Control Center. Sky Crane #202 was destroyed on 9 August 1966 near Da Nang. VHPA member Michael Inlow provided the small photo of a Sky Crane taken in 1970 in I Corps. VHPA member Don Joyce provided the small photo of the CH-47 from the 179th ASHC near Pleiku in August 1967.

December
Doorgunner of the Nevada Gambler
VHCMA member Howie Belkin took these photos from September to December 1969 when he was the doorgunner on UH-1H #66-16642 with the ‘Ghostriders,’ C Company. 227th Assault Helicopter Battalion, 1st Air Cavalry Division based at Phuoc Vinh. Notice the Christmas stocking hanging on the instrument panel! Howie says, “I was from Long Island, NY but the crewchief was from Nevada. We were impressed with an AH-1G named “Arizona Gambler” so we agreed on the name. I snuck out one evening and painted the noseart. Our company ‘artist’ and my crewchief refused to help, fearing our Commanding Officer would throw the book at us since I was apparently breaking company policy with such a large and prominent piece of artwork. I assumed the C.O. wouldn’t approve so figured, ‘why not?’ After all, what could happen – they’d send me to ‘Nam?! As it turned out, they let it stay on and didn’t discipline us.” Howie published an article in the International Plastic Model Society Journal in the early 1970s then built a model of Nevada Gambler. Monogram later released a large scale UH-1H model with Nevada Gambler markings. Recently … produced decals of Vietnam era Hueys and Cobras including Nevada Gambler. The left small photo shows these decals and the model is on the right.

Above:
Lane Army Airfield near An Son – March 1969. This photo was taken by VHPA member Dean Lauerman during his tour in the 129th Assault Helicopter Company based at Lane. It was approximately 14 kilometers northwest of Qui Nhon. At various times Air Cavalry, Assault Helicopter, Assault Support, Headquarters, Medical Evacuation, Reconnaissance Airplane, and Transportation Corps aviation related units were stationed at Lane. It was located just a few miles north of the Republic of Korean (ROK) Army base camp. Korean Army units provided most of the perimeter security for Lane.
Below:
A CH-46 from HMM-262 resupplies the US Marines on the Rock Pile – Early 1967. These photos were taken by VHPA member Dave Althoff during his tour with HMM-262. The large photo appeared in the 2002 Calendar and Membership Directory and is presented again to compliment Mike Leahy’s artwork featured on the front cover. The small photo proves that Dave’s CH-46 was orbiting the Rock Pile as he waited his turn to and on the pad and provides a ‘side view’ of the top of the Rock Pile. Chatterbox was one of the squadron radio call signs for HMM-262 during its tour in Southeast Asia.
Item Creation Date: 2007
Collection: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA) Collection
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
 (Click For More Item Information)
Added: 02 May 2018 [Updated: 02 May 2018]
Item is Copyrighted – Check for access via the Vietnam Reading Room portal.
View all documents in this Folder : Box : Collection
2008 Calendar, Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA) - 2008 Calendar
Document Item Number: 20080214001
[Number of Pages: 28]
Table of Contents
Front-Cover-Photo – VHPA member Pete Baxter took this photo during a C Company, 227th Aviation Battalion, 1st Air Cavalry Division Combat Assault about April 1967 southeast of Bong Son in II Corps. While the Huey’s door guns are not firing, someone else was. Notice the tracer round near the heel of the left skid!

January
E/82nd Arty’s Flight Line
Battery E (Avn) 82nd Artillery, 1st Air Cavalry Division at the ‘Golf Course’ – May 1966. This photo was taken by VHCMA member Ed Lemp who served as an OH-13S and the UH-1B Crew Chief with E/82nd Artillery. As best we can determine, Battery ‘E’ had 12 OH-13S (one for each of the 1st Cav’s tube artillery batteries), 4 UH-1s (they flew Command and Control for Division Artillery and the Artillery Battalions), and 6 O-1s Bird Dogs (after Dec 1965). You can easily see that these were still the days of white name tags and colored patches on the uniforms. Ed also provided the two small photos. The left photo shows a crew preflighting an OH-13S. The right photo shows a VC captured near an artillery fire base getting ready for his first helicopter ride back to the interrogation point.

February
1st Platoon, 174th AHC (Assault Helicopter Company) conducting a Combat Assault (CA) north of Duc Pho – Summer of 1967. These photos were taken by VHPA member Jim Messinger. He wrote, “Our company had two lift platoons. One platoon had a CA nearly every morning. Between six and nine Hueys would insert a rifle company. On this day I was flying with a new Aircraft Commander, so I was in the right seat and left him with all the flying while I snapped the pictures. For some time I wanted to get a sequence or pictures during a CA, but most of the time it was just too hazardous to be working with a camera. This day I was successful.” The left most small photo could be titled ‘LZ Prep Complete’ and the second ‘Grunts Delivered.’

March
In Come The Cobras, Out Go The Bravos
A UH-1B and AH-1G from B Battery, 2/20th Aerial Rocket Artillery (ARA), 1st Cavalry Division – July 1968. These photos were taken by SGT Carol (Carl) B. Ussery possibly at LZ Jane. Carl was killed on 9/28/1968 while riding in a C/227th AHB 1st CAV Huey that crashed and burned during a resupply mission. Prior to his death, Carl met his wife, Joyce, in Hawaii on R and R and gave her some 35-mm film to have developed. Joyce loaned the slides to the VHPA. Though Carl served with HHC and Company A, 1/5th Cav he was fascinated with helicopters and obviously spent some time with B/2/20th ARA. We believe this Cobra is #67-15525. It was destroyed on 12/4/1969. VHCMA and Blue Max Aerial Rocket Artillery Association member, Russ Warrier, provided the small photos. They show C Battery UH-1Bs armed with different weapons systems. Larger versions of these photos appeared in the 2003 VHPA Calendar.

April
A Deuce Lifts A Dog!
A CH-37C lifts UH-34D Bureau Number 150250 from HMM-361 – 6 April 1966. Pop A Smoke member Scott Estabrook provided the two large photos. Former USMC mechanic Earl ‘Frenchy’ Caillouet wrote: “After these pictures were taken, my friend, Dale, and I were stripping the rotor head off to lighten it up because the Deuce failed to lift the ’34. We took sniper fire, dived off the clamshell and hid behind a rice paddy dike. This started a whole series of escalations and ended up with a company on the ground and ‘34’s and Hueys everywhere. Later a Chinook recovered the ’34.” The faithful UH-34D was formerly known as the HUS; so it had two nicknames “Huss” and “Dog.” They were a joy to fly. All H-34 pilots and aircrews hold a special place in their hearts for the “Dog.” The CH-37C was formerly known as the HR2S; hence the nickname “Deuce.” The Marines deployed about six to eight CH-37Cs to Vietnam in mid-1965. The small photo was taken by Allen C. ‘A.C.’ Daniel from HMM-361 in May 1967. He wrote: “The last flyable Deuces made a flight over Marble Mountain, landed and taxied to the bone yard where they were left for the junk man. They deserved a better fate.”

May
This Is Shrimpboat 76
Shrimpboat 76 from the 197th Assault Support Helicopter Company (ASHC) – March 1967. VHPA member Brian Foote took this photo as a Pickup Zone (PZ) named “3 Tango” west of Pleiku. Brian wrote: “We were supporting the 4th Infantry Division. Our procedure was to send out a number of Chinooks each day. We had the first Chinook take out a jeep with radio and an experienced pilot who we referred to as the Air Mission Commander (AMC). The AMC would be the person who coordinated with the units/people on the ground on the loads they had and their destinations. The AMC would then pass that info (unit coordinates, unit call signs, FM frequencies, etc.) to our aircraft flying the missions. I was the AMC this day. This Chinook (CH-47A #65-07976) picked up a 105 Howitzer as you can see. The strap under the Howitzer was connected to an additional load (in a tarp) that contained about 20 rounds of 105 ammo plus the 105 crew’s sectional equipment (aiming stakes, etc.). The pick up procedure was to approach the load from behind, hover up to the Howitzer and hook it up. The Flight Engineer or Crew Chief (who was laying on his stomach looking down through a hatch just above the cargo hook) would then direct the pilot to move up (taking the slack out of the strap) and above the secondary load – hence the name ‘a Piggy Back’ load. Our primary customer in those times was the Artillery. I would say 80-90% of our missions in those early years were devoted to Artillery Support.” The VHPA Helicopter database states that 976 crashed, burned and was destroyed on 7 May 1967 after taking a hit in an engine from an enemy round. Brian also provided the small photo. It shows another view of the same pick-up.

June
Welcome To The USS Iwo Jima (LPH-2) HMM-363’s Home In Early 1968
UH-34Ds from HMM-363 on the USS Iwo Jima (LPH-2) off I Corps – February 1968. Pop A Smoke member Greg Ferris took these photos while serving with HMM-363. The USS Iwo Jima (LPH-2) was the first ship designed from the keel up as an amphibious assault ship. It was commissioned in 1961 and made six deployments to Southeast Asia. The ship carried a squadron of 24 Marine helicopters (at this time is was HMM-363) plus a Battalion Landing Team of 1500 Marines (at this time it was the 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines). The combines unit of the ship, helicopters and infantry were called a Special Landing Force (SLF). For several years there were two SLF’s based off Vietnam. You are looking at SLF – Alpha. The helicopter crews ‘enjoyed’ their time on the LPHs because the living conditions were better than on land plus they didn’t get mortared!

July
Love At First Sight!/Beware of Flying on your Day Off!
A Robinhood UH-1H from the 173rd Assault Helicopter Company at Lai Khe – July 1967. VHCMA member Dan ‘Bink’ Binkley provided these photos, the pocket patch, and his story. “I remember walking down the revetment area with my platoon sergeant to be assigned my Huey. It was a case of ‘Love at first sight’ for sure! I was glad to be a Robinhood! I will never forget the 1st of September. The pilots were CW2 BA Nakamura and WO1 KL Demaranv, the crew chief was PFC Lanny Bart Jarvis, and I was the gunner. We had a full load of wounded ARVNs, a few Americans, some blocks of ice and bananas coming out of Dion on a hot afternoon. We pulled pitch and seemed to have enough power but hit a dirt pile and crashed into a ditch. I helped get CW2 Nakamura out of his seat and yelled at everyone to get away before it blew. The last time I saw UH-1D #65-09591 it was burning fiercely and cooking off ammo.”

August
You Are Looking At An Angel!
A US Navy UH-2B Seasprite from HC-1 on the Princeton – August 1966. This photo was taken former USMC crew member Scott Estabrook while landing in a UH-34 on the USS Princeton off the coast of I Corps Vietnam. VHPA Member George Kirsten, who provided the HC-1 patch and flew Seasprites on two cruises in the Tonkin Gulf, states: “Everyone in HC-1 used the call sign Angel. The HC-1 patch was special – note the hand reaching from the sky to the bleeding hand reaching up from the sea! Normally each Detachment had three UH-2s, with eight pilots, a maintenance Warrant Officer, and 32 enlisted men. Whenever the carrier conducted landings and takeoffs, one of our ships was aloft for SAR (Search and Rescue). Night or day, good or bad weather, we pulled four-hour missions. During a standard nine-month cruise I logged about 500 hours.” This aircraft, bureau number 150153, was destroyed on 4 Oct 1967 while on an over the water rescue and recovery mission. George flew the twin engine UH-2C. The small photos show his HC-1 Det – 1 team on the USS Enterprise in 1968 and one of their UH-2C Seasprites.

