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CW3 Matt Hutchason
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Generally, pilots back then were cut from a different cloth than today. The things they did in single engine helicopters back then in battle took an insane amount of discipline and skill. Not saying today's pilots don't have those qualities, because most do. Many of the civilian Instructor Pilots well into the 2000's were Viet Nam vets, and they were damn good teachers. My IP in Primary (taught the basics of flying) was George Reese. Super guy, great skill. My IP in tactics was David Oakes. He used to tell us that when he went through flight school, the hardest part was lighting a cigarette on downwind with doors off and single pilot. Super great instructors down there. And frankly, we've gotten to the point that commanders won't allow a crew to fly into a heavily contested hot LZ so as to reduce casualties and airplanes getting shot up. Good for Col. Kettles.
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SGT Infantryman (Airborne)
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Was he a WO?
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CW3 Matt Hutchason
CW3 Matt Hutchason
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SGT (Join to see) - He says he was. Then again, it was at the VFW and he said a bunch of things. Lol
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SGT Infantryman (Airborne)
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521f970
Ha! CW3 Matt Hutchason No telling what story you'll hear at the VFW or American Legion after a few beers or drinks.
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CW3 Matt Hutchason
CW3 Matt Hutchason
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SGT (Join to see) - Amen brother. Lol
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SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth
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Took a lot of guts and bravery for that job.
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SGT Infantryman (Airborne)
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And a lot of self confidence, SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth I could tell you some stories you wouldn't believe. Hell, I couldn't believe it either, but they saved our butts several times.
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CSM Charles Hayden
CSM Charles Hayden
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SGT (Join to see) And, how many birds did you crash in? I gather 3 or 4 was a common number for a crew member to experience?
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SGT Infantryman (Airborne)
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Three. One, my first time flying into a hot LZ, another when we lost an engine at 5,000 feet at night, and another when we got hit at night flying 3,500 feet by a .51mm Machine gun. Actually we didn't crash from being hit right then. It was when the pilot was trying to land and he lost hydraulics. It flipped on its side. Nobody was hurt except for our pride.
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CSM Charles Hayden
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SGT (Join to see) How do they say, BIG BALLS in Texas?
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SGT Infantryman (Airborne)
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39d4c94
Like this. Lol
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SGT Infantryman (Airborne)
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LOL, I hoped you would CSM Charles Hayden.
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