That's pretty cool. When I was in DC for Memorial Day weekend, we saw Marine One practicing taking off and landing at the White House. We were by the Jefferson Memorial and it would fly over the tidal basin and then land back at the White House. I got a couple of decent pictures as it was flying around.
I have never flown on those big Marine helicopters. Did catch a ride on a CH-47 Chinook. Noisiest thing I ever flew on. Really never liked them much. My aircraft commander I was with on my little bleeding adventure spent 30 years active duty and all in aviation. Never once set foot on one of those birds. A close relative of my wifes was on one in Iraq some years ago. They had deployed out of Dallas, Texas state Air Guard. Were flying with 5 or 6 other ships when they nosed over and went straight in killing the crew and a hand full of Marines that hat hoped a flight to their unit. There was a lot of coverage and internet information about it. Never determined the cause so they just blamed it on pilot error. Typical pencil pushers. Ship behind them reported it on fire but never investigated. I'll see if I can find some information on it later this week as my son forgets nothing!
oh damn. I think I remember hearing about that chopper in the news, about 6-8 years ago, on the east side of the USA? Was that the one caught on some ones dash cam?
https://www.dvidshub.net/news/378265/seven-fallen-angels-red-river-44 Blaming one pilot havingspatial disorientation (we always called it vertigo) I might believe but two experienced pilots is hard a hard sale for me and a number of my rotorhead friends. Luke Mason was the youngman that is on my wife's side of the family.
Several comments on this. A very mild and gentle lift off. Must have had VIPs on board and did not want any opps issues. Next things you need to know about helicopters and rain. I flew 2 1/2 years in Vietnam on Huey gunships as a door gunner. No matter what the weather we flew with open cargo doors. During the rainy season I carried my field jacket. Windshields were sacred items and the pilot never used the windshield wipers as they would scratch the lexan so bad they would have to be replaced that night. If you got caught in the day and a new right seat pilot turned them on he was on the repair crew that night. Once the rain lifted and you were flying into the sun the reflection in the scratches would blind you. One other tip I got on day one. Never ever lean out the door and take a leak. The fluid would get caught up in the vortex from the rotor blades and cover the ship, crew and windshields from the inside of the aircraft. That might get your dumb ass kicked out the door! Case in point... I took two AK-47 rounds through the mouth and jaw. Hear wound do seem to pump a lot of blood real quickly. Inside and outside of windshields were completely covered. Pilots were trying to wipe clear from the inside and wipers scraping the outside. No problem as the aircraft was written of the books the following day. Exciting times for a 21 year old guy with only 5 months in country.
I was thinking the same thing about that slow lift off... going up heavy with politicians OMFG, a door gunner? I stand and applaud! I do not salute though, us enlisted (I will guess door gunners were enlisted) have had enough saluting
Only had to salute officers off the airfield. Once you crossed the road and were on the field only saluted -full Colonels and above. None aviation officer that hoped a ride usually didn't know about that rule. Any problem was usually solved when one of our pilots intervened and set them straight. Most that Generals walking trough never knew you wore working on your ship and just waved you of with a Carry On. This link is about our gunship platoon. The speaker was in the downed ship he was on. Their door gunner was badly wounded and we tried to grab him on our last pass as we were damaged pretty bad, out of rockets and low on door gun ammo. I stay in touch with Mike and my pilot and crew chief weekly. Only four of the original eight still. Hope you enjoy it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L46RBK7Vomg
I can't remember when, but I've seen a lot or scratched up lexan, yeah, it's the pits to look through Nice way to train them to quit using the wipers... night shift repair crew! oh no, a cold piss shower! Over every one! That had to make you clean the whole damn chopper
One round came under my left jaw and exited thru my cheek. The other round came through my flight helmet mic. Perfect round .30 caliber hole. Exited left corner of my upper and lower lips with a matching hole. took out 9 teeth which I am still dealing with. VA is getting ready to replace the upper partial. Might 3D print it but we'll see. I was standing on the skid when we came in to get the wounded gunner. They lit us up so bad that we thought we were going to fall right there. The energy of those two rounds knocked me back into the cabin and into my grew chief. Next morning when I woke up from surgery both eyes were black and swollen so badly I could only see horizontal sections.. Much longer tale but to long to put here. I will see about sending you the complete event later next week. And just so you will know: When asked if you know what helicopters and hookers have in common... No Visible means of support! Thanks for what you do Sir!
That's pretty cool. When I was in DC for Memorial Day weekend, we saw Marine One practicing taking off and landing at the White House. We were by the Jefferson Memorial and it would fly over the tidal basin and then land back at the White House. I got a couple of decent pictures as it was flying around.
