Combat Story (Ep 7): Eric Brethen OH-6 Loach & AH-1 Cobra Pilot | Vietnam Veteran | 3 x DFC
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- Опубликовано: 27 июл 2024
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Eric Brethen is a former US Army Chief Warrant Officer and OH-6 “Cayuse” aka “Loach” reconnaissance and AH-1 “Cobra” attack helicopter pilot.
At just 19 years old, Eric found himself flying missions out of Cu Chi, just northwest of Saigon, in hunter killer teams in scenes reminiscent of Apocalypse Now.
During his 19 months in Vietnam from 1969-1970, Eric flew 3,600 hours and was awarded three Distinguished Flying Crosses, three Bronze Stars, Air Medals with Valor, Army Commendation Medals with Valor, and the South Vietnamese Gallantry Cross.
0:00 Intro.
4:10 - The Army recruiter asks, ‘Have you ever thought of being a pilot?
5:35 - Ending up in 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry (3/4 Cav) flying to Vietnam in first class with Field Grades landing in Ben Oui.
8:13 - Getting picked up by the nephew of then SecDef Melvin Laird.
9:40 - Hunter Killer teams (Loach and Cobra).
12:24 - ‘Nobody volunteers for the Loach.’
14:33 - Watching a tail boom skid down the runway in front of the aircraft.
16:35 - The reality of an autorotation (video of MD-500 auto today).
24:50 - First flight outside the wire with a Pig (Loach) and a Snake (Cobra).
30:59 - Based in Cu Chi and farmed out to support missions in Ta Ninh and Katoom (1st Air Cav).
34:04 - Shooting a control tower with a mini-gun. Eric’s crew chief and close friend Kenneth Taylor had the idea to mount a mini-gun on the OH-6 for the first time.
40:34 - First combat engagement at Boi Loi Woods near Godaha village.
46:46 - How to steal a helicopter (twice) for a night out to the President Hotel.
50:06 - Fighting Cobras at night lining up on a ground strobe light.
56:15 - Only time being afraid.
1:01:28 - Being shot down a couple times with a real autorotation.
1:04:58 - Picked up a Cobra crew (sitting on the skids) that was shot down.
1:09:25 - Close up view to a Cao Dai temple (example).
1:17:04 - Transition from OH-6 to AH-1 and a testament to control touch.
1:20:49 - The decision to get out.
1:23:57 - Always carried a St. Christopher’s medal (the protector of travelers). Got one blessed by the Pope at one point.
Was flying F-4s out of Cam Ranh Bay 3 Sep 68 - when I got shot down in III Crops supporting Thien Ngon Special Forces Camp which was under seige at the time. A UH-1 came in to get me out and also got shot down - then this crazy LOCH pilot comes in like its a Sunday walk in the part and picks me up - one crazy and BRAVE crew. I am forever in debt to that that LOCH crew for pulling me out of that very sticky situation over 50 years ago!
Love these stories. Chopper pilots were the cowboys in Vietnam. Saved so many guys......civil war med aid could be days away. WW2 hours, maybe a day. Vietnam, with medavac,30 minutes.
Impressive Carl, thanks for your service! What shot you down? Did both of you have successful ejections? Roger Locher was in my UPT class....3 Mig kills as a WSO before he was shot down. Evaded for 26 days, the war was shut down to recover him when they discovered he was still alive.
@@jcheck6 Was shot down on my first tour when I was a GIB (GuyInBack) - both of us got out but were pretty banged up from a high speed low alt ejection - next two tours was in the front seat and they never touched me 🙂. Got shot down by 14.7MM - a really nasty weapon. BTW on my third tour I as the summer help at Undorn when Roger got shot down - when he got picked up on the the guys in our sq. was on the rescue mission and had 3-4 SAMS shot at him - he got nicked and finally had to jump out - both crewmembers were OK
@@carlparlatore294 Col, I replied to you on your RUclips Channel.
Cool story!
I'm proud to say Eric Breathen is my Uncle. Wanted thank you for your service and everything you sacraficed for our freedom. Love you happy veterans day.
Around that time, the Army was losing so many pilots that the Army tried to entice people who had done their tour to become a WO helicopter pilot. So the Army recruiter must have been overjoyed when he expressed interest in becoming a pilot and his superiors must have been impressed when he volunteered to fly the Loach. The risks involved in flying a Loach were so great that 6 months was considered a full tour. I'm glad that he made it back and that you provided him with an opportunity to tell his story.
My father-in-law flew the LOACH in the Americal Division in 68-69.
I watched one of these where the Loach pilot said he was always low and slow, like 100 feet and 50 to 60kts. That means the majority of his two tours (they were back to back) were flown in the Dead Man's Curve. In bloody incredible!
