Merry Christmas!

The Darragh Family wishes you all a very Merry Christmas from the Pacific Northwest. We usually have a wet Christmas Day here in Seattle, but this year we dreamed of a white Christmas and we have one! It's been snowing off and on for over a week here.


Forty years ago today I spent my first of two Christmases at Phu Hiep (it can't be that long ago can it?)! It certainly was different than any previous Christmas I had experienced! I don't remember if there were services at the base chapel, but there must have been.

I hope you have a wonderful family time as the birth of our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ, and the hope he brings, is celebrated around the world!

Noel Josephs In Space!

I received this e-mail from Larry Conway last month.

For those of you who didn't know him, Noel Josephs was a buddy from AIT at Ft. Huachuca, AZ, who was KIA June 6, 1969, while flying an aerial surveillance mission in Vietnam for the 225th Avn. Co. out of Phu Hiep, RVN. A good soldier & a good friend. We all hated to see him go.

Now this is very interesting. I did a Google search on Noel Fitzroy Josephs, and up pops this NASA link. http://stardust.jpl.nasa.gov/overview/microchip/names2j9.html His name is one which was picked to go into space aboard a NASA spacecraft named Stardust, launched in 1999 to visit Comet Wild 2 in 2004, and returned to earth in 2006. He's listed near the bottom [of this very long list]. A worthy choice for a space flight. RIP, Noel. Check it out. - L


left to right: Noel Josephs, Larry Conway, Bill Robertson, Norman McCauley, and Ed Belanger

Holidays in Vietnam

Here are some comments I received about Thanksgiving in Vietnam:

From Tony Chapa: “Thanks for reminding me of the Thanksgiving I spend with the 225th, my memories are similar to yours. As I sit here reminiscing, I thank God for allowing me the privilege of serving my country during my two tours in Nam. It was during my second tour that we met.”

From Chaley Reasor: “I still remember our Thanksgiving, but mine was in 1967. I remember I was very surprised that we were even having a dinner to celebrate. I have fond memories of the 225th and always will.”

From Roger Kent: “I remember being thankful for having a Thanksgiving menu so far away from 'The World.'”

From Paul Reed (55th Avn Co. K-16, ROK '63 - '64): “I managed to miss Thanksgiving in VN. I arrived the day before Christmas Eve, so Christmas sticks in my addled brain. I got an early drop from VN and left the 18th of Nov, so missed Thanksgiving.

“My memories of my Christmas in VN are mostly centered around the Bob Hope Show, which was at Tan Son Nhut AB on Christmas Eve. Have no idea what I did on Christmas Day, except dinner in the mess hall at the tent city where we were living.

"My thoughts go to the troops who are in harms way and their families: may God bless them all.”

Thanksgiving 2008

Forty years ago I was a 21-year-old soldier living in a war zone a million miles from home (or so it seemed). I had been with the 225th SAC Blackhawks for the first nine months of what was to become nearly two and a half years at Phu Hiep. There are, of course, many things I remember about that era of my life – and many memories that have gone away, too – but one of my fondest memories is of Thanksgiving dinner 1968. We had all the “fixins” that you need at any Thanksgiving feast…turkey, dressing, potatoes and pumpkin pie. We had one other ingredient too, that was our camaraderie as American soldiers serving our country.

As we gather with family and friends this Thanksgiving 2008, let’s pause and remember our fellow soldiers, sailors and airmen (and women) who are right now in harm’s way, defending our freedom and way of life.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

VETERANS DAY

Thanks for serving our country so many years ago!


(Photo by John Ferguson)

More Military Humor from George Drago

Periodically George sends me funny items that have their origins in the military. This time he sent some great photos; I put a few of them in a slide show. You can see more by clicking http://www.tom-phillips.info/images/funny.military.2/_index.htm. Enjoy!

SP5 Henry Kalohi

For Memorial Day this year, I published a photo of SP5 Henry Kalohi’s grave marker at the Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) as a tribute to a fellow soldier and friend with whom I served in the 225th Aviation Company (SA). Here is a sequel to that short article. First, here is what I wrote:

“When Karin and I were planning our trip to Hawaii in 2006, I remembered that Henry Kalohi was a Photo Lab Tech (84G20) in our unit in, if my memory serves me correctly, in late 1969. I knew he was from Hawaii, so I looked for his name on the Internet. Sadly, I found it among the listings for the Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) in Honolulu.

“While we were there in April 2007 it took this photo of his grave marker. I don’t know the circumstances around his death. Rest in peace, my friend.”

