swash plate may 2012

President’sMessageRobertFrost

May2012

• “AnAmericanHeroPasses” T.ReesShapiro • ”CallToService” RheaRippey• “DFCandBrokenWing” JayBrown• FlightofthePhoenix RandyMains• ReunionsandGatherings” • “ClosetotheAction”DrewBrooksandmuch,muchmore!

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Hello members and friends of CHPA.May is a special and commemorative time oftheyearasweseespring infullbloomalloverthisgreatnationandweobserveMemorialDay.I would like to use this month’s message tofocusontheoriginandbirthplaceofMemorialDayandthewayswecancelebrate,andhonortheultimatesacrificesofsomanyinourhistory.

What is the origin and birthplace ofMemorial Day? Well, on May 5, 1868, the Grand Army of the RepublicestablishedMemorialDayorDecorationDayasthenationaldaytodecoratethegravesoftheCivilWarsoldierswithflowers.MajorGeneralJohnA.LoganappointedMay30 as theday to beobserved. ArlingtonNational Cemeteryhad the first observance of the day on a grand scale. The place was

appropriateas italreadyhousedgravesofover20,000UniondeadandseveralhundredConfederatedead.General and Mrs. Ulysses S. Grant presided the meeting and the center point of these Memorial Dayceremonieswasthemourning‐drapedverandaoftheArlingtonmansion.Speecheswerefollowedbyamarchof soldiers’ childrenandorphansandmembersof theGARthrough thecemeterystrewing flowersonbothUnionandConfederategraves.Theyalsorecitedprayersandsanghymnsforthedead.

Even before this declaration, local observances forwar deadwere being held at various places. InColumbus,Mississippi, a group of women visited a cemetery on April 25, 1866, to decorate the graves ofConfederatesoldiersandtheUnionsoldierswhofellattheBattleofShiloh.ManycitiesintheNorthandtheSouthclaimtobe the first tocelebrateMemorialDay in1866,butCongressandPresidentLyndon JohnsonofficiallydeclaredWaterlooinNewYorkasthe‘birthplace’ofMemorialDayin1966.ItwassaidthatonMay5,1866,aceremonywasheldheretohonorlocalsoldiersandsailorswhofoughtintheCivilWar,businesseswereclosedforthedayandresidentsfurledflagsathalf‐mast.Itwassaidtobethefirstformal,community‐wide and regular event. In 1971, Memorial Day was declared a national holiday by the Congress, whodesignatedthelastMondayinMayasthedayforitsobservance.

WhataresomeofthewaystoobserveMemorialDay?Well,again,MemorialDayremindsusofourdutiestowardthewoundedsoldiersandthebereavedfamilies,orphansandwidowsofourdeadsoldiers.

Wecanfulfillthatdutyby:Visitingcemeteriesandmemorials.Honoringourdeadbyadorningtheirfinalrestingplace

AlwaysRemember

Volume 8, Issue 5 CHPA • The Swash Plate www.chpa-us.org

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withflowersandgarlands.FlyingtheAmericanFlagathalf‐mastuntilnoon.Flyingthe‘POW/MIAFlag’.Observingaminuteofsilenceat3PM,‘NationalMomentofRemembrance’andlistentoTapsbeing

played.Takingapledgetoaidthedisabledveterans,widows,widowersandorphansofthedeadandkeepit.Personallyofferingthankstotheveteransandappreciatingtheultimatesacrificesofthesoldierstothe

bereavedfamilies.ThisMemorialDay,asyouhearthesoundofTapsbeingplayed,thinkofthewordstoTaps,writtenby

MajorGeneralDanielButterfield:Dayisdone…Gonethesunfromthelake…fromthehills…fromthesky.Alliswell…safelyrest.Godisnigh.

80814‐0042

CHPA continues to receive quite an assortment of patches from our members. These patches are displayed at our booth at HAI, Quad A, and VHPA. Several of you have donated patches, like the ones shown here, but we’re always looking for more. They are very eye catching and help us garner attention. So please dig through your old patches and if you have some you’d like to share, send them to us at: CHPA • PO Box 42 • Divide, CO80814‐0042

GOT PATCHES?


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EvaRusso/APRetiredCOLVanT.Barfoot,aMedalofHonorrecipient,andhisdaughterMargaretNichollslowertheflagoutsideBarfoot'shomeintheSussexSquaresubdivisioninHenricoCounty,VA,in2009.

ThePassingofanAmericanHeroT.ReesShapiro,TheWashingtonPost

Retired Army COL Van T. Barfoot, who received

the Medal of Honor during World War II and decadeslater drew national attention when he foughtsuccessfullyagainsthishomeownersassociationtokeepa flagpole flying the Stars and Stripes in his front yard,diedMarch2atahospitalinRichmond.Hewas92.

He had complications from a fall, said hisdaughterMargaretNicholls.

COL Barfoot grew up on a Mississippi cottonplantationbeforeenlisting intheArmy infantry in1940.Bytheendofhiscareerin1974,hehadservedinthreewarsand received themilitary’shighest award for valor— the Medal of Honor — for leading an assault onGermantroopsduringWorldWarII.

Inretirement,helivedaquietlifeinruralcentralVirginia—tendingtohisvegetablegarden,fillinghisbirdfeedersandcatchingcatfishinhisprivatepond—beforemovingtotheRichmondsuburbsinthesummerof2009.

COLBarfooterecteda21‐footflagpoleinhisfrontyardnotlongaftertakingupresidenceintheSussexSquaredevelopmentinHenricoCounty.

Evenas anonagenarian,COLBarfoot awokeeverymorning tohoist theAmerican flag. Atdusk,heloweredandfoldedtheflag,huggingthetriangularbundletohischestashewalkedbackinside.