I went into the Army in November 68. I wanted to get into the WOC program when I enlisted. Unfortunately to my disappointment I only had 20/40 vision which didn’t allow me to pass the flight physical. This popped my bubble and I ended up going to Ft Rucker for Crew chief school. During that time a few of us were pulled aside and offered ATC which I took but never enjoyed.
They were offering flight school to draftees also. They had to extend for a year and pass the aptitude test and physical.
I learned to fly helicopter from a
I too am a Vietnam Vet. USMC Sergeant. Semper Fi. 😊
Thank you sir. I was a 67V OH-06/OH-58 mechanic stationed at Schofield with our hangar at Wheeler AFB from 1977-79.
We were a GS unit so we fixed AirCav and everyone else’s helicopters.
All of our Commissioned Officers were pilots, all Vietnam vets. But, all of our best pilots were Warrant officers, Vietnam vets.
My squad leader E-5 was a crazy Irish guy who did multiple tours in Vietnam as a crew chief and door gunner.
He said he flew in OH-06’s and they would fly at window level to huts and if anything moved, they lit it up.
I also met a civilian who lived on the North Shore near Velzyland, who was maybe about 28 or 29. He had been an OH-06 pilot at 19 flying the exact type of missions WO Brethen described.
I did my 3 years and was honorably discharged at 20 years old.
I’ll never stop being in awe of those Vietnam veterans I served with.
My hangar still had bullet holes in the block walls and steel I-beams from the Pearl Harbor attack.
I served in peacetime, but I was a sponge when the vets shared their stories. I heard many.
This is the best story, with the greatest content ever published on the internet or in print. Eric is a truly humble and outstanding human being.
My father Gary Lotz flew loaches in 69. He loved it as well and was shot down 2 times as well. Crazy stories my dad told me about. 1st to solo in his class. Great stories Eric. My hat is off to you.
Since the beginning of flight there were always people willing to fly because they loved flying. No matter how dangerous. Astronauts are a good example.
It was an honor and pleasure to hear Eric’s combat experiences, I appreciate your service to our country. Thank you Ryan for interviewing Eric, you make it look easy, it’s a real joy to watch.
Well said, I agree. God Bless All those who have severed our Country 🙏
My eldest brother was in the Air Force over there in 68-70ish. I was about 10 years old when he returned home. He was the first of 13 siblings, and I came in 12th in the clan. Laid Ed to rest at the Georgia National Cemetery in 2018. What a incredible service they All do for those who served 🙏
Thanks for sharing this story, and Don't Grow tired of doing Good 🙏 Viva Cristo Rey 🙏
What a humble brave guy, 19 to 21 at the time, God bless.
Eric, I was a Cav unit aero scout door gunner in a loach. Our ages and in country time are very close. If my recruiter had told me about WO flight school I would have been all over that as you were. Welcome back brother and thanks for a job well done.
I graduated flight school (ORWAC) in 1984. All my flight instructors were old retired Vietnam veterans with DFCs and BSMs and sometimes more. They were the best bunch of guys and CFIs you'd ever want to know. They all had stories similar to Eric's. Not trying to take away from Eric's, but to recognize the dangers that they all went thru. God bless all our big brothers and sisters who fought in VN.
I have done some interesting stuff in my 16 yrs Army - This guy NEEDS to get his story into print....... Kudo's for getting Eric to go on tape, huge respect......
Couldn't agree more. Amazing experiences from this guy. Can't imagine being 19 and flying single pilot in combat!
@@CombatStory pp3
@@CombatStory I turned 19 in AIT at Fort Leonard Wood, MO back in 1982. Hard to believe what Eric was doing at that very same age!
One of the best Vietnam interviews I’ve ever heard. I served with the 1st Infantry Division in Lai Khe from March ‘68 to March ‘69. Those pilot have all of my respect. Thanks for your service, Eric!!!
What struck me the most is how the Army had this warrant officer pilot program for someone so talented, clearly gifted, with the ability to fly a helicopter. And the Army is still doing this. You don't need a degree, just ability. It reminds me of today's tech industry. So well done.
we pumped out pilots by the thousands every year.
One of the smartest things the ARMY has ever done!
On point: exemplary comment.
Sorry folks. This may be long. I watched this entire interview with brave soldier and American hero Eric Brethren. His words are 100% true as a Loach pilot. My brother, Terry Opp from a small town outside of Sioux Falls, South Dakota was a crew chief on a Loach from '69 - '70. He didn't talk much about Vietnam but when I got a few beer in him he would loosen up a bit. Here are some of his stories that he told me.
He was with the 11th Armored Air Cavalry Division ( I can not absolutely confirm that as Division, Battalion, Regiment or whatever. I was never a military guy and I do not know the lingo.) that was stationed north of Saigon on the border of Cambodia in the "Parrot Head" or "Fish Hook" area because of the map reference he said.
