Logbook Mar2 - Vietnam War Memoir

Transcription

March 2008
LOGBOOK
OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE ARMY OTTER-CARIBOU ASSOCIATION
Otter belonging to the Pensacola Navy Museum was damaged during hurricane Ivan The exterior has been restored.
IN THIS ISSUE: ARMY AVIATION: “ABOVE THE BEST” by John Stanfield
Also:
AAHF LOSES FAT RECRUITING CONTRACT
VIETNAM REVISITED by Bob Tagge
POETRY by Larry Jones and Charlie Upton
SKY SOLDIER (Continued) by Floyd Burks
REMEMBERING WAYNE TRIGGS by Tasman Graham
WITH THE 1st R&R by Paul Struxness
SILVEY’S STORY by Bruce Silvey
SPRENGELER’S SIDE by Ron Sprengeler
ACROSS THE WIDE PACIFIC by Paul Stansel
TALES OF THE 937th by Dalton Smith
WEEK THE WAR EXPLODED by Russ Edwards
STANSEL WASN’T FULL OF IT AFTER ALL by Bob Caron
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Plus: Caribou Chronicles, Otter Odds & Ends, Military Mish Mash, E-mail, Who’s Under the Weather. All this
and much, much more. . .
Logbook Now Available on Line - Go to www.otter-caribou.org
Also on the Website are Tons of D.C. Reunion Photos
P.O. Box 55284 - St. Petersburg, FL 33732-5284
1-800-626-8194
Logboo
k
Wings of Friendship
AOCA Logbook
March 2008 Volume XXIV Number 1
Published three times a year
Publisher - Bruce D. Silvey
Editor - William R. (Bill) Upton
FROM THE PRESIDENT
The Logbook is the official publication of the Army Otter-Caribou Association, Inc,, P.O. Box 55284, St. Petersburg, FL, 33732-5284. A not for
profit organization, IRS ID 58-1663032, granted 4/26/90. © 2008 Army
Otter-Caribou Association, Inc. All Rights reserved. Not for profit military
or veterans organizations may reproduce items providing credit is given
to the author and the Logbook, Army Otter-Caribou Association, Inc.
Association Officers
President
David W. Benoit
1st Vice President
Perry T. Brasuell
2nd Vice President
Secretary
Earl B. Burley
John T. Stanfield
Treasurer
Willard M. Bennett
Parliamentarian
Donald S. Seymour
Historian
Wayne Buser
Scholarship
Julian T. (Tom) Caraballo
Chaplain
Ronald W. Wentlandt
Legal Officer
Kenneth S. Womack
Recruiting Officer
Floyd T. Burks
Reunion Coordinator
Larry M. Johnson
Public Information Officer
William R. Upton
Executive Vice President
Bruce D. Silvey
Immediate Past President
Dave and Susan Benoit with BG Mundt
EXECUTIVE NOTES
Bruce D. Silvey
Executive Vice-President
Association Color Guard on the Mall in Washington D.C. at a
Memorial Service at the Vietnam Wall.
Ronald J. Sprengeler
Please tell us if you’ve moved, changed your e-mail, gotten
lost or recently found so we can update your membership
roster information. Call EVP Bruce Silvey toll free at 1-800626-8194, e-mail him at [email protected] or write him at P.O.
Box 55284, St. Petersburg, FL 33732-5284. Roster copies
available on request.
Visit AOCA’s website at: http://www.otter-caribou.org/
Want to see your name in print? If so, please send your
anecdotal, amusing, audacious, historical, and/or hysterical
Otter, Caribou, or Neptune tale(s) (photos encouraged) to: Bill
Upton, 3240 Gulf of Mexico Dr. #604, Longboat Key, FL
34228 - 941-387-3806 - Email: [email protected]
2008 MEMBERSHIP STATUS
As of Jan, we still had 70 members who had not renewed
their dues. Quickly check the “address label” on this issue
and if you still see “07” it means you have yet to send in
your dues and that this is your last Logbook.
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS
For the July, 2008 Edition
LOGBOOK
May 25, 2008
Your support is important for it is the members who make
the association what it is. We all served in units that
provided some of the best support ever provided to the
ground combat soldier and the Otter-Caribou Association is
recognized for just that. We urge you to remain a part of that
great history. Some of you will remember participating in
the Swiftstrike Exercises - Here’s a picture from that time
Celebrating the Otter, Caribou and Neptune Aircraft
Page 1
Wings of Friendship
AOCA Logbook
MORE ON REUNIONS
2009 - ROCHESTER, MN, Aug 26 - 29.
Get this one on your calendar.
2010 TEMECULA, CA - Dates yet to
be determined.
NEW MEMBERS
We are proud to list our newest members who have all joined since the publishing of the November 2007 Logbook.
INTERNET: OFFICIAL SITE:
www.Otter-Caribou.org
#228 CHARLES N. HARDY
OZARK, AL
134th, 187th
AOCA EMAIL LIST
#229 DANIEL S. SIPPEL
When you change your email or get a HINESVILLE, GA
new one - please SEND ME an email 608th & 245th Trans Co Acft
so I get the correct address - and I will
get you into the address book. Thanks
([email protected])
REUNION – REUNION - REUNION
ASSOCIATION ROSTER
It has become too expensive to include
the roster in the Logbook. If you want
a copy I can send it by email very easily.
Or I can print one and mail it if you so
desire - or even put it on a CD. Generally I find that most only want the name
of a certain person or group of people which I can also easily provide. If you
are online on the Internet just sent me
a note. [email protected]
LIFE MEMBERS
Thanks to all our Life Members for their
continued support of this outstanding
organization. Following are the new
Life Members since the last listing.
RICHARD G. COTTIER
502 33 Road
Clifton, CO 81520
970-434-5241
187th, 134th - 65 - 66
PATRICK W. FEELEY (Kathleen)
317 North Street
Middletown Springs, VT 05757
802-235-2131
[email protected]
92nd, 135th Avn Co - 66
J. B. 'SKIP' HENLEY (Gillian)
300 Jerome Drive
ST LOUIS, MO Sept 11-15, 2008
Wasilla, AK 99654-7736
907-376-6493
The banquet will be on Sunday evening. [email protected]
For those of you on the Internet and 57th Avn, 222nd Bn: 66-67
who want to make reservations online
the hotel has prepared a super site for TREVOR McINTYRE
us (see below). Just click on the URL 919 Briar Cove
and it will take you there.
Morganton, GA 30560
706-633-7531
Sheraton Westport Lakeside Chalet [email protected]
191 Westport Plaza
Air American Foundation
St. Louis, MO 63146
(314) 878-1500
FRANK VINCENT (Patty)
51215 Rochester Road
$89 / day -plus 13 % taxes
Pleasant City, OH 43772-9612
740-732-4285
A Web site for:
[email protected]
ARMY OTTER-CARIBOU ASSOC.
17th Avn Co: 65 - 66
#225 JAMES W. McNEILL
CARSON CITY, NV
18th, Ft. Ord Otter School
Guests can access the site to learn more
SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
about the event and to book, modify, or
cancel a reservation from now to Septem- The Executive Board, at the annual
ber 16, 2008.
meeting, voted to award two $1000
#226 WILLIAM D. JOHNSTON
GIG HARBOR, WA.
54th,17th, CAG 66-70;516 Sig Gp.
scholarships - this means that any Arhttp://www.starwoodmeeting.com/Star my Otter-Caribou applicant who qualiGroupsWeb/res?id=0704103054&key= fies is awarded a scholarship ahead of
8A7B4 Or
other outside applicants.
#227 WILLIAM T. GILLESPIE
SHAWNEE, OK
18th Avn Co, Sharp A Depot
Custom URL - click here or type the It is not too late for a child or grandchild
following into a browser.
to apply. The cut off is 1 May 2008.
The best way to get current information
http://www.starwoodmeeting.com/Book is to go to the AAAA Web Site
/otter
www.quad-a.org
Page 2
Wings of Friendship
AOCA Logbook
only work on a computer - not on a Oregon waves. It's called being friendly.
DVD connected to a TV. Cost will be Try to understand the concept.
minimal - mostly for the disk and ship7. If that cell phone rings while a deer
ping. $3.
or two is comin' in during the hunts, we
WILL shoot it out’a your hand. You
FROM THE EDITOR
better hope you don't have it up to your
ASSOCIATION HATS
I can’t thank all of you enough who sent ear at the time.
We have changed to a khaki hat and in favorable comments on the last Logdropped the white due to problems with book. What a boost to my already 8. Yeah. We eat trout, salmon, deer
getting the logo applied correctly. We inflated ego. . . Seriously, though, and elk. You really want sushi and
have good reports on the khaki color.
that’s what we volunteers consider pay caviar? It's available at the corner bait
shop.
for the time we put in.
Please contact the AAAA National Office for more information, (203) 2682450.
This has been a successful program for
our members - don’t drop the ball on
this one. You need to begin now.
I sincerely hope everyone continues to
enjoy my efforts and will search their
old cards and letters, pick their brains
and come up with more of those wonderful stories I have the pleasure of
Alright, so it’s a white cap we’re showing . . .
reading and formatting for each issue.
Use your imagination!
Keeping our history alive and kicking
The price is right and includes shipping. keeps me alive and kicking.
$13.00
Get two hats - mix and match - $25.00 Gosh, I can be maudlin can’t I?
BLACK (really sharp) or KHAKI (good
looking)
Here’s something you might enjoy. As
many of you know, I lived in Oregon
(OR-EE-GUN!) before I moved full-time
Contact me at the Official Address:
to Florida. Oregonians are a different
breed. In fact we have a set of truisms
Army Otter Caribou Assn
that folks must agree with before
P.O. Box 55284
they’re allowed to settle there.
St. Petersburg, FL 33732
Or [email protected]
So you think you want to live in Oregon. . .
Still have a small number of The 20th Then you must:
Anniversary Challenge Coins - a great
gift - special rate ($4 each or 3 for $10) 1. Pull up your pants. You look like an
on these remaining coins (includes idiot.
shipping and handling).
2. Turn your cap right, your head ain't
crooked.
3. Let's get this straight: it ain’t a dirt
road, it's called a "gravel road." I drive
a pickup truck because I want to. No
matter how slow you drive, you're gonna get dust on your Lexus. Drive it or
get out of the way.
Contact: [email protected] - or write to 4. They are cattle. That's why they
the AOCA official address.
smell bad to you. They smell like money to us. Get over it. Don't like it? I-84
ARCHIVED LOGBOOKS ON CD
goes east and west, I-5 goes north and
south. Pick one.
I have the collection of Logbooks - from
the beginning to November 2007 - on a 5. So you have a $60,000 car. We're
DVD disk in Adobe Reader Format. impressed. We have $250,000 comMakes for interesting viewing during bines that are driven only three weeks
these non-football days. Anyone desir- a year.
ing a copy can contact me by email or
mail and I will burn a copy for you. It will 6. Every person in “Wild an Wooly”
9. The "Opener" refers to the first day
of deer season. It's a religious holiday
held the closest Saturday to the first of
November.
10. We open doors for women. That's
applied to all women, regardless of age.
11. No, there's no "vegetarian special"
on the restaurant menu. Order steak,
or you can order the Chef's Salad and
pick off the two pounds of ham & turkey.
12. When we fill out a table, there are
three main dishes: meats, vegetables,
and breads. We use three spices: salt,
pepper, and ketchup! Oh, yeah. . . we
don't care what you folks in Cincinnati
call that stuff you eat -- IT AIN'T REAL
CHILI!!
13. You bring "Coke" into my house, it
better be brown, wet and served over
ice. You bring "Mary Jane" into my
house, she better be cute, know how to
shoot, drive a truck, and have long hair.
14. College and high school football is
as important here as the Lakers and
the Knicks are to the big cities, and a
dang site more fun to watch.
15. Yeah, we have golf courses. But
don't hit the water hazards -- it spooks
the fish.
16. Colleges? We have them all over.
We have state universities, private colleges and vo-techs. They come out’ta
there with an education plus a love for
God and country, and they still wave at
everybody when they come home for
the holidays. Welcome to Oregon!
Page 3
Wings of Friendship
ABOUT GEORGE SENTER
I am writing to let you know that retired
LTCOL George Senter of Hattiesburg,
MS, passed away on 2 October 2007. I
believe that he was a member of your
organization. -- William Boyer, US
Army, Retired
Thanks Bill, too often we get no notification when one of our members dies and we like to take certain steps to
remember those great heroes. I will
notify the membership and we will remember George at a remembrance
ceremony at our next reunion. -- Bruce
Silvey
AOCA Logbook
I so informed the membership and we
decided to build on to our hall. We paid
off the construction loan in two years,
and now have a $450,000 structure
paid in full. I am not advocating building
a home for AOCA, but that we use our
excess funds to provide more scholarships for more of our people. I feel sure
that all of us have grandchildren who
could use a scholarship.
After serving on four different scholarship committees, each with their own
selection methods, I found that most
awards go to the top five percent of
scholars leaving little or none for lower
tier applicants.
donation has been submitted we can
start thinking about approving three
$1,000 scholarships as we get a certain number of donations in the coming
up dues renewal period. It is the one
program in which we are involved that
we can donate to and believe that after
we are gone the name "Otter Caribou"
will be there for a long time.
We are in the process of suggesting a
change to our bylaws to insure that in
the end when the association finally
does dissolve any and all remaining
funds will go to the scholarship fund.
-- Bruce Silvey
SPECTACULAR REUNION
QUAD A SCHOLARSHIPS
It will be several years before my grandchildren are eligible, and I do not know
what their exact class standing is now
or will be in the future, but I would hope
that they won’t have to compete with
the US or AAAA top 5%, but, perhaps
only against other AOCA applicants.
-- “Chek” Adamcik
My big question. Why are we donating
$5,600 to Quad A and getting only
$2,000 in scholarships? If we have a lot
of applicants, why shouldn’t AOCA give
out more $!,000 scholarships ourselves
rather than rely on Quad A to determine if our applicants qualify for any at
BRUCE SILVEY RESPONDS
all? If I recall, we have built up $49,000
for scholarships and perhaps some of
Good points - all. AAAA administers
our applicants are being left out.
the program for us - we had, a long time
I belong to an American Legion Post, ago looked into doing it ourselves but
that built up a nest egg of $154,000 and we are just too spread out as a memyet our hall that did not properly serve bership and not enough folks to handle
our 700 members. I now serve on Post a chore like this one. The $5,600 was a
the building committee and we drew up figure the AAAA gave us that would
plans to improve our clubhouse for an insure we can give out two $1,000
estimated cost of $254,000. A goodly scholarships for a long time and not
number of members initially said “no” to deplete our principal - I think once this
the idea as there was not sufficient income or a quality economic infrastructure in our city.
AOCA
So I asked several Post members what they intended to do
with the $154,000. The common reply was that as Post
membership rapidly dwindled
as it had in the VFW and DAV
that there might be money left
in the treasury if the Post was to
close. And, any member still
alive at that time might share in
the remaining funds.
Wow! I did some research and
found out that our post, like all
Legion posts belong to the
American Legion Department of
Texas and when a post closes
all remaining assets go to them.
T
WE G E
L
E-MAI
The Washington, D.C. reunion was
spectacular and well organized. My
family enjoyed it very much. Congratulations to Tom Caraballo and the reunion committee. -- William Juarbe
THANKS TO AOCA
Thank to Bruce Silvey for the help during Bob's hospitalization and after his
death. Through email, so many more
friends were notified and contacted us.
We have been overwhelmed with cards,
donations, and etc., from so many. Bob
would have been proud of the OSU
Scholarship in his name. He was very
active in the Dallas Alumni group.
We've also heard from many of his AGR
brothers. He touched so many lives in
so many areas.
On the day he was admitted to the
hospital, we had a call inviting us
to sit with Boone Pickens at the
homecoming game. Unfortunately
we had to decline.
Bob enjoyed his long time membership in AOCA. Floyd and Mary
Burks were in the area and attended the memorial services. That
was very meaningful.
-- Cissy Richey
P.T. SMITH AWARD
vey
BSil
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Thanks to the AOCA for the surprise "Certificate of Appreciation."
Frankly, I’m not sure what I wrote
or why! Must be age getting to me.
I'll be 70 next month and if I go
back 50-60 years I can assure
you I would have bet against a kid
Page 4
Wings of Friendship
from the streets of San Francisco going
where I went or doing what I did. The
Army was good to me and I was good
to the Army. That’s the way I shrug it
off when asked. Thanks to Bruce for all
his fantastic contributions to the Association. -- Andy Bringuel
In receipt of totally unexpected P.T.
Smith writing award. Doubly proud
since P.T. is my friendly neighbor only
several houses distant. Thank you very
much AOCA. -- Russ Edwards
Bill,
Thank you for taking the time to prepare
and send me the P.T. Smith Award for
the 18th Otter Memorial article. I was
only following a request by Spike Lohmann, a friend and comrade, since our
flight school days ca. 1956. He commanded the 18th when the memorial
was dedicated at Nha Trang. He sent
me the information with the request that
I get it to the AOCA. Spike died from
medical complications, mainly diabetes,
on 16 Dec 06. I'm pleased that Spike's
story was considered worthy of an
award. I Appreciate your work and
always look forward to the next issue of
the Logbook. Keep up the good work.
-- Jim Randolph
AOCA Logbook
hard and heartfelt work. You're awesome. I especially enjoyed the pictures
of the 'Bou Crew at the dinner gathering. Everybody looks really great. I'm
so sorry I missed the reunion. . . Donna
Brockmann
We received the logbook yesterday and
enjoyed every bit of it. Accolades to
you and Bill Upton and all the others
who have a part in making it the success it is!!
Sorry we're so remiss in getting everyone thanked for making the DC reunion
the greatest one ever, especially Tom
and Bev Caraballo and their team. How
wonderful to see each one of you again.
Jim and I give heartfelt thanks to Ron
Wendtland, Dave Benoit, Ken Suprano-
SPECIAL LADY SAYS “THANKS”
“Thanks to the association for being
so gracious to me and the other special ladies in D.C. I felt very welcome.
I know it takes a lot of work to put on
such an event. As usual, I thought it
was done well. I hope to attend next
year in St. Louis.” Anna Mae Daum
Thank you for the P. T. Smith Award wich, Larry Johnson and all the others
which I received in the mail. . . I am who assisted Jim with his rental scooter.
That was above and beyond the call of
grateful, tickled, and touched.
duty! Must say we missed his power
Bill, I want to express once again how chair from back home during that time
much I appreciate your Logbook pro- but we are so very glad we were able
ductions! Whew! I can only imagine the to make the trip. Continental Airlines
days/weeks it takes for you to create was fantastic in taking care of our
this awesome magazine. Your "AOCA needs as was the Doubletree Hotel.
Goes To Washington", of July '07, was Lord willing, Jim and I are planning big
one of the most creative and cutest on seeing all of you in St Louis next
September. -- Jonnye Yandell
parodies I've ever seen. PRECIOUS.
As I was perusing the November issue,
I noted the picture of you
and Earl Burley. It reminded me of the
photo I captured of you and Don Jordan at the dinner theater last year. You
do have a knack for "getting in trouble",
don't you.!?
bi-planes of yore. A few years ago I
was in Lakeland for the "Sun & Fun" air
show when I met Galen Hutchinson. He
was a Special Forces medic in VN and
later became a physician’s assistant.
After a messy divorce, he decided that
what he really wanted to do was buy a
bi-plane and in the grand tradition of
the old "barnstormer" to follow the grain
harvest through the mid-west touting
plane rides. So, he bought a 1929 Brunner-Winkle Kinner three-place bi-plane.
He offered to come to Tampa and give
Sharon and me a ride. He also was
looking for some one to fly his 1947
Aeronca L-16 (painted in WW II colors)
which served as a banner-tow and support aircraft for his "barnstorming" ventures. He had a skydiver, maintenance
tools (the kinner has no lube system
and the overhead valves have to be
repacked about every ten hours Somehow the idea of me sleeping under the
wings for 3 months out of the year did
not have the appeal that it would of had
a few years ago. -- Dave Halterman
WHAT AN INTERESTING FEW DAYS!
LOGBOOK CORRECTIONS
In October, Helen and I spent time in
the Tampa, FL, area for the annual
meeting of the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Assn of Florida. We had a GREAT
time!
Bill, Who does your proof reading? On
page 23 of the Logbook, my name is
misspelled. It’s not Jesse Pipken, it’s
Jessie Pipkin! I thought that you knew
how to spell. Maybe to much beer. Ha,
Ha. -- Jessie Pipkin (Jessie, honey, I was
Later, at home in Solivita, we attended
a "town meeting" held by Sen. John
McCain (R-AZ). WOW! He had hundreds of "Straight Talk Express" fans
listening to every word. . . Standing "O’s"
almost every sentence.
just testing to see if you really read the Logbook.
Apparently, you do! Sorry!)
The senator autographed my copy of
Air War - Vietnam and I gave him a
BARNSTORMING
VHPAF pin. You would have thought I
had given him a gold bar! He asked me
Anyway, Thank you again for all your It’s my firm belief that the nadir of avia- about the organization and seemed
tion was achieved with those great old
Page 5
Wings of Friendship
very interested. -- Don Joyce
ABOUT ARCHIE RYDER
Archie was assigned as Commander of
the 2nd Sqdn, 17th Cav, 101st ABN Div
in 1971 during the Lam Son 719 incursion into Laos. I joined the Squadron
during the withdrawal phase and spent
the next 6 months as S-3 of the Sqdn.
Archie and I kept in contact until his
death in the middle 90's. He was one of
the true Warriors. I believe he counted
all or parts of four tours in VN to include
a "shoot down" which kept him off flight
status for an extended length of time. I
have long considered it an honor and a
privilege that I was able to serve with
him and count him as a friend. -- Bill
Stubbs
AOCA Logbook
On 3 Aug 1967, the aircraft flew into a
live fire zone (U.S. Army 155mm howitzer) while maneuvering to land at the
Duc Pho Special Forces camp (south
of Quang Ngai). I have attached two
photographs of the event; one from the
4 Aug 1967 New York Times newspaper and the other from a source that I
have long since forgotten. Note that the
USAF "KE" tail marking is clearly visible.
P.T. Smith
I also have several photos of a 521st
Otter engine change made in the field
in Alaska. They had to use a field expedient since there were no capabilities to
deliver a crane to the site. -- Jim Davis
GETTING ‘389 READY
For those of you who aren’t up to speed, ‘389 in
the following email refers to the Caribou gutted
and parted out by the AAHF back when they
owned the ‘Bou known to many as Legacy 49.
Caribou 62-4161, accidentally hit by
friendly artillery fire at Ha Phan (actual
name is Ha Thanh) belonged to the
USAF 459th TAS. When I was AOCA
Historian, I frequently corresponded
with Nick Evanish, President of the
USAF Caribou Association. He sent me
a copy of a letter from Dick Gleasure,
De Havilland Tech Rep with the 459th
at the time of the accident, along with a
copy of an article describing the event.
Nick said the pilot’s name was Alan
Hendrickson and that he knew him well.
He sent a copy of a poem Hendrickson
wrote just three days before he and two
others were killed in the accident.
Archie Rider graduated with Whitney
Scully, Pete Withers and me, Primary
Flight Class 55-L at San Marcos, TX,
I read in the latest Logbook about the
23 October, '55, then to Ft. Rucker for
completion of the "scanning project,"
Aviation Tactics Course graduating Janand was curious if I might be able to
uary 28, 1956. He' was an Infantry
obtain a CD of Caribou images from the
lieutenant. Saw him once stateside afarchived material? I have started work
ter graduating but can't remember
on the display aspect of '389, and I am
While digging through my files I also looking for Army Caribou pictures for
where. -- Jack Serig
found a 8x10 Official photo of the use in the various associated displays.
“Stilwell Hall” picture verifying it was the What I am looking for exactly are inHA PHAN ACCIDENT
521st Engineer Company (TOPO AVN), flight and ground pictures, including
Reference Merrill Adamcik's query into 30th Engineer Group. Ben Cox was the maintenance
work.
Any
other
the Ha Phan accident (Nov '07 Log- De Havilland Rep assigned to them.
"interesting" photos I'd love to see as
book, page 6):
well!
We plan to have '389 ready for display
(externally anyway) in time for the annual TICO air show in March. I will be
doing a large display case totally dedicated to Army Caribous which will
house original period items such as
manuals, flight gear and etc.
The aircraft was an Air Force C-7B,
serial number 62-4161 and the Air
Force crew was from the 459th TAS
(Tactical Airlift Squadron) (out of Phu
Cat) of the 483rd TAW (Tactical Airlift
Wing). The three crew members were
Capt Alan Hendrickson, Capt John Wiley and TSgt Zane Carter: all deceased.
