President’s Message Rhea Rippey

September 2011

• “Annual Meeting Update” by Rick Roll • “T-shirts For Heroes”

by Jay Brown • “Annual Meeting Info”

by Jay Brown • “A1-H Skyraider Down” by Jimmie Ferguson

• “Wreaths Across America” by Lynn Bourgoyne and much, much more!

Presenting!

Continued on page 2

With the ten-year national remembrance

of 9/11 fresh in my mind, I recall the sequence of initial shock, spiking anger, rising frustration, and pronounced sense of helplessness I endured along with most other Americans during those initial days following the impact of that first aircraft striking the World Trade Center. Until it became apparent that we had specific targets against which to retaliate for that genocidal attack on our civilian population, the worldwide military community stewed in the agitated state of impatience, nervousness, anticipation, and introspection so familiar to each of us on the cusp of combat operations as we awaited the order to crank, come up on the communications net, and lift off.

As your CHPA officers and board run down final Reunion checklists in preparation for next month's gathering at Fort Rucker, I am reminded by 9/11 of the importance to me, and I believe to each of you, of renewing and strengthening our magnetic bond that rivets us together. Like the national wave of brotherhood and national unity that swept our country even as th e smoke, ash, and office papers enveloped lower Manhattan in a turbulent curtain of IFR conditions, we aviation veterans seek, and need, to reconnect periodically with others in our warrior brotherhood. While we served in different aircraft, wars, and geographical locations around the world, we share the commonality of voluntary service at the point of the spear where the advancement of national interests becomes personal challenge; where live rounds, tracers, and shrapnel fill the air; where explosions an d gunfire become the sound track of our working conditions; where the acrid smell of cordite and gunpowder sting the nostrils; where people die.

This shared submersion in the extremes of human experience is what differentiates us from our families, from our civilian friends. It is the reason we gather to remember our fallen comrades and to acknowledge with a glance, a handshake, a hug, maybe a tear, that we have contributed something concrete and essential to our country's well-being. It may be considered politically incorrect or even immodest to state openly, but the fact is that each of us has done willingly what many others would never volunteer to do. We did it with pride, honor, and professionalism. Those acts make us different, and serve to isolate us in no small degree from those who haven't a clue what real commitment to a concept other than self is all about.

We do not consider our service to have been heroic; we consider ourselves simply to have suited up to do the

Join us at Mother Rucker, October 20th – 23rd

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job for which we were trained; Nothing more. However, those of us who have done that job need the company of others who know the fear, the discipline, the adrenaline, the crushing personal loss of wingmen or of our precious pax, the soaring thrill of triumph, the quiet satisfaction of victory. It is only in the presence of this warrior brotherhood that we can reconnect with those days of precision and self -discipline and, yes, controlled insanity that garnered us the loving tribute of "God's Own Lunatics" conferred by those whose lives we impacted most.

That, my brothers and sisters, is why our Reunions are of essential importance. They represent an annual opportunity for each of us to become whole once again; to fill a void that only we know exists. Those of you who have not yet committed to the Fort Rucker Reunion next month, please join us, not only for a truly fine agenda of activities at the heart of our aviation universe, but also to renew the spirit and private bond we will share until our last heartbeat. The 2011 Reunion is at flight idle awaiting the command to lift off. Grab your helmet bag. Register now. I look forward to seeing each of you in late October when we quietly celebrate our unique contributions to our country, and where we will preserve the combat helicopter pilot and crew member legacy.

Never, Ever Forget

80814-0042

CHPA is building quite a collection 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 one 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, CO 80814-0042

GOT PATCHES?

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By the time you read this, we are about one month away from our reunion at Fort Rucker; October 20th – 23rd!

Even though we have had more registrations than for any past CHPA reunion, we still have plenty of hotel rooms and tour slots available. I planned for a big group so we have lots of capacity. Therefore, my fellow combat helicopter pilots, it’s not too late to plan to join us at Fort Rucker. All of the registration information can be found on our website, www.chpa-us.org , and all it will take is a few clicks of your mouse to sign-up. The cut-off date for

reserving one of our special rate rooms at the Hampton Inn is October

6th so, if you are planning to join us, please call the Hampton right away to reserve your room.