ReplyDeleteI have never flown on those big Marine helicopters. Did catch a ride on a CH-47 Chinook. Noisiest thing I ever flew on. Really never liked them much. My aircraft commander I was with on my little bleeding adventure spent 30 years active duty and all in aviation. Never once set foot on one of those birds. A close relative of my wifes was on one in Iraq some years ago. They had deployed out of Dallas, Texas state Air Guard. Were flying with 5 or 6 other ships when they nosed over and went straight in killing the crew and a hand full of Marines that hat hoped a flight to their unit. There was a lot of coverage and internet information about it. Never determined the cause so they just blamed it on pilot error. Typical pencil pushers. Ship behind them reported it on fire but never investigated. I'll see if I can find some information on it later this week as my son forgets nothing!
Deleteoh damn. I think I remember hearing about that chopper in the news, about 6-8 years ago, on the east side of the USA? Was that the one caught on some ones dash cam?
Deletehttps://www.dvidshub.net/news/378265/seven-fallen-angels-red-river-44 Blaming one pilot havingspatial disorientation (we always called it vertigo) I might believe but two experienced pilots is hard a hard sale for me and a number of my rotorhead friends. Luke Mason was the youngman that is on my wife's side of the family.
Deletethanks!
DeleteSeveral comments on this. A very mild and gentle lift off. Must have had VIPs on board and did not want any opps issues. Next things you need to know about helicopters and rain. I flew 2 1/2 years in Vietnam on Huey gunships as a door gunner. No matter what the weather we flew with open cargo doors. During the rainy season I carried my field jacket. Windshields were sacred items and the pilot never used the windshield wipers as they would scratch the lexan so bad they would have to be replaced that night. If you got caught in the day and a new right seat pilot turned them on he was on the repair crew that night. Once the rain lifted and you were flying into the sun the reflection in the scratches would blind you. One other tip I got on day one. Never ever lean out the door and take a leak. The fluid would get caught up in the vortex from the rotor blades and cover the ship, crew and windshields from the inside of the aircraft. That might get your dumb ass kicked out the door! Case in point... I took two AK-47 rounds through the mouth and jaw. Hear wound do seem to pump a lot of blood real quickly. Inside and outside of windshields were completely covered. Pilots were trying to wipe clear from the inside and wipers scraping the outside. No problem as the aircraft was written of the books the following day. Exciting times for a 21 year old guy with only 5 months in country.
ReplyDeleteI was thinking the same thing about that slow lift off... going up heavy with politicians
ReplyDeleteOMFG, a door gunner? I stand and applaud! I do not salute though, us enlisted (I will guess door gunners were enlisted) have had enough saluting
Only had to salute officers off the airfield. Once you crossed the road and were on the field only saluted -full Colonels and above. None aviation officer that hoped a ride usually didn't know about that rule. Any problem was usually solved when one of our pilots intervened and set them straight. Most that Generals walking trough never knew you wore working on your ship and just waved you of with a Carry On. This link is about our gunship platoon. The speaker was in the downed ship he was on. Their door gunner was badly wounded and we tried to grab him on our last pass as we were damaged pretty bad, out of rockets and low on door gun ammo. I stay in touch with Mike and my pilot and crew chief weekly. Only four of the original eight still. Hope you enjoy it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L46RBK7Vomg
Deletewhoa.. thanks!
DeleteI can't remember when, but I've seen a lot or scratched up lexan, yeah, it's the pits to look through
ReplyDeleteNice way to train them to quit using the wipers... night shift repair crew!
oh no, a cold piss shower! Over every one! That had to make you clean the whole damn chopper
holy shit, you survived a pair of rifle rounds to the face! Whoa!
ReplyDeleteOne round came under my left jaw and exited thru my cheek. The other round came through my flight helmet mic. Perfect round .30 caliber hole. Exited left corner of my upper and lower lips with a matching hole. took out 9 teeth which I am still dealing with. VA is getting ready to replace the upper partial. Might 3D print it but we'll see. I was standing on the skid when we came in to get the wounded gunner. They lit us up so bad that we thought we were going to fall right there. The energy of those two rounds knocked me back into the cabin and into my grew chief. Next morning when I woke up from surgery both eyes were black and swollen so badly I could only see horizontal sections.. Much longer tale but to long to put here. I will see about sending you the complete event later next week. And just so you will know: When asked if you know what helicopters and hookers have in common... No Visible means of support! Thanks for what you do Sir!
ReplyDeleteoh phooey, I just share the stuff I find interesting, and damn,... chopper door gunner stories are certainly at the top of the list!
DeleteGunships were and still are very addicting!
Delete