Hi all 3-18
- I know our country can and will survive this latest biological crisis, but as always, time will prevail. I don't need to repeat them but please stay healthy and try to follow guidelines to minimize your exposure to this threat.
- As most of you are aware, the SCOV GM & BOD have canceled large gatherings and club meetings. I am staying on top of the issue and we will wait this out. As of now, the April meeting is canceled UFN. I will keep members informed as best as I can with updates about developments as they become available.
- I don't mean to making light of the virus issue, but I've attached a short clip from the TV show "Cheers". Hope you will enjoy.
- I hope you can open the attached video from a "Code Talker" about Iwo Jima.
- EVERYTHING I NEEDED TO KNOW IN LIFE I LEARNED AS A GUNSHIP HELICOPTER PILOT IN VIETNAM.
1. Once you are in the fight, it is way too late to wonder if this is a good idea..
2. It is a fact that helicopter tail rotors are instinctively drawn toward trees, stumps, rocks, etc. While it may be possible to ward off this natural event some of the time, it cannot, despite the best efforts of the crew, always be prevented. It's just what they do..
3. NEVER get into a fight without more ammunition than the other guy.
4. The engine RPM and the rotor RPM must BOTH be kept in the GREEN. Failure to heed this commandment can affect the morale of the crew.
5. Cover your Buddy, so he can be around to cover for you.
6. Decisions made by someone above you in the chain-of command will seldom be in your best interest..
7. The terms Protective Armor and Helicopter are mutually exclusive.
8. Sometimes, being good and lucky is still is not enough.
9. "Chicken Plates" are not something you order in a restaurant. (Armored vests worn by flight crews).
10. If everything is as clear as a bell, and everything is going exactly as planned, you're about to be surprised.
11. Loud, sudden noises in a helicopter WILL get your undivided attention.
12. The BSR (Bang Stare Red) Theory states that the louder the sudden bang in the helicopter, the quicker your eyes will be drawn to the gauges. The longer you stare at the gauges the less time it takes them to move from green to red.
13. No matter what you do, 'the bullet with your name on it' will get you. So, too, can the ones addressed "To Whom It May Concern".
14. If the rear echelon troops are really happy, the front line troops probably do not have what they need.
15. If you are wearing body armor, the bullets will probably miss that part.
16. Happiness is a belt-fed weapon.
17. Having all your body parts intact and functioning at the end of the day is a + and beats the alternative.
18. If you are allergic to lead, it is best to avoid a war zone.
19. It is a bad thing to run out of airspeed, altitude, and ideas all at the same time.
20. Hot garrison chow is better than hot C-rations which, in turn, is better than cold C-rations which, in turn, is better than no food at all. All of These, however, are preferable to cold rice balls, even if they do have the little pieces of fish in them.
21. Everybody's a hero...On the ground...In the club...After the fourth drink.
22. A free fire zone has nothing to do with economics.
23. The further you fly into the mountains, the louder the strange engine noises become.
24. Medals are OK, but having your body and all your friends in one piece at the end of the day is better.
25. Being shot hurts and it can ruin your whole day.
26,27, 28. Thousands of Vietnam Veterans earned medals for bravery every day. A few were even awarded.
29. Running out of pedal, fore or aft cyclic, or collective are all bad ideas. Any combination of these can be deadly.
30. There is only one rule in war: When you win, you get to make up the rules.
31. C-4 can make a dull day fun.
32. There is no such thing as a fair fight - only ones where you win or lose.
33. If you win the battle you are entitled to the spoils. If you lose you don't care.
34. Nobody cares what you did yesterday or what you are going to do tomorrow. What is important is what you are doing - NOW - to solve our problem.
35. Always make sure someone has a P-38. Uh, that's a can opener for those of you who aren't military.
36. Prayer may not help...but it can't hurt.
37. Flying is better than walking. Walking is better than running. Running is better than crawling. All of these, however, are better than extraction by Medevac even if it is, technically, a form of flying.
38. Do not fear the enemy, for your enemy can only take your life. It is far better that you fear the media, for they will steal your HONOR.
39. A grunt is the true reason for the existence of the helicopter. Every helicopter flying in Vietnam had one real purpose: To help the grunt. It is unfortunate that many helicopters never had the opportunity to fulfill their one true mission in life, simply because someone forgot this fact.