In June of this year I received the following e-mail: “Gordy, Thanks for your mention of my brother on your 225th Aviation blog. I am very glad he is remembered by someone he had served with in Vietnam. Thank you for stopping by at Punchbowl to pay your respects. That was very, very kind of you. Aloha, Walt Kalohi.”

Walt is Henry’s brother; he was searching the Internet for any mention of Henry and found this blog. I e-mailed Walt and asked him about the circumstances surrounding Henry’s death. He told me, in part, that when Henry returned from Nam, he was deeply affected from the experience. He was saddened by what he saw there, and Walt recalled that there was one particular person who died that really affected him. When he returned from Nam, Henry attended the University of Hawaii as an art major (he was an excellent artist) and shortly thereafter had an “emotional breakdown.” Although he was receiving psychiatric help, in the end, he took his life. Walt concluded that Henry “was a gentle and friendly man.”

That’s how I remember him, as a gentle and friendly man. Walt has sent some pictures that Henry took while at Phu Hiep. I’ve put some of them together for you look at and stir some memories. Thank you Henry for leaving these for all of us.

Loren Shrock's Pictures from the 19th Annual OV-1 Mohawk Association Reunio

Loren sent me this note for you all to be able to see his pictures from the Reunion. To see the photos just left mouse the link below, or type mrloren.smugmug.com in your browser. Click on the gallery named OV-1 Mohawk; it is the first gallery.

Thanks Loren, these are wonderful!

"The 225th's Hawks" Video

As many of you know, I work as an Administrative Assistant III in the Emergency Department at Seattle Children’s Hospital. Well, recently the hospital treated us all to a concert by the Beach Boys at Safeco Field to celebrate the recent name change of the hospital (from Children’s Hospital & Regional Medical Center), and the culmination of a 7 year fund drive to raise $300M for uncompensated care, facility improvements and research. The goal was exceeded by nearly $50M!

So, we celebrated!

As Karin and I were listening to this really good “old” music from the 60s and the 70s, I was also thinking about our upcoming reunion in Portland, and about what I could do on the blog to showcase the 225th’s airplanes. The music that night inspired me to put together a video of our Mohawks. Go to www.225observer.us and take a look at the result. I think you’ll like it.

If you would like DVD of “The 225th’s Hawks,” send me a blank DVD-R (that is capable of handling at least 10 minutes) along with a stamped, self-addressed disc mailer, and I’d be glad to make one for you. Address your request to me at 13111-88th Place NE, Kirkland, WA 98034-2636.

19th Annual OV-1 Mohawk Association Reunion!

I'm home now after four great days this past weekend in Portland, Oregon, at the 19th Annual Reunion of the OV-1 Mohawk Association. I think everyone had a great time renewing old friendships, sharing war stories, bring each other up-to-date on our families, meeting new friends with whom we have that funny looking triple tailed airplane in common, going on a couple of very nice trips (to the Evergreen Air Museum and taking a brunch-time boat trip up the Columbia), perhaps drinking and eating a little too much and generally having a good time with each other.

We stayed at the Embassy Suites Hotel Portland Airport and were treated to a fine breakfast buffet each morning and free beer and wine each evening between 5:30 and 7pm. My guess is that the hotel was surprised when a seemingly endless line of Mohawkers appeared at 5 o'clock waiting for the first draft to be poured!

There was some Association business conducted on Saturday morning, and then it was off to play some more...seeing the sights of Portland and the beautiful surrounding countryside, for some of the ladies it was shopping, or just some more reminiscing with buddies. The banquet on Saturday night featured a wonderful presentation of the Oregon National Guard's 1042nd Aviation Company's role prior to and after the eruption of Mt. St. Helens. The 225's own Steve Hammons was one of the pilots who flew many missions around the mountain during that time.

After many of us stayed up late into the night (past our bedtimes!), we all headed home the next day with great new memories of the 19th Reunion, looking forward to 2009 in Nashville, Tennessee. The dates for the 20th Reunion will be announced sometime after the first of the year, so be sure to watch the Mohawker for that info!

Here are some pictures I made to share with you...

Reunion Time In Portland Is Almost Here!

I leave for Portland, Oregon, next Thursday morning from Seattle on the train. There are about 10 guys from the 225th who will be there...it should be fun swapping stories (true and maybe not-so-true)! I plan to update this blog daily with photos of the Reunion activities next Thursday, Friday and Saturday. I'll also send out an alert via e-mail each day.