Please note that your registration fee covers three reunion meals; light supper on October 20th and lunch and the banquet on October 22nd.

Also, as I have mentioned in earlier updates, in addition to the special tours of the helicopter training venues set-up by Fort Rucker, we will also get a tour of the Air Traffic Tower and Fixed Base PAR Simulator. The folks who run this facility under contract to the Army will have special scenarios programmed so that we will have the opportunity to direct helicopters in the traffic pattern. In addition to this tour, we will also enjoy an up close and personal demonstration of the family of UH-60 Black Hawks; from the early models up to the latest “M” configuration.

For dinner the evening of the 21st, the folks at the Rawls Hotel in downtown Enterprise, have invited us to have drinks and dinner at their historic facility; www.rawlsbandb.com. We will be on our own for transportation to and from The Rawls and drinks and dinner will be a la carte/on our own. We’ll meet there starting at 1800 hours on the 21st and directions can be found on their website. They are going to set-up a room just for our group so it should be a lot of fun!!

We look forward to hearing from you and for those of you who are learning about the reunion for the first time, I have included the highlights below.

Fort Rucker is going to roll out the red carpet for us and we will be enjoying tours of many of Rucker’s helicopter training venues. We will open the festivities Thursday evening the 20th at 1700 hours in our hospitality room and at 1800 hours, Rhea Rippey will host his President’s reception in the hospitality room as well. His reception will also include a light dinner for us weary travelers.

On Saturday the 22nd, after our membership/business meeting, we will enjoy a catered lunch inside the Army Aviation Museum on base. After the lunch we will be given guided tours of the facility to be followed by our evening banquet at the “Landings ,” Fort Rucker’s club.

If you have questions/comments of any kind concerning the reunion please feel free to e-

mail me at ANY time!! Rick Roll Reunion Chairman rroll@comcast.net

Annual Meeting Update Rick Roll

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Left to right, Back row: CW3 Leslie, SPC Ray, SGT Greibling, CW2 Blaise Front row: CPT Coker, SPC Archeletta, SPC Leaders (Guideon), SPC Walker, SPC Hodges, PFC Pingatore, CW2 Holloway. This group makes up the Division Mission Ready that supoprts all of RC East in Afghanistan. They are the first on scene for anyting important within a 400 mile range. The unit is G Co, 2/10th, assigned to the 10th CAB out of Fort Drum, NY.

World’s Leading Dedicated Military Helicopter Publication No other magazine covers the world of military helicopters like Cleared HOT. From the Apaches and Black Hawks in Afghanistan and Iraq, to the Lynxes and Merlins of the RAF in Africa, Cleared HOT has it all. The imagery and editorial is second to none and is a must have fo r anyone with the remotest interest in the military helicopter world. To subscribe visit

http://www.zinio.com/browse/publications/index.jsp? productId=500622656

CHPA has launched a new program to support our deployed Aviation Warriors. Thanks to the generosity of several members we’ve been able to provide CHPA T-shirts specifically designed to be worn with the desert camoflage uniforms our soldiers wear while deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq.

The “desert camo” T-shirts are desert tan in color and the logo and text has been adjusted to coordinate with that base color. To date we’ve been able to ship over 40 T-shirts to our aviation brothers and sisters deployed to Afghanistan.

If you’d like to help sponsor this new effort just log into the website and follow the sponsorship links. Sponsorship can be via credit card or check. As is evident in the picture above the T-shirts mean a great deal to our soldiers and are greatly appreciated. Take this opportunity to let our deployed soldiers know we remember them and appreciate their service .

CHPA’s T-Shirts for Heroes Jay Brown

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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

or the Association. For

further information please

look at Sponsorship at the

website, www.chpa-us.org.