Thecommunity,governedbyahomeownersassociation,haddeniedCOLBarfoot’s initial request toputtheflagpoleinhisyard,citingrulestomaintaincurbappeal.

ThehomeownersassociationsenthimaletterorderinghimtoremovetheflagpoleandthreatenedtotakeCOLBarfoottocourttoenforcetheneighborhood’srules.

COLBarfootrefused,andtheresultingnewsbroughtsupportfromDemocratsandRepublicansinthestateandbeyond.

FromtheWhiteHouse,ObamaadministrationspokesmanRobertGibbstoldreporters:“Thepresidentbelieves— I think all of us believe— that the very least we can do is show our gratitude and thanks tosomebodythatservedourcountrysoadmirably.”

Pressuredbycritics,thehomeownersassociationrelentedinDecember2009andallowedCOLBarfoottokeephisflagpole.

VanThurmanBarfootwasborn June15,1919, inEdinburg,MS. He later changedhisname toVanThomasBarfoot.

In theArmy,COLBarfootworkedhiswayup theenlisted ranksbefore receivinga field commissionduringWorldWarII.

Earlyinthewar,heparticipatedintheArmy’sinvasionofItaly.Ashisunitmovedinland,thesoldierstookupdefensivepositionsnearCarano.

OnMay23,1944,COLBarfootwasorderedtoleadanassaultonGermanpositions.Hewentoutaloneandcrawled


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towithinfeetofaGermanbunker.According to his Medal of Honor citation, he tossed a grenade inside, killing two Germans and

woundingthreeothers.HethenmovedtoanotherbunkernearbyandkilledtwomoreGermansoldierswithhis submachinegunwhile taking threeothersprisoner. A thirdmachineguncrew,watchingCOLBarfoot’smethodicalassault,surrenderedtohim.Inall,17GermansgavethemselvesuptoCOLBarfoot.

Inretaliation,theGermansorganizedacounterattackonCOLBarfoot’sposition,sendingthreetankstowardhim.

COLBarfootgrabbedabazookagrenadelauncherandstood75yardsinfrontoftheleadingtank.Hisfirstshotstoppeditinitstracks.HethenkilledthreeoftheGermantankcrewmemberswhohadattemptedtoescape.

Theothertwotanks,witnessingthedestruction,abruptlychangeddirections,movingawayfromCOLBarfoot.Returningtohisplatoon,hehelpedcarrytwowoundedUSsoldiersalmostamiletosafety.

Commending his “Herculean efforts,” COL Barfoot’s citation praised his “magnificent valor andaggressivedeterminationinthefaceofpointblankfire.”

COLBarfoot served in theKoreanWarand later inVietnamasahelicopterpilot. HisothermilitarydecorationsincludedtheSilverStar,twoawardsoftheLegionofMerit,theBronzeStar,threeawardsofthePurpleHeart,and11awardsoftheAirMedal.

Hiswifeof 48 years, the formerNorma LouiseDavis, died in 1992. Survivors include four children,MargaretNichollsofRichmond,VA,VanT.BarfootJr.ofBremerton,WA,JamesD.BarfootofLakeTapps,WA,andC.OdellBarfootofHuntsville,TX;asister;12grandchildren;andsixgreat‐grandchildren.

In 2010, Virginia Governor Robert F. McDonnell (R) signed legislation inspired by COL Barfoot thatprohibitedhomeownersassociationsfrombarringtheproperdisplayoftheUSflag.

“Allmylife,fromchildhoodtonow,Ihavebeenabletoflytheflag,”COLBarfootsaidin2009.“InthetimeIhaveleft,IplantocontinuetoflytheAmericanflagwithoutinterference.”


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CallToServiceRheaRippey,BoardChairman

CWOTorneyAwardedDFCandBrokenWingJayBrown

WWIIvetshaveobservedtheirlastofficialremembranceceremonyinHawaii. Theirnumbersaretoofew;theirhealthtooprecariousfortravel.Thoseguyswereourfathersandgrandfathers.OurKoreanWarveteransfollowclosebehind.TheVietnamgenerationisnext.

CHPAwascreatedbyVietnampilotsinordertopreservethelegacy,notonlyofthosewhofoughtinVietnam,butofALLcombathelicopterpilots:thosewhoprecededserviceinRVNaswellasthosewhofollowed,andwhowillcontinueafterthelastIraqandAfghanistanhelicopterflightcrewmemberislaidtorest.

CHPAwasourstocreateforthepurposeofmaintainingthehelicopterwarriorlegacy.Wearegettingolder.Wewillbegonesoonerthanwewouldlike.CHPAisyourstopreserveforthefuture.Ifourcommonlegacypreservationisnotapriority,CHPAeventuallywillwitheranddie.

CHPA needs volunteers who are committed to maintaining the legacy we all established with ourcommon service. We need interested, motivated members to step forward, volunteer for board duty;volunteertostandforoffice.CHPAneedsyourparticipation,yourideasandyourenergy.Wehavestartedatrustthatmustbemaintainedandpassedon intactandhealthytofuturegenerationsofcombathelicopterwarriors.CHPAneedsyou!

Contact any director or officer to discusswhat you can contribute. Leadership service is not time‐consuming, but it is mandatory for our future. Step up. Contribute your hard‐won leadership skills andexperiencetoahighercause.Doitforyourself.Doitforyourbuddies.HelpCHPAflourishintothefuture.Ourmessage,"Never,EverForget"mustneverfallsilent.

