loach helicopter vietnam

[26], During 1972, a pair of heavily modified OH-6As were utilized by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) via Air America for a covert wire-tapping mission. With US Army evaluations of each prototype ongoing, the underpowered Bell offering was formally dropped from contention and the US Army decision favored the Hughes design over the Fairchild-Hiller. Following the Second World War, significant advancements were made in the field of rotary-wing flight. Trademarks and copyright information is respected. The Sea Stallion is a variant of the Jolly Green Giant, but its used only for sea transport. But the light aluminum skin could be easily pierced by rifle bullets, and it also crumpled and absorbed energy in a crash, and a strong structural truss protected critical systemslike the people inside. To counter the US, the Vietnamese employed their helicopter fleets of mostly Soviet-made aircraft. I tried to move the stuck controls and prayed for a place to set down. It took all of Kanes strength to pull out of a steep dive, and they crash-landed with a horrific thud. The AH-6 and its troop-carrying sibling, the MH-6, are still heavily used by U.S. special-operations forces, as everything from airborne sniper platforms to transports inserting small teams to expeditionary light attack helicopters. An Army article written after Johns seventh crash credited it with surviving 61 hits from enemy fire and seven crashes without losing a single crew member. By the end of the war, the Loachs replacement was imminent. They underwent two weeks of qualification training and an additional two weeks of mission training. Hughes Tool Company Aircraft Division submitted their Model 369 to fill a US Army requirement for a Light Observation Helicopter capable of performing a number of secondary duties including escort, attack and casualty evacuation duties. With all these benefits, several variations were developed. [24][25] As to indicate the position of concealed enemy ground forces, the observer in the OH-6 would mark the spot using a smoke grenade, assisting other units in effectively firing upon them. The aircraft, dubbed 500P (penetrator) by Hughes, began as an ARPA project, codenamed "Mainstreet", in 1968. and Images on this page are gathered from various sources. During 1964, the U.S. Department of Defense issued a memorandum directing that all U.S. Army fixed-wing aircraft be transferred to the U.S. Air Force, while the U.S. Army transitioned to solely operating rotor-wing aircraft. Army units this aircraft deployed with in Vietnam: Its formal name is derived from the Cayuse people while its "Loach" nickname comes from the acronym for the Light Observation Helicopter (LOH) programme that it was procured under. It was used prolifically because of its unique hovering abilities. The Army purchased this helicopter 0968 President As we navigate rapidly evolving military culture and Like any deployed troops, Russian soldiers make calls Sign up for our newsletter and receive the mighty updates! In contrast, of the nearly 1,100 Cobras delivered to the Army, 300 were lost. The type was born from the US Army Light Observation Helicopter (LOH) program (which provided its "Loach" nickname) and ultimately proved an excellent helicopter system seeing only limited service in the inventories of several American allies worldwide. The OH-6A was powered by a single Allison T63-A-5A 285 shp turboshaft engine, and had a cruising speed of 144 mph (125 knots). Systems damaged were: COMM SYS, STRUCTURE, INSTRUMENTS, PERSONNEL Cobras, nicknamed Snakes, flew circles 1,500 feet above the scouts, waiting to pounce on whatever the Loach found. Please direct all other inquiries to militaryfactory AT gmail.com. Cobras generally attacked with rockets, preferred for long-range accuracy, switching to the less-accurate chin-mounted machine gun and grenade launcher only if they were far enough away from friendly troops or if the rocketsAH-1s could carry as many as 76 rocketsran out. AH/MH-6J: US Army Special Operations variant derived from the MD-530MG. Up against Fairchild Hiller, Hughes Tool Company purposely undervalued its cost estimates, earning the company favor and the contract. Your Privacy Rights On March 3, 2023, at a White House ceremony, retired Army Colonel Paris Davis received the Medal of Honor. In 1972, as U.S. troops slowly withdrew, the NVA began a major push that became known as the Easter Offensive. Ultimately, Hughes was selected as the winner of the competition. These hunter-killer missions, among the most hazardous of the Vietnam War, tested the resolve of the OH-6 pilots and the aerial observers sitting beside them. Hughes's price was $19,860 per airframe, without the engine, while Hiller's price was $29,415 per airframe, also without the engine. In the event of a crash the tailboom and engine separate from the egg-like . [5] Accordingly, the bidding for the LOH contract came down to