Project 425 2D Squadron L-R Curt Rich, History Project (398Th Trans
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ThunderThunder RunRun Vol. 24 – NO. 2 “Together Then – Together Again” 2nd Quarter, 2009 The 11th Armored Cavalry’s Veterans of Vietnam and Cambodia Project 425 2d Squadron L-R Curt Rich, History Project (398th Trans. Det., By Bill Stokes, (HHT, 2/11, 1971-1972) 69-70), Mike ver the past year former members of the Carroll, & Bill O2d Squadron have been preparing a Jeczalik with written history of Squadron’s final year in Project 425 Huey Vietnam, April 1971 – March 1972. Thanks helicopter to the help of many Troopers the project is about complete. The final prod- Troopers who served uct consists of a with the Squadron manuscript, bibli- during its final year ography, and slide will be able to show. The manu- script describes the obtain, at no cost, organization, com- By Curt Rich, (398th Trans. Det., 69-70) Fast forward to 2007. That was the the manuscript (or mand relation- uring my tour in Vietnam I served year I was reunited with Huey helicopters DVD), bibliography, ships, and disposi- with the 398th Trans. Det., 11th when I joined with other military veter- and slide show, as tion of the inde- DACR from March 69-March 70. ans in rescuing (for a nominal fee) from a long as the project pendent Squadron In the early going I was stationed at Palm Beach, Florida Sheriff’s Office gun piggy bank permits. in April 1971, and Blackhorse Basecamp until it was turned range, Helicopter UH-1H 68-16425. This then moves to Fire over to the ARVN’s. At that point we rescue developed into Project 425 Support Base moved to a base named Redcatcher near (named after the chopper’s last three Warrior for discussions of the heavy fighting Long Binh and at times flew to Quan Loi numbers on its tail section) whereby we in the spring, reconnaissance missions, and to deliver parts and repair helicopters. I restored the helicopter into “static dis- land-clearing operations. The story continues was a Huey Helicopter mechanic (67N20) play” condition for numerous veteran’s with a description of the reconnaissance and and we kept them flying for the Air Cav events, parades, and other local shows. security tasks conducted from Fire Support that supported the 11th ACR. I finished The helicopter was in bad shape. It Base Andrews later in 1971, to include the out my last year as a crew chief on a Huey was missing lots of parts, windows, trans- Loc Ninh and Katum excursions. The final for the 2nd Armored Division/1st Cav, section on ground operations addresses stationed at Ft. Hood, TX. Please turn to PROJECT 425 on page 6 Please turn to HISTORY on page 6 From the Command Track....................................................2 Election Update ........................................................................14 Joining the Brotherhood ......................................................4 Move the 11th Cavalry Memorial?............................................14 Thunder Run: Our Editorial Policy ........................................6 About the 63rd Colonel ............................................................15 Editor’s Corner ....................................................................7 Chaplain’s Corner................................................................16 ‘A’ Troop Awarded The Presidential Unit Citation ..................7 Blackhorse Hoofbeats..........................................................17 Meet Our 2008 Scholarship Winners....................................8 A Trip to the Beach..............................................................18 Incoming ............................................................................9 Inside V.A. Acknowledges Traumatic Brain Injuries in Vietnam Vets ....20 11th Armored Cavalry Memorial Restoration Donations ......9 Women’s Corner ................................................................21 11th ACVVC Reunion XXIV, Santa Clara, CA ........................10 2nd Quarter What the Blackhorse Taught Me ..........................................22 Santa Clara Reunion ............................................................10 11th ACVVC Donations........................................................23 11th ACVVC Reunion XXIV: Registration Form......................11 2009 Journey to Fiddler’s Green ..................................................24 Great Activities Available For Santa Clara Reunion................12 From the 63rd Colonel of the Regiment................................25 Reunion Activities Registration ............................................12 Letters From Home..............................................................26 Reunion Schedule of Events ................................................13 Welcome Aboard ................................................................27 