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!

@lewie7820

Жыл бұрын

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.

@jcheck6

Жыл бұрын

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.

@carlparlatore294

Жыл бұрын

@@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

@jcheck6

Жыл бұрын

@@carlparlatore294 Col, I replied to you on your KZread Channel.

@mrpotato4441

Жыл бұрын

Cool story!

I too am a Vietnam Vet. USMC Sergeant. Semper Fi. 😊

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.

@bionicsjw

2 жыл бұрын

My father-in-law flew the LOACH in the Americal Division in 68-69.

@josephking6515

2 жыл бұрын

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!

@TomBTerrific

2 жыл бұрын

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.

@AllAroundAtlanta

Жыл бұрын

They were offering flight school to draftees also. They had to extend for a year and pass the aptitude test and physical.

@midwestfarmerleduc9256

Жыл бұрын

I learned to fly helicopter from a

Gene Vasser D Troop 3/4 Cav 25th Inf 69-70 loach crew chief Cuchi pilot was centaur 11

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.

@daisyduke1659

2 жыл бұрын

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!

@STONEDARTphotos

2 жыл бұрын

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.

@bornagain9192

2 жыл бұрын

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.

@connieholdway6248

2 жыл бұрын

Uh

@josephking6515

2 жыл бұрын

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.*

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.

Love hearing the Vietnam stories, my father flew on the B52 during Vietnam, love the show, thank you Veterans!

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.

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.

@tonygville2969

2 жыл бұрын

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 🙏

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......

@CombatStory

3 жыл бұрын

Couldn't agree more. Amazing experiences from this guy. Can't imagine being 19 and flying single pilot in combat!

@randallevington4431

3 жыл бұрын

@@CombatStory pp3

@SoCal780

2 жыл бұрын

@@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!

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

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.

@sawingwithsammy6059

2 жыл бұрын

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.

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.

@victorhopper6774

2 жыл бұрын

we pumped out pilots by the thousands every year.

@robertburns3014

2 жыл бұрын

One of the smartest things the ARMY has ever done!

@rogerfournier3284

Жыл бұрын

On point: exemplary comment.

What a humble brave guy, 19 to 21 at the time, God bless.

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!!!

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.

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 was a Centaur gunship pilot Aug 67-Aug 68. Welcome home.

@pateastes9767

2 жыл бұрын

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.

@PHILDRU911

2 жыл бұрын

You a member of VHPA?

@pateastes9767

2 жыл бұрын

@@PHILDRU911 Life member

@stephencrowell5923

Жыл бұрын

Was this F Troop 4th Cav?

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.

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!

@josephking6515

2 жыл бұрын

Then go and get a Fling Wing ticket Doc. Just do it!

@dks13827

2 жыл бұрын

Age 45 I went to Schweitzer heli school in Scottsdale. I had my fixed wing ratings.

@christopherdutro168

2 жыл бұрын

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

@christopherdutro168

2 жыл бұрын

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 !

@josephking6515

2 жыл бұрын

@@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?

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.

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.

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 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.

I used to watch a Loch with a bulls eyes painted on the underside of the chopper when I was in Nam 1970

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 was a crew chief on a c7a )67-68 Phu cat went on to get commercial helicopter pilot , thank you for your service, lot of good time.

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.

@okdirt208

3 жыл бұрын

Write a book and read the audio version of 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

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.

@BrassLock

2 жыл бұрын

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.

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.

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.

Fantastic interview, Amazing soldier

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.

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.

I was over there in 1970, unfortunately not as a pilot. Welcome home, Brother Eric.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE IN VIETNAM, AND WELCOME HOME!!!

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.

The Loach drew fire for the Cobra, waiting above to strike

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!

I would love to sit down with a beer and just listen to these guys.

This guys combat would make a great book and a greater movie!!!!! Thanks for his service!!!!!!!

@CombatStory

3 жыл бұрын

So true. There would be so many scenes to choose from.

