#116 Mohawker.pdf - Malcolm Gray

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 Page  1                                                                                                                        November-December  2013  Issue  #116                                                                                                    The  Mohawker The Mohawker Newsletter of the OV-1 Mohawk Association w w w .o v - 1 m oh aw ka sso ci at i o n .o rg Ferry  Flight  from  Bethpage,  Long  Island,  New  York  to  Bryant  Army  Airfield,  Anchorage,  Alaska 1LT  Leigh  Sprowls  -  SP5  Lester  Maddox  -  Navy  CPT  Gates,  BUWEPS  -  SP5  Jerry  Townsend  -  1LT  John  Lane OV-1A  Mohawks  60-3743  and  60-3744 In This Issue XO  Notes  /Reunion  Report 2 Reminiscing  Flying  Days   8 Taps 3 The  Artic  Odyssey  of  60-3743  and  60-3744 10 Reunion  Recap 4 Membership  Report 14 Those  Magnificent  Troops 6 Association  Contacts 15 Mail  Call 7 This  newsletter  is  the  sole  property  of  the  OV-1  Mohawk  Association,  reproduction  by  any  means  is  not  authorized  without  written  permis-­ sion  of  the  Board  of  Directors.  Permission  may  be  sought  by  writing  to  the  Executive  Director,  OV-1  Mohawk  Association,  13111  88th  Pl.   NE,  Kirkland,  WA  98034.    The  OV-1  Mohawk  Association  is  a  nonprofit,  tax-exempt  corporation,  per  IRS  501(C)3.  Donations  are  tax- deductible.  Page  2                                                                                                                        November-December  2013  Issue  #116                                                                         The  Mohawker From  the  Executive  Director  -  Gordy  Darragh    Reunion   2013   in   Savannah   is   224th   MI   Battalion   at   Hunter   AAF   to   us   on   Friday   after-­ now  history,  but  what  great  histo-­ noon.    They  could  not  tell  us  a  whole  lot  other  than  their   ry  it  is!    First  of  all,  Savannah  was   mission   is   to   gather   intelligence   using   newer   technology   a   wonderful   city   to   spend   a   vaca-­ and  different  platforms  than  the  Mohawk  had  nearly  a  half   tion  in  as  a  first  time  visitor  from   century   ago.     We   appreciated   them   sharing   with   us   and   the  Pacific  Northwest.      It  is  a  city   answering  our  questions  to  best  of  their  ability. founded  in  1733  and  was  the  first      At  our  annual  Association  Business  Meeting  on  Saturday   colonial  and  state  capital  of  Geor-­ we   welcomed   several   FNGs   (“Friendly   New   Guys”)   who   gia.    Even  though  British  colonists   were   first   time   reunion   attenders.     We   also   had   several   originally   settled   it,   American   revolutionaries   controlled   very   important   votes:     New   Board   of   Director   members   the  city  until  the  British  and  Loyalists  regained  control  in   were  chosen,  as  was  the  site  for  the  2015  Reunion.    New   1778.     At   the   Siege   of   Savannah   in   1779,   American   and   Board   members   are:     Tom   Hummel,   Executive   Director;;   French   troops   fought   unsuccessfully   to   retake   the   city.     Bill  McNease,  Membership  Director;;  John  Bosch,  Reunion   Again,  in  December  1864,  Savannah  was  invaded  by  Un-­ Director;;  and  Terry  Clark,  Website  Director.    Their  terms   ion   troops   during   the   American   Civil   War,   causing   much   begin  on  January  1st.    Congratulations  all,  and  welcome  to   material  damage  in  the  process. the  Board  of  Directors!    Today,  this  wonderful  old  city  is  the  site  of  the  Savannah      The  other  important  vote  that  was  taken  was  for  the  site   College   of   Art   and   Design,   an   amazing   cemetery   that   is   of  the  26th  Reunion  in  2015.    And  the  winner  is...San  Die-­ maintained   by   the   Daughters   of  the   American   Revolution   go  (with  53  votes)!    Other  suggestions  were  Denver,  Seat-­ and  an  old  movie  theatre  that  has  been  fully  restored  as  a   tle,  Tucson  and  Portland,  Oregon.    Reunion  Director-elect   result  of  a  gift  by  actor  Kevin  Spacey  after  he  visited  the   John   Bosch   lives   in   the   San   Diego   area   and   will   work   to   city  for  the  filming  of  the  movie  Midnight  in  the  Garden  of   provide   another   outstanding   event   in   two   years.     I   would   Good  and  Evil  in  1997  in  which  he  starred. encourage  any  of  you,  particularly  if  you  live  in  the  South-­    It  was  wonderful  greeting  friends,  renewing  acquaintanc-­ ern  California  area,  to  give  him  a  call  to  offer  him  any  help   es   and   making   new   ones   over   the   five   days   that   I   was   you  can. there.     Chris   and   Beth   Walker   hit   another   homerun   with      Bob  Mallardi  gave  us  an  update  on  Dallas  2014,  our  25th   every  aspect  of  the  Reunion!    The  Hilton  Desoto  Savannah   Reunion...dates   are   September   4-7   and   the   headquarters   was  a  beautiful  venue  with  a  banquet  room  that  easily  sat   hotel   is   the   Dallas   Intercontinental   in   nearby   Addison.     the  over  300  reunion  guests  for  Saturday  night’s  dinner,  an   When   registration   opens   on   our   website   don’t   be   late   in   easily  found  room  for  the  Mohawk  PX  and  a  large  hospi-­ th reserving  your  room!    You  don’t  want  to  miss  out  on  the   tality   room   on   the   15   floor   with   a   wonderful   view   of   fun  by  having  to  travel  between  hotels  (in  case  there  is  one   downtown  and  the  nearby  Savannah  River. needed  for  overflow)  to  attend  events  at  the  Intercontinen-­    We   visited   the   Mighty   8th   Air   Force   Aviation   Museum,   tal.     I’m   looking   forward   to   seeing   you   all   at   our   Silver   where   an   almost   completely   restored   B-17   and   other   air-­ Anniversary  Reunion!    Let’s  make  this  the  biggest  and  best   craft   are   on   display.     There   were   great   historical   displays   one  ever! of  cause  of  WWII  in  Europe,  tribute  to  the  ladies  who  were   members  of  the  WASPs  (Women  Airforce  Service  Pilots)      The   Saturday   evening   banquet   was   a   wonderful   affair.     and   their   great   contribution   to   the   war   effort.     There   is   a   We  had  LTC  Rich  Melnyk,  CSM  Brian  Cullen,  CPT  Alex-­ life  size  display  of  a  safe  house  in  Belgium.    The  tour  ends   ander  Humes  of  the  224th  MI  Battalion  and  their  wives  as   with   video   presentations   of   the   preflight   briefing   pilots   our  special  guests.    A  Color  Guard  from  Hunter  Army  Air-­ received,  other  presentations  and  a  multi-media  production   field  posted  and  retired  the  colors  for  us  also.   of  an  actual  mission  over  Europe  with  authentic  footage.      In   a   departure   from   previous   programs,   we   had   three      Some  folks  decided  to  be  tourists  on  their  own.    I  would   speakers  this  year.    Mark  Bellamy  of  the  20th  ASTA,  73rd   encourage   you   to   send   any   pictures   to   George   Coleman   and   131st   Aviation   Companies   shared   about   his   and   his   and/or  Mack  Gray  to  share  in  a  future  Mohawker  or  on  the   observer’s  ejection  over  Vietnam  and  their  subsequent  res-­ website,   along   with   a   description   of   what   you   saw   while   cue;;   he   then   introduced   LTC   Ben   Rinehart,   USMC   you  were  there.    I  know  many  of  us  would  really  appreci-­ (Retired),  who  was  his  rescuer.    Ben  shared  with  the  gath-­ ate  seeing  them! ering  the  details  of  the  rescue  operation  and  how,  over  the      Two  Army  officers  gave  a  briefing  on  the  mission  of  the   (Darragh  -  Continued  on  page  3)  Page  3                                                                                                                        November-December  2013  Issue  #116                                                                                                    The  Mohawker T  a  p  s Colonel   (Retired)   Juan      Master   Sergeant   (Retired) Francisco   Herrera,   born   in   Charles   N.   Cole,   Jr.   Member   Corpus   Christi,   TX   March   8,   #1355   passed   away   July   19,   1941   passed   away   from   2013   in   Temple,   Texas.     MSG   complications   of   pneumonia,   Cole   was   born   April   11,   1929   Sunday,  October  6,  2013.    He  is   and   served   in   the   United   States   preceded   in   death   by   his   son,   Army   for   30   years.     He   served   John   Frank   Herrera   and   is   with   the   245th   Aviation   survived   by   his   wife,   Kathleen   Company   (Red   Haze)   Marble   Herrera;;   daughter,   Christina     Mountain  from  October  1966  to   Horne   (Jason)   and   grandson,   June   1969   as   an   Imagery   Cullen   Horne   of   Adairsville,   Interpreter. Georgia.    Other  family  members   include   sisters   Teresa   Sanchez   and   Angela   Kostecka   of   Burial   was   at   Arlington   National   Cemetery   September   3,   Texas   and   brother-in-law   John   St.   John   (Demie)   of   2013. Chicago,  Illinois. Survivors  include  his  wife,  Ruth  Elliott  Cole,  of  62  years;;   Colonel   Herrera   graduated   from   Texas   A   &   I,   the   Army   daughters   Patricia   Cole   Hargett   and   Mary   Cole   Davila;;     War   College,   and   the   University   of   North   Carolina.   