The only difference I heard in the two stories of being a Crew Chief on a Loach was that my brother never mentioned a door gunner. He was it. He had an M-60 hanging from a canvas strap on the left side of the ship. Later, just like Eric said, they put a mini gun on the side of the ship that the pilot controlled. My bother also mentioned loading ammo cans with as much C-4 as they could pack in it and kicking them out the door over suspected bad guys. He said he always prayed an enemy round would not hit one of the cans as they would have been instantly vaporized. He said his ships were shot down 7 times. I checked the serial numbers on the pics he had and sure enough the Army had them listed as decommissioned due to combat action. He also spoke of the hunter/killer teams. A small difference is that he said they would fly at around 130 knots on their first pass over a suspected bad guy location then come back around to try to draw fire. Once contact was made he would knock a flare off the side of his gun, de de mow, (sorry for not knowing Viet lingo) and call in the Cobras. Then go back low and slow to check for damages, bodies or to draw more fire. I've heard of shitty jobs before but this has to take the cake.
He said his worst pucker moment was when he was told to check a valley that wasn't showing any enemy movement and the brass thought that was strange. So in they went on a first fly by and nothing. On their second slower trip through the valley he said the whole friggin place opened up on them from all sides. He said his pilot nosed down to get air speed then went straight up and basically saved both their lives. Not only did the Cobras come in but artillery went crazy for a few hours. They had stumbled onto a heavy NVA strong hold.
Not only did Loaches do hunter/killer missions they also provided air support for resupply conveys and such. If there was an ambush they were there to lay down suppressing fire and to call in support if needed. My brother said it was always funny to hear 20 different voices yelling in 20 different accents from around the country. That's what makes us UNITED.
My brother phoned home the Christmas he was there. Eric also mentioned this. The call came late at night. My mom came to wake me up, I was 7 at the time, and she said Terry wanted to make sure I was taking care of them. He talked to my dad for a while, then my mom then he spoke with me and said he would be home soon and to take care of mom and dad until he got back. Then there was a lot of static on the line and he said he had to go because the base was getting shelled. When my mom heard this she freaked right the hell out. I started bawling, my dad got this far off look in his eyes, (he was a CB vet in Okinawa), and well, that was that night. We heard from him about 4 weeks later. I don't know if the VC wanted to kill him more or my mom.
My brother said his last pilot was this huge black guy that had to duck down and turn sideways to get through a doorway. He had to fold himself into the pilot seat. My brother said he was the best pilot he had but he was the worst shot to ever fire a gun. I guess the pilots used to put grease pen markers on the bubble screen ahead of them and use that as a reference to aim with. My brother said there was a B-52 strike going on a few miles away from where they were following a resupply convoy so when that was over they went to the strike area to check it out. The rooky pilot wanted to aim his guns so they found this dead NVA propped up against a tree on the far side of the blast area. He said the pilot made about 15 passes at this guy with guns blazing and didn't hit shit but he said he could fly like no ones business. They have been the best of friends since then.
As far as lucky charms my brother had found a 4 leaf clover when he was younger and taped it to a little piece of cardboard and kept it in his wallet always. When I asked him about making it home alive he showed me that 4 leaf clover and said nothing could have happened to him while he carried that with him.
I could go on and on about Vietnam stories from my brother, my friends and other family members but I don't need to. We all have them. Or should have. And it is still sad we do. Maybe one day our strength will really be our peace.
One last thing as I have responded to the people that have made comments and of course they are all welcome. I have only repeated and told here the things that occurred to a 7 year old, a 15 year old, a 35 year old and a 50 year old that had an older brother in 'Nam and was an understandable listener to the shit that went on there and a respect for the people that served there. My brother was not a pilot in or on a Loach. He never claimed to be one nor did I claim he was one either. He was a Crew Chief that guided the daily missions and carried out those missions. His only flying skills, according to him, were trying to do an auto rotate moments before you hit the ground. To tell the truth I really don't think he could have flown a led zeppelin. And again I reiterate the stories I have convened here are the stories a big brother hero from that conflict decided to share with his much younger brother. I am so glad he shared them with me as I do not think he shared them with anyone else except his combat buddies. Now that he has passed, well, one less 'Nam American hero.
I apologize for not doing the research into this prior to me conveying these stories. As I am writing this now the gentleman being interviewed here just said "my crew chief" and so on so apparently what my brother said was true as he claimed to be the crew chief and door gunner while he flew with a pilot on those missions. According to Wikipedia the 11th Armored Calvary Regiment aka the Black Horse Regiment operated in South Vietnam from '66 - '72. The air part of the regiment may have came in the late 60's when they added helicopter support and attack units. Again I only speculate with this observation. Once again I am only sharing bits and pieces of stories that my brother shared with me after several beer and a few shoe boxes full of polaroids taken in the late '60s some where in Vietnam.