Sponsorship

Please feel free to

forward this issue of

“The Swash Plate” to

your colleagues,

potential members

and other interested

parties!

Share the “Swash”

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5th ANNUAL WARRIORS OF AN LOC REUNION SCHEDULE OF EVENTS AND OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION

7-9 October, 2011

Gentlemen and Your Ladies, the whole weekend is designed to give us all maximum time to talk to our old friends and those we never got to meet … to reminisce about that time in our lives in which we fought as an Air/Ground Team, what we've done since then, what we're doing now, and our future plans. I will stock plenty of all sorts of adult beverages and soft drinks but, if you have something really different

you drink, let me know and I’ll get it. Maximum fun is the objective. This is after all the 39th year since our fun and games!

The schedule is built with flexibility as the cornerstone. All activities, except breakfast and sleep, will be at my house.

LANDING FEE: $30 per person. Make checks to Henry McPhillips. For information contact Pep McPhillips, 803•720•4902, email peppsm@hotmail.com

Long Beach City College Veterans Appreciation Day November 10th, 2011

The Long Beach City College Cultural Affairs Council and College Veterans Club will host a

Veterans Appreciation Day on November 10th, 2011. For information contact John Kindred, (562) 983 -0383 or by e-mail at Nightembraced@aol.com.

The Swash! We all hope you enjoy your newsletter! We work to find articles of interest for our very

diverse membership ranging from human interest to humor and wonderful war stories of helicopter pilots and crewmembers’ daring do. Our most entertaining and informative stories come from you, our membership.

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 hq@chpa-us.org or through the US Post Office to: CHPA • PO Box 42 • Divide, CO 80814-0042

[Call For Articles]

Reunions and Gatherings

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Annual Meeting Registration

Registration for the 2011 Annual Meeting is $125.00 per person. This price includes the costs associated with name tags and snacks and ice in the BYOB Hospitality Suite. It also includes transportation to the training venues tours on October 21st, and luncheon at the Army Aviation Museum and dinner at the Landings on October 22nd. You can register online by clicking the link on the Welcome to CHPA page, or you can print and fax or mail a registration by clicking here.

Reunion T Shirts

This year we’re offering T-shirts made specifically for the 2011 Annual Meeting. The shirts are black with the CHPA logo on the back and our motto, “God’s Own Lunatics” on the front. The Annual Meeting T-shirts include a smaller CHPA logo on the front and the words, “Mother Rucker” and “2011 Reunion” around the logo on the back. The T-shirts are $35.00 each and can be ordered on the registration form. The shirts are available in short or long sleeve and small to XXXL sized.

Election Year for CHPA

This is an election year for CHPA. The Chairman of the Board, who also serves as the Election Committee chairman, has been hard at work setting the slate of officers to be voted on at Fort Rucker . Most current members of the Board of Directors are eligible to serve another term and have expressed a desire to continue. That said, there are two empty Directors seats that need to be filled. The duties of CHPA Director are not arduous and take approximately 1 to 1.5 hours each month for the teleconference. Expenses of the teleconference are paid by the organization so there is no cost to the member.

Currently the By Laws state that to be eligible for service on the board of Directors candidates must be pilot members in good standing with three years of active membership, though not necessarily consecutive.

For any organization to thrive and grow, it needs the guidance of members who share the vision of the organization. I’ve no doubt you’re all very supportive of our programs and of CHPA’s objectives stated in our By Laws. Now is the time to step forward and lend a hand in guiding CHPA into the future. Give us a call at 800•832•5144 or drop us an email at HQ@chpa-us.org to let us know of your interest in serving. The effort is minimal and the rewards are great. We hope to hear fr om you very soon.

CHPA is looking for a few good men and women who

want to serve on the Board of Directors. If you’re a pilot

member with three years of membership, and you want

to see CHPA continue to grow and succeed get in touch

with HQ at 800•832•5144 or by email at HQ@chpa-

us.org.