September
A Wagon Wheel CA!
UH-1Ds from C Company, 229th Assault Helicopter Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division – August 1967. VHPA member Dave Rittman took these photos. The large one shows a combat assault (CA) some place in II Corps. The small photos were taken when Dave’s company was working out of Phan Thiet in southern II Corps. Over the years the VHPA has published literally dozens of Dave’s photos. We can only hope that Dave was as good a pilot as he was a photographer – because he took some outstanding photos!

October
PEDRO 42
Air Force HH-43B at New Pleiku Air Base – March 1966. The color photo was taken Ed Lemp, a Crew Chief in Battery “E” (Avn), 82nd Artillery, 1st Air Cavalry Division. It shows HH-43B #62-4511 serving with Detachment 9 of the 38th Aerial Rescue and Recovery Squadron. The primary mission of these two aircraft detachments was local base rescue and recovery, but they also did combat medevacs. On 28 October 1966 pilot CPT Carlton Vermeys, co-pilot 2LT George H. ‘Spike’ Bonnell, III, flight engineer A2C Frances David Rice and PJ Allen Stanek were the crew of PEDRO 42 in this aircraft on a mission in the Ia Drang Valley about 35 miles west of Pleiku to medevac critically injured US Army 4th Infantry Division soldiers. Allen was on the ground loading the fourth man onto the hoist when an RPG hit the helicopter. Rice and the Army wounded were killed immediately or in the crash. Carlton and ‘Spike’ were seriously injured but rescued by the Infantry. Sadly ‘Spike’ died a few days later from his injuries. Both Carlton and Allen completed full careers in the Air Force. Mike McMillan, also a PJ, provided the insert 1970 photo of Tuy Hoa based Det 11, 38th ARRS plus the two small photos.

November
Big Mother
CH-54A #67-18418 from the 478th Heavy Helicopter Company at Da Nang – October 1968. VHPA member Jim Oden provided these photos that describe one of the most interesting helicopter stories from Vietnam. The full story appeared in the Nov/Dec, 1996 VHPA Newsletter. Prior to his second RVN tour with the 478th, Jim went to Ft. Rucker as part of a joint Army/Air Force effort to use surplus 10,000-lb. bombs to blow instant LZs. They dropped a total of four bombs in 1968 near the western side of the DMZ as directed by III MAF. What a blast! The concussion shook the helicopter as if all the blades were out of track! There were five people in the Skycrane: Jim was the AC, CWO Merle Handley the other pilot, CWO Marc Wilson the bombardier, SP5 Johnson the C.E., plus an Air Force observer name not recorded. The Air Force man took many of the pictures and gave copies to Jim. The small photos show CW4 Jim Oden and Marc Wilson holding the bomb sight used for the 10,000 bombs, some 478th HHC patches, plus a State-side training flight.

December
A Snake in the Grass
A collage from H Troop17th Cav taken at Kontum in early 1972. VHPA member Steven James provided these photos. The large photo shows AH-1G #68-17084 at Kontum ready to be rearmed. The photo was taken about June. Note the ‘toilet bowl’ – it defused the engine exhaust into the rotor wash. This helped defend against the heat seeking SA-7 missiles. This Cobra is armed with the 20-mm gun system. Concerning the need of a paint job, Steve says, “They didn’t have time to make them pretty. They were being flown almost every day by one of a very few pilots. The reason the blade wasn’t tied down was that we were subject to incoming at any moment and no one wanted to waste time before they could start up.” The lower left photo shows OH-6A #67-16333. The pilot on the left is CPT Craig Smith, Scalphunter 15, then CPT Steven James, Pallbearer 32, and CPT Walter Moss, Scalphunter Lead, on the right. The lower center photos shows the remains of UH-1H #68-16498 shot down on 24 Apr just north of Kontum. VHPA member 1LT Frank Shipton, Pallbearer 38, was flying this ship. The lower right photo shows a line of OH-6As with CPT Melvin Finch walking away from the camera. On 30 Mar his OH-6A was shot down, he was captured and died as a POW. VHPA member Steve C. Shepherd, a 7/17th Cav Cobra pilot, provided the small photos.

Above:
Top Left – Ed Lemp provided this photo of an E/82nd Arty OH-13S taken in Nov 1965 at LZ Falcon during the famous Battle of the Ia Drang Valley. CPT Jimmy L. Person flew a code book to the artillery battery on the Falcon late in the afternoon the day before this picture was taken. While there the LZ was mortared and they got his ship. He is the African-American soon on the right side of the picture. Bottom Left – Roger Patterson provided this photo of UH-1D #66-16565 from C/229th AHB 1 CAV taken on 28 Mar 1969 at Tay Ninh West. It was hit during a mortar attack the night before. Right – Scott Estabrook provided these photos after the famous 27 Oct 1965 sapper attack on the Marine Corps airbase at Marble Mountain. The top photo shows one of the six UH-34s destroyed, nine others had major and 17 more minor damage during the attack. The bottom photo shows one of 13 VMO-2 UH-1Es destroyed that night. Two more UH-1Es sustained major damage and another pair suffered less severe damage. The official USMC history states: “VMO-2 had only four flyable aircraft after the attack. Replacing the UH-1Es was especially difficult since the Marine Corps only had 18 UH-1Es that were not already in Vietnam.”
Below:
The Flight Log Display Head (or map) for the Decca Navigator Mark 8A AN/ASN-72 system mounted in a US Army UH-1D – August 1967. This photo was taken by VHPA member Dave Rittman during his tour with C/229th Aviation Battalion of the 1st Air Cav Division. Dave wrote: “This photo is of the display map of the Decca Navigational approach to An Khe Golf Course in August 1967. The system was highly accurate and often invaluable in our day to day flying.” According to a Nov 1965 version of the Operating Instructions manual, the system had its own ground based radio transmission equipment, an aircraft mounted receiver and control box plus a computer that drove the flight log display head. Only a few aircraft in some units had the Decca equipment installed. Odds are that the average Vietnam helicopter pilot will tell you that he never saw the system working.
Item Creation Date: 2008
Collection: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA) Collection
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
 (Click For More Item Information)
Added: 02 May 2018 [Updated: 02 May 2018]
Item is Copyrighted – Check for access via the Vietnam Reading Room portal.
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2001 Calendar, Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA) - Nails and HEAT
Document Item Number: 20080207001
[Number of Pages: 28]
Table of Contents
Front Cover Photo – An F Troop, 9th Cavalry AH-1G – April 1972. This photo was taken by VHPA member Ron Timberlake at Lai Khe during the famous Easter Offensive documented in the history section of the 1999 VHPA Directory. The warheads on the tall pile of rockets contain anti-personnel flechettes or “Nails.” The smaller stack contains High Explosive Anti-Tank or HEAT warheads, Sadly, Ron died during 1999 in a vehicle accident.

January
Silver Scouts
A 2nd Brigade, 1st Air Cavalry Division OH-13 – early 1967. These photos were taken by VHPA member WO Steve Rockett at LZ English. As a general rule, the aviation section for an Army Brigade had five Hueys that serves as Command and Control ships for the Brigade and Battalion Commanders plus at least five observation helicopters for lots of other jobs. The Hueys used the radio call sign of the commander, for example Thunder Ball 6, for the Brigade Commander. Initially the Army believed the brigade observation helicopters would be used primarily for courier missions or to carry a Forward Observer that adjusted artillery fire. Quickly, however, the Infantry started asking the OH-13 pilots to “look down the trail” (their direction of travel) and “tell us what you see.” To no one’s surprise, they started receiving fire! The machine guns and an armed observer were added to give a little back in return. Scouting became their primary mission and Silver was the radio call sign for the 2nd Brigade’s Scouts.

February
Showing Teeth
VHPA member Tom Dooling took the upper left photo of Wretched Mildred while serving with the D Troop, 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry in 1969 at Cu Chi. He said that during this period all their Cobras were painted with teeth as the “Killer” part of the 3/4th Cav’s Hunter/Killer Teams. VHCMA member Bill Moeller owns the photo in the upper right of a Dashing Cavalier Cobra from C Troop, 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry just leaving Tay Ninh and heading for a mission in the Fish Hook area of Vietnam near the Cambodian Border in late May 1970. The photo was taken by a door gunner on a C Troop Huey named Smitty. He and Bill traded negatives from time to time. Bill was in the avionics maintenance team and often flew as a door gunner. VHPA member Fred Thompson owns the lower right photo of the Dutchmasters of B Troop, 1st Squadron, 7th Cavalry going to work in late 1969.

March
One Bad Purple Fox
An HMM-364 CH-46D – June 1970. This photo was taken by VHPA and USMC/Vietnam Helicopter Association member Walt Wise at Marble Mountain. YK-21 was the Squadron’s special aircraft at this time. Not only did it have the standard compliment of two 50-cal machineguns, but it had a mini-gun in the right front door. It was very popular for those recon inserts or extracts when you knew where all the friendlies were and you wanted to keep the bad guys quiet. The squadron had only one black crew chief at the time named Sgt. “Buzz” Sawyer. He was proud of being black and proud of YK-21. Notice his “Jungle Bunny” sign aft of the pilot’s window! Major Frank Gulledge provides some more YK-21 history. “The first such unauthorized gun was installed by a Sgt. Joe V. “J.J.” Johnson. It was some electronic headache to make it work, but it finally did as indicated by confirmed kills in red in Walt’s photo.” Frank has another photo of YK-21 showing “Buzz” Sawyer and his sign but with two M-60 machineguns instead of the mini-gun. Maybe the electronic headache of the mini-gun became even more than Sawyer wanted to handle.

April
Log Bird
A 158th Assault Helicopter Battalion, 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile) UH-1H – 1969. This photo was taken by VHPA member Dan Bresnahan during his first tour when he was an Infantry Platoon Leader and Company Commander of Company A, 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry, which was part of the 3rd Brigade of the 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile) in 1969. The LZ was in Northern I Corps, south of Fire Support Base Veghel and east of the A Shau Valley. Don’t think that this photo is washed out or faded. What you are seeing is the effect of fog and smoke in the early morning in some I Corps jungle.

May
Birth Control from Guns A-Go-Go
These photos of AH-47A #64-13145, named Birth Control by her crew, were taken by WO Steve Rockett at LZ Uplift in April 1967. Guns A-Go-Go was the radio call sign for the 53rd Aviation Detachment, Field Evaluation (Provisional), which deployed to Vietnam with four armed Chinooks in May 1966. In September it was attached to the 1st Air Cavalry Division with support being provided by the 228th Assault Support Helicopter Battalion. Later they were redesignated the 1st Aviation Detachment and placed under the operational control of the 2/20th Aerial Rocket Artillery Battalion. Each AH-47 had a 40-mm grenade launcher in the nose, two 20-mm cannons and two pods for 17 2.75-inch rockets, and five 50-caliber heavy machineguns. Birth Control was making a gun run on 5 May 1967 when one of the pins on the left 20-mm gun mount fell out. The gun pivoted up and fired into the front rotor system. The Chinook crashed inverted, exploded and burned; killing all eight men on board. Steve was flying for the 2nd Brigade, 1st Air Cavalry Division that day and was one of the first to land at the crash site. In May 2000 Guns A-Go-Go held a reunion and dedication ceremony at Redstone Arsenal for the restored AH-47 Easy Money memorial.