Fairchild-Hiller and Hughes. I could tell how old a footprint was by how it looked. Stepping away from her academic career, Samantha previously worked as a Heritage Researcher and now writes content for multiple sites covering an array of historical topics. So I engaged the enemy, but didnt make it out of that one. The AH/MH Little Birds were lifted by a single C-5 Galaxy, and two C-130 Hercules, along with all support kits for the battalion. The Piasecki H-21 Workhorse was the fourth line of tandem rotor helicopters developed by Piasecki Helicopters. The Mojave is a large heavy-lift helicopter that was deployed in the Vietnam War in 1965 to assist in recovery of downed US aircraft, but it proved ineffective. They were employed in hunter-killer tactics, wherein they flew low over the jungle as bait to draw enemy fire. 2023 Smithsonian Magazine In her spare time, Samantha enjoys reading, knitting, and hanging out with her dog, Chowder! We flew down along the Ho Chi Minh Trail, he says of the supply route that wound through Vietnam and neighboring Laos and Cambodia. Its first overseas deployment, as well as into frontline combat, was the Vietnam War. The Loach helicopter was pitted against what was then known as the Bell Model 206. The hunter-killer tactic worked well for a few years, but by the time the United States left Vietnam, it was obsolete, says Mills. I was used to getting up close and personal with the enemy.. Hughes 500M: Military export version of OH-6 in mid-1970s with upgraded 278-shp Allison 250-C18 turboshaft engine, "V" tail. Helicopter took 1 hits from: Hughes, without informing Real, raised the bid by $3,000, and thus lost the contract to Bell. But even that armament combined with the Cobra escort couldnt keep them safe. The Mil Mi-4 was a Soviet transport chopper used both for civilian and military purposes. Fewer than 2,000 of the type were produced though the original went on to spawn a plethora of viable performers including the Hughes 500 "Defender" and the special forces-minded MH-6 "Little Bird". The OH-6A could be armed with the M27 armament subsystem, the port (left) side mounting M134 six-barrel 7.62mm minigun or a 40mm grenade launcher on the XM8 armament subsystem. In the Vietnam War, these choppers were used to recover downed aircraft. The prototype first flew in early 1963, and production began two years later. His three tours to Vietnam included death-defying scouting missions piloting his Hughes OH-6 light observation helicopter (or Loach) as well as gunship runs inside his AH-1 Cobra attack helicopter.. Cozzalio was also involved in nine aircraft mishaps; he was shot down six times and suffered three hard landings. Multi-Mission Helicopters 6. Even when this helicopter was shot down, it refused to crack. The Bell UH-1B/C was modified from the UH-1A Cobra to include a set of machine guns for attacking ground targets. It can cruise at speeds of 150 mph. The US Naval Test Pilot School (USNTPS) trains and graduates qualified engineering test pilots, flight test officers, and flight test engineers to conduct test and evaluation (T & E) at the Naval Air Warfare Center-Aircraft Division (NAWC-AD) Patuxent River Maryland and other activities. 608th Transportation Company (Aircraft Direct Support): Mar 72 13456, "History of Rotorcraft World Records, List of records established by the 'YOH-6A'. That was about it.. The-21C was extensively used by the US Army to transport troops and supplies. More from us: The US Air Force Panicked When Its Top-Secret Stealth Fighter Crashed Into the California Wilderness. During May 1965, the U.S. Army awarded the production contract to Hughes. [22] All American rotorcraft in the theatre had to be operated more cautiously following this development. Your email address will not be published. Lt. Col. These rotorcraft were operated by several different organisations, the majority of which were based in Japan. The Hughes OH-6 Cayuse was a revolutionary rotorcraft operated during the Vietnam War. Loach crews regularly walked away from crashes that would doom others. ", FAI Record ID #11656 Absolute Rotorcraft World Record, Distance over a closed circuit without landing, FAI Record ID #11655 Absolute Rotorcraft World Record, Distance without landing, Obituary: Robert G. Ferry; Air Force veteran was record-setting test pilot, "In Vietnam, These Helicopter Scouts Saw Combat Up Close", "Jane's Aircraft Upgrades, MD Helicopters (Hughes) Model 500 (Military Versions)", "Dominican Republic Air Force Unit History", "Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force OH-6J", "Breda Nardi Hughes NH.500M in Armed Forces of Malta service", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Hughes_OH-6_Cayuse&oldid=1133333304, This page was last edited on 13 January 2023, at 07:46. The small "egg-shaped" design and simplified rotorhead incorporated four rotor blades of constant chord, made of bonded light alloy. He shares memories of his service and reflects