August 17, 1967

Dear Lorraine,

Hi Honey! Sorry I haven’t written for a few days but things have been busy here with re-supply missions and troop moves. The weather has improved but the rainy season is still not over. We have been getting between 8 and 12 hours flying each day and it’s hard on the aircraft and the crews. The Pilots have a set number of hours they can fly before they get 2 days off but the crew chiefs and gunners have no limit. That’s OK I don’t like sitting around with nothing to do. Right now we are on a 2 hour break before our next mission that is supposed to be a CA. I have already had lunch and checked over the ship so the rest of the time is yours.

The rainy season should be over by the end of the month then I can start working on my Tan. I can’t come home after a year in sunny Vietnam without a good sun Tan. If my Tan has a dirty red tint to it don’t worry it’s just the dirt over here and it should wash off in time. I’m starting to get used to flying with the 189th but they still have a lot to learn. Just because I have been here almost a year doesn’t mean I know everything but the pilots still have not been tested under fire or in an LZ where nothing is the way it’s supposed to be. Some of the stuff the older pilots know can’t be taught they learned it from experience. I just hope I’m out of here before someone learns the hard way.

Sorry for running at the mouth but I just don’t have much to say that is new. You know I love you and I miss you, you know I am close to getting home, I know you read the papers and have a good idea of what is going on over here with out me saying it. I just write about what is going through my mind at the time and yes I have left out a lot of things but that is just the way it is.

I think I need a beer so I’m going to the EM Club or maybe visit with the guys at the 119th. I will write again soon.

Love
Tom
S.W.A.K.

Tom Gator 851.