A Merry Christmas Card For You!

Photo of Phantomhawk 13 adapted by Tim Darragh for the Holidays 2009

^{Luke 8-12} There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God's angel stood among them and God's glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, "Don't be afraid. I'm here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David's town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you're to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger."

^13-14 At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God's praises: “Glory to God in the heavenly heights, Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.”

^15-18 As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. “Let's get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us.” They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the sheepherders were impressed.

^19-20 Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself. The sheepherders returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they'd been told!

"Scripture taken from The Message. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group."

How many kings, stepped down from their thrones?

How many lords have abandoned their homes?

How many greats have become the least for me?

How many Gods have poured out their hearts

To romance a world that has torn all apart?

How many fathers gave up their sons for me?

Only one did that for me!

“How Many Kings” Lyrics - DOWNHERE

Jesus Christ indeed stepped down from His throne in Heaven more than 2000 years ago for you and me, to give us true life here on Earth and in eternity too!

I have been given many great gifts … God’s love, my family, and my friends from the 225^th (and other units, too)!

May you have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Happy Thanksgiving 2009!

This year I will say this grace at the Darragh family’s Thanksgiving dinner…

Once more we come, Lord, to the day of special thanksgiving.

Our thoughts are turned backward.

The days have rolled in the seasons, the seasons into the year.

Each day has been crowded with Thee.

Each season has brought forth new proofs of Thy loving forethought.

May we this day pledge Thee our gratitude anew.

Continue, we pray Thee, to surround us with Thy care, in Jesus name.

Amen.

From Grace Before Meals, Compiled by A. William Nyce and Hubert Bunyea, 1911 by The John C. Winston Co.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

HAPPY VETERANS DAY!

First of all….HAPPY VETERANS DAY to all of you who have served your country selflessly in the United States Armed Forces! And THANK YOU for your service!

I was invited to share my experience as a soldier in Vietnam at a special Veterans Day assembly at Sidney Glen Elementary School, where my son Pete is a 6th Grade teacher, on Tuesday, November 10th. The entire student body, Kindergarten through 6th Grade was there with their teachers, along with several other veterans from all Branches. A Captain in the US Coast Guard and a US Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer were also on the program. I put together a short PowerPoint slide presentation to show the students where Vietnam is, what kind of conditions I lived in at Phu Hiep, and lots of pictures of our airplanes. They loved the airplane pictures!

The highlight of the assembly, however, was the US Navy Band Northwest, stationed at Silverdale, WA, who played many wonderful pieces. Two of the children were invited to conduct the band because the director, Senior Chief Musician James L. Ramsey, said he was “tired and needed help since he had been waving his arms directing the band all day” (it was only 9:45am!).

At the close of the program they played the theme songs for the Army, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard and Navy. The Sr. Chief Ramsey asked the members of the audience to stand when they heard their branch's music if a parent or other relative or they were in that particular service. Of course, I stood when “The Army Goes Rolling Along” was played. When “Anchors Aweigh” was played for the Navy, I leaned over to Capt. DJ Smith, USCG, and whispered, “I think we’re outnumbered!” He agreed. You see, Sidney Glen Elementary is in Port Orchard, on Washington State’s Kitsap Peninsula, which has many US Navy installations including the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bangor Submarine Base, NAS Whidbey, and the Naval Undersea Warfare Center at Keyport. Collectively (not including NAS Whidbey) these are now known as Naval Base Kitsap. I was correct that we were outnumbered because the majority of the children stood! What a wonderful sight!

I was humbled and very honored with the reception the other veterans and I received from the school’s Principal Jason Shdo, and Assistant Principal Laura Smith, and by the students and teachers.

This Just In! Discovery of a 1943 Mohawk!

All the hoopla about Ardipithecus ramidus (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ardipithecus), the newest fossil find of what is purported to be one of our most ancient relatives, has overshadowed the much more recent discovery of video of a 1943 Mohawk. Yes, that’s right! A 1943 Mohawk, complete with a crew!

The video was discovered during a recent trip to a small town in middle Tennessee. The archeologists who located this historic record were in the Volunteer State to meet with their former Army aviation comrades, something they do annually. We owe a debt of gratitude to Steve Sachs for being willing to reveal to the world that he is in possession of the only flyable 1943 Mohawk. Click on the movie below and enjoy the ride!

(Editor’s note: Alex Berkeley and I certainly did!)