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Gabriel A. Torney, recently received the Distinguished Flying Cross and a Broken Wing Award for action while assigned to Task Force Brawler, Afghanistan. The certificate for the Broken Wing Award reads:

While flying on a mission in support of a quick reaction force exfiltration, his OH-58D was engaged by enemy fire. At the time, Torney was scanning the area with his M4 positioned out the cockpit door. He was struck by shrapnel from a round that passed through the chin bubble and center console. The shrapnel penetrated his forearm and face, blurring his vision. Additionally, a round passed through his right leg, dislocating his knee, and lodged in his left leg. Simultaneously, a round struck the pilot on the controls rendering him unconscious. The aircraft pitched up 90 degrees and began to roll over onto its side. Torney immediately recognized the extreme situation and assumed the flight controls. He was able to recover the aircraft from the maneuver, notify the flight lead, and fly the aircraft to a secure medical evacuation landing zone all while under duress and with limited vision. Torney's composure under pressure, response to an emergency situation, and superior airmanship prevented the loss of the aircraft.


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FlightofthePhoenixRandyMains

Thisexcerptistakenfromhisthirdbook,JourneytotheGoldenHour—MyPathtotheMostDangerousJobinAmerica:FlyingaMedicalHelicopterwrittenbyformerVietnamHelicopterPilotandaward‐winningaviationjournalist,RandolphP.Mains

***Twohoursand40minutesoutofMountIsaflyingat500feetlookingoutofthesmallcockpitofour

littleHughes300Iwasflying,surveyingtheexpansesofbarrennothingnessthatmadeuptheSimpsonDesert,myboss,KeithAngeland I finallyspottedtheoutlineof thesmallAustraliantownofBedouri. I landedthechopperinthebackoftheBedouripub,creatingadustcloudfromthehelicopter’srotors,theeventhardlystirringthetown’s14inhabitants.

Thefollowingday,asthesunbegantoriseoutfromunderthebrownhorizon,KeithandIwalkedtothehelicopter. Iwipedthedewoff thebubble,wonderingwhatwewould findwhen,and if,westumbledupontheill‐fatedMIKCherokee6atthecrashsite.Icarefullydrewacourselineonthemap.“Onehundredeighty‐fivedegrees,”Isaid.“Itshouldtakeusfifty‐fiveminutestogetthere.”

The first 15 minutes in the air amounted to simple dead reckoning, flying on time, distance andheadingastherewasnothingbywhichtonavigate.Thenwespottedourfirstsanddune.“Okay,mate,”Keithsaid.“I’llstartcountingthedunes.Holdhersteadyonthisheading.”

IkeptmyeyeonthemagneticcompasstryingmybestnottodeviatefromourheadingandcountedthesanddunesalongwithKeith.Iscannedthehorizonstrainingtoseeaglimmerofmetal,aglintfromthesun,areflection,anythingthatresembledanaircraftinthisbrown,desertlandscape.

“We’regettingclose,mate,”Keithsaidstudyingthemap,tracingourcoursewithhisfinger,countingthedunesandglancingoutside.“Can’tbemuchfartherthantwomilesnow.”

Suddenly,aglintofsomethingcaughtmyeye. Could itbeareflection? Ipointed,“Keith, there,ateleveno’clockaboutamile‐‐isthatsomething?”

Webothweresilentfora longmoment, leaningforwardinourseat,strainingtoseeanysignofthewreckedplanethatKeithhadpurchasedsightunseenhopingtosalvage.

SuddenlyKeithpointed,“Bloodyhellman,theresheis!”Onthe44thsanddune,asKeithhadbeentold,satthecrippledgreen‐and‐whiteairplane,noseburied

inaknoll,propbent,nosewheelcollapsed.ThedesertsunreflectedoffthePlexiglaswindshieldactinglikeaguidinglightdirectingusin.Ilandedthehelicopterinaswirlofdust30yardsfromtheaircraft.

After inspectingher,we foundshehadabentprop,bothof themain landinggearwas twisted, theenginebasketholdingtheengineontotheairframewasbent,thenosegearwascompletelybuckledunderitscowling,andtheleftwingflapwasrippedandtorn.

Keithprobedaroundtheaircraftforafewmoreminutesthensaid,“We’llhavetodoarun‐outcheckontheenginetoseeifthecrankshaft’sbent.That’lltellusifwehavetodismantleherhereandflythepiecestoBedouripiecebypiece,thentruckthepartsbacktoBrisbane,andrebuildherthereor,iftheengineisOKitwillbeadifferentstoryandworkoutbetterforus. We’llflyoutthebrokenpartsbychopper,bringinnewparts,installthemhereandflyitoutfromhere.”

Ilookedaroundthebarrenandslightlyundulatingterrain.“Doyouthinkwecanmakeanairstripouthere?”

“Don’tknow,Mate.We’lljusthavetogiveheragoandseewhathappens.”Surveying the damage, I climbed into the plane’s

cockpit anddiscovered thatduring the crash the firewallhad


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beenpushedagainstthepedalcontrolquadrantrestrictingtheirtravel.IpointedthisouttoKeith.“Noworries.I’lljustpoundthefloorinuntilthepedalsarefree.”Itwas through this experience that I decided thatmostmechanics are lostwithout theuseof their

precision‐fittinginstrument,abigball‐peenhammer.We spent the remainder of the day disassembling the ‘bingled bits,’ as Keith called them. We

disconnectedthemechanical,electrical,fuelandoilconnectionstotheengine,andwithamake‐shiftA‐frameandusingablockandtackle,wegentlyloweredtheengineontoatarp.Withthepropellertakenoffandusinga dial indicator, Keith performed a run‐out check on the engine. To our great relief we discovered thecrankshafthadnotbeenbentinthecrash.

“We’ll flyheroutfromhere,”Keithannounced. Itsoundedsimplewhenhesaid itbut Istillhadmydoubts.

Dismantling the plane in 120‐degree Fahrenheit temperaturewas grueling, but itwas the ‘mozzies’(Australianformosquitoes)thatmadethejobnearlyunbearable.

