Swash Plate August 2012

August2012

• “President’sMessage” RobertFrost• “IDidn’tCrashTillIQuitFlying” ByronEdgington• ”LeaveNoManBehind” JohnPennyBookReview• “2012ConventionUpdate” JayBrown• “2012ConventionInformation”• “ReunionsandGatherings”• andmuch,muchmore!

Presenting!

ConcludedonPage2

President’sMessageRobertFrost

It is with great pleasure that I makethis announcement in this month’s issue ofthe Swash Plate. The CHPA Board ofDirectors has conferred HonoraryMembershiponJosephGalloway,Co‐Authorof“WeWereSoldiersOnce,AndYoung.”Asis stated in the by‐laws, HonoraryMembership can only be bestowed byunanimous approval of the Board ofDirectors. Honorary Membership is awarded to individuals who havedemonstratedaprofoundaffinityfortheobjectivesandpurposesofCHPA,or are otherwise distinguishable as compatriots of combat rotary wingpilots. Aswe stated in our notification letter to Joe,we can think of nootherpersonwhosocompletelymeetsthoserequirements.Wewelcome

JoetoCHPA! AsweneartheendofAugust,planningisinthefinalstagesforourAnnualMeetingandConventionin

Washington,DCthisNovember.Thedatesarefromthe13thto16th.Itwillbeagreattimetobethere.Thenational electionswill be over, Veterans Daywill have just passed, and the lame‐duck Congresswill be insession.Theweathershouldbecoolerforoutdooractivities.ThisyearwewillhaveaneveningtouroftheUSCapitolonWednesday, ledbyUSCongressmanLouieGohmert. CongressmanGohmert is a greathistorianandIamsureeveryonewhoparticipateswillfinditamostmemorableevent.OnThursday,CHPAishonoredtolayawreathattheTomboftheUnknownsinArlingtonNationalCemetery.ForthosewhowanttoarriveinDCabitearliertherewillbeareadingofthenamesontheVietnamVeteransMemorialfromNovember7th–10thtomarkthe30thanniversaryofTheWall.

Thisyear’sannualmembershipmeetingwillbeourmost importantyet inouryounghistory. Asyouknow,theboardhasbeenworkingsince lastyeartoaddressseveralnewinitiativesthatwill requireby‐lawchangesvotedonbythemembersattheannualmeeting.Atourmostrecentboardmeeting,theboardvotedunanimouslytopresenttothemembershiptheproposedtextforby‐lawamendmentsfortheCrewmemberInitiative,theInternationalMembershipInitiative,andtheMembershipWide/RemoteVotingInitiative. This“upordown”voteby themembershiponeachof these separate initiativeswill impactandhelpdriveourstrategicplanninganddirectionoverthenextfewyearsaswecontinuetogrowourassociation.

Ifyouhavenotyetregistered,pleasedosoassoonasyou can. It is easy. Simply go to the CHPA website

HAPPYTHANKSGIVING

JoinusinDCthisNovember

Volume 8, Issue 8 CHPA • The Swash Plate www.chpa-us.org

2

(www.chpa‐us.org)andyouwillfindalinktotheregistrationprocessforboththehotelandtheconvention.Itcanallbeaccomplishedonlineinjustafewminutes.

Iwouldliketoclosethismonth’smessagetoyouwiththesefinalthoughts…Oncethewingsgoon,theynevercomeoffwhethertheycanbeseenornot.Itfusestothesoulthrough

adversity, fearandadrenaline,andnoonewhohaseverworn themwithpride, integrityandguts caneversleepthroughthe'callofthewild'thatwaftsthroughbedroomwindowsinthedeepofthenight.

Whenagoodflyerleavesthe'job'andretires,manyarejealous,somearepleasedandyetothers,whomay have already retired,wonder.Wewonder if he knowswhat he is leaving behind, becausewe alreadyknow. Weknow, for example, thataftera lifetimeof camaraderie that fewexperience, itwill remainasalongingforthosepasttimes. Weknowintheworldofflying,thereisafellowshipwhichlastslongaftertheflightsuitsarehungupinthebackofthecloset.Weknowevenifhethrowsthemaway,theywillbeonhimwitheverystepandbreaththatremainsinhislife.Wealsoknowhowtheverybearingofthemanspeaksofwhathewasandinhisheartstillis.

Becauseweflew,weenvynomanonearth.”‐AuthorUnknown

CHPA continues to receive quite an assortment of patches from our members. These patches are displayed at our booth at HAI, Quad A, and VHPA. Several of you have donated patches, like the ones shown here, but we’re always looking for more. They are very eye catching and help us garner attention. So please dig through your old patches and if you have some you’d like to share, send them to us at: CHPA • PO Box 42 • Divide, CO80814‐0042

GOT PATCHES?