He   three  grandsons  and  several  great-grandchildren. had   a   distinguished   33   year   career   in   the   US   Army,   Betty   Ann   Anderson,  wife  of  Leonard  (Andy)  Anderson   including  3  tours  in  Vietnam.    His  numerous  awards  and   passed  away.    A  memorial  service  was  held  December  19,   commendations,   include   the   Distinguished   Flying   Cross.     st 2013   at   the   Memory   Garden   in   Gulf   Cemetery   South   John   (as   he   was   known)   served   with   the   131   Aviation   Walton  County  Florida. Company   (AS)   in   Vietnam   (Spud)   and   commanded   the   73rd   Military   Intelligence   Company   (AS)   in   Stuttgart,   Andy  is  member  #1187  and  served  with  the  73rd  Aviation   Germany.     He   later  served   as   the   Army   Aviation   Officer   Company  in  1969. for  the   Georgia   National  Guard.     After   retiring   he   taught   English   for   several   years   at   Round   Rock   High   School   in   Round  Rock,  Texas. Graveside  services  were  October  10,  2013  at  the  Georgia   National  Cemetery,  Canton,  Georgia. (Darragh  -  Continued  from  page  2) a   bit   more   frequent   for   many   of   us   past   few   years   he   and   Mark   have   continued   their   friend-­ now.)     The   colors   were   retired   and   ship.     I   then   introduced   LTC   George   Drago,   USAR   another  reunion  banquet  was  ended.     (Retired),   who   shared   the   circumstances   why   he   was   We   all   adjourned   to   the   chaos   of   awarded   the   Distinguished   Flying   Cross   for   Heroism   taking   unit   photos   and   then   many   while   he   was   with   the   225th   Aviation   Company   in   Vi-­ went   to   the   bar   to   finish   up   the   etnam.     We   all   appreciated   that   these   three   gentlemen   night. shared  their  stories  with  us  on  Saturday  evening. All   in   all,   the   Mohawkers   agreed   The   Interim   Executive   Director,   after   some   difficulty,   that  this  was  one  of  the  best  reunions  we  have  had,  and  we   managed  to  introduce  the  Directors-elect  to  the  audience.     are   looking   forward   to   Dallas   in   September   2014.     Will   (You  see,  I  had  not  written  their  names  down,  so  my  brain   see  you  all  there! decided   to   go   absolutely   blank   when   I   tried  to   remember   their  names!    Oh  well,  many  told  me  that  this  is  becoming   Gordy  Darragh  -  Acting  XO  Page  4                                                                                                                        November-December  2013  Issue  #116                                                                         The  Mohawker Savannah  Reunion  -  After  Action  Report  -  Chris  Walker,  Reunion  Director          We  closed  the  books  on  our  24th  annual  OV-1  Mohawk   famous   for;;   delicious   comfort   food   and   seafood   of   all   reunion   in   Savannah,   Georgia,   which   turned   out   to   be   a   kinds.    I  did  not  hear  of  anyone  going  home  hungry. rousing,   surprising,   success.     There   were   approximately            AFRI   will   be   handling   the   registration   and   assorted   300  members,  spouses  and  guests  in  attendance;;  a  number   details  for  us  again  next  year  as  we  have  already  contract-­ larger   than   expected,   by   any   measure.     Typically,   those   ed  for  their  services  to  help  us  with  our  25th  reunion.    The   numbers  are  not  seen  at  Mohawk  reunions  held  anywhere   fact  that  AFRI  collects  all  the  registrations,  takes  the  pay-­ but  Las  Vegas. ments,  prints  the  name  tags  and  keeps  straight  all  the  per-­          Perhaps  the  draw  was  Savannah,  itself.    As  an  historic   sons  who  decide  to  either  come  or  cancel  at  the  last  minute   city  of  the  old  south,  it  is  an  attraction  on  its  own  for  mil-­ takes  a  tremendous  load  off  the  shoulders  of  the  Reunion   lions  of  people  who  trek  there  annually  to  enjoy  the  beau-­ Director.     At   the   reunion   site   there   are   still   many,   many   tiful  old  homes,  museums  and  other  historic  offerings,  not   details  to  be  handled  by  the  Reunion  Director,  so  it  is  still   to   mention   the   special   food.     Or,   maybe   it   was   the   geo-­ an   intense,   detail-driven   duty   even   though   much   of   the   graphic  location  and  ease  of  travel  from  Florida,  where  a   administrative  burden  is  handled  by  AFRI. large   section   of   our   membership   resides,   and   from   Geor-­          Those  who  attended  this  year  got  to  experience  a  new   gia,   South   Carolina,   Alabama,   etc.     Whatever   the   reason,   system   of   reserved   banquet   seating   which   was   designed   this   reunion   brought   out   many   members   who   either   had   and  introduced  by  AFRI.     Having  seats  selected  by  those   never  attended  a  reunion  before  or  had  lapsed  their  attend-­ who   want  to   sit  together   at   a   particular   table,   and   having   ance  for  several  years  and  decided  this  was  one  they  want-­ those  displayed  in  advance  on  viewable  charts,  eliminates   ed  to  part  of.    I  anticipate  that  the  reunion  next  year,  our   the  mad  rush  when  the  banquet  hall  doors  open  and  makes   25th,  to  be  held  in  Dallas,  Texas,  will  also  be  very  heavily   it   much   more   pleasant   to   find   your   seat   for   the   program   attended,   as   Texas   is   another   state   which   is   home   to   a   and  meal  at  our  annual  Mohawk  banquet  event.    Any  va-­ large  portion  of  our  membership,  and  is  easily  reached  by   cant   seats   remaining   at   a   table   are   filled   by   AFRI   staff   air  or  surface  travel. from  those  who  had  not  made  a  prior  choice  to  join  others.              Speaking   of   2014,   Bob   and   Ginny   Mallardi   have   al-­ This   system   seemed   to   work   very   well   and   was   well   re-­ ready   made   some   very   interesting   and   elegant   plans   for   ceived  by  those  in  attendance.    Look  for  a  similar  system   our   Silver   Anniversary   reunion   in   the   Dallas   suburb   of   next  year  in  Addison. Addison,  Texas,  at  a  large,  very  nice  hotel.    They  will  be            As  you  may  imagine,  there  is  a  large  learning  curve  to   handling  that  reunion  as  the  primary  on-site  reunion  man-­ be   overcome   by   anyone   taking   over   a   new   position   on   agers  under  the  watchful  eye  of  your  newly-elected  Reun-­ your  board  of  directors.    I  will  be  working  with  both  Bob   ion  Director,  John  Bosch,  who  will  serve  for  the  next  three   Mallardi   and   John   Bosch   to   ease   the   transition   to   a   new   years  in  that  capacity.    John  lives  in  Southern  California,   Reunion  Director  and  to  pass  along  any  tips  I  can.    We  all   very   convenient   to   the   location   of   our   reunion   in   2015,   start  with  no  knowledge,  or  very  little  knowledge,  of  what   which  is  to  be  San  Diego,  CA. a  particular  job  entails  but  you  quickly  build  your  database            Back  to  Savannah  -  as  many  of  you  know,  our  block  of   from   previous   office-holders   and   learning   what   has   rooms  at  the  historic  Hilton  Savannah  DeSoto  hotel  filled   worked   in   the   past.     It   also   helps   to   have   feedback   from   quickly  and,  due  to  the  high  demand  for  rooms  during  our   the  membership,  so  don’t  be  shy  about  letting  your  board   time  in  town,  the  hotel  was  not  able  to  give  us  more  rooms   of  directors  know  if  you  think  the  organization  should  do   at  the  contracted  rate.    Therefore,  it  was  necessary  to  find   business  in  a  different  manner.   a  “spillover  hotel”  for  those  who  wanted  to  come  but  were              You,  the  members  who  attend  reunions,  can  help  your   not   able   to   get   an   affordable   room   in   our   reunion   hotel.     Director  by  announcing  as  far  as  possible  in  advance  that   Through   the   efforts   of   our   professional   reunion   planners,   you  have  one  or  more  items  to  donate  for  a  drawing  at  the   Armed   Forces   Reunions,   Inc.   (AFRI),   we   were   able   to   banquet,  as  this  will  help  tremendously  in  the  planning  for   secure  more  rooms  down  the  street  at  the  same  contracted   the  banquet  agenda.    Anyone  who  has  attended  knows  that   rate  of  $112.00  plus  tax  at  the  Courtyard  by  Marriott.    At   there   are   always   lots   of   things   to   accomplish   during   that   the   beginning   of   our   reunion   we   had   approximately   140   evening  and  often  times  the  end  of  the  program  gets  a  little   rooms  between  the  two  hotels. hectic  with  added  items  to  be  drawn  for.          Our  two   group   meal   events,   held  Thursday   and   Satur-­          As  I  close  out  my  six  years  as  your  Reunion  Director,  I   day  nights,  were  both  very  well  attended  and  the  food  pre-­ want   to   thank   everyone   for   all  the   offers   of   help   and   en-­ pared  by  the  hotel  was  very  good.    