I've included some pictures of '389 I
took a few months ago when I was in
FL last, as we were installing the radome. Lee Maynard was able to get
'389's radome back from AAHF, and
now she's starting to look like a Bou
again! (or half of one, anyway!) We've
also finished fabricating the trailer that
'389 will be housed on when we take
her to air shows and veterans events,
etc. I've included some photos of that
as well, and you can see our C-123 in
the background. I should be back down
to FL in December to finish up the
sheet metal repairs, and then we'll start
to work on painting her.
Page 6
Wings of Friendship
AOCA Logbook
TEXT OF LETTER TO AAAA
The restoration of the cockpit will begin
once we start receiving the parts back
to complete it. Lee is also going "above
and beyond" for us in this regard as
well! I am also happy to report that the
new owner of '49, Wally Fisk has
agreed to send us any and all parts we
need to complete the restoration of
'389!
As you know the majority of the spare
parts that were included with the sale of
'49 originally came from '389, and Wally
told me that we can basically have any
parts back that he doesn’t need. This of
course is a tremendous help to us, as it
would otherwise probably have taken
me years to track down all of '389's
missing parts!
17th CARIBOU QUESTION
February 3, 2007
William R. Harris, Jr., Executive Dir.
AAAA Schiolarship Foundation, Inc.
755 Main Street, Suite 4D
Monroe, CT 06468-2830
Dear Mr. Harris:
Please find enclosed a check in the amount $5600 for deposit to the Army
Otter-Caribou Association Scholarship Fund.
Please return an accounting of the status of our funds. It is our intent with
this deposit to assure sufficient funds to qualify two $1000 scholarships yearly without reduction of principal. If we do generate additional funds we will
consider adding a third $1000 scholarship.
Sincerely,
Bruce D. Silvey
Does anyone recall when the 17th Avn
moved from Pleiku to An Khe? While
reviewing old letters to my folks, it appears that some of the 17th stayed in WOW! What a team. Seriously, U both the office was right there too. The Manager had warned me that the guy was
Pleiku for awhile after the initial move. done good.
not very talkative and that I should just
What I’m looking for is when the main How is it however, that I can write and tell him who we were and what we
body made the move. I recall that it was proof read and not pick important wanted as briefly as possible and hope
about 6 months after we arrived in Plei- things like names until I see it in final for the best. I did exactly that. After a
ku. My letters indicate that it happened print? For example. . .I typed Davis moment or two, he finally said, "Go
in August of 66 which is much later than Benoit in the minutes instead of David ahead."
I thought since that was very close to Benoit! Oh well , I was fifty percent right
because I spelled it correctly in another Well, she was standing tall and proud
my rotation back to CONUS.
looking almost as good as she looked
place. -- John Stanfield
in Dothan. The back was open though
Would also like info on the new owner
and field location of the ‘Bou that was We really liked the Logbook! A lot of the ramp was up. I got a real yearning
sold and moved to Minnesota. A name, hard work went into it. Barbara, Mary to check out the cockpit. The ladder
an office, an address or phone, or Jean and I spent a couple days in was in the door but I thought that I had
email would be helpful. From what I’ve Minneapolis last week. On the way better ask. So, back to the office where
read, it should be located very close to home we stopped at Anoka County I waited for him to look up. I asked if I
Airport to visit the Caribou. We stopped could go and check out the cockpit.
me and I’d like to see it if possible.
at the museum first which was was After a long pause, he nodded. I spent
I also thought I recall that an OIC or XO closed but I talked with the manager about 15 minutes inside while M.J.
of the 17th moved from flying ‘Bou’s to who told me that Wally Fisk was storing struck up a conversation with a mechoppers and was later KIA. This may the Caribou in a rented hanger a short chanic working on a Lockheed Lodehave been after the first tour. Can any- distance away. When I asked if he star in the far corner. When I came out
one shed any light? -- Dave MacMullen thought that we might get in to look at it I joined them and he took us over to the
The Bou is in a hanger at the Anoka for a few minutes he became quite other corner where they were just startairport for the winter, safe and sound. hesitant. He said that they were very ing to reassemble an Army Beaver
protective of the contents of that hang- from bare bones.
Bob Schrader
er but he told me to ring the buzzer of
the security locked door and, if they let We went back and walked around the
LOGBOOK KUDOS
me in, to talk to the man in the first Bou one more time. As we left, I stuck
office and tell him that I'm a member of my head in the door and said, "Thank
you very much!" There was no reI've already been through my advanced AOCA.
sponse from him. It was a good, but
- on line copy - and must add my congratulations and thank you's to Bill Up- I rang the buzzer, waited a couple min- very strange, experience. Thanks to
ton for another great job and to Bruce utes and the door opened. The tail of Bruce Silvey for all he does for AOCA.
Silvey for handling the distribution. the ‘Bou was just inside the door and -- Gordon Stobb
Page 7
Wings of Friendship
Barbara and I really enjoyed our first
reunion and we'll never miss another
one as long as we are healthy enough
to travel, many thanks for the warm
hospitality that was extended to us from
everyone we met. -- Bill & Barbara
Huff
Good job on the Logbook again! -Bob Schrader
Bill, having just reviewed the latest issue of the Logbook, I swear you just
out-do yourself each and every time.
Keep it up and maybe, just maybe, I will
say something about you nice one of
these times! -- Paul Enright
I read the whole Logbook online. Very
nice. No need to mail one. -- Kevin
Downey
AOCA Logbook
ly responded with nothing more than a
wry smile before changing the subject.
Good to hear his comments 60+ years
after the event.
And nice to see him in a photo with
John Lauterbach. I seem to recall Lauterbach as a battalion commander (?) in
the 10th ATB and someone I hadn't
thought of since those days.
On page 6 of the Logbook there is a
photo which seems to be parts of a
Caribou falling from the sky. Back in my
Leavenworth faculty days I was involved with Tactical Air Command on
developing procedures for "Airspace
Management in a Theater of Operations." One of the items that fell into my
hands was a photo of a Caribou that
had over flown a firing US FA battery
and was allegedly struck by a shell. It
was much similar to the one printed. I
will try to find my copy. Allegedly, it was
taken in the An Khe area but after the
1st Air Cav had moved north. Thanks
again for the Logbook. You do a great
job with it! -- Griffin Dodge
what went on, as well as being real
good adventure reading. A great group
of patriots, and an honor to be a member. -- Jim Smith a.k.a. Dalton James
Smith
The Memory Book looks fantastic. Also,
I received my Logbook yesterday and it
is another masterpiece. While I was
reading it, “Special Lady” Barb Skelton
called. She was reading her copy also
and wanted a phone number for Glenn
and Pat Carr. After seeing Glenn's picture several times in the Logbook she
decided to make contact with some old
friends. She is doing well and is adjusting after Sam's death just a year ago. It
is good to know that sending our Logbook to our “Special Ladies” keeps
them connected with the AOCA even if
they don't attend reunions. -- Ron
Sprengeler
The electronic copy of the Logbook
works well for me. I am on a visit to Iraq
and the C-23 Sherpa Fleet continues to
hang tough supporting operations
across the depth of the theater. Ran
into some of those great Americans
down at Ali Al Saleem in Kuwait. -Mr. Dodge is a non-member friend of AOCA
Scott Brown, LTC, AV
I just got through reading the November, 2007, Logbook cover to cover and
it has to be your best yet! A truly outstanding publication and effort on your
part. I know that the contributors
(members) deserve some of the credit,
but the REAL work is done by the editor
who was involved with us during the 11th (believe me, I know).
I read through the November Logbook
and certainly enjoyed it. You folks put
out quite a publication! I was flattered
to find myself quoted in the "slippery
membrane" incident and mildly surprised by the request from SGM (Ret)
Dennis Thompson asking for further
information on the Lang Vei fight in
early 1968. The event is rather well
documented in the book, Night of the
Silver Stars: The Battle of Lang Vei by
William R. Phillips, Naval Institute Press,
1997, ISBN 1-55750-691-4. The book
identifies Thompson, as a then SSG E6, radioman, who became a POW as
a result of the battle, and was subsequently repatriated in 1973. My mild
surprise was that the book was not
mentioned in the article.
I was delighted with the notes on General Kinnard, an individual for whom I
hold the highest respect. "HWOOK," as
he was known behind his back, was/is
one of the very best. Good of you guys
to make him an honorary member. And
oh yes, thanks for including his comments on "NUTS!" During the 11th AAD
days, there was much discussion of
that event, and when asked, he normal-
Air Assault from the Division Support Command.
I have been beating my brain trying to
come up with inputs that would be interesting / printable / morally acceptable
and am coming up short. The vast
amount of my experience was in the Air
Force, with only three years as a Cariexcellent and well-written story in the Otter sec- bou crew chief. Now, it the membership
tion of this issue. Bill I do hope one day to would be interested in Air Force stuff, I
find a home for the 937th write-up on a could really churn it out. -- P.T. Smith
web site, either one for the 937th if
possible, or maybe as an add-on to the Bill, I know the "KUDOS" about the
IAGS site. I don't know if you would be recent Logbook are tumbling in with
able to use the attached material con- unbelievable excitement. Trouble is
sidering that we hope to use it else- "how in hell" do you have an encore?
where some day, but I can't see any Magnificent, to say the least, my sincerconflict from here. We do want you to est congrats for a stellar performance.
have first opportunity, and the rest may
I noted your needs for stories, have an
not happen anyhow.
idea but need a quick scrub to be sure
I feel sure someone will correct my there has not been a writing about the
summary of Otter characteristics, but 1 Nov '63 beginning of the Diem coup?
what the heck, let’s roll it and see how
it goes. After all, it has been over 50 I was on the ramp at TSN in front of III
Corps Ops with several other 1st Avn.
years since I flew an Otter.
and 61st Birds. If you will let me know I
I always enjoy the Logbook and keep can do more to explain what took place
the copies around reading and re-read- that day. -- Jack Fust Jack, first of all,
thank you for the nice note regarding the Loging for months. Its a way for someone book. But, let me say this, the Logbook would be
who was out of it for a long time to know little more than a yellow rag without all the input
Tom Long has motivated several of us
into thinking about our days as Otter
pilots and mechanics in the 937th Engineer Company (Aviation), Inter American Geodetic Survey. You will find Jim’s
Page 8
Wings of Friendship
from members like you. Please send in any story you have. Even if
someone else has told the a similar tale, they haven’t seen what you’ve
seen. -- Bill
AOCA Logbook
THANKS FOR THE DASH TEN!
Thanks to Bruce Silvey I now have a -10 for the ‘Bou.
Received a call from Tom Hunter and he informed me he
The latest Log Book is beautiful.-- Paul Stansel
had one that he would be willing to part with. Needless to
say, I was overjoyed when it got here. Hate to admit it, but I
SILVER HATS
read more of it in one day than I did all the time while in the
Army.
Thanks again to the Logbook, to you and Tom Hunter
I searched "SILVER HATS" Army 1956 and your March
for
getting
me this manual.
2007 logbook has a mention by Russell Edwards (p8) about
the "Silver Hats class." I have a photo from an estate sale
of about 60 men and women standing in front of an airplane, PS - Talked to Jim Hart the other day and will probably be
with a little sign in front of them saying SILVER HATS SEC flying the Turbo DFC-4A again in November.
I, MARCH 1956. I wanted to give this to someone (or their
family) perhaps in the picture. If you know who might like PPS - Ref to Lloyd Morgan - I, too, had Marv Childers as my
this 8x10 b/w photo, let me know. I can scan and send a IP during my in country checkout in RVN in June 63. He was
a damned good pilot. He taught me what I needed and was
copy to whoever might be interested. -- Nancy Bennett
patient with me on my first instrument approach. It was an
[email protected]
actual 'no-gyro' GCA into Pleiku (400 & 1). All he did was
Here is a copy of what Ms. Bennett found. I will be happy to smoke Tareytons, drink coffee from his mug and tell me to
forward a larger copy for those who can handle it and want keep it going (called me Hoss). -- Mel Brooke
one - I don't really recognize anyone here but that may be
due to my CRS acting up again. I have memory pills but
keep forgetting to take them.
Just read an article on the dangers of drinking. . .
Scared the heck out of me. . . So that's it. . .
After today, no more reading!
“ALL IS WELL IN RENO!”
Sorry I missed the Washington reunion, sounds like everybody had a good time. All is well in Reno - some snow on
-- Bruce Silvey
For those of you, who, like Bruce, suffer from CRS (Can’t Remem- top of the hills - the convertible is in the garage until next
ber Stuff), we published photos of both sections of this class in the spring. After 74 years I finally got my hot rod - 64 Chevy
convertible - with a 550 horse engine. Goes like crazy November ‘06 Logbook.
here's my dues - Garry Edwards
AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN
.
When General Peter Pace finished his official duties on his
last day as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, he had one
more item to take care of. General Pace went to the Vietnam
Wall and carefully placed three index cards side by side
against the wall. Each card was hand addressed to an
individual Marine, the three who lost their lives in Vietnam
during the Tet offensive of 1968 under the command of then
2LT Peter Pace.
Pinned to each note was the four-star
insignia worn by General Pace on his
last day of duty. The notes said:
1 Oct 2007
For (name)
These are Yours, not mine!
With Love and Respect,
Your Platoon Leader,
Pete Pace
Submitted by John Stanfield
I’M LOOKING FOR. . .
My father had extensive experience in Army aviation and I’m
researching his aviation background. He flew the Beaver
in Korea. Later he piloted OV-1 Mohawks. He has over
10,000 hours over Vietnam and Ft Huachuca, AZ.
If anyone has information on Major (Ret) Melville Dean
(Hoot) Gibson please contact me. -- Fred a Gibson
[email protected] 520-296-4926.
A LITTLE LOGBOOK HISTORY
Not that long ago when I was asked to take the job as
Executive Vice President, I also took on the job of getting
the Logbook published. Fortunately at the time we had a
very good editor, Jimmy Moore, who helped set the style for
the book and then later P. T. Smith took over and it is now
in the hands of Bill Upton.
Page 9
Wings of Friendship
AOCA Logbook
Publishing something like the Logbook is actually a monumental effort that evolved into what we have today due
largely to the help and assistance from one individual - not
a member of the association but a good friend that lives in
Tampa, Florida and in the 80's and 90's one of the best
commercial graphic artists in the business.
Frank Hunter, in those early days when we used photos that
we would cut and paste into the pages getting them ready
for the printer, did a lot of that work for nothing based on our
friendship. I can remember the days when Frank and I
discussed the merits of getting a computer to help do some
of the work he was doing by hand and with his multi-expensive lin-o-type font machine. His first purchase was an Apple
Macintosh with a laser printer - a hefty decision in those
days.
We are now well along in the process to a point where Bill
Upton produces the whole project on his computer - to
include photos - making it all camera ready and putting into
a disc which goes to the printer for finalization into the
printing plates for the press.
Frank Hunter, who always has had a love for anything to do
with airplanes, is now retired from his most recent job with a
local newspaper graphic arts department and is doing painting once again - you can view his work at the following site.
http://web.mac.com/franknjoy/Site/My_Albums/My_Albums.
html
Frank is also in the travel
booking business
www.mytravelhunter.com
I would like to add my thanks to Frank, Jimmy, PT, and Bill.
Also many thanks to Bruce for the time he takes to do so
many things for the Association. My sincere gratitude to the
fellows who made our Logbook so looked forward to. -John Spencer
Great story. Why not publish it in the Logbook with a picture
of Frank as a way of saying thank you? -- John Stanfield
A WORD OR TWO FROM CAROLYN PIEKIELNIAK
I wish you all Happy Holidays and hope to see you in St.
Louis next year. A special thanks to my friends in the AOCA
for the generous donations for Matt’s nursing home bill. It is
now less than $200.00 which I will take care of after the first
of the year.
I am still working with Lindsay Graham’s office and have
contacted Bob Woodruff of ABC news. There has to be
some way to help get this matter into the public eye.
-- Carolyn Piekielniak
Carolyn experienced some major problems with the Tri-Care medical insurance in dealing with the final billing for her husband, Matt
- due to some help from members of the association she is now in
a better financial state - this is her thanks to all who made her life
a little easier. Carolyn and Matt were hosts for the Charleston
reunion in 1998.
WOULD LIKE TO SEE TAS GRAHAM’S NAME IN PRINT
How to Become an Old Ensign. . .
My engineer ocs classmate,
Tas Graham, is down to short
rows. He is totally blind now,
yet determined to make it to
his 50th wedding anniversary next March. Since he is
eight months past his doctors Forecast, I'm hoping and
praying that he makes it! I
call him weekly to keep up
his spirits and we relive the
"good old days" on the phone.
He lives only 100 miles from
me but, between his and my
wife’s appointments, it's
tough to get together.
Basically, as a result of
A young ensign is working late at the Pentagon one evening.
Frank's excellent advice and
As he clocks out of his office at about 8 P.M. he sees the
assistance in those early
Admiral standing by the classified document shredder in the
years we have been able to
hallway, a piece of paper in his hand.
produce probably the best
"Do you know how to work this thing?" the Admiral asks.
newsletter, The Logbook, of
"My secretary's gone home and I don't know how to run it."
it's type for a minimum of
"Yes, sir," says the young ensign, who turns on the
expense. There are not
machine, takes the paper from the Admiral, and feeds it in.
many organizations that can
"Thanks," says the Admiral, "I just need one copy..."
produce and mail a 44 to 52
page book on a regular basis
as we do. Granted Bill Upton
now does the majority of the
work but Frank led the way in showing us what we were
capable of doing.
We were chatting a while back and he told me about fighting
to get a Caribou into RVN to help him develop airfields.
Thanks to Frank (and Jimmy, and P. T. and Bill) so that after Apparently the Army was trying to get Caribous there at the
22 years we are still in business. -- Bruce Silvey
same time. Anyway, he was the coordinating officer for the
first Caribou to come to Vietnam. Apparently, he had to
Bill, adding on to Bruce’s comments: I belong to many have the ‘Bou in order to develop the field at A Shau. He
organizations, VVA, VFW, Am. Legion, Ca., Retired Employ- remembers the a/c on the first Caribou was named Triggs.
ee Assoc.,and some others. The Logbook is not PROBA- They had a factory rep with them. The Caribou enabled the
BLY the best, IT IS THE BEST. Thanks for all your good Army to move equipment by air to develop compounds and
work. -- Gary J. Fargo Gary, thanks to you and others for your airfields.
kind words. I, P.T. Smith, Jimmy Moore and Bruce Silvey all thank
He served a couple tours as the Chief of Engineers before
you and others who have kept us motivated with input such as yours.
retiring as a Colonel. He has stories about the RVN loading
Page 10
Wings of Friendship
AOCA Logbook
that Caribou to maximum weight, but they were counting
kilograms as pounds! They made it to Phu Bai, but Triggs
was all stirred up! Guess Tas had to buy him several drinks
before he agreed to go back to A Shau!
I have two requests: I would love to see Tas's name in an
article in the Logbook, covering his many success stories
about army aviation from the ground pounding engineer's
point of view.
WEB PAGES OF
INTEREST
Vietnam Veterans Memorial in D.C.
And, can you help? Contact info:
http://www.thewall-usa.com/
Tasman Graham
10313 177th Ave East
Bonney Lake, WA 98390
(253) 987-5158
[email protected]
The VA has provided him with a 36x screen to read email,
but mostly his wife, Helga, helps him. Any message of
support you can send would be highly appreciated by the
undersigned. -- Kevin Murphy Kevin, Please go to Caribou
Chronicles section of this Logbook for a piece by Tas Graham -Bill Upton, Ed.
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/
singingman7/TNOTW.htm
P2V Site
http://aircommandoman.tripod.com/id16.html
Caribou Models
http://www.modelbuffs.com/militaryairplanes_pro.
php?page=pro&pageno=3
www.scalecraft.com
www.ebay.com
http://www.justplanemodels.com/cart/
index.cfm?category=48&subcategory=229
http://www.warplanes.com
http://www.jakes-wooden-toys-and-collectibles.com/u1aotter.html
Otter Models
http://www.jakes-wooden-toys-and-collectibles.com/u1aotter.html
A happy group (read snockered) toasts Tom
Caraballo’s recent success as chair of the Washington,
D.C. reunion. SALUTE!
Caraballo replies: Bruce et al; Thanks for the pictures.
I now believe all I have heard about your business
lunches. Obviously, the meeting was about the AOCA
and its constitution. Bev and I send our best regards to
all. Take care and live the GOOD LIFE!
Anti-Virus Program
http://askbobrankin.com/free_antivirus_programs.html
Current Army Deployment History
http://www.militarytimes.com/projects/flash/2007_09_21
_deploymenthistory_army/
I don't approve of political jokes.
I've seen too many of them get
elected.
Korean War Video
&&http://video.yahoo.com/video/play?vid=33876&fr=yvmtf
Page 11
Wings of Friendship
AOCA Logbook
Anne and I hope everyone had a merry our God had a great deal to with it all, I
Christmas and are having a happy new know that for certain. -- George Nelson
year. -- Ramon Williams
[email protected]
MURRELL SLOAN UPDATE
Over the Thanksgiving holidays Murrell
was hospitalized with pneumonia and
blood clots in both lungs. Now he is
back in the hospital with a broke ankle.
Seems like I cannot keep that Man out
I'm progressing well with my recovery of trouble! -- Shirlee Sloan
[email protected]
and rehab. -- Ramon Williams
I speak for all in wishing Ramon a
speedy recovery - and we hope to see
Ramon and Anne in St Louis. -- Bruce
Silvey
PAT WILLIAMS FEELING BETTER
JOYCE KISER RECOVERING
Pat has had five lithotripsy procedures
My sincere appreciation goes out for all for kidney stones. This last time they
your thoughts, prayers, cards, letters, may have gotten them all. She is felling
email and other means of showing how better. -- John Williams
much you thought about and cared for
BOB DAHN UP AND WALKING
Joyce during her recent spinal surgery.
When we flew home from Minneapolis ,
our trip went very well. NW Airlines did
all they could do to make Joyce comfortable before, during and after the
flight. Needless to say, just getting
home after a week in the hospital and
another week in the Sheraton while she
(we) regained her (our) strength, was a
blessing.
Bob is doing well after his back operation. He’s up and walking.
Bettye Dahn [email protected]
HAL LOYER NEEDS SURGERY
Bob had a second back operation on
11/30/07 and is doing fair. Hope this Dad goes into the hospital on the 29th
helps with the pain. -- Bettye Dahn
of January to have his lower aorta repaired and a hernia taken care of. He
NEEDS PRAYERS
has two large aneurysms on his lower
aorta which keep getting larger and his
Cathy McIntyre (Bill's widow) recently doctor feels he’s way over due for the
had to evacuate her home near San operation. I'm requesting those wonderDiego, CA, to escape wildfires. Please ful prayers you folks generate. Dad
put out a prayer line for this gal. She likes to get e-mail, it gives him somecouldn't come to the 2007 Reunion due thing to smile about. -- Tammy (Loyer)
to knee surgery shortly after losing Bill. Gustafson [email protected]
She surely needs our prayers!
Marge Hadley
BEN BOOTH ON GALLSTONES
Overall, she seems to be doing fine.
and has been walking since the day
after the surgery. She continues to
gain strength every day, walking two or
three times a day and extending the
distance a little each time. She does
have discomfort from the brace she
must wear 23.5 hours a day for four
months. That is to be expected and
hopefully she will continue to adjust to
RANSOM NOT NECESSARY!
it as time goes on. Her activity will be
limited while she is in the brace, but we Don't pay the ransom, I’ve escaped. I'm
hope the time will go quickly and the end out, I'm out. Yep, after only two months
result will be worth the discomfort.
of confinement in the hospital I am out.
While not a record, it was long enough.
Thank you all so much for keeping her
in your thoughts and for the many, many To all who sent e-mail and cards and
prayers you have remembered her with. made phone calls, I'll always be in your
It there are significant changes, I will let debt. Please know that your efforts
you know. -- Josh Kiser
made my hospital stay bearable. I had
the cards pasted on my walls, for all to
RAMON WILLIAMS AT HOME
enjoy.
A recent CAT scan showed no live
cancer cells. I’m home in bed a large
part of the time, in a chair some, do
rehab exercises and visit my doctors.
I'm weak but there’s little pain.
I am home and felling great.