I flew mostly at night on “Firefly” Missions. I extended on my first tour and logged a measly 1,500 hours of Combat Time, of which 1,100 was Night Combat Time. I flew about 130-140 hours of Night Combat Time a month. But for 3 months of the 19 months I was there, our unit took part in a Top Secret Mission in NKP, Thailand from Thanksgiving 1967 - February 1968. Prior to doing anything all crew members were sent to the Philippines for a week of Jungle Survival School. We actually flew 8-12 brand new, fresh off the boat, UH-1C’s with a large internal fuel tank, rocket pods were stored in side and the mini’s only carried 1,000 rounds of 7.62mm. We left Bien Hoa with half of the group and they flew up the coast to somewhere that I forget now. They waited overnight for the flight I was in that left the following day and we rendezvoused that second day and the whole flight flew into Khe Sanh to hot refuel. Initially the Marines wouldn’t turn their fuel pumps on for us unless our CO agreed to hit (many) targets around their perimeter. Our CO was given a ride on a Marine Mule to their TOC. The Marine Commander was put in contact with this 5 Star General at Long Binh (LBJ) who ordered the Marines to give each UH-1C a case of C-Rations and for them to personally refuel each aircraft. Ass holes and Elbows everywhere! There was just two pilots in each Charlie Model. Our Crewchief and Gunner and maintenance personnel flew to NKP in a C-130 and arrived a day or two before us. The flight was pretty well planned. Just prior to departing Bien Hoa each aircraft was given a map that ended at the rendezvous airfield. The CO collected the maps. Just prior to taking off the next morning we were handed a map that took us to Khe Sanh. While being refueled by these nice young Marines and while indulging in C-Rations, our CO collected the previous maps and gave all aircraft a map across Laos at 10,000+ feet to Nakhon Phanom, Thailand. We, the pilots, for this Top Secret Mission we’re all hand-picked for this mission. Reason being was we could expect 80+% casualties so the first on the list were single P, CP, CC & G. When all of us were courteously selected they picked married without kids and last were volunteers for this unknown mission. As we approached our destination, NKP, we tightened up our formation and broke out like the P-51’s did in WW II. When we landed we had everyone there approaching our Charlie Models and questions galore spewed out. We were the first Army Gunship Helicopters ever to set a skid on that Royal Thai Air Force Base. Our mission was so Top Secret, Hanoi Hanna said on the English speaking radio, “Hanoi Hanna would like to welcome the 334th Armed Helicopter Company to NKP, Thailand and she was going to be eating Christmas Day 1967 with us”. Holy Shit! More C-Rations were on the way🥴! If you saw the Lee Marvin movie, “The Dirty Dozen”, well that is what it felt like to me. Someone built a group of buildings in a clearing and placed Red 55 gallon barrels in so called strategic locations. We worked with Air Force Jolly Green Giant H-53s on these simulation runs. We still had these large internal fuel tanks. To start off the H-53 led the way followed by our group of 8-12 Charlie Models loaded with 7.62mm for the two mini’s. The H-53 began to climb followed by these lame Charlie Models and we stopped at about 10,000 ‘. We approached the simulation area and then we all went into autorotation and recovered on the treetops and made our way to just outside the fake buildings that kinda resembled a POW Camp (but I didn’t say that…it’s a Top Secret Mission), just ask Hanoi Hannah. The H-53 set down and we would come screaming in hitting as many Red 55 gallon barrels as possible and we set up two race track patterns. Sometimes the Major flying the Jolly Green would scream that the make believe enemy was just outside the tip of his rotating blades and he had us rip a few mini-gun rounds well away from his main rotor blades. This Major kept telling me, the copilot to move my mini’s in more. I finally made one giant leap for all mankind, and the unmarked U.S. Air Force Jolly Green helicopter died right there when my mini’s shot a tad bit too close. I had only heard encircled grunts scream like that Major. I knew ole Hannah was laughing her ass off with that Gun run. I forgot but there was no insignias on my aircraft or me. No name or rank either. All part of that 80+% thing I guess. I was 19 and loving it thoroughly. Well we would eventually start a climbout to, you guessed it, 10,000’. All of this was run under a stopwatch. We did this about 3-4 times a week but we never went anywhere. Just practiced. And we were working with a group of unidentified American Special Forces in our practices. But when TET ‘68 broke out our mission was abruptly stopped and we returned to Bien Hoa like nothing really happened. And nothing really happened, Honest Injun! If I hadn’t taken those three months off from flying Firefly I would have earned some serious night combat time. Well that’s my story and I’m sticking to it. My first tour would have made a great book and maybe a movie too. My second tour from ‘72 - ‘73 was even crazier than this tour!🥱

@diljithayre9379

2 жыл бұрын

Do that books mate

@Filmpilot

2 жыл бұрын

Please tell us when you’ve seen a Huey (any variant) with more than two pilots. Your little ‘story’ seems a bit embellished.