Both  buffets  had  some-­ couragement   shown   to   both   Beth   and   me   over   the   years.     thing   for   everyone   to   enjoy.     Friday   night   was   open   for   (Walker  -  Continued  on  page  5) attendees   to   get   out   and   find   some   of   what   Savannah   is    Page  5                                                                                                                        November-December  2013  Issue  #116                                                                                                    The  Mohawker Keith  Towler (Walker  -  Continued  from  page  4) and  Mohawk  unit  members,  such  as  those  who  took  part  in   One  of  the  best  parts  of  being  a  member  of  the  board,  and   campaigns   such   as   Desert   Storm,   or   our   own   children,   or   being  Reunion  Director  in  particular,  is  that  you  really  do   we   can   try   to   merge   with   other   groups   who   have   similar   get  to  know  your  fellow  members  of  the  organization.    Af-­ interests  to  ours. ter  a  few  reunions,  you  will  recognize  those  who  are  usual-­          Either   way,   for   this   organization   to   continue   into   the   ly  first  in  line  to  register  and  reserve  their  rooms  and,  con-­ future   and   survive   for   many   years,   it   will   most   likely   be   versely,  those  who  wait  each  year  until  the  bitter  end.    I’ll   necessary   to   somewhat   diminish   the   past   focus   on   Vi-­ let  you  guess  which  ones  are  most  appreciated. etnam/Korea/Germany   service   in   the   various   Mohawk            One   aspect   of   working   with   AFRI   has   been   to   learn   units,  and  instead  channel  our  energies  toward  becoming  a   what   other   organizations   have   done   to   grapple   with   the   cohesive   group   which   enjoys   getting   together   each   year   problem   of   declining   membership   due   to   the   passing   of   with   a   view   toward   fellowship,   friendship   and   a   common   aging   members.     Several   organizations   have   developed   interest  in  the  Grumman  OV-1  Mohawk  aircraft. second-   and   third-generation   memberships;;   sons   and            I  look  forward  to  working  with  Bob  Mallardi  and  John   daughters,   and   in   some   cases,   grandchildren,   of   original   Bosch,  and  to  seeing  all  of  you  at  our  25th  “Silver  Anniver-­ members  who  passed  on  have  become  members  of  various   sary”  reunion  next  year  in  Dallas  (Addison),  Texas,  in  Sep-­ military   veterans’   groups   to   carry   on   the   memory   of   their   tember. loved   one,   or   just   because   the   younger   folks   enjoy   the   group  and  want  to  be  a  part  of  the  activities.    This  is  some-­ Chris  Walker thing  that  perhaps  our  organization  should  start  thinking  of   Reunion  Director,  2008-2014 and  planning  for.    We  can  either  try  to  recruit  younger  pri-­  Page  6                                                                                                                        November-December  2013  Issue  #116                                                                         The  Mohawker Those  Magnificent  Troops  -  John  Pfeiffer  -  Member  #29    On  day  one  of  my  war,  i  pre-flighted  an  armed  A-Model   Rank   didn't   mean   diddily   in   that   setting,   nor   should   it   Mohawk  -  by  the  book  -  then  strapped  in  and  flew  into  the   among   men   in   Harm’s   Way.   They   invested   THEIR   All   Twilight   Zone   of   Laos.   Hours   later...   and   well   into   the   into   getting   those   Mohawks   ready   to   go   kick   butt   ...   and   scotch…   Max   Davison   (our   unit's   Maintenance   Officer)   bring   their   flight   crews   safely   home   …   so   they   could   pulled   me   aside   and   said;;   "Son,   when   MY   crew   chiefs   ready  the  bird  for  its  next  sortie  later  that  day  or  the  next.     say   your   bird   is   good   to   go,   just   strap   her   on   and   go   to   They   “tended   to   frown   upon”   pilots   who   returned   with   work.   Don't   waste   their   valuable   time   with   that   walk- tree  branches  stuck  in  her  skin   ---  or  bullet  holes  through   around  and  climb-about  crap,  eh?" it.    (I  ‘kinda’  saw  their  point!)    The   next   morning,   and   there   after,   all   i   ever   did   was     I  'won'  "The  Magnet-Ass  Award"  a  few  months  running,   finger-count  the  blades  on  the  nearest  prop,  kick  a  tire,  and   and   remember   asking   SGT   Tom   Cavener;;   "Sarge,   how   saddle   up.   Accordingly,   my   step   was   always   extended,   many  more  hits  do  i  need  to  lock-up  this  month’s  award?     leg  garters  hung  in  sight,  seat-harness  held  to  slip  on,  and  -   Would  you  go  check  your  ‘Heart  Log’  for  me,  pal?”  Tom   given   my   usual   'morning   virus'   -   informed   that   my   O-2   just   shook   his   head   and   said   ...   in   his   always   gentle   bottles  were  topped  off  with  happy  air. manner;;  “Your’re  SICK,  Cap’n”    …  and  walked  away.    For   the   next   year,   into   October   of   1967,   i   mostly   flew   our   overloaded   and   underpowered   A- Models   -   with   a   few   night   flights   in   the   B- Model   -   to   earn   that   combat   pay.   NOT   ONCE   did   any   of   those   aircraft   fail   me   of   their   own   accord...EVER!   Those   magnificent   troops   work-ed   24/7   -   under   floodlights   and   tarps  on  rainy  nights  (they  had  no  hangar  back  then)   -  to   replace  engines,  tweek  ordnance,  camera,  SLAR,  IR,  and   avionic   systems,   and   …   once   every   little   safety   nut   was   wired  and  checked  …  emptied  the  ashtrays  and  squeaky- cleaned  the  windshields.( Magnificent,  indeed!  )    Two  things  strike  me  as  i  head  for  a  close:  First  is  the   evolved   realization   that   those   magnificent   men   could've      They   didn't   lack   that   'unique   humor'   that   comes   with   crewed   a   winning   NASCAR   team,   hung-over   and   one- sustained   combat-ops   under   crappy   conditions   either   …   handed.   Second,   and   deep   in   my   bones,   is   the   somber   such   as   offering   to   'hold   your   expensive   wristwatch   look  on  their  faces  as  i  taxied  in  without  my  wingman  in   until  you  got  back  from  your  mission,  out  yonder'.  When   tow.  On  those  occasions,  they’d  quietly  seek  me  out  …   a   Hawk   returned   with   bullet   holes   in   her   hide,   they'd   fix   one-by-one   in   a   considerate   manner   …   to   wonder   IF   any   internal   damage,   then   sand-and-duck   tape   over   the   maybe   their   aircraft   had   somehow   failed   the   Crew.     holes   and   spray-paint   the   patch   and   put   her   up   for   duty.     GUILT  …  though  often  unfounded  once  the  fog  hopefully   (Without   objections   from   the   CO...like   it   would   clears  …  seems  not  to  take  any  prisoners.    The  unrelenting   matter!...they'd  paint  quarter-sized,  red  hearts  on  the  bird's   horrific  nature  of  warfare  allows  no  do-overs  for  the  dead,   nose   wheel   door   every   time   she   came   home   wounded.   certainly   …   nor   unsettled   regrets,   be   they   may,   for   their   Kinda  neat,  really.) war-mates  and  family,  living  forward.    They  concocted-and-conducted  a  monthly   'ritual'  for  the      As  one  of  the  many  pilots  and  TOs  you  men  safeguarded   VR  pilots  (  who  flew  THEIR  armed  Mohawks  into  battle  )   …  with  YOUR  ALL  …  I  “Salute  You”,  most  respectfully,   that   the   CO   frowned   upon   and   ordered   stopped   for   your   Splendid   Behavior   in   our   stead   …   and   our   war.     [RIGHT  !!].    Come  the  first  day  of  the  month,  the  winner'   None   of   the  “bad   and   ugly   reviews   of   that   war”  …   from   of   "The   Magnet-Ass   Award"   (   for   bringing   home   more   within  our  homeland  …  will  ever  sully  the  Valor  of  your   wounded   birds   than   any   other   last   month   )   was   ushered   outstanding  performance.    Thanks,  Guys. into  their  flight  line  shack  and  -  like  the  handing  down  of   a  guilty  verdict  from  a  jury-told  of  their  accomplishment.   pfeiff  …  Out!  Page  7                                                                                                                        November-December  2013  Issue  #116                                                                                                    The  Mohawker Mohawk     Mail    Call -----Original  Message-----    The  Texas  Capitol  Vietnam  Veterans  Monument  will  be   From:  "Ron  Miller"  <[email protected]> dedicated   at   the   State   Capitol   in   Austin   on   Saturday,   Sent:  Sunday,  September  22,  2013  5:25pm March   29,   2014   at   10:00   a.m.   The   dedication   and   To:  "[email protected]"  <[email protected]> “Welcome  Home  Fair”  at  the  Capitol  are  free  and  open  to   the  public.  March  29th  has  been  designated  nationally  and   Subject:  Mohawk  Pilot  Ashau  Valley  1st  Cav  Division in  Texas  as  “Vietnam  Veterans  Day”  because  on  that  day   in  1973,  the  last  combat  troops  left  Vietnam. 9-22-13 Hey  Paul,    The   Texas   Capitol   Vietnam   Veterans   Monument   was     approved   by   the   79thTexas   legislature   in   2005   through    Life  Member  VHPA  L05434  here.  