“We had a log mission that tuned into a medevac and night mission. Handled it very well. The unit we were supporting got into a firefight just as we were finishing up and had a seriously wounded soldier. It was quicker for us to go back and get him than for them to wait to get a medevac bird from Bien Hoa.”
“And what about Lieutenant Gore?” the major asked.
With a bit of laughter in his voice, Mr. Barstow replied, “Sir, he did just fine. We had a resupply in the morning, a combat assault about lunch and an extraction of a long-range recon patrol in the late afternoon.”
“And what was so funny about those missions?”
“Well, sir, we started the day off with a backhaul from a cache site west of Firebase Snuffy. We’re backhauling weapons and rice, lots of rice, when a bag opens up. Rice is flying around in the aircraft like the departure scene from a wedding. By the time we got to Snuffy, the chin bubbles were full of rice. Then, that afternoon we extract a long-range recon patrol with a dog—big dog, German shepherd. Dog jumps in and right away front paws are on the radio console. He’s having a great time looking out the front window. Unfortunately, that poor dog had a case of amoebic dysentery and shit all over the aircraft. I mean all over. We had to fly with full right pedal to get a crosswind effect to alleviate the stench before we could get back to Quan Loi to clean out the aircraft. Crew chief and gunner were both snuggling together on the side to avoid the spray and stench.”
“How did he do on the combat assault?” Major Adams asked, suppressing a laugh.
“That got a bit dicey. Oh, not his flying but the mission. Another unit was lead for that mission and we were chopped to them in order to reinforce a grunt platoon that was in contact with a VC company. As we’re coming in on our approach, Lieutenant Gore has an opportunity to get eyeball-to-eyeball with three black-pajama VC looking at him through the sights of their AK-47s. Thank God Lobo saw them and used the miniguns on them before they could hit us. Gore was rather cool through that. Much cooler than when we finally landed at Song Be and refueled,” Mr. Barstow said.
“Why’s that?”
“Well, sir, because of the dick da
nce that Flight Lead was doing, we landed nineteen minutes into a twenty-minute fuel warning light. The lieutenant kept telling Flight Lead we were low and reminded him a couple of times into the warning light, but Flight Lead still did the dick dance. In all honesty, sir, Lieutenant Gore is a pretty cool cucumber.”
“Good, then we have four new ACs is what you’re telling me.”
“Yes, sir.”
Adams sat back in his chair. “How was your flight with Lieutenant Cory?” the major asked.
“Good, sir. When I first came to the unit, he was the unit IP and gave me my orientation check ride. We did some autorotations up at Chon Thanh. Crazy bastard showed me a three-hundred-and-sixty-degree zero-airspeed autorotation.”
“What?” The major was ready to come out of his chair with eyes the size of saucers.
“Yes, sir, he taught it to about everyone in the unit back then, and a one-hundred-and-eighty-degree zero-airspeed autorotation.”
“Those aren’t standard maneuvers taught at school. What the hell was he doing?”
“They aren’t taught at school, sir, but test pilots at Bell helicopter do them prior to turning the aircraft over to the Army. And they’re good techniques to know, and confidence builders.”
“Well, that may be so, but we will not be executing them here. I’ll talk to Lieutenant Cory about this.”
“Yes, sir. Is there anything else, sir?”
“No. Oh, yes. Please go by Flight Ops and have them cut AC orders for these four and put them on the board for tomorrow. Add Cory’s name to that list as well as an AC.”
“Yes, sir.” Mr. Barstow saluted and departed the major’s office. I hope I didn’t put Cory’s ass in a sling. I best go by and give him a warning about those autorotations.
That night Major Adams called a meeting in the mess hall for everyone. He knew that secrets didn’t last long in a tight unit, so he’d best dispel rumors and brief everyone on what was coming. When he walked into the mess hall, the first sergeant called everyone to attention.
“At ease,” Major Adams said as he walked to the end of the building. “Take your seats, smoke ’em if you got ’em.”
After everyone settled down, he said, “I wanted to have this meeting to banish the rumors that I’m sure are starting to roam the club and the barracks. I figured if you all were here to hear this, then we could forget all the speculation and rumors. The First Cav Division is going home starting next month and some units have already left. We are not.”
Moans, groans and a few disparaging remarks could be heard. “Quiet down,” bellowed the first sergeant.
Major Adams just stood there surveying the room, pleased that none of the officers were vocal. When all was quiet, he went on, “I know some of you thought you would get a reduced tour over here, but that is not to be. At some point, and I cannot tell you for certain when that will be, this unit will be attached to the Fifty-Second Aviation Battalion, First Aviation Brigade. They are the Flying Dragons. Our unit designation will be Company A, 227th, Fifty-Second Aviation Battalion. We will retain our Chicken-man call sign. For the time being we will remain here at Lai Khe, supporting the Third ARVN Airborne and the Fifth ARVN Division just as we’re doing now. Charlie Company will be moving to Ninh Hoa and be assigned to the First Aviation Brigade as well. Not sure what’s going to happen to Bravo Company. Delta will remain in-country as well and be reassigned to the First of the Ninth Cav Squadron, but I suspect they’ll be moving someplace else as well. Of those units that are going home, First of the Ninth will be the last unit of the division to depart, so we’ll see them in the operational area for a time. Third Brigade will remain in the Three Corps area for a bit longer.
“Now as things wind down here, we need to do a couple of things. First, we need to continue our missions as we have been doing. Nothing changes except we’re going to be doing a lot more with the ARVNs. Captain Vargus will be our LNO to the Third ARVN and pass the missions to us. Second, we’re going to have to assume a larger responsibility for our own security. Lieutenant Collard will develop a defense plan to include bunkers, wire and trenches. First Sergeant will develop a guard roster with the platoon sergeants and Flight Ops.” More quiet moans, groans and profanity could be heard. “And third, we will continue making a PX run once a week to Bien Hoa as the PX here is being reduced to minimal stores such as toothpaste and toiletries. We will use two aircraft for these runs—one for passengers and one to haul back supplies, like beer.” Finally a few positive comments were heard. “Okay, what are your questions?”
At first, there were none. Then Staff Sergeant Greeko raised his hand.
“Yes, Staff Sergeant.”