All that Shirlee told you was true, touch
and go for awhile, but the doctors came
through and all is well. Still have a
recovery period of 6 to 8 weeks yet to
go, but all looks good. Open up your
email and let me know that you’re all
right. Would be nice to hear from each
and every one of you. Remember an
apple a day. . . -- Murrell Sloan
[email protected]
A year ago, I awoke in the night, with a
severe pain in my abdomen, right over
my breast bone which went away after
an hour, so, foolishly, I forgot about it.
Then a month ago I suffered another
pain, in the same location, which also
went away. Stupidly, I did not tell my
Doctor about it. Big Mistake!
Then on 20 December I had a more
severe pain which prompted my wife to
drive me to the emergency room. There,
I was tested for heart attack, stroke,
blood problems. My urine was tested
Of course I became good friends with and I was given a CAT Scan, etc.
most of the Unit 21 staff and many
resident doctors at Emory which is a My surgeon, who had performed minor
teaching hospital. They have some of skin surgeries on me, happened to be
the finest doctors in the country or I’m in the emergency room. She she
convinced I wouldn't be here. However,
Page 12
Wings of Friendship
AOCA Logbook
looked at me and indicated it might be a gall problem.
Turned out it was a gallstone.
They medicated me for pain relief and scheduled me for
surgery the next day. The surgeon removed my gall bladder
and a gall stone about the size and color of a big ripe olive.
I stayed overnight for observation, and came home on the
22nd.
Aside from pain and nausea, which caused me to throw up,
I have been feeling better and better.
Lessons Learned: 1. If you have a pain,
tell your doctor about it, and let him or her
decide if it is serious or not. I could have
had a more serious gall bladder infection
and been in much worse condition if I had
not gotten surgery as fast as I did. 2. Tell
your doctor all the symptoms you have,
and let them give you the tests you need based on those
pains and during your physical exams. -- Ben Booth
Earl Burley and “Hat Lady” Lila Jean Potts
UH OH! APOLOGY IN ORDER
Regarding the Washington, D.C. reunion - as it sometimes
happens we overran our allotted time for getting through the
excellent banquet program on Sunday evening. There were
two excellent guest speakers - the extra one being General
Harry W.O. Kinnard who we were not sure would speak and BG Mundt regarding the acquisition of the new fixed
wing transport for the Army. We also had on the schedule
an excellent dance band that was waiting to get started.
Guess Who’s in the Photos Correctly and Win a Years
Free Subscription to the Logbook. (Hint: Not a one of
them will still fit into their khakis!)
So somehow the final drawing for the "Hat lady" raffle - the
majority of funds raised goes to the Special Lady expenses
for the reunion - this drawing was forgotten and did not
occur. I apologize for that as I was the one wrapping up
events for the evening. The funds, as it turns out, were
donated in full. (There is no way to know for certain but it is
possible the winnings would have been donated right back
into the “kitty” as they have been in recent years.) In any
case - if someone feels slighted or left out regarding this I
will send you a personal “get a drink free” coupon good for
any future reunion.
We take this opportunity to send a big AOCA “THANK YOU”'
to Lila Jean Potts who organizes this major effort every
year and devotes much of her reunion time to corralling folks
and encouraging them to donate. She handles it all in good
taste and humor and over the years has been one of our
greatest reunion supporters. -- Bruce Silvey
I was thinking about how people seem to read the Bible a
whole lot more as they get older; then it dawned on me. . .
they're cramming for their final
exam.
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Wings of Friendship
AOCA Logbook
FROM THE 2007 D.C. REUNION CHAIR, TOM CARABALLO
“THANKS, FOR A JOB WELL DONE!”
“Thanks, to all the selfless individuals who gave up so much of their free time to help make the 2007 D.C. reunion the
success it was.” -- D.C. Reunion Chair, Tom Caraballo
Base Support
Larry and Phyllis Johnson
Walter and Betty Duke
Beverly Caraballo
The Raffle Queen
Lila Jean Potts
L to R Back: Row Tom Caraballo, Dan Steltzer, Bill Stubbs, Chet Wilson, Jim Greenquist,
Front:: Bill Vinson, John Lauterbach, and John Gordy
me
upre rts
S
s
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e
p
di
g Ex
t
le La
Raff Shoppin eenquis
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G
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a
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oss
Suza etsy Cr re
B
Moo
Peg Shuster
a
Laur t Heath
Pa
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and C up of Bu
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rowd
nitor
Co
Dave ntrol Exp s
Ben
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Ro n n
ie An oit
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Ge o r
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g e O rs o n
Ra y C we n s
ro s
Ken L
a G ra s
Jim P ndeur
Bob E aul
Jimm chard
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Ed S Moore
Darre huster
Richa l Basom
rd S
Ben C tefferson
ollins
Page 14
Wings of Friendship
AOCA Logbook
CARIBOU CHRONICLES
CARIBOU NEEDS HOME
black briefcase. They asked to be
picked up in 10 days at Aloui, at the
Some time back Bruce Silvey sent out a north end of the valley.
note regarding someone looking for a Caribou for a museum - but he no longer has Sure 'nuff they were waiting for us there.
that file. If someone has that email on file Back to DaNang, and as they left the
you might forward it on to Mr. Warner.
The English Field Air & Space Museum
located in Amarillo, TX is closing its
doors. A C-7 Caribou remains in the
museum's possession and they’re not
sure what to do with it. If you know of
anyone interested in checking into the
availability of this aircraft, please have
him or her immediately contact Cecil
Hawkins at 806-680-8901 or Richard
Warner at 806-206-9358. A photo of
this aircraft may be seen here:
http://englishfieldmuseum.no-ip.biz/
Richard Warner, English Field Air &
Space Museum
[email protected]
Caribou at English Field
Air and Space Museum
CASH ON THE BARREL HEAD
In '62, I was flying a 'Bou out of DaNang,
when we received a mission to take
two men to Ashau. They wore unmarked camo’s and each carried a
aircraft, they invited my crew to meet
them for dinner at Da Nang's best seafood restaurant, the Select Club, overlooking the harbor. When the check
came, one opened his briefcase -there was a stack of hundred dollar bills
and a .45. Turns out they were CIA
and were paying "trail watchers" on the
Ho Chi Minh Trail. What a "deal!" -Don Joyce
I took this picture in 1965 at a little
tactical strip 40 miles north of Saigon.
We had a big operation going on in
war zone Delta. The C-123 guys
would not come in with all of the mud
and rain. I thought you might enjoy it.
-- Bobbie Spencer
THE CARIBOU CREW
A Poem by Larry A Jones
We're the men who fly the Caribou o’er this war torn land
Yes we fly the Caribou and we do the best we can
Re-supplying Special Forces any time day or night
Re-supplying Special Forces so they can continue the fight
They called us late one evening and said they needed Caribous bad
They were needing med supplies and ammo because a fight
was what they had
The loading boys were ready as we let down our ramp
We took off and dropped our load in the middle of the "A" Team Camp
As we were flying across the Camp we saw Tracers whizzing by
We didn't have time to give it much thought, our job was to fly
When this war is over Special Forces will always say
The men who flew the Caribou sure helped the Green Beret
Lou Barber, one of AOCA’s favorite
authors, sent this photo of a De havilland CV2 Caribou over the Grand
Canyon.
Apparently, when Lou isn’t busy creating stories in his own inimitable
style, he finds time to play around
with his PhotoShop program.
Great job, Lou.
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Wings of Friendship
AOCA Logbook
Caribou allies and Stateside friends had delivered. I have
spent several holidays overseas, including two Christmases
in Vietnam, but that one in 1966 still stands out as special.
Perhaps the true magic of Christmas is the way it can
With Christmas 2004 upon us, and our troops in the fields of bestow love and hope and fond memories on those who
combat, I am reminiscing about another Yuletide, in another embrace it, even under the very worst of circumstances.
war zone, years ago.
To my brothers and sisters in uniform, know that you are not
Christmas of ‘66 in Vietnam was a special one for me. I was forgotten. Merry Christmas.
CO of a twelve man Special Forces A-team (A-428) in an
isolated camp along the Cambodian border in the Delta
region. We were advisors to ARVN Special Forces and 250
CIDG troops (mercenaries paid by the CIA). Most of our
time was spent running combat patrols along the border to
stop the infiltration of NVA troops and to disrupt the Viet
Cong.
CHRISTMAS IS WHERE YOU FIND IT:
A VIETNAM REMEMBRANCE
Major Jim Miles (Ret.)
Around Christmas and the New Year there was the usual
cease fire. The US and ARVN forces, with the exception of
maintaining perimeter defenses and listening posts, observed the brief cessation of combat. Somehow the enemy
never seemed to get the word. The only way to our camp
was by the waterways or air. Most of our supplies were
airdropped or brought in by choppers. Prior to 1967 Army
Aviation had a small cargo plane called the CV-2. It was
dubbed the Caribou, and delivered supplies by parachute to
some 100 isolated Special Forces camps scattered along I very clearly recall Christmas 1966 in Quang Gnai province.
We were mortared that night from the river bank. Miraculousthe border of South Vietnam.
ly, no significant casualties, a few minor shrapnel wounds
One day in late December my communications man handed only to a few. Thank God for that. -- Boyd Mullholand
me a radio message. "Sir. I don't understand this," he said
with a puzzled look on his face. The message read: Ru- AAHF LOSES FAT ARMY RECRUITING CONTRACT
dolph the Red-Nosed Caribou due your location with special
air drop. Everyone was trying to guess what the special The following from the Army Aviation Heritage Foundation’s president
delivery was going to be. The speculation ran pretty wild -- Mike Brady. It was distributed to AAHF’s membership as part of their
from Play Boy Bunnies to a new secret weapon. The big day periodic news brief. The text is reproduced in full and without edit or
finally arrived with a radio call. "This is Rudolph the Red comment. Bill
Nosed Caribou inbound your location with a special drop.
Yesterday we received notification from Army representatives that
Have your camp in sight. Pop a smoke," said the pilot.
the Army’s leadership has made a decision to change the Army’s
We spotted the Caribou coming in at about tree top level. recruiting events focus from the traditionally sponsored activity
Sure enough, the nose of the plane was painted a bright type event (NASCAR, NHRA, Professional Bull Riding Team,
shade of Santa Claus red. I set off a green smoke grenade Sky Soldiers, etc.) to more “experiential” oriented recruiting
and a couple of small parachute containers appeared and events where prospective recruit candidates can directly experifell right in the middle of the camp. Aircraft came in low and ence what it is like to be a soldier in today’s Army. These
fast to avoid enemy rounds, as "cease fires" never stopped “experiential’ events are what is experienced in the new Virtual
Army Experience (VAE) exhibit where the exhibit portrays
the enemy from firing on them.
through the participant’s computer visual interaction a US Army
In January of ‘67 all Army Caribou aircraft were scheduled patrol in the streets of Baghdad with simulated combat engagebe transferred to the Air Force. The crews had gotten ments. Due to this significant focus change, the Army is canceling
together to make a final, special visit to all the SF camps their sponsorship of the Professional Bull Riding team and signifthey had supported over the years, as a holiday greeting icantly reducing their level of sponsorship of the NASCAR and
and a gesture of good will. The special drop contained NHRA teams. The Sky Soldier program will also not be sponseveral cases of beer, a huge turkey with all the fixings, and sored by the Army in FY 08.
a bundle of small presents with cards and letters from
A further reason given for canceling the Army’s sponsorship of the
school kids back in the states.
Sky Soldier program was the significant increase in fuel cost over
Our Vietnamese/French cook roasted that turkey in a make- last year that negatively impacted the Army’s cost per recruit
shift oven with charcoal, and it was the best turkey I ever contact.
had. As we sat around reading the cards and letters from the
states we were all moved, some to tears, by the gift that our
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Wings of Friendship
This is very disturbing news for us due to
the significant amount of work, effort, and
dedication our members have put into this
program, AND the significant success we
obtained against the program goals set by
the Army at the beginning of our program.
Our performance in the eight air shows
events was OUTSTANDING! We had a
total audience of over three million people
that saw and heard the Army Strong recruiting message during our 20 minute program
presentation. We had over 36,000 people
attend the various Army oriented activities
(exhibit, chalet, school visits, etc) at each
air show. Out of this group we obtained for
the Army over 12,000 qualified recruit contacts against the Army program goal of
8800 qualified recruit contacts. We beat the
Army program goal by +137%. Our media
event coverage for getting the Army branding and messaging out to the public exceeded 22 Million gross media impressions that
generated over $2.2 Million in free Army
media coverage. But most importantly to
those of us that participated directly in this
program the feedback we received from the
eight air shows clearly showed we produced a very high quality, professional, and
safe program that set new and high standards for the other military services air
show recruiting programs to try to achieve.
We can be very proud of the program we
produced and our sincere efforts to assist
our Army in its time of strong need for new
recruits.
AOCA Logbook
experiences like per diem and private
rooms are now a thing of the past. We will
also need your direct support in supporting
as many air show and Huey Ride events as
you can handle.
We are all very disappointed in this unexpected development but can take great
pride in the unique program we developed,
and in the quality of the product and results
we produced. We must remain focused in
our mission of connecting the soldier and
veteran to the American people. There is
still much good we can do together in fulfilling our AAHF mission and purpose.
Mike Brady
President and CEO
REMEMBERING WAYNE TRIGGS
by Tasman Graham
airfield site (more politics).The final reason that prevented movement of the
USAF or Airborne units to RVN was the
International Control Commission
(ICC). The ICC was formed the time the
country was divided and its role was to
ensure the status quo of both sides. It
consisted of an Indian colonel
(neutral?), a Polish Major/LTC (their
side) and a Canadian (our side). The
ICC had free run in the north and south
and they checked both sides. If you
broke or wore out a jeep, you could
replace it but you could not add new
equipment. Obviously this precluded
movement to RVN of additional
units/equipment.
All this I was getting in bits and pieces
with all kinds of recommendations and
proposals from the RVN side. So much
so that a blind eye was turned when I
traded two RVN D-7’s for two civilian
D-4’s, the payback for this was to let
this civilian contractor do the earthwork
necessary for the glide path on the strip
at Cam Duc. The only helicopters in
country at that time belonged to President Diem and two H-34’s were sent to
Hue to move the little dozers. They
were broken into six packages each
and were finally airlifted to A Shau
where they were reassembled.
In March of 1961 I went to RVN as the
Engineer Advisor to I Corps, replacing
a major who ate some bad pork and
went to Walter Reed. At that time there
was concern that the Laotians were
being pushed back towards Vietnam
and President Ngo Dinh Diem and co.
(one brother was bishop of Hue and N.
D. Kahn was a “deputy king” of northern South Vietnam) and of course N.D.
Nhu and Madam Nhu in Saigon became concerned. All this got the whole
country team involved, meetings held, At about this time I was notified that
visitors came from 18th Airborne, USAF things were going too slowly but that
help would be coming in the way of a
We are immediately redirecting our efforts from the Phillipines and so on.
Caribou from the US. I believe this was
for this year to obtaining show committo placate the RVN and could be asments for our new Vietnam era “Rescue at
signed to CG MAAG, VN and not conDawn” program, our historical Vietnam era
flict with ICC. This was more noticeable
Air Cav Troop program, a civilian version
later on when President Diem was fallof the Cobra Demonstration Team, and as
ing out of favor and work at A Shau
many Huey Ride programs as we can hanslowed down. There was also the arrivdle. We have already been exploring these
al in Da nang of the 92nd Transportaprograms with shows throughout the countion. Co. from Fort Devens and shortly
try and will be intensifying our efforts. We
thereafter, UH-21’s and OH-13’s. The
will also focus effort this year on obtaining
only pilot of the 92nd I remember was
another corporate sponsorship for the civil
Tasman Graham in 1973 & 2007
CWO Clyde Emory, I was told he had
version of the Cobra Team.
The RVN side was concerned that if we umpteen thousand hours with the OHWe presently are in good financial condi- built a new or better road from Lao Bao 13 on the Army Square Dance Team –
tion with over $600,000 in the bank and all to Hue, it would be an easy march from great pilot. All this is provided as backof our bills current. If we can obtain Ho Chi Minh Trail to cut LRVN in half ground for those who were not there
enough air show programs and Huey Ride and allow an influx of Laotians. So it and to explain how the Caribou got
events this coming air show season to gen- was decided to build a C-17 strip in the there.
erate over $400,000, we will end 2008 in A Shau to A Lui valley to move
good financial condition and ready for Laotian/Vietnamese out of the area When the Caribou arrived, it was piloted
2009. However, we will immediately start without jeopardizing the coast. It was by an artillery major and co-pilot, both
looking at various areas within our opera- also decided for security reasons that of whose names I have forgotten.
tions where we can reduce costs but remain the RVN Engineers could not move (Maybe some one out there can fill in
effective. Some of the recent new air show heavy equipment from Da Nang to the these names.) I first met Wayne Triggs
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Wings of Friendship
AOCA Logbook
slide rule and information from the Vietnamese Captain that the chutes
weighed 30 pounds each, decided that
we could take them out. Remember
that at this time the Caribou was still
under R&D with load restrictions. The
reversible props did not arrive in country till much later.
Ba To. Wayne lowered the ramp and
the visitors stood there surrounded by
the outpost soldiers and Montagnard
villagers. There was little response
from the crowd and the group returned
to their seats. Wayne was directed to
return to Quang Ngai.
The next day we all flew to A Shau, I
riding on the flat seat above and behind
the pilot to show them where to go. By
this time I had made many RVNAFL
L-19 flights to all the outposts in I Corps
with an airstrip, the rest were by Jeep
or by foot. We passed over the site
which consisted of a grass strip of
about 300 ft and a square outpost I was
converting to triangular. Wayne said he
would like a better look, so we went
back to Da Nang, then Hue and then
with two RVNAF L-19’s we returned to
Engines started, off down the strip,
A Shau.
maybe 30 knots, then hit more mud,
It was a bit windy that day, and the L-19 about 20 knots, back up to 30 etc, etc,.
pilots refused to land, so we returned to Directly across the end of the strip was
Hue. After landing, Wayne addressed a good-size creek where the Vietnamthe L-19 pilots with some emphasis to ese had been gathering gravel. Wayne
include their possible family afflictions said the only way out of here is wheels
and genealogy in general, and advised up. I am not sure if this was actual
them that if that was the best they could wheels up or he meant the whole plane
do, they should look for other employ- up, but that is what I remember him
saying. We lifted off and somehow
ment.
cleared the trees. Wayne was really
We then flew to Da Nang, picked up ticked-off, and when we landed at Hue
some PSP and returned to A Shau. Phu Bai, he told us all to take a chute
When we stopped at the end of the strip, to the civilian terminal and weigh them.
we were axle-deep in mud but with the They weighed 30 kilogram a piece inhelp of the RVN soldiers and the PSP stead of the 30 pounds the outpost
we got turned around, went back up the commander had told us. In addition we
strip and turned around again with the found two or three young RVN AWOL
soldiers who were trying to get home
help of PSP and shovels.
and had hid under the pile of chutes.
This was additional weight.
After the visitors had debarked, Wayne
directed the reloading of the plane,
delivered it to Ba To and came to Da
Nang. He did not direct comments to
the presidential group as he had to the
pilots in Hue but unloaded on us at the
bar in the Da Nang MAAG mess. This
was professional self-control at its best.
I have some black-and-white photos
that maybe Murph can help me sort out
one day.
when he, a co-pilot and a DeHaviland
tech-rep flew the Caribou back to Da
Nang from Saigon. I had been appointed Liaison Officer to provide the Caribou crew with anything they needed,
such as hangar space, quarters, and to
guide them to all the RVN outposts.
Digging out. . .
At this time, the outpost commander
asked Wayne if he could carry out the
parachutes that were used to airdrop
his food, rice, ducks etc. as he could
not get more food till Hue got some
parachutes back. Wayne checked with
the tech-rep who with help of his round
Another incident that was typical of
Wayne’s approach to problem solving.
This happened when Wayne was sent
directly from Saigon to Quang Ngai to
pick up food etc. to take to Ba To, a
small outpost with a side hill strip mainly cleared by machetes and shovels.
They spent the afternoon loading the
Caribou, ready for an early morning
take-off the next day. Just prior to the
planned lift-off, Wayne was informed
that the plane had to be unloaded and
cleaned up immaculately as President
Diem would be arriving and with his
entourage wanted to visit Ba To. Without comment, this was done, the plane
spotless, the visitors arrived and flew to
I left Vietnam in March 1962 and was
assigned to Ft. Benning as an instructor at the Infantry School. In 1964 I
went to the 12th Engineer Bn. in Germany. While there, I noticed an item in
the Army Times advertising a Caribou
association with a phone number and I
always meant to call to run down
Wayne again, but I left Germany in July
1967 and went directly back to Vietnam
and lost the number. It was while talking to Murph the other night that all
these memories came back.
SILVEY’S STORY
by Bruce Silvey
I first met Wayne during the 11th Air
Assault testing days - which would have
been following that first Caribou in Vietnam adventure.
I recall one day I was performing my
normal, non-flying duty - I was the Liaison Officer for the Caribou Battalion,
37th Air Transport Battalion, and
seemed to get the jobs that did not
involve my actually flying a Caribou.
I was in a field location in either North
or South Carolina on one of the Swift
Strike exercises - and our job, with the
Pathfinders I was working with, was to
establish a field landing strip - and
bring in the HQ for the 18th Airborne
Corps. We had a good day for it and
had brought in and dispatched a good
number of Caribou when one showed
up requesting landing - and set up an
approach that was entirely too low and
too long and too drawn out - he kept
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Wings of Friendship
sinking lower and lower well before
reaching the threshold of what was
really a pretty short field strip. The Pathfinder on the radio, with me urging him
on, advised several times that the
plane make a go-around and set up a
second approach. As you can imagine
they ignored us and hit the berm at the
end of the field - going so slow they
never bounced back into the air but just
rolled up and over and came to a stop.
AOCA Logbook
time-challenged stories, we had slightly
different memories. As was stated, I
also remember that it took place during
one of the Swift Strike exercises in the
one of the Carolinas. I have some recollection that John Lauterbach had something to do with selecting Wayne for the
flight because he was one of our most
experienced pilots. I'm not sure if John
was still commanding the 187th or had
move up to the 37th.
I ran immediately to check the wheel
structure to see if there was any damage when I felt a hand on my shoulder
asking if everything was okay - it was
Gen Westmoreland - who, for some
reason, had been in the right seat on
the landing - Wayne Triggs had been
the pilot.
Wayne and I remembered that event
several times during the reunions in
recent years. Wayne has left us now.
He was a good friend and supporter of I remember that the mission was to
bring LTG Westmoreland and his staff
the airplane and the association.
to a particular location which was the
strip you referred to. I remember briefSPRENGELER’S SIDE
ing the general at the pick up zone
by Ron Sprengeler
before the flight and recommending
The other day I was thinking that I that he enter the airplane through the
should write down my most memorable belly hatch as his jeep, trailer and staff
Caribou flights for the Logbook. Ironical- were already loaded. I followed him
ly, the fight Bruce Silvey referenced in through the hatch and when I got up to
Remembering Wayne Triggs was one the cockpit he was already sitting in the
of the flights I was thinking about as I right seat. I decided not to say anything
and to perform my copilot duties standwas the copilot.
Wayne and I talked about that several ing on the radio racks on either side of
times over the years. As with most the well above the hatch.
We took off and I remember flying
around some small town and general
area where Gen Westmoreland was
from and listening to his commentary
about his hometown . When we arrived
at the landing strip I remember it as a
grass strip with three quite pronounced
undulations across the strip with one of
them being at the landing end in the
direction of landing. I remember Wayne
talking about trying to land on the backside or down slope side of the first
undulation but before the second. I do
remember him getting very slow and
the light shaker coming on early on the
approach. I don't recall any recommendation to go around. As it turned out we
hit hard on the up slope of first undulation.
We hit hard enough that I fell down and
ended up on cabin floor between the
crew chief and some members of the
generals staff with several manuals,
that had been on top of the radio racks,
on top of me. Their eyes expressed
some concern. I believe the general
asked Wayne if it was normal to land
that hard. I don't recall Wayne's comment if any. After the aircraft was unloaded we did notice wrinkles in the
skin on the right side of the aircraft and
as I recall it was circle red X'd and
maintenance flew it out of the strip. I
don't recall any incident report or accident investigation so the damage probably wasn't too bad.
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Wings of Friendship
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FAA MANDATES CARIBOU CHECKS
By John Croft
Flight International
Jan 11, 2008
fit boosts payload and performance
while greatly increasing engine life and
reliability - the Australians have not
placed an order.
The US Federal Aviation Administration
has issued a mandatory airworthiness
directive (AD) for US-registered Viking
Air DHC-4 and DHC-4A Caribou aircraft.