I  see  you  are  having   House   Concurrent   Resolution   No.   36   to   honor   Texans   your   24th   Annual   Reunion   and   Fly   In   on   5-7   Sep   in   who  served  in  the  U.S.  Armed  Forces  during  the  Vietnam   Savannah,   Ga.   I   am   looking   for   the   Mohawk   pilot   that   War,  including  the  3,417  who  died  or  went  missing.  The   was  dispatched  very  early  in  the  morning  from  the  1st  Cav   State   Preservation   Board   gave   final   approval   to   the   Div  Hq's  at  Camp  Evans, I  believe  it  was  in  April  l968???- monument   design   on   September   20,   2013.   The   --not  real  sure  of  the  exact  date.  While  I  was  not  rated  in   monument,   originally   designed   by   New   Mexico   artist   the   Mohawk,   I   was   assigned   as   the   Weather   Duke   Sundt,   is   being   completed   and   bronzed   by   Clint   Officer for   the   Division  when   it   went  into  the   ASHAU   Howard  at  the  Deep  in  the  Heart  Art  Foundry  in  Bastrop. Valley.    I  was  the  co-pilot. A  dedication  ceremony  paying  tribute  to  the  service  of  all   Texas   Vietnam   veterans   and   the   sacrifice   of   those   who      We   flew   over   before   sunlight   and set   up   a   race   track   gave   their   lives   will   be   conducted   as   the   monument   is   pattern   east   of   the   Valley.   While   waiting   for   the   fog   to   unveiled   and   presented   to   the   people   of   Texas   by   the   clear  and  while  we  were  in  orbit,  approximately  2000  feet   Texas   Capitol   Vietnam   Veterans   Monument   above   the   terrain,   I   noticed   puffs   of   black   smoke   Committee.  The  committee  of  Vietnam  veterans,  chaired   exploding  in  front  and  around  our  aircraft.    I  ask  the  pilot   by   Mr.   Robert   Floyd   of   Austin,   has   been   responsible   for   if  he  knew what  was  happening---then  informed  him  that   all   aspects   of   the   monument   design,   construction   and   fundraising. we had  been  targeted  by  anti  aircraft  fire---thankfully  we   were  not  hit  and  a  short  time  later,  I  called  the  Division      The   dedication   ceremony   theme   will   be   Once,   America   on   the   command   net   and   informed   them   that   the   valley   Sent   Them   to   War.   Now   Texas   Welcomes   Them   was   clear   for   the   attack----The   division   lost   several   Home.   Expected   participants   include   Mr.   Floyd,   aircraft  that  day  with  high  causalities.    A  Sky  Crane took  a   monument  legislative  sponsors  State  Senator  Juan  “Chuy”   dozer   in   and   just   as   he   was   setting   it   down,   an   NVA   Hinojosa   and   State   Representative   Wayne   Smith,   and   soldier hit  the  cockpit  with   a  B-40  rocket--all  were  killed. other   Texas   elected   leaders.   Retired   Army   Lieutenant   General   Mick   Kicklighter,   who   heads   the   United   States      If  you  find the  Mohawk   pilot,  please  give  him  my  email   Department   of   Defense   50th   Commemoration   of   the   address  and  ask  him  to  contact  me.  Thanks--have  a  great   Vietnam  War  program,  will  speak.  Ms.  Karoni  Forrester,   time   in   Savannah---spent   many   good   time   there   in   the   Vice-Chair  of  the  National  League  of  POW/MIA  Families   70's. and   daughter   of   Texas   Marine   Captain   Ron   Forrester,   Tailwinds, MIA,   will   serve   as   Mistress   of   Ceremonies.   Other   Ron   Miller   -   Helicopter   Gunship   Pilot   Vietnam   l966-68- ceremonial   participants   will   include   Texas   Vietnam   veterans   representing   all   services,   the   Texas   Children’s   73 Choir  and  students  from  Edgewood  ISD  in  San  Antonio. National  Advisory  Committee,  Veterans  Business  Affairs,   Following  the  ceremony,  attendees  will  be  invited  to  visit   U.S.  SBA  (2002-2011) the  Texas  Vietnam  Heroes  Exhibit  in  the  Lower  Rotunda   National  Veterans  Adviser,  National  League  of  POW- of  the  Capitol.  The  exhibit  displays  replicas  of  the  3,417   MIA Families. personalized   dog   tags   honoring   Texans   who   died   in   Commissioner,  City  of  Jonesboro, AR. Vietnam   that   will   be   entombed   in   the   monument.   Additional   Vietnam   War   related   historical   and   tribute   exhibits   will   be   displayed   on   the   Capitol   grounds  in  a  “Welcome  Home  Fair”  through  the  day.  Page  8                                                                                                                        November-December  2013  Issue  #116                                                                         The  Mohawker Reminiscing  Flying  Days  with  George  Coleman  -  As  Told  to  Mack  Gray    At  the  end  of  2013  George  Coleman  finished  13  years  of   years   in   the   Army   as   a   SP-4   Radio   Repairman,   MOS   service   to   the   Association   as   newsletter   editor   and   web   296.10, stationed  in  Vicenza &  Verona,  Italy. Then  I got   master.    His  contribution  of  time  and  talent  has  helped  the   out,   completed   my   6   year   obligation   in   the   Inactive   Association  in  ways  that  are  hard  to  measure.    In  addition   Reserve   and   went   to   work   as   an   electronics Tech   Rep   to  the  newsletter  and  web  site,  George  was  instrumental  in   for Smith's  Industries,  Inc.,  in  Clearwater,  FL.  I  worked  on   starting   to   digitally   archive   the   story   of   the   OV-1   the   US   Marine   Corps   AV-8A   Harrier   jump   jet's   fire   Mohawk.    He  converted  the  first  100  newsletters  to  Adobe   control  computers  while  TDY  at  Pax  River,  MD  for  their   PDF   format   (these   are   available   for   purchase   from   the   flight   trials, and   in   my   spare   time earned an   Association  PX  on  a  disk)  then  helped  Craig  Breder  when   FAA Commercial  Pilots  license,  Instrument,  Multi-Engine   the  Association  authorized  funds  to  scan  other  documents. Land,   a   Private   Pilot   Glider   License,   Advanced &      In   an   exchange   of   emails   in   May   of   2012   George   and   I   Instrument  Ground  Instructor  Licenses  and  was  in  school   recounted   our   stories   on   how   we   got   into   the   flying   for   my   CFI/CFII   flight   instructor   licenses   when   my   5th   business.     The   beginnings   are   similar   but   George   straight   years   application   for   WOC   flight   school   was   continued  long  after  I  was  finished.    Also,  his  experience   approved  so  I  quit  CFI/CFII  school and  came  back  in  for   was   much   greater   then   my   experience.     Following   is   a   flight   school.   Needless   to   say   I   already   knew   how   to   fly   capsule   of   George’s   journey   in   military   and   civilian   and had  about  450  hours  in  all  kinds  of  civilian  aircraft  so   aviation. all   I   really had   to   learn was   how   to   fly   the   Army   way.   I   Mack  Gray  -  Member  #248 wound   up   in Fixed   Wing   WOFWAC   class 70-01   and   became class   leader   and   had   my   choice   of   transition   George’s  Journey aircraft   and   of   course chose   the   OV-1   Mohawk   and,   as   they  say,  the  rest  is  history!      Coming  back  from  Vietnam  en  route  to  the  122nd  AVN   Co.   in   Hanau   as   a   Mohawk   driver   on   an   Inter   Theatre   Transfer   I was   sent   to   and   graduated   from the   Aircraft   Maintenance   Officer   course   in   Ft.   Eustis,   VA   and   then   back  to  Mother  Rucker  for  a  Rotary  Wing  transition  in  OH -58A's   and   UH-1B/D/H   model Huey's   as   all   fixed   wing   drivers   were   required   to   also   be   rotary   wing   rated.   I received  an  FAA Commercial  Helicopter  Pilot's  license,   single   rotor, w/Instrument   endorsement from   the   transition.  Then  on  to  Germany.      I   also   earned   an   FAA   ATP   Multi-Engine   Land   pilots   license in   a   US   Army   C-12C   while   stationed   at   Mc   Dill   AFB  in  Tampa,  FL.  I  would  have  gotten  a  dual ATP  in  a   Huey   also   but   was   shipped   out to   the   OV-1   IP   school   instead   en   route back   to   Korea   for   my   second   of   three      The   Army   ad   said,   "High   school   to   flight   school"   and   tours before  I  could  complete  the  course. that   was   very true.   Some   came   into   Warrant   Officer      So,   as   you   can   see   there   were   many   ways   to   get   into   Candidate   (WOC)   school   right   out   of   high   school   and   flight   school   and   almost   everyone's   experience   was   basic   training,   some   were   enlisted   first   for   several   years   different. and then  applied  and made  it through  a  flight  school  board   and   then   came while others   were   Second   Lieutenants   (2LT)  right  out  of  Officer  Candidate  School  (OCS)  while   still   others   were   Captains   and   even   a   few   Majors.   There   were also   a   few   riffed   Commissioned   Officers   coming   through   WOC   as   Enlisted   men   and   we   even   had a   few   former  TO's  on  occasion.      There  was supposed  to  be  a  plan  to  all  of  it  but  only  DA   knew  what  it  was!    