on what the war meant to him then and what it means to him now. "Pink teams" of scout and attack helicopters, such as OH-6 "Loach" or OH-58 Kiowa scout helicopters and the AH-1 Cobra attack helicopter during the Vietnam War; In anti-submarine warfare an Maritime patrol aircraft may be employed as "hunter", with surface ships such as destroyers as killers. During the Vietnam War, it was mostly deployed for aerial combat and for conducting rescue operations in areas close to US Air bases. This eventually gave way to the loach nickname, and was intended to provide the US military with a light-class, rotary-wing craft that could fulfill a number of purposes: search and rescue, close air support, MEDEVAC, observation, transport, reconnaissance and attack roles. In 1960, the US Army issued Technical Specification 153 and established the Light Observation Helicopter (LOH) program. When the opposing forces exposed themselves, the crew would call upon an accompanying Bell AH-1 Cobra to attack. To this day I am closer to those guys I flew with in Vietnam than my own brothers, says Mills. The OH-6A Loach (for "LOH") would find targets by flying low, "trolling for fire", then marking the target with colored smoke to lead in a Cobra, or Snake, to attack. [22], It became common for OH-6s to operate in teams with other rotorcraft, particularly the Bell AH-1 Cobra attack helicopter. 79th Transportation Company: Jun 70 Jul 70 This aspect was further bolstered by the use of self-sealing fuel tanks that lowered the likelihood of a post-impact fire breaking out. Contact | Kane recalls, The vibrations were so harsh I had to return to base camp at Khe Sanh, seven miles from the Laotian border. When the training was completed, C-141 Starlifter airlifters transported both rotorcraft and crews to Fort Huachuca, Arizona, for two weeks of mission training. There was one day of initial training, says Bob Moses, who was first trained as a tank crewman and then as infantry before a sudden transition to helicopter door gunner. Ribbon graphics not necessarily indicative of actual historical campaign ribbons. [2] Originally designated as the YHO-6A according to the Army's designation system, the aircraft was redesignated as the YOH-6A in 1962 when the Department of Defense created a joint designation system for all aircraft. Thats why the majority of pilots who served in Vietnam shared the opinion that, if you were going to crash, it was best to do it in a Loach. MD-500E/MD-500MG/Defender II: Had a more elongated nose for streamlining, and an optional 4x blade tail rotor for reduced acoustic signatures. The Bell AH-1J was also used for various subsequent assaults and military operations conducted by the US Marine Corps. The Hughes OH-6 Cayuse (nicknamed "Loach", after the requirement acronym LOHLight Observation Helicopter) is a single-engine light helicopter with a four-bladed main rotor used for personnel transport, escort and attack missions, and observation. In air mobile teams, a pilot would fly low while an observer would scan the ground for signs of the enemy force. The OH-6A replaced the Korean era OH-13 Sioux and OH-23 Raven light observation helicopters. It never flew again. Hughes Tool Company, Aircraft Division - USA, (View other Aviaton-Related Manufacturers), Dominican Republic; Denmark; Japan; Spain; Taiwan; United States, (OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable), Intelligence-Surveillance-Reconnaissance (ISR), Scout, X-Plane (Developmental, Prototype, Technology Demonstrator), (Showcased structural values pertain to the base Hughes OH-6 Cayuse (Loach) production variant), RANGES (MPH) Subsonic: <614mph | Transonic: 614-921 | Supersonic: 921-3836 | Hypersonic: 3836-7673 | Hi-Hypersonic: 7673-19180 | Reentry: >19030, (Showcased performance specifications pertain to the. | The following text is exclusive to this site. When the opposing forces exposed themselves, the crew would call upon an accompanying Bell AH-1 Cobra to attack. The Hughes OH-6A Cayuse was quite effective when teamed with the AH-1G Cobra attack helicopter as part of what were known as Pink Teams, combining the OH-6A Loach (white team) with a AH-1G Cobra atacke helicopter (red team). [23][22] Such a team would have normally comprised a single OH-6 that would fly relatively slow and at a low altitude while attempting to spot the presence of enemies. The LOH program opened the floor to several companies to come up with their own designs. While in Target Area this helicopter was Attacking at 0060 feet and 010 knots. The Kaman SH-2 could extend and increase both shipboard sensor and weapon abilities against different types of enemy units, including submarines, ships, and patrol craft with anti-ship missiles. Unlike previous aircraft, the Tarhe was extremely successful during the Vietnam War. The Bell OH-58 Kiowa was an entire line of military helicopters with a single engine and a single rotor. Graphics are very well done, the whole