@andyhutch1947

2 жыл бұрын

@@Filmpilot I didn’t say more than two pilots ever…did I? We didn’t have any gay pilots that would resemble that remark. Sorry John if I said or implied it, it was a mistake. Curious as to where you saw that statement though? Some additional facts. When I left Viet Nam on my first tour I was a CW2 and got orders to Ft Rucker where I was offered a Direct Commission to 1Lt. I cross trained Army Fixed Wing pilots into the UH-1. We did both the transition and the Instrument training. I had attended the Instrument Examiner’s Course and gave Standard Instrument Ticket Check Rides and the Transition Check rides. When I was promoted to Captain, I took over our Transition Flight. Several of my Fixed Wing Students owned their own Civil Aviation planes. Most were Citabria aerobatic type aircraft. I use to fly with them after hours, more upside down than right side up. Before volunteering for the Army I had soloed in a Piper Colt at 17 and earned my Fixed Wing Private Pilots License at 18. All of these FW pilots were top notch and had Viet Nam Tours usually flying O-1 Bird Dogs as FACs. DA had done away with TAC Tickets by then so we only giving Standard Instrument Tickets. When I returned for my second tour to Viet Nam in 1972 I was assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division at Bien Hoa that had been reduced in size to 3rd Brigade, with the 229th Aviation Battalion which was now identified as Task Force Garry Owen in charge. As I looked around the Battalion Area I started seeing other Rotary Wing Instrument Examiners. There were actually 4-5 of us assigned to the Battalion and we had arrived days a part. Strange…very strange! We were called in for a meeting with the 229th Battalion Commander, a Brigadier General, I can not remember his name now, The General told us that the Department of the Army, DA, passed down an order that terminated Tactical Instrument Tickets and gave and the Battalion Commander went in to say that in about 60 days */- , any Army Aviator that did not possess a current General Instrument Ticket would be grounded and the Aviator’s Flight Pay would be taken away and the Aviator would be transferred to a ground assignment, no exception. It was our small group of Instrument Examiners to setup an Instrument Flight School there at Bien Hoa and to begin immediately. Holy Shit! Well we knew that we had, at our disposal a GCA Approach Control, run by our US Air Force at Bien Hoa. We began creating Instrument Approaches in Saigon and in the Bien Hoa/Saigon area. Normally at Ft Rucker, AL, an Instructor Pilot, IP, would fly either mornings or afternoons with 2-3 students assigned to him. In our VN, 1st Cav, Plan we had 2-3 students assigned in both mornings and afternoons plus the student, would have to work with his Unit perfuming his normal combat missions. We got all pilots a General Instrument Ticket

@PHILDRU911

2 жыл бұрын

Are you a member of the VHPA?

@pappap1702

Жыл бұрын

A 5 star general? Don't think so. I'm not really buying your story, sorry. Also 1 star generals are not battalion commanders.

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.

@jcheck6

Жыл бұрын

Lot of respect for you guys Ron. Are you still flying?

@ronr6347

Жыл бұрын

@@jcheck6 I quit flying ag four years ago. I sold my passenger plane four years ago also.

2 things. I'd love to know if he knew Alexander Cameron Brown. He was a Cobra pilot with the Centaurs, kia 11/23/69. From my hometown. I got there in 71, 196th LIB. My first patrol we got ambushed, went to hand to hand and my Sgt. blew him away and I wore that guys brains and blood for the next 3 days. Lz Center, remember a Cobra landing really cool as the bird was smoking when he brought it in. Great pilots, we were all kids

@psmith9789

2 жыл бұрын

Hi Richard. I was going to ask the same question. I was married to Alex's younger brother who also died flying a helicopter on an oil rig in Dubai. I never got to meet Alex but his brother used to tell me that Alex and I "would have gotten along like a house on fire". He was just a boy when he died. Equipment malfunction. How did you know Alex? Best wishes.