Reunion Trooper and KIA Survivor Assistance Fund Revisited..13 From the Quartermaster ......................................................32 www.11thCavNam.com From The Command Track By Allen Hathaway, President Details are being finalized for the 24th Elections will be held this year for president, vice Annual Reunion of the president, secretary and treasurer to serve a two year term beginning Jan 1, 2010 Allen Hathaway, 11th ACVVC in Santa President Clara, CA, on We will top off the day’s activities with with the chance to win: 1st prize of September 9-13. The our Saturday evening banquet, program $1,000, 2nd prize of $750, 3rd prize of Hyatt Regency Santa Clara is a great and Blackhorse Salute. $500 or 4th prize of $250. Drawing will location for this year’s reunion. Although We have a great group of volunteers be held on Saturday, September 12, 2009, folks travel from all over the county to who have stepped forward to help with at the annual reunion. Winners need not attend our reunions, this is an excellent the reunion. All of these volunteers work be present to claim prizes. Tickets will be opportunity for those who live on the hard in the months before as well as dur- mailed to all members in May. All pro- west coast to attend. ing the reunion. If you are interested in ceeds benefit the scholarship fund. We are pleased to announce that John helping during the reunion for just a few The third part of our fund raising is E. Longhouser (MG, USA RET) will be hours please contact Steve Page before our silent auction. Rod George (How, our guest speaker this year. General the reunion. 3/11, 1966-67) will head up the silent Longhouser completed 33 years in the At the time of this writing (April 1) auction again this year. This is always a Army in 1977, with experience in Armor some airlines are offering great airfares. fun and interesting activity at our annual and Systems Acquisition. As a captain, he Nearby airports include San Jose reunion. Last year was a record breaking commanded K Troop, 3rd Squadron, 11th International Airport (SJC), only 5 miles year in the number of items auctioned ACR from February – June 1968. He has from the hotel and San Francisco and total proceeds collected. attended several of our reunions in recent International (SFO) about one hour from Memorabilia with the 11th Cavalry years and is a strong supporter of all the hotel. theme are always in demand, but any Blackhorse troops. We are pleased to Every year we hear “first timers” com- item of value and good taste is welcome. have him as our guest speaker. ment that they should have attended a Please see Rod’s separate article on the A tentative reunion schedule is printed reunion sooner. This is your opportunity Silent Auction in this issue. in this issue of Thunder Run. We are see- to attend. You can help make this another Through the generosity of our mem- ing more people arriving at the reunion a successful reunion by keeping a few bers in 2008 we were able to award 32 day or so early. Bob and Barb Moreno things in mind: Mail your registration scholarships of $3,000 each. We are con- will open the reunion registration desk on early and avoid the late registration fee. fident that with the continued support of Wednesday to accommodate those early Reserve your hotel room early. Finally, our members we will again have a very arrivals. contact old friends early giving them successful year. The number of scholar- We have arranged optional daytime plenty of time to make their plans to ships awarded each year depends on the activities for Thursday and Friday to give attend. Contact any board member if you total donations made during the year. attendees an opportunity to take advan- need help finding an old friend. Dig out Let’s make 2009 another outstanding tage of some of the sights in the local your old pictures. Come prepared to year. area as well as nearby San Francisco and enjoy yourself! Following the last issue of Thunder Monterey. Link up with old friends and Our fundraising activities this year are Run we received a number of phone calls plan one of these activities together. going well. The first activity is our ever and e-mails from members who recog- There will also be plenty of time in the popular calendar mailed to members in nized names in the “New Members” sec- evenings to meet and visit with old December. Members always look for- tion or the donations list. If you are look- friends. Please see the activities descrip- ward to the calendar. Printing and mail- ing for an old friend, please feel free to tions and sign-up sheet in this issue and ing costs associated with the calendar are contact me or any board member and on our website. This promises to be paid directly from your donations. we’ll try to put you in contact with them. another outstanding reunion.