The action, first issued by Transport
Canada in November, came after an
Australian operator performing a heavy
maintenance check on a DHC-4 discovered that both of the upper engine
mount bracket assemblies for one engine were cracked, a problem that
could result in the engine ripping itself
from the aircraft. Inspections of 10 other aircraft in the same fleet exposed
five more cracked brackets, according
to the FAA.
Pen Turbo has completed the conversion of one aircraft and says a second
will be under way once a sale is made.
Gobalian tells Flight International that
interest in the aircraft is high in countries with little airport infrastructure, including Indonesia, Mozambique and
New Guinea. Financing has been the
key issue with long distance sales, however. "Who's going to repossess an
aircraft on the other side of the world?
If it leaves here, it's got to be paid for,"
he says.
Within 10 flight hours starting 23 January, the agency is requiring US operators to perform a one-time fluorescent
penetrant inspection of the mounts, an
inspection both Transport Canada and
Viking Air have also required or suggested.
Moving aircraft to Vietnam via the Atlantic route was a logistical and diplomatic
nightmare with some flights requiring
almost a month to complete the movement. Each flight had to deal with government rules and regulations specific
to that country and applied by civil servants or members of that nation’s
armed forces, many of which were not
overly fond of the United States and
who were at war with other nations
along the route of flight. A diplomatic
clearance from each nation was required, but each nation viewed with
suspicion any aircraft coming from enemy territory. Greece and Turkey, Pakistan and India were usually up in arms
with each other, and other nations such
as Burma, Malaysia and Cambodia simply refused to grant over-flight permission. At every stop crew members and
the aircraft were subject to custom and
immigration inspection.
Viking purchased the type certificate for
the DHC-4 and six other De Havilland
aircraft from Bombardier in February
2006.
In the USA, the AD is in large part
directed at Pen Turbo Aviation, the
Cape May, New Jersey-based operation that owns 37 of the 47 US-registered Caribou -nearly 80% of the fleet.
Pen Turbo Aviation president R. Gobalian says a cursory check of his
DHC-4 and DHC-4A’s has not turned
up signs of the problem, although he
has not yet performed the FAA-mandated test.
ACROSS THE WIDE PACIFIC
By Paul Stansel
Jim Hooker was appointed mission c
commander and requested permission
to try the Pacific route. Over the objection of the Air Force, the mission was
approved. The Air Force, however,
retained responsibility for navigation.
A C-130 flew with Hooker’s flight, but
caused several days delay with their
mandatory crew rest periods.
Based on Hooker’s experience, I, as
the 10th Group S3, made a recommendation that all future flights use the
Pacific route. I further stressed that
Army aviators were trained well enough
in navigation to cross the Pacific without assistance from the Air Force.
A few weeks later I was commanding
the 1st Avn. Co. when another mission
came to fly three more Caribous to
Vietnam. I got the job of proving that
Army aviators could navigate the Pacific without help from the Air Force. My
individual crew consisted of Marvin
Childers, Tony Randall, Jerry Flowers
and me. Crew members on the other
planes were Bob Dahn, G.E. Roesler,
Bob Sword, Gary Alton, Henry Smith
and L.L. Welch. I can’t remember the
names of the two crew chiefs.
“It became apparent that that light
was going to continue to bug us for
the entire flight unless corrective
action was taken. Utilizing my vast
knowledge and mechanical skill, I
was able to fix the problem by unscrewing the light and throwing the
damn thing out the out the window.”
We flew nonstop to Travis AFB, CA,
then to Hawaii, Wake Island, Guam,
Manilia, and on to Saigon. Total flying
time was 72 hours, total calendar time
was more than 20 days. There were
problems though. My aircraft kept
breaking down as if it desired to get my
butt wet with salt water. Problems
started while still on the ground at Lawson Field. While moving into take off
position the fuel overflow valve started
to spray fuel on the ground. I directed
the other two aircraft to take off and I
would join up after correcting the fuel
drain problem. We were delayed about
an hour, finally getting underway just
before dark. We joined up with the flight
at Travis AFB, CA.
The 10th Avn Group from Ft. Benning
decided to attempt crossing the Pacific
with the Caribou. This would allow
stops to be made at US military bases,
thus eliminating diplomatic problems.
Jim Hooker was selected as the project
manager. His job was to devise a way
to keep the Caribou flying nonstop for
at least 2,400 miles. He did a marvelous job proving the concept by making
Gobalian's idea was to sell the conver- flights from Miami, FL, to Nome, AK.
sion to the Australian Air Force, which Shortly thereafter, the Group got a misuses more than a dozen R-2000-pow- sion to move three aircraft to Vietnam.
The flight from California was routine
ered Caribou. Despite the advantages until about half way to Hawaii when a
Gobalian says the $4 million-plus retro-
Virtually all of Pen Turbo's Caribou are
parked at Cape May Airport in New
Jersey awaiting engine make-overs
and buyers. The company has a supplemental type certificate to convert the
Pratt & Whitney R-2000 radial-powered
twins to Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A67T turboprops.
Page 20
Wings of Friendship
fire warning light flashed on getting
everyone’s attention. After a visual
check and having one of the other aircraft move in close and check us out,
we decided it was a light malfunction.
Before long the light went out and I
started to breath easier again. A few
minutes later the light flashed back on,
resulting in another visual check for fire.
As before, the light finally went out.
Then as I relaxed, the damned light
flashed on again. It became apparent
that that light was going to continue to
bug us for the entire flight unless corrective action was taken. Utilizing my vast
knowledge and mechanical skill, I was
able to fix the problem by unscrewing
the light and throwing the damn thing
out the out the window.
AOCA Logbook
spending a week there while a new
engine was flown in from the States.
The bowling alley was the only air conditioned building on the Island . Thank
goodness it was open 24 hours a day
and served cold beer.
After a short test flight with the new
engine, we headed for Guam, confident that our troubles were over. We
were wrong! About half way to Guam,
the new engine quit generating thrust.
It was running perfectly but it just
wasn’t pulling. All the gauges indicated
normal. We continued on to Guam with
our one trusty engine that had carried
us on to Wake Island. Once safely on
the ground, Jerry found that a steel bolt
about 6 inches long had been dropped
into the supercharger at some time
during assembly, either by accident or
on purpose. The bolt had wrapped
around the shaft and ground all the air
compressing blades from the supercharger. We had to get another engine.
I reported the incident via telephone as
a sabotage and requested that an operational engine from an aircraft in Vietnam be airlifted to us as soon as
possible. I got a call giving me the flight
number and arrival time. It didn’t happen! After spending a day on the phone
We departed Hawaii flying direct to
hunting my stray engine, I finally found
Wake Island, a distance of approximately 2,000 miles. The flight was rou- it in the scrap yard of the AFB in Manila.
tine until about 700 miles from Wake. When confronted by this information the
Air Force said it was kicked off the
The number one engine gauges suddenly indicated high temperatures and original shipment because it was dripa decline in oil pressure. Marvin and I ping oil on the C130 floor.
decided not to shut down the engine
I was further informed that I had to
and feather the prop, reasoning that
steam clean the engine before they
each turn of the prop would be one
would fly it. The fact that I was 1000
less breast stroke in the water.
miles or so away did not matter to them.
Luckily, prior to departure from Califor- The idiot LTC I was dealing with flatly
nia, we had scrounged an antique Lo- refused to consider having the engine
ran receiver which Tony Randall had steamed cleaned by the Air Force. He
taught himself to use. So he scrambled claimed to be speaking for the two-star
around and got a fix on where we commanding the base. I lost my temthought we were. I radioed Wake Is- per, got on the phone and placed a
land informing them of the situation and
gave them a position report just in case.
We maintained a constant altitude and
power setting until over Wake Island.
When I reduced power for descent the
engine came apart and we finally feathered it.
Wake Island is a crappy place to RON.
It is just a pile of coral rock with shore
to shore runways. We had the honor of
priority call to the Pacific Theater in
Hawaii and reported that my mission
was being compromised by lack of cooperation from the Air Force.
Early the next morning, I was notified
that an aircraft was inbound from Hawaii with an Army four-star on board
who requested that I meet him on the
ramp. The Air Force commanding general was there also. General Waters
was very nice to me. He examined the
bolt we had recovered from our engine
and asked about the problem with the
Air Force. The Air Force general listened to my complaint and whispered
something to his aide who double timed
to Base Ops and grabbed a telephone.
Within the hour, I got a call from Base
Ops giving me the flight information on
a C-130 bringing the steam cleaned
engine to Guam. The remainder of the
mission was without incident.
Upon landing in Vietnam, Marvin
Childers, Jerry Flowers and me, Paul
Stansel, became the first Army Aviation
crew to fly a Caribou around the world .
We had flown the Atlantic route in December of 1963 with the 1st Avn Company. We recommended that all future
flights go from Hawaii to Midway Island,
then on to Wake.
Two Distinguished Fellows
and Ken LaGrandeur
Generals Mundt and Kinnard
Honorary ACOA Members
Page 21
Wings of Friendship
WANTS TO JOIN AOCA?
I was approached by this retired Army
Aviator who wants to join AOCA. His
qualifications attested to by the plaque. I
told him he would have to get rid of his
bearish attitude but I would check with
the membership committee! -- Russ
Edwards
TALES OF THE 937th
Dalton James Smith
“Dalton! Dalton!” the answering machine blared my official but rarely used
first name. “This is Tom, Tom Long,
from the 937th. I just joined the Army
Otter-Caribou Association, and found
your name and phone number. You
and I were in the same unit at the same
time and must have known each other.
Give me a call and lets talk”.
AOCA Logbook
The 937th was organized in 1952 to
assist the Inter American Geodetic Survey. IAGS, based in the Panama Canal Zone, was a joint undertaking of
Army Map Service and the U. S. Coast
and Geodetic Survey, together with
Latin American countries from Mexico
through Central America, South America, and including Cuba, Haiti and the
Dominican Republic. The mission of
IAGS was to encourage detailed mapping, and to work us out of a job by
helping each government take over its
own operations. This work was so
successful IAGS turned over field mapping to the local governments about
1967 and the 937th disbanded. Everything we did was “in the clear,” that is,
not classified, and could be discussed
without security concerns.
base for future maps. Points had to be
located that could “see” each other’s
lights at night over a ten to thirty mile
distance, enabling them to mathematically determine each light’s position in
the world. The “seeing” of four lights in
a square was possible by putting two
lights on foothills of a mountain chain
and two lights on hundred foot steel
towers in the lowlands. Light points
were located by a pilot/engineer team
in an L-19 Bird Dog, a more powerful
military version of the single engine
Cessna 170. The aircraft had overhead wings and wrap-around windows,
which gave good visibility in all directions. Small rotary wing aircraft (Bell
H-13 helicopters) ferried engineer parties to and from light points previously
prepared by ground crews. Clearly, it
helped if the location engineer could
put the light points for steel towers
along roads accessible by truck, and
insure all light points were within reasonable walking distance of a field
where helicopters of that day could land.
When things were going well, the survey parties moved by helicopter during
daylight to the first set of four light
points. After that set was completed,
the first team was transported to the
third location, then another day the
second to a fourth location, completing
This message was waiting for me on a Ed Bulgin saw this 1,000 hp Otter conver- three sets of four light survey measureTuesday in mid-July, 2007. Only the sion at King Salmon, AK. “It took off while ments before stopping for ground
previous Sunday a friend had told me I was there. An entirely different sound. crews to move the lowland steel towers
of receiving a similar call from an old One exhaust pipe and no augmenter to new light points. By this slow method, we ran arcs all joined together
Army buddy, which had surprised me. tubes.”
through known light points permanently
After all, I had been in contact with only
marked with concrete monuments. Asone colleague from those days, and
sisting the work other fixed wing aircraft
that was when we discovered we were
moved supplies, mail and personnel
neighbors in Dothan. I had to mentally
from cities with airports to unimproved
apologize to my Sunday friend for bedirt airstrips near mapping parties. A
ing skeptical, as here was my call.
typical field mapping party would consist of two or three expatriate engineers,
Tom and I talked a long time, found lots
four military aircraft with pilots and crew
of shared experiences, a number of
chiefs, several local engineers and enmutual friends, and decided to see
gineering technicians, and a lot of
whom else we could find. I traced my
jeeps and trucks with drivers and tower
Dothan neighbor, now in another town.
mechanics.
Tom contacted the only other member
of the Army Otter-Caribou Association Satellite positioning was not available
(out of more than 800 members) who during the 1950’s. First priority for Supplies were usually moved to the
mapping parties in a six place De Havillisted The 937th Engineer Company IAGS was to establish arcs connecting
land Beaver, designated an L-20 by the
(Aviation) as his military unit. We were all of Latin America through interlocking
Army. The L-20 carried six persons, or
off and running “down memory lane” by known locations, thereby providing a
a pilot and about a half-ton of supplies.
email. His phone call
It also held six hours of
prompted this reminisfuel, cruised at 120 miles
cence.
per hour, and was pow-
OTTER ODDS AND ENDS
Page 22
Wings of Friendship
ered by a rebuilt circular engine of the
model used on Ford Tri-Motor aircraft
in the 1930’s. De Havilland of Canada
built 1,631 Beavers between 1946 and
1967 of which the military bought 981.
An effective and safe bush aircraft, the
actor Harrison Ford flies one for personal transportation and recreation, and
occasionally in his movies.
Harrison Ford and Lane Wallace
AOCA Logbook
The way Otters were initially fitted into
operations of the 937th did not use
these short field design capabilities well.
The U. S. Air Force usually transported
IAGS supplies from Panama to airports
near mapping operations. In 1956 the
Air Force decided IAGS needed a depot in San Antonio, TX, to ship to Mexico and Central America, an idea to
which IAGS was not receptive. Thus,
the 937th began a small airline, transporting supplies from Panama to Mexico by Otter. We also carried back
about as much stuff as we took up,
although goodness knows why.
Those surely were interesting times.
Maybe with the help of our renewed
friendships, we can find more tales
from the 937th. Some of the above information
was gleaned from the IAGS Web site
Picture from Flyingmag.com
SMITH’S STORIES
Early in 1956, the 937th received its first
De Havilland Otter aircraft. The Otter
was built between 1953 and 1967, but
volume production began about two
years into the run. The U. S. Army
bought 190 of the 466 built beginning
late December 1955. The 937th received numbers seven through twelve
of the Army purchases and flight procedures were still being worked out. Powered by a rotary engine similar to the
Beaver, but 33% more powerful, the
Otter transported thirteen persons, or a
crew of three and a ton of cargo. It held
six hours of fuel and cruised at one
hundred miles per hour. Like the other
fixed wing aircraft we flew in the field,
the Otter was a “tail dragger.”
I arrived in The 937th Engineer Company (Aviation) in October 1954, ready to
complete a three-year military commitment. My first hours out of flight school
were spent in Panama checking out the
L-20 Beaver. After a few weeks, I was
assigned to Brazil for eighteen months
flying L-20 tail number 53-2799.
Completing the Brazil assignment, I
ferried L-20 53-2799 back to Panama
between March 6th and March 11th,
1956.
March 14th, I started as copilot of the
newly received thirteen place De Havilland Otter, Army designation U-1A.
Early in the rainy season of 1956, probably late April or May, we were returning from Mexico with a crew chief and
a load of cargo. I was copilot, riding in
the right seat. We spent the night in
Managua, Nicaragua, not a known resort destination but handy and a convenient distance from both Mexico and
Panama. The airstrip, built during
World War II, was long and paved, and
ran east and west. The tall control
tower was on the north side of the
runway, about midway down. Large
paved parking ramps were located in
front and on both sides of the tower.
That day, these parking ramps were full
of World War II vintage military aircraft,
probably more than a hundred, and I
believe I saw aircraft designated P-47,
P-51, B-25, etc. We were told the
aircraft were fueled and some armed.
I don’t know why, but there always
seemed to be something happening in
Central America.
IAGS Beaver # 53-2800
Built for water or unpaved short field
take-off and landing, the Otter had a Still fresh from flight school, I thought I
large vertical stabilizer that provided could “fly the crates they came in,” or
good directional control at low air- “tie an electric fan to a barn door and I
speeds on takeoff or landing directly could fly it.” These were dangerous
into the wind but had some interesting attitudes for a young pilot on detached
effects in a cross wind. Another charac- service in rural Latin America, responsiteristic of the Otter was a more than ble for operation and maintenance of
expected susceptibility to gyroscopic an assigned aircraft with the help of a
precession, that is the tendency of the young crew chief mechanic. Thankfully,
nose of a propeller driven aircraft to our mechanics were generally diligent
turn left when power is added rapidly, and competent, and they helped the
as in takeoff, which requires significant young pilots survive long enough to
corrective control pressure (right rud- learn caution.
der) to keep the nose straight.
IAGS Otter # 53245
When we came out to leave for Panama
early the following morning, the wind
was strong from the north, at least 20
knots, and possibly 30. Blow one away
if he didn’t hold on (well, maybe not
quite that strong, but you get the idea).
Tower cleared us for takeoff to the east,
which we accepted (first mistake). We
elected to go to the western end of the
long airstrip to begin takeoff, although
we needed only a few hundred feet
(second mistake). Otter procedure at
that time (still unwritten) prescribed a
wheels takeoff, with the tail wheel lifted
and the main gear on the ground, to get
up airspeed before leaving the ground.
This we did (third mistake). I was in the
Page 23
Wings of Friendship
right seat again, handling flaps that
extend below the wings to increase lift
for takeoff (first right thing I did all
morning).
AOCA Logbook
which I followed without fail in the future,
was for a three-point takeoff with tail
wheel on the ground and fully locked in
position, and for cross winds only from
the right.
We started with normal takeoff power,
WEEK THE WAR EXPLODED
and when we got enough speed
Russ Edwards
(probably 40 knots) we lifted the tail,
keeping the front wheels on the ground.
That set up a collision course with reali- Being an Otter pilot in 1965 Vietnam
ty. The strong north wind became a was for the most part routine. "You Call
crosswind from the left blowing on the We Haul" was our motto for old
large vertical stabilizer, which pushed “Low,Slow, & Reliable” 18th Aviation Co.
the tail to the right. Gyroscopic preces- Support of Special Forces was our prision from takeoff power pulled the nose mary mission, one which required us to
to the left. We did a weather vane, fly into and out of makeshift air strips
turning ninety degrees into the north
wind, and became airborne maybe as
much as ten feet off the ground. The
aircraft staggered and shook, right on
the verge of stalling and falling into the
military aircraft around the tower. Give
the first pilot in the left seat full credit,
he did the only thing I could think of
then or later and applied full war emergency power (put all levers forward throughout South Vietnam.
onto the firewall) and called for just a Those of us based in Nha Trang were
little more flaps. We fluttered in place blessed with a beautiful beaches on the
for what seemed like an eternity, then South China sea and the good old
got up flying speed. After which we “COCKPIT CLUB” with a fellow named
faced the next problem. We were head- Coquin serving drinks. Sometimes we
even went into Nha Trang village for a
fine meal with all the trimmings.
IAGS Otter # 53244 From Karl Hayes’
CD Book.
ed straight into the tower, and they
were higher than we were.
Thankfully, the strong north wind gave
us lift with slow ground speed. We
climbed out gradually while inching to
the left, eventually raising the right wing
enough to clear the tower, much to the
relief of us and the approach control
crew inside the glass room on top. The
pilot and I were busy through all this
and didn’t have time to react, but the
crew chief was not happy when we
talked to him later.
Then, although we were not directly
affected, even with the slow continual
troop buildup going on, stuff began to
happen in late October. On the 26th,
we got a call from 5th Special Forces
requesting a wait and return flight to
Saigon for their
boss,
Colonel
Francis
J
"Blackjack" Kelly.
After an uneventful flight South
and a long wait
while
roaming
Saigon, COL Kelly returned at “Blackjack” Kelly
dusk and we headed back to Nha Trang.
camp at Plei Me and we watched one
helluva firefight going on. It brought
back a memories of Korea. After a few
turns Kelly said he’d seen enough. I
was more than ready to get the heck
out of there.
Later I learned we had witnessed the
lead up to the Ia Drang Valley operation, a large scale build-up of American
forces and a long term expansion of the
war.
A SHORT YARN & MORE
Russ Edwards
Here’s a short yarn about a couple of devilish Otter pilots. While this may have been
done before, it was funny at the time, it
didn't set us up as role models.
We instigated a program at the Munich
detachment, 24th ID, Avn. Co. to take
a "Soldier of the Month" from each
brigade and fly them to some interesting place outside Germany. On one
particular flight we chose Copenhagen,
Denmark and borrowed an Otter from
the 18th Trans. Bn, Oberschleissheim.
Capt.(Col. Rtd) Obie Wells signed on
as co-pilot and off we flew on a beautiful cloudless day headed north on a
new adventure. Unbeknownst to me,
Obie had filled a burlap bag with empty
beer cans and shortly after take-off
threw one back into the passenger section. He continued doing this about
every thirty minutes, so it wasn't long
before those poor GI's in the back
thought they had two drunk pilots up
front.
Obie, the prankster finally walked back
and told them what he had done. Huge
sighs of relief, followed by a great time
in Copenhagen.
And More. . .
For all my beloved friends in the AOCA.
You've got to try this chicken/popcorn
recipe, it's the greatest. The popcorn is
used as stuffing and perfect for people,
like me, who just not are sure how to
tell when poultry is thoroughly cooked,
but not dried out.
I climbed to 3000’ VFR conditions, enjoying a smooth flight when COL Kelly
tapped me on the shoulder and pointed
down. I looked down and saw explosions and muzzle flashes. Kelly asked
We made a full report to Flight Opera- if I would drop down and circle.
tions when we got back to Panama, in
which we recommended a change in At 500’ I leveled off and circled what Give it a try. (Starts on next page)
procedure.
Our recommendation, turned out to be the Special Forces
Page 24
Wings of Friendship
AOCA Logbook
BAKED STUFFED CHICKEN
6-7 lb. Chicken
1 cup melted butter
1 cup stuffing (Pepperidge Farm is good)
1 cup uncooked popcorn
(Orville Redenbachers Low Fat)
Salt/pepper to taste
_____________________________
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Brush chicken well with melted butter,
salt and pepper.
Fill cavity with stuffing and popcorn.
Place in baking pan with the
neck end toward the back of the oven. Listen for the popping sounds.
When the chicken's rear blows the oven
door off and the chicken
flies across the room, it's done.
And you thought I couldn't cook.
Russ Edwards
large scale. It was one of two obvious
routes for a hypothesized Soviet attack on
West Germany from its bases in Eastern
Europe, especially East Germany. (The other obvious route was via the North German
Plain; a third, less likely route, involved an
attack through Austria up the Danube River
valley.)
Kassel
Fulda
Hessen
Frankfurt
As for the 280 mm artillery round, it
weighed in at 602 lbs, not that much,
but I can see where it would be difficult
to handle through an Otter’s door.
(Paul, to tell the truth, I never heard of
the “Otter Plan!” Do you recall where
Mr. Stansel has the story quite correct. the 280 mm unit was located? We
The famous Fulda Gap was the route of were at Darmstadt. The only real queschoice for all those who invaded Ger- tion I’d have is weren’t H-34’s in Germamany throughout history. According to Wikipedia, the
Internet encyclopedia, the Fulda Gap is a section of territory
between the former East German
border and Frankfurt, (West) Germany. Named for the nearby town
of Fulda, the Fulda Gap was of
immense strategic importance
during the Cold War. "Gap" refers
to lower-lying land (between the
mountainous regions of the Hohe
Rhön and Knüllgebirge, and between the Spessart and the Vogelsberg) which is suitable for
armored troop movement on a
Anyway, I also thank thank God we
were never called upon to follow
through on such a mission.
THE OTTER AS A NUCLEAR
DELIVERY AIRCRAFT
By Paul Stansel
Some may may find it hard to believe,
but during the middle 1950's the fate of
Thuringen
Western Europe may well have rested
on the Otter.
I had the dubious duty of serving with
“A” Battery, 2nd Gun Bn., 38th Arty and
we had the mighty 280 mm cannons in
our unit at Fulda in 1960 - ‘61. Initially,
I was XO under CPT MacDonald, a
most extraordinary leader and adminisSTANSEL WASN’T FULL OF IT
trator whose courage was unbelievable.
AFTER ALL...