In   my   case   I   was   26   years   old when   I   went   to   flight   (Coleman  Continued  on  page  9) school  since  right  out  of  high  school  in  1961 I  served  three    Page  9                                                                                                                        November-December  2013  Issue  #116                                                                                                    The  Mohawker (Coleman  Continued  from  page  8)    When   I   was   giving   training   and   check   rides   as   an   IP   in      I   started   my   Private   Pilot   License   schooling   in   a   7AC   the   Mohawk   if   I   felt   the   pilot   was   apprehensive   about   Aeronca   Champ   in   Plant  City,   FL.   I   came   out   to   fly   one   flying   with   one   engine   shut   down   I   would   demonstrate   day  when  I  had  about  6  hours  total  and  they  had  it  stripped   single   engine   rolls   into   the   dead   engine,   single   down  and  were  recovering  the  wings  so  I  switched  over  to   engine loops  and  stalls  to  alleviate  his  fear  of  the  airplane   a  Piper  Cherokee  140  and  completed  my  Private  in  that   -   -   Not   in   the   book   but   it   worked;;   the   airplane   only   cares   Like  going  from  an  old  Chevy  to  a  Cadillac.  After  getting   about   airspeed   and   altitude,   not   the   number   of   engines   my   Private   I   went   back   and got   checked   out   in   the   7AC   online.   I   was   really   into   the   US   Army   and US   Navy   and  rented  it  on  the  week  ends  to  fly  around at  $9.00  per   aerodynamics   reference   books at   the   time   and   felt   hour  wet!  What  a  deal… confident  in  my  ability  in  the  airplane.    When  I  was  the  Battalion  Standards  Instructor  Pilot  (BN      I   had   three   single   engines,   two   complete   hydraulic   SIP)   in   the   3rd   Military   Intelligence   BN in   Korea   failures, two  complete  electrical  failures  (both  while  IFR)   then COL  Bill  Page,  Commander  of  8th  Army  Aviation  at   one   propeller   over   speed   while   inverted   and   reversed   the  time,   came   down   to   Camp   Humphries   and   wanted   to   elevator  control  cables  on  a  test  flight  in OV-1's  and  was   an   IP/SIP   and   a   Maintenance   Test   Pilot   and   ME   fly   a   Mohawk   so   I   was   elected   to   be   his   IP.   He   was   (Maintenance   test   pilot   evaluator)   and   it   never   bothered   qualified   in   the   OV-1   but   had   not   flown   one   in   over   8   me,   I   thought   I   could   handle   anything   the   old   girl   could   years.   He   flew   better   than   most   of   our   line   pilots   -   Only   off  his  altitude  by  less  than  100  ft  and  airspeed  less  than   think  up  to  throw  at  me  -  Always,  though,  in  the  back  of   10  knots.  He  really  loved  doing  rolls  and  loops  -  We  had  a   my   mind   was   the   knowledge   that   if   everything   turned   to   really  good  hour  and  a  half  flight.    Small  world. shit   there   was   always   Martin   Baker   as   a   last   resort   -   A   pretty   dumb   and   dangerous   attitude   in   retrospect. I   also      When   I   went   through Aircraft   Maintenance   Officer   had  single  engines  in  RU-8D's  and  U-21A's  and  one  in  a   Course   (AMOC),   at   Ft.   Eustis,   VA one   of   our   very   old   civilian  Piper  light  twin. ground   school   classroom   instructors   had   Aeroplane   Pilot   License  #2,  signed  by  Wilber  Wright  and  what  stories  he      I  wound  up  with  around  2,200  hours  in OV-1A,  B,  C,  D   had  -  Flying  a  biplane  when  he  was  caught  VFR  on  top  of   and   RV's   and another   2,000   plus   in   C-12C,   D   and   RC- an  under  cast,  "You  simply  pulled  the  power  off,  put  the   12D,   N   and   P   models   and   was   also   an   IP/SIP/ME   in   C- plane   into   a   spin   and   held   it   there   and   hoped   you   12's   plus   601  hours   in   helicopters  and  the   rest  in   various   had enough   altitude   left to   recover   when   you   broke   out   other  aircraft  from  Civilian  and  Military  flight  schools  and   VFR under   the   overcast!"   What   a   great   story   teller   and   the   US   Army   National   Guard   and   Reserve   for   a   grand   instructor  he  was! total  of  about  6,019  hours  total.  I  had  several  friends  offer   to   help   me get   in   with   the   airlines   after   retirement   but   I   really  didn't  want  to  fly  an  airborne  bus  and  I  didn't  need   the  money  so  I  just  retired  but  it  was  a  lot  of  fun  while  it   lasted.       The   only   jet   I   ever   flew   was   the   US   Air   Force   C-21   Learjet, we   had   two   at   Stuttgart,   GE   in   the   flight   detachment.  I  was  next  to  get  my  Learjet  transition  when   they  pulled  me  up  to  Wiesbaden  to  be  the  OV-1  Aircraft   Maintenance  Officer  for  the  1st  MI  BN.  Talk  about  pissed      My  glider  time  was  in  2-32  and  1-26  Schweizers  and  my   off!  The  Air  Force  IP  felt  sorry  for  me  and  took  me  out  for   IP's  were  two  women  at  a  grass  strip  in  Florida  - We  used   several  hours  flying  the  jet   -  Lots  of  fun  and  real  easy  to   airplane   tows   from   a   Super   Cub   up   to   three   or   four   fly.   I   would   have   liked   to   have flown   a   747,   or   the   thousand feet   and   then   release.   We   would   fall   in   simulator,  once  just  for  fun. behind circling   Buzzards   to   find   lift   -   Lots   of   fun.   We    It's  been  one  hell  of  a  ride  and  a lot  of  fun and I  wouldn't   even   did   some   loops   and   rolls   in   the   gliders   since   they   trade  my  experiences in  the  US  Army  for  anything!   were   stressed   for   +/-   12   G's   and   you   would   black   out   before  you  could  hurt  the  plane. HOOAAH!!!! George  Coleman  -  Member  #40  Page  10                                                                                                                        November-December  2013  Issue  #116                                                                         The  Mohawker The  Artic  Odyssey  of  60-3743  and  60-3744  -  Leigh  Sprowls,  Member  #1497 As   an   introduction   to   my   memory.    Therefore  please  excuse  the  inaccuracies  which   relationship   with   the   best   I’m  sure  will  be  popping  up  hereafter.    Next  time  I’ll  do  a   airplane   in   the   US   Army,   and   diary. perhaps   the   whole     world,   I’ll   relate   some   details   about   my   After   a  long,   boring   trip,   it   was   nice   passing   through   the   early   career   which   formed   my   gates   of   The   United   States   Army’s   Aviation   Center   and   character,   morale,   strength,   and   School.    Just  look  at  all  of  those  beautiful  aerial  machines.     love  of  airplanes Well,  It’s  time  to  go  to  the  club,  and  then  check  into  the   The   story   starts  after   completing   BOQ. the  fixed-wing  pilot  course,  class   59-13,  November  1959,  at  Camp   Early  the  next  morning  at  the  flight  line  we  had  our  first   Gary,   Texas   (San   Marcos,   meeting  of  Class  61-4.    All  6  students  showed  up.    A  G-1   Texas)   and   Ft   Rucker,   Alabama.     officer   from   Ft   Rucker   announced   the   bad   news.     Some   My   class   closed   Camp   Gary   problem  had  arisen  which  caused  Ft  Rucker  to  be  unable   literally,   and   we   went   on   to   Ft   Rucker   and   graduation   to  start  the  class  with  six  students.    The  solution:    drop  the   without   enough   TDY   money   remaining   to   finish   the   two  junior  officers  and  send  them  on  to  Germany.    Keep   required  instrument  flying  phase.    That  would  come  later. the  other  four  to  complete  their  training.    I,  of  course,  was   one  of  the  two  juniors.    I  notified  my  infantry  assignment   From   Rucker,   I   received   orders   to   the   1st   AVN   CO,   1st   officer  at  DA  who  said  “you  will  stay  at  Ft  Rucker  for  the   INF   Division,   Ft   Riley,   KS.     After   settling   in,   things   next   class   and   we   will   provide   new   orders   for   you   after   happened  quickly,  and  during  that  first  year,  I  got  further   completion.     Tell   Ft   Rucker   that   DA   is   still   running   the   acquainted   with   the   L-19,   attended   a   civilian-operated   Army,   not   Ft   Rucker.”     I   was   to   attend   the   maintenance   instrument  school  (Central  American  Airways)  a  2nd  Army   classes  (1/2  day),  with  my  original  class,  and  then  do  the   contract,   near   Ft   Hollibird   at   Harbor   Field,   Baltimore,   flight  program  for  ½  day  when  the  next  class  came.    That   MD. worked!     After   completing   the   entire   course,   my   new   orders  arrived  to  the  USARAL    AVN  BN,  Ft  Richardson,   Upon  completion,  I  went  back  to  Ft  Riley.    That  exciting   Alaska.    One  other  officer,  Lt  John  Lane  who  was  in  my   endeavor   (instrument   school)   turned   out   to   be   too   Hawk  class  and  earlier  my  primary  fixed  wing  class,  was   mundane   for  the   DA   Assignment   Personnel,  so  they   sent   enroute  to  Alaska  also. me  to  the  Rotory-wing  “Q”  Course  (Class  61-4)  Feb  1961,   at  Ft  Walters,  Mineral  Wells,  Texas. Upon   arrival,   in   the   frozen   north,   John   and   I   were   welcomed  by  the  CG  who  was  very  eager  to  have  us.  