A Sad Anniversary

Our friend Larry Conway sent me the following e-mail this morning:

Oct 14, 2009 marks the 40th anniversary of the deaths of Mark Babson and James Savage, KIA while flying a mission for the 225th SAC out of Phu Hiep, RVN.

RIP, boys.

Who Was In Nashville?

I thought you all would like to see who was at Nashville last weekend.

Here’s the list (not in any particular order): Don Bernstein, Bill Miller, Ernie Marsh, Jerry Murphy, Steve Sachs, Danny Talbot, George Drago, Joe Beckham, Bill Page, Ben Perez, Ron Peterson, Joe Floyd, Ernie Serna, John Ferguson, Alex Berkeley, Tony Chapa, Steve Hammons, Bob Heckendorn, Joel Haugen, John Gardosik, Bob Riha and Johnny Martin.

I think that’s everybody from the 225th. It was great to see everyone! Let me know if I missed anyone.

More Pictures from Nashville...

As promised, here are some more pictures from our 20th Reunion in Nashville. These were provided by Margie and Joe Floyd and Jerry Murphy.

Headin' Home!

Well, I’m on the final leg of my trip home…DFW to Seattle. It’s a beautiful clear day over the Western US with smooth flying so far (I think I’m over Colorado…Hello Larry Conway!) and we should touch down at Sea-Tac Airport in about 2 hours.

On board this American Airlines MD-83 there are ten or so troops (ranging in rank from PFC to E-7 and aged from too young to over 55) who are on leave from duty in Afghanistan. If you look closely at the photo above you will see several shoulders in camouflaged uniforms. The pilot announced that these troops were on board and the entire aircraft erupted in applause with a few “Hooahs” thrown in! I’ve taken the opportunity to say “thank you for serving” to several of them and have shared with them that I was a vet from a different war who was coming home from our Reunion, and there was an instant bond and recognition for our mutual service experiences. The next time you see a young (or older) service man or woman in uniform, take the opportunity to say “thanks” to them…they will really appreciate it!

A couple of hours later……..

We’ve touched down at Sea-Tac, and another Reunion has officially come to an end for me again. Now my task is to not get too anxious with anticipation for next year in Dayton. I hope you will seriously consider coming the second weekend in September 2010!

Banquet in Nashville

The 20^th Annual Reunion continued tonight with our banquet and featured speaker MG Bill Page sharing about his eight years flying Mohawks (and his life-long love affair with the bug-eyed, triple tailed, funny looking, wonderful flying machine). The food was wonderful, the drink was plentiful, the lies no doubt a little more exaggerated, the stuff piling up on the floor a little deeper, and the camaraderie better than ever! General Page described the first time he heard, then saw his first Mohawk and how, as a young 2LT in a Birddog unit, he knew he just had to fly the Army’s newest and, he added, “the coolest” airplane. He masterfully described flying techniques, rolls, and other types of intricate flight maneuvers in a way that was completely understandable for the non-aviators, wives and others present.

For me, who spent my entire Army career at Phabulous Phu Hiep by the Sea, for many of our Blackhawk/Phantomhawk comrades, and indeed for others in the banquet hall, seeing the pictures of our airplanes, the company area and the beach on that big screen brought back a flood of memories of the good times there, and the tough times when we lost seven of our brothers in the four crashes of June and October 1969. The launch of the birds searching for our lost brothers and the soldiers on the ramp watching them go emphasized the effort we made and pulling together of the company as we tried to find our missing friends.

Bill said his one-year at Phu Hiep was the highlight of his 39-year military career. I would echo that remark by saying that I will never regret that I served my country in the Army with the 225^th Aviation Company.

We plan on putting a movie together and producing a DVD so people can see it. We'll let people know through this blog and the Association website when it's ready. (I’ll be putting more pictures on the blog soon. Steve Hammons [left] and Joe Beckham are pictured above. )

All in all, our 20^th Anniversary Reunion was an outstanding one, one that I will long remember for old friendships renewed and the new ones made, the bigger and more elaborate stories that were told (but not necessarily believed) and retold time and again, and the new places in Tennesee we visited.

I am looking forward to the weekend after Labor Day next year when we will gather in Dayton, Ohio, one of the birthplaces of powered flight. We will visit the Air Force Aviation Museum at Wright-Patterson AFB and, of course, the Wright Bothers’ Bicycle Shop among many other attractions. It is promising to be a very good Reunion!