Looks like your brother left 3 months before I got to the Air Cav Troop. He would have been in Quan Loi (Rocket City) near the border. He had to be a brave guy indeed! Allons!
I was a Loh/Cobra pilot with the 11th Air Cav in Quan Loi in 69. As I recall it took two hands and two feet to fly the Scout so to fire a 60 at the same time? Everyone has a story. Not knocking the pilots but keep it real.
Thankyou Robert for those stories from your brother much appreciated as your brother is and his time there.Blessed be I for it ended just as my call would of come.
Uh
Please don't take offence but paragraphs are for a reason. Also, if you use phrases try and get them right. _De de mow_ is actually *di di mau.*
Love hearing the Vietnam stories, my father flew on the B52 during Vietnam, love the show, thank you Veterans!
Love to watch these videos. I miss Dad he flew C130. He came home thank God. But never spoke a word about it and was never the same. RIP
I was in 341 support detachment ,guys were air traffic controllers , refull specialits and re arm spec at helicopter re arm point also took care of lighting barrels on runway when lights didnt work .got caught one nite lighting barrels 40 morter rounds came in just lucky that nite.
Amazing stories Eric. My brother was a LRP, and did a second tour in a loach. He was shot down twice. He doesn't talk about it. He came home, worked , and went back to college. Thanks for giving me some understanding of what he went through. Thank you for your service.
Gene Vasser D Troop 3/4 Cav 25th Inf 69-70 loach crew chief Cuchi pilot was centaur 11
Saw a lot of these guys. They enlisted under a program called "High School To Flight School". Went through basic training and then on to Flight School at Ft Rucker for 52 weeks. Graduated and were appointed as W01's. Some of the best helicopter pilots we had. Balls and nerves of steel!
I'll second Scott In Ohio's comment. Write a book! I'll buy it. The way Eric tells the tale reminds me of my father talking about his time on an aircraft carrier in WW2. These stories are getting lost in time. Thanks for sharing with us.
Write a book and read the audio version of it.
What an amazing set of stories. To do ALL THAT, and receive all those medals before turning 22 years old is just incredible! I have always wanted to fly helicopters, but unlike Eric, I did not have 20/20 vision. I do fly RC helicopters, but that’s off topic but it did give me an understanding when he talked about collective pitch and auto rotations. I was also an M-60 gunner when I was in the Army National Guard so I’m familiar with that as well. For what Eric has been through, he seems to be very well adjusted and quite willing to share his stories, which I greatly appreciate. This man is certainly a hero, much respect and gratitude sir.
I loved your autorotation story so much, it reminded me of a couple of stories. Here is one.
In 1971, I was a fixed wing instructor on a T-38, with a lot of experience, and my best student in my career, doing a single engine heavyweight landing, put me into the underrun of the runway. Once the pilot pulls the power on the good engine, (even at 170 kts), the aircraft stops flying. You can go right into full afterburner on both engines, and you are still going to touch down (if you are smart). Trying to hold the aircraft off the runway, is potentially very dangerous. I was guarding the throttle, but he pulled back to idle with so much force, that it slipped right out of my hands.
The good thing was, that the underrun was paved, so the only thing hurt, was my pride. He learned his lesson, and went on to graduate number 1 in the class, with his choice of aircraft assignment.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE IN VIETNAM, AND WELCOME HOME!!!
Wonderful story! I was born in 1963. I’m a physician and love my career, but have always regretted not being in the military and pursuing a helicopter pilot career, at least temporarily; and have always been fascinated by Vietnam helicopter pilot stories. Great interview!
Then go and get a Fling Wing ticket Doc. Just do it!
Age 45 I went to Schweitzer heli school in Scottsdale. I had my fixed wing ratings.
I was born in FT.Rucker AL in 62 & I feel the same .my dad stayed in the states & was discharged in 1964 as we geared up for Vietnam
Saigon fell on my 13th birthday & my dad & I watched it on TV & I remember my dad crying & I just couldn't believe we were dumping 250,000 dollar helicopters into the sea? So I made a promise to myself right then & there that I would spend my adult years LEARNING about that war & I am happy to say it has been one of the few promises I have kept. ( I am on my 4th read through of Dale Andrades book about the Easter offense in 1972. About America's last Vietnam battle. The bravest of the brave American advisers & an AWESOME AIR FORCE got us out of Vietnam with at least a treaty under the worst of circumstances. PRESIDENT NIXON used our B-52s ( the Christmas bombings)it was something no other American president had the GUTS to do. He did not care who didn't like it! * Russa &China didn't do a dam thing to stop it !