June
One of a Kind Porthole Shot
An HMM-265 CH-46C – June 1968. This photo was taken by VHPA and USMC/Vietnam Helicopter Association member Bruce Lake at Marble Mountain. “I was standing on the ground and looking through two windows of the H-46 on the ground beside me and I saw an aircraft fly by. I waited patiently and got this picture of the H-46.”

July
It’s a Blade Changing Party!!
A 2nd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division UH-1H – October 1968. This photo was taken by VHPA member Curt Knapp at LZ Sally. “This is what happens after you clip a tree at 60 knots running low level down Highway 1 near Hue.” One might think that Huey blades are light because they are filled with a honey-comb material and have only one main steel spare. Wrong! Notice 13 men are ‘enjoying’ this party! The Huey is “Ol’ 055” (tail number 66-01055) which was used as the Brigade Commander’s C and C ship until the night of 11 December 1968. It was returning home after taking the Brigade Commander to Camp Eagle when it had an engine failure. Everyone loves doing those night autorotations, right? The hard landing produced so much damaged that the aircraft was declared a total loss.

August
A 1st Cav Sky Crane with Pod
A 478th Heavy Helicopter Company CH-54A – January 1966. This photo was taken by VHPA member Jim Oden somewhere in II Corps. This Skycrane, tail number 64-14202, was the first CH-54A purchased by the Army. See the September/October 1999 VHPA Newsletter for the story of how it was destroyed in an aircraft accident on the night of 9 August 1966 while carrying a load of fused 105mm ammunition in marginal weather southwest of Pleiku. The 478th had four ‘People pods,’ one for each crane they took to Vietnam in 1965 as part of the 1st Cavalry Division. The pods were configured as an emergency hospital, a communications center, and operations headquarters, and a resupply point.

September
Holes in a Chinook
A Hillclimber CH_47A – December 1965. This photo was taken by VHPA member Tom Elliston soon after the 147th Aviation Company (Medium Helicopter)), later redesignated as Assault Support Helicopter Company, arrived at Vung Tau. The ship made a precautionary landing after taking a large number of hits (like 37 or 47). Tom cannot remember the exact number of hits and the VHPA’s helicopter battle damage database has no record of this event. No one was injured and the damage was ventilation holes to the fuselage and blades. As per the field expedient Standard Operating Procedure, the blades received some green ‘100 mph speed tape’ and the ship flown back to Vung Tau. The two lucky pilots are the guys on the left; ‘Beetle’ Bailey and Charlie Davis. The guys near the center wearing flack jackets are from the 116th Aviation Company’s gun platoon who were supporting the Hillclimbers that day. VHPA Member Gary Harrel is on the left. Major Sims, the maintenance detachment commander for the 147th, is standing on the far right.

October
Artillery’s Best Friend
A Freight Train CH-47A – August 1968. This photo was taken by VHPA member Bill Robie at a fire support base east of Bao Loc. This Chinook, tail number 66-19053, belonged to the 243rd Assault Support Helicopter Company based at Dong Ba Thin in II Corps. Bill flew Hueys for the 92nd AHC, which was based at Dong Ba Thin. Tragically, just a few weeks later, on October 20th, 053 departed Dong Ba Thin on a resupply flight to Ban Me Thout with a crew of five. It was last heard from about 9 AM and then disappeared without a trace. See CW4 Charles Deitsch and CW2 Henry Knight.

November
An Air Cavalry Team Refueling
An OH-6A and an AH-1G – October 1968. This photo was taken by VHPA member Bill Robie at the Bao Loc refuel point. These aircraft are most likely from B Troop, 7th Squadron, 17th Cavalry, which was based at Phan Thiet during late 1968 and the first half of 1969. The paint on the Cobra appears to be almost factory fresh. B Troop replaced its UH-1C gunships with AH-1Gs in August and September. B Troop usually conducted reconnaissance operations around Bao Loc about once a week. Their base near LZ Betty at Phan Thiet was called The Morgue, because it was basically part of a Vietnamese graveyard. B Troop’s Scout (OH-6A) Platoon used Scalphunter as their radio call sign, the Weapons (AH-1G) Platoon used Undertaker, and the Lift (UH-1H) Platoon were the Pallbearers. Some Troop Commanders used Embalmer 6. Interesting names indeed.

December
Air America External Loads
These photos were taken by Judy Porter in 1973 and 1974 at Air America’s maintenance facility at Udorn, Thailand as part of a project to illustrate the facilities and capabilities of Air America. Permission to use these photos resulted from some research done by VHPA member John Konek. The upper left photo shows UH-34D number H-45 lifting 2,965 lbs. The lower left photo shows S-58T number XW-PHD lifting 3,325 lbs. The S-58T fleet was manufactured at Udorn from UH-34 airframes utilizing Sikorsky-provided Pratt and Whitney Twin-Pack turboshaft powerplants and gearbox conversion kits. The upper right shows Bell 205 number XW-PFJ lifting 2,685. The lower right photo shows a CH-47C lifting 10,000 lbs. Air America’s CH-47Cs came from US Army bailment.

More Air America Helicopters
These photos were taken by Judy Porter in 1973 and 1974 at Air America’s maintenance facility at Udorn, Thailand as part of a project to illustrate the facilities and capabilities of Air America. Permission to use these photos resulted from some research done by VHPA member John Konek. The upper left photo shows Bell 205 number XW-PFJ with its crew of two and some Air America staff. The pilot is Captain Tom Grady, who died in a helicopter accident in Los Angeles in 1977. The Bell 205 is remarkable similar to the US Army UH-1D and was equipped with a Lycoming T5313A engine. The upper right photo shows Bell 204B number N8513F with its crew. The Bell 204B is remarkable similar to the US Army UH-1B and was equipped with a Lycoming T5311A engine. The lower left photo shows Hughes 500 number N354X with its pilot, three passengers plus some cargo. The lower right photo shows CH-47C number 019 with its crew of four and a large group of Air America staff plus some cargo.
Item Creation Date: 2001
Collection: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA) Collection
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
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Added: 25 Apr 2018 [Updated: 25 Apr 2018]
Item is Copyrighted – Check for access via the Vietnam Reading Room portal.
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Old Warriors (145th Comat Aviation Battalion (Vietnam) Association) - Newsletter
Newsletter Item Number: 2336Newsletter611214
[Number of Pages: 27]
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR BY James L. Bodkin


FEATURES:
Battalion History: 57th Transportation Company
Financial Report
Visual Dreams Movie Door Gunner
1st Battalion 145th Aviation Regiment
New People Located List
Issue: 14
Item Creation Date: July 1990
Collection: Larry Leonard Collection
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
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Added: 30 Mar 2018 [Updated: 06 Apr 2018]
Item is Copyrighted – Check for access via the Vietnam Reading Room portal.
The Helicopter War, 1961-1968 - Source Unknown - Book
Document Item Number: 2930610001
[Number of Pages: 96]
Author(s): Charles Holley
Item Creation Date: No Date
Collection: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA) Collection: General Files
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
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Added: 20 Aug 2019 [Updated: 20 Aug 2019]
Item is Copyrighted – Check for access via the Vietnam Reading Room portal.
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Typhoon (5th Public Information Detachment, I Field Force Vietnam) - Serial
Serial Item Number: 2842Serial610908
[Number of Pages: 48]
Dak Seang Still Lives 2
Ruthles Riders 6
Point To Where It Hurts 10
Recondo 14
Bu Prang Revisited 18
Focus On I FForce V 22
Cham 24
Ivy Leaf Cambodian Thrust 26
Push It And Go Down 30
Looking Beyond The War 34
The Love God Of Coop 12 38
Shangri-LA In The Central Highlands 42
Detached Violence 46
Volume: 4
Issue: 7
Item Creation Date: July- August 1970
Collection: Charles Winer Collection
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
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Added: 17 Oct 2017 [Updated: 14 Jun 2018]
Hawk (1st Aviation Brigade, Information Office) - Serial
Serial Item Number: 2842Serial610953
[Number of Pages: 63]
Lam Son 719 ;
Taipans of the Delta, USA+RAN=EMU: 135th Experimental Military Unit ;
Houses Made of Tears: Golden Gate Halfway House, Phu Loi ;
Double Exposure: 225th Surveillance Airplane Company (SAC) ;
Factory at Sea: USNS Corpus Christi Bay ;
A Brighter Smile: DENTCAP, Children's Preventive Dentistry Program ;
That Island Called Man: Photo Gallery ;
Malaysia: Task Force Golden Hawk, flood relief mission ;
Editorial: Get Some / Chaplain LTC Reginald J. Huebner, 1st Aviation Brigade ;
Hawk Honey ;
Bunker 5 (vocal music group): SP5 Clarence Rossi, SP4 Dwight Borel, SP4 David McAloon, SP4 Frank D'Angiolini, SP4 John Henkel ;
Mama Sans ;
Fromer Commanding Generals: MG G.P. Seneff Jr, MG George W. Putnam, LG Robert R. Williams ;
Skycrane, CH-54: 273rd Heavy Helicopter Company ;
Outpost to Outpatient: Medevac Missions to ARVN Hospitals ;
Combat Art: Photo Gallery ;
Dear Charlie: Peek-a-Boo!: 221st Reconnaissance Airplane Company "Shotguns" ;
History, 1st Aviation Brigade ;
Seawolves, Detachment 9, HA(L)-3 ;
Firefighters from the Sky: 213th Assault Support Helicopter Company "Black Cats" ;
Letter to the Editor from LTC Jerry R. Curry, MACV Advisory Team 22, LZ Crystal ;
High School Degree? College Diploma? Why Wait?: USARV Education Program ;
Newsletter ;
Wing Tips... / CPT Dick Hooper.
Volume: 5
Issue: 1
Item Creation Date: Spring 1971
Collection: Charles Winer Collection
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
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Added: 18 Oct 2017 [Updated: 20 Aug 2025]
The VHPA Aviator (Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)) - Newsletter - Citrus Heights, California
Newsletter Item Number: 2841Newsletter611026
[Number of Pages: 36]
NEW YEAR'S GREETINGS FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE VHPA BY Woody McFarlin


FEATURES:
Happy New Year from VHPA Headquaters BY Ray Casey
Is it Your Time to Step Forward?
What to Say to Martha Raye! BY Robert (Bo) Atkinson
Welcome to the VHPA!
You Can Leave The Military, But It Never Really Leaves You BY Ken Burger
Please Gentlemen.... Embellishments must be allowed. Why should the facts mess up a good story? BY Howard Horton
Three Missing IN Action SOG Soldiers Come Home
Lest We Forget
I Return to Vietnam...... BY Jim Robbins
War Story, the First Flight of an Army Q-Model TOW Cobra BY Bob Taylor
Save your photographic legacy now!
The Courts Martial of CW2 Charles Gossett BY Charlie Gossett