3

IDidn’tCrashTillIQuitFlyingHowtocloseYourFlightPlanwithGraceandDignityByronEdgington

ContinuedonPage4

I was on top of the commercial helicopterworld: best equipment, best company, bestmaintenance, ideal schedule, healthiest paycheck,lots of prestige, flying over the most beautifulterrain on earth, the island of Kauai in Hawaii; Apilot’s version of Hog Heaven. Then the nearsyncope, the dizzy spell, and inside of thirtyseconds thirty years of flying flewout the cockpitwindow. Grounded, busted, Class 2medical bye‐bye.Iwasdone.

DidIcrash?Oh,buddy.OnedayItookoffwith a bunch of happy, camera snappy tourists,zippedaroundtheexoticterrainofKauai,hoveredover waterfalls, careened around rainbows whileearning the fattest paycheck I ever got ‐ plus bigtips on top of it. The next day, grounded, I sleptlate, shuffled around in my bathrobe at noon,income zero, fondling the remote, futurebleak. Iwas fifty‐five. Moving the sticks around in acockpitwasallIknewhowtodo,allIwantedtodo.

Theworstpartwasn’tthelossofmoney;itwas the loss of identity. Something my flightschool instructor once said came back to me:“Decide if you’re a pilot or a passenger, becauseyou can’t be both.” Watching helicopters cruiseover thehouseallday, tearspooling inmyeyes, IrebelledatthethoughtthatIwasnowapassenger.“I’m a pilot, dammit!” I said, as those guysoverhead, former colleagues, clattered into thedistanceleavingmebehind.

Funny how the universe seems to providewhatever it is we ask for. Floundering around,looking for something I could do to be successfulonceagain,Istartedgettingdirectmailoffers.

New ones every damn day. I thought I’dneed a bigger mailbox. “Hurry, offer expires atmidnight!” Only a privileged few get thisopportunity!” “Act now, won’t last long!” “Thesecretwealthbuttononlyyouknowabout.”Those

copywritersknewexactlywhatmysoftspotwas.Itwascenterednotsomucharoundmycashholeasnext to my ego bone. I needed success. I wasdesperate for it, craven and anxious, grasping foranythingIcouldfindthatImightbegoodatagain,orat leastcompetent. Thosedirectmailbuzzardscircled overhead grinning, as I grabbed myhemorrhagingcheckbookandsentmoneytoBob’sPretty Good Ad Copy School, and The LotteryInsider’s Newsletter, and How ToMake $$$WithOn‐LinePetSupplies.Iwaspathetic.

It was so bad that, in late 2006, I wroteanother check to a community college to get myReal Estate license when half the agents in townweregettingoutofthebusiness.IfiguredI’dflownoverenoughrealestate,Icouldsurelysellsomeofit,right?NowIcanreportthatthereisindeedalotofmoneyinRealEstate.There’sseveralthousanddollarsofmymoneyinitsomewhere.

My poor, eminently patient wife. HolyMackerel, did she put up with a line ofthunderstorms. Moody, irritable, touchyashell, Iwasunlivable.Thedefinitionofself‐absorption.

Whyshestuckaroundisamystery,butshedid, God love her. I didn’t shave, ate crap andgained twentypounds, never listened, showednointerest in her ups and downs. Iwas like a rabid


4

ConcludedonPage5

porcupinewithheartburn and shingles. Itwas allaboutme.Foodwasrotten.Neighborswereloud.Taxestoohigh,amountofsextoolow.Ishouldsaysex was nonexistent. Comparisons between onestickandanothernotwithstanding,theonewastoosoftforuse,sotherewasyetanothercockpitIwasunable to enter. It was awful, even if she sworeshedidn’tmind.“Noreally,it’sokay!Don’tworryaboutit.”Yeah,right.

SowhatdidIdo?HowdidIclosemyflightplanwithabitofgrace,finally,afterafewyearsofwrenching headwinds and denial, and a quixoticquesttogetmymedicalback?Ifyoufindyourselfinasimilarspot,maybethisprocedurewillhelp.

Lesson number one is wait. Settle in.There’s a reason for the cool down time for yourLycoming, or Turbomeca, or Pratt &Whitney. Itallows temperatures to stabilize. Bad metaphormaybe, but it’s the same idea. The old principleapplies: Emotion high; intelligence low. Relax, ifpossible, and just acknowledge that you’ve beenhandedaprettyunstable load.GiveyourCG timetosettledown.Inevermetapilotwhoflewforaliving because nothing else came along. Pilots flybecauseweloveit.Icouldn’tbelievetheypaidmetofly.SometimesIcouldn’tbelievehowlittletheypaidmetofly,butthosetimeswereprettyrare.Ifyouloseyourmedical,orforsomereasoncan’tflyagain, try to let it go, wait, give the idea time tosink in. It’s no time to make durable decisions,becausethey’relikelytobelousy.