Historic Lynchburg, Tennessee

Our alarms went off in Nashville before the sun came up on Thursday, and at about 8:30am Mohawkers piled out of bed and, still blurry-eyed, climbed aboard 2 buses to head for historic Lynchburg and a wonderful day touring the Jack Daniels Distillery, the oldest registered distillery in the US.

We began with an authentic boarding house great lunch of fried chicken, meat loaf, fried okra, beans, and broccoli and cheese casserole at Miss Mary Bobo’s Boarding House (built in 1820 and just recently restored), we went on a self-guided walking tour of Lynchburg Square, and the walked the short distance to Jack’s. We were not permitted in any of the buildings except Jack’s original office, because of the alcohol fumes that are flammable, and a spark cannot be risked. We were shown how charcoal is made and ground to the proper size to filter the alcohol through. There was a great video on the hand-crafting of the barrels in which the new alcohol is stored until the right moment when the flavor and color of the sugar maple barrel staves has created the whiskey we buy.

It was a very interesting and educational tour. The only 225th Mohawkers on the tour were Alex Berkeley and me, who were doing research to make a full report to Joe Beckham. We then loaded the buses again for a short trip to Barbecue Hill, part of the distillery’s operation, for a great dinner of pork, chicken, coleslaw beans and hush puppies. (The consolidated city-county government of Lynchburg the only “dry” county in the US, so no liquor is sold at the distillery, except for a commemorative bottle. But the Association saved the day by bringing Jack that was purchased outside the county, and it was served to us at the barbecue.) Around 6:30pm we headed back to Nashville for an evening of socializing with more friends who had arrived that during the day.

I’ll try to tell you who all is here now, but as you know, my memory isn’t as good as it used to be…. The list is in no particular order, just how my brain is recalling them. Ernie Serna, Joe Backham, Joe Floyd, Jerry Murphy, Ernie Marsh, Don Bernstein, Bill Page and Alex Berkeley.

The OV-1 Mohawk Association 20th Reunion Begins!

Well, I’m on my way to Nashville for the 20th Anniversary Reunion of the OV-1 Mohawk Association! Got up at zero-dark-thirty to catch the Metro bus from my house to downtown Seattle, and then get on our new Link Light Rail directly to Sea-Tac Airport. We left for DFW on a jet plane (hum the John Denver song now!) where I’ll connect a flight to Nashville. I’m somewhere over Oregon now; I’ll continue journal a little later in the flight.

I’m somewhere between DFW and Nashville at 29,000 feet now, and I’m thinking about what our reunion will be like this year. In Portland last year there were guys I had not seen in several, indeed many, years. Bill Page I saw last in 1999 in Minneapolis. Steve Hammons and George Baena I had not seen in a few years. The last time I saw Dugan Lawrence was in the summer of 1970 after he had DEROSed and I had gotten out of the Army. I am so glad that Dugan was there! Alex Berkeley, Loren Schrock and Danny Talbot were there too. I had not seen George Burns since Phu Hiep!

We’ve landed in Nashville now. Everything is a beautiful green, the thermometer is hovering in the low 80s, and the humidity is even higher. By chance, Dave Olney (the Association XO) and his wife, Kathy, are waiting for the hotel shuttle as I walk out of the terminal, so we’re on our way to the hotel together.

After a light snack and a glass of vino for dinner, I’m off to publish this blog entry and then hit the hay. I am anxious for our first full day tomorrow here in the Volunteer State, to renew friendships, and make new ones, with brothers with whom I shared a common experience. I’ll update with photos tomorrow…

Just In Case You Need A Laugh…

Terry Carlson sent me this one that h as been making its rounds on the internet:

Remember it takes a college degree to fly a plane, but only a high school diploma to fix one; a reassurance to those of us who fly routinely in our jobs. After every flight, UPS pilots fill out a form, called a 'gripe sheet,' which tells mechanics about problems with the aircraft. The mechanics correct the problems, document their repairs on the form, and then pilots review the gripe sheets before the next flight.

Never let it be said that ground crews lack a sense of humor. Here are some actual maintenance complaints submitted by UPS ' pilots (marked with a P) and the solutions recorded (marked with an S) by maintenance engineers.

P: Left inside main tire almost needs replacement.

S: Almost replaced left inside main tire.

*

P: Test flight OK, except auto-land very rough.