While serving in Korea, MacDonald was
Robert Caron
awarded a DFC for calling artillery
down on his own position which was
Bill, as promised, here is my side of the being overrun by the Chinese. Later
story as told by Paul Stansel in his story, when I became CO, we’d spend two
The Otter as a Nuclear Delivery Aircraft. weeks at a time (three batteries rotated
Ed. note: Paul’s original story was first printed in the mission) sitting just south of Fulda
the November ‘05 Logbook and is reprinted bestaring to the north.
low in its entirety.
Dear fellow Caribou-ers, Otter-ers and
P2V-ers, I won’t say I’m slow or anything like that, but while reviewing past
Logbooks I came across an interesting
story about nuclear warheads, and of
all things, an Otter!
ny by then? They would have made a
much better transport vehicle. )
The Russians had massive tank and
artillery formations poised to rumble
into Germany via the Fulda Gap, to be
closely followed by massive waves of
Infantry. NATO Forces, primarily the
United States, were in blocking positions but were relying on tactical nuclear weapons of a small yield, employed
by ground units, to turn the tide of
aggression into defeat for the Russians.
Some of you are old enough to remember the Honest John Batteries and the
280 mm cannon battalions assigned to
artillery commands. These weapons
were designed to give the ground unit
commanders a nuclear weapon that
could be delivered to specific targets of
opportunity with little delay.
A slight problem developed with this
concept. Although the delivery means
were assigned down to company and
battalion levels, the actual devices
were stored in a secure location approximately 100 miles away from the potential battlefield. The available rotary wing
aircraft could not carry the devices that
distance and available Air Force aircraft could not land at the storage site
for pickup, nor could they deliver them
directly to the battlefield.
Bob Caron, 1958 with his 280 mm Guns, Darmstadt Germany
Faced with this problem, a
decision was made to use the
Otters. Another problem developed when it was discovered
that nobody knew if the device
would fit on an Otter, And if so,
would the Otter be able to
take off with such a heavy load.
I was selected to accompany
my Platoon Leader, Jess Giddens, to take an Otter to the
storage location and answer
these critical questions.
Page 25
Wings of Friendship
Our first real problem was the load
bearing capability of the aircraft floor.
The device was strapped to a dolly with
small wheels which promptly fell
through the aircraft floor. With a lot of
grunting and straining, we finally got a
piece of plywood under the wheels.
Our second problem was what to do in
case of a forced landing. This was
solved by one of the weapons experts
who assured us, on his mother*s honor,
that the device would not go off, even
with a hard crash. He then qualified his
assurance with the fact that he was
speaking only of the nuclear portion of
the device. He could not vouch for the
stability of the high explosion part of the
thing but assured us that in the event
that it went off, it would only be the
equivalent of 300 Ibs of TNT. That
made us feel a lot safer!
AOCA Logbook
Take off was successful as was normal
landing. Max take off and short field
landing were all accomplished without
problems. Thank God, we never had to
perform the mission.
PILLS. . .
A row of bottles on my shelf
Caused me to analyze myself.
One yellow pill I have to pop
Goes to my heart so it won't stop.
A little white one that I take
Goes to my hands so they won't shake.
The blue ones that I use a lot
Tell me I'm happy when I'm not.
The purple pill goes to my brain
And tells me that I have no pain.
The capsules tell me not to wheeze
O r cough or choke or even sneeze.
The red ones, smallest of them all
Go to my blood so I won't fall.
The orange ones, very big and bright
Prevent my leg cramps in the night.
Such an array of brilliant pills
Helping to cure all kinds of ills.
But what I'd really like to know. . .
Is what tells each one where to go!
D.C. Reunion Chair, Tom Caraballo
honoring fallen AOCA Comrades with salute.
GRAY TIGER LINES
“ABOVE THE BEST”
IF WE CAN GET IT ALL TOGETHER
THE 57TH CARIBOU
WILL HAVE A MINI-REUNION AT
THE AOCA REUNION IN ST. LOUIS
Interested? Contact:
AUSTIN
Britton
Weldon Britton
[email protected]
Maynard Austin
434-292-4594
Paul Enright
[email protected]
Sam Kaiser
[email protected]
Bill Upton
[email protected]
Ellis Sweat
[email protected]
Some of these guys can help you, others are
listed just to irritate them. But go ahead and
contact anyone on the list. He’ll be glad to hear
from you, I’m sure.
Recognize these two old duffers? Hint: One used
to have black hair and the other used to have hair!
“We may not have raised the flag on Iwo Jima,
but we sure raised hell in Hawaii!”
Page 26
Revision 2008/01/10
CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS
THE ARMY OTTER AND CARIBOU ASSOCIATION
Incorporated 1989
As amended at the ‘90, ‘92, ‘93, ‘95 and ‘98, ‘99, 2001, 2004 ADD: and 2008
NOTE: Final Page numbers may change due to proposed changes and deletions that are included in this revision. Page number changes have not been made to
this index:
han
ges
INDEX
The
n
rep
PREAMBLE
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.1
d
iscu ecessi
m
and
ssed ty t
a co proCONSTITUTION
..
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
2
a
n
d
n
o
n
o
i
d
g
ti
b
ill f
BY-LAWS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
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LOGO)
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CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS
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THE ARMY OTTER and CARIBOU ASSOCIATION, INC.
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PREAMBLE
WHEREAS, the objects for which this Association is formed are to develop a climate for the renewal of old friendships among former members of aviation military
organizations and to strengthen relationships with military service persons on active duty. This shall be a nonprofit earning Association that shall establish its principal office for the transaction of the Association business in the city of Columbus, Georgia.
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The name of the corporation is “THE ARMY OTTER AND CARIBOU ASSOCIATION, INC.”
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The corporation is organized pursuant to the provisions of the Georgia Nonprofit Corporation Code.
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THEREFORE, we bind ourselves to carry out these objects and agree to abide by the following Constitution and By Laws.
The corporation is a nonprofit corporation and is organized for the following purposes:
To plan and execute activities which will stimulate the camaraderie of the aviation service members; To support activities which will promote improvement in the general welfare of the community; To develop projects of civic interest that will engender patriotic citizenship; To encourage communications between and assistance to
veterans and surviving widows and children of military aviation units; To promote activities which provide encouragement for potential young military careerists to
enter the Army Aviation military service; To engage in lawful business or related activities related thereto; and to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the Georgia Nonprofit Corporation Code.
V.
Directors of this corporation shall be selected or appointed as prescribed by the Association Bylaws. ADD: Telephonic and electronic communications are acceptable means for conducting Association business between scheduled meetings of the Board of Directors.
VI.
This corporation shall be empowered to conduct all and any activities, functions and business ADD: that relate to the proper operation of said corporation provided
such actions are not inconsistent with the Corporation Code or any law.
VII.
The address of the initial registered office of this corporation is 6813 Brewster Drive, Columbus, Georgia, (Muscogee County) 31904-2569, and initial registered
agent at such address is Mr. William G. Hooks.
VIII.
The initial Board of Directors shall consist of three members, the name and address of each of which is as follows:
James E. Lybrand (President)
6601 Beaver Trail
Midland, GA 31820
William G. Hooks (Secretary)
6813 Brewster Drive
Columbus, GA 31904-2569
Luke Roach (Treasurer)
5317 Eisenhower Drive
Columbus, GA 31907
IX.
DELETE: In the event of dissolution of this corporation all assets shall be liquidated and all financial obligations of the corporation shall be paid. Memorabilia, historical records, photos and other documents belonging to the Association shall be donated to the U. S. Army Aviation Museum located at Fort Rucker, Alabama. Any
remaining assets shall be donated to a tax exempt organization as determined by the Board of Directors but under no circumstances shall any member of the Association receive benefit of said assets. Replace With: A Plan of dissolution shall be adopted by the Corporation and assets distributed in accordance with Code of
Georgia Section 14-3-1403. Such plan shall identify the Army Aviation Association of America (AAAA) Scholarship Foundation’s “Army Otter Caribou Association Heritage Matching Fund Program” as recipient for remaining monetary assets after compliance with all other requirements of the Code.
X.
The name and address of the incorporators is:
James E. Lybrand
William G. Hooks
Luke Roach
6601 Beaver Trail
6813 Brewster Drive
5317 Eisenhower Drive
Midland, GA 31820
Columbus, GA 31904-2569 Columbus, GA 31907
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned incorporators have executed these Articles of Incorporation this 10th day of March 1989.
James E. Lybrand (Original Signed)
William G. Hooks (Original Signed)
Luke Roach (Original Signed)
THE BYLAWS
ARTICLE I - MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Regular Memberships:
a. An individual regular membership shall be open to all former members of U. S. Army Otter and Caribou Organizations, and those Army personnel who served in
the DELETE: 1st Aviation Company (Radio Research),REPLACE WITH: 1st Radio Research Company (AVN) beginning with the formation, activation, and deactivation of those units.
b. An individual regular membership shall be open to all former assigned personnel of lettered, numbered or otherwise designated Otter or Caribou Units of the United States Army, and those Army personnel who served in
the DELETE 1st Aviation Company (Radio Research),REPLACE WITH: 1st Radio Research Company (AVN) to include all support members (Officer, Warrant
and Enlisted) thereof.
c. An individual regular membership shall be open to all current and/or formerly qualified military aviation personnel who have satisfactorily completed a certified
Otter or Caribou qualification program or school and have been officially awarded pilot/crew or support status. Such persons, to be eligible, must not have become
disqualified for aviation service by an adverse administrative action (refusal to fly/misconduct during airborne operations, etc.)
d. An individual regular membership may be approved for current Associate Members who, by their actions during their membership period, have demonstrated their
commitment to the purposes of the Corporation as contained in paragraph IV of the Constitution of the Army Otter and Caribou Association, Inc.
Requests for change in membership status may be initiated by the individual seeking such change or upon recommendation (with approval of the member concerned)
of any Regular Member of the Association. All such requests and recommendations must be submitted in writing to the DELETE: National Executive Board REPLACE WITH: Board of Directors for final approval.
e. Regular members in good standing shall be eligible to vote in elections, serve on committees, and hold offices in the Association.
Section 2. Life Memberships:
a. Individual Life Membership shall be open to individuals who meet criteria for membership as described in Section 1 of these Bylaws and have satisfied the payment of the fee prescribed for Life Membership.
b. Life members in good standing shall be eligible to vote in elections, serve on committees, and hold offices in the Association.
Section 3. Limited Memberships:
a. Associate Members:
(1) Individual Associate Membership shall be open to all U. S. Armed Forces personnel and those who have been honorably discharged from service.
(2) Individual Associate Membership shall be open to family members of persons who hold membership in the Association. ADD and to children of deceased members.
(3) Individual Associate Membership shall be open to those persons who support the goals and objectives of the Association and have been recommended for membership by the DELETE: National Executive Board REPLACE WITH: Board of Directors.
(4) Associate Members shall not be eligible to vote or hold office in this Association ADD: except as identified in Section 1, Regular Memberships, Para d.
(5) Associate Members shall be eligible to serve on committees without vote.
b. Honorary Membership:
(1) Individual Honorary Membership may be bestowed upon a person of special distinction and achievement, or special merit. Recommendations for Honorary Membership must be submitted in writing by a Regular or Life Member(s) to the
DELETE: National Secretary fully describing the candidate’s qualifications. The DELETE: National Executive Board REPLACE WITH: Board of Directors shall
review all recommendations for Honorary Membership and give full consideration to the merits of the candidates prior to recommending final action by the General
Membership.
(2) Honorary Membership shall be DELETE: awarded REPLACE WITH: offered to any widow of a deceased person who had current Life Membership, Regular,
or Associate, at the time of his death. Such membership shall be exempt of the requirements of Par b. (1)of this section.
(3) Honorary Members shall be eligible to serve on committees and participate in general meetings without vote. Honorary Members shall not be eligible to hold office in the Association.
c. Student Membership:
(1) Student Membership shall be open to any person who is enrolled and studying in a public or private secondary school, college or university, who supports the
goals and objectives of the Association.
(2) Student Members shall be eligible to serve on committees and participate in general meetings without vote. Student Members shall not be eligible to hold office in
the Association.
d. Corporate Membership:
Corporate Membership shall be open to those businesses having an affiliation with the U. S. Army and desiring to participate and support the Army Otter Caribou Association. DELETE: The dues for this membership will be established by the National Executive Board. Such members shall have no vote in Association affairs.
Corporate members are entitled to participate DELETE: (as corporation) in Association functions including: reunions, symposium, and product exhibits. Corporate
non-members shall not be accorded those privileges unless approved by the DELETE: National Executive Board. REPLACE WITH: Board of Directors.
Section 4. Membership and Dues Assessments:
a. Membership fees and annual dues shall become due and payable on January 1st each year or when the initial application for membership is submitted. The membership year of the Association shall begin January 1st and end December 31st.
b. Fees and dues that do not reach the DELETE: National Headquarters REPLACE WITH: Office of the Executive Vice President by January 30th shall be considered delinquent. DELETE: A member REPLACE WITH: Members shall not be considered as in good standing with the Association until DELETE: this Replace
With: their dues have been paid. Members that are not in good standing forfeit their rights and privileges to vote, serve on committees, or participate in general membership meetings.
DELETE: c. Annual National Membership dues shall be established as scheduled below
(1) Regular Membership $ 15.00
(2) Associate Membership 20.00
(3) Student Membership 10.00
(4) Honorary Membership Contribution Only
(5) Life Membership (Pro rated schedule base on age at time of application)
Age Fee to become Life Member Age Fee to become Life Member
54 & Under $300
55 & 56 $285
57 & 58 $270
59 & 60 $255
61 & 62 $240
63 & 64 $225
65 & 66 $210
67 & 68 $195
69 & 70 $180
71 & 72 $165
73 & 74 $150
(6) Corporate Membership 1000.00 (Entitled to two (2) members)
(7) Regular, Associate and Student Memberships are subject to one time initiation fee of 10.00.
REPLACE WITH: c. The Executive Vice President (ExVP) will develop a schedule of membership dues and fees for each category of membership, including
an age related scale for Life Memberships. When approved by the Board of Directors, these amounts will be published by the ExVP and used by him in the
processing of new membership and renewal applications. The Ex VP will propose subsequent changes in the established dollar amounts to the Board of Directors for approval when Association costs require it.
ARTICLE II - MEETINGS
Section 1. DELETE: The general membership meeting shall be convened at least once in each twelve-month period. The National Executive Board shall determine
the year, month and place of each general membership meeting, hereinafter referred to as the Annual Reunion and Convention. Any person or group desiring to host
an annual reunion shall submit a request to the National Executive Board in writing through the Association President at least one year prior to the next general membership meeting, setting forth in detail the proposed plans for the entertainment of the annual reunion and convention which it wishes to host. The National Executive
Board shall notify the Association of their decision at least 9 months prior to the annual reunion and convention. REPLACE WITH: Association Reunions, which
shall include a General Membership Meeting, will be convened at a time and place recommended by the Board of Directors and approved by the Membership. Any person or group desiring to host a Reunion should submit their proposal to the Reunion Coordinator for consideration. Planning for future reunions should, if possible, project coverage for three years in advance.
Section 2. The DELETE: National Executive Board REPLACE WITH: Board of Directors shall DELETE: meet at least once annually at a time and place designated by the President meet as a group to formally conduct Association business during each Reunion of the Association.
Section 3. Special meetings of the DELETE: National Executive Board REPLACE WITH: Board of Directors may be called ADD: by the President as exigencies of the Association may require. ADD: Consideration should be given to use of telephonic and electronic means of conducting business before Special
Meetings are required. DELETE: Special meetings may be called by a majority vote of the board members; provided such called meetings are designated for a specific purpose and the notification shall not be less than thirty days prior to the proposed meeting date. The agenda of such meetings shall be limited to those items listed as justification for the meeting.
Section 4. Notification of meetings shall be made by the DELETE: National President; DELETE: National Secretary; or the DELETE: National Executive Board
ADD: Ex VP by the most expeditious and practical means available. The Logbook may be used to announce meetings provided the next issue can be published timely
as the notification time limits prescribe.
Section 5. Quorums required: DELTE: for the annual reunion and convention or special meetings shall by a majority of the elected offices and fifty-one percent
(51%) of the general membership that is present for the meeting. Quorums for the National Executive Board meetings shall be two-thirds of the board in attendance
with the President present to preside. REPLACE WITH:
a. Board of Directors is a majority of the number of Directors.
b. General Membership Meeting is a majority of the Board of Directors and majority of Regular and Life Members who are attending the reunion and are
present for the Meeting.
Section 6. Voting rights and privileges shall be accorded individual memberships as prescribed in Article I ADD: and as provided in Article IV of these Bylaws.
DELETE: Proxy votes shall be honored, but no member may carry more than one proxy vote and must have a written authority from the member whose proxy he
carries.
ARTICLE III - OFFICERS
Section 1. The elected officers of this Association shall be a President, a First Vice President, a Second Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Parliamentarian.
Section 2. The appointed officers of this Association shall be: DELETE: Public Information DELETE: Officer, Chaplain, Legal DELETE: Officer, Historian, Recruiting DELETE: Officer, ADD: Reunions, Scholarships, and Executive Vice President. These DELETE: Officers shall be appointed by the President subject to
the approval of the DELETE: Executive Board ADD: of Directors.
Section 3. DELETE: Election of officers for this Association shall be conducted by the Credentials, Nominations, and Election Committee who will certify the qualifications of nominees to be voted upon. The election shall be held at the annual reunion and convention and consummated by a majority vote of the general membership. REPLACE WITH: The Nominating and Elections Committee, will certify the qualification of nominees to be voted upon and will conduct elections of
officers for this Association in accordance with ARTICLE IV of this document.
Section 4. The officers of the Association shall exercise all the powers in the performance of their duties and responsibilities for their office as prescribed by these
Bylaws. Officers shall exercise the authority of office with prudence considering the best interest of the Association.
Section 4.1. Elected Officers
a. President:
(1) Shall preside at DELETE: all general membership and National Executive Board meetings. REPLACE WITH: all meetings of the Board of Directors, and
General Membership Meetings.
(2) Shall appoint such DELETE: national Officers as authorized by the provisions of the Constitution and Bylaws subject to the approval of the DELETE: National
Executive Board. ADD: Board of Directors.
(3) Shall appoint all committees established by these By-laws subject to the approval of the DELETE: National Executive Board. REPLACE WITH: Board of Directors. Shall serve as an Ex-Officio member on all committees.
(4) Shall execute all resolutions of the general membership and the DELETE: Executive Board. REPLACE WITH: Board of Directors.
b. First and Second Vice Presidents:
(1) Shall perform the duties of the President during the temporary absence of the President ADD in the order of position.
(2) Shall perform such other duties as the President may direct.
c. Secretary:
(1) Shall record minutes of all General Membership DELETE: and National Executive Board ADD: and Board of Directors meetings.
(2) Shall ensure the distribution of Meeting Minutes of DELETE: the National Executive Board ADD: the Board of Directors and General Membership Meetings
within 30 days following each meeting. ADD: The Secretary shall also coordinate with the Director of Information to insure that minutes are published in the
next Logbook following these meetings.
(3) Shall be the custodian of meeting minutes written by committees. A copy of minutes for each meeting shall be forwarded by mail ADD: or electronic transmission to the Secretary through the President.
d. Treasurer:
(1) Shall be responsible to receipt for all collections received from the Executive Vice President and the deposits in the custodian’s bank(s) as may be designated by
the DELETE:(National Executive Board) REPLACE WITH: Board of Directors.
(2) Shall disburse funds to the Executive Vice President, by check only, for the payment of authorized Association obligations.
(3)DELETE: Shall prepare quarterly financial statements to be rendered to the National Executive Board. REPLACE WITH: Shall be prepared to present a financial statement when requested to do so by the Board of Directors. As a minimum such statement shall be presented at each General Membership meeting.
(4) Shall maintain accounts, files, and records on the financial condition of the Association as may be directed by the DELETE: (National Executive Board) REPLACE WITH: Board of Directors or as prescribed by the Bylaws. Shall ensure that adequate documents are available to explain ADD; such expenditures.
(5) Shall maintain a permanent record of dues and assessments paid by members to verify their eligibility to vote on Association business.
(6) Shall ensure all disbursements are made by check. DELETE: (validated with two authorized signatures)
(7) Shall prepare an Annual Financial Report to be presented at the Annual reunion.
(8) The Treasurer shall present himself to be bonded.
e. Parliamentarian:
(1) Shall announce the presence of a quorum prior to the Association officials convening a business meeting.
DELETE:(2) Shall verify the Secretary, Treasurer, and Credentials Committee has confirmed the eligibility of members participating in an Association meeting.
RENUMBER PARAGRAPHS:
(2) Shall provide advice and guidance for meeting chairman on points of order related to Robert’s Rules of Order, revised. Shall rule on points of parliamentary law
whenever requested to do so by the meeting chairman.
(3) Shall serve as chairman of the Constitution and Bylaws Committee.
Section 4.2. Appointed Officers.
a. Historian:
(1) Shall be the official custodian of the Association’s historical data, materials, documents, and shall ensure that adequate safeguards are provided to preserve the
value of all items.
(2) Shall actively seek historical data from the Association membership, Department of the Army personnel, Department of Defense files and records, and the general
public that will promote and sustain an interest in the achievements of Otter and Caribou Units of the U. S. Army.
(3) Shall be responsible to prepare an annual update of organizational history files to be presented at the annual reunion.
(4) Shall prepare an annual summary of the Association’s activities for the Executive Board report to the membership.
(5) Shall actively seek opportunities to participate in lectures and programs to give presentations on the Association’s history to business or civic groups, military organizations, and other interested audiences.
b: DELETE: Public Information DELETE: Officer.
(1) Shall aggressively advertise achievements of the Association to enhance its public relations.
(2) Shall coordinate activities of the military Public Information Officers, newspapers, radio, television and other media to announce and/or report the programs presented by the Association.
(3) Shall be responsible for the operation of audio/video recordings of the annual reunion.
(4) Shall establish a liaison with the ADD: U.S. Army Aviation Museum and in coordination with the Association Historian Add: shall develop information of public
interest pertaining to the Association. DELETE: This information will be deposited in the museum in accordance with Section 4.1.f., Article III of the By-Laws.
NOTE: There is no ART III, Section 4.1.f.) ADD: Such information shall be offered to the museum.
(5) Shall participate with the Association Chaplain in ceremonies honoring deceased members of the Association.
(6) Shall serve as the Editor of DELETE: the Logbook the Association’s DELETE: newsletter REPLACE WITH: publication the “Logbook”.
c. Chaplain:
(1) Shall serve as the spiritual leader and provide religious guidance to the Association during all programs.
(2) Shall be responsible for the invocations and benedictions at DELETE: the annual Association Reunions DELETE: and convention and other Association meetings.
(3) Shall serve as a member of the Association Grievance Committee.
d. Legal:
(1) DELETE: The legal officer Shall be the legal advisor of the Association. He shall, upon request of the Association President; Delete: the Association Executive
Board, ADD: the Board of Directors or any member thereof or the General Membership at a Reunion Meeting, render his opinion and recommendations upon all
legal questions directly concerning the Association.
(2) Upon receiving the written opinion and recommendations of the Legal Officer, the Association President shall render a decision that shall be subject to appeal to
the DELETE: Association Executive Board. REPLACE WITH: Board of Directors.
ADD: e. Recruiting:
(1) Shall direct a Committee to locate and inform former members of Army Otter-Caribou, and 1st Radio research Co (AVN) units of our organization and
goals.
(2) Shall report to the Association on matters pertaining to recruiting. Expenses related to the search for new members: (telephone calls, mailing, etc) shall
be reimbursed by the Association.
ADD: f. Scholarships:
(1) Shall act for the Association on all matters pertaining to the Association’s Scholarship Program.
(2) Shall maintain contact with the AAAA (Army Aviation Association of America) Scholarship Committee and represent the Association during the scholarship selection process that is conducted annually by the AAAA.
(3) Shall report to the Membership the final results of awards made under the Association’s Scholarship program as well as Association qualified applicants
who won other AAAA Scholarships.
(4) Shall keep the membership informed as to the value of the Associations Scholarship Fund and conduct campaigns to increase donations.
ADD: g. Reunions:
(1) Will act on all matters relating to the Association’s Reunion Planning and Coordination.
(2) Shall report on reunion planning status at Board of Directors and General Membership Meetings.
(3) Shall attempt to maintain a three-year in advance planning agenda for reunions.
(4) Shall review and revise as necessary the “Reunion Guidelines” worksheets provided to Reunion Hosts.
(5) Necessary expenses for this Director’s activities related to the planning and coordination of Association reunions may be reimbursed by the Board of Directors upon presentation of an expense accounting.
h. Executive Vice President (Ex VP):
(1) Shall serve at the pleasure of the President and a majority of the DELETE: National Executive Board ADD: Board of Directors.