But gettinggrounded really is likeadeath.Treat it thatway, don’t ignore the pain of it. Thecringe in your gutwhen an aircraft flies overheadandyou’renot in it is real. Ithurts. A lot. Let it,becauseyouhavealotinvestedinthecompetenceyoudisplayedupinthepointyendallthoseyears,and that pain needs to come out. Despite ourworking lives in the ethereal elements of sky andcloudandwindandweather,pilotstendnottobeoftheairey‐faireyilk.Wetendinsteadtobehard‐nosed, realistic, cynical at times. But losing anaviation career may even require a visit to apsychologist, a professional in the airey‐fairey art

of navigating around inside the human head andheart. Nothingwrongwith it. Squeeze themikeandtalkitout.Can’thurt.

As for the noble quest to get your up slipsafelyback inyourwallet,andgetback in theair,go for it, but only if you can answer a couple ofquestions with brutal honesty. Number one, doyou reallywant to fly again? Number two, is it agoodidea?Absurdquestions?Maybenot.Inmycasethedecisionwasmadeforme.Afterthenearsyncopegroundedme,andnoamountofpokingorprobing or prodding could figure out why ithappened, the FAAdemanded aminimumof twoyearsbefore I could reapply fora class2medical.InthattimeIreconciledmyselftonotflyingagain,went back to college, and finished a degreeprogram that was interrupted way back in thetwentieth century. Number two, is it possibleyou’ve done all the whifferdills you need for alifetime, flown over enough real estate, had anequalnumberoftakeoffsandlandings(averygoodthing) and it really is your time to hang up theheadset?Couldbe. Icouldhave ignoredmydizzyspell, climbed back into the cockpit and took offagain. But I couldn’t bring myself to jeopardizethirtyyearsofsafe,incidentfreeflying.I’mproudto say that after 12,500 hours my record isspotless.

Asforcashandtheblandishmentsofhavingit, there’s no shame in working at the hardwarestore,ordrivingacab,orgoingretailatMacy’sorTarget,orevenWal‐Mart.Timesaretough.Buttocaptureacommerciallicenseyouhadtobetough,and you had to eat a lot of excrement along theway. Ifmoney’scoming inyou’ll feelbetter, trustme. I drove a courtesy car for a hospital for awhile, and I actuallyenjoyed it. Itwas justaboveminimumwage but the peoplewere friendly, theschedulewasgood,theyappreciatedmyworkandtherewas nomedical to lose. There are a lot ofjobsout there ifyou’rewilling toswallowtheegothingandclaimoneofthem.Hell,Starbucksgives


5

everybaristaapoundofcoffeeaweek.Speaking of diet and exercise and all that

health‐related stuff, if grounded you will loseenergy, tend toward depression, lose interest inalmost everything but your own pitiful self.Consequently you’ll load up on carbs, nature’scomfortfood.Youwon’tpassaHo‐HooraTwinkiein thegrocery. Myguiltypleasurewas icecream.Man, that salty caramel was, well, almost likehovering. It wasn’t long before I’d exceeded myallowable gross weight. Vegetables, fruit, lo‐fat,unprocessedfoods?Forgetit.Giveusthisdayourdailychocolate.TwentypoundsIgained,inayear.Canyousaysparetire?

The looming medical was always a goodthing; pilots, generally, take pretty good care oftheir health. Without the threatof losing an FAAmedicalthere’sno incentivepushingustohealthydiets, positive attitudes, or self‐restraint. Theobvious advice here is to join a gym, establish aroutine,maybewithyour spousesoyoucankeepatit.

Speakingofroutines,createonerightaway.Evenifitmeanshaulingyourassoutofbedatthesametimeeveryday,walkingacouplemiles,doingtheroutinethingsyoualwaysdid.Pilotsthriveonaroutine.Call ityourchecklist;doiteveryday,andyou’llminimizethepotentialforacrash.

Pay attention to the people around you,especially the ones on your side. Your spouse isnotyourenemy.He/Sheisyourfriend,andhelper,and listener and hug buddy, even if they’re stillgainfullyemployed,withbenefits.Especiallythen!The short version is this: it may seem to be allaboutyou; it isn’t;getoveryourself. Especially inaviationit’slikelythataspousehasputtheirlifeonhold so you could pursue your dream seat in thesky. Maybe it’s time to let them chase theirdream? I know it’s hard, but it may also beeminentlyfair.

Some last suggestions. Grooming counts.Nobody wants a slug around the house, a couchspud wearing a bathrobe with month‐old coffeestainsonthesleevesthatsmellslikeburntjetfuel.Shave,shower,getdressed. Takecareofyourselfphysically,andtheemotionalpartwillcomealongintime.

Here’saradicalidea:volunteersomewhere.There are so many options out there it’s silly tostartlistingthem,andyoumightfindoutyou,gulp,likeworking for nothing else than the satisfactionofhelpingothers.