model is very well done. While in Vietnam, Loach helicopters operated as part of air mobile teams. purchase. The back plate was often not used owing to the weight, and even the chest plate was deleted. The AH-1 is sometimes affectionately referred to as the Huey Cobra or The Snake. Operation Honey Badger was canceled after the hostages were released on 20 January 1981, and for a short while, it looked as if the task force would be disbanded and the personnel returned to their former units. I could see a cigarette butt still burning. You were right in the enemys face with a helicopter and had to know what you were doing, recalls warrant officer Clyde Romero of his 1,100 hours flying scout missions over South Vietnam in 1971. During the Vietnam War the OH-6 helicopters served in huge numbers and were used for light observation and utility roles. Hughes Model OH-6A "Cayuse" or "LOACH". It is 1/6th scale and very large, has to be at least 3 feet from rotor tip to rotor tip. Four troop-carrying Hueys (called a Blue Team) often sat idle somewhere nearby, ready to insert troops if the Pink Team discovered an interesting targetor were shot down and needed rescuing. The Model 369, with its Allison T63-A-5A series turboshaft engine, took its first flight on February 27, 1963, under the military designation YOH-6A. The OH-6 Cayuse was developed from specifications issued by the U.S. Army in 1960 for a light observation helicopter (LOH), and the familiar Loach nickname was derived from the acronym. The Loach-derived MD-500 and other civilian variants still roll off the assembly lines at MD Helicopters, Inc., while Boeing produces an upgraded variant, the AH-6 Little Bird, for military forces (including an autonomous drone version). He shares memories of his service and reflects on what the war meant to. Warrant officer John Shafer was 21 when he arrived on October 16, 1970, to fly Loaches. It was mostly used as a transport chopper, but it could also deliver supplies to troops. The Army requested 714 helicopters in May 1965, a number that was later increased to 1,300. Rattler One-Seven puts you in the helicopter seat, to see the war in Vietnam through the eyes of an inexperienced pilot as he transforms himself into a seasoned combat veteran. The Hughes OH-6A Cayuse, was designed for use as a Light Observation Helicopter (LOH) nicknamed LOACH, military scout during the Vietnam war to meet the U.S. Armys need for an extremely maneuverable observation helicopter. On the night of 56 December 1972, the remaining helicopter deployed a wiretap near Vinh, Vietnam; useful information provided from this wiretap was acted on by the United States on several occasions, such as during the Linebacker II campaign and Paris Peace Talks. (7.62MM) The Hughes 369 was redesignated the OH-6A "Cayuse" by the U.S. Army. Two of these designs, those submitted by Fairchild-Hiller and Bell, were selected as finalists by the Army-Navy design competition board. Vietnam OH-6A "Cayuse" Helicopter The OH-6A made its first flight in 1963. Krausz was ordered to Vietnam in April 1971, and today teaches Army students how to fly the Eurocopter UH-72 Lakota, a twin-engine trainer. I have come home with blood on my windshield. It was used for transporting personnel, escorting other aircraft and naval vessels, attacking enemy units, and acting as an observation post. Vietnam War Era Hughes OH-6 Loach Helicopter 60,632 views Mar 30, 2013 327 Dislike Share Save Steve1958OR 221 subscribers A friend came by with his restored US Army Loach OH-6 helicopter. Hughes is reported to have told his confidant, Jack Real, that he lost over $100 million to construct 1,370 airframes. As the reserve units have continued to move away from the OH-6 as their primary scout aircraft, military technical support of the aircraft has dwindled. Joint Services Incident Damage Report. Nate Shaffer and Bruce Campbell at their assigned positions. The OH-6 was also exported as the Model 500 Defender. The Model 369 had a distinctive teardrop-shaped fuselage that had strong crashworthiness properties and provided excellent external visibility. We thought they were ARVNs [Army of the Republic of Vietnam] until they started running. Underneath, a fixed twin-skid undercarriage was supported at two separate points. Since units were all but permanently assigned to particular areas, they came to know the local geography intimately and could spot anything out of the ordinary. FAQ | The helicopter was hit in the Left Side In response, a task force was developed originally designated Task Force 158 for the next attempt to rescue the hostages, Operation Honey Badger. In photo #2 you can see the nice graphics. While barely any American helicopters served in World War II and few flew in Korea, Vietnam was a proving ground for many airframes everything from the venerable Huey to Chinooks sporting huge guns. Another flight competition was held, this time without a submission from Fairchild Hiller. [19][20][21], In