You didn't offend at all, Bill. I'd like to add a slight correction to Matt's post. I was in a combat zone, obviously, but my main job was maintenance officer, and my duties included test flights, run-ups after 25 and 100 hour inspections, the occasional trip to the boonies to recover one of our aircraft that developed maintenance problems, etc. I probably only flew a dozen true combat missions in the year I was there. I really loved flying the Huey. They are all retired from the Army now, including Guard and Reserve units.

And the Huey that is at the Air & Space museum was in my unit while I was there, so I did fly it for the above reasons. We had a dedicated maintenance bird, The Witchdoctor II, that I had most of my time in.

And like flts, the sound is unmistakable, so every time a Huey would fly over, I would stop what I was doing and run outside to look. Our State Police have a new Huey that I occasionally see in the air, but since it is 4-bladed, doesn't sound the same. It also has 2 engines, a luxury I never experienced!

 

I'd like to add my thanks for your service, Gene, to you and all the vets here on Prime.

Glad you made it home and that you had a good time while in country.

 

Thanks, Ray & Mike. BTW, Mike, it was not all good time. Lost several of my fellow pilots/crew members to accidents, not combat. Still get very blurred vision when I visit the "Wall." Thus Matt's comments about living on borrowed time.

 

Thanks Gene.

 

Hi, Ray. I meant to say that you had some fun. I knew it wasn't all roses and rhubarb pie. Tough place to be. Most who got out in good shape lost friends and comrades. I agree about the Wall. It's about as moving as anything I have ever seen. I never miss an opportunity to visit when I'm in DC. It's the least I can do for those listed there.

 

Thanks for sharing Gene and serving.

 

^^^ I agree, Gene!

And once a flyboy, always a flyboy!