Listen.We’reusedtodoingitontheradio.With thirty‐eleven call signs bleeping back andforth,wecouldalwayspickoutourownwhenthecontroller called. And we always waited totransmit sowe didn’t step on anybody else. Usethat skill with people at home. Your spouse andkidswillbeamazedthatyourhearingisn’tselectiveafterall, andyouactuallywant tohearwhat theyhavetosay.

Thehardestpartof losingmy flying careerwasn’t themoney. Itwasthe lossof identity, thesenseofpersonalworth,andthefeelingoffailure.ForfortyyearsItoldpeopleIwasapilot.Itwasn’tajob,orhowIpaidthebills.Itwasn’twhatIwas,itwaswhoIwas.Perhapstheconsolationoflosingsuchacareerbeginslongbeforeit’sgone.Maybeit’s better to tell people we’re parents of threegreat kids, or an excellent husband/wife. Maybewe get used to the idea that flying is just a job.Heretical as it sounds, perhaps it’s better toacknowledgethat,asprivilegedasweare/weretofly for a living, it’s thatword, privilege, that’s thekey. Almostbydefinitionaprivilegeistemporary.The way to close your flight plan with ease andgracemaybetofigureoutwhoyoureallyare,andtakeprideinthat.

Byron Edgington capped a forty‐year aviation career in 2005. He returned to college at TheOhio State University and

receivedhisBachelorofArtsinEnglishinJune2012atage63.AVietnamveteranwith1,100combathours,Edgington’sawardsanddecorationsincludetheVNcampaignmedal,VNService,AirMedalwithtwenty‐fourclusters,BronzeStar,andDFC.Retiredin2000asaW‐4,Edgingtonservedtwoyearsactive,andtwenty‐eightintheGuard.


6

TheSwash!Where are all the story tellers out there? I know there are more stories out there

yet to be told in this forum. Helicopter crewmembers lead a most interesting life and stories abound from qualification courses, non-flying assignments, combat missions, commercial flying or just goofing off. Our most entertaining and informative stories come from you, our membership.

So, if you have an idea for an article, or if you have an article you’d like to submit it’s as easy as submitting it to the guy who puts the newsletter together. The story can be about anything from flight school to real life, TINS, or there-I-was stories. We’ve published several stories over the years ranging from tales of flight school a long, long time ago to real life “war stories” that we’re sure most of you can identify with.

Take a moment to lay fingers on keyboard or just put pen to paper and send in those stories. You can email them to [email protected] or through the US Post Office to: CHPA • PO Box 42 • Divide, CO 80814-0042

[CallForArticles]


7

LeaveNoManBehindABookReviewbyJohnPenny

LeaveNoManBehindbyGeorgeGaldorisiandTomPhillipsisthebook

oncombat searchand rescue (CSAR). Thismeticulously researchedbook isahistoryofCSARfromWWItotheWaronGlobalTerrorismandIraq.Itprovidesmultiplenarrativesofheroicrescuesandanin‐depthdiscussionofCSARplansandpolicies.

WWI landandseaplanerescueswere“spurof themoment”andthisapproachpersistedasthenormintheearlydaysofWWII.However,WWIIsawa revolution in themeans,methods, and tactics of rescuing downed aircrewand the creation Army and Navy units specifically dedicated to search andrescue.MilitaryleaderswereespeciallyattunedtothefactthateffectiveCSARrecoveredhardtoreplace,highlytrainedaircrewforthewareffortandboostedmoraleforaircrewmembers.

DuringWWII,innovations,includingimprovedcommunicationsandcoordinationofseaandairassets,provedcrucialtoasuccessfulrescueoperation.AsWWIIcametoacloseinthePacificthefutureofCSARwasusheredinbytheclatteringofaSikorskyYR‐4pilotedby2LTCarterHarmonwhopickedupapilotandthreepassengers of a downed Stinson L‐1 from the jungles of Burma. The helicopter would change CSAR andwarfareforever.ThehelicopterrescuesattheendofWWII,theongoingdevelopmentofthehelicopterandits expanded role in Korea including behind the lines CSAR, arewell documented. Thenextwarwould bedefinedas“thehelicopterwar.”

CSAR had a slow beginning in Vietnam, with many hard lessons to be relearned. Although an AirRescueCenterwasestablishedinSaigonin1962,it“owned”norescueassetsandreliedonSouthVietnamese,USArmy,andMarineassetsassituationsdeveloped.AsthewarrampedupandtheairwarmovedtoNorthVietnamandwest to theHoChiMinhTrail,both theNavyandAirForcewerechallenged todevelopCSARmissioncapablehelicopters,tactics,andpoliciesinanincreasinglydangerousAAAenvironment. Asthewarprogressed,NavyCSARunitsacquiredtheHH‐3A(BigMother)andtheAirforcemovedontotheHH‐3E(JollyGreenGiant)followedbytheHH‐53B.ButthereismoretoputtingtogetherasuccessfulCSARmissionandtheauthorsaptlyoutlinetheevolutionoftheplanningandlaunchingofthesemissions,someofwhichweredeepinNorthVietnamand involveda complexand layeredchoreographyofover100aircraft toaccomplish themission.