REUNION:
The 28th Annual VHPA Reunion
Invite a Fallen Buddies Family to Breakfast BY Julie Kink
2011 Reunion Tours and Events


LETTERS:
Looking For a Book... FROM Lanny McCormack
Looking For Rescue Crew Members FROM Kenneth S. Peterson
Looking For My Former Aircrew Members FROM Stan Allen
Looking For any VHPA Members who might have served with SP5 Gerald (Jerry) Foley FROM James E. Davis
Looking For Chopper Pilots from during my tour in Vietnam FROM David Hollar
Looking For anyone who might have known WO Kenneth Lance FROM Larry Lance
To the Editor (and Members) of the VHPA FROM Tom Payne
To the Editor of the VHPA Aviator FROM Edward Taylor
To the Members of the VHPA FROM John Brennan
To the Editor of the VHPA Aviator FROM Tom Anderson
To the Editor of the VHPA Aviator FROM Pete Bradley
To the Editor of the VHPA Aviator FROM Steve Bookout
To the Editor of the VHPA Aviator FROM J.James Rooks
To the Members of the VHPA FROM Rick Roll
The Author of last month's story entitled "Christmas Party for Missionary Kids" sent us this follow up message... FROM Bo Atkinson
VHPA Member Rick Williams sent us these photos along with a note: FROM Rick Williams


TAPS:
Dirick C. Overhamm - Frederick Dean Sando - John J. Griffiths - Joseph M.F. May - Kenneth Lance - Marvin Duane Spieker - Merl Hawkins - Richard L. Naughton - Norman Cox - Paul E. Protzman - Richard "Dick" Kearley - Wamon Floyd - Michael L. Sipsey


CHAPTER ACTIVITIES:
North Alabama chapter BY Jim White
Washington State chapter BY Bob Brown
South Dakota chapter BY Harold Pardew
North Carolina chapter BY J.D. Lawson
South Missouri chapter BY John Sorenson
Louisiana Gulf Coast chapter BY Phil Nuss
Fort Wolters chapter BY Lee Westbrook
Rocky Mountain chapter BY Ed Fickes
VHPA of Florida chapter BY Jim Basta, Gary Harrell
Southern California chapter BY Carl Cortez
Georgia chapter BY Skip Bell
Virginia chapter BY Ben Gay


BOOK REVIEWS:
Helicopter Gunships: Deadly Combat Weapon Systems BY John Penny
Soldier's Heart: Close-up Today With PTSD in Vietnam Veterans BY John Penny
Volume: 29
Issue: 01
Item Creation Date: Jan/Feb 2011
Collection: John Shafer Collection
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
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Added: 31 Oct 2017 [Updated: 06 Nov 2017]
Hawk (1st Aviation Brigade, Information Office) - Serial
Serial Item Number: 887Serial610882
[Number of Pages: 63]
Lam Son 719 ;
Taipans of the Delta, USA+RAN=EMU: 135th Assault Helicopter Company, Experimental Military Unit ;
Houses Made of Tears: Golden Gate Halfway House, Phu Loi ;
Double Exposure: 225th Surveillance Airplane Company (SAC) ;
Factory at Sea: USNS Corpus Christi Bay, 1st T.C. Battalion (Aircraft Maintenance Depot, Seaborne) ;
A Brighter Smile...A Healthy Future: DENTCAP, Children's Preventive Dentistry Program ;
That Island Called Man: photo gallery ;
Malaysia: Task Force Golden Hawk (special mercy mission) ;
Editorial: Get Some / Chaplain LTC Reginald J. Heubner ;
Hawk Honey ;
The Bunker 5: 1st Aviation Brigade Music Group - SP5 Clarence Rossi, SP4 Dwight Borel, Sp4 David McAloon, SP4 Frank D'Angiolini, SP4 John Henkel ;
Mama Sans
Fromer Commanding Generals
Outpost to Outpatient
History-1st Avn Bde
Seawolves
Wing Tips
Volume: 5
Issue: 1
Item Creation Date: Spring 1971
Collection: Michael Law Collection
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
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Added: 06 Oct 2017 [Updated: 19 Aug 2025]
The VHPA Aviator (Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)) - Newsletter - Citrus Heights, California
Newsletter Item Number: 1932Newsletter611129
[Number of Pages: 20]
FROM THE PRESIDENT BY Phil Marshall


FEATURES:
Council sets agenda deadline BY Charles R. Rayl
Committee wants details about platoons
Museum asks for crewmen names BY Gary Roush
HCA needs judges to help with nationals BY Jack Jordan
Video on helicopters, pilots is well done
Marine pilot in lucky 66 percent BY Fred Pratt
Directory spurs search for memorabilia BY Gary Stahlhuth
'Scarfing' mission leads to drowning BY Gary W. Stahlhuth
Terms describe Dustoff pilot's life BY Gary Stahlhuth
History Book improved, but delayed



LETTERS:
Marathon is member's mid-life crisis FROM Don Wood
Experience can take years to accumulate FROM O. Boyd Wynne
Thank you note to pilots draws a nice response FROM Raymond Blackman, Phil Marshall
French TV director seeks vets FROM Julien Meije
Sending out Newsletters a great idea FROM Mel Canon
Memorial story in Newsletter appreciated FROM William L. (Larry) Little
Daughter searching for father's friend FROM Jennifer Adams
Seeking "Silver Spurs" FROM David Earley
Seeking class list for 63-7WA FROM Susan J. Schumacher


TAPS:
Jimmy V. Dobbs - Paul Erekson - Clifford R. Hendryx - Gerald Dean Jones - Pierre R. Lefebvre - Donald Rollins - Ken Shriver - Burton "Jon" J. Vleck - Richard "Rick" D. Gleason


REUNIONS:
Reunion begins in three months BY Ralph Harvey
Follow these directions to hotel
Chapter would like guards for helicopters BY Jerry Seago
Fritz has information on Pennsylvania vendor taxes
Volume: 12
Issue: 2
Item Creation Date: April 1994
Collection: Mr. Don Cameron Thomson Collection
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
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Added: 26 Jan 2018 [Updated: 26 Jan 2018]
Letter from Fred Blanchard to Mike Law with Attachment - re: paper written by Blanchard
Document Item Number: 8870111001
[Number of Pages: 57]
Item Creation Date: 29 March 2000
Collection: Michael Law Collection
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
 (Click For More Item Information)
Added: 30 May 2018 [Updated: 30 May 2018]
View all documents in this Folder : Box : Collection
Archival Descriptions Search - Archival Research Catalog - Webpage
Document Item Number: 30100133002
[Number of Pages: 48]
Item Creation Date: 8 July 2009
Collection: William Thomas Marshall, Jr. Collection
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
 (Click For More Item Information)
Added: 04 Dec 2020 [Updated: 04 Dec 2020]
View all documents in this Folder : Box : Collection
CHECO - Essay
Document Item Number: 30100423001
[Number of Pages: 60]
Item Creation Date: No Date
Collection: William Thomas Marshall, Jr. Collection
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
 (Click For More Item Information)
Added: 01 Feb 2022 [Updated: 08 Feb 2022]
View all documents in this Folder : Box : Collection
The VHPA Aviator (Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)) - Newsletter - Citrus Heights, California
Newsletter Item Number: 999Newsletter613660
[Number of Pages: 48]
FEATURES:
President’s Corner
From the Staff at HQ!
Lighthorse meets Crazyhorse BY Rex Gooch
7/17 Air Cavalry Huey 233 Reunion BY Bennie See
Aviator Book Reviews
Sam Johnson Vietnam Archive Opens Large Agent Orange Collection BY Amy K. Mondt
Welcome to the VHPA!
Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association Membership Application

LETTERS:
Looking For FROM Benjamin Kristy
Looking For FROM Susan Wiswald
Looking For FROM Timothy Clark
Looking For FROM Tom Kenney

CHAPTER ACTIVITIES:
VHPA Chapters
Alamo Chapter
American Huey Chapter BY Phil Marshall
Georgia Chapter BY Doug Lackey
Michigan Chapter BY Rich Deer
North Alabama Chapter (NAVHPA) BY Ralph Weber
North Carolina Chapter BY Vic Rose
The Rocky Mountain Chapter and the Helicopter War Museum (HWM) BY Dale House

TAPS: Bartash, Dennis C. - Budig, Sherwood R. - Cartwright, Alvin W. - Conley, Martin E. - Crocker, Benny D. - Flournoy, John C. - Greenlee, Fredricl E. - Gass, James M. - Hapney, Jimmy L. - Jones, William S. - Kerr, John A. - Laya, Robert E. - Lezynski. Edward J. - Lockheart, Henry D. - Manso, Gary A.- Maraglio, richard C. - Mateyko, john R. - Metcalf, Terry J. - Michaud, Steven L. - Milavic, Jacob A.F. - Millican, Charles W.III - Murphy, Daniel J. - Richards, Danny L. - Ryan, Edward G. - Salm, John H.Jr - Shawyer, William M. - Sisk, robert W. - Skinner, Stanley J. - Smith Michael L. - Specht, Edwin J. - Squires, Gordon W. - St. John M. - Stokes, Marvin R. - Stuth, John K. - Tidball, John C. - Trudo, Joseph S. - Underwood, Ernest W. - Waldropm Thomas W. - Wall, John W. - Ward, Dr. Michael L. - Whitner, John Jr. - Williams, clifton G. Woodwall, Lawrence A. - Woodard Joseph A. - Young, Roger A.
Volume: 44
Issue: 03
Item Creation Date: July/September 2025
Collection: Vietnam Center Collection
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
 (Click For More Item Information)
Added: 09 Feb 2026 [Updated: 11 Feb 2026]
The VHPA Aviator (Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)) - Newsletter - Citrus Heights, California
Newsletter Item Number: 999Newsletter613659
[Number of Pages: 48]
FEATURES:
President’s Corner
From the Staff at HQ!
Lighthorse meets Crazyhorse BY Rex Gooch
7/17 Air Cavalry Huey 233 Reunion BY Bennie See
Aviator Book Reviews
Sam Johnson Vietnam Archive Opens Large Agent Orange Collection BY Amy K. Mondt
Welcome to the VHPA!
Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association Membership Application

LETTERS:
Looking For FROM Benjamin Kristy
Looking For FROM Susan Wiswald
Looking For FROM Timothy Clark
Looking For FROM Tom Kenney

CHAPTER ACTIVITIES:
VHPA Chapters
Alamo Chapter
American Huey Chapter BY Phil Marshall
Georgia Chapter BY Doug Lackey
Michigan Chapter BY Rich Deer
North Alabama Chapter (NAVHPA) BY Ralph Weber
North Carolina Chapter BY Vic Rose
The Rocky Mountain Chapter and the Helicopter War Museum (HWM) BY Dale House

TAPS: Bartash, Dennis C. - Budig, Sherwood R. - Cartwright, Alvin W. - Conley, Martin E. - Crocker, Benny D. - Flournoy, John C. - Greenlee, Fredricl E. - Gass, James M. - Hapney, Jimmy L. - Jones, William S. - Kerr, John A. - Laya, Robert E. - Lezynski. Edward J. - Lockheart, Henry D. - Manso, Gary A.- Maraglio, richard C. - Mateyko, john R. - Metcalf, Terry J. - Michaud, Steven L. - Milavic, Jacob A.F. - Millican, Charles W.III - Murphy, Daniel J. - Richards, Danny L. - Ryan, Edward G. - Salm, John H.Jr - Shawyer, William M. - Sisk, robert W. - Skinner, Stanley J. - Smith Michael L. - Specht, Edwin J. - Squires, Gordon W. - St. John M. - Stokes, Marvin R. - Stuth, John K. - Tidball, John C. - Trudo, Joseph S. - Underwood, Ernest W. - Waldropm Thomas W. - Wall, John W. - Ward, Dr. Michael L. - Whitner, John Jr. - Williams, clifton G. Woodwall, Lawrence A. - Woodard Joseph A. - Young, Roger A.