S: Auto-land not installed on this aircraft.

*

P: Something loose in cockpit

S: Something tightened in cockpit

*

P: Dead bugs on windshield.

S: Live bugs on back-order.

*

P: Autopilot in altitude-hold mode produces a 200 feet per minute descent.

S: Cannot reproduce problem on ground.

*

P: Evidence of leak on right main landing gear.

S: Evidence removed.

*

P: DME volume unbelievably loud.

S: DME volume set to more believable level.

*

P: Friction locks cause throttle levers to stick.

S: That's what friction locks are for.

*

P: IFF inoperative in OFF mode.

S: IFF always inoperative in OFF mode.

*

P: Suspected crack in windshield.

S: Suspect you're right.

*

P: Number 3 engine missing..

S: Engine found on right wing after brief search

*

P: Aircraft handles funny.

(I love this one!)

S: Aircraft warned to straighten up, fly right and be serious.

*

P: Target radar hums.

S: Reprogrammed target radar with lyrics.

*

P: Mouse in cockpit.

S: Cat installed.

*

And the best one for last...

*

P: Noise coming from under instrument panel. Sounds like a midget pounding on something with a hammer.

S: Took hammer away from midget.

Reunion Roster Update

Here’s the latest update on Who’s Coming to the Reunion as of August 10^th…

Joe Beckham, Don Bernstein, Tony Chapa, Adrian Coty, Gordy Darragh, John Ferguson, Joe Floyd, John Gardosik Steve Hammons, Joel Haugen, Bob Heckendorn, Johnny Martin, D. Bill Miller, Bill Page, Ben Perez, Ronald Peterson, Bob Riha, Steve Sachs, Ernie Serna, and Danny Talbott

As soon as a new list is published, I’ll put those from the 225th who are registered on this blog. The entire roster is located at the Association website, click on Reunions.

Does Anyone Know J.Y. Hammack?

Dave Olney, the Executive Director of the OV-1 Mohawk Association, received the following email from the son of a former Mohawk driver. I told Dave that I would post it to see if any of you might know this man's father, J. Y. Hammack.

On 07/29/09 10:04 AM, Steve Hammack wrote:
--------------------
Dave, You do not know me but you may know my father J Y Hammack in your role of Executive Director for the OV-1 Mohawk Association. My dad flew them way back when. He is getting on in years but I thought it would be nice to see if your group has any records on him or needed information from him.
Have a great day.
Steve [Hammack]
UH1/OH58/UH60 LTC(R)

Please let me know if you know Mr. Hammack and I'll be sure to pass the info along. Thanks!

NASHVILLE IS ONLY 6 WEEKS AWAY!!

This is a reminder that the 20^th Anniversary Reunion of the OV-1 Mohawk Association is now only a little over 6 weeks away, and only 16 Blackhawks/Phantomhawks have sent their registrations in as of the 1^st of August. They are Joe Beckham, Tony Chapa, Adrian Coty, John Ferguson, John Gardosik, Steve Hammons, Joel Haugen, Bob Heckendorn, D. Bill Miller, Bill Page, Ben Perez, Ronald Peterson, Bob Riha, Steve Sachs, Danny Talbot and myself.

The following is from the Reunion Registration Info Form:

You are responsible for making your own room reservations at the Sheraton Music City Hotel @ 1-888-627-7060 -or- http://www.starwoodmeeting.com/Book/mohawk09.

The block of rooms will be held until August 15, 2009 or until they are all gone. We needed to have our room reservations made NLT July 15, 2009, in order to accurately predict our contract obligations to the hotel.

Please have your completed registrations in to Chris by August 1, 2009. (This was a week ago!) Please note that a $20 late fee will apply this year for those received after August 15, 2009.

Chris Walker, our Reunion Director said to call him on his cell phone with any questions/problems: 660/351-2132 ~or~ email him: bcwalker01@earthlink.net.

MG Bill Page (USA Retired), and former XO and CO of the 225^th, is our main speaker this year (please see an earlier article on this blog). I have been working with him in the preparation of it, and it will be really fun to hear about his eight years as a Mohawk pilot and company exec and CO. We are planning an informal reception one night (probably Thursday) so we all have chance to see each other.

So get your registrations in ASAP! We all gather in Nashville a little over 6 weeks! We’re looking forward to seeing you there!