ThisisthefirstbooktocoverthecompletehistoryofCSARandfinisheswithadiscussionofitsfuture.Though the documentation requires lots of statistics, it is a very readable book. The authors interviewedmanyofthelivingparticipantsfromover120Vietnamrescuesandsharethemwithusindetailednarrativesthatmakeforrivetingreading.Thisbookisafittingtributetothosewholosttheirlivesthatothersmaylive.LeaveNoManBehind:TheSagaofCombatSearchandRescue($20.59hardcover,$12.64Kindle,656pages)byGeorgeGaldorisiandTomPhillips,ISBN:978‐0760323922isavailablefromyourlocalbookstore,Amazon,orotherbooksuppliers.


8

2012ConventionUpdateJayBrown

Please feel free to forward this issue of “The Swash Plate” to your colleagues, potential members and other interested parties!

Sharethe“Swash”

The2012CHPAAnnualConventionregistrationscontinuetoroll inand2012is shaping up to be a banner year. CHPAmembers and their guestswill gather inWashington,DC thisNovember, from the13th to the 16th for thebest Conventionwe’vehadtodate.ThoseofyouwhohaveattendedaCHPAConventionandAnnualMeetinginthepastknowtherewillbeapartygoingon.

Overthenextfewpagesyou’llfindgeneralinformationontheconventionandthescheduleofevents.Theeasiestthingtodoisregisteronline,eitherbygoingtotheCHPA website www.chpa‐us.org, and following the links or directly to the registration page athttp://militaryreunionplanners.com/CHPA/#.Itliterallytakesjustafewsecondsofyourtimetocompletetheregistrationprocess. Ifyoudon’thaveaccesstotheinternetyoucancompletetheregistrationforminthisissueoftheSwashPlateandjustsendinwithyourpaymentinformation.HQwillhandletherest.

Just toremindeveryone,onceyou’vecompletedyourregistrationfortheconvention,you’llneedtocontact the host hotel for your lodging reservations. We’ve changed the host hotel to the Crowne Plazalocatedabout twoblocks to theeast,closer to thePotomacRiverbut therearenochanges to thecostsorother amenities we’ve contracted for. Remember to mention when making your reservation you’ll beattendingtheCHPAconventionforthereducedlodgingrate,freebreakfastandparking.ThephonenumberfortheCrownePlazais703‐6836000.Soclickthelinks,fillouttheformsandmakethephonecallandI’llseeyouallinDC.

Please consider sponsoring CHPA’s programs. You may make tax deductible donations to support the Goldie Fund, CHPA’s Scholarship program, the Holiday Boxes for the Troops, T-shirts for Heroes or the Association. For further information please look at Sponsorship at the website, http://www.chpa-us.org.

Sponsorship


9

COMBATHELICOPTERPILOTSASSOCIATION

2012CONVENTIONWashington,DC‐November13th–16th,2012

WelcometoWashington,DC

Washington,DCistheheartoftheAmericanexperience. Fromitscelebratedsymbolsofpatriotism,

monumentstothepast,andaspirationsforthefuture,ourNation’sCapital istrulyaweinspiring.TheCHPA2012ConventionisyouropportunitytoshareandrememberyourownAmericanexperience.Don’tmissthespecialprivatetouroftheCapitolBuilding.TherewillbemanyopportunitiestoreflectonhistoryasyoutourArlington Cemetery, the WWII, Korean War Veterans, and Vietnam Veterans Memorials. Digest history,experience the present and ponder the future of this most American of cities, during your outstandingconventionprogram.Don’tmissit!

HotelInformation

TheconventionofficiallyrunsfromTuesday,November13thuntilFriday,November16th.YouwillbestayingatthefullserviceCrownePlazaHotellocatedat901NorthFairfaxStreet,Alexandria,VA22314.TheCrownePlazaHotelislocatedclosetomanyofWashington’smostpopularattractions.Theroomrateisjust$109.00plustaxpernightbasedonsingleordoubleoccupancy.Theroomrateincludesbreakfastserveddailyin the hotel restaurant. For those of youwho choose to arrive early or stay late, the same room rate isavailable threedays prior and threedays after, basedon availability. Pleasemake your hotel reservationsNOWbycalling703‐683‐6000. Youmaycancelupuntil72hoursbeforearrivalatnopenalty.Mentionthatyouarewith theCHPAConvention toassureyouareassociatedwithour group. Youmay request specificroomtypeswhenyoucalltomakeyourreservations(handicapaccessibleroom,etc.).Thehotelcheck‐intimeis3:00pm.Please,donotexpecttogetintoyourroombeforethen.Theywillaskyouforadepositorcreditcardnumbertoguaranteeyourroomreservation. Thehotel isholdingroomsuntiltheyselloutorOctober5th,2012whichevercomesfirst.

