I
saw that video on the Smithsonian Channel and freaked. It's the
first
time
I've ever seen footage about the Army Primary Helicopter school in
Mineral
Wells, TX. Larry Lis, trying to
hover, is me!
As previously chronicled, it only took me about 6 hours to master that
art, but then, Larry made it
through while I wound up in Army Optical School in Aurora Co**.
One more thing. I'd never ever heard about this
extraction of 100 ARVN that required pilots to use their rotors to cut
down stands of bamboo in order to make the pick ups. Wow.
Really a
thrilling story, even for girls.
And this
memory.
** Larry's "solo gambit"
would not been tolerated in 1963 when the attrition rate
was 80%, plus*.
|
...even for girls. yep. These men were -are- outstanding! Throughout their recollections it seemed they had learned well to rely on their training, and then their personal talents and bravery that stemmed purely from the courage to do the right thing. To think that one of them had carried such heart for the lone man standing over 40 yrs, it had to release a ghost when he found no living had been left behind. Completely outstanding video. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHelos don't fly. They are so ugly, the earth repels them!
ReplyDeleteTim
Not always, Tim. Army Aviation has a perfect record; they've never left one up there yet.
ReplyDeleteSir H the Comet.
The term 'Fling Wing' is repulsive...
ReplyDeleteAs we used to say in the Air Cav : "Takeoffs are optional, but landings are mandatory." Gravity is a stern mistress.....
ReplyDeleteToward the end of the late unpleasantness in SE Asia, I had the great good fortune to be posted to an Air Cav troop. There were giants in the earth in those days, and a lot of them were in that unit. Not me, oh hell no, but I knew it when I saw it.
ReplyDeleteIf anyone should find themselves in L.A. (Lower Alabama) or even SW Georgia, a visit to the Army Aviation Museum at Fort Rucker is most definitely in order. There is a shrine to every soldier that Army Aviation lost in Viet Nam, including enlisted crewmen, and their names are all carved in stone. It's quite a testament.
Sir H the Comet
ReplyDeleteDuring my career, I had the distinct honor of meeting several Congressional Medal of Honor winners. You realize immediately that you are in the company of someone very special with each and every one of them.
One such encounter was meeting General Patrick Henry Brady. A Medivac {then a MAJ}Helicopter Pilot in Vietnam. He flew mission after mission into a heavily defended enemy territory to evacuate wounded personnel.
MAJ Brady returned repeatedly with a heavily damaged Chopper, time after time evacuating the wounded. He had two Choppers so heavily damaged they couldn't fly any longer, yet he managed to return to Base and return with another one.
A remarkable story and man.
Citation:
http://www.cmohs.org/recipient-detail/3236/brady-patrick-henry.php
Geo
For you and your classmates, Rodg, courtesy of my boy the helo pilot.
ReplyDeleteLOW FLIGHT
Oh, I've slipped the surly bonds of earth
And hovered out of ground effect on semi-rigid blades;
Earthward I've auto'ed and met the rising brush of non-paved terrain
And done a thousand things you would never care to.
Skidded and dropped and flared
Low in the heat soaked roar.
Confined there, I've chased the earthbound traffic
And lost the race to insignificant headwinds;
Forward and up a little in ground effect
I've topped the General's hedge with drooping turns
Where never Skyhawk or even Phantom flew.
Shaking and pulling collective,
I've lumbered the low untresspassed halls of victor airways,
Put out my hand and touched a tree.
Lt. Col. Gen. Tailgunner dick
AND here's a good foot stomping tune, "the Jesus Nut"
ReplyDeleteolds-mo-william