December 1967, the first OH-6As arrived in Vietnam. Jim was unconscious when I helped pull him out of the burning aircraft.. The Cayuse was publicly introduced in 1966 and set several records, including record for endurance, speed and rate of climb. I liked it because in the Bronx, I was a ghetto kid. It had no hydraulic system and its electrical setup was used primarily to start up the enginesimple even by 1960s standards, which for practical purposes meant it was easier to maintain and harder to shoot down than other helicopters. However, the choppers frame ensured the crewmen within remained safe. Ribbons are clickable to their respective aerial campaigns / operations / aviation periods. Its like a street cop going into a bad neighborhood. I spent more time with them., Kids Start Forgetting Early Childhood Around Age 7, Archaeologists Discover Wooden Spikes Described by Julius Caesar, Artificial Sweetener Tied to Risk of Heart Attack and Stroke, Study Finds, 5,000-Year-Old Tavern With Food Still Inside Discovered in Iraq, The Surprisingly Scientific Roots of Monkey Bars. Overtop of the fuselage was the OH-6s single engine, attached to a four-blade main rotor assembly. Hughes developed the Model 369 as a prototype for the U.S. Army in the early 1960s. You were killed, shot down, or got scared and quit. See Also: How Much Does a Huey Helicopter Cost? But the Vietnam War was unlike any previous American conflict; there were few real definable frontlines, and combatants needed to know what was happening all around them, all the time. Even when this helicopter was shot down, it refused to crack. As the H-13s were phased out, Loaches were paired with Cobra gunships. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value only and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation. This was a Combat incident. While successful in this respect, the Loach helicopter also had a reputation for being easily gunned down. Cookie Settings, pilot. It was deemed, based on Hughes' estimates, his units would be most cost effective in the long run. The Hughes OH-6 Cayuse is a single-engine light helicopter that was designed and produced by the American aerospace company Hughes Helicopters. US Army Loach OH-6 Helicopter Vietnam War Era Steve1958OR 242 subscribers 14K views 9 years ago A friend came by today with his Vietnam war era Hughs OH-6 Loach helicopter. Loach come from the LOH which means Light Observation Helicopter. 605th transportation Company (Direct Support): Nov . This chopper is mostly known for having been used to spot enemy artillery. OH-6A/MD-530F Super Cayuse/Lifter: Upgraded engine to a 425-shp Allison 250- C30 turboshaft, and avionics in 1988 for the US Army. As well, its tough frame made it safer than other helicopters during crashes, as its aluminum skin absorbed the energy and the structure protected the crew. The OH-6A helicopters used for transporting personnel became the MH-6 aircraft of the Light Assault Company and the armed OH-6As became the AH-6 aircraft of the Light Attack Company. Here are the 24 helicopters used in Vietnam. A saying among Army aviators was, If you have to crash, do it in a Loach.. Served in Vietnam War during 1968 through 1970. Optional and variable (attack and special forces versions only). The campaign included the first major use in the war of Soviet-built, shoulder-launched anti-aircraft missiles. Furthermore, a number of civilian customers also flew Kawasaki-built OH-6s for a variety of missions, including emergency medical services (EMS), law enforcement, and agricultural work. Army units this aircraft deployed with in Vietnam: Troop B, 1st squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division: Aug '68 - Oct '70. 2 .50 cal MG pods The Huey descended gingerly into a clearing smaller than its main rotor diameter, the aircrafts rotor blades chopping tree limbs as it descended. The 'Loach' was one of the riskiest helicopter assignments in Vietnam Radiomen in the Vietnam War faced a 5-second life expectancy 5 cringeworthy military slang terms (that we should actually retire) From nursing to newspapers, these were the women of Vietnam One time we ran into hundreds of enemy troops. Flight Hours in Vietnam: 1,318 The Cobra was fast and deadly. RMF3TG12 - Warren Motts, who started the Motts Military Museum, walks with a small child, past helicopters that where used in the Vietnam War. They chose the OH-6A scout helicopter to fill that role, and it became known as the Little Bird compared to the other aircraft in the task force, the MH-60 and the MH-47. Light Observation Helicopter (LOH) program, The US Air Force Panicked When Its Top-Secret Stealth Fighter Crashed Into the California Wilderness. In 1965, the concept of helicopter-borne fighting forces was still new and largely untested, and units in Vietnam invented tactics on the spot. MD-530MG/Defender: Has a mast-mounted sight, and incorporated upgrades of all previous variants. In some