Transportation&Directions

The closest airport isWashingtonNational –RonaldReagan (DCA). Thehoteloffers complimentaryshuttleservicefromWashingtonNationalAirport.Pleaseusethecourtesyphoneinthebaggageclaimarea.For thoseofyoudriving to thereunion,wehavenegotiatedcomplimentaryparking for thedurationof thereunion.Travelsafelyandwewill….

SeeyouinOurNation’sCapital!


10

COMBAT HELICOPTER PILOTS ASSOCIATION

CONVENTION EVENTS

WELCOMEDINNERATTHEHOTELTuesday,November13th(7:00pmattheHotel)

Welcometotheconvention!Gatherwithyourfriendsforacasualall‐you‐can‐eatBBQdinneratthehotel.Thisisagreatchancetoseewhoisherethisyear,andkickofftheconvention!

EVENTA:MEMORIALS,MONUMENTS&SPECIALCAPITOLHILLTOURWednesday,November14th(2:00pm‐11:00pm)

BeginwithavisittosomeofthemostfamousmonumentsandmemorialsinWashington,DC.BeginattheVietnamVeteransMemorial,wheretherewillbeplentyof timetoreflectandremember,thenvisit thenearbyKoreanWarVeteransMemorialandtheLincolnMemorial.TimepermittingyouwillstopattheWWIIMemorial,JeffersonandUSMarineCorpsWarMemorial(IwoJima).EnjoysometimeonyourowninUnionStation fordinnerandshopping. UnionStationoffersmanyuniquechoices foryourdinner. ThecoachwilldepartUnionStationat7:00pmfor thespecialCapitolTour. Averyspecial tourhasbeenarrangedat theCapitolBuilding.YouwillhaveaprivatetouroftheCapitolincludingareasnotoftenopentothepublic.TheCapitolTouristentativelyscheduledtobeginat7:30pmandconcludeat10:30pm.

EVENTB:ARLINGTONCEMETERY,WREATHLAYING&SMITHSONIANSONYOUROWNThursday,November15th(9:00am‐3:00pm)

ThedaybeginswithatourofArlingtonCemetery.Hereyouwillridethetramuptothe“TomboftheUnknowns”foraspecialWreathLayingCeremony,followedbythefamous“changingoftheguard”ceremony.ThenproceedtoviewtheKennedygravesiteandtheEternalFlame.ThetramwillpassArlingtonHouseasyoureturntotheVisitor’sCenter.Thisisawonderfulandmovingexperienceforeveryone.Yourmotorcoachwilltake you to theMallwheremost of the SmithsonianMuseums are located. Youmay choose theNaturalHistoryMuseum, theAir&SpaceMuseumortheAmericanHistoryMuseum. ThereareseveralartgallerieswhicharealsopartoftheSmithsonianMuseumGroup.AlloftheSmithsonianMuseumsarefree.Yourcoachwill dropyouat theAmericanHistoryMuseum; you canwalk to theothermuseums fromhere. All of theMuseumsofferrestaurants for lunchonyourown. Themotorcoachwilldepart fromthedropoff locationpromptlyat3:00pmtoreturntothehotel.Forthosewhowanttostaylonger,youareonyourownforreturntransportationtothehotel.

PleaseNote:AstrictdresscodeisrequiredtoattendtheWreathLayingCeremonyatArlingtonCemetery.Ifyouarenotdressedperthecode,youwillnotbeabletoparticipateinthetour.Pleasenotedresscoderequirementsareoutlinedbelowinimportantconventionnotes.


11

BANQUETDINNERThursday,November15th(7:00pmatHotel)

JoinyourfriendsfortheBanquetDinnerattheHotel.Cocktailswillbeavailablefromthecashbarat6:00pm;dinnerwillbeservedat7:00pm. EntréechoicesareRoastedBeefwithmushroomdemisauceorGrilledChickenwithfreshherbsauce.Pleasemakeyourentréeselectiononthereservationform.

TOURCANCELLATIONINSURANCE

Protectyourselffromunforeseenexpensescausedbysickness,injuryoranyothercausesthatimpactyour travel plans. This insurance enables a refund of Tour&Banquet expenses. Please note CancellationInsuranceexpiresat11:59pmthedaybeforetheconventionstarts.NorefundsaregivenaftermidnightevenifCancellationInsurancewaspurchased.Ifyouneedtocancel–pleasecontactourofficeimmediately(817‐251‐3551)oremail:cancel@MilitaryReunionPlanners.comforconfirmationofyourcancellation. Ifyouhavenot purchased cancellation insurance, all tour and meal money is non‐refundable 6 weeks prior to theconvention.