Keithglancedupatthesun,“We’vegotabouttwohoursofsunlight left. Let’sknockoffforthedayandhaveawash.”

Wegrabbedour soapand towels,got into thechopper,and flewaboutamile‐and‐a‐half toa smalldesertlakethatwehadspottedwhenflyingin.Wetookalong,well‐deservedbathinthecoolwater,sharingthisbeautifuldesertoasiswithonlythelocalbirds.

On thewayback to thecamp,Keithdecided to rideon thehelicopter’s litteroutsideover the skidswhilelyingonhisstomach,awildridethatIamsureherememberstothisday.IglancedatKeithfromtimetotime.Hisbug‐stainedsmile,whiteknucklesandwind‐blownhairtoldmehewashavingthetimeofhislife.

That evening we took the passenger seats out of the Cherokee Six and placed them around thecampfireforustositon.KeithbroughtouttwoFour‘X’beers,slightlywarm,butwelcomenonetheless.Theycomplementedourcannedmeatdinnersthatweheatedinthecampfireandatestraightfromthecan.

Afterdinner,sippingoursecondbeer,wesatinthedesertinsilencelisteningtothecracklingfire,andwatched the orange glow of the sun give up the last of its rays below the rolling brown dunes. Theconstellation Southern Crosswas shining brightly overhead in the clear, desert skywhenwewent to bed.Keithsleptinaone‐mantentthathe’dbroughtforhimself,whileIelectedtosleeponthefloorinsideMIKinmysleepingbag,anightIshallneverforget.

Tryingtosleepintheplanethatnight,Ikepthearingstrangescratchingnoises.ThesoundagainsttheskinoftheaircraftkeptmeawakeuntilIcouldstanditnomore.IcalledoutforKeith.HetoldmethatIwashearingsmallmarsupialfieldmiceintheairducts.Ilaytherelisteningforatleastanotherhourbeforefatiguemercifullyovercamemytiredandsunburnedbody.

I was dreaming about a giant field mouse chasing me through the desert when I bolted uprightsuddenly. Tomyhorror, I realizedoneof the furryvarmintshadmadeabedandhadgonetosleep in thepalm of my hand. I screamed sitting upright reaching for the passenger door. Reflected in all its furrysplendorontheplane’spassengerdoorwindowwasthemoonlitoutlineofahugetarantula.Myfirstreactionwas tochargeoutof theplane,but then thought, ishe insideoroutside thewindow? I contemplated thepossibilities,butcertainlynotascalmlyasJamesBondwouldhave.Finally,Igaveayellandcrashedoutofthecraft,mybodyspillingoutontothegroundwitha‘thud’.

Hearing the ruckus Keith burst fromhis tent rubbing his eyes and roared, “What the bloody hell isgoingonouthere?”

After nearly passing out from hyperventilation, I toldhimwhathadhappened.Webothlooked,butcouldnotfind


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thehairybeast.Keithcalmedmedown,assuringmeIwassafeintheplane.BeforehewentbackintohistentIamalmostcertainIheardhimsay,“CrazyYank,”underhisbreath.

Thenextdaywefinisheddisassemblingthelandinggear,flap,prop,andenginebasket.Imadeseveralferry flights toBedouri in thehelicopter taking thedisassembled,bentandbrokenparts tobe trucked intoBrisbaneforrepair.

“Whatchadoin’digger,thosepartsfromanairplaneorsometin’?”wasacommonquestionaskedbyall14Bedouriresidents.

Iamsureitwouldhavebeeneasiertohavecalledatownmeetingtotellthestoryonlyonce.Instead,Itoldthestoryfourteentimes.

WhenIflewbacktothecampsite,Keithhadinhibitedtheengine’scylinderssquirtingoilintoeachone,andthencovereditupwithatarp. Whenhe’dfinishedhesaid,“Allwehavetodonowistieherdownonthesetwoempty55‐gallondrums.”

Hehadmecrawlunderonewing, thentheother. Withmybackunderthewing, I stoodupslowly,liftingtheplane’swinguntilitwasatdrum’sheight.Keithsecuredadrumundereachwing.Then,usingalotofropeandtentspikes,wetiedtheaircraftdownsoshewouldstayputifastrongwindcameup.Thatishowshewouldstayuntilwecouldreturninamonthorsowiththenewparts.

With theplane tieddown, and thebrokenparts ready to ship fromBedouri toBrisbane,we leftbychoppertoMountIsa.Wewouldnotreturntothecrashsiteuntilwehadthenewparts.

Fiveweeks laterKeithcalledtosay,“Thepartsarereadyandthey’vebeendeliveredto theBedouripostoffice.Catchthetena.m.planetoMountIsa.I’llseeyouthere.”

ImetKeithandanotherman,GaryDoyle,attheairport.Garywasa‘Yank,’too.HehadquithisjobasmusteringpilotforMcArthurRiverCattlestationbecausehethoughtthehelicopterhewasflyingtherewasunsafe.Hewasright.

Keith hired Gary to fly MIK out once we had the new parts installed. Loaded on the helicopter’sstretchers,alongwithourbags,wehadshovelsandfood.Theshovelswereformakingtheairstrip,thefoodforimprovingourmorale.Ohyes,wehadacaseofFourXbeer,too.

WemadeittoBedouriby1:30p.m.andferriedthenewprop,enginebasket,landinggearandflaptothecrashsite. By8:30p.m. the threeofuswereeatingdinneraroundacampfire, listening to thecriesofdingoes,Australianwilddogs,barkingtooneanotherinthedistance.

