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Back To Scrap Book Volume A

Feb 1970

From the Ground Up

Care Keeps Choppers Flying

By SP4 BOB STEPHENS

CU CHI - Helicopters are everywhere in Vietnam. Like thousands of giant bees, they hum their way across the skies providing support for the fighting man.

Keeping all of the choppers flying, however, isn't an easy or often-mentioned job. Ground crews work around the clock to insure that helicopters are safe and well cared for.

“On an average day, we begin work at 6 a.m. and finish about 9 p.m.,” said Specialist 4 Allen Landon of Idaho Falls, Idaho, a mechanic in the aviation section of the 3d Brigade, 25th Infantry Division. “Many times we don't get off until after midnight though.”

Third Brigade's aviation section is responsible for four Light Observation Helicopters (LOH). The Brigade LOHs are light aircraft that fly contact missions, courier routes and a wide variety of other flights.

According to Staff Sergeant Ernie A. Jones of Roseboro, N.C., the NCOIC for the aviation section, “The LOH is a simple aircraft that doesn't require a lot of heavy repairs. But, for the safety of the pilots, all parts must be checked and, if necessary, replaced periodically. It costs the government about $5,000 a month to keep the choppers in top shape.”

The ground crew spends most of the day on the flight line making light repairs or cleaning parts.

“We can change a rotor blade in about 20 minutes,” explained Jones.

Ground crews clean the helicopters, change the oil and replace all faulty safety equipment. When heavy repairs are necessary, the choppers are taken to a large maintenance yard where they can be completely overhauled.

The most important part of the day begins at about 5 p.m. Most of the LOHs are on their pads by that time for their daily inspection.

“A complete daily takes an hour and a half,” said Landon. “If it's not done right, the pilot may have to pay for it with his life.”

The craft is checked completely from the air speed indicator tube in front to the rear rotor blade.

“The most important area to inspect is the main rotor head,” Landon pointed out. “If something happens there, the helicopter could lose a blade and it would go down like a rock.”

The mechanics also check the flying instruments, engine stability, structural damage and many other things. After every 300 flying hours, helicopters go to the maintenance yard where they are taken apart and given a complete going over.

Ground crews put in long hard days, but to the people who fly the skies of Vietnam, it's all worth it.

IS IT SAFE? - Specialist 4 Allen Landon of Idaho Falls, Idaho, looks over the pilot's controls of a Light Observation Helicopter between missions. Landon is a mechanic in 3d Brigade's aviation section. (Photo by SP4 Bob Stephens)

Prevent Enemy Buildup

VR Pilots Flush Out Enemy

By SP4 BOB STEPHENS

CU CHI - One of the most effective means of preventing an enemy buildup near 25th Infantry Division bases is through Visual Reconnaissance (VR) flights, a pilot flying the missions said recently.

The missions, flown in Light Observation Helicopters (LOHs), are responsible for spotting enemy elements before they can launch their operations.

“If the enemy were planning a night attack on Cu Chi Base Camp, they would have to begin massing their troops outside the wire during the early evening,” said WO1 Kenneth Thiem of Florence, S.C., a pilot with the 3d Brigade. “We would be able to spot them on the daily VR flight we have around base camp.”

Making visual contact with the enemy isn't easy, he said. Communist soldiers are masters at camouflage and can hide almost anyplace.

“By hovering low over suspected enemy positions and maybe dropping a few hand grenades, we can flush any hidden troops. If they open up, we fly out of range and call in their location to the artillery,” he explained Thiem.

VR pilots are always on call to support ground troops in their area of operations. If an infantry unit receives incoming fire and can not locate the source, a VR flight through the area usually can.

VR pilots often catch the enemy by surprise.

“The other morning I was flying a mission about 880 meters outside Cu Chi's perimeter when I spotted something that looked suspicious,” recounted Thiem. “I was hovering just a few feet away before I realized that it was a VC. He must have had a pretty rough night because he was sound asleep,” he said.

“When he woke, he jumped up but tripped and dropped his AK-47. He started running and another officer with me started firing. I think the VC was hit because he fell but we couldn't spot the body,” Thiem said.

March 16, 1970

Vietnamese Honors

Division Awarded Streamer

CU CHI - The Vietnamese Ministry of Defense has only two awards it can present to a United States Military unit - the Cross of Gallantry and the Civil Actions Medal.