ImportantConventionNotes:Arlington Cemetery Dress Code Requirements: Men: Collared shirt, casual slacks, and appropriate shoes.Women:blouse,casual slacks, skirtordress,andappropriateshoes. The followingarenotpermitted:Bluejeans,patchedjeans,shortsofanykind,tanktops,haltertops,teeshirts,showertypeshoes,tubetops,shirtsthatexposethemidriff.

• Toursmaybecancelledifaminimumof30peopleperbusisnotmet.Inthiscase,fullrefundswillbegiven.

• Pleaseunderstand thata certainamountofwalking isnecessary fromthebus toattractionsand, insomeinstances,toalsoseetheattractions.Pleaseconsideryourabilitiesbeforepurchasingtours.

• Besuretobringphotoidentification(likeadriver’slicense)onallevents.• Alltourtimesaresubjecttochange.Afinalitineraryisavailableatregistration.

ReservationsareduebyOctober5th,2012.

Latereservationsacceptedonaspaceavailablebasiswithanonrefundable$10perpersonlatefee.Youshouldmakeacopyofthisformforyourrecords.Forinformationcallweekdays:817‐251‐3551orEmail:[email protected]. Requests for refundsmustbemade inwritingandpostmarkedbeforedue date above. No refunds will be made after this date, unless you have purchased Tour CancellationInsurance.Sorry,norefundswillbegivenforanyreasonstartingatmidnightthedaybeforetheconventionstarts. There isa$10perperson refundprocessing fee. Yourcancelledcheck is your receiptandproofofpurchase. There is a $25 return check fee for NSF. For a written confirmation, please enclose a self‐addressed, stamped envelope. MRP will not be held liable for failure of vendors to provide contractedservices or any injuries/accidents that may occur during the convention. Tours require a minimum of 30peopleinordertooperate.FullrefundswillbegivenforanyeventcancelledbyMRP.

EXCELLENCEINCONVENTIONPLANNING


12

COMBAT HELICOPTER PILOTS ASSOCIATION 2012 CONVENTION RESERVATION FORM

DATE EVENT COST QTY TOTAL CONVENTION REGISTRATION FEE – Per Person

Everyone Please Pay ~ Non-refundable $15 pp

Tues11/13 Welcome Dinner (7:00pm at the Hotel) $39 pp Wed 11/14 EVENT A: Memorials, Monuments & Special Capitol

Building Tour (2:00pm-11:00pm) $49 pp

Thu 11/15 EVENT B: Arlington Cemetery, Wreath Laying & Smithsonians on your own (9:00am-3:00pm)

$49 pp

Thu 11/15 Banquet Dinner (7:00pm at the Hotel) Roasted Beef $50 pp Grilled Chicken $50 pp Non Refundable Late Reservation Fee (If mailed after Oct 5th ) pp $10 Tour Cancellation Insurance (non-refundable) $10 pp TOTAL: Make On-line Reservations with a Credit Card at:

www.militaryreunionplanners.com/chpa Or, send this entire completed form with a check payable to:

Military Reunion Planners, P.O. Box 1588, Colleyville, TX 76034 PLEASE PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING:

Name (As you want it to appear on badge): __________________________________________________

Spouse: _________________________________________________________________________

Guest(s):________________________________________________________________________________

Address: _____________________________________City: ____________________St: ______Zip: ______

Phone: (Home)________________________Phone:(Other):__________________________________

Email Adresss:___________________________________________________________________________

Emergency contact during the convention: _______________________________Ph:______________

Reservations are due by October 5th, 2012. Late reservations accepted on a space available basis with a non refundable $10 per person late fee. You should make a copy of this form for your records. For information call weekdays: 817-251-3551 or Email: [email protected] FOR OFFICE USE ONLY Date Rec’d: __________ Check #: ______ Amount $: _______ XCL #: __________


13

ReunionsandGatherings

As previously reported there is now an “official” CHPA web presence on Face Book located athttps://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/196724920353496/. The page was set up to provide a venue fordiscussions,sharingofideasandanotherwayofgettingthosenaggingquestionsanswered.Joiningthegroupis as simple as asking to join. Stop in, sayhello and join the conversationsor start yourown. All CombatHelicopterPilotsAssociationmembers,potentialmembers,guestsandthosewhosupportCHPAarewelcome.

AnothersourceofinformationonwhatCHPAisdoingistheCHPAwebsiteatwww.chpa‐us.org.Everymemberhasaloginandpasswordthatwillallowthemtoviewamemberdirectory,readtheby‐laws,viewandsubmitpictures,updatetheirmembershipprofile,renewmembershipsandlotsmore.Ifyou’veforgottenyour log in information contact HQ@chpa‐us.org and we can provide you that information as well asinformationonhowtosetyour login informationtosomethingeasyforyoutoremember. Ifyouhaveanyquestionsgiveusacallat800.832.5144ordropusanemail.