Volume: 44
Issue: 03
Item Creation Date: July/September 2025
Collection: Vietnam Center Collection
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
 (Click For More Item Information)
Added: 05 Feb 2026 [Updated: 11 Feb 2026]
The VHPA Aviator (Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)) - Newsletter - Citrus Heights, California
Newsletter Item Number: 999Newsletter613693
[Number of Pages: 48]
FEATURES:
President’s Corner
From the Staff at HQ!
TET of 1969 Attack on the Cu Chi Basecamp BY Doug Moore
Captured NVA Weapons BY Dale House
Three-Thousands of a Second BY Jon McKee
Against the Odds BY Mike Pignitaro
Excerpt from Check Ride BY Tom McGurn
Full Suppression BY Lou Whisonant
VHPA Membership Application
Welcome to the VHPA!
Mike Folse BY Mike Sheuerman

LETTERS:
Letters to the Editor/Looking For FROM Tom Kirk
Letters to the Editor/Looking For FROM John M. Hammell
Requiem FROM George Fasching
Letters to the Editor FROM Bobby Good

CHAPTER ACTIVITIES:
Alamo Chapter BY Mike Clark
American Huey Chapter BY Phil Marshall
California North Chapter BY Dave Anderson
Georgia Chapter BY Doug Lackey
Michigan Chapter BY Rich Deer
North Alabama Chapter BY Ralph Weber
North Carolina Chapter BY Walt Emery, Vic Rose
The Rocky Mountain Chapter and the Helicopter War Museum (HWM) BY Dale House
Upper Midwest Chapter BY Don Abrams

TAPS:
Alvarado, Anthony J. – Ancelin, Donald R. – Armstrong, John B. – Bullock, Melvin L. – Champlin, Donald A. – Christianson, John – Delaney, Patrick J. – Dyer, Charles P. – Foster, Ralph L. – Fuller, John R. – Gallagher, Francis P. – Hardcastle, Thomas M. – Irvine, Jack H. – Lozier, Gary O. – Mayes, John M. – Mcbrien, Thomas P. – Milloy, Benard W. – Moon, Tomothy D. – Oakley, Donald H. – Oden, James R. – Pullum, William A. – Roberts, David E. – Romaszewski, Alfred J. – Shelton, Raymond S. – Silberman, John P. – Tomberlake, Vaughn K. – White, Gary A. – Yoakum, Tony M. – Zierdt, Willima H.
Volume: 41
Issue: 03
Item Creation Date: May/June 2022
Collection: Vietnam Center Collection
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
 (Click For More Item Information)
Added: 18 Feb 2026 [Updated: 18 Feb 2026]
The VHPA Aviator (Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)) - Newsletter - Citrus Heights, California
Newsletter Item Number: 999Newsletter613694
[Number of Pages: 48]
FEATURES:
President’s Corner
From the Staff at HQ!
TET of 1969 Attack on the Cu Chi Basecamp BY Doug Moore
Captured NVA Weapons BY Dale House
Three-Thousands of a Second BY Jon McKee
Against the Odds BY Mike Pignitaro
Excerpt from Check Ride BY Tom McGurn
Full Suppression BY Lou Whisonant
VHPA Membership Application
Welcome to the VHPA!
Mike Folse BY Mike Sheuerman

LETTERS:
Letters to the Editor/Looking For FROM Tom Kirk
Letters to the Editor/Looking For FROM John M. Hammell
Requiem FROM George Fasching
Letters to the Editor FROM Bobby Good

CHAPTER ACTIVITIES:
Alamo Chapter BY Mike Clark
American Huey Chapter BY Phil Marshall
California North Chapter BY Dave Anderson
Georgia Chapter BY Doug Lackey
Michigan Chapter BY Rich Deer
North Alabama Chapter BY Ralph Weber
North Carolina Chapter BY Walt Emery, Vic Rose
The Rocky Mountain Chapter and the Helicopter War Museum (HWM) BY Dale House
Upper Midwest Chapter BY Don Abrams

TAPS:
Alvarado, Anthony J. – Ancelin, Donald R. – Armstrong, John B. – Bullock, Melvin L. – Champlin, Donald A. – Christianson, John – Delaney, Patrick J. – Dyer, Charles P. – Foster, Ralph L. – Fuller, John R. – Gallagher, Francis P. – Hardcastle, Thomas M. – Irvine, Jack H. – Lozier, Gary O. – Mayes, John M. – Mcbrien, Thomas P. – Milloy, Benard W. – Moon, Tomothy D. – Oakley, Donald H. – Oden, James R. – Pullum, William A. – Roberts, David E. – Romaszewski, Alfred J. – Shelton, Raymond S. – Silberman, John P. – Tomberlake, Vaughn K. – White, Gary A. – Yoakum, Tony M. – Zierdt, Willima H.
Volume: 41
Issue: 03
Item Creation Date: May/June 2022
Collection: Vietnam Center Collection
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
 (Click For More Item Information)
Added: 18 Feb 2026 [Updated: 18 Feb 2026]
The VHPA Aviator (Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)) - Newsletter - Citrus Heights, California
Newsletter Item Number: 999Newsletter613665
[Number of Pages: 48]
FEATURES:
President’s Corner
From the Staff at HQ!
Sharks Teeth BY Bruce Powell
Veteran’s Quilt Presentation and Quilter’s Show and Tell
Book Reviews BY Phil Marshall
A Visit to Texas Tech BY JB West
Spearheading the 1972 Easter Counter-Offensive BY Phillip K. Manuel
Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association Membership Application

LETTERS:
Letter to the Editor FROM Bob Williams
Letter to the Editor FROM Aurora Trani

REUNION:
VHPA 2025 Preliminary Reunion Schedule: Marriott St. Louis Grand
General Reunion Information

CHAPTER ACTIVITIES:
VHPA Chapters
Alamo Chapter BY Mike Clark
Alaska Chapter News! BY Lynn Kyle
Georgia Chapter BY Rich Deer
Activity Report of the North Alabama, VHPA BY Ralph Weber
North Carolina VHPA
The Rocky Mountain Chapter and the Helicopter War Museum (HWM) BY Dale House

TAPS:
Arbogast, Clinton D. – Ashman, Raymond C. – Bigelow, Robert W. – Black, John D. – Cereno, Michael A. – Christian, Dudley F. – Close, Fred L. Jr. – Cooper, Douglas L. – Dale, Ronald P. – Davis, James W. – Dr. McLamb, Samuel D. Jr. – Eden, Thomas G. – Ellis, Thompson C. – Fecher, Conrad C. – Fuller, Gregory D. – Hartley, Thomas M. – Johnson, Thomas A. – Karriker, Jerry R. – Lavallee Paul. L. Jr. – Loughman, Gary F. – Marcy, John – Meadows, Charles S. – Merritt, Donald E. Sr. – Perrin, Williams S. – Rhoades, Kenneth D. – Rucki, Kenneth H. – Rushatz, Alfred S. – Sanders, Booby L. – Saucer, Robert F. – Siegel, Michael D. – Simpers, John L. – Soltero, John M. Stamschror, Ronald J. – Stenehjem, George N. - Swanz, Peter V. – Teasley, Robert N. – Wynne, Frank N.
Volume: 43
Issue: 04
Item Creation Date: October/December 2024
Collection: Vietnam Center Collection
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
 (Click For More Item Information)
Added: 09 Feb 2026 [Updated: 16 Feb 2026]
The VHPA Aviator (Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)) - Newsletter - Citrus Heights, California
Newsletter Item Number: 999Newsletter613667
[Number of Pages: 48]
FFEATURES:
President’s Corner
From the staff at HQ!
A Canadian in Vietnam BY Fredrick (Fred) Shuman
VHPA Writers Group: Report from Reno
Veteran’s Quilt Presentation and Quilters Show and Tell
Families of the Fallen
Never Forget
Book Reviews BY Phil Marhsall
Welcome to the VHPA!
Practice Makes Perfect BY Dave Landoll
Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association Membership Application
Let Me Tell You – About Kansa City BY Randy Duncan
On the Way, Wait BY Laurence E. Gesell

LETTERS:
Letters to the Editor FROM Phil Marshall
Letters to the Editor FROM Bob Williams

CHAPTER ACTIVITIES:
VHPA Chapters
Alamo Chapter BY Mike Clark
Alaska Chapter BY Lynn Kile
American Huey 369 Chapter BY Phil Marshall
Florida Chapter BY Dan Brunger and Dr. Joe Ponds
Michigan Chapter BY Rich Deer
North Alabama Chapter BY Ralph Weber
North Carolina Chapter BY Vic Rose
The Rocky Mountain Chapter and the Helicopter War Museum (HWM) BY Dale House
Upper Midwest Chapter BY Don Abrams

TAPS:
Allen, Steve – Armstrong, Daniel T. – Barton, Chester P. – Belhumeur, Larry – Bourgoyne, Russel N. – Canon, Melvin Leon Jr – Chambliss, James R. – Conaway, Steve A. – Cook, Robert W. – Cooper, Lowell D. – Davis, Lowell B. – Ford, Wayne H. – Gerken, Kenneth G. – Ghere, John R. – Gonzales, Ralph F. – Hallock, Michael W. – Hamilton, Bernard M. – Hunter, Richard L. – Hyers, James E. – Islin, John A. – James, Stephen E. – Marcy, John – Martini, Duke – McGee, John B. – Miller, Christian J. III – ‘O’Conner, Michael P. – Pepper, Jeffry L. – Phillips, Arthur F. – Price. John – Raible, Ronald P. – Ranson, John H. – Russell, Lonte G. – Ryder, Francis O. – Spencer, John J. – Wilson, Roland W.
Volume: 43
Issue: 03
Item Creation Date: July/September 2024
Collection: Vietnam Center Collection
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
 (Click For More Item Information)
Added: 11 Feb 2026 [Updated: 11 Feb 2026]
The VHPA Aviator (Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)) - Newsletter - Citrus Heights, California
Newsletter Item Number: 999Newsletter613668
[Number of Pages: 48]
FFEATURES:
President’s Corner
From the staff at HQ!
A Canadian in Vietnam BY Fredrick (Fred) Shuman
VHPA Writers Group: Report from Reno
Veteran’s Quilt Presentation and Quilters Show and Tell
Families of the Fallen
Never Forget
Book Reviews BY Phil Marhsall
Welcome to the VHPA!
Practice Makes Perfect BY Dave Landoll
Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association Membership Application
Let Me Tell You – About Kansa City BY Randy Duncan
On the Way, Wait BY Laurence E. Gesell