The 25th Infantry Division now has received both.

Early this month, Lieutenant General Dow Cow Tri, commanding general of ARVN troops in the III Corps area, presented the Civil Actions Medal for meritorious service to Division commander Major General Harris W. Hollis.

The Division had already received the Cross of Gallantry on Jan. 28, 1969, for spearheading 62 major combat operations in its area of operations.

The new Civil Actions medal was awarded for the Division's work in Civil Actions, Vietnamization and Pacification programs.

“The enemy claims that their Army in the south is like a fish living in water,” explained Tri. “But without the support of the population no doubt they soon will be out of the country. This is the reason we want to emphasize Civil Action.”

“It (Civil Action) is one of the primary planks in our mission,” added Hollis, “Pacification is the goal which we all seek. . . . Pacification means peace.

“Apart from the fighting which is entailed in war, there must be a healthy base upon which democracy and freedom might flourish in the years ahead.”

As the pacification program has grown, the government agencies have become stronger, according to Hollis. They have been able to take a greater share of the area defense themselves, he said.

The citation accompanying the award referred to specific accomplishments of the Division. It said the 25th “is credited with providing material to build 6,500 houses, distributing 600 tons of food, 50 tons of materials to poor communist refugees and 40,000 toys and many thousands (of) school kits to poor children.”

In addition it said the Division also has built 18 dispensaries, repaired 140 schools, 100 churches and pagodas, 50 orphanages, 550 kilometers of roads and 50 bridges, conducted 5,934 MEDCAPs which treated 579,621 patients and trained rural medical personnel. The 25th also printed and disseminated 600 million leaflets during 12,000 hours of aerial and ground broadcasts.

The Division further was praised for helping train and supply Regional and Popular Forces.

NEW STREAMER - Following the presentation of a new streamer to the 25th Infantry Division by the Vietnamese government, Lieutenant General Dow Cow Tri, commanding general of ARVN troops in the III Corps area, congratulates Major General Harris W. Hollis, commanding general of the 25th. (Photo by SP4 Joe Loper)

25th Med Delivers 1st Baby

CU CHI - A 19-year old Vietnamese girl was rushed to the 25th Medical Battalion aboard a 159th Dustoff Company helicopter to become the first woman to have had her child at the battalion's dispensary.

Mrs. Ong Ba Nguyen Van Sang of Trang Bang, whose husband is an ARVN stationed near Qui Nhon, had been in labor with her first child for two days.

The midwife taking care of her finally became frightened because she could not deliver the child. She contacted her village chief who asked the American advisor to call in a dustoff.

In the past such emergencies have been handled by 12th Evacuation Hospital or forwarded to Saigon, according to Captain Neil E. Share of Beverly, Mass., the obstetrician at 25th Med who is primarily responsible for the new program.

But, he explained, they really did not have the proper facilities.

Therefore, after he arrived in Vietnam, Share ordered the necessary equipment and began setting up facilities at 25th Med to help Vietnamese mothers.

“She came in shortly after three in the morning,” Share said. “Three minutes after they took her off the chopper we were ready to go and the baby was delivered at 17 minutes after three. It was a routine delivery using a local anesthetic.”

The doctor explained that there had been a minor blockage, easily removed, that might have caused the mother serious injury and could have cost the life of the child without the qualified help of personnel at 25th Med.

Share said that from now on, all emergency deliveries from this area will be handled by 25th Med. He added that the dispensary already is providing pre-natal help to 12 Vietnamese women.

“What we're trying to do now is spread the word and get the Vietnamese women to come in early so we can give them the proper care,” Share said.

If the first case was any example, the 25th will not have to look for customers long. Through a translator Mrs. Sang said she liked the care she received and would like to have her next child there if she could.

May 4, 1970

Fliers Swim After Hours

CU CHI - Except for their recreational facilities, the men of the 25th Aviation Battalion would find little to do after duty hours.

Instead of succumbing to boredom, they take advantage of the battalion's swimming pool, volleyball and basketball courts, and softball field.

Inter-battalion leagues in volleyball, softball and basketball have been set up and are fully organized with officials and scorekeepers.

Captain John Burns, the battalion flight surgeon and recreation officer, remarked, “Since we have both enlisted mens' and officers' teams, it gives the men a chance to compete against their officers -- which always makes for a spirited game.”

