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Old Warriors (145th Comat Aviation Battalion (Vietnam) Association)
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 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 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)
 (Click For More Item Information)
Added: 13 Apr 2018 [Updated: 17 Jan 2019]
Item is Copyrighted – Check for access via the Vietnam Reading Room portal.
View all documents in this Folder : Box : Collection
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)
 (Click For More Item Information)
Added: 30 Apr 2018 [Updated: 30 Apr 2018]
Item is Copyrighted – Check for access via the Vietnam Reading Room portal.
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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)
 (Click For More Item Information)
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 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 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 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 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 Item Number: 2112Serial611016
  • NOT DIGITIZED
Issue: 20
Item Creation Date: Spring 1991
Collection: Ronald P. (Phil) Marshall
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
 (Click For More Item Information)
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]
Item is Copyrighted – Check for access via the Vietnam Reading Room portal.
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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]
Item is Copyrighted – Check for access via the Vietnam Reading Room portal.
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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)) - 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 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 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)) - 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)) - 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/May/June 2025
Collection: Vietnam Center Collection
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
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Added: 09 Feb 2026 [Updated: 09 Feb 2026]
The VHPA Aviator (Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)) - 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/May/Jun 2025
Collection: Vietnam Center Collection
Association: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
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Added: 09 Feb 2026 [Updated: 09 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]
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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]
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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 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]
Item is Copyrighted – Check for access via the Vietnam Reading Room portal.
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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]
Item is Copyrighted – Check for access via the Vietnam Reading Room portal.
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The Observer (Information Office, U.S. MACV) - 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 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]
Item is Copyrighted – Check for access via the Vietnam Reading Room portal.
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]
Item is Copyrighted – Check for access via the Vietnam Reading Room portal.
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The VHPA Aviator (Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)) - 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]
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