A Conversation with Darkhorse One Four- Doug Hicks
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- Опубликовано: 7 сен 2024
- On June 15, 2023, I once again traveled to the American Honor Foundation Museum (AHF) at Jumbolair Aviation Estates in Ocala, Florida to interview one of America's combat veterans. Vietnam veteran Doug Hicks flew Hueys and Loaches in the 16th Air Cavalry in 1970/71.
What made this reunion special is that AHF has OH-6A s/n 67-16435 in its collection. Hicks logged dozens of combat hours in this Loach and on this day, fifty years after he last saw this helicopter, he was reunited with it and flew it once again.
Hands down some of the best storytelling ever. And the flying at the end is priceless. The intensity in his face is overwhelming; instantly back in time.
So glad you made it back. I was a Cobra and Loach pilot with the 11th Armored Cav, 69,70. Black Horse 33.
Thank you for your service sir!
I flew an Alpha on the tuna boats. It was in the 240th Assault Helicopter Co. It was cool flying a piece of history. Rotorhead had been updated though and had elastomeric dampers.
I've flown in both the Cobra and LOH that Army aviation heritage foundation had and I always wondered where you guys put those big ole balls in those small cockpits? Welcome home you guys are my heros.
My uncle was 1/11 ACR A troop 68-70. I was A troop 1/11 ACR 94-96
Thanks for your service!! Everyone please remember the ones that didn’t make it back home!!!!! Thanks
Welcome home Darkhorse One Four. Seeing the smile on your face in the cockpit brought a smile to my face today.
It was priceless watching Doug fly his old copter again.
look at that old dude smile, I'll bet inside he still feels 18
The focused look, chewing gum... he was pushed back in time. ❤ What an awesome man. Thank you for your service!
What a man. What a machine. The knight and his war horse once again together. His book was amazing. My favorite. It’s so moving to see him flying that outstanding machine again. God bless him and everybody who made it possible. God bless you all 🇺🇸
I can't find the book-what's the title?
@@mengels “Low Level Hell a bird’s eye view of the helicopter war in Vietnam”
How incredibly awesome was that Doug got to fly the SAME bird after all these years. My God that is just so cool! There are some good people still with us. To track Doug down and trust him to take a couple laps in that helicopter is so honorable.
Great to hear his stories and how special to watch him back on the controls of a bird he actually flew in combat so many years ago. Just incredible!
Incredible story, I had a lump in my throat watching your expression flying that Loach again.
I bet he had a lot of memories come back once he flew that lil bird..
How cool is that to be able to fly your Old Warbird 50 years later.
The sound, smell, vibration, feedback in the controls. I still have the dreams.
WOW!! I just stumbled upon this wonderful video. To watch that man's eyes, expression and confidence change once he took the controls was the most touching thing I've seen in a long time. I'm glad he was not wearing sunglasses since that would have removed so much of the effect. The intensity of his face was remarkable. You could visibly watch the man time-travel from being in his 70's to being back in his 20's in seconds. As Doug put it most accurately: I was doing fine until I started thinking about what I was doing. Muscle memory, especially from that place and time, is truly powerful. Watching his eyes dart back and forth, the firm expression on his face, even the gum chewing intensity, were all revealing to his automatic reflexes and where his mind was. The only thing that broke his stride was the other pilot talking to him. Understandable, but damn- Put this guy back in the seat, add cameras focused on his feet, hands and face, put a more appropriate flying suit on him and let's do that again! Darkhorse One Four!!
Somebody below said it best... "just smiling, too many thoughts!" Agreed.
Doug- Thank you for sharing, thank you for your service and thank you for being a proud AMERICAN!
Stephen- Excellent work, you have started my day on an inspiring note. I'm looking forward to watching more of your videos.
AHF- Thank you for your efforts. Nice restoration work on the Loach, although you should seriously think about adding back the bullet holes. It wasn't until a Vietnam Vet explained to me, that in Vietnam, by far the majority of the damage came from the underside and exited through the top. This is an important detail to fully understand the history of that war.
PS: I was fortunate to have a similar, yet completely different "50-years later" mechanical reunite with my past. I now realize I should have filmed my face during the first few drives. It's available on my channel if anyone wants to see it. I am not trying to "get views" ...it's just available, and from this era.