I've put together a short slide show of our birds on the ground and in the air. Thanks to John Ferguson, Danny Talbot, Howard Vail, Phil Brieden, Helmut Haberl and Terry Carlson for sending these. I hope you enjoy looking at them.

Some Photos from Phil Brieden

Thanks Phil for sharing these with us!

The Reunion's Coming!

The 19th Annual OV-1 Mohawk Association Reunion in Portland, Oregon, will soon be here. Chris Walker, Reunion Director, tells me there are only a few of you Blackhawks/Phantomhawks registered so far. If you're planning on going, get your registrations in to him today!

Registration info is available online at www.ov-1mohawk.org. So, hurry up, because there is simply too much beer for Joe Beckham and me to consume alone!

Phantomhawks Over Tuy Hoa AFB 1971

Terry Carlson Sent some great photos of our aircraft doing touch 'n' goes at Tuy Hoa AFB in May 1971. Remember when we thought the Air Force lived in the lap of luxury? Enjoy!

More Company Area Photos by John Ferguson

Here are some more great pictures that John Ferguson took of the Company Area and the base Chapel.

Oregon 902

I found a collection of photos showing guys in Salem, Oregon, preparing one of the Oregon Army National Guard's Mohawks for its move to the Evergreen Air Museum in 2002. This aircraft is on display there now, and we will see it on Friday, September 26, when we visit the museum during the Association's 2008 Reunion in Portland.

Check out the Oregon Trail Chapter page for the entire collection.  Also take a look at the Army Aviation Association of America's website.

Our "Home Away From Home"

John Ferguson sent some great pictures to me, including these of the Company Area.  Remember how luxurious Phu Hiep was?  Enjoy.....

The Last Time I Saw Her

by Jim Thomas

Like a butterfly in flight that special someone from eons ago came dancing across my mind, wrenching control of my thoughts to drag dusty old memories and feelings from the shelter of their caves and leave them naked on the beach of my consciousness. Old tormented memories from an emotional goodbye suffered almost forty years ago that stopped you like a two by four between the eyes and left you feeling like a whiskey-front had taken a week or two to move on past. She had been the one most dear to my heart in a long line of dears and I had known she could not always be stored away in that do not touch part of the mind.

This special someone had once stood by me and journeyed with me through the tough times. She had seen me at my finest and my worst, never complaining and always giving her best. Never once did she let me down as she followed my journey of high-speed youth. No one could have asked for more but destinies are not always the same and I moved on to conquer the world. Eventually, the memory of her was safely buried deep under a mountain of others. Well, I thought it was safely buried.

Now the memory had changed from an occasional pang of hurt to a festering wound and needed rapid resolution. The sophomoric idea of finding her tugged at my heart until my mind surrendered the idea, kicking and screaming with words of caution and examples of past failures. Mind over matter looks good on paper and in the books but history has proven that the mind is no match for confrontations with the heart.

But how does one go about finding that lost love from the foggy swamp of the past? I began my questionable quest with email to folks that had known both of us. Several responses were not bashful in their description of my mental state and my lack of having a meaningful purpose in life. There were many hours of Internet searches, phone calls and letters that came to nothing but the renewal of many old acquaintances.

Then, out of the electronic blue, one of the shotgun email bets paid off when a partner in crime, war and love responded he had seen her in Minnesota a few years ago. They had crossed paths at the airport and spent a few minutes together talking about the old times. He could not shut up about how fine she looked with all the right curves in the right places, etc., so I put him on the spam filter list for a while.

Finding her had not been an easy quest but sometimes persistence pays off if you throw in a little luck. But, persistence does not do anything for the fear of the unknown in meeting someone from the past that was close to the heart. Seeing her and talking to her and touching her and all of those wanton wants took possession of what minimum mind that I had left until the realization that resistance is futile. With thoughts of the old adage that “there is no fool like an fool” I set about making the arrangements to see her.

It was slow arriving but today I would see her, talk to her and hopefully mend the broken fences of my past petulance. I wondered how she would look? Had time been kind to her? Was her life a good one? Is there really such a thing as forgiveness by those once scorned? Would the old magic still be there? Timeless questions but as current and real as a phone call at three in the morning.

The best place to meet someone when there might be a confrontation or an emotional display is to meet on neutral ground and in public. I thought the airport best fit that bill and proceeded making all the necessary plans.

The big day and moment arrived somehow after agonizing clock-watching; partially validating Einstein’s theory that time can be slowed. I saw her first, far across the lobby. My heart almost stopped for good and tears formed in my eyes. There was no way to hold back the emotions and I hoped no one would notice but I was past the point of no return. The emotion and feelings from over the years came too fast. All I could do was stumble toward her.

