[Vhfcn-l] TINS

[VHFCN1 Pilots and Crew]

  Flew some of the Hope crew into Lai Khe one day.. Never got to see a show.. We were next door to the Black Cats, Bulldogs..

> On Aug 30, 2019, at 8:43 AM, VHFCN1 Pilots and Crew via Vhfcn-l <vhfcn-l at vhfcn.org> wrote:
> 
> 
> From: VHFCN1 Pilots and Crew <vhfcn-l at vhfcn.org>
> Subject: TINS
> Date: August 30, 2019 at 8:44:52 AM MDT
> To: "VHFCN" <vhfcn-l at blu.org>
> Reply-To: vhfcn-l at vhfcn.org
> 
> 
> 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
> 
> 
> 
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