PPS: I wonder if Doug's wife commented later that evening: Honey, what's the deal, you sure are frisky tonight after that dumb ol' helicopter ride? HAH!
American Military Pilots, Best training in the World!!
You see that vet “feel that loach” didn’t even glance at gauges. Like he went home for a little while. Amazing video 🇺🇸👍🏻 Always dreamt about flying one…just once. Maybe in another life 😩
Awesome story from a true hero!!!!
great to watch you Doug, you aint lost it, thank you for your service sir.
That was awesome. I listened to every word. Rock on.
26:10
That high speed, low level flying took him right back to 1971. And he was living every second. He barely keeps from grinning on camera.
I was on the ground when they went by and figured the pilot in the right seat made that pass. It wasn’t until a week later when I watched the footage that I realized that was in fact Doug!!
Great video. I have a little in common with you, I flew military Gazelle’s, North Sea SAR/Oil Rig Support and later Air Ambulance SA365N’s, Police AS355 before going fixed wing. Ended up in Vietnam for Six Years Flying A320’s 2006/2012. I remember well Cần Thơ airport. When we first went there there was no terminal and we had to load/de load on the Runway (new terminal now). Great to see you having a clutch of 435 .. looking good. PS in about 1980 I was in Jacksonville FL, for my US CPL/R, the instructor was an ex loach pilot from Vietnam days, he still flew using his military helmet complete electrical connector and he gave me a low level ride over a small part of the everglades …. Something I will never forget!
Look at his Eyes and at his face! The Memorys came back fast. I love to see you have been reunited with your old Workhorse.
Years ago i took up a 93yr old German Fighterpilot with a YK52TD and we "got engaged in a mock Dogfight" with a Pilatus P3, the Old Man was pulling 5Gs and sat in no Time behind the other Aircraft(He had never flown after the War). I think he just had a Flashback in Time.....
He had the same Look in his Eyes!
Welcome home brother. I flew two tours in rvn, 70-71-72. I started out being trained in the OH6, when I got to Nam they needed me in maint on slicks. When loh finally came up for grabs, they asked me if I wanted to be a CE on a 6...I couldn't say "hell yeah" fast enough. Long story short, on my first flt we went down and I ended up being evaced. Later I was asked to crew a slick as a gunner, several weeks later I was given my own ship as CE, and finished out that tour. When I got back to the world it kinda sucked so I asked to go back to nam and I went back, this time to fly scouts and nothing but scouts, which they gladly gave me my wish. I ended up up on the DMZ for that whole tour and we were busy to say the least. Was shot down in Laos in mid dec 71. We went into a bamboo thicket, my ac pulled every ounce of power to get us back in the air and across the border back into s.vietnam. We hobbled our was back to our staging area and shut down. The recovery slick and crew quickly took what was left of our blades, hooked up their sling and took it back to Camp Evans where we were based out of by then. My avatar is me standing next to my much loved 962. Now, my 962 is in the US Army Aviation museum at Mother Rucker along with my scout scarf. Take care brother, and God bless, SCOUTS OUT. 65-12962
Great job, Doug. Not rusty at all!
GREAT TO SEE YOU FLYING ONCE AGAIN BEST STORY OF A Helocopter pilot from vietnam , back in his Ship!!!!
Awesome story!! Glad to see him get to fly that same helicopter years later.
Ever know a Randy Clark? Loach pilot and later Navy fighter pilot I flew with. I loved hearing all his stories of flying the Loach.
I love the little bird. So agile that it’s like it’s my outer skin. The 500MD was more powerful but the 6 is my old favorite. Thanks for the memories! Glad you got to fly one again Doug!
For the last couple of months, I've been Immersed in books about the Vietnam, helicopter War. Loach pilots, Cobra pilots, Gunship pilots and Slick pilots. This was an absolute joy to watch! Thank you!.
What he is describing is 100% correct. If you want some books I can guarantee to be true about the real Vietnam, and a must read. "Glory Denied", by Tom Philpott. Also "Spite House", by Monika Jenson-Stevenson. One of my pilots wrote a good book about our unit. HHC, 1st BDE, 1st CAV, known as the Flying - Circus, "Easy Target", by Tom Smith.
