Page 67 (2/2)

“Oh shit, we’re going to be hurting for aircraft commanders, then Cory left today, Gill and Roy left yesterday, and Copenhaver has been ht away That isn’t going to be enough ACs We’re going to be flying our butts off until we can get souys checked out for left seat”2 Mike fussed, shaking his head

“I’ for the ACs to select so for a new instructor pilot as well since Cory is gone Do you want the job?” Bill asked Mike Bill was froh school graduation He bragged about his ability to play middle linebacker in football as he was built for that position He talked about a girlfriend back houys wondered about that When he opened his mouth to speak, there was no doubt in anyone’s mind where he was from

Looking at Bill as if he had a third eye, Mike said, “Hell no! New guys scare the crap out ofwith their heads up their ass the way they fly Have you floith Captain Vargus? That guy has one thing on his mind—medals”

“Hey, Mike, let’s get so the officers’ club “Oh, sorry, didn’t see you standing there You want to join us, Bill?” This was CW2 Lou Price’s second ti served in the unit froht instructor at Fort Rucker After nine months of instructor duty, he felt it was safer to come back to Vietnam and take his chances in coinally from California, Lou had an immature mustache that matched alth barely met military standards, as was pointed out on more than one occasion by the platoon leader

“Yeah, sure I’llto his room

“Let et some dry clothes and I’ll walk over with Hess in a e

Thewith concrete floors, fluorescent lighting and screen walls fro the monsoon season with typical rain showers, it was hard to hear oneself think over the noise of the pounding rain One half of the building was the kitchen area and the other half was the dining area, with the two separated by the steaed to seat four but could be pushed together if needed Several large floor fans lined the walls andThe cooks took a lot of pride in what they did, and they did work so by 0500 hours, and the ht came in, which usually wasn’t until 1900 hours What they served hat the supply system sent them Hoas prepared and served was on theood No one had to pull kitchen police, KP, as the company had hired Vietnamese ladies to perform those duties from profits made at the officers’ and enlisted clubs

Later that evening, the executive officer, Captain Wehr, cah the hooch and stuck his head into Mike and Lou’s roouy on his second tour in Nam “CO wants to see the ACs in the club Now,” he said

“Yes, sir,” they both responded, abandoning the unfinished letters they had been writing Writing letters or reading a orn book was about all anyone did in the evening, when not in the club drinking

When they arrived at the club, the CO, Major Sundstruether and seats for the fourteen aircraft commanders After each had a beer in hand and was settled, the CO brought thewas about and knew enough to leave and return to their respective rooh Major Sundstrum didn’t ask anyone to leave

Standing up, the uys, you knohy I called this We’re down four ACs as of today and no instructor pilot If anyone wants to volunteer for the instructor position, let me know If no one volunteers, then I will select The choice is yours: volunteer; I select; or you guys collectively browbeat so the job, with ht-seaters, we have seven that have the tiht months in-country and over six hundred hours By a show of hands, who’s in favor?” As usual, not one hand went up

“Oh, coued

“I don’t see you raising your hand, sir,” Mr Sinkey pointed out Sinkey was a young fellow, as e for one year before joining the Army With his lean and muscular build, he could easily be taken for a competitive swimmer The spiral passes he made with a football were hallmarks of a pro His sense of humor never ceased, or was it immaturity? He was quick-witted and probably a ladies’ man back home

The CO said nothing but just gave hi Dumas’s file to the side, he picked up the next candidate’s file

“Moving right along, how about Captain Wehr?” He had h hours and had been in the unit for three months Everyone raised their hand “Thank you,” Major Sundstrum said

After going through the stack of eligible candidates, the CO had three new aircraft coible for consideration, pilots had to have four hundred hours of coenerally four months in-country and a vote of confidence from the majority of current aircraft commanders