Whop, Whop, Whop.....

[ZonieDiver]

In the mid-70s to early 80s, the USAR ODA and MID I served in often jumped from Hueys - AzNG 997th Air Assault Co out of their 48th and McDowell base, right next to the Will C. Barnes USAR Center. As Training NCO, I'd often accompany the JM to rig the Hueys.

I usually picked one flown by an older, gray-haired, combat-patched Major. I figured that if he'd lived that long, he must be good... and safe! One evening, the S-3 (SF qualified officer) and I went to one of their Admin drills to do some coordination. There was my 'old, safe' pilot, in Class A uniform, with a little powder blue ribbon with white stars on it sitting atop all his others.

It was Fred Ferguson, CMH from the Battle of Hue, saving Marines asses when Marine pilots couldn't, or wouldn't.

I still jumped from his bird, but I worried more!

[MR2]

Originally Posted by JJ_BPK

I loved the Huey,, but more so the pilots..

Originally Posted by ZonieDiver

I still jumped from his bird, but I worried more!

[JJ_BPK]

Originally Posted by MR2

Yes,, There were some crazy sum-na-bitches that flew those birds. More balls than brains. But that's why I love'm..

One of my classmate, Skip Butler, (Lt Col, ret, life member SOA) decided to go to flight school after OCS. He ended up in a Cobra.. I think it was the RT Alaska incident, where CWO Dave Soyland was lost.. Skip log 31 hours in two days,, when he ran out of rockets, he did strafing runs on empty ammo cans,, to cover for the evcas hueys. I think he picked up a SS for his antics??

Another crazy friend flew a pink team for me. He flew the OH-6 Loach, the red part. When I needed to get a view, he would drop into a creator, pick me up, and we would do a visual. Often he would make the small creator opening larger by rocking the loach and trimming the trees as he ascended..

One time we were out in an area with rice paddies,he did a 90 deg bank turn and actual cut the grass with the rotors.. Needless to say I loved his audacity and hated the stupidity at the same time.. Guys that flew pink teams were like that..

The crews in the Huey's were more stable, in context. They flew in and out, immaterial of how hot the LZ was..

We were young, stupid, and indestructible

[Ambush Master]

Originally Posted by Utah Bob

You can never forget that sound. My wife marvels at how I can say "Huey!" and head outside long before she can hear or see anything.

Originally Posted by bushmaster11

My wife, too, is amazed that I call it and it is not even in site.. But seconds later it wanders over us. That unique sound will stay with all of us until we go to the Great Ranger. We will meet many who saved us from catastrophic causes when we show up to The Gates, they certainly earned their place of Valhalla.

J R
DOL

Originally Posted by Scimitar

Entertaining, and my Father claims absolutely true

S

Youtube Link

Originally Posted by Richard

The sound of an approaching UH-1 'beating the air into submission' was the sound of a generation. I haven't heard that sound in a long time. Around here I go out and look every time I hear a S**thook or Blackhawk from the local ARNG units, or an HC-130 from the USCG Reserve unit out of Mather passing by. Habit and their sounds are unmistakable.

"We Were Soldiers Once" does a very good job of honoring the Huey pilots in its portrayal of them.

COL Nightingale's piece brings back a lot of memories. Thanks.

Richard

I too can hear them WAY before anyone else!! I remember "Standing on the Skids" as we were vectored into the LZ, once we were on the ground, and made our way to the RP, I had to pick tree branches out of my Spats and even Boot-Laces!! There is a Fantastic audio recording of a Dual Prarie Fire Link in here: http://www.professionalsoldiers.com/...ad.php?t=15653


Later
Martin

[plato]

Originally Posted by JJ_BPK

I loved the Huey,, but more so the pilots..

Especially the ones who flew the Hueys with the big red crosshairs on the side, who were there when everything was grounded, when rounds were flying heavy, winching up those who had to be evacuated NOW.

[ChuckG]

Originally Posted by PRB

The author was one of the CO's I had in the 1/509th ABCT in Italy many moons ago. He's a good writer.

Pat, we had to be there at the same time. 77-78 I had the Engineers out at Bosco.