JUMP BALL! -- Two men of the 25th Aviation Battalion stretch high into the air in an effort to regain the ball for their own team.

New Pay Scale goes into Effect

A monthly pay raise retroactive to Jan. 1 for all military personnel has been passed by the Congress and approved by the President. It pays soldiers an extra 8.1 percent of their present base pay.

Division Finance Officer Lieutenant Colonel J.A. Enloe said the pay raise and back pay will be included for 25th Division soldiers with the May pay.

The back pay can be paid earlier to personnel who outprocess before the end of May for R&R, emergency or special leave or DEROS.

Those who have valid financial hardships which early payment will help ease also may receive early payment.

The chart below shows the new rates for each military pay grade.

Commissioned Officers

2 or less

Over 2

Over 3

Over 4

Over 6

Over 8

Over 10

Over 12

Over 14

Over 16

Over 18

Over 20

Over 22

Over 24

Over 26

O-10

1,956.90

2,025.90

2,103.30

2,264.70

2,426.70

2,588.70

2,750.40

O-9

1,734.30

1,779.90

1,818.00

1,863.90

1,941.30

2,103.30

2,264.70

2,426.70

O-8

1,570.80

1,617.90

1,656.60

1,779.90

1,863.90

1,941.30

2,025.90

2,103.30

2,188.20

O-7

1,305.00

1,394.10

1,456.20

1,540.80

1,617.90

1,779.90

1,902.30

O-6

967.20

1,063.20

1,132.50

1,170.90

1,356.00

1,425.30

1,456.20

1,540.80

1,671.30

O-5

773.40

909.00

971.10

1,001.10

1,054.50

1,125.00

1,209.30

1,278.60

1,317.00

1,363.50

O-4

652.50

793.80

847.50

862.50

901.20

962.40

1,016.70

1,063.23

1,109.40

1,140.30

O-3

606.30

677.70

723.90

801.60

839.70

870.00

916.80

962.40

985.80

O-2

486.00

533.20

693.30

716.40

731.40

O-1

417.60

462.60

577.20

Commissioned Officers (with 4 yr. Enlisted)

2 or less

Over 2

Over 3

Over 4

Over 6

Over 8

Over 10

Over 12

Over 14

Over 16

Over 18

Over 20

Over 22

Over 24

Over 26

O-3

801.60

839.70

870.00

915.80

962.40

1,001.10

O-2

716.40

731.40

754.50

793.80

824.70

847.50

O-1

577.20

616.50

639.60

662.40

685.50

716.40

Warrant Officers

2 or less

Over 2

Over 3

Over 4

Over 6

Over 8

Over 10

Over 12

Over 14

Over 16

Over 18

Over 20

Over 22

Over 24

Over 26

W-4

617.40

662.40

677.70

708.30

739.50

770.10

824.70

862.50

893.40

916.80

947.40

978.60

1,054.50

W-3

561.30

609.00

616.50

624.00

669.60

708.30

731.40

754.50

777.30

801.60

832.20

862.50

893.40

W-2

491.70

531.60

547.20

577.20

609.00

632.10

654.90

677.70

701.10

723.90

747.00

777.30

W-1

409.50

469.80

508.80

531.60

554.70

577.20

600.90

647.10

669.60

693.30

Enlisted Men

2 or less

Over 2

Over 3

Over 4

Over 6

Over 8

Over 10

Over 12

Over 14

Over 16

Over 18

Over 20

Over 22

Over 24

Over 26

E-9

701.40

717.60

734.10

750.30

767.10

782.10

823.50

903.60

E-8

588.60

605.10

621.00

637.50

653.70

669.30

685.80

726.30

807.00

E-7

369.90

443.40

459.90

476.10

492.30

507.90

524.10

540.90

564.90

580.80

597.00

605.10

645.60

726.30

E-6

318.90

387.30

403.20

419.70

435.90

451.80

468.30

492.30

507.90

524.10

532.50

E-5

275.40

339.30

355.50

371.10

395.40

411.60

427.80

443.40

451.80

E-4

231.60

290.10

306.60

330.60

347.10

E-3

167.70

233.70

249.90

266.40

E-2

138.30

193.50

E-1

133.20

177.00

E-1

124.50