@@christopherdutro168 Man you need better books. Nixon was a gutless idiot who was drunk so much of the time. Kissinger had to call the head of the joint Chief of Staff because he feared Nixon was going to launch nukes one night. Yeah, Nixon was a real tuff guy eh.
Look up the dumped helo numbers again because it was definitely *not* 250,000 helicopters dumped (pushed off the side of the carrier(s)) and I'm fairly sure where you pulled that number from though.
Did I mention that Nixon was a putz?
As a former OH-58 IP and Air Cav pilot myself, I loved the story of shearing off the tailboom on the auto. Priceless! Bell ring at the club by chance? Great stuff! Scouts Out! Garryowen (4/7 CAV). My dad was an 11B 0-3 in 5/7 CAV in RVN in 68-69 and has a few Loach stories as a passenger! One of my DACs when I was at Rucker as an IP in 1986 told me a RVN OH-6 story when he was a WO1 and gave himself a hovering auto into trees to accompany a buddy who went down nearby. Classic...
One of, if not THEE best, collection of coherent and fascinating stories of army aviation I have hard/ Makes my short time as AH1G crew chief have greater appreciation for what I experienced. I was transferred from Hunter-Stewart Air base in Ga to Korea in 1969. Korea had no use for my MOS so I eventually wound up as clerk at 7th Aviation Battalion 7 miles from the DMZ. What Eric's story point out that in many ways life is like a box of chocolates....we often, or almost always, never know what we are going to get or how it is going to turn out.
Was at Fort Wolters in Mineral Wells the other day (Now an industrial park) Left an American flag displayed near the location of the old flight line, just as a beautiful Texas sunset peaked behind it. Love our Vietnam vets..
I'm so glad you had Eric on. My old hunting buddy did two tours as a helicopter machine gunner in Vietnam, and he admitted being a bit of a cowboy back then. Unfortunately he never opened up to me even though I was a veteran, but non-combat. I need to try to get him this.
I worked at a small airport ran by the late Frankie Williams. He was a gunner on a LOH in VN. Not shy to talk about his adventures and loved to pull out a shoebox stuffed with Polaroids of dead gooks they had dispatched. Would hover over and he would lean out to take them. He was a jack of all aviation trades flying ag, CFI, A&P IA, ATP etc. On occasions a VN buddy would fly a company jet ranger in after dropping off the boss and Frankie would run out, hop in, and get some stick time. Evidently one of the warrant officers that gave him unofficial lessons over there. He was a local legend with numerous hair raising and hilarious adventure stories. RIP Frankie.
45 th Surg. Hosp. At Tay Ninh. Worked in the operating room. Been to the top of Nui Ba Den. Been inside Cao Dai Temple, it’s beautiful. Work was not fun, but did my duty. Thanks to all that were there. Army strong!
Just a great interview story. Just finished a book”To the Limit” by Tom Johnson as a Air Cav Huey pilot in Vietnam. Eric’s story is just as compelling as this book. Unbelievable.👍
I was with the First Marine Division in Quang Nam Province, I Corps,, from 1969 to 1970. People sometimes ask me, "Did you meet any heroes in the war," and my answer, without hesitation, is always "Yes, Army Loach pilots." These brothers would monitor our nets and when they heard Marine chopper pilots hesitating to pick up our wounded, from a "hot LZ," which, for the Corps chopper pilots, was enemy fire received in the last 24 hours.
However, the Army Loach pilots, who monitored our net, would respond "I am coming down the blue line" and they would sweep in and land. They would then leave their M-60 machine gun and gunner; remove the back seat; and with the docs legs hanging out one side of the chopper, and the Marines hanging out the other the wounded Marine was on his way to either NSA Da Nang, or the Hospital Ship offshore. Meanwhile the Marine pilot (Lt. Col.) was still repeatedly inquiring "Are you still under fire?"
Army Loach pilots were all guts and nuts and I know MANY Marines who are still alive because of them. Mahalo to all my Army brothers in arms there will always be a special place for you in a combat Marines heart and mind. You have earned the love and respect of those Marines who survived that war and because of your courage those Marines returned to the World and were blessed to have survived and flourished because of your bravery. . Mahalo and Semper Fi brothers!.
Flying in the early to late 90’s with guys who flew Hueys/Cobras/Scouts was GOLD!!! These guys were CW4s and at the platoon level.
Their knowledge and skill set was tops. Only thing better we’re their stories.
The stuff they did in Vietnam would not even be spoken of today in the Army.
Btw, how did you not know what a Snake was? Lol
Thanks for the energy and time in putting these historical interviews together.
