[Vhfcn-l] Passing of Tony Huntley

[Riniker, Linford E.]

It is with deep regret I inform the group of the passing of our "Flying Cook", Anthony Michael Reynolds-Huntley on 19Aug.  In conversation with Mike Worthington, Seawolf, Tony fell and struck his head the day prior.  He was examined and apparently found alright by medical personnel.  That evening he told his wife, Jane, he loved her and went to sleep and passed on to Fiddler's Green during the night.  I had the pleasure of two visits from Tony, one in 2008 and another, more extended one with his wife in 2010.  Tony was quite a character and loved this nation almost as much as he loved his native Australia.  For those who didn't know him, he was serving with the Australian Army in Vietnam in 1966 as a cook.  The US Navy Seawolves were a neighboring unit on the base in the Delta and Tony struck up a relationship with some of the flight crews, who took him on a few sorties.  He began harassing his commander to be allowed to fly with the Seawolves and eventually his chain of command decided to rid themselves of a problem child and "gave" him to the Seawolves, where he flew as a door gunner.  Upon his return to his homeland he continued to serve with Search and Rescue until his retirement.  Tony fought a battle with prostate cancer, which he beat in 2007 only to have it return around 2012.  The cancer again went into remission.  I hadn't heard much from him either by phone or email after that date.  Tony fell in love with the A-10 Warthog and I kept him supplied with photos and memorabilia from my various deployments with the 111th Fighter Wing, PA ANG.  I remember his joy at being able to get "hands on" with that aircraft during both his visits to the US and the time he spent talking with the pilots and ground crews.  He was truly an Ambassador for the Commonwealth of Australia wherever he went.  Tony was truly a friend, ally, and devoted patriot for both his Motherland and the United States of America, and I render him a very slow hand salute.  May you rest in peace, Dear Friend.

Lin Riniker
SP/5, F Troop (Air), 4th US Cavalry 71-72
LTC, USAF (Retired)