(2) Shall perform those administrative, fiscal and editorial functions as outlined in Addendum Sheet “A”.
(3) The Executive Vice President shall serve for a period of three (3) years.
(4) At such time as the Association revenues shall permit, the Executive Vice President shall be paid a salary commensurate with the duties he performs, and salary to
be fixed by the President and be approved by the DELETE: National Executive Board. REPLACE WITH: Board of Directors.
DELETE AS WRITTEN: ARTICLE IV – Nominating and Election Committee
Section 1. The Nominating and Election Committee shall be responsible for the proceedings of the Association elections.
Section 2. The Nominating and Election Committee shall consist of the last three Presidents of the Association with the President from three years past as Chairman.
Section 3. The Nominating and Election Committee shall be responsible to receive all declarations from members who wish to submit themselves as a candidate for
an elective or appointed office in this Association. The Committee shall determine the eligibility of each request for candidacy or appointment prior to its acceptance.
Section 4. Those interested in serving the association in an elected or appointed position should notify the Chairman of the Nominating and Election Committee not
later than 120 days preceding the next General meeting in order that the committee can apply the proper procedures to determine eligibility..
Section 5. Candidates for elected positions meeting eligibility requirements will be placed on the ballot. Those interested in serving in an appointed position will be
screened to determine eligibility and qualifications with recommendations forwarded to the Association President.
Section 6. The Nominating and Election Committee shall obtain a current list of eligible members that can vote in the Association elections from the Executive Vice
President. The list of eligible members shall be used as a planning guide to determine and anticipate participation in the election.
Section 7. Elections in this Association shall be by ballot. The ballots shall be prepared by the Nominating and Election Committee and mailed to members eligible to
vote. The ballots will be mailed to members not later than sixty days prior to the next scheduled General meeting and may be included in the annual Reunion packets.
Voting members shall mail their completed ballots not later than three weeks prior to the General meeting to the Chairman of the Nominating and Election Committee
or present their ballot to officials at the election Members are encouraged to submit their ballots by mail to expedite the election process. The Chairman of the Nominating and Election Committee shall be responsible to bring all ballots received by mail to the election.
Section 8. Official ballots shall be numbered and formatted to provide write in nominations. The ballot count shall be performed in the presence of and verified by the
Credentials Committee.
Section 9. Chairman of the annual reunion/convention. The incumbent Association Secretary shall prepare a certificate to officially certify the election of the new officers
Section 10. Association officers who were not reelected to office shall immediately arrange for complete transition of official duties and responsibilities to the newly
elected officer. All files, records, and properties shall be transferred to the new custodian without delay to ensure changes will not be disruptive to the operations of
the Association’s business. Audits shall be conducted as appropriate or as directed by the National Board.
REPLACE WITH:
ARTICLE IV – NOMINATIONS; BALLOTS AND ELECTIONS
Section 1. The Nominating and Elections Committee (the Committee) consisting of the last three Association Presidents and Chaired by the President from
three years past shall be responsible for the planning and execution of Association elections. The Executive Vice President will provide administrative support as required.
Section 2. The Committee shall be responsible for determining the number of elected and appointed positions that will be vacated at the next General Membership Meeting. Then, working from a current roster of eligible members (Regular and Life) furnished by the Ex VP, they shall solicit members to fill
these positions. There shall be no restrictions on the number of eligible candidates approved for each of the open positions.
Section 3. Eligible members who are personally interested in serving the Association or in nominating another member to serve in an elected or appointed
positions must notify the current Committee Chairman -in writing- any time after the past reunion but not later than May 31 preceding the next General
Membership Meeting.
Section 4. In order to encourage maximum member participation, elections in this Association shall be by ballot. The form of the ballot and information
contained thereon as well as the method of transmitting ballots and receiving votes may change as future electronic communications and our ability to make
use of them occur. Therefore, the Committee- with guidance from the Board of Directors- shall determine the format; means of communicating; proxy voting, and the timeframe for each action required to complete the election process. The Committee will develop instructions for membership participation in
the voting process and will provide this information yearly to the Director of Information for inclusion in the July issue of the LOGBOOK. Only candidates
for elected positions will be voted upon. Names of those interested in serving in an appointed position will be forwarded to the current Association President for his actions.
Section 5. If for any reason nominees for an elected position remove themselves from the ballot after the time designated by the Committee to receive all
votes, the President will call for nominations and a vote from the floor during the General Membership Meeting.
Section 6. If for any reason a serving member of the Board resigns or is unable to complete his service, the Board of Directors by majority vote may elect an
eligible member to fulfill the vacancy until the next scheduled election of officers.
Section 7. The incumbent Secretary will prepare a certificate to officially certify the election of new officers. Association officers who were not re-elected to
office shall immediately begin a complete transfer of duties, responsibilities, and the files pertaining to the office to the newly elected officer. The transition
should not be disruptive to the Association’s business.
DELETE AS WRITTEN: ARTICLE V
STANDING, SPECIAL AND OTHER WORKING COMMITTEES
Section 1. This Association shall have two categories of committees for the maintenance of the Association’s business. The roles of these committees will be to provide outreach for the membership, conduct civic projects, and plan methods of achieving established goals and objectives. The category of the Association committees are STANDING COMMITTEES and SPECIAL COMMITTEES.
Section 2. The Standing Committees shall be:
National Executive Board
National Credentials
Budget/Fiscal
Membership
Reunion /Convention (Hospitality & Site)
Constitution and Bylaws
Section 3. The National Executive Board shall be the management committee of the Association. The National Executive Board shall have the authority to act for and
on behalf of the general membership on any matter submitted to it by the President between meetings of the Association, provided that such action is warranted due
to the urgent nature of such matter that to procrastinate will be adverse to the best interest of the Association.
a. Special meetings of the National Executive Board may be called by vote of two thirds of the general membership, majority vote of the National Executive Board or
an emergency call by the President as exigencies of the Association occur. The agenda of such special meetings shall be limited to those items listed as justification
for the meeting.
b. The National Executive Board shall plan and coordinate special Association programs related to recruitment for increased memberships, fund raising activities, voluntary contributions to the association for support of National programs, promoting public relations activities of the Association. The Council shall provide liaison
with other veterans associations by participation in local ceremonial activities that may set us apart.
c. The National Executive Board shall schedule meetings after careful coordination with all members to ensure maximum attendance.
d. A quorum of the National Executive Board exists when a majority of the members are present at the meeting.
e. The composition of the National Executive Board shall consist of the following elected or appointed officers:
OFFICER
POSITIONS
President
Chairman
1st & 2nd Vice Presidents
Members
Secretary
Member
Treasurer
Member
Parliamentarian
Member
Historian
Ex-Officio Member
Chaplain
Ex-Officio Member
Legal Officer
Ex-Officio Member
Public Information Officer Ex-Officio Member
Recruiting Officer
Ex-Officio Member
Executive Vice President Ex-Officio Member-all boards and committees
Section 4. The National Credentials Committee shall verify credentials of voting members at all national elections.
(This Committee will normally be the same of the Nominating and Election Committee.)
Section 5. The Budget and Fiscal Committee shall assist and advise the President in preparation of the Association budget The Association budget shall be inclusive
of a cash flow plan for projected income and disbursement of Association funds in compliance with the Constitution and Bylaws, or decisions of the National Executive Board and direct expenditures voted by the general membership. The Budget and Fiscal Committee shall consist of the Association Secretary and Treasurer.
Section 6. Membership Committee.
Section 7. Reunion and Convention.
Section 8. Constitution and Bylaws
Section 9. Special Committees shall be:
Ceremonial Programs
Awards and Historical Recognition
Nominating Committee )
REPLACE WITH: ARTICLE V
STANDING, SPECIAL AND OTHER WORKING COMMITTEES
OFFICER
POSITION
President
Chairman
1st & 2nd Vice Presidents
Members
Secretary
Member
Treasurer
Member
Parliamentarian
Member
Historian
Member
Chaplain
Member
Legal
Member
Information
Member
Recruiting
Member
Scholarships
Member
Reunion Coordination
Member
Member
(a) The Board of Directors shall appoint and oversee Standing and Special Committees as are required to assist in the implementation of the Association’s
Tasks, Goals and Objectives.
(b) The Board of Directors shall have the authority to act on behalf of the general membership.
(c) The Board of Directors shall plan and coordinate special Association programs relating to recruitment for increased membership; fund raising activities; voluntary contributions to the Association for the support of programs such as the Scholarship Fund and the historical significance of Association related aircraft; and the promotion of public relation activities of the Association
(d) The Board of Directors shall provide liaison with other veterans associations by participating in local ceremonial activities that may set us apart.
Section 2. Duties and responsibilities of Standing and Special Committee’s - except for the Nominating and Elections Committee that is described in Article
IV of this document - shall be as prescribed by the Director(s) under which the Committee operates. Committees listed below are not all inclusive. Additional Committees may be created, as necessary by the Board of Directors.
a. Standing Committees
(1) Nominating and Elections
(2) Budget and Fiscal
(3) Membership
(4) Reunion
(5) Constitutional and By-Laws
b. Special Committees
(1) Ceremonial Programs
(2) Awards and Historical Recognition
(3) Grievance
(4) Auditors
DELETE: Section 10. Other Working Committees of the Association will vary as programs are initiated to accomplish the organizational goals and objectives. The
National Executive Board may appoint and authorize committees in this category to perform their specific constitutional duties if the President chooses not to act.
The current Other Working Committees are:
a. A Grievance Committee shall be appointed to hear the grievances of the Association members. The Grievance Committee shall consist of the Past President and the
Chaplain. Association members shall submit their grievances in writing, clearly stating the nature of the grievance, cite the specific constitutional authority believed
to have been violated, and what action is sought in the satisfactory redress of the grievance. The National Executive Board shall be the final appeal authority in the
arbitration of all grievances.
b. Auditors shall be appointed from the membership or may be employed from professional agencies to examine the Association’s business accounts when it is
deemed appropriate to assess the Association’s financial position.
ARTICLE VI - PROCEDURE FOR AMENDMENTS
Section 1. These Bylaws may be amended at any meeting of the general membership when the proposed amendments have been submitted to each member at least
sixty days prior to the meeting at which such amendments are to be considered.
Section 2. Proposed amendments shall be submitted to the DELETE: National Secretary in writing, giving the reason for its recommendation, and submitted timely
so as to permit compliance with Section 1.
Section 3. The meeting agenda shall have listed as an item for discussion and vote, the proposed amendments. A printed copy of the proposed amendments shall be
included in the information package that shall be given to each member prior to a business meeting or the annual reunion DELETE: and convention.
ARTICLE VII - DISSOLUTION
In the event of dissolution of the Association, the funds and assets of the Association DELETE: remaining after payment of all just debts and obligations of the Association, shall be disposed of in accordance with Article IX of the Constitution.
Addendum Sheet “A”: to the Bylaws of the Army Otter And Caribou Association, Inc.
DUTIES OF THE EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT
1. The Executive Vice President shall serve at the pleasure of the President and a majority of the DELETE: National Executive Board ADD: of Directors.
2. Duties ADD: that the Executive Vice President shall perform, within his capabilities, are as follows:
a. Maintain a current roster of members in good standing ADD: by category of membership and be prepared to furnish the Nominating and Elections Committee a roster of members who are eligible to vote on Association business matters.
b. Serve as Ex-Officio member of all Boards and Committees DELETE: but shall have no vote.
c. Represent the President at any and all functions as requested by the President, but without authority to establish policy or procedure unless specifically authorized
on a case by case basis, such authorization DELETE: being ADD: will be provided in written form.
d. Maintain financial accounting, prepare periodic reports, and serve as financial advisor to the Assn.
e. Coordinate the activities of Committees and Boards as deemed appropriate by the President.
f. Oversee the production of all publications ADD: that the Association may provide for the Membership, specifically providing editorial guidance and protection for
the Association.
g. Prepare and distribute by appropriate means, all membership cards, Life Membership credentials, and Corporate Membership plaques.
h. Prepare schedule of events and agendas prior to DELETE: National Executive Board ADD: of Directors meetings and mail them to Board Members sufficiently
in advance of meetings, and arrange for minutes of meetings to be recorded.
i. Keep the General Membership informed of all matters pertaining to the Association business that may have a bearing upon them of the Association.
j. Correspond with members and/or prospective members in matters such as membership applications, answering routine questions and assisting in other matters of
Association business.
k. Keep strict records of all expenses incurred on behalf of the Association and provide the ADD: Treasurer a monthly report.
l. Arrange for an annual financial audit.
m. Protect the nonprofit status of the Association by such means as coordinating with the IRS and State Tax Offices, being sure that all tax forms ADD: and Georgia
State Code reports as required are filed on time and accurately.
n. Perform such other duties as ADD: may be legally designated by the President of the Association.
Wings of Friendship
VIETNAM REVISITED
Bob Tagge Reporting - My long time
friend Mitchell Kot and wife Jennifer
currently reside in Da Nang, where
they teach at the local university. AOCA
members might be interested in their
comments on how Vietnam has
changed since the "American War."
AOCA Logbook
is moving in about 100 yards from us ge. It was written by a Fred’s friend,
Bob Hudson.
and will be working for an NGO here.
We enjoy fresh fish daily and a wonderful array of fruits all for 1/5th of American prices or less. We have a
wonderful house manager who takes
care of everything for us. She is a
gourmet cook and speaks excellent
English (She worked for the Americans
in the late 60’s to 1973) and still has
great love for Americans because of
how well she was treated. We overpay
her by 30% at $125 dollars per month.
BACK FROM VIETNAM
Barbara and I just returned from a two
week trip to Vietnam. We had an incredible and positive time there. Their communist government formally adopted
capitalism as their economic model
about 10 years ago and the economy is
Mitchell was stationed at Da Nang late
booming. Saigon (aka Ho Chi Minh
1965 to late 1966, an engineer officer,
City) is as cosmopolitan a city as I have
and I know from previous corresponever seen. The locals still call it Saigon.
dence that some of the bridges he and
There are major hotels everywhere,
his crew built are still in use today. I
would expect with the growth the area I can’t help but think if we had not including Sheraton, Hyatt, Omni, etc.
is seeing they may soon disappear for warred with Vietnam and instead sent We stayed in a great older hotel built by
just 1% of what we spent on the war to the French in the 1930's that has been
larger and wider bridges.
modernized, the Grand
Hotel - formerly the
From Mitchell Kot: I hope
It was a dark and stormy night. . .
Saigon Palace. I preferred
to soon send you pictures
that "colonial" touch. Obviof how much Da Nang has
ously Saigon, now with 8
changed since the 60's.
million population (it was
An economic revolution is
3.5 million during the war),
under way.
has the same problems
any big city has - traffic
In 1998 the only way to
congestion, pollution, etc.
travel from the Da Nang
airport was by cyclo and the terminal help build up the Vietnamese economy,
was not much more than a shack. To- we might have helped to make the Some of you will recognize the places
country more successful than Singa- we visited: We started off in Saigon and
day they are building an international
terminal in addition to the main terminal pore. Today Vietnam's number one saw some of the sights there such as
they now have. Two-twenty story build- trading partner is America and 99% of the War Remnants Museum, former
ings are now being constructed on the all Vietnamese students want to study U.S. Embassy which is now the U.S.
Han River that passes through Da in America. The Vietnamese govern- Consulate. We couldn't go inside or
Nang. One of building is condo's and ment calls itself “Communist” but has take pictures because of the guards.
prr-construction is 85% sold out at an fully embraced Capitalism while mak- We visited the former Premier's home
average cost of $175 dollars per ing rapid changes to allow freedom of that is now a museum, and some other
square foot. Another project will have religion and moving toward a more sights. We drove to Cu Chi and toured
100 service apartments costing about open society. After 30 plus years you the tunnels there. They were started in
the 1940's and continued to be devel$2,000 per month. (The average work- might say we won.
oped during our war. There were over
er now makes $100 per month.) There
is a new four lane highway from Da And a little more on Vietnam. . . Fred 200 kilometers of tunnels. We visited
nang to Hoi An along the beach. In the Taylor forwarded this piece to Bob Tag- the former base camp of the 25th divinext 5-7 years it will be wall to wall
resorts.
One resort about 10 miles south of us,
Nam Hai, bills itself as a five-star plus
and costs $450 a night for one bedroom. The old airport alongside the
ocean has had most of the revetments
removed and there are few, if any,
remaining reminders of the “American
War.”
As Americans we are treated like movie
stars and we live in a beautiful villa near
the sea. Peterson, the first American
Ambassador to Vietnam after the war,
CHECK OUT THE SLIDE SHOW BY DAR
Our very own web site guru, Dar Sword, has put a pretty good slide show on our
web site - the latest pictures of the DC reunion - enjoy - they look good - it was a
fun time - one of our best!
http://otter-caribou.org/slideshow07.html
Dar (aka Melody) Sword
Dar’s By Design and Web Hosting
http://www.darsbydesign.com
253.582.5048 800.839.3625
Page 35
Wings of Friendship
sion, and ran into two ladies that had
worked for the 25th back then. We
visited the former COSVN HQ over on
the Cambodian border near Katum,
outside of Tay Ninh. We spent one
night in Tay Ninh in a hotel built by the
Russians (pretty drab). We then visited
Nui Ba Den (Black Virgin Mountain)
which is now a tourist attraction with
gondolas that go up to the top on a
cable. There is a temple on the top.
Riding the gondolas up was really neat.
It was kind of like a ski lift.
AOCA Logbook
secured Hill 674 on the South side of
Hwy 19. We stopped at that hill and
had lunch in a little restaurant right at
the base of it. Brought back a lot of
memories. The woman who owns the
restaurant said she used to work for the
Americans in 1965.
Outside of An Khe we happened to
stop at a farmers house to look at how
they grow peppers. Turns out he was
an NVA soldier that came down the Ho
Chi Minh trail in 1974, and stayed. His
father was living with him. Our interpretor learned that the father, who is 80
now, fought with the Viet Minh at Dien
Bien Phu. That was an interesting exchange, but they were very friendly and
opened up their home for us to tour and
visit.
Then we went to Vung Tau from Saigon
on a modern high speed hydrofoil on
the Saigon River. Vung Tau is a beautiful modern city now. We drove back
through the former Long Binh U.S. Army base which was a huge logistical
base. It is now an industrial park with
many foreign companies located there. Then we drove towards Qui Nhon on
the coast, passing by the general area
We left Long Binh and drove through where I was wounded outside of Qui
Bien Hoa where I was located during Nhon. We couldn't see it because it
my second tour as a MACV advisor. was out in the villages North of Hwy 19
We drove past the compound where I several kliks, but we found the general
lived (now a VPN, Vietnamese Peo- area. In Qui Nhon, we stayed in a first
ple's Army, base) and also drove by the class 4 or 5 star resort on the beach. I
former ARVN III Corps HQ where I was in the 85th Evac Hospital in Qui
Nhon, and the hospital was located
worked, also now a VPN base.
right on the runway of the U.S. airbase.
From there we flew from Saigon to That area is now a 6 lane divided boulePleiku on Vietnam Airlines, modern air- vard with beautiful parks on the ocean
craft with attractive and pleasant flight side and hotels and a mall with a superattendants. We stayed in a beautiful 4 market on the other side. The old runor 5 star hotel in Pleiku, very modern, way is now part of the boulevard.
bright and shiny. We visited the former
base camp of the 4th Infantry Division. From Qui Nhon we drove down the
coast on HWY 1 ( the French called it
Then we drove to Kontum and Dak To the Street Without Joy) through Tuy An
where we visited the former Ben Het and Tuy Hoa. There is a ridge line in
Special Forces Camp. It is in the tri- Tuy An right on Hwy 1 where we had
border area and you can see Cambo- our battalion forward TOC several
dia and Laos from there. We found a lot times. I have a picture taken there of
of artifacts at the SF camp such as old LTC Garten briefing some visiting dignisandbags, claymore mine detonators taries. I think that was also the site
and expended M-16 and 7.62 MM bul- where Cpt. Joe Mack's company CP
lets. Believe it or not, there is no jungle was overrun about a month after our
left around Dak To and Kontum. The tour ended. It is now a cemetery and
timber has been harvested and it is monument for Viet Cong and NVA soldiers killed there. There is a bunch of
now all in coffee and tea plantations.
them.
From Pleiku we drove East on HWY 19
through the Mang Yang Pass, site of We drove through Tuy Hoa and at Tuy
the annihilation of French Mobile Group North airfield where our battalion was
100 in 1954. Then on to An Khe where headquartered there is now a beer facthe 101st operated in the Fall of 1965, tory. I thought that was fitting! All the
securing it for the 1st Cav to make it old buildings and the PSP runway are
their base camp. It is a large village gone. From Tuy Hoa we drove on down
now. When there in 1965 my platoon the coast to Nha Trang and stayed in a
gorgeous 5 star resort called Ana Mandara. Nha Trang is completely built up
with beautiful resorts.
Then we drove down to Cam Ranh Bay
where we landed in our troopship in
1965. It is now the commercial airport
for Nha Trang. We flew Vietnam Airlines back to Saigon from Cam Ranh
Bay, stayed overnight and then flew
back to the U.S. All along the coastline
between Quinhon and Cam Ranh Bay
are shrimp farms.
It was a terrific trip. The people were
very, very friendly. It was gratifying to
see the country and the people doing
so well. Out in the countryside there is
still a lot of poverty but the people are
all smiling and happy, industrious, and
moving on. We went with a group of
about 10 people put together by MILSPEC Tours, who specializes in tours
for veterans. -- Bob Hudson
Susan Upton yukking it up with a Waiter
The Bagleys
The Redmans
Page 36
Wings of Friendship
AOCA Logbook
FLASH BACK
By Charles W. Upton
SKY SOLDIER By Floyd Burks (continued)
He didn’t hear the backfire of the truck
He heard the loud pop of a rifle shot
Chapter 5
He didn’t hear the blaring of horns
and the screeches of tires
But the whop, whop of rotor blades
He didn’t hear the normal city sounds
He heard the cries of help, and those of pain
He didn’t see the people in fancy clothes
He saw young men dressed
in camouflage jungle fatigues
He didn’t see the briefcases
or the multi colored backpacks
He saw rifles, radios and green rucksacks
The 11th AAD was renamed the 1st Cavalry Div. In August
of 1965, the 1st Cav and the 17th AVN Company left for
Vietnam. In October of that year our company was told that
we would be going to Vietnam ourselves in December. So,
in November, I took Mary and the kids to Texas so they
could be near the folks. Then on the 30th of November, our
turn came.
The Post Commander came and wished us a speedy and
safe trip to Vietnam by the Pacific route. Now, all the
training, LOLEX’S, short field landings and etc. would pay
off. At 4 PM on the 30th, all eighteen aircraft left Ft. Benning
He didn’t see the buildings reaching the sky
He saw the leafy green trees of a jungle
He didn’t see the sky so blue crowded with clouds
He saw the leafy canopy of thick tree growth
He didn’t feel the rough hard concrete
he was laying upon
But the soft spongy earth of the jungle
He didn’t see civilians pointing at him, making fun
He saw armed men pointing M-16’s
He didn’t see the sweat beading on his arms
He saw crimson drops splashing upon the ground
He didn’t feel the cool breeze gently blowing
He felt the 110-degree heat and smelled cordite
He didn’t see the rough dry hands of an old man
He saw the soft tender hands of a teenager
He didn’t know the war he was fighting now
Was over many years ago.
He didn’t know that he would fight this war
Many more time in the years to come.
May 4, 2007
VA Hospital Waiting Room
Portland, Oregon
Charles W. Upton
Waiting on the General to bid us
farewell prior to leaving Ft. Benning.
and headed west. As we flew over Texas at 9 PM, we were
coming up on Big Spring where Mary and the kids now were.
I took down the loading light and pointed it out a starboard
window and began flashing it on and off. I was hoping Mary
could see the light. I think she did as I could see a porch light
very dim flashing in the vicinity of where the folks lived.
Our first stop was Hamilton AFB, CA, Just north of San
Francisco where we serviced the planes before going to the
Flight Line Cafeteria for breakfast. Most of us wanted eggs,
toast and grits, but they didn’t have grits. That’s California
for you. . .
We stayed at Hamilton for seven days waiting for the right
winds. Otherwise we would not make it to Hawaii. Every
three days we cranked the engines and to check them out
and then topped off the fuel tanks.