Snake Pilot by Randy Zauhn was a very good book to read.
Great video! I really enjoyed the interview with Doug Hicks. But I absolutely loved the end of the video watching Doug back on the controls in his bird from Vietnam. I was smiling watching him fly. I loved watching Doug buzzing the field down low. I had the chance to fly in U.S. Border Patrol OH6's (they were Vietnam veterans) 25 years ago and fly down low like that. It was a total blast.
THANK YOU FOR ALL INVOLVED FOR YOUR SERVICE ALL VETERANS 🇺🇸
darkhorse is probably the most badass call signs ive heard of. a guy from my hometown Lake Preston SD curtis anderson flew a loach and was KIA 1969
The look on his face 'your controls.'.....priceless and a very deep appreciation of his flying ability washed over me indeed.
C Troop (Air) 16th Cavalry, 164th CAG
1st Aviation Brigade
Soc Trang and Can Tho RVN
Normal daily flight;
Oh-6A (4), UH-1 (D & H) (5), AH-1G (4)
Born from:
D Troop 1/4 Cav, 1St Infantry Division, Phu Loi, RVN
See my post 2 days ago ,.....since you were born from D Troop 1/4 Cav Phu Loi might have been same time as I arrived at A Co 1st AVN BN 1st Inf Div late Dec 67 ( 1049'd volunteer Door Gunner from line a unit, 11B with 1st/ 2d ' Black Scarves 1st Div Quan Loi ).......as a lot of great Loach crew came from the OUTCASTS including the famous Hugh Mills (served after I rotated home Aug 68 ) in those very busy times with Tet , followed by 2'd or 'mini Tet' ( when we really kicked their ass ) and as I've always pointed out that the NVA had a long miserable three month walk down the Ho Chi Minh Trail and the 1/4 Cav and Rebels Gunships ended the suffering for a lot of them , and the long walk home .
Thank you for your service sir and seeing you still as if you never forget how to handle the OH-6
That was awsome, Thank you for your service.........................
Great story Doug. I was there early 71 to early 72. I was with the 326th ENG BN 101ST ABN DIV FORSCOM. When we were working on building roads and repairing others a slick would bring us lunch once in a while also they would be accompanied by a loach. The Col. in the the loach asked if anyone wanted a ride. Shit ya yes sir. I fell in love with that bird and to this day it was the best time of my life. Never seen or been near one since. May be some day. Thanks for time and story.
Awesome, thank you for your service, sir.
Glad you made it back. I was USAF EOD, Tactical Air Command (TAC)
Charlie 16th?? COOL! I was in Charlie 1/6 Cav out of Ft Riley for a couple of years. I was the first Apache pilot assigned after they parked their Kiowas... I showed up and they had ZERO apaches for me to fly for the first several months. AIR CAV!!!
Dark Hourse 14, I was a tower controler at Can Tho AAF June 1970 to June 1971. Some time in 1971 I think you guys moved to Can Tho and I was lucky enough to fly with you guys once in awhile...I talked to you all the time. I was known as Woody then. I was the controler working when the Platus Porter with Air America had a mid-air with with Dark Hourse 32 on March 17, 1971...
WOW That 30 mins went by fast! What a great video and interview. You could feel his pain talking about the loss of his friends 💔 Watching him fly at the end was so cool and looked like it came back to him quickly.
Glad you liked it. Another one will be posted this evening.
Just stumbled upon this , i was just transfixed, listening to his stories, and clearly alot of emotion from way back. then to see him at the controls of "his" helicopter, absolutely fantastic. Helicopter pilots were just aa amazing bunch during that time. Thanks for sharing this. made my day
I was ready for bed then stumbled onto this video! Thanks for sharing your story Sir! The flying at the end, it was evident that it all came back to you pretty fast. God Bless and Welcome Home. Lost 30 minutes sleep but very well worth it.
Sorry for the lost sleep, but glad you enjoyed it.
I'd say you didn't lose a thing I'm not a pilot but I flew SAR with the Army National Guard as a Deputy Sheriff for eleven years no one (almost) ever shot at us. No one ever gets lost or hurt in good weather. You were doing good for not flying for 50 years. I'm happy for you. I'd love to ride in an OH58 or a Huey again after 35 years.
