Sky continued down the parked line of aircraft until he was able to smell something cooking; it was not long before he spied 5 army types cooking their C-Rations over a C-4 fire they had built using and empty can. C-4 could blow most stuff up with a little applied electrical voltage but it could also be used to heat your can of C-Rat beanie weenies. C-4 is a plastic explosive used when you needed a big bang for something. You could clear and entire L.Z. of trees with the stuff but it was widely used for cooking because it was easy to set fire to, would burn a long time, and produced an almost smokeless hot flame; good stuff.
Sky walked over to the group and asked, “What's to eat ?”
“We got three cases of C-Rats so help yourself,” invited one of the troops.
Sky was able to find a can of 'Beanie Weenies' and even a can of pound cake in the newly opened C-Rat box. Pound cake was a rare treat and was seldom found once a box of C-Rats were opened. As he marveled at his good fortune when he opened the cans of food with his P-38 opener, which he kept on his dog tag chain that he wore around his neck life was good. He listened to the general talk about how the protesters in the states, among other things, were wanting President Nixon to stop the bombing of the North.
A young man who was eating cheese and crackers said, “I wish they would pack up anyone of our units to the states and let us 'Roll Hot' on the protesting bastards just once !”
There was sagely nodding of heads and there seemed to be a general agreement for that kind of action. Visions of college kids, Bobby's and Mavin’s, Sara's and Kathy's, scorched, broken, and bleeding the the last of their life's blood upon the ground played before Sky's imaginative mind. Universities on fire, peace protesters crying at the brutality of the mean old nasty Military for killing and maiming their brothers and sisters in the peace movement. In Sky's mind he thought some of the protestors probably needed killing but he did not think the odds of something like that happening were very apt to happen. He wondered if indeed something like that were to happen how many of his fellow Aviators in his unit would enjoy participating in such activities ? There was a lot of discussion about what type of ordinance they would use and even what universities would be on the top 10 hit list. Many details were being batted back and forth when Sky broke in and said, “ There must be one or two that don't deserve killing, you know like Sodom and Gomorrah, Lot and his pillar of Salt wife.” One member of the group said, “Then let God sort them out ” while and another member said, “ Well that might be so, but as everyone knows you gotta sacrifice a few peaches to make a Peach cobbler !” Everyone laughed at that point and Sky did too.
The Beanie Weenies and Pound cake were finished so Sky thanked all and excused himself as he headed back to 915's parking place. The sun was closer to evening than mid-day yet it seemed once out of the sparse shade the Sun's rays would bore into any exposed skin with hot iron intensity. Helicopters had been coming and going which created the only breeze available for those stuck on the ground. Just another day at Bu Dop in South East Asia.
There was the noise of slicks starting their engines as Sky walked back to 915. It was Weaver's aircraft and another bird leaving to return to their home bases. The two birds lifted off together in a clatter of noise and dust and as Sky watched one of the pilots saluted Sky from his left side window. He figured it was Weaver so he smartly saluted back, then waved and gave a thumbs up to the departing aircraft. As Weaver's bird disappeared someone started shouting that all the Aircraft Commanders were to proceed down the flight line to Yellow One's aircraft for a crew briefing. Sky angled that way and was surprised to see a real Lt. Colonel (maybe ? from Cherry's aircraft ?) standing in the middle of the assembled Aviators waiting for everyone to arrive. You might hear a Lt. Colonel on the radio (call sign Red Hawk 6 something) or even occasionally see them at the officer's club or at a very large fire support base such as Bu Dop but until now Sky had never seen one on a combat assault briefing. It was common knowledge that a Lt. Colonel REMF could just land at one of the bases the 227th was stationed and get a DFC (distinguished fly cross) which certainly diminished the value of such an award for those who earned the medal the hard way.
There was one Full Bird Colonel that was famous in the Cav's A.O. who worked out of Quan Loy … He was a real warrior and leader of his troops who actually got dirty and killed things just like his troops. He was not necessarily admired by many of the REMFs because he made them all look bad in the eyes of God. He was famous for showing up on one occasion at a staff meeting covered in mud and yuck...those in attendance gave him room so they would not soil their nicely starched uniforms while looking on with an air of almost distaste. His troops honored and respected him and would follow his lead unto death; which some did.
The Lt. Colonel who was giving the briefing had ordered 4 replacement aircraft for the flight which were now parked down the flight line. He was there to tell the Aircraft Commanders about how the Army in conjunction with the Airforce had been working with the First Cav troops in the field to secure the L.Z. for extraction. The briefing was mostly about how prepared and brave the troops were and how “no matter what” Sky's flight was going to go, 'under direct presidential orders' and extract the last troops from Cambodia this very day.
Operationally nothing really changed except they would now approach the L.Z. In two fights of four instead of one flight of eight. White flight was to land on the east side of the L.Z. And pick up the east guard while Yellow flight was to land on the west side and pick up the west guard. This all sounded good to Sky; he was now White three. When the Lt. Colonel finished they all returned to their aircraft to wait for Yellow One to start his engine. Time passed slowly in the heat until the whine of Yellow One's gas turbine sprang to life indicating the show was about to begin.
Sky was of an age and had a belief system that permitted him to fight this war with a clear conscience and a strong desire to do what was right while trying to not make any stupid mistakes. He was probably dead already yet he did not want to disgrace his honor or hurt those who depended on him so as Yellow One was starting Sky hit the battery switch and flipped the fuel on for 915's thirsty engine. He pulled the start trigger and rolled the throttle on as 915 came to life. The fight of 8 slicks and their two Snake escorts (AH1G Cobras) were all ready for another mission in South East Asia to extract the last troops out of Cambodia.