I reached out, forty years were gone and we were together again. Thousands of memories flooded my mind and senses. There had been times of joy, times of fear, and times of sadness. We had experienced it all, the highest of highs and the lowest of lows.

She had fared well over the years. In fact she had aged better than I had. She had a beautiful home and a large family. We talked some but I don’t remember much about what was said. All too soon it was time to leave. We made our peace in those brief moments and this goodbye was a lot different than the previous one.

Walking away was even tougher this time. I turned for one more look at her. My buddy was right; she looked much better than the last time I saw her. But the leaving had to be done.

My eyes were misty and on shaky legs I made my retreat. We could not be together. Too much time had gone by and too much had changed. She would always be special to me and occupy a big piece of my heart. I turned and waved another goodbye to OV-1A 60-3736. She, the special someone, was a Phantom Hawk airplane that I had flown in Vietnam some thirty-seven years ago. Both of us had made it safely home. Everything in our relationship was right once again.

Copyright 2007 Jim Thomas

Editor’s note: Jim Thomas served in the 225th SAC, RVN '70 - '71; 131st MICAS, RVN '74 - '75; 13th Avn Bn, 131st MICAS '75 - '77; and the Georgia National Guard ’77- ’87.
The Mohawk pictured above is the aircraft to which Jim is referring in his story; Terry Carlson recently sent us these photos. Thanks very much, Terry! Here's Jim's note to Terry: "Greetings Terry! Many thanks for the photos. 23 (formation shot) was an OV-1A, had a frame number of 60-03736 and survived the war. It is in the American Wings Museum in MN. It also is one of the decal sets in the Roden 1/48 JOV-1A plastic model kits. However the colors are not accurate for what we were using in 70-71 when 23 was in the unit. This is the airplane that I was writing about in the article on Gordy's site. Best regards to all you brothers, (signed) JT"

Old Glory

I fly atop the world's tallest buildings.
I stand watch in America's halls of justice.
I fly majestically over institutions of learning.
I stand guard with power in the world.
Look up and see me.
I stand for peace, honor, truth, and justice.
I stand for freedom.

I am confident.
I am distinguished.
I am proud.
When I am flown with my fellow banners,
my head is a little higher,
my colors a little truer.
I bow to no one but to God!
I am recognized all over the world.
I am saluted.
I am loved.
I am revered.
I am respected, and I am feared.

I have fought in every battle of every war
for more then 200 years.
I was flown at Valley Forge, Gettysburg,
Shiloh, and Appamatox.
I was there at San Juan Hill,
the trenches of France;
in the Argonne Forest, Anzio, Rome;
and the beaches of Normandy, Guam.
Okinawa, Korea and KheSan, Saigon, Vietnam.
I was there.
I led my troops,
I was dirty, battle-worn and tired,
but my soldiers cheered me,
And I was proud.


I have been burned, torn, and trampled
on the streets of countries I have helped set free.
It does not hurt, for I am strong.
I have been soiled upon, burned, torn,
and trampled on the streets of my country.
And when it's by those whom I've served in battle,
it does hurt;
But I shall overcome for I am strong.

I have slipped the bonds of Earth
and stood watch over the uncharted frontiers of space
from my vantage point on the moon.
I have borne silent witness
to all of America's finest hours.
But my finest hours are yet to come.

When I am torn into strips
and used as bandages
for my wounded comrades on the battlefield;
When I am flown at half-mast to honor my soldier,
Or when I lie in the trembling arms
of a grieving parent
at the grave of their fallen son or daughter,
I am proud.

MY NAME IS OLD GLORY,
LONG MAY I WAVE.

DEAR GOD IN HEAVEN, LONG MAY I WAVE

Thanks to Howard Ohlson for sending me this tribute to our flag.

More Words of Aviation Wisdom...

George Drago sent me some more of the Sage's (whoever "the Sage" is!) words of aviation wisdom:

"If the wings are traveling faster than the fuselage, it's probably a helicopter -- and therefore, unsafe."

"When one engine fails on a twin-engine airplane you always have enough power left to get you to the scene of the crash."

"Even with ammunition, the USAF is just another expensive flying club."

Q - "What is the similarity between air traffic controllers and pilots?”
A – “If a pilot screws up, the pilot dies; If ATC screws up…. The pilot dies."

"Never trade luck for skill."

"Airspeed, altitude and brains. Two are always needed to successfully complete the flight."

"Mankind has a perfect record in aviation; we never left one up there!"