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Combat Helicopter Pilots Association 2011 Annual Meeting Registration

Member Number

Name

Address Line 1

Address Line 2

City State

Zip

Home Phone

E-Mail

Name of Guest(s)

Member name preferred on badge

Guest name preferred on badge

Mark the number of registrants in the boxes provided below. For instance if a member is bringing two guests, enter 1 in the member box and 2 in the guest box. Remember to enter all guest ’s names and T- shirt selections.

Member Registration - $125.00

Subtotal

Guest Registration - $125.00

Subtotal

Reunion T Shirt ($35.00 ea):

Long Sleeve (Number)

Size Subtotal

Short Sleeve (Number)

Size Subtotal

TOTAL

Deadline for ordering T shirts is September 15th

Payment

If you are paying by check, please make payable to CHPA and return your application and payment to: CHPA, P.O. Box 42, Divide, CO 80814-0042. If you would like to pay by credit card, please complete the information below and mail this application, or fax it to 719-687-4167.

Credit Card VISA MC

AMEX

Card Number

Expiration Date Security Code

Signature

Please call 800-832-5144 or E-Mail HQ@chpa-us.org if you have any questions. Thank you.

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Submit Your Photos! CHPA has a growing

collection of photos, from flight school

class pictures to action photos to helicopter shots

from around the world …

If you would like to contribute to the collection please

upload your photos by

following the links on the CHPA website or

click here!

CHPA News! Are you looking for current news related to

the military and helicopters, as well as

breaking news from CHPA? Weekly, we

update the News under the About Us tab at

www.chpa-us.org.

Reminder! CHPA’s Web Site offers many features that can

only be viewed by members once they have

logged into the system. Please remember to

log in, and to review and update your online

profile from time to time! If you forget your

username or password, you can request it by

contacting us at 800•832•5144

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A-1 Skyraider

A-1 Skyraider

Continued on page 12

I was flying for D Troop 229th AHC, 1st Cavalry Division as Pilot/Gunner with 1LT Stephen A. Nash Aircraft Commander on 15 May 1972. We were staging out of Lai Khe, Vietnam. Our primary mission was screening for and supporting an ARVN Armor unit that had left Chon Thanh that morning and was heading north on QL13 fighting their way toward the city of An Loc. Because of heavy enemy opposition that was blocking highway 13, many air strikes were being conducted throughout the day in an attempt to soften the route before the ARNV units proceeded. Although the numerous air strikes undoubtedly inflicted many casualties on the enemy forces, intense small arms fire along with 23mm, 37mm, and SA-7 surface-to-air missiles were being reported by the fighter aircraft.

Our team was on its forth mission of the day all in support the same ARVN unit. The ARVN’s did not appear to be moving northward very fast. They were very cautious and used an unusual amount of aviation assets. They were bombing the whole world into oblivion. A problem developed after several bombing sorties. The bomb craters were so numerous that the armor was having difficulty traversing the craters. This slowed their progress even further. We arrived on station after refueling to find the ARVN unit to the west, on our left flank, in heavy contact with a large NVA force. The unit in contact was being supported by a flight of two A-1H Skyraider fighter aircraft. Our heavy hunter-killer team consisted of one UH-1H

Huey flying chase, one OH-6A LOH flying scout, and two AH-1G Cobras flying guns. Mission commander and lead Cobra was CPT Roger M. Fox Jr., and Pilot/Gunner CW2 Michael B. Syverson. The wing aircraft was crewed by 1LT Stephen A. Nash, Aircraft Commander and WO1 Jimmie D. Ferguson, Pilot/Gunner. The OH-6A LOH (light observation helicopter) was flown by Leonard G. “Timmy” Knight. Our flight was forced to hold southeast during the air strike. We were fairly high and I had a lot of my attention on the Skyraiders as they made their attack. We had been warned about the possibility of surface to air missiles in the area. Although I observed a small white cloud it appeared to be a small white phosphorous (WP) explosion at the edge of the line of combat. It wasn’t until it grow into a column of white smoke that I became concerned about a missile. I saw the white plume column streak up near the NVA reported position but lost the SA-7 as it flew to the attacking A1. I heard “SAM, SAM, SAM” on guard as the front of the A1 exploded, but the aircraft didn’t see m to alter its course. It continued right down its flight path and crashed into the ground. We had attempted to evade the SAM by performing a wingover, but got only halfway over before it hit the A1. I kept looking for an ejection, but saw none. As I kept looking I spotted a parachute drift out of the clouds above where the A1 had