LETTERS:
Letters to the Editor FROM Phil Marshall
Letters to the Editor FROM Bob Williams

CHAPTER ACTIVITIES:
VHPA Chapters
Alamo Chapter BY Mike Clark
Alaska Chapter BY Lynn Kile
American Huey 369 Chapter BY Phil Marshall
Florida Chapter BY Dan Brunger and Dr. Joe Ponds
Michigan Chapter BY Rich Deer
North Alabama Chapter BY Ralph Weber
North Carolina Chapter BY Vic Rose
The Rocky Mountain Chapter and the Helicopter War Museum (HWM) BY Dale House
Upper Midwest Chapter BY Don Abrams

TAPS:
Allen, Steve – Armstrong, Daniel T. – Barton, Chester P. – Belhumeur, Larry – Bourgoyne, Russel N. – Canon, Melvin Leon Jr – Chambliss, James R. – Conaway, Steve A. – Cook, Robert W. – Cooper, Lowell D. – Davis, Lowell B. – Ford, Wayne H. – Gerken, Kenneth G. – Ghere, John R. – Gonzales, Ralph F. – Hallock, Michael W. – Hamilton, Bernard M. – Hunter, Richard L. – Hyers, James E. – Islin, John A. – James, Stephen E. – Marcy, John – Martini, Duke – McGee, John B. – Miller, Christian J. III – ‘O’Conner, Michael P. – Pepper, Jeffry L. – Phillips, Arthur F. – Price. John – Raible, Ronald P. – Ranson, John H. – Russell, Lonte G. – Ryder, Francis O. – Spencer, John J. – Wilson, Roland W.
Volume: 43
Issue: 03
Item Creation Date: July/September 2024
Collection: Vietnam Center Collection
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
 (Click For More Item Information)
Added: 11 Feb 2026 [Updated: 11 Feb 2026]
The VHPA Aviator (Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)) - Newsletter - Citrus Heights, California
Newsletter Item Number: 999Newsletter613669
[Number of Pages: 48]
FEATURES:
President’s Corner
From the Staff at HQ!
Lake Havasu
Construction Variations of Vietnam War U.S. Army Aviation Pocket Patches BY Tom Murphy
VHPA Legacy Update BY John Shafer
My Flight Instructor: Captain Ron Godwin BY Rex Gooch
Don’t Drown Before you DEROS
Book Reviews BY Phil Marshall
Museum Honors the 121st Assault Helicopter Company with Spectacular Legacy Display BY Fred McCarthy
Welcome to the VHPA!
My Old Girlfriend 038 BY Bob ‘Buffalo’ Monette
Memories of TAC BY Russell Jones
Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association Membership Application

LETTERS:
Letters to the Editor FROM Gary Smith

CHAPTER ACTIVITIES:
VHPA Chapters
American Huey Chapter BY Phil Marshall
California North BY Ken Fritz
Georgia Chapter BY Doug Lackey
Michigan Chapter BY Rich Deer
North Alabama Chapter BY Ralph Weber
North Carolina Chapter BY Vic Rose

TAPS;
Babcock, William H. – Bahnsen, John C. – Barnett, Michael J. – Borden, Kenneth W. – Bosan, George S. – Buirge, David C. – Canon, Melvin L. – Conaway, Stephen A. – Cook. Elmer M. – Cooper, Larry E. – Cully, Raymond J. – Dubuisson, William D. Jr. – Eikenbery, Tod A. – Gladysz, Jerome S. – Jarrett, Richard S. – Kennebee, John E. – Litton, Joseph P. Jr. – Lucking, James R. – Mahalich, Norman – Marchbaks, Kieth L. – McCabe, Charles H. – McCain, Dwight A. – Middendorf, Richard J. – Miles, John D. – Morowczynski, Stephen – Scofield, Gary L. – Scott, David I. – Skiba, Robert A. – Smith, Larry D. – Sutton, Stephen L. – Szczepanski, Richard D. – Taylor, Larry I. – Torbert, James R. – Vaught, Larry G. – Whisonant, Louis R. – Zorn, Burl A.
Volume: 43
Issue: 02
Item Creation Date: April/June 2024
Collection: Vietnam Center Collection
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
 (Click For More Item Information)
Added: 11 Feb 2026 [Updated: 11 Feb 2026]
The VHPA Aviator (Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)) - Newsletter - Citrus Heights, California
Newsletter Item Number: 999Newsletter613670
[Number of Pages: 48]
FEATURES:
President’s Corner
From the Staff at HQ!
Lake Havasu
Construction Variations of Vietnam War U.S. Army Aviation Pocket Patches BY Tom Murphy
VHPA Legacy Update BY John Shafer
My Flight Instructor: Captain Ron Godwin BY Rex Gooch
Don’t Drown Before you DEROS
Book Reviews BY Phil Marshall
Museum Honors the 121st Assault Helicopter Company with Spectacular Legacy Display BY Fred McCarthy
Welcome to the VHPA!
My Old Girlfriend 038 BY Bob ‘Buffalo’ Monette
Memories of TAC BY Russell Jones
Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association Membership Application

LETTERS:
Letters to the Editor FROM Gary Smith

CHAPTER ACTIVITIES:
VHPA Chapters
American Huey Chapter BY Phil Marshall
California North BY Ken Fritz
Georgia Chapter BY Doug Lackey
Michigan Chapter BY Rich Deer
North Alabama Chapter BY Ralph Weber
North Carolina Chapter BY Vic Rose

TAPS;
Babcock, William H. – Bahnsen, John C. – Barnett, Michael J. – Borden, Kenneth W. – Bosan, George S. – Buirge, David C. – Canon, Melvin L. – Conaway, Stephen A. – Cook. Elmer M. – Cooper, Larry E. – Cully, Raymond J. – Dubuisson, William D. Jr. – Eikenbery, Tod A. – Gladysz, Jerome S. – Jarrett, Richard S. – Kennebee, John E. – Litton, Joseph P. Jr. – Lucking, James R. – Mahalich, Norman – Marchbaks, Kieth L. – McCabe, Charles H. – McCain, Dwight A. – Middendorf, Richard J. – Miles, John D. – Morowczynski, Stephen – Scofield, Gary L. – Scott, David I. – Skiba, Robert A. – Smith, Larry D. – Sutton, Stephen L. – Szczepanski, Richard D. – Taylor, Larry I. – Torbert, James R. – Vaught, Larry G. – Whisonant, Louis R. – Zorn, Burl A.
Volume: 43
Issue: 02
Item Creation Date: April/June 2024
Collection: Vietnam Center Collection
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
 (Click For More Item Information)
Added: 11 Feb 2026 [Updated: 11 Feb 2026]
The VHPA Aviator (Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)) - Newsletter - Citrus Heights, California
Newsletter Item Number: 999Newsletter613666
[Number of Pages: 48]
FEATURES:
President’s Corner
From the Staff at HQ!
Sharks Teeth BY Bruce Powell
Veteran’s Quilt Presentation and Quilter’s Show and Tell
Book Reviews BY Phil Marshall
A Visit to Texas Tech BY JB West
Spearheading the 1972 Easter Counter-Offensive BY Phillip K. Manuel
Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association Membership Application

LETTERS:
Letter to the Editor FROM Bob Williams
Letter to the Editor FROM Aurora Trani

REUNION:
VHPA 2025 Preliminary Reunion Schedule: Marriott St. Louis Grand
General Reunion Information

CHAPTER ACTIVITIES:
VHPA Chapters
Alamo Chapter BY Mike Clark
Alaska Chapter News! BY Lynn Kyle
Georgia Chapter BY Rich Deer
Activity Report of the North Alabama, VHPA BY Ralph Weber
North Carolina VHPA
The Rocky Mountain Chapter and the Helicopter War Museum (HWM) BY Dale House

TAPS:
Arbogast, Clinton D. – Ashman, Raymond C. – Bigelow, Robert W. – Black, John D. – Cereno, Michael A. – Christian, Dudley F. – Close, Fred L. Jr. – Cooper, Douglas L. – Dale, Ronald P. – Davis, James W. – Dr. McLamb, Samuel D. Jr. – Eden, Thomas G. – Ellis, Thompson C. – Fecher, Conrad C. – Fuller, Gregory D. – Hartley, Thomas M. – Johnson, Thomas A. – Karriker, Jerry R. – Lavallee Paul. L. Jr. – Loughman, Gary F. – Marcy, John – Meadows, Charles S. – Merritt, Donald E. Sr. – Perrin, Williams S. – Rhoades, Kenneth D. – Rucki, Kenneth H. – Rushatz, Alfred S. – Sanders, Booby L. – Saucer, Robert F. – Siegel, Michael D. – Simpers, John L. – Soltero, John M. Stamschror, Ronald J. – Stenehjem, George N. - Swanz, Peter V. – Teasley, Robert N. – Wynne, Frank N.
Volume: 43
Issue: 04
Item Creation Date: October/December 2024
Collection: Vietnam Center Collection
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
 (Click For More Item Information)
Added: 11 Feb 2026 [Updated: 11 Feb 2026]
The VHPA Aviator (Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)) - Newsletter - Citrus Heights, California
Newsletter Item Number: 999Newsletter613679
[Number of Pages: 48]
FEATURES:
President’s Corner
From the Staff at HQ!
A Bad Day at the Office BY Brooks “Jay” Setzer
The Pen Flare Incident BY John Harris
The Saga of Roy Sudeck and the Khe Pass BY Martin Kleiner
Air America Bell 205 takes on VPAF An -2s Dogfight over Pou Phathi BY John Konek
How I became an Army Helicopter Pilot BY Martin Kleiner
Book Reviews BY Phil Marshal
Scholarship Recipients 2023
2024 Scholarship Applications Requested
VHPA Scholarship Update
Welcome to the VHPA!
Help Prevent Mailing Lists

CHAPTER ACTIVITIES:
VHPA Chapters
Alaska Chapter BY Lynn Kile
American Huey Chapter BY Phil Marshal
Florida Chapter BY Dr. Joe Ponds
Georgia Chapter BY Doug Lackey
Michigan Chapter BY Rich Deer
North Alabama Chapter BY Ralph Weber
North Carlina Chapter BY Jerry Seago, Ed Hughes, Brock Nicholson, Phil Kieth, and Vic Rose
The Rocky Mountain Chapter and the Helicopter War Museum (HWM) BY Dale House
Upper Midwest Chapter BY Don Abrams