"Flying the airplane is more important than radioing your plight to a person on the ground incapable of understanding or doing anything about it."

"The Piper Cub is the safest airplane in the world; it can just barely kill you."
- Attributed to Max Stanley (Northrop test pilot)

"There is no reason to fly through a thunderstorm in peacetime."
- Sign over squadron ops desk at Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ, 1970

"If something hasn't broken on your helicopter, it's about to."

"You know that your landing gear is up and locked when it takes full power to taxi to the terminal."

As the test pilot climbs out of the experimental aircraft, having torn off the wings and tail in the crash landing, the crash truck arrives, the rescuer sees a bloodied pilot and asks "What happened?". The pilot's reply: "I don't know, I just got here myself!"

2008 Reunion in Portland in September

Time is flying by, so I thought I should get a hotel reservation in for the OV-1 Mohawk Association 2008 Reunion. It will be in Portland, Oregon, the beautiful "The Rose City," and will include a trip to McMinnville and the Evergreen Air Museum where a Mohawk is on static display (see below).


Turns out the rooms are filling up fast! If you are planning on attending, go to the Association website www.OV-1Mohawk.org to get all the info and sign up!

The cover story of the July-August 2002 Issue of The Mohawker (the OV-1 Mohawk Association’s newsletter) was titled “Moving Day for OV-1D 67-18902. The accompanying article by 1SG (Ret) Richard E. Dearborn of the Oregon Army National Guard told the story of this retired Mohawk’s last flight from Salem to McMinnville’s CPT Michael King Smith Evergreen Aviation Educational Institute. 902’s last flight was as a sling load beneath an Army CH-47D, not as majestic as if she was flying on her own, but nevertheless a very pretty sight against a bright blue Oregon sky!


Karin and I stopped at the Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum (www.sprucegoose.org) in August 2003 to see this Oregon Air National Guard Mohawk; Karin had never seen one, except in photos. The aircraft is on loan to the Museum from the US Army.

I just checked the Evergreen’s website, and 902 is still on static exhibit, so we will all have a chance to see it when we meet in a couple of months for the Reunion in Portland! I hope to see you there!

New 225th Observer Website!

Take a look at the new 225th Observer website! The link is www.225observer.us.To some of you it may look familiar because I posted the Memorial Day tribute several years ago with the help of Howard Ohlson on OV-1.com. I will be adding to the site as time goes on, so be sure to check back regularly.

Remembering Henry Kalohi

When Karin and I were planning our trip to Hawaii in 2006, I remembered that Henry Kalohi was a Photo Lab Tech (84G20) in our unit in, if my memory serves me correctly, in late 1969. I knew he was from Hawaii, so I looked for his name on the Internet. Sadly, I found it among the listings for the Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) in Honolulu.

While we were there in April 2007 it took this photo of his grave marker. I don’t know the circumstances around his death. Rest in peace, my friend.

More of John Ferguson's Photos

Among the pictures John sent me were these of Mohawk aircraft that I don't believe were in the 225th. (I could be wrong, however. It's been know to happen once or twice before!) If any of you can ID these airplanes, please let Jim Thomas or me know.

John Ferguson's "Mission Launch" Photos

John Ferguson brought some outstanding slides to Chuck Galloway in March to be transferred to disc. They sent them to me and below is the first installment of the wonderful photos that he took when he was with the 225th. He remembers that he served with Ben Perez in Germany after his tour in Vietnam. John now lives in Indiana.

John recently wrote in the OV-1.com Guestbook: “I was with the 225th in 69-70. I was an Imagery Interpreter. Was stationed at the IR ground station, known as the "Red Haze Inn." Wayne “Stick" Sitkowitz was the TO assigned. I also flew right seat on several photo, IR, and flight follow missions. I'd like to hear from other IIs that were at the 225th.”

I put 46 of his pictures into the slide show below. (There will be more put on the Observer periodically … Chuck transferred about 170 total!)

Thanks John!

The St. Patrick - Easter Connection

Over the past few weeks, I have been thinking about what I would like to share with you in celebration of Easter. Since it is so close to St. Patrick’s Day this year, I looked online and discovered that March 17 has been very important throughout the Christian Church’s history; in fact, according to Wikipedia “…the date of the feast is occasionally, yet controversially, moved by church authorities when March 17 falls during Holy Week; this happened in 1940 when Saint Patrick's Day was observed on April 3 in order to avoid it coinciding with Palm Sunday, and happened again in 2008, having been observed on March 14. March 17 will not fall during Holy Week again until 2160.”

