Camp Holloway Discussion Forum Archive 03 - 03/01/01 to 12/31/03

Re: April 1, 1969
In Response To: Re: April 1, 1969 ()

Ron,

Ditto on that. My first day in the 189th was not what you would consider a good one, nor did it give me that warm fuzzy feeling of security. I think I have posted this before but I'll do it again in brief.

Once I got my gear moved to my new Tent not Hooch it was dark. I had already been assigned a new ship and was lucky enough to be flying with a 119th piolt who was also DEROSed. We kind of requested each other. I got a flashlight and went to the flight line in search of my ship so I could check it out. After several minutes inspecting the Rotor Head I had a bad feeling that something was wrong. A closer inspection and comparison with the ship next to it I discovered that the Damper Rod push pull tubes were installed backwards at the upper link. I about
S*%&t my self and spent the next 2 hours checking everything I could think of. I pulled inspection panels, checked safety wire, re-torqued and wired everything that was easily accessable, and yes even went into the Hell Hole.

My next move was to put a Red X in the log book and advise the platoon sargent that the ship was not mission ready and why. Within a few minutes I was called to the opperations tent where I found the CO, the Maintenance Officer, and the Maintenance Sargent waiting. After a brief explanation the entire group headed down to the ship. The CO and MO went up top to verify my findings. The MO and the maintenance sargent were chewed up by the CO. The CO asked me if I could have the ship ready for tomorrows missions and I replyed Yes, if he had someone capable of inspecting the work. I lost a lot of points with the Maintenance people that night but at the same time they knew I was going to check everything they did.

Needless to say I never did trust anything they did nor did I ever feel comfortable in the 189th. My Brothers were in the 119th where you knew your back was covered from the hanger to the Hot LZ.

Tom Gator 851.

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