TAPS:
Bills, Arthur D. – Bliss, Lorin A. – Bray, David M. – Carter, John P. – Curry, Alexander E. Jr. – Ervi, James R. – Farrance, John S. – franklin, James W. – Godwin, Ronald B. – Harvey, Paul E. Jr, - Henry, Paul E. Jr. – Henry, Arthur R. – Holbrook, Charles D. – Horish, Paul T. – Houck, Ronald C. – King, Erwin T. – Koschnick, Jerry C. – Kreger, Milton G. – Livingston, William D. – Marciniak, Lawrence M. – Mills, Richard L. – Oram, Charles J. – Pollock, Melvin W. – Rowley, Leo W. – Samples, Virgile L. Sr. – Sickler, James W. – Smith, Billy V. – Smith, David R. – Stitt, Harold W. – Sword, David G. – Tronstad, Barry A. – Wynne, O. B. III
Volume: 42
Issue: 04
Item Creation Date: July/August 2023
Collection: Vietnam Center Collection
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
 (Click For More Item Information)
Added: 13 Feb 2026 [Updated: 13 Feb 2026]
The VHPA Aviator (Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)) - Newsletter - Citrus Heights, California
Newsletter Item Number: 999Newsletter613680
[Number of Pages: 48]
FEATURES:
President’s Corner
From the Staff at HQ!
A Bad Day at the Office BY Brooks “Jay” Setzer
The Pen Flare Incident BY John Harris
The Saga of Roy Sudeck and the Khe Pass BY Martin Kleiner
Air America Bell 205 takes on VPAF An -2s Dogfight over Pou Phathi BY John Konek
How I became an Army Helicopter Pilot BY Martin Kleiner
Book Reviews BY Phil Marshal
Scholarship Recipients 2023
2024 Scholarship Applications Requested
VHPA Scholarship Update
Welcome to the VHPA!
Help Prevent Mailing Lists

CHAPTER ACTIVITIES:
VHPA Chapters
Alaska Chapter BY Lynn Kile
American Huey Chapter BY Phil Marshal
Florida Chapter BY Dr. Joe Ponds
Georgia Chapter BY Doug Lackey
Michigan Chapter BY Rich Deer
North Alabama Chapter BY Ralph Weber
North Carlina Chapter BY Jerry Seago, Ed Hughes, Brock Nicholson, Phil Kieth, and Vic Rose
The Rocky Mountain Chapter and the Helicopter War Museum (HWM) BY Dale House
Upper Midwest Chapter BY Don Abrams

TAPS:
Bills, Arthur D. – Bliss, Lorin A. – Bray, David M. – Carter, John P. – Curry, Alexander E. Jr. – Ervi, James R. – Farrance, John S. – franklin, James W. – Godwin, Ronald B. – Harvey, Paul E. Jr, - Henry, Paul E. Jr. – Henry, Arthur R. – Holbrook, Charles D. – Horish, Paul T. – Houck, Ronald C. – King, Erwin T. – Koschnick, Jerry C. – Kreger, Milton G. – Livingston, William D. – Marciniak, Lawrence M. – Mills, Richard L. – Oram, Charles J. – Pollock, Melvin W. – Rowley, Leo W. – Samples, Virgile L. Sr. – Sickler, James W. – Smith, Billy V. – Smith, David R. – Stitt, Harold W. – Sword, David G. – Tronstad, Barry A. – Wynne, O. B. III
Volume: 42
Issue: 04
Item Creation Date: July/August 2023
Collection: Vietnam Center Collection
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
 (Click For More Item Information)
Added: 13 Feb 2026 [Updated: 13 Feb 2026]
The VHPA Aviator (Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)) - Newsletter - Citrus Heights, California
Newsletter Item Number: 999Newsletter613682
[Number of Pages: 48]
FEATURES:
President’s Corner
From the Staff at HQ!
Recall 1991 BY Thomas Hirschler
Veteran’s Quilt Presentation and Quilters Show and Tell
A Fowled Up Mid-Air Collision BY Daryl James
VHPA Scholarship Update BY Mike Sheuerman
Welcome to the VHPA!
VHPA and VNCA: Working Together to Preserve the VHPA Legacy BY Steve Maxner
Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association Membership Application

RUNION:
General Reunion Information: San Antonio, Texas
Upcoming Reunions

LETTERS:
From the Managing Editor FROM Tom Kirk

CHAPTER ACTIVITIES:
VHPA Chapters
Alamo Chapter BY Mike Clark
American Huey 369 Chapter BY Phil Marshall
Georgia Chapter BY Doug Lackey
Michigan Chapter BY Rich Deer
North Alabama Chapter BY Ralph Weber
North Carolina Chapter BY Vic Rose, Mik Mikulan, Ben Gay, Jerry Seago, and Ed Hughes
South Missouri Chapter BY Chuck Guy

TAPS:
Adams, Teddy A. – Adkins, Irving D. – Barron, John E. – Bierlein, James R. – Birt, Bobby L. – Burden, John R. – Carr, Jerry T. – Clayton, Patrick B. – Cramer, Frank Jr. – David, Ronald C. – Dennison, Ronald J. – Esposito, Frank A. – Goodwin, James H. Jr. – Joseph, A. Goode – Harrison, Lyle C. – LePenske, James A. – Lilly, Richard A. – Lovelace, Charles R. – Malin, LaRoy W. – McCarthy, Robert J. Jr. – Michalkiewicz, Joseph G. – Montgomery, Kenneth W. – Moran, Michael J. – Neal, William J. – O’Quinn, David W. Jr. – Payne, Robert L. – Purcell, Gerald L. – Sinclair, George L. – Stansel, Paul L. – Stephenson, Richard E. – Stevens, Grady – Stevens, Robert R. – Tiffany, William A. – Torrance, Richard – Violette, Norbert G. – Williams, Bert M.
Volume: 42
Issue: 03
Item Creation Date: May/June 2023
Collection: Vietnam Center Collection
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
 (Click For More Item Information)
Added: 16 Feb 2026 [Updated: 16 Feb 2026]
The VHPA Aviator (Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)) - Newsletter - Citrus Heights, California
Newsletter Item Number: 999Newsletter613681
[Number of Pages: 48]
FEATURES:
President’s Corner
From the Staff at HQ!
Recall 1991 BY Thomas Hirschler
Veteran’s Quilt Presentation and Quilters Show and Tell
A Fowled Up Mid-Air Collision BY Daryl James
VHPA Scholarship Update BY Mike Sheuerman
Welcome to the VHPA!
VHPA and VNCA: Working Together to Preserve the VHPA Legacy BY Steve Maxner
Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association Membership Application

RUNION:
General Reunion Information: San Antonio, Texas
Upcoming Reunions

LETTERS:
From the Managing Editor FROM Tom Kirk

CHAPTER ACTIVITIES:
VHPA Chapters
Alamo Chapter BY Mike Clark
American Huey 369 Chapter BY Phil Marshall
Georgia Chapter BY Doug Lackey
Michigan Chapter BY Rich Deer
North Alabama Chapter BY Ralph Weber
North Carolina Chapter BY Vic Rose, Mik Mikulan, Ben Gay, Jerry Seago, and Ed Hughes
South Missouri Chapter BY Chuck Guy

TAPS:
Adams, Teddy A. – Adkins, Irving D. – Barron, John E. – Bierlein, James R. – Birt, Bobby L. – Burden, John R. – Carr, Jerry T. – Clayton, Patrick B. – Cramer, Frank Jr. – David, Ronald C. – Dennison, Ronald J. – Esposito, Frank A. – Goodwin, James H. Jr. – Joseph, A. Goode – Harrison, Lyle C. – LePenske, James A. – Lilly, Richard A. – Lovelace, Charles R. – Malin, LaRoy W. – McCarthy, Robert J. Jr. – Michalkiewicz, Joseph G. – Montgomery, Kenneth W. – Moran, Michael J. – Neal, William J. – O’Quinn, David W. Jr. – Payne, Robert L. – Purcell, Gerald L. – Sinclair, George L. – Stansel, Paul L. – Stephenson, Richard E. – Stevens, Grady – Stevens, Robert R. – Tiffany, William A. – Torrance, Richard – Violette, Norbert G. – Williams, Bert M.
Volume: 42
Issue: 03
Item Creation Date: May/June 2023
Collection: Vietnam Center Collection
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
 (Click For More Item Information)
Added: 16 Feb 2026 [Updated: 16 Feb 2026]
The VHPA Aviator (Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)) - Newsletter - Citrus Heights, California
Newsletter Item Number: 999Newsletter613688
[Number of Pages: 48]
FEATURES:
President’s Corner
From the Staff at HQ!
The Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association Legacy Committee
The 20th SOS BY Dennis Busch
It Was a Dark and Stormy Night BY George Gluski
John Harris Earns FAA Wright Brothers Award BY Jerry Mellick
Veteran’s Quilt Presentation and Quilters Show and Tell
Welcome to the VHPA!
Four Sets of Wings BY Vincent G Ripoll
Scholarships 2023

LETTERS:
Looking For FROM Brett Watson
Looking For FROM Phil Marshall
Looking For FROM Reg Sampson
From the Managing Editor FROM Tom Kirk

CHAPTER ACTIVITIES:
Alamo Chapter BY Mike Clark
Alaska Chapter
Arizona Chapter BY Dave Salc
California North Chapter BY Dave Anderson
Michigan Chapter
North Alabama Chapter BY Ralph Weber
The Rocky Mountain Chapter and the Helicopter War Museum (HWM) BY Bill Lavery, Dale House
South Missouri Chapter BY Chuck Guy
Upper Midwest Chapter VHPA BY Don Abrams
Utah Chapter BY Doug Drury

TAPS:
Bliss, Donald E. – Chesson, Richard K. – Childers, Jerry W. – Clement, Paul W. – Cochran, Kenneth R. – Cover, William R. – Dorris, Marvin E. Jr. – Doyle, John P . – Duer, James R. – Duerr, Richard D. – Duke, Edward W. – Ensley, Conley C. – Flemer, Carl F. – Gabrielson, John E. – Gramke, James D. – Gresham, Ronald R. – Harwood, Jerry T. – Hemmingsen, Douglas H. – Hoover, Frank R. – Johndro, Dans A. – Jones, Waverly P. – Jordan, Donald R. – Kline, Frank E. – Kain, John M. – Lange, Roger A. – Lebrou, Joseph M. – Lockridge, William E. – Lyons, Jon M. – McMahon, Dennis R. – Meade, Robert W. – Naille R. A. – Navorska, Donald R. – Ramsey, James W. Jr. – Roney, Robert J. – Pettee, Robert H. – Scannell, Ralph S. – Scott, Kenneth C. – Sharp, Leonard J. – Sherrill, Dorse C. – Shore, Guy R. – Simon, Jimmy L. – Spencer, Bobbie J. – Steponaitis, John V. – Thompson, Roger D. – Van, Vladricken, George – Vamon, Jerry R. Sr. – West, James R. – Williams, Richard C.
Volume: 41
Issue: 06
Item Creation Date: November/December 2022
Collection: Vietnam Center Collection
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
 (Click For More Item Information)
Added: 16 Feb 2026 [Updated: 16 Feb 2026]
The VHPA Aviator (Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)) - Newsletter - Citrus Heights, California
Newsletter Item Number: 999Newsletter613687
[Number of Pages: 48]
FEATURES:
President’s Corner
From the Staff at HQ!
The Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association Legacy Committee
The 20th SOS BY Dennis Busch
It Was a Dark and Stormy Night BY George Gluski
John Harris Earns FAA Wright Brothers Award BY Jerry Mellick
Veteran’s Quilt Presentation and Quilters Show and Tell
Welcome to the VHPA!
Four Sets of Wings BY Vincent G Ripoll
Scholarships 2023

LETTERS:
Looking For FROM Brett Watson
Looking For FROM Phil Marshall
Looking For FROM Reg Sampson
From the Managing Editor FROM Tom Kirk