My pastor, Rev. Steve Wilkinson of Northwest Presbyterian Church, writes a column in our church’s weekly online newsletter, and his thoughts in the March 13 issue made me aware of Patrick’s importance as a model of how Jesus Christ would have me live as a true disciple of His. Below is an excerpt of Steve’s Pastoral Pondering entitled “I’ll Never Go Back There” (used by permission).

“In the early 400's, a sixteen-year-old kid from a well-off family in Britain was snatched by Irish marauders and ended up slaving as a shepherd in the remote, mountainous areas of Ireland for six years. He was able to escape to France, and in the course of all this, developed a significant commitment to Christ. He matured in his faith and sense of call, and was finally ordained to ministry.

“Now most of us avoid places and people who've hurt us. But Patrick had a vision for Ireland to know Christ, and he returned there with a passion to help others know real hope and freedom in Christ. His concern for those who had held him captive was infectious. Not only did the gospel spread throughout Ireland, Irish Christians gained a reputation as "go-anywhere" Christians, taking the gospel to remote and threatening parts of the world. I’m sure this attitude was picked up from Patrick himself, who faced and faced down opposition to his work and the past that surely haunted him, who would go straight to those who were against the gospel to explain it and encourage them to believe.

“Patrick rose above whatever animosity or personal resentment he might have felt toward the Irish, and that made all the difference. Far from resenting them, he recognized their need to be right with God, got his personal issues out of the way, put Christ at the center, and "blessed his enemies." (Matthew 5. 43-48)

“To me, Patrick is a model of visionary evangelism and of a heart shaped by the love of God. Because of Christ he overcame natural human fear and probably hatred with a desire to share the love of God and the hope Christ gives. His own experience with grace and forgiveness gave him a heart bigger than most. I’m humbled when I consider that his willingness to put aside self-interest prepared the way for so many people to know Christ and re-shaped an entire culture. And it’s kind of fitting that this year St. Patrick’s Day falls the same week we’re remembering Christ’s service to the world, his death, and his resurrection. St. Patrick’s Savior set the bar for loving one’s enemies, didn’t he?”

Karin and I wish you a very Happy Easter!

5K!

(This is me at the start of the run...)

Today was a big day for this Army veteran. But I must go back to mid-May of 2004 to begin my story. As most of you know, I have been employed by Seattle Children’s Hospital since May 2001 as an administrative assistant in the Emergency Department. In 2003 I joined the Children’s Emergency Response Team (there is an article about our CERT group in November on this blog). As part of our medical screening prior to suiting up in our personal protective equipment (PPE), we have our blood pressure taken. If it is too high we are not allowed to put on our PPE. Well, in May 2004 mine was sky high, something like 176/113! Normal should be below 140/90…the lower the better, to a point, of course. Needless to say I was not allowed to suit up.

I immediately made an appointment with my personal doctor; during my physical he assessed me for heart attack risk by asking family history, if I smoked, if I got regular exercise, ate right, and so on. I have never smoked but my family history, exercise and eating habits all contributed to my 60% risk for a major cardiac “event” in the following five years! Talk about scaring the bejeebers out of me! He immediately put me on high blood pressure medication to begin to mitigate the situation.

That evaluation, coupled with an elevated blood glucose level (pre-diabetes symptom), has caused me to change my habits…less sugar and beer, and more exercise, for example. I started a regimen of walking on a treadmill, at least 20 minutes 3 to 4 times a week. I joined a gym near work, at a discount because I work at Children’s, and have been lifting weights and walking. The BP has come down, and the glucose is under control without medication.

Last summer my son Pete asked me if I would drive a van for one half of a team of 12 people who were running in the Northwest Passage Ragnar Relay series from Blaine, WA, just south of the British Columbia border to Langley at the southern tip of Whidbey Island, WA, a distance of almost 190 miles. I drove for his part of the team and got the bug to begin running. So, because of my son, who is a great encourager, I decided to run in the 2008 Seattle St. Patrick’s Day Dash, a fun run of 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) from the Seattle Center (where the Space Needle is) to Quest Field (where the Seahawks play). I have been training for this run for several months on the treadmill, and when the days got light enough after work, since the middle of February, continued to run outside on the Sammamish River trail, a paved mile-marked trail that used by lots of runners, walkers and bicyclists.

