TINS

[VHFCN1 Pilots and Crew]

The emails and article about the Chinook reminded me of other things the
Chinook did and did well.

 

Stationed with the 213th Black Cats at Phu Loi we were occasionally tasked
with carrying USO shows to different base camps in the "greater" Saigon
area. I imagine other Chinook companies did so as well but do not know. Phu
Loi was closer to Saigon and Bien Hoa than any of the other Chinook outfits
around, so the Black Cats may have at least done the majority of it. Again,
memory does not serve.

 

Personally, I pulled this job either two or three times. I do remember I
never actually saw the shows - we would refuel, preflight, and maybe eat
until time to reload and go to the next place.

 

I was co-pilot carrying James Brown spring of 1968 close to Tet. I remember
flying back into Tan Son Nhut at night with tracers tracking up from the
ground. The A/C was at the controls when I felt someone tap me on the
shoulder - it was James Brown and he leaned over and shouted "Are they
shooing at us?" I nodded and replied, "Yes." His reply "SHIT!" I agreed.
That was the full conversation.

 

But it was the second time that was the real memory. I think it was from the
1969 Bob Hope show but could have been 1968. Anyhow we had Ann Margaret on
board for at least one leg that day, a 27 or 28-year-old Ann Margaret in a
very tight, eyeball-magnetic outfit.

 

I don't think we spent much time that flight looking outside. I do remember
she made a point of greeting the entire crew - she made it personal and that
made it not just memory but treasure.

 

We probably could have run into anything out there on that flight - our
attention was, to say the least, not safety focused.

 

I probably met Bob Hope that time as well, but I have to say I do remember
doing so!

 

Gary Thewlis