Before departing Hamilton, I slide-ruled our gross weight
and came up with 32,260 pounds. Our max weight was
28,500! But, we had factory authorization for a one time
Charlie Upton, the brother of Logbook Editor, Bill Upton, was take off at 32,000. We could take off, but not land at that
awarded a Purple Heart for wounds received during hostile action
weight. So at 2 AM on December 7th we cranked engines,
in the Republic of Vietnam. Charlie has written many poems about
gave them just enough power to taxi, hit the active runway
his time in Vietnam and considers it a form of therapy.
then poured the power to those R-2000’s. It was a “no flap”
take off. We lifted off at a hundred knots. High for a Caribou,
but not with that fuel load we had. Seventeen hours and
Page 37
Wings of Friendship
AOCA Logbook
Gooney Birds and their nests getting nance team aircraft, a C-124, said they
would stay with them on into Clark.
blown all over the place.
Frank Mays, Len Hertwig and John
Williams at Hamilton AFB
twenty minutes later, we touched down
at Hickam AFB, Hawaii, with twentyfive minutes of fuel left. All our planes
made it okay. We spent four days in
Hawaii getting ready for the next leg of
the trip. Crew pictures were taken then
and some others.
From Midway our next stop was Wake
Island, a dot in the middle of the Pacific
about nine hours away. Wake is where
US Marines fought valiantly to prevent
the Island being taken by the Japanese.
After a week of fierce fighting the Japs
took the Island at a loss of all our troops.
The Japanese were Island hopping to
Hawaii where Pearl Harbor was in a
shambles. But they only got as far as
Midway where Navy turned the battle
around by sinking all four of their carriers. If they could have taken Midway, a
ground attack on Hawaii was likely. We
spent the night on Wake, thankful that
we’d had no major problems with our
eighteen airplanes. The following morning we took off for Guam, about 10-11
hours away.
Chapter 6
We flew from Hickam to Midway Island.
but our longest leg (States to Hawaii)
was over, each remaining hop was only
8-10 hours each. Midway is known for
many reasons. It was attacked by the
Japanese in WWII and is winter home
of the albatross or “gooney bird.”
When a gooney bird wanted to fly, it
would take off running, sometimes
straight into the side of a hanger.
Wherefore it would shake its head and
try another way. Now you know why
they are called Gooney Birds. The
morning after our arrival we were ready
to depart. We taxied to the runway and
swung around for engine run up. As we
took the engine RPM up for magneto
checks, from the top hatch, I saw the
Forty-five minutes after landing at Clark
field, Brinkley’s plane landed. Upon
inspection, it was the spark plugs that
had given out because we were running the engines so lean. Tragedy
averted, we spent two days to do inspections, change plugs and prepare
for our final leg to Vietnam. While at
Clark, John Williams and I John and I
went to the PX and as I pulled open the
door, a guy came with it, Elbert Cummins, who I was with in the Docks at
Dyess. He was a crew chief on an Air
Rescue C-97 at Clark. He had his wife,
June, and the kids with them and we
had a great time just reminiscing.
Two days later we left Clark Field for
Vung Tau, Vietnam. On the flight, Len
and I got our weapons unsecured and
passed them out. We had no idea what
we would find upon landing.
Over the Pacific
At Guam, it was still “so far, so good!”
No problems. So the following morning
we headed for Clark Field in the Philippines. Then, two hours out from Clark
Field, our radio crackled with, “Mayday!
Mayday!” this is Rider XXX. Our number one engine is backfiring and we are
shutting it down! Major Ted Phillips,
our CO, told them not to shut it down
but to pull back on the power until it ran
fairly smooth, to, at least, get something out of it. He told them to drop to
100 ft above the ocean for some updraft help. Our Air Force escort mainte-
Another installment of Floyd’s fine autobiographical sketch will appear in the
July Logbook (Good Lord willin’ and
the creek don’t rise!)
Top: Len Hertwig and Floyd Burks
Bottom: Dick Tieple, JT Denny,
Clinton Cobb.
Floyd Burks in front of 63-9765
Floyd Burks and John Williams
Page 38
Wings of Friendship
ARMY AVIATION:
“ABOVE THE BEST”
John Stanfield
Army Aviation can trace its
origins back to the American Civil War when both
Thaddeus Lowe and John
La Mountain proposed the
use of gas filled balloons
as aerial observation platforms. Lowe,
however, gained the upper hand in
financial and political support when he
successfully demonstrated to President Lincoln, that a manned tethered
balloon floating at 500 feet above
Washington, D.C. could observe activities some distance away and send telegraphic reports to persons on the
ground below.
Lowe was also involved in
the U.S. Navy's
purchase
and
modification
of a coal
barge for service as a
"balloon boat".
In 1861 the
George
Washington Parke Custis Bar-120
was used as a platform from
which observations were made of
Confederate troop activities along
the Virginia shoreline.
Balloons were used by the Army
for observation up to and throughout WWI, however it became apparent during that war that the
"heavier than air flying machine"
plus the introduction of anti-aircraft weapons had made the balloon obsolete. (Perhaps that
conclusion was influenced by the
fact that of 265 balloons shipped
to France, 77 participated in action and 48 were lost.)
AOCA Logbook
(11) light aircraft furnished by three
Although congress rejected Mitchell's manufacturers. The tests were carried
plea the Army Air Service did become out using civilian pilots and military oba separate combat arm equal in status servers and proved successful. On
to the infantry, cavalry and artillery and June 6, 1942. The Secretary of War
in 1926, the name of the Air Service ordered the establishment of organic
army aircraft for use by the field artillery.
was changed to Army Air Corps.
During the 1930's the leadership of the This is the date that current Army AviaArmy Air Corps began focusing their tion celebrates as its birthday.
attention on strategic air operations
and again advocated an air arm that "Organic Army Aviation", as differentiatwas independent of Army ground forced from air forces aircraft, entered comes. As a result of this effort the Army air bat during the invasion of North Africa.
forces were created in 1941, and made Their launch from a naval vessel almost
a co-equal of the Army ground forces proved their ending when almost immediately they came under fire from other
and the Army service forces.
naval ships who were not aware of the
By this time the Army's ground commission. Fortunately by flying just
manders had concluded, rightfully so, above the water they made the shore
that their aerial support requirements and began a distinguished record of
would not be a priority of the air forces flying service.
of the future.
While the primary purpose of organic
Artillery aerial observation, wherein the aviation was observation and artillery
air forces furnished the plane and pilots fire adjustment it was not long before
and the artillery furnished observers, the aircraft were also being used for
had become a vital part of effective many other missions such as comartillery fire support. However, air forc- mand and control, medical evacuation,
es aircraft were often not available wire laying, courier service, aerial phowhen needed and, even when they tography, reconnaissance and other
were, they were usually located at an purposes. The reason for the mission
airfield some distance from the firing expansion was these aircraft were immediately available to the ground
commander when needed.
Roles and Missions
1947
Creation of U.S. Air Force, Korea
This expanded use of aircraft by
the army during WWII and afterwards provoked continued friction
between the ground and air forces.
This led to the War Department,
and later the Department of Defense, establishing restrictions on
the roles, missions, and size of
organic Army aircraft and training.
The Army air forces, and later,
beginning in 1947, the U.S. Air
Force, continued for many years
to control primary training of Army pilots as well as the development and
procurement of aircraft on behalf of the
Army.
batteries in the field. This undesirable
During WWI, the Army's aircraft situation was cause for ground comstrength grew from a few dozen to manders to start thinking about the use
of a lighter weight aircraft that could
more than 11,000 planes.
"live" and operate with the firing units in
The Korean Conflict, however, provided
After WWI, General Billy Mitchell and the field.
new challenges and new opportunities
other air service leaders began to
speak forcefully in favor of an indepen- Such a concept was tested during ma- for Army Aviation. It had acquired its first
neuvers in 1940 and 1941 using eleven
dent Air Force.
Page 39
Wings of Friendship
helicopters the H-13 through Air Force absorbed at Fort Rucker, the Army assumed control of San Marcos and Woltprocurement in 1947.
ers Air Force bases in Texas where
In addition to command and control primary fixed wing training continued at
and transport of ground commanders San Marcos (Gary AAF) until 1959 and
in the rugged ter- primary rotary wing continued at Camp
rain of Korea, Wolters until 1973.
these helicopters
became quite fa- A huge step forward in the control of the
mous for their role development, procurement and logistic
in saving lives support of it's own aircraft came during
through medical The mid fifties when the Army estabevacuation of wounded soldiers. While lished a command located in St. Louis,
the TV series, M*A*S*H may have be a MO. To begin assuming this mission,
fictional comedy, it depicted with accu- as early as 1956, the Army Aviation
racy the vital roll that the H-13 played. center at Fort Rucker began assembling and testing weapons on helicopIn addition in 1951 the army had begun ters . It had already begun to develop
organizing five helicopter transport doctrine on the use of armed helicopcompanies using the Sikorsky H-19. ters to escort and protect troop and
Only two of these companies made it to cargo carrying helicopters. While I
Korea before the war ended, those that have no personal knowledge of Navy
did however, proved themselves invalu- support in this effort I do know that I
able in the movement of cargo, troops had aviation officer and enlisted friends
and wounded around the battlefield. who spent a lot of time in and out of
Although the Army was not prepared at Jacksonville during this period.
that time to employ helicopters for
movement of unit sized forces, the U.S. In the early '60's when the first Army
Marine Corps did so and they success- aircraft were being dispatched to Vietfully demonstrated the helicopter's val- nam, a restructuring of Army divisions
ue in "vertical envelopment" operations. nearly doubled the number of aircraft in
The Army used wing aircraft such as each infantry division. Even so, Secrethe L-19 Birddog and the Canadian tary McNamara, not satisfied with a
developed L-20 Beaver, among others, mere quantitative increase, ordered
to carry out and expand on the type of the army to take "a bold look at land
missions that were flown in WWII by warfare mobility in an atmosphere divorced from traditional viewpoints and
the "grasshoppers".
past policies." Thus the Army's Tactical
Mobility Requirements Board was
1954 Army Aviation School
formed under the direction of LTG HamFort Rucker
1956 Army Control of Aviation Train- ilton Howze. The board is still known
throughout the Army as the "Howze
ing 1955 Army Development
Board."
and Procurement
1956 Helicopter Firepower
Under the direction of this board, the
1962 Vietnam
11th Air Assault Division tested every
During the Korean War, the Depart- concept associated with air mobility
ment of Air Training at Fort Sill, OK, and air assault and they used every
underwent a rapid expansion as Army type of fixed and rotary wing aircraft in
Aviation was being expanded to serve the Army's inventory. Upon completion
other types of Army units. In 1953 the of these tests, the board concluded that
department was designated as the Ar- the army should commit itself to organmy Aviation School, then a year later ic air mobility and make extensive use
this school was moved to Fort Rucker, of helicopters to transport combat
troops and their supporting weapons
AL.
into battle. it further called forthe use of
Finally in 1956, nine years after the Air helicopters as a platform for aerial fire
Force became a separate service, support of the troop and cargo helicopDOD gave the Army full control over ters. Supporting missions for existing
the training of its pilots and mechanics. Army fixed-wing aircraft were also deHowever, until the mission could be fined.
AOCA Logbook
The organizations, concepts and doctrine developed by the board were incorporated into the 1st Calvary Division
before it was deployed to Vietnam in
1965. That division repeatedly demonstrated the validity of the boards recommendations in actual combat.
Vietnam was the first truly air mobile
war. Army aircraft gathered information
for analysis into intelligence, carried the
soldier and his equipment into battle,
supported him on the ground with helicopter aerial firepower, brought in supplies and ammunition, medically
evacuated him if necessary and extracted him from the combat area when
required.
Here are some of the aircraft used and
their primary roles:
OH-6 Cayuse: scout and target acquisition.
AH-1 Cobra: escort and aerial fire support.
UH-1 Iroquois: troop lift, cargo, CCC3.
CH-47 Chinook: troop, cargo, external
lift.
CH-54 Tarhe: oversized cargo, external lift.
CH-54 Tarhe
CV-2 Caribou: troop lift, cargo, aerial
delivery, (self deployable).
U-1 Otter: admin, small troop lift, cargo.
U-21 Ute: admin, CCC3, ARDF.
OV-1 Mohawk: infrared and SLAR information gathering.
P2 Neptune: Surprising to some. The
story is thus: a DOD study concluded
that an effort should be made to electronically isolate North Vietnam from its
fighting elements in the south by intercepting and jamming radio communications. After both the Air Force and the
Navy had declined the mission, the
Army Security Agency accepted it. After all, it was the Army in the field that
would benefit the most from such an
effort and the ASA had already had
great success with systems on board
other Army aircraft operating throughout Vietnam.
ASA, at the time, was moving full speed
ahead with a plan to use the Army
Page 40
Wings of Friendship
AOCA Logbook
tablish an aircraft depot repair facility
when it learned that the Navy had
drawn down such a facility at Corpus
Christi, TX, and that workers with the
skills needed were still available in the
area. After some negotiations the Army
Aeronautical Depot Maintenance Facility was organized and became operaThis agreement left the ASA with a tional at NAS, Corpus Christi.
large mission package but no aircraft.
While searching for a new platform they From that time until the present the
discovered the Navy P2 Neptune. Not depot has provided not only an Army
only was it a proven new platform but in-house capability for helicopter repair
they were available. Equally important and modifications but has also taken
the Neptunes were in service with Navy on depot repair of helicopters for other
squadrons in Vietnam. And that could services.
simplify maintenance support.
This depot quickly became the focal
In spite of the recently signed agree- point for the repair and return to service
ment by the chiefs, ASA moved ahead of helicopters, parts, and engines durwith its plan and the Navy provided six ing Vietnam but it was still a long supply
Neptunes from the Davis Monthan stor- pipeline half way around the world.
age facility. They were returned to fly- Therefore the Army Materiel Command
able condition and five of them were began looking for an even quicker turn
sent to Convair for installation of the around time for the most critical aviacommunications package. Two aircraft tion items. In doing so, they came up
were configured for jamming and three with a plan for a floating aircraft maintefor interception. The sixth aircraft re- nance facility to operate off the coast of
mained the "bounce" aircraft for training. Vietnam.
Caribou for the mission when suddenly
in the spring of 1966 the Army and Air
Force Chiefs of Staff signed a memorandum that turned over the Army's
Caribou to the Air Force in return for the
Army's right to continue unlimited development of helicopter operations.
The army's 1st Aviation Company stationed at Fort Benning, GA, was designated the unit to assume the mission.
Army plane captains and maintenance
crews were trained at Jacksonville
while pilots were trained at North Island.
Mission equipment crews and others
were trained elsewhere.
After a final unit training phase at Fort
Huachuca, AZ, the unit deployed from
Arizona to Cam Ranh Bay. During the
next five years the 1st logged more
than 45,000 accident free hours while
performing its mission of electronic surveillance, mostly along the DMZ. The
unit was deactivated in 1972 but the
Army retained one aircraft, bu# 131485
which was flown back to Fort Rucker.
AL, where today it sits proudly as a part
of the Army Aviation Museum.
AV-5 Albemarle
Once again the Army turned to the
Navy for help and negotiated the removal of the AV-5 Albemarle, a WWII
seaplane tender, from the reserve fleet.
The ship was reinstated on the naval
register in march 1965 and converted
to an Aircraft Repair Ship, Helicopter at
Charleston Navy Shipyard and placed
in service as the USNS Corpus Christi
Bay in January 1966 under the control
of the military sea lift command.
T-ARVH-1 Corpus Christi Bay
From 1966 to 1972 an Army aviation
maintenance battalion stationed onboard the ship received, repaired and
returned to service many thousands of
There are a couple of other items of critical aircraft parts that would have
information about naval support for Ar- otherwise had to be returned to the
my aviation are of interest. In 1961 the states for repair. The CC Bay operated
Army was looking for a location to esCorpus Christi NAS - Army Depot
AV-5 Abemarle
T-ARVH-1 Corpus Christi Bay
at times off of both Cam Rahn Bay and
Vung Tau.
The shipboard battalion's troops were
initially trained at the Corpus Christi
Depot before deployment. While one
battalion was on board the ship another
was in training at Corpus and they rotated after a year of service. The CC Bay
was laid out of service in 1973 and
returned to the Reserve Fleet, Corpus
Christi, where it was sold for scrap in
1975.
Development of the
Attack Helicopter
1983 Establishment of the
Army Aviation Branch
From Then Until the Present
In the 1970's the Army's development
of a specifically designed attack helicopter again raised the question of Army Air Force aerial missions. By this
time however the Air Force was content
to permit the Army to continue with the
development of the AH-64 Apache as
organic support firepower. . . not to be
called. . . “close air support.”
As aviation technology and tactics became more complex, it became increasingly apparent that Army aviators, who
came from all branches of the Army
and had to maintain their branch qualifications as well as their aviation proficiency, needed to be brought under
one branch. In 1983, the Secretary of
the Army authorized the establishment
of the army aviation branch as one of
the Army's combat arms branches.
Army aviation units participated in
many combat operations during the
1980's and 1990's. Then in 1991 an
Army aviator fired the first shot of operation "Desert Storm" when two teams of
Apache helicopters totally destroyed
two key Iraqi radar stations and paved
the way for the opening of the air war
over Iraq.
I have personally been too long removed from Army aviation to attempt to
address its current deployment in Iraq
and Afghanistan, however I can list the
major aircraft being used:
011-580 Kiowa Warrior: armed scout.
Page 41
Wings of Friendship
AH-64 Apache Longbow: aerial fire
support.
1511-60 Black Hawk: troop and equip
transport, med evac.
CH-47- Chinook: troop transport,
heavy external lifts.
Army UAV: surveillance, aerial fire.
The Army, as all services, continues to
operate a much smaller fleet of fixedwing aircraft for command transport. I
did not attempt to include them in this
article. I can tell you, however, that
after 40 years without a fixed-wing cargo aircraft to support the troops in the
field, a joint cargo aircraft study group
consisting of Air Force and Army planners is currently involved in looking at
this requirement. (Stay tuned and
watch your local listings for viewing this
cat fight!)
AOCA Logbook
Quoting Hill following the ceremony,
she said, "I was actually just glad I
didn't pass out and very happy I was
able to help the ground guys out and
get our helicopter down safely on the
ground."
Between November 1 and November
12, 2007, the Disabled American Veterans Organization will accept contributions to be used in the local and state
DAV chapters.
A big, hearty “THANK YOU!” to the
Golden Corral and staff from the Army
Otter-Caribou Association.
-- Bill Upton
MARTHA RAY
by Don Joyce
Submitted by Don Jordan
I hope I have left you with the idea that
Army Aviation's sole mission has been It was just before Thanksgiving '67 and
and always will be as Hill said, "to help we were ferrying dead and wounded
from a large GRF west of Pleiku. We
the ground guys out!”
had run out of body bags by noon, so
Note: Mr. Stanfield originally presented the Hook was pretty rough in back. All
the above as a Power Point presentation to of a sudden, we heard a "take-charge"
a group of naval aviators at McDill AFB. He woman's voice in the rear. There was
I have had the opportunity to meet and used personal knowledge as well as “a vast the singer and
number of visits to websites” to gather and actress, Martha
talk with some of the current crop of vet the information.
Ray, with a SF
officer and enlisted army aviation
beret and jungle
troops. All I can say is they are without
fatigues, with
doubt the most dedicated, capable,
FREE MEAL FOR VETERANS
subdued markand brightest I have ever met. Let me
ings,
helping
tell you about one such aviator.
On Monday, November 12, 2007 I and the wounded inseveral hundred (thousand?) veterans
Last year at a ceremony held at Fort were treated to dinner by the Golden to the Chinook
Campbell, KY, VP Dick Cheney pre- Corral Buffet & Grill. Not only was the and carrying the
aboard.
sented the DFC to CW3 Lori Hill for her food great, but the atmosphere was dead
actions while under fire in Iraq. In humming as war heroes from every "Maggie" had been visiting her SF
March, Hill was flying her OH-58D generation joined in outstanding cama- "heroes" out "west."
Kiowa Warrior with the 2nd Sqdn, 17th raderie and enjoyed wonderful food
We took off, short of fuel, and headed
Cavalry Regt, 101st Cbt. Avn. Bde., and entertainment.
to the USAF hospital pad at Pleiku. As
when the lead helicopter came under
we all started unloading our sad pax, a
heavy enemy fire. Hill drew the fire
"Smart-Ass"
USAF Captain said to Maraway while simultaneously providing
tha, “Ms. Ray, with all these dead and
suppressive fire for ground troops enwounded to process, there would not
gaged with the enemy.
be time for your show!” To all of our
surprise, she pulled on her right collar
Hill's aircraft was hit by a rocket-proand said, “Captain, see this eagle? I
pelled grenade damaging the instruam a full "Bird" in the US Army Reserve,
mentation, but instead of focusing on
and on this is a "Caduceus" which
her predicament, Hill established commeans I am a nurse, with a surgical
munication with the ground forces and
continued to provide them with close For the past 6 years, Golden Corral has speciality. Now, take me to your woundcombat attack support until the soldiers been honoring the US Military with a ed.” He said, “Yes ma'am, follow me.”
reached safety.
free “thank you” dinner and beverage Several times at the Army Field Hospiat any Golden Corral restaurant on
As she returned her attention to the Military Appreciation Monday (first Mon- tal in Pleiku, she would "cover" a surgical shift, giving a nurse a well-deserved
aircraft which was losing hydraulic pow- day after Veteran’s Day)
break. Martha is the only woman buried
er, enemy machine-gun fire from the
ground hit the helicopter, with a round From the first Military Appreciation Mon- in the SF cemetery at Ft Bragg.
wounding Hill in her ankle. With both a day in 2001 to the present, Golden Hand Salute!
damaged aircraft and an injury, Hill was Corral has donated 1.5 million free
still able to safely land at a forward “thank you” meals and $1.9 million doloperating base, saving her crew and lars to the Disabled American Veterans.
aircraft.
Page 42
Wings of Friendship
AOCA Logbook
ABOUT THAT P2V INFO AT RUCKER the runway. Steve told me he would
have this letter and picture in the files
At the D.C. Exec Board Meeting Wayne for "us" when it was ready.
Buser was commended for his exceptional records transfer as AOCA Histori- From past experience working with
an which prompted the following inquiry. Steve, I fully believe he means well, but
Whatever happened to the P2V informa- predict it will be a long time before we
tion donated to the Aviation Museum at are able to get a file. -- Newell Mock
Fort Rucker several years ago? ApparSOME CORRECTIONS
ently some have tried to find or access
said info and nothing can be found.
No Air Force personnel worked in the
Newell Mock, AOCA resident in Ozark, rear of the P2V. All were Army Security
AL was asked to drop over to Rucker Agency personnel. They were either
and ask around - and if found
to ascertain just how much
stuff is there so the AOCA
Board can decide what to do
about it.
NEWELL’S REPORT
I went to the Museum on 2
October and spoke with Steve Maxham.
He was pleasant and remembered me
from my AOCA visits. He explained
that the P2V’s Vietnam missions were
classified. I didn't know until then that
USAF personnel monitored all P2V’s
special equipment. He went on to say
that although Army and Air Force units
were on the same base, AF personnel
were prohibited from telling Army people about their mission.
A few years ago some old P2V pilots
got together, for the first and only time
as a separate group, in the Rucker
area. Someone called one of their old
buddies who called another and so on.
A year and a half later over 100 of them
met at the museum. With them they
brought three full volumes of information (probably from the records section
in D.C.) about the “Crazy Cats” unit to
present to the museum.
Steve said almost every page contained “classified” redactions and as
such held very little usable info. He
promised to have some volunteers
search the records and get what they
could for us. Of course, any information
he has is only from Army sources.
He also had a letter from a retired COL
now living in Melbourne, who desired
P2V information about the Bird. The
letter included information about that
P2V that landed in Pleiku and one prop
wouldn’t reverse causing it to veer off
MOS: 05h OR 98J.
The AF units he talked about flew C47’s in Nha Trang and another flew
EC-130’s out of Japan. The missions
were not the same as the P2's but in
some cases similar. There is some
truth in that the AF operators could not
tell the Army operators about their mission and vice versa. That didn't mean
that the AF & Army didn't know about
one another's missions because many
times we would relieve the AF on station and they in turn would relieve us
from time to time. Many times the EC130's and the EC-47's landed at Cam
Rahn for maintenance reasons but
were not stationed there.
information which was presented to BG
Tackaberry, Asst CG of Ft. Rucker.
He was also right about the bird being
flown into Pleiku and ending up in an
accident -- reference the article I wrote
for the Logbook. That particular flight
was the 2nd mission the unit flew. I and
Larry Rossa were on that flight. -- Larry
Johnson
Keep 'em straight, Larry! Good job!