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.

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!

@Amped4Life

2 жыл бұрын

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 🍚 ).

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.

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...

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

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

@jcheck6

Жыл бұрын

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.

@dougdownunder5622

Жыл бұрын

Probably 19 yr olds flying Biden's Blackhawks in Kabul.

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.

@tommyjenkins7453

Жыл бұрын

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 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'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.

Amazing man in amazing times. God Bless those who did there best or gave all for there fellow soldier.

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.

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.👍

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.

I served with the 2/502 Inf 101st Airborne, on mission in the "A Shau Valley" area nothing beat the site of a "Pink Team" escort ... that loach and gun ships off our sides made a whole different feeling, knowing they had our asses....

Wow. I was born in May of '69. Unaware of such helo gods. Now I know. Truly living gods to anyone who has flown a helicopter. So much respect. Low and slow with no doors on is THEEEEE best.

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.

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. 🙏❤️

Brought back old memories of my time with USAF 728th DASS in 68-69 supporting 1st Air Cav 1, 2 3 Brigades (Ta Ning, Song Bea, etc) with OV-10. 0-1 & O-2s and some Loch help. Go Rash Birds! Last Loch flight was back to Ben Hoa with AP reporter, Gunner and Pilot who tried a loop .To much weight.

This truly is one of the most cool Vietnam era helicopter interviews that I have heard.. My uncle flew slicks and got shot down a few times (lol... Full on shot down).. A good friend who is much older than (Robert Runyan) flew Chinooks in Nam... Growing up with this (born 73') you get the war stories and later you sift through them.. However, I truly love listening to Eric Brethren share his experiences... I've only personally flown an Enstrom (in training) and a MD-500 by way of a friend.. Hands on but not really a PIC.. . I also have been in a 500D model by way of the Vietnam friends network, and that was more impressive than anything ever.. Of course, the pilot had been around longer than my friend piloting the MDs... I've been medevaced in the EC-145 and finally got a ride along.. (I LOVE this helicopter).. But, one of the most.. Well, STRANGE helicopters I finally flew in was a Vietnam Era Huey... (Davis, CA. Can't remember the group's name who restored it)... The rotor RPM was just insanely slow compared to most anything I had experienced... Back to this interview.. There is so much BS on YT / internet now days.. These are solid gold moments! Thank You! I'm sure my father and friends will as well watching this..

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!!!

I started in Army aviation in 1987 and retired from it in 2022. My flight school instructors were mostly Viet Nam veterans with some WWII and Korean War veterans also. When I listen to the stories of "the old days" in aviation I certainly understand why pilot and crew losses were so high back then. I watched safety/risk analysis improve my whole time in. Much more deliberate training (generally) before being "thrown to the wolves" nowadays. Even so, still gets sketchy sometimes.

"If you ain't Cav, you ain't...!" Great stories! Brought back some great memories and not some good ones. "And if you are Cav, you are...!" The 20mm M195 was my favorite. 19 shot 17lb'ers outboard overstressed the wing stores according to the book.. My last mission was a 2 minute standby with a Heavy Hog. It took me 4 passes to unload it.

This guy is the ultimate war hero. Hats off to you. What a sacrifice he made.

I'm 6 yrs your Jr Eric but the stories of Nam Vets made me enlist in 78 did all mine in USMC aviation being Hyd Mech for F-4's [Fastmovers] Thanks for the Service and sharing the stories

God bless men like him ! And all the men and women who served in Vietnam !

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 ! 🇺🇸✝️🚁

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)

OH man, autos are a gas! Love doing them. Falling with style.

One of the most entertaining hour and 30 minutes I have ever spent!

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 can't believe how your story paralled mine

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!

Aaahhh the good ole days! Sounds like he had a blast and made the best of his time in Vietnam. He would have had a great career in the military . The world must have seemed boring when he returned!