A1-H Skyraider Down May 15, 1972 Jimmie Ferguson

AH-1G Cobra

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SA-7 Strella

A-1 Skyraider

been hit by the Sam. After some radio communication with the Forward Air Control (FAC) aircraft, the wing A-1

aircraft, and the C and C UH-1H aircraft, that was overhead and in direct contact with the ARVN forces to the south, we offered to pick up the downed aviator. The second A-1 was making passes strafing the advancing NVA with his 20mm. The NVA were returning anti-aircraft fire at the A-1 and fired three more SA-7 missiles. The second one wasn’t shot at the A-1, it came straight to my aircraft. As its white plume column streaked up it was pointed at us. The tactic we had attempted earlier was again utilized. Only this time there was no delay and we were a little more zealous to do a wing over. Inverting the aircraft makes it harder for the missile to track the heat signature. I watched as the missile passed only feet from the aircraft and appeared to go through the rotor system. I was amazed that the missile had got within 30 foot of the helicopter but had lost track . We decided that we could still cover the Scout but I hoped they didn’t have many more of the SA-7. Our two Cobras set up a left race track around the downed pilot and dropped the Scout down on the deck a few miles south of the parachute. Twice more missiles were

fired at us. We commenced a wing over as soon as white plumes were seen but I didn’t see any more of the missiles pass by. No other aircraft were hit. As the Scout leveled out at 20 feet our lead aircraft vectored him toward the parachute. The Scout flew right over the parachute but couldn’t locate the Pilot.

Then all hell broke loose. Several NVA ambushes had been set up around the downed pilot. He was now being used for bait. He was

hiding from everyone. The NVA were so close the pilot was afraid the smoke would give his position away. Anti-aircraft and small arms were popping from the north. It became apparent the NVA were trying to spring the trap. The Scout called taking fire so I suppressed it with mini-gun as 1LT Nash rolled in with rockets. We now had two of the NVA's positions spotted. Our lead followed us to suppress more of the small arms that was getting worse as we were getting lower and lower each pass. Without knowing just where the downed pilot was we had to be very selective where we fired. I was starting to really worry that we might hit the pilot. The major problem we were having was delayed communication. The downed pilot was talking to the FAC, the FAC was talking to our lead, our lead was talking to the Scout. By the time the downed pilot reported that the scout was over him it was 30 seconds before the little bird knew he had flown by the downed pilot. Our little bird finally got on the same frequency as the downed pilot and told him to mark his position with smoke. Our lead spotted the smoke and worked the Scout over and picked him up. Once the downed pilot was picked up all we had to do was exit the area without getting shot up. We exited the area to the south and headed toward Lai Khe. The formation into Lai Khe included one UH-1H, one OH-6A, two AH-1Gs and one A1 skyraider flying my right wing. We were flying about as fast as we could go and the A-1 Skyraider was flaps down ready to stall. We reported five aircraft inbound landing POL to Lai Khe. The tower asked if the A1 Skyraider would be landing to the helipad.

This was the first time any of us had been shot at with the SA-7. It wouldn’t be the last but I can say it was a great way to end a long hot day. I can truthfully say that I had a few hours of adrenalin

shakes after I got back.

SA-7 Strela

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For several years now, I have seen pictures on the internet of Arlington Cemetery decorated with wreaths for Christmas. I even had heard the story about someone from Maine providing the wreaths. I wished that I could participate, but Arlington is a long way from south Louisiana. I somehow missed the fact that it was not limited to Arlington.