Me Too, WHen you were flying, I could not have wiped the smile off of my face.
Happy for you, jealousy for me. I flew 8 years for my Sheriff's Office. Mostly fixed wing & Hughes/MD 269's
Had to watch twice to be sure he had the stick - but Doug was focussed, and his watcher was on it. Probably thinking "Did they really do this stuff back in the day?" Yo, Doug! Thanks for your service, man.
My dad flew hueys in vietnam also. Royal coachmen 62nd aviaton company. He was awarded a DFC for saving a downed pilot. Then transitioned to Blackhawks and joined 160th in 1983. He was in operation just cause where he flew Noriegas whore out and desert storm where he was awarded another DFC.
Thank you sir for your sacrifice. And sharing ❤
Welcome home Mr. Hicks. Good interview. Thanks.
Thank you for sharing your story and your service 💪🏻🇺🇸
A huge congrats on getting to fly your old ship again!
Trained at Ft Eustis Va.crew chief doorgunner,
Absolutely enjoyed watching this. You can see the younger Doug in his face taking control. Boys and their toys. Thanks
Great stories. Thanks for sharing. Go Giants!
Captain Donald J Ball passed away about 7 years ago.. he was shot down in Nam as a commander of his helicopter and was rescued while under constant fire from the VC. His back was broken and had to get himself strapped up so he could be hauled to safety. He spent a long time in traction and recovery. He was one of brothers best friends.. a great friend to my family. Passed President of the Pro Bowlers Association PBA. Truck driver until his passing. Donnie… God Bless you and all our service men and women..I was honored to be at his funeral. His final Dust Off..
Maybe someone here knows of this incident:
FLC Red Beach, DANANG 1968: I'd been in-country for about a week when a Loach buzzing the compound smacked into a 100' antenna guy cable. It went practically vertical into the paddy, impacting upside down. Four or five of us Marines ran to the bird, tipped it on it's side, pulled both guys out. The pilot was dead, the other fellow died before the ambulance arrived about 10mins later. (MSgt USMC, '68-'88)
Great stories and so cool that Mr Hicks got to fly the same Loach. A lot of his friends lost and RIP to them.
Awesome
Thanks to all involved for this video chapter of history.
Awesome! Really enjoyed listening to him tell his story.
God bless! That’s awesome!🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🫡
I admire these pilots so much . I’d love to ride in one of the helicopters !
thank you for your service
25:32. "OK, I'm all warmed up, so now it's time to buzz the tower". 147th Hillclimbers @Can Tho, 1970. Brought back some things I haven't thought about for a long time. The good things. Thanks.
How are there not 1000 comments rejoicing in this video?! Absolutely fantastic. Im just a random av geek with an interest in helos, and this was wonderful. What an amazing reconnection for this veteran and his former ride. Kudos to the channel and the vid maker. The end was special.
Thanks for the positive feedback. There were comments on this video, but somehow they got turned off without my knowing it. Keep an eye on this channel, as I will soon post an interview with a Cobra pilot that was conducted on the same day.
@@stephenchapis268 nice, will do!
I think you had to be there. I remember all he's saying like it was yesterday. HHC, 1st Bde, 1st CAV. Flying Circus, 6-68/6-69.
yea i loved this i flew in loachs afew times when iwas in country may 68 aug69the amazing thing is flying the same bird unbeliveable
great to see you at the controls good sir.. its like riding a bike you never really forget.....
Great video and I am truly happy that Doug got to fly his helicopter once again.
