Submitted by: the ole gunny

In July of 1965 , a Detachment of 10 UH-34's  from HMM-161 moved from Phu Bai to Qui Nhon in the II Corps area to support the SLF BLT, which came ashore with HMM-163, to secure the port area, during the arrival of the  Army's 1^st Cavalry Division. 

At least, that's what the Chronology says.  I don't remember things being that way at all.  Prior to us leaving Phu Bai we were briefed  that the Army was having trouble supporting their own Special Forces bases.  Especially, the outposts out near the border and, that they (their Helicopters) were getting “Shot at”, so they  requested our assistance..  Part of our mission was to provide a  line for re-supply and, also aerial cover during some of their ground operations.   As it turned out, we carried pigs, goats, chickens and ducks.   The Army was living like Kings when we got down to Qui Nhon.  They had Hooch Maids and a regular mess hall and, a small place , like a PX, where you could buy some of the things that you needed.  They  also told  us that we could have a couple of the strong backed tents to live in plus, we could have Hooch Maids.  This all seemed fine to us except about 2 weeks into our stay in Qui Nhon , we had a rude awakening.   We finished flying one evening and were told that our “Skipper” (Commanding Officer) would be down the next day for a  “look around”.  We thought that he would be pleased with the way we were being taken care of my our “Sister Service” (the Army) in a war zone but, were we surprised..   When he, (our CO) landed and climbed out of the Aircraft he shook hands with the assembled Welcoming Party (those 2 or 3 not flying) and asked to see the area where the tents were put up.  I guess our Detachment OIC  (then a Capt) said that we were  not using the tents and, that our quarters were over this way and, whereas he pointed in the direction of the very small  Army Base.  To which the  “Skipper said,  I didn't send you guy's down here for a vacation so that you could live in the life of luxury.  This is a  Combat area and MARINES live in tents, not the Hilton.  The next day we were moving  into  the newly erected tents provide for us, up by the Flight Line.  And, the ARMY engineers put them up for us.  But, We were not allowed maids, Damn-it !!!  A couple of days later we even had power provided by a half worn out generator.  But, that another story all by itself.

I guess by now that you've noticed that I've skipped around a little here and it was not meant to confuse you it's just that it's hard to sort some of this stuff out when so much was going on at the same time and, of course you know that the authors mind is rocking and rolling.  So, just hang in there with me and, we'll get there together.  The author is also writing his Auto Biography and ,it's hard to keep these two writings separate.  Certain stories are just to large to place in a one page, once a month publication.  So, I've elected to not include certain stories because of them just being to long.

Back a couple of issues ago I think that I told you about our informal Zoo.  It consisted of a couple of Monkeys (Ho Che and Alice) and, I believe later, a goat.  The two Monkeys became our unofficial mascots and  were the charges of Sgt, Milt Mc Fall, one of our Crew Chiefs.  Now, I don't know if you've ever been around a pair of monkeys for any length of time but, they are, without a doubt, the filthiest animals that I've ever seen.  I'll just leave that up to your imagination and, I'll see if I have enough info to start the next edition of the Flight Line. Type at ya later !!!