As always, thank you for your service
Mike
- I know our country can and will survive this latest biological crisis, but as always, time will prevail. I don't need to repeat them but please stay healthy and try to follow guidelines to minimize your exposure to this threat.
- As most of you are aware, the SCOV GM & BOD have canceled large gatherings and club meetings. I am staying on top of the issue and we will wait this out. As of now, the April meeting is canceled UFN. I will keep members informed as best as I can with updates about developments as they become available.
- I don't mean to making light of the virus issue, but I've attached a short clip from the TV show "Cheers". Hope you will enjoy.
- I hope you can open the attached video from a "Code Talker" about Iwo Jima.
- EVERYTHING I NEEDED TO KNOW IN LIFE I LEARNED AS A GUNSHIP HELICOPTER PILOT IN VIETNAM.
1. Once you are in the fight, it is way too late to wonder if this is a good idea..
2. It is a fact that helicopter tail rotors are instinctively drawn toward trees, stumps, rocks, etc. While it may be possible to ward off this natural event some of the time, it cannot, despite the best efforts of the crew, always be prevented. It's just what they do..
3. NEVER get into a fight without more ammunition than the other guy.
4. The engine RPM and the rotor RPM must BOTH be kept in the GREEN. Failure to heed this commandment can affect the morale of the crew.
5. Cover your Buddy, so he can be around to cover for you.
6. Decisions made by someone above you in the chain-of command will seldom be in your best interest..
7. The terms Protective Armor and Helicopter are mutually exclusive.
8. Sometimes, being good and lucky is still is not enough.
9. "Chicken Plates" are not something you order in a restaurant. (Armored vests worn by flight crews).
10. If everything is as clear as a bell, and everything is going exactly as planned, you're about to be surprised.
11. Loud, sudden noises in a helicopter WILL get your undivided attention.
12. The BSR (Bang Stare Red) Theory states that the louder the sudden bang in the helicopter, the quicker your eyes will be drawn to the gauges. The longer you stare at the gauges the less time it takes them to move from green to red.
13. No matter what you do, 'the bullet with your name on it' will get you. So, too, can the ones addressed "To Whom It May Concern".
14. If the rear echelon troops are really happy, the front line troops probably do not have what they need.
15. If you are wearing body armor, the bullets will probably miss that part.
16. Happiness is a belt-fed weapon.
17. Having all your body parts intact and functioning at the end of the day is a + and beats the alternative.
18. If you are allergic to lead, it is best to avoid a war zone.
19. It is a bad thing to run out of airspeed, altitude, and ideas all at the same time.
20. Hot garrison chow is better than hot C-rations which, in turn, is better than cold C-rations which, in turn, is better than no food at all. All of These, however, are preferable to cold rice balls, even if they do have the little pieces of fish in them.
21. Everybody's a hero...On the ground...In the club...After the fourth drink.
22. A free fire zone has nothing to do with economics.
23. The further you fly into the mountains, the louder the strange engine noises become.
24. Medals are OK, but having your body and all your friends in one piece at the end of the day is better.
25. Being shot hurts and it can ruin your whole day.
26,27, 28. Thousands of Vietnam Veterans earned medals for bravery every day. A few were even awarded.
29. Running out of pedal, fore or aft cyclic, or collective are all bad ideas. Any combination of these can be deadly.
30. There is only one rule in war: When you win, you get to make up the rules.
31. C-4 can make a dull day fun.
32. There is no such thing as a fair fight - only ones where you win or lose.
33. If you win the battle you are entitled to the spoils. If you lose you don't care.
34. Nobody cares what you did yesterday or what you are going to do tomorrow. What is important is what you are doing - NOW - to solve our problem.
35. Always make sure someone has a P-38. Uh, that's a can opener for those of you who aren't military.
36. Prayer may not help...but it can't hurt.
37. Flying is better than walking. Walking is better than running. Running is better than crawling. All of these, however, are better than extraction by Medevac even if it is, technically, a form of flying.
38. Do not fear the enemy, for your enemy can only take your life. It is far better that you fear the media, for they will steal your HONOR.
39. A grunt is the true reason for the existence of the helicopter. Every helicopter flying in Vietnam had one real purpose: To help the grunt. It is unfortunate that many helicopters never had the opportunity to fulfill their one true mission in life, simply because someone forgot this fact.
As always, thank you for your service
Mike