Mohawk Videos on the Web

Larry Conway sent the following note to us Army Aviation types:

"Howdy, Troops!

"I have long been disappointed in the paucity of videos of OV-1s in flight. Well, here they are - a bunch of them. Some good soul(s) took the time & trouble to put them on YouTube. Enjoy."

Click on the link to see some footage that may bring back some memories...http://video.google.com/videosearch?hl=en&client=firefox-a&channel=s&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&hs=VqP&q=grumman%20ov%201%20mohawk&revid=1585004651&ei=bPxpSrDMJ4PksQPwnMCWBQ&resnum=0&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wv#

Nashville - 60 Days Away and Counting!

Can you believe it? In about 60 days I’ll be leavin’ on a jet plane for Nashville and the OV-1 Mohawk Association’s 20th Annual Reunion and Reminiscing-Fest!

Chris Walker, the Association’s Reunion Director, has arranged for great activities for all us Mohawkers and our significant others. For example, if you always wanted to know how whiskey is made (and haven’t seen it on the Food Channel), we will be going to the Jack Daniels Distillery in Lynchburg on Thursday the 24th of September. On Saturday, during the Business Meeting, all of our better halves and guests will be going on an historic tour of the Belle Meade Plantation and the Hermitage, General (and President) Andrew Jackson’s home.

Saturday night we will dine in fine style at our annual Banquet and hear MG Bill Page share about the history of the OV-1 Mohawk and his eight years as a Mohawk driver. I’ve been working with him on his presentation, and believe me you do not want to miss it!

We’re staying at the Sheraton Music City Hotel and the rates are very reasonable, but they will not apply much longer. I’m personally looking forward to sitting around some table and listening to more true stories of all of our adventures when we were 20+ years old, and serving our country as Mohawkers. I learn something new each time we get together!

I looked at who’s coming from the ranks of the Blackhawks and Phantomhawks, and I count only eight as of the posting of the list on July 2nd. I see Steve Hammons and Joe Beckham were about first in line, Adrian Coty and Steve Sachs will be there too. (I’m looking forward to flying with you again Steve!) Where are you Alex Berkeley, Loren Schrock and Danny Talbot! Don’t make Joe and me consume all that beer again this year!

To make it easy for you to register, here’s the link to the Association website: http://www.ov-1mohawkassociation.org/reunions.html, so there can’t be any whiney excuses like “I didn’t know how to register” or “I didn’t know how much it cost”.

Seriously though, time’s gettin’ short (not to be confused with a short-timer), so send in your registration today! I’ll see you in Nashville!

LTC M. Dugan Lawrence, US Army (retired)

Sadly I have to report that I just received word of the quiet passing last week of a friend and comrade, LTC M. Dugan Lawrence, US Army (retired), at his home in Corvallis, Oregon.

While in the Army he served with the 225th Avn Co., Phu Hiep, June '69 - June '70. He then was an Instructor Pilot at Ft. Rucker, '70 –’72; and Cdr, Det 1, 330th Avn Co. Stuttgart, FRG Aug ’74- Aug ’77. Following Germany he was Quicklook II Evaluator at Ft. Huachuca, Aug ’77- Aug ’80. He then was assigned to the 2nd MI Bn (Prov), Camp Humphreys, ROK Jul ’81- Jul ’82.

I had the opportunity to fly with Dugan on flight-follow missions in Vietnam in 1969 and 1970. When I DEROSed in June 1970, I made it a point to get his address in Corvallis, as he was due to rotate shortly after I came home. Later that summer I drove to his home and we had a chance to visit for a while. I’ll always remember his comment when he saw my brand new shiny red 1970 Cuda parked in front of his house. He said, “It looks like it’s going fast just sitting there!”

I hadn’t seen Dugan since 1970, so I was thrilled when I found his name on the roster for the Reunion in Portland last September! We had a chance to catch up on the last 38 years at the Reunion. I am so glad we saw each other!

Rest in peace, my friend.