Right on the money! -- Earl Burley
CRAZY CAT STUFF
I made a discovery today that
greatly pleases me. I used to
write poetry often, and have
many written while in Vietnam. I
was a member of the original
Crazy Cat company that flew
from Alameda NAS across the
Pacific to Saigon en route to our first
tour of duty at Cam Ranh Bay.
I wrote a poem called "The Journey" in
six parts. It starts with the first leg from
Alameda and ends with landing in
Saigon at Tan Son Nhut. I had been
looking for this poem since I returned
from RVN in 1968. It has the 256
names of everyone in the original company. May I submit it for publication in
the Logbook?
By the way - the latest issue of the
Logbook is just fantastic! - the best one
yet! Congratulations to all who work so
hard to produce such a wonderful publication! -- Jim Reese
THE JOURNEY
And It wasn't P2V pilots who organized
Part I
the Rucker meeting, it was Ken and
Sharon Supranowich who eventually
elevated their search to the congressio- From Arizona to California, we’re on
our way –
nal level, who in turn got the Army to
release de-classified information. It Our final destination is Cam Rahn Bay.
took them a year and-a-half to research An Air Force C124 carries us through
the sky,
information and get people together for
our 1996 Crazy Cat reunion in Dothan. It’s cumbersome, huge whale’s body
lumbering through on high.
The attendance including spouses was
It’s the first leg of our trip to that farabout 160.
away land
Mr. Maxham is right that some of the Where we’ll spend a year defending
freedom’s stand.
information was blacked out but it was
was unusable because copies of all the The giant droning beast is filled with
cargo and men –
morning reports were there as well as
orders, etc., from the years the organi- It will be a year or more before they’re
home again,
zation was in existence. There were
three notebooks and a large box of
Page 43
Wings of Friendship
AOCA Logbook
WITH THE 1st RR
And though they’re leaving loved ones for a dread unknown,
by Paul Struxness
There is neither nary a gripe nor a disgruntled groan –
For they’ve waited long, wracking months to start this show, I read with some fascination Larry Johnson’s Logbook
And they’re ready, trained, and eager to be on the go.
article about the second mission flight of "429. I have
stories of my experiences with the 1st RR Aviation CompaThere’s a card game going, the players intent,
ny, but not with the men of that company. Although I was a
And kibitzers with chiding post mortem's all well meant;
member of this unit in 68 - '69, I only flew a few training
Admirers of the flowing landscape look out the small ports; missions before being shipped up-country to the small
A few men sit as islands – their musing minds guarded
detachment at the 131st Aviation Company where I flew as
forts;
an observer in an OV-1C Mohawk on a TDY assignment to
While strewn on the metal decks and atop cargo too,
Phu Bai.
Lay tired men deep in slumber, some happy and some
blue.
I was billeted at the 8th RR field station and flew daily
The four huge roaring engines drone tiringly on –
missions in various AO’s corresponding to those being
We’re a going, we’re a going, we’re going, we’re gone,
flown by the PV2s. I suppose much of my product was
And tho’ before us lies a year – it’s mouth gaping in blind
coordinated with those of the 1st RR to form a more comyawn,
plete picture of events.
We anxiously await the ‘morrow and it’s unknown dawn –
For tomorrow starts the second leg of our trip –
There were two airmen on that assignment prior to me. One
Another long ride on our soaring metal ship.
was Dan Dewan and I can’t remember the other's name.
Red-headed Dan sported a handsome red handlebar mus22 June 67
tache at the time and I suppose that's how I remember him
so well. I volunteered for the assignment and recall in some
detail the interview I had with a Major Brown at the 509th in
Saigon. Brown was a real piece of work, scared the living
hell out of me, but I was determined to do this thing.
Photo submitted by Bill Due. According to Larry Johnson it
is 131496, a "slick" bird that had no mission equipment. The
plane was supposed to be used for training, etc., but because of necessity, was mostly a “parts” aircraft.
The Mohawk was a two seat, fully acrobatic airframe with
two 1,000 HP Lycoming turbo prop engines. The A models
were armed with rocket pods and the B's were commonly
known by a nickname Bill probably won’t let me use in the
Logbook. Called so because of a protuberance on the
starboard nose section that contained Side Looking Airborne Radar (SLAR). My craft was a C model, no ordinance.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS FOR ST. LOUIS
Saturday, September 13, 2008
9:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Tour #3: The Anheuser-Busch Connection Tour
Friday, September 12, 2008
9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Tour #1: Gateway to St. Louis Tour
Same as above.
8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Includes views of Laclede's Landing, the Riverfront, the Old
Tour #4: Historic St. Louis Tour
Cathedral, the Old Courthouse, Busch Stadium, a tram ride at the
Gateway Arch, Missouri Botanical Garden. Lunch and public Includes a tour of the Fabulous Fox Theatre, tour of the New
tram on own.
Cathedral, docent led tour at the Missouri History Museum with
time to browse and purchase lunch on own.
8:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Tour #2: The Anheuser-Busch Connection Tour
Sunday, September 14, 2008
9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
A tour of the Anheuser-Busch Brewery and tram tour of Grant's
Farm. Lunch and snacks may be purchased at Grant's Farm on
Memorial Service.
own.
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
6:00 p.m.
Light dinner
General Business Meeting
Entertainment (TBA)
5:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Banquet
Page 44
Wings of Friendship
My tools included a radio and one
hell’uva good pilot, CPT Jeff Hillis aka
Spitz.
SP/5 Paul Struxness
AOCA Logbook
ing out by 0800, but even at that time
of day the temperature in the cockpit
would approach 125 degrees during
taxi-takeoff. Our flight suits would be
soaking wet by the time we lifted off
and upon reaching altitude we would
be freezing cold and clammy wet for
the first half hour of the mission. We
flew five-hour missions and could loiter on target about three of the five
hours.
YOU’VE PASSED YOUR
LAST CHECK
Spitz was a very drunk guy a lot of the
times we flew, but it didn't seem to
affect his command of the aircraft or
his facility to
keep us alive. “SPITZ”
In fact, many
times I thought
he was impaired, but it
never stopped
us from doing
and
accomplishing
our
mission. Being
an
enlisted
man and very
young, I did not
have the nerve
to confront him about his excessive
drinking and, frankly, almost every
pilot in the 131st spent much of their
off-duty hours in the officers club at
Hue Phu Bai International drinking to
oblivion.
I hope there's a place way up in the sky,
where old fliers can go on the day that
they die.
BUBBA AT REVIVAL
Bubba goes to the revival and listens to the
preacher who, after a
while, asks anyone with
needs to come forward
and be prayed over.
Bubba gets in line, and
when it's his turn the preacher says,
"Bubba, what you
want me to pray about?"
Bubba says, "Preacher, I need you to
pray for my hearing."
A place where a guy can buy a cold beer,
for a friend and comrade whose memory
is dear.
So the preacher puts one finger in Bubba's ear and the other hand on top of
his head and prays a while. After a few
minutes, he removes his hands and says,
"Bubba,how's your hearing now?"
A place where no doctor or lawyer can
tread, nor an FAA type would 'ere be
caught dead. Just a quaint little place,
kind of dark, full of smoke, where they
like to sing loud, and love a good joke.
Bubba says, "I don't know, preacher. It
ain't till next Wednesday."
They've come here at last to be safe and
The kind of a place where a lady could go, alone, from the government clerk, and
and feel safe and protected by the men the management clone. Politicians and
she would know.
lawyers, the Feds and the noise, where
all hours are happy, and they're all good
There must be a place where old flyers go, ole' boys.
when their flying is finished, and their
airspeed gets low.
You can relax with a cold one, maybe
deal from a deck, this is Heaven son. . .
Where the whiskey is old and the women You've passed your last check!
are young, and songs about flying and
I had command of the mission and he dying are sung.
had command of the plane. A very
strange arrangement and one that had Where you'd see all the fellows who'd
to be enforced one time by Capt. flown west before, and they'd call out
Emanuel
"Manny"
Mamone, your name as you came through the door.
(pronounced May-moan-ie). Manny
was an RR officer at the 8th and Who would buy you a drink, if your
served as my advisor and rabbi on all thirst should be bad, and relate to others,
things Army. I wish I had kept track of "He was quite a good lad."
him as I thought he was the best officer I had ever known and one that I And then through the mist, you'd spot an
would have old guy, you had not seen in years,
willingly fol- though he taught you to fly. He'd nod his
lowed to the old head, and grin ear to ear, and say,
gates of hell "Welcome, my son, I'm pleased that
you're here."
and back.
Our daily rou- For this is the place where true flyers
tine generally come, when their journey is over, and
consisted of a their war has been won.
pre-flight at
0730 and fly-
The Byrds
Page 45
Wings of Friendship
AOCA Logbook
before we got to the end of the quickly decided a field replacement
runway.The tower responded with all would be best.
I was shocked and saddened to hear sorts of “Gee whizz! Golly gee!” and,
about the death of George Senter. “What else will that thing do?” We said Opelika airdrome was not buzzing with
Brings to mind memories of Ft Sill and "We don't know yet we just learned to fly activity, in fact no one was there. At
least had a pay telephone (remember
the 57th Caribou. George was mainte- it last week!"
those?). We only had ten dollar bills
nance officer and I had just finished a
unit transition in the ‘Bou. My pregnant The next day Rucker gave us our new and the crew chief had no change eiwife, Pat, was none too happy about bird and we started for home. About ther but, scratching his head, said
over-nighters, weekend missions and thirty minutes out 6500 feet over over "Wait a minute." He dumped out his tool
Opelika, AL, #1 engine threw an unholy box and sure enough, stuck to the botstand-bys for the LBJ ranch.
scrap iron fit. I thought that egg beater tom was one greasy dime - all we needGeorge and I drew a mission to Mother was coming out of the mounts and so ed to get Mother on the phone. We had
Rucker to swap out one plane for a did George. Both our index fingers hit a replacement that afternoon.
newer, more deployable one. Martha, the feather button together, in fact his
George's wife, agreed to stay with Pat finger nail took a chunk of meat out of The pilot who brought the engine said
and that made it kind’a all right and got my finger. After dressing up the cockpit the property book officer was highly
me out of the dog house. The only and confirming #1 was still on the wing, PO'd - another reason for avoiding
excitement going down was at Hawkins George wanted to get in the left seat Mother R. We told him to relay to the
Field, Jackson MS. They had never knowing that I was a brand new Bou PBO that we expected quality products
seen a Caribou so the crowds descend- pilot. I assured him that I had had more from the “Home of Army Aviation.”
single engine approaches the last two Didn't wait for an answer. Next morning
ed upon us (no TSA in those days).
weeks than he'd had in the last two we took off for an uneventful flight back
After refueling we prepared for take off years and that I felt very confident and to Sill and two happy yet unsuspecting
asking for an intersection TO. Tower comfortable. With that reassurance brides. It was several months before
complied saying, “You have five thou- George settled down for a boring 6000’ we told them of the engine failure.
Brides, especially pregnant brides, are
sand feet remaining.” We responded, right spiral to Opelika International.
funny about those things.
“That's four thousand too much but we'll
take it.” We had a show-off wind about We decided not to fly back to Rucker
12 - 15 knots right down the centerline. not knowing if that engine was hanging George, may you rest in peace knowLocked the brakes and added power I on by four bolts or only one. Also ing you will no longer have to worry
pulled the bird off the ground about 60 thought of the paper work, incident re- about R-2000's on your wings. -- Glenn
kts and we went vertical with that wind. port, safety weenies and general ha- Carr
I know I topped out of his airspace rassment we might face at Rucker and
REMEMBERING GEORGE SENTER
MEMBERS
Clarence A. McElroy
20 January 2007
Maurice Larmaillard
1 July 2007
George Senter
2 October 2007
Willard Mills Onellion
WIVES
17 October 2007
Janet Beck
William E. Ledgerwood
Wife of Gregory
26 November 2007
18 October 2007
Bob Richey
27 October 2007
Marvin Morgan
5 November 2007
James J. Kelly
30 November 2007
Page 46
Wings of Friendship
REMEMBERING MILLS ONELLION
Mills and I joined the 37th Avn Bn at the
same time after finishing the Infantry
Advanced Course. Neither of us were
twin engine or Caribou qualified so we
were told to "go away" until a school
quota was available. We took them at
“Mills was great company. Another good
soldier gone.”
their word and decided that the Officers'
Club swimming pool would be a patriotic
place to wait. Mills introduced me to
two handed gin rummy and we exchanged imaginary fortunes daily. I
don't recall how long we actually hung
out but when our school quota finally
came, I could speak Mills’ version of
Louisiana Cajun English. We had a lot
of fun waiting to become Caribou pilots.
Mills was great company. Another good
soldier gone.-- Doug Schneeman
REMEMBERING
BILL LEDGERWOOD
AOCA Logbook
The nurse's aide remembers Bob and
his pleasant banter and good spirits
with the staff after the family had "just
left" for the evening. He was walking
with a nurse. When the nurse’s aide
went into a patient room nearby, she
heard a noise and the nurse's cry.
When she ran out into the hall, Bob was
slumping to the floor. She was told to
call a "code blue" and did. She remembers Bob's lips were blue.
Robert A. (Bob) Richey was born in
Cloud Chief, OK, to Lester C. and Ruth
A. Richey, He was the eldest with three
siblings, Edwin, Jack, and Joyce. A
farm boy and native of Oklahoma, he
graduated from Oklahoma A&M, now
Oklahoma State University, in 1954.
Already using his leadership gifts that
served others the rest of his life, he was
active in his fraternity, Alpha Gamma
Rho.
She didn't talk about the procedure of
resuscitating, except to indicate that he
was moved to ICU after it. I didn't ask
pointed questions, because I didn't
want her to feel I was interrogating her.
She was simply remembering the experience and her amazement at how
quickly it happened.
Bob served our country for a total of
fourteen years, beginning in 1954. In
the first tour of his distinguished military
service, he received both special ranger and paratrooper training as a lieutenant in the US Army and served in
Germany as a paratrooper.
She remembers that about a half hour
later, she heard a yet another "code
blue" called from the ICU and hoped
that it wasn't Bob again. She said she
remembers well because it was her first
time for one.
“I have lost my love of over 50 years, but
he was so very ill and I know he is being
taken care of now.” -- Bili Ledgerwood
I'm repeating this because so many
friends have been troubled about the
chain of events leading to Bob's condition today, with his brain in a vegetative
state and his body shutting down so
REMEMBERING BOB RICHEY
agonizingly (for those who love him)
Bob was One of those “special” friends slowly. We all pray for his release.
I have made in the AOCA and was the Edie Stanger
one who asked me to “drop by and
have lunch with him” when I was in Bob was an original member and a past
Oklahoma and getting ready to return president of the Army Otter Caribou Assn
to FL. That was in 1994 when he joining in 1985. He was Life Member #8.
dropped the EVP job on me - it was
hard to say no and I even placed the
blame right on him at dinner one evening in Wash DC. -- Bruce Silvey
I'm at peace. . . and thank you for caring.
All of you meant a lot to him.
-- Cissy Richey
HERE’S WHAT HAPPENED
Below is a recap on Bob's collapse, etc.,
from a staff member who was there. Written by Edie Stanger.
While I was sitting with Bob, I started
talking with a young nurse's aide who
was on Bob's floor last Friday. She had
just come back from being off for four
days. What she said confirms what
Cissy has been told about the events.
Bob Richey
July 8, 1932 - October 27, 2007
After an interval of returning to ranching
in Oklahoma, he resumed active military service in the Army Air Force, receiving his pilot training and serving as
an army major in Vietnam. Bob received thirty-two Air Medals, the
Bronze Star, the Distinguished Flying
Cross and the Legion of Merit.
He headed and owned The Richey
Company, a promotional advertising
company established in 1983. Within
that industry's professional organizations , he assisted in developing standards of excellence that benefited
supplier, distributor and customer. He
sold the business a few years ago,
remaining with the company to do what
he loved, serving his customers.
Never forgetting the educational advantages he had received, Bob had remained active on the board of the
Dallas Chapter of the Oklahoma State
University Alumni Association, serving
in various capacities including a term
as president of the chapter. The Dallas
Chapter had recently established a
scholarship to the institution and had
been planning to surprise Bob by naming it the "Bob Richey Endowed Scholarship".
A business associate of long standing
has stated, "Bob Richey was, by far,
one of the kindest, most gentle human
beings God put on this earth. He had
upright standards, ethics and was spiritually centered. Very little flustered him,
he had confidence without being arro-
Page 47
Wings of Friendship
gant, a beautiful smile and a warm
heart." Edie Stanger
Bruce,
Thank you for the help during Bob's
hospitalization and after his death.
Through email, so many more friends
were notified and contacted us.
We are overwhelmed with cards, donations, etc from so many. Bob would
have been proud of the OSU Scholarship in his name. He was very active in
the Dallas Alumni group. We've also
heard from many of his AGR brothers.
He touched so many lives in so many
areas.
On the day he was admitted to the
hospital, we had a call inviting us to sit
with Boone Pickens at the homecoming game. Unfortunately we had to decline.
AOCA Logbook
A CARD FROM JANIE RANSBOTHAM TO AOCA MEMBERS
Mr. Bruce Silvey and AOCA,
Thank you for your kind expression of
sympathy. Jim loved all of you and always
enjoyed going to the reunions.
He was a wonderful husband and friend
and I really miss him, too.
Thanks again and may God bless you all.
Sincerely,
Janie Ransbotham
Army Otter-Caribou Association
Thank you sincerely
for sharing our sorrow.
Your thoughtfulness
is appreciated
and will always be
remembered.
Family of
James Ransbotham (Jim)
P.S. I received the Logbook.
Thank you.
Bob enjoyed his log time membership
in AOCA. Floyd and Mary Burks were
in the area and attended the memorial
services. That was very meaningful.
Cissy Richie
REMEMBERING JIM KELLY
James J. Kelly, COL, U. S. Army (Ret),
died at his home in Cooperstown on 30
November 2007.
Born 14 June 1929, he enlisted in the
Army Dec. 1951 and was commissioned a 2LT, Field Artillery, in 1954.
He achieved Master Army Aviator status and was qualified in rotary and fixed
wing aircraft. He flew missions in Germany, France and the U.S. He was a
Bn. CO at Fort Dix, NJ, and served in
the attaché system in Phnom Pénh,
Cambodia; Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo; and Kabul, Afghanistan. He also served two tours in Viet
Nam. He retired as a Colonel on 30
June 1984.
Rough Riders Maintenance Outfit
Rough Riders’ Officer Club
Nose Wheel Landing?
He attended Command and General
Staff College in the Defense Language
Institute. Honors include Legion of Merit, DFC, Air Medal, Defense Superior
Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster,
Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with
Palm, Army Service and Overseas Service ribbons. Jim was a fifteen year
member of the Army Otter-Caribou Association. We will all miss him.
Page 48
Wings of Friendship
AOCA Logbook
Writers
Louie Barber --
http://www.louiebarber.com/
William Upton -- http://www.vietnammemoir.com/
Al Ebbers -- http://www.silverhawkbooks.com/
Murrell and Shirlee Sloan during a ten day
stay near Delray, FL north of Miami.
Caribou Site
Wayne Buser -- http://www.dhc4and5.org/CV2.html
Other Web Sites
John Holihan - http://journals.aol.com/jholihansr/MotorcycleMemories/
Dar Sword -- http://www.darsbydesign.com
Wayne Hooper has some 18th Otter Co. Pics
on the web.
“Low, Slow and Reliable”
http://www.photoshow.com/watch/Bg6qE3AZ
It loads a little slow so be patient. . .
Martin Mars Flying Boat
Bill Upton, Bruce Silvey and Earl Burley at the Crab Trap
restaurant near Ellenton, FL as they try to settle AOCA
business in spite of too much “happy juice. . .”
The only two remaining Martin Mars flying boats are based
on Vancouver Island, where they are used for fire fighting.
One was recently deployed temporarily to Southern California to assist in fighting the wildfires.
Page 49
Wings of Friendship
AOCA Logbook
ST. LOUIS REUNION HOTEL INFORMATION
Sheraton Westport Lakeside Chalet
191 Westport Plaza. St. Louis, Missouri 63146
Phone: (314) 878-1500
$89 / day-plus approx 13 % taxes
A personalized Web site for
ARMY OTTER CARIBOU ASSOCIATION REUNION
September 11, 2008 - September 15, 2008
has been created for you.
You may access the site to learn more about the reunion and to book,
modify, or cancel a reservation from now to September 16, 2008.
ARMY OTTER CARIBOU ASSOCIATION
http://www.starwoodmeeting.com/StarGroupsWeb/res?id=0704103054&key=8A7B4
Louis.
Louis, r.
.
t
S
n
ei
fa i
Meet m et me at the re shining
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t
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e
m
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ut
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Don't Any place b
♪
♫
REUNION UPDATE
♪
We w
ill d
Or
I will ance the h
http://www.starwoodmeeting.com/Book/otter If yo
u wil be your to oochie co
o
l mee
o
t me tsie woot chie.
i
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M
n
ie
eet m
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Kendra Rains
e at t t. Louis,
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e fair
Sheraton Westport Plaza Hotel St. Louis
.
.
♫
and choosing what will be of greatest
interest to AOCA members.
Here we are again,
getting ready for
Jimmy Moore says he and Peg are
another “Best Ever”
finalizing the arrangements for our hoannual
reunion
tel in Temecula, CA, for the 2010 reand this one is
union. With those two at the helm of
shaping up to be a
the reunion ship, it has to be a success.
great mid-America
Ms. P and I certainly are looking forevent. As I write, I
ward to that one.
have, on the back
burner, contracts for tours we have All our hosts for the next three years,
scheduled for St. Louis.
Ken & Sharon Supranowich, Ron &
Clarice Sprengeler and Jimmie & Peg
It’s not an easy task, either because Moore will be calling upon many of you
there are so many things to do and so to help them accomplish their reunion
little time to do them in. Ken and Sha- goals. So please, if they call on you,
ron Supranowich have done a bit of jump in and provide them with all of the
hair pulling while deciding which tours help you can. It is difficult to host a
to offer, but in my opinion, they have reunion and believe me, all help is
done and continue to do a wonderful greatly appreciated.
job. I also think that each and every
one of us will have a wonderful time, so So, folks, get ready -- it is later than you
think and our next reunion is just
be prepared!
around the corner. I know that Walt &
I know that Past President Ron Spren- Betty Duke, along with Ken & Sharon
geler has done a bang up job planning as well as Ms. P and I are working now
and preparing for a great 2009 reunion to make sure that everything is in place
in Rochester, MN, and that it, too, will and ready to go for the St. Louis reshape up to be another “Best Ever” union and hope to see you there.-reunion. And again, there are so many Larry Johnson
things to do in and around Rochester
that he’s sure to have trouble picking
Mike & Mary Strick
Chris Crescioni reads names of Caribou
and Otter brothers KIA
Page 50
THE ARMY OTTER-CARIBOU ASSOCIATION, INC
P.O. Box 55284
St. Petersburg, FL 33732-5284
Address Service Requested
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Permit # 1467
St. Petersburg, FL
Units Served in
Served w/Otter/Caribou/Neptune Unit
as 1SG, Supply, Mech, Comm, Etc.?
Mail to: Army Otter-Caribou Association
P. O. Box 55284
St. Petersburg, FL 33732-5284
Make Check payable to:
ARMY OTTER CARIBOU ASSOCIATION
__________
$____________
Email: [email protected]
http://www.otter-caribou.org
1-800-626-8194
TOTAL ENCLOSED
ARMY OTTER-CARIBOU ASSOCIATION SPECIAL ORDER ITEMS
ASSOCIATION CAPS (Adj. Size)
_________White_________Black
Visit
__________
OTTER LAPEL PIN
www-otter-caribou.org
__________
CARIBOU LAPEL PIN
or Call
__________
11th AIR ASSAULT WINGS
1-800-626-8194
__________
AOCA BUMPER STICKER
for
__________
CARIBOU PIC (18” H X 3.5”W)
Details and Pricing
__________
AOCA 20 YR commemorative Coin
$__________
_______Associate Membership - $20.00 Per Year
$__________
$__________
One Time $10.00 Initiation Fee
_______Regular Membership - $15.00 Per Year (Total for New Member $25.00)
_______ All New Members
FEES:
Qualified as Crew Member, Pilot or Maint.
Tech in Otter/Caribou/Neptune?
PHONE & AREA CODE
E-Mail Address
CITY/STATE/ZIP
SPOUSE
MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION
MAIL ADDRESS
NAME

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