I flew with the 336th as a guest door gunner in 1970 and 1971. I was an Army Air Traffic Controller at Can Tho AAF. They had moved up to Can Tho after Soc Tran was turned over to the ARVN. These men were the best pilots and bravest men I have ever met. I'm hhonored to have known them.
67Y crew chief here. Welcome home brother! No one really understands what Vietnam Army helicopter flight crews dealt with than our own. Appreciate your story. God bless 💪🇺🇸
I flew with the 336th at Soc Trang from Oct 66 to Oct 67. I was a Captain then and Aircraft Commander. I flew with CWO Eduakitis also when he first came into the unit. I did not get to meet Gary as I probably had left by then. Lots of stories, many funny and a lot sad.
A really good narrative of his Vietnam experience by helo pilot Kissling. He demonstrated professionalism & bravery to its utmost. Seeing his ‘wingman”s’ instrument panel lights so close probably happened in mere seconds but its impact has stayed with him for a lifetime. Thank you for conducting these interviews & presenting them on YT.
Have a friend……Mike …receiving clerk at a Lucky Grocery Store….. in 1990 Northern California…Major US Army …..Vietnam dust off pilot ….Silver Star ….Purple Heart …. shot down twice …..2nd time it ended his career.🇺🇸
Welcome home. Helicopter pilot '69-70. 2/17th Cav. Northern I Corps. I've heard that one year flying combat was equivalent to 20 years non-combat flying and I believe it.
Thank you for sharing your story. I am Australian and I have yet to get my Vietnam veteran father in law to tell me what he did over there, I have not pressured him but have asked about it and it is mostly met with silence.
I have a feeling this gentlemen is one if the people featured in my all time favourite book - Chicken Hawk. Amazing stories. These guys have my complete and utmost respect 🇺🇸🫡
Regarding formation flying and potentials for midair collisions. Air Force guys fly fast and look great doing it, but with usually no more than 4-12 aircraft. That is great and a testament to their ability and skill. Imagine being in a helicopter formation with 50-100 other helicopters? That is a special skill set. I am so grateful to the thousands of Vietnam era helicopter pilots for their skills, dedication and heroism. This still means so much to me all these years later. Never forget...
I was in the US Army Security Agency. If you’ve not heard of it: good. That means we kept a good secret. For the record, I love armed helicopters. We never were there; we didn’t exist. Happy holidays everyone.
Welcome Home brother . I did a 3 month TDY at the 97th General before I went to RVN . The last of my TOD , I was medic with the Blues . I hated formation flying while just flying from our Base Camp to the camp , FSB , LZ we were working out of ! Always thought it would be a great way for Chuck to score a few with a 51 cal or have a NEEDLES accident . Have a nice Christmas .. doc lll Corp.
Correction: I flew from Oct 65 to Oct 66 with the 336th. The 336th was originally A Company of the 101st Aviation Battalion and was re-designated in early 1966 as the 336th.
I flew with the 336th as a guest door gunner in 1970 and 1971. I was an Army Air Traffic Controller at Can Tho AAF. They had moved up to Can Tho after Soc Tran was turned over to the ARVN. These men were the best pilots and bravest men I have ever met. I'm hhonored to have known them.
A guest door gunner?
@@packrat76 yeah he just guest who was viet-con and who was a civvy 😂🤷♂️
This amazing man is so understated, I’m glad he came home safely and didn’t seem too badly affected by what he’d been through.
67Y crew chief here. Welcome home brother!
No one really understands what Vietnam Army helicopter flight crews dealt with than our own.
Appreciate your story. God bless 💪🇺🇸
Thank you for your service, Sir. Army helo pilots "Were Among The Best".
Thank you for your service Gary, we are proud to call you Brother. 😊🙏🏻 🇺🇸
I came up the ladder with these MEN. In and out of Ft Rucker as a CFWIP. And flew with many in the Airlines. These are MEN among Men!!!
I flew with the 336th at Soc Trang from Oct 66 to Oct 67. I was a Captain then and Aircraft Commander. I flew with CWO Eduakitis also when he first came into the unit. I did not get to meet Gary as I probably had left by then. Lots of stories, many funny and a lot sad.
Cant tell from your handle who you are. I was with the 2nd platoon from Sept 1966 to Sep 1967. Surprised we didnt meet
I thank you. I thank all of you who have served. That also goes for the family that had to be without. God bless everyone.
A really good narrative of his Vietnam experience by helo pilot Kissling. He demonstrated professionalism & bravery to its utmost. Seeing his ‘wingman”s’ instrument panel lights so close probably happened in mere seconds but its impact has stayed with him for a lifetime. Thank you for conducting these interviews & presenting them on YT.
Have a friend……Mike …receiving clerk at a Lucky Grocery Store….. in 1990 Northern California…Major US Army …..Vietnam dust off pilot ….Silver Star ….Purple Heart …. shot down twice …..2nd time it ended his career.🇺🇸
Really enjoyed a novel called chicken hawk ; about a helicopter pilot in the Vietnam war
Robert Mason.
Good book ! Two of the guys that Mason described in his book
that stood out to me was Connors and the "Ring-Knocker."
Robert Mason!
What a story. Thank you for sharing it
Great story. Thank you for sharing it forthe next generations and generations to come...
Wow…, Thanks God for brave humans like this true gentleman! God Bless you sir!
Thankyou.b.
.war sucks
Welcome home. Helicopter pilot '69-70. 2/17th Cav. Northern I Corps.
I've heard that one year flying combat was equivalent to 20 years non-combat flying and I believe it.
Thank you. Just thank you.
A good man.
Thank you for your service sir
Thank you for sharing your story. I am Australian and I have yet to get my Vietnam veteran father in law to tell me what he did over there, I have not pressured him but have asked about it and it is mostly met with silence.
That's what concerned me after 9/11. I wasn't worried about being deployed, I was worried about being deployed with my specific unit.
Thank you for sharing your stories.
I have a feeling this gentlemen is one if the people featured in my all time favourite book - Chicken Hawk. Amazing stories. These guys have my complete and utmost respect 🇺🇸🫡
So much wisdom - thank you for sharing🙏
Regarding formation flying and potentials for midair collisions. Air Force guys fly fast and look great doing it, but with usually no more than 4-12 aircraft. That is great and a testament to their ability and skill. Imagine being in a helicopter formation with 50-100 other helicopters? That is a special skill set. I am so grateful to the thousands of Vietnam era helicopter pilots for their skills, dedication and heroism. This still means so much to me all these years later. Never forget...
I was in the US Army Security Agency. If you’ve not heard of it: good. That means we kept a good secret.
For the record, I love armed helicopters.
We never were there; we didn’t exist.
Happy holidays everyone.
I work offshore in 80s all the pilot from Vietnam
Welcome Home brother . I did a 3 month TDY at the 97th General before I went to RVN . The last of my TOD , I was medic with the Blues . I hated formation flying while just flying from our Base Camp to the camp , FSB , LZ we were working out of ! Always thought it would be a great way for Chuck to score a few with a 51 cal or have a NEEDLES accident . Have a nice Christmas .. doc lll Corp.
Chicken Hawk. Good read.❤
Thanks!
Thank you!
Well come home nam vet are my heros until the day I die
Thank you Sir fornyour bravery and sevice!
My Godfather's brother perished in a flight accident like this. Doug Schneider
Correction: I flew from Oct 65 to Oct 66 with the 336th. The 336th was originally A Company of the 101st Aviation Battalion and was re-designated in early 1966 as the 336th.
Thanks and great to meet you.
Stupid executives making bad decisions. I have seen my share.
They were more concerned with looking good...