Republic of Vietnam (RVN)

          Chu Lai

 

 

         
On final approach to East runway at Chu Lai, landing to the south. (Chu Lai, RVN, undated)

             On final approach to East runway at Chu Lai, landing to the south. The 178th Assault Support Helicopter Company (ASHC) - "Boxcar" ramp and flight line can be seen at far end of runway on left.

 

 

         
Closer view of 178th ASHC ramp and flight line. (Chu Lai, RVN, undated)

             Closer view of 178th ASHC ramp and flight line.

 

 

         
The view across the road from the Combat Center towards the airfield. (Chu Lai, RVN, undated)

             The view across the road from the Combat Center towards the airfield. Most of the Americal Division's air units were located there, including the Chinooks.

 

 

         
As seen in this 1967 photograph, a 178th ASHC "Boxcar" Chinook recovers a downed UH-1 Huey and returns it to Chu Lai, RVN.

             In 1967, Dave Mason took a three day "In Country" Rest and Relaxation period (R&R) to visit a home town friend assigned to the 71st Assault Support Company (ASC) at Chu Lai. The 71st was a "Slick" unit and operated the UH-1 "Huey" gunships. On his second day of R&R, he flew as Gunner for the friend who was a Crew Chief in the unit.

             Dave remarked. "I should have stayed at Camp Lane!" However, he did learn and come to respect the Huey crews. The next day he tried to return to Camp Lane, but could not get a flight south. So, he returned to the 71st Company area and was able to capture the above photograph.

             The day prior to snapping the shot, Dave thought he had seen it all when the point aircraft took ground fire and was leaking fuel. It broke from formation and self sealing tank took over. Dave went on to say "I know that other Flight Crews would never have left this aircraft and crew behind. I can no longer remember radio transmissions, but still remember the bond that was so clear that day!".

             "On the day I was waiting for a flight south to Camp Lane, the 71st dropped troops into a mined LZ. When the first aircraft was disabled by these mines, crew members from others in the flight tried to recover them. They set off even more mines. There were several damaged Huey's and many casualties this day for the 71st."

             The photograph is of a 178th ASHC Chinook returning one of the damaged Huey's to the ramp at Chu Lai.

             Dave Mason was a Flight Engineer (FE) on aircraft 66-00066 from 1966 to 1968, assigned to the 196th Assault Support Helicopter Company (ASHC) - "Flippers", in the Republic of Vietnam.

 

 

          The CH-47 - 40 years old and still circling the world.

         

          Comments or Questions ? Email the Webmaster. Email the Webmaster.