I have a lot of respect for the loach pilots, in 67 I left Rucker for Ft Knox to a field maintenance company, I wanted to fly so I volunteered for a just about to be started year long OH-6A test program. We flew 100 hours ahead of the loaches in Nam to determine what part to have in the pipeline, develop maintenance techniques and qualify pilots.18 and 20 hour days were common, most of the other crewchiefs except for the guys just back from Nam asked for a transfer but I stuck with it, I loved it. We were always short handed, at one time I had 5 loaches to keep in the air and be on the flight line at 6am, no excuses. I came down on orders for Nam but they were canceled because we were ED. and exempt from transfer. Two weeks before the program was over I came down on orders for Germany, I am pretty sure because I did a good job in the test project the brass OKed my orders and told me to get out while the getting was good and off the Germany I went for the next year and a half. As I was heading out the door at Ft Knox I looked down in the personal inbox and there were my orders for Nam, I had my 201 file in hand went to Germany, The Nam orders didn't follow me over to Germany like they did for a lot of guys I worked with at Coleman Barracks near Manheim.

It’s great that you got these interviews, before memories are lost! 🇺🇸

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

Ryan, again, thank you for interviewing another Vietnam Vet. Eric, welcome home ! Thank you for sharing. Respect…..

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. 🙏🏻👍🏻👍🏻🇺🇸

Thank you for your service! Bad ass pilot!!!

@williamcox5935

2 жыл бұрын

The reason you do it is to safely land when your engine loses power. At least that's the idea.

With perseverance and patience anything can be accomplished or overcome. Amen.

Hi, some might have heard of it but there there is channel - 'Fighting men of Rhodesia". So many parallels

Excellent interview guys. Thanks for your service. We appreciate patriots like you. God Bless

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.

@cadamsm11

Жыл бұрын

I agree, excellent interviewer. Mostly just had to listen….everything Eric sad was gold!

Enjoyed listening to your story brought back a lot of memories. I was with Apache Troop 7/1st Cav at Vinh Long on the Mekog river in 4th Corp. Flew Cobras 69-70. So we were there around the same time. I found it odd that your OH-6A's didn't have the mini-gun mount on the left side. All ours did. Aimed by pointing the aircraft. I had the greatest admiration for our Scout pilots, and the OH-6, tough little bird. When the OH58 arrived.. they tried to use the minigun on the same mount. But had to take it off.. firing the minigun was destroying the airframe.. I flew OH58 scouts in Germany D Troop 3/8 Cav out of Finthen AAF, fun little bird to fly. But we referred to it as a "Sunday going to meeting" helicopter... something you didn't want to go to war in. Flying Cobras in the European scenario was not much fun, hovering or sitting in a holding position waiting for the scout to move you up. Scouts had all the fun.

@jcheck6

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for your service Jim! I had a 3 yr tour with the AF in Germany and loved it.

Excellent - wow just excellent!

@allenbuck5589

3 жыл бұрын

Hell of a story. Great tell. Semper fi

Fantastic video, top notch interview n narration. Many thanks

Amazing stories, great interview, thanks for sharing. Your service is truly appreciated.

Great interview . Thank you both for your time and service .

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!

As a D model crew chief loved this interview- Eric is definitely a bad ass - hats off Brother!

My best friend in my life killed on second tour in Cu Chi flying a LOCH. We went all through flight school and were only two to get assigned to Viet Nam upon graduation. I went home two weeks then went to Cobbra School back down in Hunter Stewart. Louie Mortimer (Pigmy, or Mort) went to LOCH IP school everyone else got stateside duty before Nam. When I got shot down he was the person i remember . He pinned the electric Strawberry pin on my hosp. gown after I was shot down. I went to Germany after regrouping in Wright Patt Hosp. On July5th 1971, I got a letter I had sent him returned with the contents stating he had been KIA. He was one of best pilots I ever flew with and one of the funniest guys I ever met. His memory is with me at all times. I just wish he had lived he meant so much to me.

I was at ft. Rucker in 71 when a couple guys stoled a Huey and took it to New Orleans for the weekend, they would have gotten by with it if they had not stuck around to refuel the Huey.

Thank you so much for your bravery. Godspeed

Awesome story. Thanks for your service 🇺🇸