Wow I love heroes with a great sense of humor. I can remember my instructor sitting back, arms folded and me asking,"don't you want to keep your hands a little closer to the controls?" He said," there's nothing you can do to the helicopter that I can't handle." I replied," you've never seen me fly." He actually cracked a smile. The angles comment cracked me up. When I got to the airlines I had numerous Captains say,"you were a helicopter pilot weren't you?" I nodded. You damn guys think you own the air, intercept the radial with a 15, 30 or 45 degree intercept. I'll use an 8 degree it's a shorter distance. They'd just shake their heads. Think outside the box a little. We had a Herc and C141 pilot washout which was surprising. I too always felt safer in rotor craft, I don't need a nice long area to put down. So many great stories from Nam pilots. My heroes for sure.
Thank you for your service. So happy you made it home alive to share your story with Us. Without men like you, there is no America.
Great interview!! Thank you sir for your service. My dad Marshall Smith Arlington TX was 1/9th Air Cav 69-71. His MOS was aviation mechanic mainly on Cobra gunships. but also did door gunner as well as observer/gunner in the Loach. He flew 25+ Hunter/killer missions and awarded Airman’s Medal. His father my grandfather worked at Bell helicopters in TX building Hueys while my dad was in combat. The company actually put a little flyer in every employee’s paycheck once showing my dad and grandfather so there was a personal connection to building the aircraft. RIP Pop the world misses you. 🙏❤️
I was over there in 1970, unfortunately not as a pilot. Welcome home, Brother Eric.
Great story! Being 19 & feeling invincible while piloting a cobra during that time would have been a blast. Thank you for that look into our history.
This guys combat would make a great book and a greater movie!!!!! Thanks for his service!!!!!!!
So true. There would be so many scenes to choose from.
Eric you are awesome Sir ! Reading in the Ft Worth newspaper about you guys made me volunteer prior to the end of the War. God Bless ! 🇺🇸✝️🚁
Thank you, Sir, and welcome home! Fantastic interview and amazing stories. I was an Air Force medic at Tan Son Nhut from 68-69 and Hotel 3 was directly across from our barracks. Usual take-offs was over the top of the barracks and I watched the skids just clearing the roofs. Ryan, you were a superb host and I could tell Eric's "adventures" resonated with your background. Cheers, CMSgt Bob (Ret) from NE of Syracuse, NY!
RVN as an Army SP4 draftee in 68/69. Shortly before being drafted I went to a party. There was a guy there who had been a Cobra pilot that had been badly burned during combat. He was in a wheel chair and seemed to be bandaged from head to toe. Scared the crap out of me as I knew it was about time for me to go. You sir have some crazy guts and courage. Welcome home.
That was one of the best interviews I have listened to. What a very skilled pilot. Thank you for your service. Thank you for the accounts you shared
To Eric, thank you for your service to our country. You did a hell of a good job no doubt.
Your channel is the best. I admire the service and the soldiers that protect my country and allow the USA to remain a free country and a safe place to live with so many benefits that folks who want to complain often overlook. I thank Eric for sharing his story and for his service to the country!
Eric - My mom also grew up on a small mom & pop dairy farm in California's central valley, outside of Modesto. Beautiful country. When dairy farms switched from hand milking to machine, the farm changed over to almonds. My maternal grandpa wasn't in the military due to his farming, but my paternal grandfather was in WWII. My dad's number didn't get called in the draft (high number). He did spend time living overseas in Philippines under Marshall law in completing his PhD in Agronomy (Rice 🍚 ).
Usually the in viewer should stay in the background, but this man was respectful and brought out some ideas because he knew what he was talking about. I think he enriched the stories because of his own sense of humour so I felt there were three of us having a good time because we laughed together. I'll bet it would have been drier without the sheer joy that the interviewer expressed.
What an amazing (overlooked) generation. Flying combat at 19 in a helicopter. So amazing. I'm 36 and couldn't imagine a kid in a helicopter. That will never happen again. Thank you for all you vets have done. Things you learned there we still use today. True pioneers
It is amazing when you look back what we did in our youth. I was 24 flying supersonic fighters (not in Vietnam)...hard to belive now at 73.
Probably 19 yr olds flying Biden's Blackhawks in Kabul.
Welcome Home. We Will Never Forget. Thank You For Your Service. I took all my training at Fort Polk, LA too. Peason Ridge (Tiger Land) was our home away from home there.
Eric has the most amazing stories of any of the chopper pilots I've listen to. Definitely a man I would want flying support for troops on the ground. Amazing man for sure. I've listen to this broadcast several times
It fascinates me! How I thought I had done some serious stuff as a teen, I was never in the service, I thought I was bullet proof etc etc. I listen to these stories, and I would pucker so quickly you couldn’t get me out of a chair. I see our kids today, and very very few IMO would even make it past basement door! Amazing how brave, strong, and patriotic these generations where.