areas, Purple Teamsone Loach and two Cobraswere also common, as were other variations.) An inventive Bell Helicopter engineer was already at work on the worlds first attack helicopter, and Bells decision to keep the project hidden until complete let the model slip into service as a Huey derivative (see The Birth of the Cobra, Aug. 2017). While they were circling the wreckage, enemy rounds hit their ship. In August 1967, the AH-1G Cobra arrived in Vietnam. Worthy, the OH-6 Loach and two other air scout helicopter pilots, all decorated, were in Topeka on Saturday night for an event at Forbes Field Airport designed to increase interest and. The OH-6A would find targets by flying low, trolling for fire, and lead in a Cobra, or Snake, to attack. It was also the right size to fit the necessary avionics and fuel stores, all while keeping the structure nimble and agile. Each could be equipped with any number of armaments, including grenade launchers, 7.62 mm miniguns, Hydra 70 mm unguided rockets, and TOW and Hellfire anti-tank guided missiles. Just as I set it down, the tail rotor spun off. These choppers were modified for combat rescue missions and had self-sealing fuel tanks, rescue hoist, and in-flight refueling abilities. The Huskie was used by the US Air Force, US Navy, and US Marine Corps. I spent more time with them.. The OH-6 helicopters served in huge numbers and were used for light observation and utility roles. If you happen upon this text anywhere else on the internet or in print, please let us know at MilitaryFactory AT gmail DOT com so that we may take appropriate action against the offender / offending site and continue to protect this original work. It was nicknamed the Jolly Green Giant during the war. Reportedly, 964 out of the 1,422 OH-6As produced for the US Army were destroyed in the Vietnam theatre, the majority of these losses being a result of hostile action, typically ground fire. AH-1G Huey Cobra 'Snake' . They were usually joined by Cobra gunships either in hunter-killer teams where the Loach hunted and the Cobra killed or in air mobile cavalry units where both airframes supported cavalry and infantrymen on the ground. Shortly thereafter, the aircraft were returned to the U.S., where they were dismantled and converted back to a standard configuration; they continued to be operated as such for a time. 2 Stinger AAM. On the night of 5-6 December 1972, the remaining helicopter deployed a wiretap near Vinh, Vietnam; useful information provided from this wiretap was acted on by the United States on several occasions, such as during the Linebacker II campaign and Paris Peace Talks. City of Walnut Creek Special Recreation Museum Tour October 26, 2019, United Airlines Family Day Fly-in October 13, 2019, Napa County Airport Day September 7, 2019, Virginia Rose II Cobra transferred to Vietnam Helicopters Museum August 14, 2019, Memorial Day 2019 Ceremonies at Oak Hill Memorial Park & Cemetery. Armed with guns, Hellfire missiles, and 2.75-inch FFAR, it provides armed helicopter support to both ground and air special operations. All Rights Reserved. Queer John was famous not just for crashing, but for keeping the crew safe while it did so. The Cayuse was publicly introduced in 1966 and set several records, including record for endurance, speed and rate of climb. It was the same for Jim. Some units were modified during the war with machine guns to act as gunships. Upon returning to the United States, he established a career in the construction industry and settled in rural Sierra City, California. Total flight hours at this point: 00000265 Donald Porter served in Vietnam with the helicopters he writes about. Its four-bladed full-articulated main rotor made it particularly agile, and it was suitable for personnel transport, escort and attack missions, and observation. The Marine Corp used it for the sea-based interdiction of the Ho Chi Minh Trail in 1972. Unfortunately, the weight of the armament kept the little bird from taking off. The Bell H-13 Sioux were used for multiple roles, ranging from transporting troops, conducting medical evacuations, and performing reconnaissance and observational activities. The Little Birds weaponry is a far cry from the M60 machine gun carried aboard a Loach in Vietnam: AH-6s can carry miniguns, rocket pods, grenade launchers, Hellfire missiles, and air-to-air Stinger missiles. If the OH-6 came under fire, the nearby Cobra would then strike at the revealed enemy. https://warandlifediscussions.weebly.com/Any veteran who served in any combat zone in any capacity is invited to contact Preston Jones: pjones@jbu.edu / (479) 524-7488 Despite a strong outcry from crews in Vietnam, the Bell OH-58A Kiowa, powered by the same Allison T-63 engine as the OH-6, was being distributed to Army units. This helicopter was REPAIRED IN THEATER A Troop, 7th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division: Aug 70 Feb 72

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