Ittookafulldayinswelteringheatforthethreeofustoinstalltheplane’smainlandinggear.Usingpoprivets,Keithaddedfivefeetofangle irontotheundersideoftheleftwing. Hewassurethemainsparwasn’tdamaged,at least that’swhathe toldGary. Theskinwas rippledandKeithdidn’twant to takeanychances.AsGarywouldbetheoneattemptingtoflytheplaneout,hespentmostofthetimeaskingKeithifhethoughttherepairswouldbesufficient.

“Doyoureallythinkthis’llwork?”hewouldask.“She’llberight,mate,”Keithwouldsaytoassurehim.“Noworries.”WhenGarywasnotquestioningKeithaboutthestructural integrityoftheaircraft,hespenthistime

studying the aircraft’s performance charts to determine how long the airstrip had to be, considering theaircraft’sweightandthedensityaltitudeconditionswefaced.

Theseconddayweboltedtheenginetotheenginebasket.WiththehelpofanA‐frameandblockandtackle,andwithawholelotofgruntingandgroaning,wehoistedthewholeworksinaposition,nosegearandall,wherewecouldbolttheenginebackontotheairframe.

The method we used for installing the electrical,mechanical and oil lines intrigued me. We had no


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maintenancemanuals,sowhenGaryandIaskedKeithwheredoesallthisstuffgo?Keithtoldus,“Justpullonthewire,linkageorhoseuntilshewon’tstretchanyfurther.Thenjustlookforaplacetoinstallit.”AtfirstIwasshockedathisanswerbut,becauseitwasKeith’sidea,hismethodworked.

Garydidn’twanttowatch.“YouSUREthis’llwork?”HekeptsayingoverKeith’sshoulderwhileKeithwasworkingonsomething.

Keithwouldjustanswerwiththestandard,“She’llberight,mate.Noworries.”Weinstalledthenewflap.Keithbangedoutthefloorfreeingthepilot’spedals.Thebangingwiththe

hammerturnedGaryintoanervouswreck.“Areyouabsolutelysureshe’llbeOK,Keith?”heaskedbetweenhammerblows.“She’llberight,mate.Noworries,”Keithansweredwithoutlookingup.

With thepedals ‘fixed’MIKwasready fora run‐up. Wefilled thetankswith35gallonsof fuel,andhookedupthetwo12‐voltbatteriesinseriestotheexternalpowerplugontheairplane.Garycrawledintothecockpit,primedtheengine,calledout,“Clear!”andturnedthekeywhileKeithandIstoodinthedesertwithourfingerscrossed,holdingourbreath. The engine sputtered and coughed a few times at first, trying to burn out the inhibiting oil in eachcylinder.Suddenly,agreatcloudofwhitesmokegushedfromtheexhauststack,andtheengineroaredtolife.Weyelledinjubilation.Garylettheenginerunforfiveminutes,thenshutheroff. “Nowfortheairstrip,”Keithsaidwipingengineoiloffhishandswitharag.

Weeachgrabbedashovelandexcitedlybeganmakingastrip. “Iwantonethousandfeetjusttobesafe,”Garytoldus. “Onethousandfeetit’llbethen,”saidKeith. Thethreeofusstoppeddiggingintheheatafteronehourtoassessourprogress.Ourairstripwasfourfeetlongandbarelywideenoughforthewidthoftheplane’smainlandinggear.

“Ithinkweneedanotherplan,”Keithconcluded. “Isn’tthereadrylakebedaboutamilenorthofhere?”Iasked. “Let’stakealook,”Keithsaiddroppinghisshovelandwalkingovertothechopper. Onceairborne,itdidn’ttakeuslongtoseethattherewasadrylakebed,aperfectrunway,butthebigquestionwascouldweget theplaneover to it? Facedwith theprospectofdigging forever in thehot suntryingtomakea1000’airstrip,weoptedtogiveitatry.

Keith lookedathiswatch. “Alright, it’s fourp.m.now. I thinkwecanmaketheBedouripubbeforenightfallifwemovequickly.” Ibeganshuttlingsuppliesfromourcampsitetothelakebedwiththehelicopter.Wewouldloadthesuppliesintotheairplanewhenandifitarrivedtothelakebedwithoutbeingdamaged.

GarystartedtheengineontheCherokeeSixandbegantheslowprocessoftaxiingtheaircraftoverthehard‐packed,mogul‐riddenterrain.IcouldseeKeithwalkingbackwardinfrontoftheaircraft,directingGarywithhandsignalsoverthelessroughbits.Eachtimetheplanewouldclimbadirtmound,itsenginestraining,dustwouldblowtotherear,creatinga50‐footdustcloud.Itwasabizarresight.Ikeptwaitingfortheawfulmomentwhen thenoseof theCherokeewoulddip too far forward after poweringover a dirtmoundanddamagethepropandenginebeyondrepair.Toeveryone’sgreatrelieftheymadethetripwithoutincident.

Icompletedmythirdandlasttripferryinggearfromthecampsitetothedrylakebed.Garypositionedtheplaneintothewind,thewideexpanseofthelakebedoffitsnose.Engineidling,Garysetthebreaksandgotouttohelploadthesuppliesintotheback.Oncedone,wegatheredattheplane’swing.

“How do you feel about this, Gary?” Keith askedseriously.