Yellow flight's 4 birds took off first and White flight and the Snakes were close behind. The Snakes danced on the flights flanks weaving and turning as the two flights of 4 approached the L.Z. For the third time that day.
Sky walked over to the group and asked, “What's to eat ?”
“We got three cases of C-Rats so help yourself,” invited one of the troops.
Sky was able to find a can of 'Beanie Weenies' and even a can of pound cake in the newly opened C-Rat box. Pound cake was a rare treat and was seldom found once a box of C-Rats were opened. As he marveled at his good fortune when he opened the cans of food with his P-38 opener, which he kept on his dog tag chain that he wore around his neck life was good. He listened to the general talk about how the protesters in the states, among other things, were wanting President Nixon to stop the bombing of the North.
A young man who was eating cheese and crackers said, “I wish they would pack up anyone of our units to the states and let us 'Roll Hot' on the protesting bastards just once !”
There was sagely nodding of heads and there seemed to be a general agreement for that kind of action. Visions of college kids, Bobby's and Mavin’s, Sara's and Kathy's, scorched, broken, and bleeding the the last of their life's blood upon the ground played before Sky's imaginative mind. Universities on fire, peace protesters crying at the brutality of the mean old nasty Military for killing and maiming their brothers and sisters in the peace movement. In Sky's mind he thought some of the protestors probably needed killing but he did not think the odds of something like that happening were very apt to happen. He wondered if indeed something like that were to happen how many of his fellow Aviators in his unit would enjoy participating in such activities ? There was a lot of discussion about what type of ordinance they would use and even what universities would be on the top 10 hit list. Many details were being batted back and forth when Sky broke in and said, “ There must be one or two that don't deserve killing, you know like Sodom and Gomorrah, Lot and his pillar of Salt wife.” One member of the group said, “Then let God sort them out ” while and another member said, “ Well that might be so, but as everyone knows you gotta sacrifice a few peaches to make a Peach cobbler !” Everyone laughed at that point and Sky did too.
The Beanie Weenies and Pound cake were finished so Sky thanked all and excused himself as he headed back to 915's parking place. The sun was closer to evening than mid-day yet it seemed once out of the sparse shade the Sun's rays would bore into any exposed skin with hot iron intensity. Helicopters had been coming and going which created the only breeze available for those stuck on the ground. Just another day at Bu Dop in South East Asia.
There was the noise of slicks starting their engines as Sky walked back to 915. It was Weaver's aircraft and another bird leaving to return to their home bases. The two birds lifted off together in a clatter of noise and dust and as Sky watched one of the pilots saluted Sky from his left side window. He figured it was Weaver so he smartly saluted back, then waved and gave a thumbs up to the departing aircraft. As Weaver's bird disappeared someone started shouting that all the Aircraft Commanders were to proceed down the flight line to Yellow One's aircraft for a crew briefing. Sky angled that way and was surprised to see a real Lt. Colonel (maybe ? from Cherry's aircraft ?) standing in the middle of the assembled Aviators waiting for everyone to arrive. You might hear a Lt. Colonel on the radio (call sign Red Hawk 6 something) or even occasionally see them at the officer's club or at a very large fire support base such as Bu Dop but until now Sky had never seen one on a combat assault briefing. It was common knowledge that a Lt. Colonel REMF could just land at one of the bases the 227th was stationed and get a DFC (distinguished fly cross) which certainly diminished the value of such an award for those who earned the medal the hard way.
There was one Full Bird Colonel that was famous in the Cav's A.O. who worked out of Quan Loy … He was a real warrior and leader of his troops who actually got dirty and killed things just like his troops. He was not necessarily admired by many of the REMFs because he made them all look bad in the eyes of God. He was famous for showing up on one occasion at a staff meeting covered in mud and yuck...those in attendance gave him room so they would not soil their nicely starched uniforms while looking on with an air of almost distaste. His troops honored and respected him and would follow his lead unto death; which some did.
The Lt. Colonel who was giving the briefing had ordered 4 replacement aircraft for the flight which were now parked down the flight line. He was there to tell the Aircraft Commanders about how the Army in conjunction with the Airforce had been working with the First Cav troops in the field to secure the L.Z. for extraction. The briefing was mostly about how prepared and brave the troops were and how “no matter what” Sky's flight was going to go, 'under direct presidential orders' and extract the last troops from Cambodia this very day.
Operationally nothing really changed except they would now approach the L.Z. In two fights of four instead of one flight of eight. White flight was to land on the east side of the L.Z. And pick up the east guard while Yellow flight was to land on the west side and pick up the west guard. This all sounded good to Sky; he was now White three. When the Lt. Colonel finished they all returned to their aircraft to wait for Yellow One to start his engine. Time passed slowly in the heat until the whine of Yellow One's gas turbine sprang to life indicating the show was about to begin.
Sky was of an age and had a belief system that permitted him to fight this war with a clear conscience and a strong desire to do what was right while trying to not make any stupid mistakes. He was probably dead already yet he did not want to disgrace his honor or hurt those who depended on him so as Yellow One was starting Sky hit the battery switch and flipped the fuel on for 915's thirsty engine. He pulled the start trigger and rolled the throttle on as 915 came to life. The fight of 8 slicks and their two Snake escorts (AH1G Cobras) were all ready for another mission in South East Asia to extract the last troops out of Cambodia.
Yellow flight's 4 birds took off first and White flight and the Snakes were close behind. The Snakes danced on the flights flanks weaving and turning as the two flights of 4 approached the L.Z. For the third time that day.