CHAPTER ACTIVITIES:
Alamo Chapter BY Mike Clark
Alaska Chapter
Arizona Chapter BY Dave Salc
California North Chapter BY Dave Anderson
Michigan Chapter
North Alabama Chapter BY Ralph Weber
The Rocky Mountain Chapter and the Helicopter War Museum (HWM) BY Bill Lavery, Dale House
South Missouri Chapter BY Chuck Guy
Upper Midwest Chapter VHPA BY Don Abrams
Utah Chapter BY Doug Drury

TAPS:
Bliss, Donald E. – Chesson, Richard K. – Childers, Jerry W. – Clement, Paul W. – Cochran, Kenneth R. – Cover, William R. – Dorris, Marvin E. Jr. – Doyle, John P . – Duer, James R. – Duerr, Richard D. – Duke, Edward W. – Ensley, Conley C. – Flemer, Carl F. – Gabrielson, John E. – Gramke, James D. – Gresham, Ronald R. – Harwood, Jerry T. – Hemmingsen, Douglas H. – Hoover, Frank R. – Johndro, Dans A. – Jones, Waverly P. – Jordan, Donald R. – Kline, Frank E. – Kain, John M. – Lange, Roger A. – Lebrou, Joseph M. – Lockridge, William E. – Lyons, Jon M. – McMahon, Dennis R. – Meade, Robert W. – Naille R. A. – Navorska, Donald R. – Ramsey, James W. Jr. – Roney, Robert J. – Pettee, Robert H. – Scannell, Ralph S. – Scott, Kenneth C. – Sharp, Leonard J. – Sherrill, Dorse C. – Shore, Guy R. – Simon, Jimmy L. – Spencer, Bobbie J. – Steponaitis, John V. – Thompson, Roger D. – Van, Vladricken, George – Vamon, Jerry R. Sr. – West, James R. – Williams, Richard C.
Volume: 41
Issue: 06
Item Creation Date: November/December 2022
Collection: Vietnam Center Collection
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
 (Click For More Item Information)
Added: 16 Feb 2026 [Updated: 16 Feb 2026]
The VHPA Aviator (Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)) - Newsletter - Citrus Heights, California
Newsletter Item Number: 999Newsletter613691
[Number of Pages: 48]
FEATURES:
President’s Corner
From the Staff at HQ!
Major General Carl H. McNair, Jr. An Army Aviation Icon Has Passed BY Paul J. Franklin
Remembering Carl BY Bob Hesselbein
A typical Night for Dustoff BY David Freeman
A Social Media – Good News Story BY Craig Bond
A Voice in the Dark BY Doung Moore
A Facebook Encounter BY Jeff Murray
Hijacked BY Gary Bowman, Lancer Chronicler
Flying with Martha BY Jeff Murray
VHPA Membership Application
Welcome to the VHPA!

LETTERS:
Looking For FROM John Haggerty
Looking For FROM Jim Kurtz
Looking For FROM Howard Burbank
Looking For FROM Martin Adams
From the Managing Editor FROM Tom Kirk

REUNION:
Reunion Recap: Tampa, Florida

CHAPTER ACTIVITIES:
Alamo Chapter BY Mike Clark
California North Chapter BY Dave Anderson
Michigan Chapter BY Rich Deer
North Alabama Chapter
The Rocky Mountain Chapter and the Helicopter War Museum (HWM) BY Dale House
Upper Midwest Chapter BY Don Abrams

TAPS:
Bell, Lester R. – Berg, Charles J. – Chandler, Harry W. – John C. Combs – Davis , John P. – Elliot, John E. – Engelbrecht, Jerry W. – Gaude, Lyman E. – Hardcastle Barlett T. – Hole, John L. – Jones, Walker A. – Kirchoff, Richard B. – Lee, Larry O. – Linstad, Roland E. – Luck, Gary S. – Mayes, Johnie M. – McCalmon, Malcom J. – Oakley, Donald H. – Robinson, Charles A. – Sewell, Thomas K. – Voigr, David A. – Weed, Roger M. – West, Louis – White, Marion F. – Yoakum, Tony M.
Volume: 41
Issue: 04
Item Creation Date: July/August 2022
Collection: Vietnam Center Collection
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
 (Click For More Item Information)
Added: 17 Feb 2026 [Updated: 17 Feb 2026]
The VHPA Aviator (Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)) - Newsletter - Citrus Heights, California
Newsletter Item Number: 999Newsletter613692
[Number of Pages: 48]
FEATURES:
President’s Corner
From the Staff at HQ!
Major General Carl H. McNair, Jr. An Army Aviation Icon Has Passed BY Paul J. Franklin
Remembering Carl BY Bob Hesselbein
A typical Night for Dustoff BY David Freeman
A Social Media – Good News Story BY Craig Bond
A Voice in the Dark BY Doung Moore
A Facebook Encounter BY Jeff Murray
Hijacked BY Gary Bowman, Lancer Chronicler
Flying with Martha BY Jeff Murray
VHPA Membership Application
Welcome to the VHPA!

LETTERS:
Looking For FROM John Haggerty
Looking For FROM Jim Kurtz
Looking For FROM Howard Burbank
Looking For FROM Martin Adams
From the Managing Editor FROM Tom Kirk

REUNION:
Reunion Recap: Tampa, Florida

CHAPTER ACTIVITIES:
Alamo Chapter BY Mike Clark
California North Chapter BY Dave Anderson
Michigan Chapter BY Rich Deer
North Alabama Chapter
The Rocky Mountain Chapter and the Helicopter War Museum (HWM) BY Dale House
Upper Midwest Chapter BY Don Abrams

TAPS:
Bell, Lester R. – Berg, Charles J. – Chandler, Harry W. – John C. Combs – Davis , John P. – Elliot, John E. – Engelbrecht, Jerry W. – Gaude, Lyman E. – Hardcastle Barlett T. – Hole, John L. – Jones, Walker A. – Kirchoff, Richard B. – Lee, Larry O. – Linstad, Roland E. – Luck, Gary S. – Mayes, Johnie M. – McCalmon, Malcom J. – Oakley, Donald H. – Robinson, Charles A. – Sewell, Thomas K. – Voigr, David A. – Weed, Roger M. – West, Louis – White, Marion F. – Yoakum, Tony M.
Volume: 41
Issue: 04
Item Creation Date: July/August 2022
Collection: Vietnam Center Collection
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
 (Click For More Item Information)
Added: 17 Feb 2026 [Updated: 17 Feb 2026]
Project CHECO Report - Linebacker Operations, September thru December 1972
Document Item Number: 8850609001
[Number of Pages: 108]
Author(s): Major Calvin R. Johnson
Item Creation Date: No Date
Collection: Michael Sloniker Collection
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
 (Click For More Item Information)
Added: 01 Oct 2012 [Updated: 01 Jan 2013]
View all documents in this Folder : Box : Collection
The VHPA Aviator (Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)) - Newsletter - Citrus Heights, California
Newsletter Item Number: 293Newsletter611105
[Number of Pages: 48]
FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE VHPA BY Gary Roush


FEATURES:
Flying Huey 217 BY Rex Gooch
Two Vietnam Vets Go for a Joyride of a Lifetime... BY Jim Dixon
VHPA Establishes Lifetime Achievement Recognition Program for Members
"Everyone Loves a Parade" BY Moon Mullen
The VHPA Needs a Few Good Men...
Seeking Stories and Writers for Chapters on Lam Son 719
The Bathtub in the Shadow of the DMZ....
"The Photo" BY Roger C. Baker
The Museum of the Vietnam War recieves Texas Tourism Award BY Edward T. "Edd" Luttenberger
Goin' to Work BY Tom Murphy
Nose Art Quiz, Part 2
Status of the VHPA Calender program BY Mike Law
Last U.S. Army Operational Huey Flown into the Sunset BY Rex Gooch
1LT Lousi E. Porrazzo Ice Skating Rink Re-Dedication Ceremony BY Bert Chole
Galloway: a farewell after 50 years of newspapering BY Joseph L. Galloway



LETTERS:
Can anone out there help my husband reconnect with this man? FROM Kristie
To the Editor of the VHPA Aviator FROM Bob Witt
To the Editor of the VHPA Aviator FROM Douglas W. Nelms
To the Members of the VHPA FROM Don Slack
To the members of the VHPA FROM James R. Oden
Dear Editor of the VHPA Aviator FROM John Morris
An Open Letter to Tom Ellis FROM George Geiger
Dear Editor of the VHPA Aviator FROM Pat Glass
Looking For Information concerning Joe Latham FROM Tracy Saylor
Looking For Information concerning Pierre Lefebvre FROM Jack O'Connor
Looking For Information concerning William Hendricks FROM William Due Jr.
Looking For Information concerning an engine failure induced autorotation FROM David Tincher
Looking for patients/witness's to A.F. Mediac flight from Pleiku, 3 June 1970 FROM Gene McVay
Looking for crewmembers of rescue Huey after mid-air on May 6, 1970 FROM Allen H. Nohl
Looking For Information concerning Peter Gussenhoven FROM Gene Gussenhoven
Looking for Vietnam photos from the 1st Aviation Battalion and D troop, 1/4 Cav FROM Shane Keil
Looking for lyrics to a song.... FROM Don Roth
From the Editor of the VHPA Aviator... FROM David Adams


REUNION:
Reunion 2010
Just Who Are Those Guys Wearing the Yellow Hats at our Reunion?
Warning Order BY Mike Sheuerman
Gold Star Family Breakfast to take place during reunion BY Julie Kink
Reunion Poker Tournament BY Jack Salm
Historic Presentations and War Stories Contests at San Diego Reunion
Ohio River LZ Chapter Holds 23rd Annual Reunion BY Tom Payne
VHPA Reconnects with both New and Old Members at Houston Hai Exposition BY Mike Sheuerman


TAPS:
Arthur H. Trujillo - Clifford Lee Watson - Gerald R. (Bob) Crow Jr. - Gerry R. Curtis - James Rowe Cox - Jesse L. Moore - James Dobecka - John (Doc) Willingham - William Howard Montgomery - Ramon Williams - Richard A. Hartert - Richard A. (Dick) Chilcoat - Robert E. Bales - Robert Romines - Stephen M Samberg - Vaughan Roy West - William Jefferson Lumpkins Jr. - Darrel Clayton "Clay" Jones - Jim Ihli


CHAPTER ACTIVITIES:
Virginia chapter BY Ben Gay
New England chapter BY Bill Williams
North Alabama chapter BY Jim White
Washington State chapter BY Bob Brown
South Carolina BY Larry Russell
Rocky Mountain chapter BY Gary Hurrelle
California chapter north BY Ken Fritz
Georgia chapter BY Skip Bell
North Carolina chapter BY J.D. Lawson
VHPA of Florida chapter BY Jim Basta
South Missouri chapter
Fort Wolters chapter BY Pat Richardson
Mid South chapter BY Pete Norman
Montana chapter BY Todd Brandoff
Southern California chapter BY Tom Crosby
The Alamo chapter BY Jim Bauer


BOOK REVIEWS:
Dead Men Flying BY John Penny
Xin Loi BY John Penny
Volume: 28
Issue: 3
Item Creation Date: May/June 2010
Collection: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA) Collection: General Files
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
 (Click For More Item Information)
Added: 22 Jan 2018 [Updated: 29 Jan 2018]
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