Areyouplanningareunionoreventthatmaybeofinteresttoourmembers?Letushelpyougetthe

wordoutandsupportveteransgroupsofallsizesandlocations.JustsendamessagewiththeinformationtoHQ@chpa‐us.org.Ifyouhavealogo,sendthatalongaswell.

Besuretoincludeaccuratecontactandregistrationinformationandwe’lltakecareoftherest.

BTroop,7/17thCAV

BTroop,7/17thCAVandallRuthlessRidersareinvitedtoaGatheringinSanAntonio,TXSeptember3rd‐7th,2012.POCsforfurtherinformationareBuddyHarp,[email protected],573‐324‐3924;RichHefferman,[email protected],412‐771‐8214orJohnnieGriffits,[email protected],760‐535‐8523.WEB:http://www.b717.homestead.com/

VINHLONGOUTLAWSASSOCIATION

Vinh Long Outlaws Association will hold its 2012 reunion in Savannah, GA,September6th–10th.Callingallmembersofthe62ndAvnCo;CoA,502ndAvnBn;175th

AHCandallattachedunits. Formup inSavannah. ContactBobKoonce, (253)537‐4818,[email protected].

CHPAonTheWeb


14

334UTTREUNION

PersonnelwhopreviouslyservedintheUTTanditssubsequentunitdesignations;68th, 197th, 334th, 507th Regiment, 227th Regiment, 501st Regiment are invited toattendthe50thanniversaryoftheUTTdeploymenttoVietnam.ThereunionwillbeheldatFortRucker,AL,September26–30.FormoreinformationcontactJ.J.Aretz,334‐324‐0015.

30thANNIVERSARYOFTHEWALL‐READINGOFTHENAMES

TheVietnamVeteransMemorialFund is hosting the Reading of theNames of 58,272 service membersinscribed on the Vietnam VeteransMemorialinWashington,DC,aspartofthe special activities planned thisNovembertocommemorateTheWall’s30thAnniversary.

TheReadingof theNameswill takeplaceatTheWall for65hoursovera four‐dayperiodbeginningwith anopening ceremonyonWednesday,November 7, 2012 at 3:00pm. Volunteerswill readnames forapproximatelyeighthoursfrom4pmonNovember7to12amonNovember8.Participantswillthenreadthenamesfor19hoursdailyfrom5amuntil12amonNovember8,9,and10.

TheReadingoftheNamestookplaceinWashington,DCjustfourothertimesinTheWall’shistory.InNovember 1982, the names were read aloud at Washington National Cathedral as part of a week‐longNational Salute to Vietnam Veterans. The names were read at The Wall during the 10th Anniversarycelebration in November 1992, during the 20th Anniversary celebration in 2002 and during the 25thAnniversary celebration in 2007. For more information and to sign up to participate visithttp://www.vvmf.org/ROTN.


15

SubmitYourPhotos!

CHPAhasagrowingcollectionofphotos,fromflightschoolclasspictureslikethese,toactionphotostohelicoptershotsfromaroundtheworld…IfyouwouldliketocontributetothecollectionpleaseuploadyourphotosbyfollowingthelinksontheCHPAwebsiteorclickhere!


16

Call on Us! Contact Quick Reference ChairmanoftheBoard–RheaRippey BuzzCovingtonChairman@chpa‐us.org BCovington@chpa‐us.orgPresident–RobertFrost AlMajor Callus!president@chpa‐us.org AMajor@chpa‐us.org 800•832•5144VPAdministration–Vacant RichMiller Faxus!admin@chpa‐us.org RMiller@chpa‐us.org 719•687•4167VPMembership–RustyBourgoyne RandyZahn Writeus!membership@chpa‐us.org RZahn@chpa‐us.org CHPA

POBox42Secretary/Treasurer–LorenMcAnally JimFerguson Divide,CO80814‐0042Treasurer@chpa‐us.org JFerguson@chpa‐us.org Remember!ExecutiveDirector–JayBrown JohnFore FeelfreetocontactusHQ@chpa‐us.org JFore@chpa‐us.org usanytime. RandyJones RJones@chpa‐us.org

CHPA gratefully acknowledges the generous sponsorship of

WorldwideCADTechnologyofSugarland,TX. ThesupportprovidedbyoursponsorsandourmembersiswhatmakesitpossibleforCHPAtocontinuetosupportouractivedutyservicemembers,retiredandseparated veterans and their familieswith projects such as T‐shirtsfor heroes, Christmas Boxes for the Troops, The Goldie Fund forproviding scholarships to children of Aircrew members who havebeenkilledinactionandmanyothers.ShouldyouwanttoaddyoursupportthroughsponsorshipofCHPAoraspecificprojectorprogramvisitwww.chpa‐us.organdclickonthesponsorship/advertisinglinkinthedropdownmenuunder“AboutUs.”

Again, a hearty “thank you” to the men and women atWorldwideCADTechnologyfortheirsupportofourArmedForcesandourVeteranseverywhere.

Documents

Swash Plate August 2012