Here's one I remember. I'm a FNG. I'm flying with John Kinzel in Gator 519. He was the AC and he's training me. So, we're sitting in the field just north of the runway at Dak To and the mortars start coming in. I just about jump through my ass and I ask Kinzel if I should fire up the bird and get out of there. He says, no, the mortar rounds weren't CLOSE ENOUGH!

Not CLOSE ENOUGH? How close do they have to get before we move? If I could HEAR them they were too close. The pucker factor was there, too. I don't think I have to mention that. But, as a FNG, you know you had to listen to the guys that knew.

So, there we sit watching them walk in the mortar rounds and they are getting closer and closer. I am trying to be "cool" but all I could see were these rounds getting closer and closer. I am really starting to get worried when Kinzel tells me to fire it up. So, I ask him if we should ask permission to take the active runway and leave, and he says ,no, just hover over to that other spot over there and set it down. He points where he wants me to go. We'll be out of the way for a while over there. Kinzel tells me that they can't correct the mortar that fast.

So, we hover over to the new location and shut down and wait. I thought it was all insane until much later when I would do that same thing, myself. After I had "learned."

Sometimes it was tough being the FNG. (smile)

Were any of you folks ever a FNG, or was I the only one? I don't remember any other FNG's in the 119th. I think I still hold the record. (grin)

Later.......

Puddin'
Gator 376