He   After  becoming  a  rotorhead,  I  spent  a  short  time  back  with   mentioned   that   Alaska   was   due   to   receive   two   new   the  1st  Infantry  Division  Aviation  Co,  attempting  to  master   Mohawks   just   off   the   Grumman   assembly   line   and   we   all  of  these  new  skills  I  learned,  but  before  I  could  get  my   were   to   be   responsible   for   getting   them   ready   for   a   laundry  properly  cleaned,  I  was  promptly  transferred  from   forthcoming   major   winter   exercise,   and   we   would   ferry   the  1st  AVN  Co  (which  had  all  my  new  toys),  next  door  to   them  up  the  ALCAN  Highway  as  soon  as  possible.    John   the  18th   AVN   Co,   a   5th   Army   unit   which   had  a   bunch   of   and  I   knew  what  he  meant.    He  was  eager  to  have  them.     monstrous  U-1A  Otters,  and  started  to  transition  into  that   We   were   assigned   a   quonset   hut   and   several   telephones,   beast,   which   turned   out   to   be   a   whole   lot   of   fun.     All   of   and   were   lucky   to   discover   that   a   few   maintenance   and   this  transferring  around  occurred  from  Dec  1959,  to  May   operator   personnel   had   already   arrived.     The   Mohawk   1961. Platoon  was  formed! I   was  just   getting   used  to  the   Otters   when   DA   Personnel   I  was  elated  to  see  that  the  senior  Mohawk  maintainer  was   stunned  me  again  with  another  set  of  orders:    assignment   a   good   friend,   SP5   Jerry   Townsend,   who   was   the   chief   to  an  aviation  company  in  Germany  with  a  TDY  trip  to  Ft   instructor   for   the   maintenance   phase   at   Rucker.     I   got   to   Rucker  to  attend  the  OV-1  Mohawk  Transition  Course  in   see   him   for   two   classes   worth   of   time,   and   learned   a   lot   route!     Class   61-4,   August   1961.     That   news   caused   a   from  him.    I  just  found  out  through  the  newsletter  that  he   badly  needed  trip  to  the  Cockpit  branch,  the  watering  hole   had   passed   away   last   year(2012).     One   of   the   finest   at  the  airfield,  where  I  would  try  to  find  out  if  my  buddies   soldiers   I   have   ever   worked   with.     Alaska   was   really   knew   what   tribe   the   Mohawk   came   from.     I   packed   my   fortunate  to  have  Jerry. meager   belongings   in   my   auto,   told   all   my   friends   goodbye,  and  headed  for  Rucker  once  again. Since  the  Mohawk  was  originally  designed  for  the  Marine   Corps,  it  had  a  relationship  with  aircraft  carriers,  dirt  and   Now  comes  the  time  when  authoring  an  odyssey  becomes   water.     The   carrier   association   (short   field,   rough   field,   difficult.    It  has  been  over  33  years  since  I  retired  and  this   strong   legs,   tough   skin,   etc.)   and   the   dirt   association   episode   happened   at   least   20   years   before   that,   so   like   worked   out   well   with   the  army.     Since   it   was   too   heavy,   most   old   folks,   I   have   lost   a   large   percentage   of   my   (Sprowls  -  Continued  on  page  11)  Page  11                                                                                                                        November-December  2013  Issue  #116                                                                                                    The  Mohawker the   water   association   (floats,   ski’s,   etc.)   caused   us   USARAL  Aviation  Officer  and  his  staff  and  the  USARAL   problems.     John   and   I   started   right   off   working   on   the   CINC  and  staff,  especially  the  G-2  who  would  be  tasking   biggest   problems:     arctic   survival   equipment,   and   the   us   most   of   the   time.     The   big   program   ahead   of   us   of   obvious  lack  of  space  to  store  much  of  anything.    Bear  in   course   was   preparing   for   the   forthcoming   winter   exercise   mind  that  the  OV-1  aircraft  designation  does  not  start  with   which  pitted  the  Alaskan  Infantry  Battle  Group  against  the   a   “C”   so   consequently,   there   is   very   little   space   to   store   CONUS  Visiting  Aggressor  Force,  for  about  a  month-long   even  necessities,  let  alone  golf  clubs. very  cold  battle. We   decided   to   approach   our   Air   Force   friends   at   In   order   to   accomplish   all   of   these   afore   mentioned   jobs,   Elmendorf   AFB   which   was   just   next   door   to   Fort   we   needed   to   pick-up   those   two   Hawks   which   were   still   Richardson.     We   started   with   the   parachute   maintenance   lurking  in  the  hangar  on  Long  Island,  but  which  had  been   crew   who   we   knew   had   good   strong   material  and   sewing   promised   for   delivery   soon   by   the   gentleman   in   charge,   and   riveting   equipment,   and   we   started   designing   and   Navy  Captain  Gates,  who  was  the  representative  from  the   fabricating  cases  and  pouches  which  could  hopefully,  hold   US   Navy   Office   of   the   Bureau   of   Weapons,   which   is   some   of   the   survival   hard   and   soft   ware   which   other   responsible  for  procurement  of  Weaponsystems  for  the  US   aircraft  could  easily  stash  away. Army,  in  this  case,  two  OV-1  Mohawk  aircraft. We  decided  that  the  small  rubber  one-man  life  raft  in  a  pan   Finally,   John   Lane   and   I   were   told   by   our   superiors   to   under  the  ejection  seat  cushion  would  probably  be  of  little   prepare   for   our   trip   to   Bethpage.     A   probable   date   of   use,   since   we   would   have   absolutely   no   room   for   several   aircraft  readiness  had  been  established,  which  specifically   huskies   who   could   tow   us   over   the   snow   and   ice   if   we   I  don’t  remember,  and  we  were  told  that  we  should  get  two   managed   to   carefully   crash   land,   or   in   the   alternative,   no   crew   chiefs   and   all   necessary   gear   together,   commercial   plans   what-so-ever   for   K-9   ejection   seats   and   dog   food   airline   tickets   to   Bethpage   from   Anchorage   and   storage.     The   solution   was   to   use   the   seat   pan,   but   fill   it   arrangement   for   auto   transportation   one-way   of   course,   with  a  very  light  one  man  arctic  thermal  tent  and  blankets   and   accommodations   near   the   factory.     We   were   briefed   and  as  much  food  and  other  small  survival  gear  as  it  would   about  Capt  Gates  and  were  told  that  he  and  our  CINC  had   hold  (flares,  radios,  medical  supplies,  toilet  paper,  etc.) communicated   numerous   times   about   when   the   aircraft   We  tried  to  create  as  much  space  as  possible  for  our  ferry   would  roll  out  and  why  the  delay.    John  and  I  felt  that  was   flight   from   Long   Island   to   Anchorage   by   removing   a   warning   to   us   that   our   General   was   less   than   thrilled   unnecessary   equipment   and   shipping   it   by   ground.     That   about  east  coast  service. meant   storage   space   in   the   nose   cone   and   much   of   the   fuselage   area   could   be   utilized.     Despite   many   brilliantly   We   were   given   a   briefing   about   the   return   trip   which   composed  ideas  it  still  seemed  that  the  best  solution  to  the   consisted  of  the  following: arctic  survival  problem  was  to  totally  avoid  the  need  in  the   first  place!    The  bright  orange  arctic  flight  suits  with  extra   We  were  to  accept  the  aircraft  for  the  Army  by  doing  a   large   zippered   pockets   were   a   wonderful   invention   which   complete   inside   and   outside   inspection   of   condition,   could   transport   numerous   articles   which   would   be   very   availability  of  equipment,  etc,  followed  by  doing  a  test   usable  if  one  needed  to  go  through  the  roof. flight  with  a  Grumman  test  pilot  and  then  completing   all  paperwork. Failing   to   properly   solve   the   survival   problem   without   The   aircraft   would   always   fly   as   a   flight   of   two   in   rebuilding  the  bird  and  changing  its  mission,  we  decided  to   loose  formation. move   on.     We   delegated   Jerry   Townsend   to   look   after   The   flight   would   always   travel   under   VFR,   daylight   barracks   for   the   troops   coming   in   and   quarters   for   the   conditions  unless  an  emergency  precluded. married   personnel.     The   aircraft   needed   adequate   resting   The   flight   route   would   follow   the   ALCAN   Highway   space   and   we   needed   maintenance,   storage,   and   admin   and   use   the   best   available   airfields   for   fuel   stops   or   accommodations.     We   looked     into   the   future   also   to   see   rons.    (Remain  over-night) who   would   be   tasking   us   and   began   planning   things   like   The  FLT  leader  would  call  at  the  end  of  each  day  with   training   missions   to   familiarize   pilots   and   operators   with   a  progress  report  to  the  USARAL  Avn    Office. our  vast    potential  area  of  operation,  and  the  large  number   of  other  military  and  civilian  entities  we  may  be  tasked  to   We   had   selected   Jerry   Townsend   and   Leigh   Sprowls   to   support.     