Near the end of my tour the 189th had just arrived in Pleiku. The Army in its infinate wisdom decided that some experience mixed in with the cherries would be a good idea. I was part of a DEROS schuffle and reassigned to the 189th. Less than pleased I moved all my things Stero and all from a cozy Hootch (SP) to a tent. This took most of the day (had to stop for beer) and by dark got finished. My new Sgt. assigned me a tail# and a flight time for the morning. Having been arround for a while I thought it would be a good idea to have a look this bird. Armed with a flashlight I went to pad and began a Pre-Flight. As usual I started from the top. I never got past the Damper Rods climbed down got the Log Book and put a Red X in. This ship had just come out of a 100 hr inspection 2 days before and had been flying with the rods installed backwards. I never could understand why the TI did not like me after that. The CO got involved and wanted maintenance to correct the problem but I told him I would handel it my self if they had someone who could inspect it and sign the log book.

Lets understand that I am not knocking the 189th they just needed some help.

Tom Gator 851