Thank you for your service and sacrifice.
You might be surprised how when the shit hits the fan some people that you have little or no faith in will stand and be counted.
I saw a pinch of this in the AF after the N.Koreans killed some Army soldiers on the DMV that were trimming trees in the mod 70s .we sent a couple of squadrons of F111Fs to Osan in support from Mtn Home Idaho
I was just a boy of 5 when this brave gentleman was serving but I do remember how they were treated... My neighbor had 2 sons, 1 went into serve and the other to Canada. He was so ashamed of his son who left!! Crazy times to be sure, but I'm glad that there was someone willing to fight & die for me AND those who didn't serve. Thank you!!!
Thank you, from Australia.
I missed out but my brother didn't and, he came back as someone else.
Haven't seen him for years and I don't know where he lives.
This gave me some insight into Viet Nam; thank you again.
Thats a sad reality from a long time ago. . . I hope you do finally link up with your brother via Social Media somehow. Perhaps enlarging some of the details about him and publishing those details online - someone on a Social Media platform might lead you to another who knew him, and so on until eventually you track him down.
Amazing stories, great interview, thanks for sharing. Your service is truly appreciated.
I would love to sit down with a beer and just listen to these guys.
Fantastic interview, Amazing soldier
Great interview . Thank you both for your time and service .
I remember trying to get a door gunner slot at basic training in the USAF. Didn’t happen though. I like to hear a pilot talk about his crew chief. I served 10 yrs as a crew chief and even the Air Crews that I went to Air Shows and special events would never be able to pick me out of a crowd. I worked hard to keep my aircraft flight worthy, the only time they cared was when they needed a flight but the jet wasn’t ready. I did go off on a couple crew members but even those guys didn’t know who I was. When they separated the air crews and the ground crews into their own squadrons they destroyed that bond crews would develop. For us it wasn’t about the aircraft being used for deadly force, it was about making sure those 4 people came home safely. I just wish those 4 people understood the toll it took on the guys on the ground. 12-14 hour shifts, 24/7 at home station. The amount of guys I worked with that’ve had a spine surgery of some kind is pretty nuts. I’ll never forget a pilot who Over G’ed 3 aircraft in a week, the last being the worst and on a Friday afternoon. His punishment for purposely doing that was he was supposed to help depanel the aircraft for inspection. It took us 2.5 days just to get a.l the panels off and inspections complete. He was there that Saturday for maybe an hour… in 3/4 of that was him talking on the phone. When the older pilots did something that broke the aircraft, they would at least by the crew chief a case of beer or maybe bring in a few pizzas. I witnessed a crew break an aircraft because they didn’t want to fly that day. They actually made sure we didn’t have a spare for them before they did it. I had a lot going for me before I had to have my surgeries. I had the aircrews Squadron commander put me in for a Presidential award and even saved an aircraft from being lost when a fuel valve got stuck open and was spilling fuel on a hot APU and catching fire. I even was approved to retrain into another carrier. After the surgery though things started to go down hill. When I left work the last day of my career I didn’t leave with a farewell or a going away party.. I didn’t feel I deserved it because I felt like I failed my guys. It felt like the Air Force fired me. My goal before the first surgery was to get better and stay healthy enough to make it to 20 years to retire. The military was one of the few things I’ve ever been good at. Even though they decided to medically retire me, it still feels like I failed at my goal. My last duty day was on my 10 year anniversary of enlistment.
I flew 28 years as a ag pilot owner/ operator. I really enjoyed his perspective on life, because when I started flying ag at 23 I had the same mindset, nothing bad could ever happen to me. Anyway thanks.
Lot of respect for you guys Ron. Are you still flying?
@@jcheck6 I quit flying ag four years ago. I sold my passenger plane four years ago also.
Fantastic tales of bravery, I’d listen to this guy for days. Thanks!
What a fantastic adventure you had. Loved every second of your story and am glad that you chose to tell it.
Man he is such an excellent interviewer! Best host ive ever seen. Never cuts ppl off, lets them talk, redirects them perfectly, funny, etc. Great job bro
Thanks man, Thanks Eric, that was amazing. The guts those guys had without even knowing it is simply fantastic.
This is a fantastic interview. Huge thank you for putting this together, and especially to Eric for his service to this country and for sharing some of his stories with us. I have immense respect for the Loach crews who went out looking for a fight at low level. It’s telling that the LRRPs riding along working an M60 were in more danger, through no fault of the pilots, doing this than during the rest of their tours.
What a fascinating interview. I could listen to the two of you talk helicopters for hours.
