Helopirate... You must have been reading my mind when you picked the soundtrack for this one! That work we did was definitely "Thunderstruck!" Thanks for the video memory - Vespa
hc-4 2001-2004 sigonella here....great time...except for the 4 that passed in the crash...A fLIGHT THAT WILL LAST FOREVER. R.I.P Cmdr Bianchi, Lt. Ober, AM1 Gibson and last but not least AE3 Cox...I was the last one to work on their helo, replacing a MRH dampner...felt guilty for a long time even after finding out it was an engine fire. But felt worse for the guy that put gearbox oil in the engine.
Wow...You are absolutely correct. That was Kitty Baggage. I think we only used 2 ranges out there, but I think 4 were available. I remember thinking the names of the ranges were hilarious. And every night for 5 months we'd take a quick flight over and tear some stuff up. It was amazing how quickly our guys picked up aerial gunnery. Now I have to go and refresh my memory...there was a black hill out there that I landed on east of El Centro and NW of Yuma. Time to break out the maps again.
Your absolutely right...We had a great time out there. The training was intense, but we all knew what we needed to do to get the job done and get it done right. That was a great time and a great experience. I think I can honestly say that there isn't a soul from that group of sailors that would say that they weren't proud of the work they did. That year was a period of time that everyone involved will remember for the rest of their lives...it's the stuff they'll tell their grandkids about.
Yeah,! its always my dream to join the army and work with machines like that! if i could do 1 wish i should choose that i was older and perfect for that job!
Anybody out there black stallions from 87-91. we were deployed so much we had to have HC-2 come join the fun. miss it sometimes, had lots of good memories. blade fold lines and rotor dampeners were all ways my favorite. especialy at night holding a flash light between my teeth.
That's a few years back, but I did work with some people from that period. I'm glad I can show you the direction that HC-4 ended up finishing out on. You'll be happy to know that HC-2 had to call on us a couple of times to bail them out (Ghost Rider broke down on the LaSalle...what a shame). Those pesky blade fold lines and rotor dampers were still still a challenge to the maintainers right up to the day were put Bucky to bed and said, "good night!"
did you guys ever make it back to freetown? I always loved that place. and palma spain, bogarts and fannys, HC-4 strong hold there, they once took care of us when we broke down let us run a tab. me and LT. jones running down the street after steeling glasses from a german bar. I still have mine.
I don't think HC-4 ever went back to Freetown, but Sierra Leone is one of the countries that I do work for at my current job. I spent most of my time flying North and East around Europe and Asia. I actually never made it out West flying (made it on a LPD though). The only person that I know who might know about that time period is my good friend LT Charlie Bergstol. That cat really knew his stuff and he took good care of me when we worked together. I owe him more than just a few beers...
I used to work with Senior Chief Gray quite a bit. I was there when he showed up and he somehow managed to leave before I did...I guess I was there for a long time. Seems like I knew everybody coming in and out of that place. Some guys left when I got there and came back while I was still there...I even saw two Department Heads leave and come back to be the Squadron Commander...Yep, I put in my time at the FOUR...gonna be a tough one to beat
hc-4 is still around? holy shit i was with them in sigonella 00-04 what the hell do they do now? fly fruit from virginia to texas. all of the good aircrew and plane captains are gone. and virginia? really god that sucks...sorry
Nope...HC4 is officially retired and now resides in the history books. I was there during your time...'01-'06. Their last hurrah was to rig the helos and learn to fly with NVGs then deploy to the desert to help the Army with heavy lift. We did that for a year and then came home and put the horses to bed. They retired the FOUR in September.
Thanx brother...It's good to know that there's a few people out there than can appreciate a fine piece of military equipment with a rich history and an extremely proud and dedicated life of service. While its a shame that the squadrons that still fly the mighty Sea Dragon are dwindling...its good to know that she's still in service and continuing to show the world what she's made of.
Well Shipmate, it looks like you've based your assessment of the Sea Dragon on the first article you read finding a fault in the aircraft. Based on that reasoning, you probably think that the Huey and the Cobra suck as well because of mast bumping which killed many more crews and customers than swashplate failures ever did. Try reading a bit more about the good the aircraft does in comparison to the faults you desperately seem to search for and then come and talk to me...
Helopirate... You must have been reading my mind when you picked the soundtrack for this one! That work we did was definitely "Thunderstruck!" Thanks for the video memory - Vespa
WinduzRevenge 3 years ago
hc-4 2001-2004 sigonella here....great time...except for the 4 that passed in the crash...A fLIGHT THAT WILL LAST FOREVER. R.I.P Cmdr Bianchi, Lt. Ober, AM1 Gibson and last but not least AE3 Cox...I was the last one to work on their helo, replacing a MRH dampner...felt guilty for a long time even after finding out it was an engine fire. But felt worse for the guy that put gearbox oil in the engine.
usnmatt 3 years ago
Great video, I was in hc-4 93-99. Was awesome.
designbybain 3 years ago
The Night Vision .50 cal footage: Kitty Baggage? Looked like one of the targets out East of Salton Sea.