This brings me back to today, March 16th, was the Dash, and Pete and I ran with about 17,000 of our closest friends! It was great fun to see people of all ages together (all “Irish,” too!) completely filling the street for over 3 miles! Pete finished in about 34:10, and I took 39:09. Of the 5,000 meters, I ran all of it except for about 175 meters when both of us got caught in a bottleneck going into a tunnel and then a planned 40 meters for me as I rounded the block just before heading for the finish line. It was so exhilarating and it nearly brought tears to my eyes as I realized that I had accomplished my goal!

The moral of this story, guys, is that you are never too old to take up anything new, whether it’s a hobby or a new sport. (The last time I had run any distance was over 40 years ago as a new recruit in BCT at Fort Lewis!) So, if you have a desire or a chance to do something new, go for it!

More 225th History

This is continues the Unit History of the 225th that I started in the Observer in January. At the end is some history that Howard Ohlson of OV-1.com sent me after he read that the Unit actually has roots in World War II.

You can go to http://www.ov-1.com/225th_AVN/225th-history.html to see our complete history.

The unit was activated effective 15 July 1966 at Ft. Lewis, Washington.

The unit activation orders were amended to TO&E 1-128T, Level 3.
 Authorized strength 12 Officers, 15 Warrant Officers and 190 Enlisted Men.

The unit was transferred on permanent change of station from Ft Lewis to the United States Army, Pacific, Movement Project Code WGI. Additionally they were relieved from assignment to Sixth US Army and assigned to US Army, Pacific upon their arrival in Vietnam.

The unit was reorganized effective 2 January 1968 under MTO&E 1-28TV00.
 Authorized strength of 12 Officers, 15 Warrant Officers and 190 Enlisted Men.

15 July (1966) was designated as unit day.

The unit was reorganized effective 1 December 1968 under MTO&E 1-128T, USARPAC 1/68. 
Authorized strength of 19 Officers, 22 Warrant Officers and 291 Enlisted Men.

The unit was reorganized as 225th Aviation Company (Surveillance Airplane) effective 15 May 1969 under MTO&E 1-128TP02, 1/69 Level 1.
 Authorized strength of 19 Officers, 22 Warrant Officers and 290 Enlisted Men.

The 225th Aviation Company (Surveillance Airplane) was inactivated effective 26 December 1971.

Howard Ohlson, 73rd Aviation Company, Red Haze Platoon, 1966 – 1968 sent me the following unit information that he discovered. Thanks Howard! You can write to him at howard@ov-1.com.

In World War II, if you remember, the Army was segregated. To distinguish between white and "colored" units, the Army used the parenthetical designator of (Cld) to denote colored units. During research I was able to access mustering out rolls from World War II for Company K. The Army also used the parenthetical designator of (Cld) to show race on the rolls. The enlisted personnel almost exclusively were all listed as Colored while the officers had no designator behind their names.

The Army, for Vietnam, re-activated and re-designated two other World War II Truck units that became the 244th and 245th Aviation Companies. The 73rd started out in the early '60's and went to Vietnam as a Bird-dog (O-1) unit. The 131st started out as a Huey gunship company.

So the 225th, the 244th and the 245th have proud military lineage and history behind them.

A little un-recognized history of the Vietnam Mohawk units.

More Military Wit and Wisdom

Here's more sage military advice sent by George Drago...

"You, you, and you ... Panic. The rest of you, come with me."  - U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt.

"Tracers work both ways."  - U.S. Army Ordnance

"Five second fuses only last three seconds."  - Infantry Journal

"Any ship can be a minesweeper. Once."

"Never tell the Platoon Sergeant you have nothing to do."  - Unknown Marine Recruit

 

"If you see a bomb technician running, follow him."  - USAF Ammo Troop

 

"Though I Fly Through the Valley of Death, I Shall Fear No Evil...For I am at 80,000 Feet and Climbing."

 

"You've never been lost until you've been lost at Mach 3."  - Paul F. Crickmore (test pilot)

"The only time you have too much fuel is when you're on fire."

Black Hawk 09 and The Wrong Turn

Helmut Haberl, who was a Line Chief in 1967-68, sent me this photo of Blackhawk 09 (#3247) after it took a wrong turn at Phu Hiep sometime in the summer of ’68. The man on the port engine was a T.I. with reddish blond hair. Helmut said he doesn’t remember his name. (If someone reading this recalls who he might me, let us know!)

Thanks Helmut for sharing this with us!

(PS: I have photos 09 from a November 1968 mortar attack, which made it into a $3 million sieve while it was parked in its revetment. I’ll put them on the blog sometime soon.)

Happy Valentine's Day!