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“I’llseeyoubothattheBedouripubinfortyminutes,”Garysaidoptimistically. “OK,we’llfollowyouinthechopper,“KeithsaidgivingGaryaheartyhandshakewishinghimgoodluck. Garybegantowalkbacktotheairplane,thenturnedaroundandyelledtoKeith,“Areyoureallysurethisthingwillfly?”hesaidwithabiggrin. “Godspeed,mate,”Keithsaidwithawinkandathumbsupsign.“I’llbuyyourfirstbeerwhenweyouhitBedouri.” “Deal,”Garysaidandclimbedbackintotheaircraft. Keithand I rantothechopperandwatchedasGaryadvancedtheplane’sthrottletotakeoffpower.The aircraft’s prop bit the dry desert air, rocking forward against the locked brakes. Seconds later Garyreleasedthebrakes.Iheldmybreathastheplaneslowlypassedbyus,increasedspeedandroareddownthedrylakebed,causingswirlsofdusttoobscureitspathfromourview.Suddenly,fromoutofthedustcloud,wesawtheplanerisegracefullyslowlyclimbingforaltitude.KeithandIletoutayellthatthe14residentsinBedouri had to hear. We embraced and jumped up and down screaming and yelling like two madmenconsumedbythedesert’sheat. AfterthethreeofusspentanightcelebratingattheBedouripubGaryflewtheairplanetoBrisbaneearly the nextmorning. OnceMIKwas in Brisbane Keith had the engine torn down at the request of theDepartmentofCivilAviation.Theaircraftwasmended,painted,inspectedandsoldfor$16,000eightweekslater,quitealotofmoneybackin1975.Thethreeofusthoughtthatthatwasn’tbadreturnforafewdays’work.

Asforanadventure,well,Icouldneverhaveputapriceonthat.

TheSwash!We hope you enjoy all the stories submitted by our members. I know there are more stories

out there yet to be told in this forum. Helicopter crewmembers lead a most interesting life and stories abound from qualification courses, non-flying assignments, combat missions or just goofing off. Our most entertaining and informative stories come from you, our membership.

So, if you have an idea for an article, or if you have an article you’d like to submit it’s as easy as submitting it to the guy who puts the newsletter together. The story can be about anything from flight school to real life, TINS, or there-I-was stories. We’ve published several stories over the years ranging from tales of flight school a long, long time ago to real life “war stories” that we’re sure most of you can identify with.

Take a moment to lay fingers on keyboard or just put pen to paper and send in those stories. You can email them to [email protected] or through the US Post Office to: CHPA • PO Box 42 • Divide, CO 80814-0042

[CallForArticles]


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Please feel free to forward this issue of “The Swash Plate” to your colleagues, potential members and other interested parties!

Sharethe“Swash”

HaveyouthoughtaboutaLifetimeMembershipinCHPAbutthoughtitwastooexpensive,ormaybenotworththecost?Tobreakitdown,duesforaLifetimeMembershipforpilotsis$650;forCrewMembersduesare$425. While thatmay seem likea lot,whenyoudo themath it coversyou for justa shadeovertwentyoneyearsatregularmemberdues.Hasanyoneevermentionedyoudon’tnecessarilyhavetopaytheentire amount “up front?” Well, you have the option of enjoying the benefit of not worrying about anyrenewalnoticesorwritingayearlycheckbypayingLifetimeduesininstallments.CHPAoffersplanstoallowyoutopayyourLifetimeMembershipduesoverseveralmonths.Youcanalsosetupautomaticdebitstoyourcreditcard.Giveusacallat800•832•5144fordetails.

InthepasttherehavebeenmanyCHPApagesstartedondifferentsocialnetworkingsitesto includeMySpaceandFaceBook.Sadly,thosepageshavegoneidleasthefolkswhostartedthemmovedontootherendeavors. Our ExecutiveDirector, Jay Brown, has started an “official” CHPAweb presence on Face Booklocatedathttps://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/196724920353496/.

Thepagewassetuptoprovideavenuefordiscussions,sharingof ideasandanotherwayofgettingthosenaggingquestionsanswered.Joiningthegroupisassimpleasaskingtojoin.Stopin,sayhelloandjointheconversationsorstartyourown.AllCombatHelicopterPilotsAssociationmembers,potentialmembers,guestsandthosewhosupportCHPAarewelcome.

Please consider sponsoring CHPA’s programs. You may make tax deductible donations to support the Goldie Fund, CHPA’s Scholarship program, the Holiday Boxes for the Troops, T-shirts for Heroes or the Association. For further information please look at Sponsorship at the website, http://www.chpa-us.org.

Sponsorship

LifetimeMemberships

CHPAisonFaceBook


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ReunionsandGatherings

Areyouplanningareunionoreventthatmaybeofinteresttoourmembers?Letushelpyougetthewordoutandsupportveteransgroupsofallsizesandlocations.JustsendamessagewiththeinformationtoHQ@chpa‐us.org. If you have a logo, send that along as well. Be sure to include accurate contact andregistrationinformationandwe’lltakecareoftherest.

VINHLONGOUTLAWSASSOCIATION

Vinh Long Outlaws Association will hold its 2012 reunion in Savannah, GA,September6–10. Callingallmembersof the62ndAvnCo;CoA,502ndAvnBn;175thAHCandallattachedunits. FormupinSavannah. ContactBobKoonce,(253)537‐4818,[email protected].

334UTTREUNION

PersonnelwhopreviouslyservedintheUTTanditssubsequentunitdesignations;68th, 197th, 334th 507th Regiment, 227th Regiment, 501st Regiment are invited toattendthe50thanniversaryoftheUTTdeploymenttoVietnam.ThereunionwillbeheldatFortRucker,AL,September26–30.FormoreinformationcontactJ.R.Thomas,1558CR3304,Troy,AL36079‐5045orgivehimacallat334‐268‐8185(Cell)or334‐566‐2458(home).

30thANNIVERSARYOFTHEWALL‐READINGOFTHENAMES

The Vietnam VeteransMemorial Fund is hosting theReadingof the Names of 58,272 servicemembers inscribed on the VietnamVeteransMemorialinWashington,DC,aspartofthespecialactivitiesplannedthisNovembertocommemorateTheWall’s30thAnniversary.