Great video ......just by chance stumbled onto it and now I'll have to dig through my archives and locate my photos and other material from 1968 of the OUTCASTS (1/4 Cav) at Phu Loi when i was a gunner with the Rebels gunships ( A Co 1st Avn Bn 1st Infantry Div ) ........the crew chief that schooled me on "the way of the Yaqui" to gun on Bravo and Charlie model Huey was "transferred " over to the 1/4 Cav Loach Platoon ( 'The Notorious' Dennis Hall ... a Great crew chief/gunslinger and wildest SOB I've ever known or been friends with ,and like myself from the mean streets of Southern California , I.E. " perfect for Vietnam" ).....where he was shot down at least twice the first couple of months and survived taking THREE AK rounds across his 'chicken plate ' ( they hung it on the wall in Operations ) from twenty feet away and took out the "very surprised " enemy with his 60' (of the other rounds from burst four hit the bulkhead with one hitting the bubble over the pilots head narrowly missing him ) ......Hall laughed like hell upon coming across the runway that night to tell us Rebels how much fun he was having in the Loach platoon , and convinced me that he could "guarantee me a kill " and could get on a mission for a day filling for guy he knew who wanted a day off when I could fit it in , ...told him he's nuts and they'd never allow it !.....crazy as it sounded even then he says he's set it all up and to report on time and who I'm flying with , so did still not believing this is real but the pilot shows up helmet in hand , introduce' s himself saying Hall vouched for me and we're goin up west of Lai Khe in what i figured was the 'rocket belt' and off we went with our wing ship , did a couple BDA's looking into these smooking craters , then on to a swampy water area along a small river and sixty'd the hell out three empty sampans sinking them and all the time I'm thinking this fifteen foot' low level hell 'is just that' and the prospect of getting another "guaranteed kill" could easily get me killed ,or worse ......but it's damn sure exciting .....the next thing i know we're heading east in morning sun toward Lai Khe for fuel . Ive got the nozzle in and were fueling hot as usual when all of a sudden I hear a couple of Huey's commin in behind to the POL pad , I look over and DAMN it's the REBELS .....oh HELL ,..... they see me and recognize me as I pretend not to notice them while dragging the hose back ,.....HELL they're only a hundred feet away , I caught a glimpse of them gesturing ........Dang man I'm in fer now when I get back to Phu Loi and I definitely was !.........He' He' ....whata they do Send Me Ta Vietnam ?.......I jumped in 'monkey strapped' up as the pilot pulled pitch and the "bewildered " Rebel fire team fell away beneath the climbing Loach as we turned right and headed south .......It was a nice day with blue sky and scattered low lying cumulus ......deep in thought with the cool wind at 1500 'the 60' across my lap .......yea there'll be trouble ....and NO guaranteed kill....and NO I didn't fall victim to all the perils ,.but Yes the Rebel hooch will whoop it up that Stone pulled it off.
This was awesome!!
These are the stories I live for. Thank you for you service and for everything you have done for our country. You sir, are a true hero! Thank you to all men and women for their service and for risking their lives for our freedom!! To those who never made it home, you will never be forgotten!!
He has a lot of similar experiences that I have from the Marine Corps. I still fly today, not Loaches anymore, but civilian aircraft. It's still fun and hopefully for a lot more years. Semper Fi
I'm pretty sure, that it cannot get any sweeter than this
That...... is incredible!!!
See there? Comes right back It's like riding a bicycle...on top of a beach ball.
Excellent video/interview format. The audience listened only to the subject for half an hour. This was very interesting. I’m a (civilian) fixed wing pilot but living in Arizona, Florida’s Sun n Fun hasn’t yet been convenient enough for me to attend. But THIS experience- this reunion of Man and his machine- this was a far more relevant and poignant event. within the event 🎩♠️💙
So great to see you flying again, Doug! Thank you for your service and for sharing your experiences with us.
Thanks for sharing, low level flying is the best
“It was a lot of Fun”, Warrant Officer D.Hicks, American Hero…US Army!!!
Wow what a amazing video!! Thank you for doing this inteveiw!
Great talk Brother! Fixer myself not a flyer, got my retirement ride in a Fox model Hornet though - God bless ‘F-Pole’ Miller for the care Fallon down to just North of cl.
I read Hugh mills book a dozen times and loved every minute.
This was an Amazing watch. Fixer not flyer. Lone Helo tour HSL-31 89-91. Sea Sprite.
Watch him fly, inspiring!
My dad did assembly work on the Hughes Cayuse from 1968 -1970. The building Hughes Helicopter leased to make the Cayuse is still there next to the 5 Freeway in San Diego. Looks like there is a Costco and a Harley dealership and more businesses there now.
The Cayuse with 4 rotor blades was a lot quieter than the Bell helicopters with only 2. The saying at the time was "Bell, the noisiest ships in the world" from the Bell Brand potato chip slogan "Bell, the noisiest chips in the world".