February 14 marks an amazing milestone for me this year.  On Valentine's Day 40 years ago a scared twenty-year-old GI looked out the right side of a Military Airlift Command chartered Eastern Airlines stretch DC-8, with two hundred or so other young men, and saw his first glimpse of the Republic of Vietnam from 30,000 feet! 

As we landed at Tan Son Nhut Air Base a little while later, little did I know what a remarkable adventure the Lord had in store for me over the rest of my life.  The friendships I would make, and those that would be rekindled.  The careers and hobbies I would pursue.  And the family that would be the Darraghs!

It has, indeed, been extraordinary!

And the adventure continues!

Pictures of Our Aircraft Wanted!

Jim Thomas writes:
"Gordy, do you think we could get the guys to send us the tail shots of the Mohawks? I have been trying for some years to convert the two digit tail numbers to the factory 6 and 7 digit tail numbers. I have 8 or so numbers out of about 35 to 40 that were in the unit. That way we can tell which ones we flew that are still in existence, where they are, etc."

Please send any photos to Jim directly at mohawkov1@aol.com or to me at darraghsplace@gmail.com. Thanks!

By the Sea, By the Sea, by the Beautiful Sea...

These are some photos Jim Thomas sent...


This was taken at the lagoon behind the Korean compound about June of 70. I believe these to be the SLAR Rep on the left and the II Tech CW2 Harold Nolan on the right. Note the boat in the background with a water skier. We were all waiting for our turn. Then we went sailing on the two man Sunfish.


This is at the Tuy Hoa flight line. We were waiting for an Otter to take us to the Special Forces camp in Pleiku. CW2 Frank Warren on the left and CW2 Jim Thomas on the right. CW2 Bucky Buchannan took the picture. About November 70.

Early Photos of the 225th Company Area

Bruce Aughe sent me some photos to share with you all.  I've put them into a slide show along with captions he sent me.  I hope you enjoy them as much as I did, stirring fond memories of my time at Phabulous Phu Hiep by the Sea.

The 225th SAC, aka Co. K, 34th QM Truck Regiment (Trk) (Cld)

Some time ago, as I read the Unit History of the 225th on OV-1.com, I was intrigued to discover that the unit that flew those funny looking airplanes began as a quartermaster truck company as war loomed in 1941.

Below is an excerpt from our Unit History. Go to http://www.ov-1.com/225th_AVN/225th-history.html to see our complete history.

Company K, 34th Quartermaster Truck Regiment (Trk) (Cld) was constituted effective 21 February 1941.

The unit was activated on 6 March 1941 at Godman Field, Kentucky.

The unit was redesignated as the 843d Quartermaster Company (Trk) (Cld) effective 10 January 1942.

(Photo from the Southern Allied Re-enactment Association’s website, 2004 re-enactment.  No contact information available on their website.)

During 1941 and 1942 this unit had multiple change of duty stations:
    Godman Field, Kentucky
    Luke Field, Phoenix, Arizona
    Las Vegas, Nevada
    March Field, Riverside, California

The unit was redesignated as the 2015 Quartermaster Company, Truck, Aviation (Cld) effective 13 September 1942.

During 1942 and 1943 this unit again had multiple change of duty stations:March Field, 

    Riverside, California
    Ephrata, Washington
    AAB Blyth, California
    Camp Young, California
    AAB, Thermal, California

Upon their arrival at the Army Air Base, Thermal, California on 13 March 1943, the unit was relieved from assignment with the Army Ground Forces and was reassigned to the Army Air Force.

During 1943 this unit again had multiple change of duty stations:
    AAB, Thermal, California
    San Bernardino AAD, California
    Muroc B&G Range, California
    Great Falls AAB, Montana

The unit was transferred on permanent change of station from Great Falls Army Air Base to Milne Bay, Australia and assigned to the 5th Air Force on 24 November 1943 under shipment 1996-N.

The unit was transferred on permanent change of station from Australia to Leyte, Philippine Islands.

The unit was reorganized effective 10 March 1945 under TO&E 10-517 (2 Jan 45).
Authorized strength of 3 Officers and 99 Enlisted Men.

The 2015 Quartermaster Company, Truck, Aviation (Cld) was inactivated effective 17 June 1946.

The unit was converted and redesignated as the 2015th Transportation Corps Truck Company (Inactive) (Cld) effective 1 August 1946.

The unit was redesignated effective 1 July 1966 as the 225th Aviation Company (Aerial Surveillance) and assigned to the Sixth US Army under TO&E 1-128T, modified 1966.
Authorized strength 24 Officers, 3 Warrant Officers and 190 Enlisted Men.

More of our Unit History will follow as the year goes along…