We   also   needed   to   train   our   troops   by   take  3743,  and  Lester  Maddox  and  John  Lane  to  herd  3744   familiarizing   them   with   the   terrain,   weather   and   proper   back  to  Alaska. safety   procedures.     To   accomplish   that,   we   would   try   to   schedule  all  mission  personnel    to  attend  the  USAF  Arctic   Having  been  thoroughly  briefed,  we  were  sent  on  our  way   Survival  Course  for  air  crews. to   the   Anchorage   International   Airport   and   debarked   into   the   wild   blue.     Our   arrival   at   Bethpage   was   normal   but   Naturally,  we  had  a  lot  of  help  in  accomplishing  all  of  the   partially  cool,  as  we  prepared  to  depart  on  our  odyssey. liaising   which   was   required:     our   HQ   Co   personnel   and   commander,   our   battalion   commander   and   staff,   the   We   had   already   accomplished   the   necessary   flight    Page  12                                                                                                                        November-December  2013  Issue  #116                                                                         The  Mohawker (Sprowls  -  Continued  from  page  11) by  the  USARAL  marching  band,  but  it  was  really  good  to   be  back.    All-in-all  the  weather  was  a  problem  only  on  6   planning,   to   include   contacting   the   facilities   we   intended   or   7   occasions,   but   we   were   always   aware   that   it   was   to   stop   at   to   insure   that   we   would   be   welcome   and   that   present.    We  had  only  minor  technical  problems  thanks    to   they   had   JP-4   and   anything   else   we   needed.     The   larger   the   Grumman   iron   works   and   to   our   absolutely   amazing   airfields   were   generally   no   problem,   but   in   those   days   crew  chiefs. (very   early   1962)   the   larger   fields   were   few   and   far   between   and   the   smaller   fields   were   often   “bush   strips”,   I’ve   left   this   part   of   the   odyssey   for   last   because   sans   the   amenities   like   JP-4   which   we   were   accustomed   everything   seemed   to   turnout   alright.     Flash   back   to   our   to,  even  in  the  infantry. arrival  at  the  Grumman  plant.    We  were  welcomed  by  the   employees  especially  the  ops  people  and  the  factory  tech- The   reader   probably   has   guessed   that   fuel   is   a   problem.   reps   who   would   join   us   in   Alaska.     We   met   Navy   Capt   Correct!     In   several   cases,   the   distance   between   JP-4   Gates  and  were  told  that  both  aircraft  were  not  ready  and   available  stops  exceeded  our  pucker  factor,  so  plan  B  went   would   not   be   ready   for   some   unknown   period.     That   into   effect.     We   contacted   the   US   Army’s   ever-faithful   forthcoming   date   and   the   reason   for   the   extended   delay   Quartermaster  Corps,  who  were  more  than  eager  to  assist   was   not   explained   to   us   and   apparently   not   to   our   by   pre-positioning   55   gallon   drums   of   JP-4   at   required   superiors   either.     We   were   told   by   our   Alaskan   contacts   airfields   along   the   highway,   accompanied   by   a   manually   that  the  CINC  was  disappointed,  only  like  CINC’s  can  get   operated  hand  pump. disappointed,   and   that   words   filled   the   telephone   wire   which  expressed  it  clearly. That  took  care  of  the  fuel,  but  didn’t  do  much  for  problem   #2:     Extremely   cold   weather   accompanied   by   lack   of   We   continued   to   go   to   the   plant   daily   to   monitor   the   illumination.    Remember  that  the  sun  hides  up  there  in  the   situation   but   there   was   little   news   to   get   excited   about.     wintertime.    We  always  shortened  the  trip  the  day  that  we   One  thing  I  don’t  remember  clearly  was  exactly  how  long   refueled   from   the   drums,   because   we   had   a   one-man   we  waited  for  the  call  to  move  out.    After  at  least  a  week   power   hand   pump   to   work   with   –   in  the   dark!     So   much   (?)   we   were   in   OPS   one   Friday   afternoon   when   Navy   for  the  nutritional  problems  for  the  Hawks.    Now  for  room   Captain   Gates   came   in   and   took   me   aside   saying   “3743   and  board. has   been   completed   and   is   ready   for   turnover.     You   are   cleared  to  depart”.    I  said  “what  about  3744”    He  said,  it   Sometimes   even   at   the   smaller   fields,   hangars   were   will   probably   not   be   ready   for   several   more   working   available   for   the   birds.     In   some   cases   these   remote   days.”    I  had  made  him  aware  of  our  orders  concerning  the   airfields   had   Alaskan   National   Guard   or   Reserve   Units   ferry   flight   several   times   and   I   refreshed   his   memory   stationed  who  always  took  good  care  of  us.    They  gave  us   again,   pointing   outside   to   a   huge   thunder/snow   storm   sleeping  bags  and  their  gym  floor  and  occasionally  had  a   engulfing   the   airspace   over   NYC   and   surrounding   states.     small   restaurant   with   $6.00   burgers   or   supplied   “C”   He   said     “I   don’t   care.     Your   airplane   is   ready”   and   rations. departed   the   building.     I   looked   at   the   Grumman   OPS   officer   and   shook   my   head,   as   did   everyone   else.     Then   For   next   day   departure,   Herman   Nelson   heaters   were   Navy  Capt  Gates  came  back  in  and  said  “Lieutenant,  I  told   usually  available.    To  insure  starts  at  20  degrees  below  0,   you   to   go.     I   don’t   want   to   hear   any   more   noise   from   we  always  took  the  batteries  out  of  both  the  Herman  and   Alaska  about  those  airplanes.    Lieutenant,  you  get  your  ass   the   Hawks   to   sleep   with   us.     Breakfast   may   be   available   off   my   airport”   and   left   again.     We   all   stood   awhile   in   sometimes. bewilderment.     Finally,   the   ops   officer   took   me   outside   and   told   me   to   crank   up   3743   and   to   follow   his   “follow- Our  programmed  route  in  CONUS  went  from  Bethpage  to   me  “  truck  parked  near  the  door.    I  complied  and  shortly   Ft   Benjamin   Harrison,   Ind,   Chicago   NAS,   Ill,   refueling   we  were  going  along  a  fence  with  a  gate  about  100  yards   along   the   way,   and   roning   at   Sioux   City,   IA,   which   had   away.     The   truck   stopped  and   the   driver   opened  the  gate   nothing  to  do  with  the  fact  that  my  parents  lived  there.    As   and  drove  through.    I  followed  through  and  stopped  when   we   pulled   up   to   the   terminal   parking   ramp,   I   glanced   the   ops   officer   exited   the   truck.     He   signaled   for   me   to   behind   the   fence   and   who   do   you   suppose   was   standing   shutdown  the  engines  and  to  get  down.    Then  he  told  me   there   waving?     We   had   a   fine   dinner   and   nice   soft   beds   that   the   area   inside   the   fence   was   a   special   Grumman   and   a   good   sleep   before   a   great   breakfast   and   a   smooth   property  not  part  of  the  airfield,  and  we  could  park  there   departure  toward  a  refueling  stop  at  Rapid  City  AFB,  SD,   as   long   as   we   needed.     He   added   that   we   could   do   the   and  a  ron  at  the  Great  Falls,  Mont  AFB. required   inspection   and   test   flight   in   the   morning   if   the   storm   had   passed   and  then   we   could  just   wait   until   3744   The   next   morning   we   hopped   over   the   fence   and   began   was  done,  and  go  on  our  merry  way. our   long   trip   through   foreign   territory   until   almost   to   Anchorage.     Available   stops   along   the   way   included   I   passed   this   on   to   Alaska   and   we   all   headed   for   Happy   Calgary,   Edmonton,   Fort   St.   John,   Fort   Nelson,   Watson   Hour. Lake   and   then   White   Horse,   thence   gliding   softly   into   Anchorage   and   home.     I   do   not   remember   being   greeted   (Sprowls  -  Continued  on  page  13)  Page  13                                                                                                                        November-December  2013  Issue  #116                                                                                                    The  Mohawker (Sprowls  -  Continued  from  page  12) Platoon   Leader,   Captain   Masaki   Hattori   killed   in   Earlier   in   this   dissertation,   I   think   you   got   a   pretty   good   Vietnam,   Captain   Robert   McCaskey   also   killed   in   idea  of  the  perils  which  one  could  face  on  an  odyssey  of   Vietnam,  to  name  a  few. this  nature,  but  at  least  we  never  once  saw  another  dragon   after  we  left  the  Grumman  airfield.    At  our  airfield  at  Fort   I   was   pleased   to   see   my   parents   even   for   a   short   Richardson,   the   odyssey   ended.     The   dragon   had   been   period. slain!     I   think   any   hard   feelings   were   dispensed   as   we     were   loading   the   birds   for   our   departure,   because   Navy   G-2   tasked   us   with   a   photo   mission   of   great   Captain   Gates   showed   up   to   have   his   picture   taken   with   proportions:     the   hypothesis   was   that   if   the   Soviet   us.    