TheReadingof theNameswill takeplaceatTheWall for65hoursovera four‐dayperiodbeginningwith anopening ceremonyonWednesday,November 7, 2012 at 3:00pm. Volunteerswill readnames forapproximatelyeighthoursfrom4pmonNovember7to12amonNovember8.Participantswillthenreadthenamesfor19hoursdailyfrom5amuntil12amonNovember8,9,and10.

TheReadingoftheNamestookplaceinWashington,DCjustfourothertimesinTheWall’shistory.InNovember 1982, the names were read aloud at Washington National Cathedral as part of a week‐longNational Salute to Vietnam Veterans. The names were read at The Wall during the 10th Anniversarycelebration in November 1992, during the 20th Anniversary celebration in 2002 and during the 25thAnniversary celebration in 2007. For more information and to sign up to participate visithttp://www.vvmf.org/ROTN.


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THEDISTINGUISHEDFLYINGCROSSSOCIETY

TheDistinguishedFlyingCrossSocietywillhold itsAnnualConvention inSeattle,WA.ThedatesoftheconventionareAugust19–23inSeattle,WA.Thesocietywill gatherat theSeattleAirportMarriottHotel. Formore informationvisittheDFCSociety’swebsiteatwww.dfcsociety.netorcalltheReunionBratat360•663•2521.

LestWeForget

LestWeForget's2012WWIIre‐enactmentwillrecreatethefamousflag

raisingat IwoJimaonthedunesofTiscorniaBeach,St. Joseph,MI,Saturday,June30,2012.

Don'tmissthisdramaticrecreationofmilitaryhistory.TherewillbeVIPseatingforveteransandtheirfamiliesontheNorthPier.

Adramaticparachuteflagdropwillopenthisyear'seventonthebeach.US and Allied troops re‐enacting two beach landings ‐ European and

Pacific, will be brought ashore in authentic landing craftto establishbeach‐heads.VintageWWIIaircraftwillprovidecover for the landingswhileenemydefenderswill trytorepulseourboyswithantiaircraftandmachinegunfirefrompillboxesandfoxholes inthedunes.

The beach activities end with the re‐enactment of the historic Iwo Jima flag raising over MountSuribachi.

ThenitisontotheSWMIRegionalAirportwheredisplaysofarmor,vintageWWIIaircraft,andthere‐enactors'bivouac.

WWII Medal of Honor and veterans will speak, there will be equipment demonstrations, historicdisplaysandlandbattles.Aweekendoffunandhistoryawaitsthefamily!


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ClosetotheActionDrewBrooksReprintedwithpermissionoftheFayettevilleObserver

COLJ.T.JamisonPhotobyJamesRobinson

ConcludedonPage15

At first glance, the helmet on COL T. J. Jamison's desk at Fort Bragglookslikeanormalflighthelmet.Butoncloserinspection,twosmallholesarevisibleoneitherside‐evidenceofthebulletthattorethroughitin2006.

JamisonwasinchesawayfromdeathinMosul,Iraq,thedayhisKiowaWarriorhelicopter cameunderattack. Thebulletwas so close that it cut aswaththroughhishair.

Sixyears later,Jamisonisagaindeployed,thistimeascommanderofthe82ndCombatAviationBrigadeinAfghanistan.

He'salsostillflying.ThebrigadeisonpacetoflythemostofanyArmyaviationunitinthe

historyofthewarinAfghanistanbythetimeitleavesthecountryinthefall.Projectionsplacethatnumberatmorethan160,000hours.

Thenearconstantaircoveragehasmadeadifferenceinthefightagainstinsurgents,Jamisonsaid.

"Thereisnoquestionweaffectthewaytheenemyoperates,"hesaid."TheenemyisscaredtodeathofArmyaviation."

Jamisonisproudofhisunit'saccomplishments."I just gave the philosophy and cracked the whip," he said. "The soldiers are the ones making it

happen."WhenJamisonarrived,hisimmediatebosstoldhimthebrigadecouldnotflyasmuchasJamisonhad

planned.Itwasimpossible,hisbosssaid,andtheaircraftwouldnotbeabletowithstandtheconstantuse."Itoldhimhewaswrong,''Jamisonsaid.ChiefWarrantOfficer5DavidNolan,whoisinchargeofbrigademaintenance,saidJamisonhasledthe

wayforhisbrigade.Jamisonmademaintenanceapriority,Nolansaid,allowingthebrigadetokeepitsfleetintopshape.

He'salsoengagedwiththesoldiers."Hevisitseveryone,"Nolansaid."He'snotjustsittinginacastleuponahill."JamisonisaregularsightinRegionalCommand‐East.Everyweek,hevisitsadifferentbattalionatan

outlyingbaseandfliesmissions.HealsoflieswithvariousBagramunitswhenhe'sathisbaseofoperations.The idea, Jamison said, is to flywith asmanyof his soldiers as possible, getting to know themand

learningmoreabouttheareawhileensuringeveryoneisuptostandards.BackatFortBragg,Jamison'shelmetfromhisfatefulflightinMosulsitsonhisdesk,partluckycharm,

partconversationpiece.ButJamisonisn'tthetypetotalkabouthimself.Whenaskedabouthisbrushwithdeath,heappears

embarrassedbeforerecallingthestory.Jamisonandhisco‐pilot,then‐ChiefWarrantOfficer2GeorgeSiegler,werelandingtheirKiowaaftera

seven‐hourmissionnearMosul.Theairfield,inoneofIraq'smostdangerouscities,had

been under a barrage of indirect fire ‐ rockets and mortarattacks‐inrecentweeks.Theattacksbeganagainjustasthe


15

helicopterlanded.Withoutmissingabeat,JamisonpulledtheKiowabackoffthegroundandfollowedthecontrailsofthe

rocketstofindtheirsource. Heknewhedidn'thavemuchtimebecausetheenemyfrequentlyfiredonthebasebeforedrivingtoanewlocation.