I was a Firehawk. Very similar pride in our people and our mission. We met the same fate... "progress".
DrCha0s 3 years ago
Wow...You are absolutely correct. That was Kitty Baggage. I think we only used 2 ranges out there, but I think 4 were available. I remember thinking the names of the ranges were hilarious. And every night for 5 months we'd take a quick flight over and tear some stuff up. It was amazing how quickly our guys picked up aerial gunnery. Now I have to go and refresh my memory...there was a black hill out there that I landed on east of El Centro and NW of Yuma. Time to break out the maps again.
Helopirate01 3 years ago
Wow, i think that guys really love their job!
Amazing!
thadutchguy 3 years ago
Your absolutely right...We had a great time out there. The training was intense, but we all knew what we needed to do to get the job done and get it done right. That was a great time and a great experience. I think I can honestly say that there isn't a soul from that group of sailors that would say that they weren't proud of the work they did. That year was a period of time that everyone involved will remember for the rest of their lives...it's the stuff they'll tell their grandkids about.
Helopirate01 3 years ago
Yeah,! its always my dream to join the army and work with machines like that! if i could do 1 wish i should choose that i was older and perfect for that job!
Thnx for the great video!
greatings from holland
thadutchguy 3 years ago
Anybody out there black stallions from 87-91. we were deployed so much we had to have HC-2 come join the fun. miss it sometimes, had lots of good memories. blade fold lines and rotor dampeners were all ways my favorite. especialy at night holding a flash light between my teeth.
etony22 3 years ago
That's a few years back, but I did work with some people from that period. I'm glad I can show you the direction that HC-4 ended up finishing out on. You'll be happy to know that HC-2 had to call on us a couple of times to bail them out (Ghost Rider broke down on the LaSalle...what a shame). Those pesky blade fold lines and rotor dampers were still still a challenge to the maintainers right up to the day were put Bucky to bed and said, "good night!"
Helopirate01 3 years ago
did you guys ever make it back to freetown? I always loved that place. and palma spain, bogarts and fannys, HC-4 strong hold there, they once took care of us when we broke down let us run a tab. me and LT. jones running down the street after steeling glasses from a german bar. I still have mine.
etony22 3 years ago
I don't think HC-4 ever went back to Freetown, but Sierra Leone is one of the countries that I do work for at my current job. I spent most of my time flying North and East around Europe and Asia. I actually never made it out West flying (made it on a LPD though). The only person that I know who might know about that time period is my good friend LT Charlie Bergstol. That cat really knew his stuff and he took good care of me when we worked together. I owe him more than just a few beers...
Helopirate01 3 years ago
WOW HC-4 That place was the Shit!!! Do u guys remmeber Senior Chief Gray???yea this is his SON DJ... Man i havnt talked to Mr Sully in a long TIME
RoushFenway 3 years ago
I used to work with Senior Chief Gray quite a bit. I was there when he showed up and he somehow managed to leave before I did...I guess I was there for a long time. Seems like I knew everybody coming in and out of that place. Some guys left when I got there and came back while I was still there...I even saw two Department Heads leave and come back to be the Squadron Commander...Yep, I put in my time at the FOUR...gonna be a tough one to beat
Helopirate01 3 years ago
is that bruce stewart?
usnmatt 4 years ago
Nope...try on the pilot side of the house.
Helopirate01 4 years ago
Bruce Stewart is in the video though, as are a few other guys...Sully and McKinney among others....
Helopirate01 4 years ago
hc-4 is still around? holy shit i was with them in sigonella 00-04 what the hell do they do now? fly fruit from virginia to texas. all of the good aircrew and plane captains are gone. and virginia? really god that sucks...sorry
usnmatt 4 years ago
Nope...HC4 is officially retired and now resides in the history books. I was there during your time...'01-'06. Their last hurrah was to rig the helos and learn to fly with NVGs then deploy to the desert to help the Army with heavy lift. We did that for a year and then came home and put the horses to bed. They retired the FOUR in September.
Helopirate01 4 years ago
Thanx brother...It's good to know that there's a few people out there than can appreciate a fine piece of military equipment with a rich history and an extremely proud and dedicated life of service. While its a shame that the squadrons that still fly the mighty Sea Dragon are dwindling...its good to know that she's still in service and continuing to show the world what she's made of.
Helopirate01 4 years ago
Well Shipmate, it looks like you've based your assessment of the Sea Dragon on the first article you read finding a fault in the aircraft. Based on that reasoning, you probably think that the Huey and the Cobra suck as well because of mast bumping which killed many more crews and customers than swashplate failures ever did. Try reading a bit more about the good the aircraft does in comparison to the faults you desperately seem to search for and then come and talk to me...
Helopirate01 4 years ago