Last fall a childhood friend (and distant relative) of mine died of cancer. We had lost touch over the years, so I was not aware that he had remained in the Air Force Reserves. He was a mid-air refueler who had served in every conflict since the 1960’s. He was being buried in a military cemetery half an hour from my home, so I went to the burial, heavy hearted that I had not seen him in 45 years.

I suppose that having a new found stake in that cemetery made me more aware of what was going on. I saw a small article in a local advertiser about donations being needed to help pay for wreaths in “our” cemetery, Port Hudson. There was a phone number, so minutes later I had talked to a major who had helped me donate wreaths and signed us up to help lay the wreaths.

As we gathered on a crisp sunny day in December, a retired Air Force COL explained what we were participating in. Wreaths are laid in every military cemetery where Americans are buried and on the surface of every sea where an American service person was lost. The incredible thing to me is that this occurs in similar ceremony world-wide.

The following day I attended the formal ceremony where my friend’s brother laid a wreath on his grave. The ceremony was very touching, and the knowledge that at that moment all over the world people were doing the same thing made it even more special. The Coast Guard sent a helicopter to fly over us, circle, dip low, and continue off into the distance, just before a bag piper walked slowly away among the graves, the sound of his music fading and trailing

away. Then Taps and a gun salute were sounded. That night as I watched the news on TV a similar service was reported at another military cemetery an hour from my home.

I urge each of you to find your closest military cemetery and participate this year. This will be an annual event in our commemoration of the holiday season. The website for this worthy project is www.wreathsacrossamerica.org. Donations are needed since only a small number of the graves get wreaths. They gave all. We can give this small amount for them. Visit the website and participate as much as you can.

Now will someone let me know how to get juniper sap out of my CHPA jacket?!

Wreaths Across America Lynn Bourgoyne

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Call on Us! Contact Quick Reference Chairman of the Board Buzz Covington

JBrown@chpa-us.org bcovington@chpa-us.org President – Rhea Rippey Chris Fecher Call us! president@chpa-us.org cfecher@chpa-us.org 800•832•5144

VP Administration – Vacant Al Major Fax us! admin@chpa-us.org amajor@chpa-us.org 719•687•4167

VP Membership – Rusty Bourgoyne Rich Miller Write us! membership@chpa-us.org rmiller@chpa-us.org CHPA

PO Box 42

Secretary – Robert Frost Randy Zahn Divide, CO 80814-0042 secretary@chpa-us.org rzahn@chpa-us.org Remember! Treasurer – Loren McAnally Feel free to contact us

treasurer@chpa-us.org us any time. HQ – Jay Brown

HQ@chpa-us.org

Two proposals have been presented to the Board that will require amending the By Laws in order to make important systemic changes to the manner in which CHPA functions. It is imperative that the membership fully understand and seriously consider these changes prior to voting on each of them.

The first proposal involves instituting a procedure to allow membership-wide voting instead of voting in person at the Annual Business Meeting. The board believes that this change will be more inclusive and more universally reflect the opinions of CHPA members.

The second issue concerns Crewmember status. Presently, Crewmembers pay reduced annual dues and cannot vote or serve on the Board of Directors. The proposal is to remove the current barrier to voting and board service, and increase the annual Crewmember dues to parity with the Pilot dues.

Given that much detailed research and work remains to be done on both topics, neither will be on the 2011 Business Meeting agenda at Fort Rucker. The Board intends to place these motions before the membership sequentially, starting with the Voting Proposal then followed by the Crew Member Initiative.

Prior to bringing these issues before the membership it is imperative that we gather input and opinions from our members. Please consider these proposals carefully then share your opinions with your Board of Directors. We have established a venue on the Bulletin Board where questions, commentary, and discussions may be posted on these topics. I invite you to visit the Bulletin Board and provide your input on these very important proposed changes to our Bylaws.

Proposals Before The Board Rhea Rippey