My cousin. I am so proud of you Doug. Talking to you tonight and then seeing this video is amazing. I hope every day brings you new adventures and blessings.
Mike
Great story, so glad you were able to be re-united with your aircraft. They become like old friends!!
Well first off . Welcome home brother . Interesting that you guys flew RED Teams all the time . Cobra only unit , Blue Max maybe ? I ended up as a Blue ( medic ) in lll Corp before I came home . Unless the area was red hot , always a Pink team . Stay strong brother , less of us around by the day ..
Like riding a bicycle, he's still got it! Watch his eyes...
Excellent stuff! 👌 Love your work
Awesome video! I was a 67V2T 1972-75
I was in some USCG helicopters in youth. As a 21 y/o volunteer Sheriff’s SAR deputy, I was dropped off in the Sierra’s by one of these kooky OH-6 pilots from the Vietnam War. My first deployment was a one skid drop on an upward slope. Skipper says “ lay down, so I can leave without hitting you.” Every time since, I get antsy when hearing aircraft headset comms. My respect for his military and LEO service helped set my 30+ year service attitude toward “service.”
A couple years later, a SO LT wanted to tag along. He was a political jack@ss and wanted to supervise our recovery from a narrow river valley. We all had to hump down, then up because the LT wanted the MD500 for himself, which would leave us to litter carry the body up.
Only LZ was on a river shoal 2’ under the river surface. Needless to say, pilot made a splash. LT had enough. Deceased went up in the MD5. LT learned about hoofing. Word was, the front passenger seat was recovered from the LT’s anus the following week.
Thank you guys (men & women). You took and returned me and my people many places where we could’ve suffered casualty on the ground.
That is fantastic that Doug got to fly his old bird from his combat flying days. Also thank you for your service.
Is this the same gentlemen who owned the bar in Yuma called "The Hangar"? There was a lot of Dark Horse memorabilia in that place.
Excellent
This was amazing. Like riding a bike for him I bet, you never for get. Like he said just don't think about it, it was all still there buried inside.
Incredible accounts and how wonderful to be reunited with his old aircraft
Legit Dude.....Respect.
I reviewed a military scholarship in highschool in 1971 or 72 and volunteered for Vietnam IF i could fly helicopters. Even tested in a simulator and instructor thot i could already fly. The "theory" of helicopter flying came naturally to me. Not fixed wing.
When it came time to enlist i was told nope, no flying....i wore glasses. I could have gotten by without em if i had known. Got offered other things but told em , "i don't want to work on em, wash em or anything. If i can't fly I'll just go to college". My mistake. Lookin back if i had went i would have at least learned to fly on my own. At least perhaps door gunner and corpsman.
As military contractor later in life, for bout 40yrs now, I've been inserted in a dozen countries. Mostly by local military in Vietnam era choppers. A bit tense that can be.
Great hearing these stories and especially so that he got reunited with his LOACH.
I'm 69 and dyin so guess bucket list of flying is gone.
Ya'll take care.
rick in Tennessee.
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing". Sir Edmund Burke....Not a pilot but probly wuda been a good one.
I just watched the video. Good job Doug. I don't know how you kept your composure so well. I can barely talk about my tour in Vietnam. I was an OH-6 crew chief. I learned to fly in high school and wanted to go to flight school, but the army stopped taking new pilots the end of '70 so I went the maintenance route. I was with the 101st Avn Bn. Learned to fly the Loach in Vietnam. The Good, The Bad and The Fun! Salute to you Doug!
What a man. As a student helicopter pilot this is so badass and incredible.
Doug, I am proud to say I know you! I have shared this video out! Also, thank you for introducing me to this channel... my kids love knowing about the true badasses that this country has produced!
Awesome story. Glad to see Doug made it back and able to fly again.
Incredible piece! Many thanks! Old man with te AK sounds like that scene in Pulp Fiction when the kid busts out and unloads and doesn't hit anything.
Read a lot of WO books on Vietnam. It's incredible the men who did what they did. Even more amazing for some of them that survived to tell their stories.
Thank you first of all for your service and sacrifices and your stories are amazing and great job on the flying...
awesome story - bet that ol dude really knew that bird well back in the day!