FlyingthroughMosulatabout50feet,Jamisonspottedtheattackersandapproached,butheendedupflyingintoanambush.TheKiowasoonwassurroundedbyabarrageofenemymachinegunsandrocket‐propelledgrenades.

Several RPG rounds detonated just outside the helicopter, shattering the glass of the cockpit anddazingSieglerbeforeJamisoncouldrolloutoftheambush.

"Iknewtheaircrafthadtakenalotofdamage,"hesaid."Therewassmokeeverywhere,andGeorgewasslumpedover."

Jamisonfearedtheworse,butwhenSieglercameto,hewasnotwounded.Aftercheckinghisco‐pilotforblood,itwasJamison'sturntocauseworry."Heaskedme,'Sir,areyouOK?'''Jamisonrecalled."Isaid,'I'mfine.'Thenhegrabbedmythroatand

shovedhishandsupmyhelmet."SieglerhadseentheholeinJamison'shelmetandwascheckingforblood."Hesaid,'Idon'twantyoutogetupsetorpanic,butthere'saholeinyourhead,'"Jamisonsaid."Itliterallycutsomehair,"Jamisonsaid."Ididn'tevenknowithadbeenshot."Jamisonsaidtheexperiencewaslesseye‐openingandmorerage‐inducing."I got reallymad," he said, explaining howhe flewback toMosul to swapoutwith an undamaged

helicoptersohecouldcontinuehispursuitoftheattackers.Theywerekilledaweeklater.

NewMembers

Payavisittothewebsiteatwww.chpa‐us.organdtakeamomenttowelcomethenewestmemberstoCHPA.Thenewguys,who’vejoinedsinceApril1,2012are:

JoshuaAronack,Nolanville,TXTedBates,Aberdeen,NCGregBucy,Andover,KSChuckRodda,Johnsonville,NYBasilD.Tisdale,Daleville,ALEdmundTurner,Clarksville,TN


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AnnualConventionUpdateJayBrown

Have youmarked your calendar yet? The 2012 CHPA Annual Convention isscheduledforNovember13–16inWashington,DCandisshapinguptobethebestgatheringwe’veeverhad.

ThisyearCHPAcontractedwithMilitaryReunionPlannerstodothegruntworkassociatedwithnegotiationsforhotel,eventsandsettingthescheduleoncewehaveallthelooseendstiedup.

Asitstandsnowwe’vesecuredaccommodationsatourhosthotel,TheHolidayInn and Suites, 625 First Street in Old Town Alexandria. You can contact them forreservations online at http://www.holidayinn.com/hotels/us/en/alexandria/axehd/hoteldetail or call877•410•6667. Thehotel is located inOldTownAlexandriaandoffersshuttleservice fromRonaldReaganWashington National airportas well as the King Street restaurant area. For those who don’t mind theexercise,theBraddockRoadMetrostopis.6milefromthehotel.AttheBraddockRoadStationyoucancatchtheBlueLineortheYellowLineformanypointsdowntownWashington.OnTuesday,Nov13joinusforanallyoucaneatBBQdinnerathotelwherewe’llkickthingsoffwithameetandgreettosayhellotooldfriendsandmeetnewones.

We’ve also locked down a tour of the Capitol Building, personally guided by Congressman LouieGohmertofTexas.ThisisscheduledforWednesday,November14at7:30pmfollowinganafternoontouringthe variousmemorials on themall. During the tourwe’ll be privileged to visit portions of the Capitol notnormallyopentothepublic.

We’vecompletedarrangementsforourguestspeaker,CW5DavidCooper,whowillspeakoncombatoperationsinIraqduring2006.

The highlight of the convention will be awreathlayingceremonyattheTomboftheUnknownSoldier in Arlington Cemetery on November 15 at10:15am. Afterwardwe’llhaveanotheropportunityfor unguided visits to some of the SmithsonianMuseums.

LateronNovember15we’llhaveourbanquetat the hotel. Menu choices are beingworkedbut itwill be a delightful evening and a true gathering ofheroes.

So plan now to join us and consider gettingyour reservation in early. Remember to tell thereservations person you’ll be joining the CombatHelicopter Pilots Association to receive the

discountedhotel rateand theotherbenefitsnegotiatedwith thehotel like complementaryparking. I lookforwardtoseeingyouallinNovember.


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SubmitYourPhotos!

CHPAhasagrowingcollectionofphotos,fromflightschoolclasspictureslikethese,toactionphotostohelicoptershotsfromaroundtheworld…IfyouwouldliketocontributetothecollectionpleaseuploadyourphotosbyfollowingthelinksontheCHPAwebsiteorclickhere!

Call on Us! Contact Quick Reference ChairmanoftheBoard–RheaRippey BuzzCovingtonChairman@chpa‐us.org BCovington@chpa‐us.orgPresident–RobertFrost AlMajor Callus!president@chpa‐us.org AMajor@chpa‐us.org 800•832•5144VPAdministration–Vacant RichMiller Faxus!admin@chpa‐us.org RMiller@chpa‐us.org 719•687•4167VPMembership–RustyBourgoyne RandyZahn Writeus!membership@chpa‐us.org RZahn@chpa‐us.org CHPA

POBox42Secretary/Treasurer–LorenMcAnally JimFerguson Divide,CO80814‐0042Treasurer@chpa‐us.org JFerguson@chpa‐us.org Remember!ExecutiveDirector–JayBrown JohnFore FeelfreetocontactusHQ@chpa‐us.org JFore@chpa‐us.org usanytime. RandyJones RJones@chpa‐us.org

swash plate may 2012

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