Thank you both for your service
I was a Centaur gunship pilot Aug 67-Aug 68. Welcome home.
We had “heavy scouts”, which were Charlie models doing LOH stuff. Had H23s that flew those missions also until we got LOHs. Our cobras got the shark teeth thanks to “Crazy Bruce “ Powell. First ones in country, I believe.
You a member of VHPA?
@@PHILDRU911 Life member
Was this F Troop 4th Cav?
Ryan, again, thank you for interviewing another Vietnam Vet. Eric, welcome home ! Thank you for sharing. Respect…..
Great interview, thanks!
This is my first time viewing your channel and I have to say that I am very glad that it popped up in my recommended channel page, I have watched similar channels and have enjoyed them, but only because of the people telling of their experiences, but in your case the engagement you had with Mr Brethen is on another level, maybe because you are both veterans and have a shared brotherhood albeit a few years apart, and there was an instant karma and easiness between you that made the questions and answers seem like old friends revisiting shared experience’s.
Thanks so much for sharing this brilliant mans, for want of a better word, adventures and I look forward to the next interview and many more besides, you have got yourself another subscriber, thanks again Ryan, from one veteran to another, it’s been a pleasure. 😀👍🇬🇧🏴
Awesome story. Thanks for your service 🇺🇸
Thank you so much for your bravery. Godspeed
One of the most entertaining hour and 30 minutes I have ever spent!
Ryan you are an excellent interviewer. I really appreciate the way you went back over the details but still let him tell is amazing story. Thank you.
I agree, excellent interviewer. Mostly just had to listen….everything Eric sad was gold!
Fantastic video, top notch interview n narration. Many thanks
It’s great that you got these interviews, before memories are lost!
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If your looking for a good read blackcat 2-1 by Bob Ford is a great book and his story is awesome, flew hueys in Vietnam and have the honor of knowing him very personally awesome dude. If you ever drive thru Okeene, Oklahoma and see some old guy in awesome shape picking up trash and cleaning main street it's him. Love your podcast btw
I had the privilege of knowing Eric. He was a concrete salesman in Tampa when I met him. He was my salesman. He was the first person I took flying with me after getting my pilots license in 1999. Lost touch years ago.
I can't believe how your story paralled mine
Among the mighty! Thank you sir!
OH man, autos are a gas! Love doing them. Falling with style.
I used to watch a Loch with a bulls eyes painted on the underside of the chopper when I was in Nam 1970
Ryan, I love what you do! I was introduced to your show via a fellow athlete who listens to your podcast during long distance runs, so I started doing the same. Your guests are truly amazing, inspiring individuals and I'm grateful they're wiling to share their experiences. This particular story rings true with me. Not because I served (in fact, I didn't...wanted to when I was younger, but never went through with it), but because my father was a Cobra pilot in Vietnam. Unfortunately, he died when I was young and I never got the opportunity to truly hear much about his experiences in the service. The most I ever learned was by eavesdropping on a phone call he had with a newspaper that was interviewing him for an article about his experiences. The gist of what I gathered was that he had been shot down 4 times and lost 3 weapons operators / co-pilots. If anyone in this community happens to remember him - Capt. John A. Della Sala - I'd love to connect with you. Ryan, thank you, and keep doing what you're doing, its awesome!
I watched this whole video. Anna I want to Thank you Sir : for your service and Bravery and professionalism flying the helicopter in Vietnam. God bless you Eric I hope you're still living a good and wonderful life Sir. 🙏🏻👍🏻👍🏻🇺🇸
Thanks for sharing your experiences. You’re a great American Sir.
Absolutely loved it!!
Incredible interview and story. Thank you both for your service..
Excellent interview guys. Thanks for your service. We appreciate patriots like you. God Bless
Another great Story & Interview Ryan! Cheers
thousands... of these interviews i have seen , this is the best one
Welcome home brother, you served with honor...72 yo Navy Veteran
Thank you both. This is what is good about youtube.
Really enjoyed listening to this guy! Great interview!
I tried to wait til the end before posting , but my astonishment level started to peak very early on listening to Chief Brethen's story . So with that said , my comment is about humans born [in at least this lifetime anyways] to mediocrity being their destiny .... and those destined to be shooting stars , where all the stars align just for that purpose . And we've all seen them during our lifetimes . But being near to them , or at least hearing their story is still awesome ____and leaves you feeling proud for them . (almost makes you shake inside)
Awesome interview!
Thank You for your service sir
Very interesting and entertaining interview.
I get it, I regret getting out too. 21 years old and done with the military. 4 years active behind me and no idea what to do. Putz around. I remember all that. Young and dumb.
I have watched this interview three times, it's just great. Eric should either write a book, or you two should do a hour and half interview, loved it!
It was an hour and a half interview