Memorial Day 2009 - May We Never Forget

Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May (on May 25 in 2009). Formerly known as Decoration Day, it commemorates U.S. men and women who died while in the military service. First enacted to honor Union soldiers of the American Civil War (it is celebrated near the day of reunification after the civil war), it was expanded after World War I to include American casualties of any war or military action. (from Wikipedia)

Please take a moment to remember the friends we lost so many years ago. (click the arrow on the lower left of the screen below)

MG Bill Page Will Speak In Nashville

It’s official!  The 20^th Anniversary Reunion of the OV-1 Mohawk Association will be 23-27 September 2009 in Nashville, Tennessee!  And the Board of Directors just confirmed that our guest speaker will be MG William C. Page Jr., USA (Retired).  Many of us in the 225^th knew him as our XO and CO Major Bill Page.  But that was a few years ago.  I just got off the phone with him to begin planning what his remarks will be and I’ve got to tell you that I am more excited about this Reunion than any of the five or six that I’ve been to since 1998!

I hope you are planning to be in Nashville in September.  I’m extending you a special invitation to join Bill and me at the Sheraton Music City Hotel!  I’ll be putting more info on the Observer over the weeks as we approach Nashville.  You can find registration info at the Association web site www.ov-1mohawkassociation.org.  But don’t wait until you’re on short final to register!  It’s a good deal that costs only $102 a night (plus tax and all that other stuff, of course)!  We’re counting on seeing you there!

The 225th's Hawks

This is for all who served with the 225th Surveillance Airplane Company in the Republic of Vietnam...enjoy this look back at our airplanes!

Newly Discovered Photos from Chuck Galloway! (from Nov. 07)

Since there have been several additions to the mailing list recently, I thought you'd like to see some photos that Chuck Galloway (see next article) sent to me back in the Fall of 2007...


Chuck was an 84G20 in April 1968 when he arrived a Phu Hiep, then was reassigned to the Capital Military Assistance Command as an 84B20 (photographer) in Saigon in July, but not before he had taken some pictures of the Company Area. He sent these to me last week, and I couldn't wait to share them with you!

Special Offer from Terre Haute! (from Dec. 07)

Chuck Galloway, who was an 84G20 Photo Lab Tech and now lives in Terre Haute, Wisconsin, wrote me to say "...Any members of the 225th that have either slides or pictures and would send them to me we will scan then to DVD at no charge as long as they let [Gordy] put the photos on [his] web site. The originals will be returned to them unharmed."

 

Guys, this is an offer too good to pass up!  You can contact Chuck at his website gallowaycamera.com.

A Sad 40th Anniversary

Larry Conway wrote this note to me today...
"Hard to believe, but it was 40 years ago today that David Peterson & Norman McCauley were shot down.  RIP, Cpt David Peterson."

A New Photo of Zero Zero

Terry Carlson recently sent me this picture of Zero Zero, one I had not seen before.

An Old Friend

Jim Thomas sent this photo and note to me and several others around Christmas time…

“Merry Christmas old friends!  This is a photo of OV-1C 60--3747 that I took while out at the Fort Hood CAV museum.  3747 is listed as having served with the 225th from 9/67 through 10/68.  So, it is an old friend also.”

If anyone happens to remember what big, yellow tail number this bird had in 1967-68, please post a comment on the blog! Thanks!

More of George Drago's Wisdom (stolen from somebody else, of course!)

Pilot Philosophy (From an Airline Pilot. They have a different sense of humor.)

The difference between a duck and a co-pilot?
     The duck can fly.

A check ride ought to be like a skirt.
     Short enough to be interesting, but long enough to cover everything.

Speed is life. Altitude is life insurance.

It only takes two things to fly:
     Airspeed, and money.

The three most dangerous things in aviation:
     1. A Doctor or Dentist in a Cessna.
     2. Two captains in a DC-9.

Aircraft Identification:
     If it's ugly, it's British.
     If it's weird, it's French.
     If it's ugly and weird, it's Russian.

Without ammunition, the USAF would be just another very expensive flying club.

The similarity between air traffic controllers and pilots?
     If a pilot screws up, the pilot dies.
     If ATC screws up, the pilot dies.

The difference between flight attendants and jet engines:
     The engines usually quit whining when they get to the gate.

New FAA motto:
     'We're not happy, till you're not happy.'

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

I give that landing a 9. . .on the Richter scale.

Basic Flying Rules:
     1. Try to stay in the middle of the air.
     2. Do not go near the edges of it.
     3. The edges of the air can be recognized by the appearance of ground, buildings, sea, trees and interstellar space. It is much more difficult to fly in the edges.

Unknown landing signal officer (LSO) to carrier pilot after his 6th unsuccessful landing attempt:
     "You've got to land here son. This is where the food is."

(Ed. note: I'm not a pilot, so I have no idea what he's talking about!)