I  have  a  copy  to  prove  it! Union   planned   to   attack   the   US,   they   would   come   across   the   Bering   Sea   via   the   Bering   Strait   and   EPILOGUE Alaska,  with  parachute  and  glider  troops  utilizing  the   existing   Alaskan   airfields   which   at   that   time    The   CINC   was   apparently   happy   because   I   don’t   numbered   about   600   of   all   sizes   and   types.     The   remember  hearing  anything  to  the  contrary. mission  was  to  photograph  all  of  them  using  the  KA- 60   camera   for   verticals   of   the   entire   airfield,   and   15   The   winter   exercise   lived   up   to   its   name:     the   degree  and  30  degree  obliques  of  the  approach  to  each   thermometer   was   pegged   on   -73   degrees   below   for   a   runway,  plus  anything  of  interest.    We  would  mark  a   full  week. map  with  squares,  trapezoids  and  tripods  covering  the   airfields,   and   fill   the   bird   with   as   much   film   as   we   The   CH-21   company   reported   that   pulling   upon   the   could  squeeze  in  and  go  off  shooting  as  many  airfields   collective   pitch   control   caused   the   machine   to   squat   as   the   film   would   last.     Then   return   to   Bryant     US   instead  of  going  up! Army  Airfield,  drop  the  film  off  to  G-2,  fill  up  again   with  film  and  get  maps  to  shoot  some  more.    I  would   The   USARAL   G-2   was   happy   with   our   photo   estimate  we  did  that  for  at  least  10  months  and  by  the   equipment.    See  item  7. time  I  was  transferred  out  we  were  not  nearly  finished. We  had  received  many  new  troops  and  especially  new   Flying  in  Alaska  was  a  HOOT operators   and   pilots.     Captain   C.L   Heiss,   Mohawk   Leigh  Sprowls                                                                                        Lester  Maddox                                                                                                                                                                    Jerry  Townsend OV-1  Mohawk  Maintenance  Personnel  -  Winter  Exercise  February  1962  Page  14                                                                                                                        November-December  2013  Issue  #116                                                                         The  Mohawker Membership  Report  -  December  2014  -  Mark  Nestor,  Membership  Director Of  the  310  renewal  notices  sent  out  109  have  not  yet  renewed.    Final  renewal  letters  were  sent  out  in  mid  December. Since  our  last  update  we  have  had  $769.03  in  general  merchandise  sales  and  $644.39  in  jacket  sales. Mark  Nestor,  Membership  Director    This   will   be   Mark’s   last   report   as   the   Membership   the   PX   allowed   other   members   to   visit   with   each   other.     Director.     Mark   has   served   as   the   Membership   Director   She   has   helped   Mark   with   tracking   the   PX   inventory,   since   2010.     The   year   2013   was   a   one   year   extension   to   shipping   items   as   they   are   sold   and   printed,   mailed   and   his  term  . emailed  copies  of    the  newsletter.    When  Mark  was  elected,  his  business  partner,  Jill  Lewis,      They  will  continue  to  warehouse  the  PX  items  and  ship   signed   up   as   an   enthusiast   and   has   made   significant   on  behalf  of  the  Association. contributions  in  helping  Mark  with  the  membership  roster   and  the  inventory.    We  wish  them  well  as  they  work  to  grow  their  business   and  look  forward  to  seeing  them  at  the  Dallas  reunion.    During  his  tenure  as  Membership  Director,  the  format  of   the   roster   has   been   standardized   for   ease   of   publication,      Bill   McNease   assumes   the   duties   in   January   2014   as   membership,  he  has  been  diligent  in  tracking  renewals  and   Membership   Directory.     The   newsletter   will   have     brief   address  changes. biographies  of  the  incoming  directors  in  the  next  issue.    Jill  has  run  the  PX  during  the  reunions.    Her  efforts  with   Active  Members 676 Inactive  Members 701 Lifetime  Members 19 Honorary  Members 6 Number Name Experience City  &  State Phone 1520 Nicholas  Szokoly Enthusiast Monkton,  MD (410)  908-3295 1522 Joseph  Funicella Enthusiast Missoula,  MT (406)  549-3159 1523 David  Nelson Observer Rockford,  IL (815)  282-8202 1523 Philip  Carone Observer Staten  Island,  NY (718)  979-6396 1524 Bobbie  Luthi Pilot/Observer Fayetteville,  AR (479)  305-0435 1525 Sally  Brauer Enthusiast Phoenix,  AZ (602)  615-1804 1526 Ruben  Gonzalez Line  Maintenance El  Paso,  TX (915)  613-7091 1527 James  McMath Crew  Chief/Mechanic Whittier,  CA (562)  941-6120  Page  15                                                                                                                        November-December  2013  Issue  #116                                                                                                    The  Mohawker Association  Directors Mission  Statement Interim  Executive  Director:    Gordy  Darragh 13111  99th  Pl.  NE The  Mohawker  is  a  newsletter  published  six  times   Kirkland,  WA  98034 yearly  for  members  of  the  OV-1  Mohawk  Association.   (425)  443-5964 E-mail:  [email protected]      Membership  is  open  to  anyone  with  an  interest  in  the   OV-1  Mohawk  aircraft. Secretary:  Gordy  Darragh 13111  88th  Pl.  NE                    For  a  $35.00  annual  subscription  members  receive  six   Kirkland,  WA  98034 (6)  annual  newsletters,  an  annual  membership  directory   (425)  443-5964   E-mail:  [email protected] and  an  invitation  to  the  annual  reunion,  held  in  Sep/Oct/ Nov. Treasurer:  Dave  Hannuksela 1979  Moyer  Drive      For  additional  information  view  our  web  site  at:   Henderson,  NV  89074 (702)  372-3708          http://www.ov-1mohawkassociation.org E-mail:  [email protected]        The   Association   appreciates   any   Mohawk   Membership:  Mark  Nestor 412  North  Main  Street memorabilia;;   photos,   slides,   articles,   unit   histories,   Plymouth,  MI  48170 personnel  rosters,  manuals,  checklists,  technical  data  or   (734)  673-1402                                                         war  stories  that  you  would  care  to  share.  We  will  copy   E-mail:  [email protected]   and   return   any   information   you   wish   returned   or   you   Historian:  Paul  Jacobsen may  donate  your  material  to  our  Association  Historian;;   11724  67th  Place  North Maple  Grove,  MN  55369 Mr.  Paul  Jacobsen (763)  493-2428 11724  67th  Place  North E-mail:  [email protected]   Maple  Grove,  MN  55369 2013  Reunion:    Chris  Walker (763)  493-2428 PO  Box  574, E-mail:    [email protected] Clinton,  MO  64735                            [email protected]   (660)  885-5877   E-mail:  [email protected]   Executive  Director:    Gordy  Darragh Publications/Information  & Newsletter  Editor:    Malcolm  (Mack)  Gray 936  Canna  Lily  Circle, Driftwood,  TX  78619-5757  Change  of  Mailing  and/or  E-mail  Address: (281)  893-1726   If  you  are  moving,  or  have  already  moved,  please  let  your   Email:  [email protected] Association  know  your  new  mailing  address.   Web  Site  &  Web  Master:  George  Coleman 2441  Cypress  Trace  Circle Complete  this  form  and  mail  it  to:  Mark  Nestor,  412   Orlando,  FL  32825 North  Main  Street,  Plymouth,  MI  48170. (407)  286-3509 E-mail:  [email protected]                                            [email protected]   Name:________________________________ Member  #:  ________________   Legal  Advisor:    Nicholas  A.  Szokoly,  Esq. Law  Offices  of  Evan  K.  Thalenberg,  P.A. Address:  ________________________________  City:   216  E.    Lexington  Street ____________  State:  ____  Zip:________ Baltimore,  MD  21202 E-mail:  [email protected] (410)  625-9100 Phone/Fax  #:  ____________________________ E-mail:_________________________________ Other  Contacts Special  Projects:    Noble  Atkins You  can  also  send  changes  via  e-mail: 1208  Brentwood  Avenue Richland,  WA  99352 [email protected] (509)  627-2448 [email protected]                                                                                                                                     E-mail:    [email protected] Mark  Nestor   Membership  Director  Page  16                                                                                                                        November-December  2013  Issue  #116                                                                         The  Mohawker OV-1  Mohawk  Association 412  North  Main  St., Plymouth,  MI  48170 Address  Service  Requested SP5  Gordy  Darragh  took  this  photo  of  the  225th  SAC's  Phantomhawk  13  during  a  daytime  mission  somewhere  over  II   Corps   that   was   published   on   the   back   cover   of   the   February   1970   edition   Hawk   Magazine.   His   son   Tim   added   Christmas  lights  to  PH13  several  years  ago  for  a  Christmas  card  Gordy  sent  to  several  of  his  buddies  from  the  225th." November-December  2013  Issue  #116    Check  our  website  for  the  latest  update.  www.ov-1mohawkassociation.org