swash plate july 2012

President’sMessageRobertFrost

July2012

• “ForestFirefighterSafety” PartnershipforPublicService • ”FtRuckerNewGarrisonCO” NathanPfau• “TalibanWagingWar”ISAFMedia

• “2012ConventionUpdate” JayBrown• “2012ConventionInfo” • “ReunionsandGatherings”JayBrownandmuch,muchmore!

Presenting!

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July greetings to our members andfriends.AsaFoundingMemberoftheCombatHelicopter Pilots Association, I remember themultiple goals to which we dedicated ourorganization – one being to remember andhonor our aviation comrades lost duringhelicoptercombatoperations.CHPAservesasalivinglegacytothegrowing,vibrantcommunityofaviatorsfromallbranchesofourmilitarywhoshare the exhilarating common bond of having flown helicopters into lethalcombat environments across the illustrious span of US military rotary winghistory.FormanyofourmembersitbeganinVietnam.Itbecameknownas“The Helicopter War.” We took a hell of a beating in Vietnam, losingthousandsofpilotsandcrewmembers. Butwewerealwaystherewhenthe

gruntsneededus‐‐‐andweperformedatourbest!OneoftheitemsIranacrossafewdaysagowhilebrowsingonmycomputerwastheprologuetoJoe

Galloway’sbook,“WeWereSoldiersOnce…..AndYoung.”IthadbeenyearssinceIhadreadthebookaboutLZXrayandtheIaDrangCampaignoflate’65inVietnam.

AsIreaditagain,aftersomanyyears,IrealizedhowclearJoewasindefiningthetimesandhowthoseofuswhoservedthisnationincombatinVietnam,rememberandfeelaboutthosetimes.AsIgrowolder,hiswordstakeonevengreatermeaninginmylife.

Joehasgivenpermissionforsomeoftheprologuetobesharedwithyouinthismonth’sissueofthe“SwashPlate”newsletter.

Hereitis:“Manyofour countrymencame tohate thewarwe fought. Thosewhohated it themost ‐‐‐ the

professionallysensitive‐‐‐werenot,intheend,sensitiveenoughtodifferentiatebetweenthewarandthesoldierswhohadbeenorderedtofightit.Theyhatedusaswell,andwewenttogroundinthecrossfire,aswehadlearnedinthejungles.

Intimeourbattleswereforgotten,oursacrificesdiscountedandbothoursanityandoursuitabilityforlifeinpoliteprogressiveAmericansocietywerepubliclyquestioned.Ouryoung‐oldfaces,chiseledandgaunt from the fever and the heat and the sleepless nights, now stare back at us, lost and damnedstrangers, frozen in yellowing snapshots packed away incardboardboxeswithourmedalsandribbons.

AlwaysRemember

Volume 8, Issue 7 CHPA • The Swash Plate www.chpa-us.org

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We rebuilt our lives, found jobs or professions,married, raised families andwaited patiently forAmericatocometo itssenses. Astheyearspassedwesearchedeachotheroutandfoundthatthehalf‐rememberedprideofservicewassharedbythosewhohadsharedeverythingelsewithus.Withthem,andonlywiththem,couldwetalkaboutwhathadreallyhappenedoverthere‐‐‐whatwehadseen,whatwehaddone,whatwehadsurvived.

WeknewwhatVietnamhadbeenlike,andhowwelookedandactedandtalkedandsmelled. NooneinAmericadid. Hollywoodgot itwrongeverydamnedtime,whettingtwistedpoliticalknivesonthebonesofourdeadbrothers.

Soonce,justthisonce,thisishowitallbegan,whatitwasreallylike,whatitmeanttousandwhatwemeanttoeachother.Itwasnomovie.Whenitwasoverthedeaddidnotgetupanddustthemselvesoffandwalkaway.Thewoundeddidnotwashawaytheredandgoonwithlifeunhurt.Thosewhowere,miraculously,unscratchedwerebynomeansuntouched.NotoneofusleftVietnamthesameyoungmanhewaswhenhearrived.”

Onmorethanoneoccasion JoeGallowayhasaffectionately referredtousas“God’sOwnLunatics.”Heisrightandweareproud!Thanks,Joe.

CHPA continues to receive quite an assortment of patches from our members. These patches are displayed at our booth at HAI, Quad A, and VHPA. Several of you have donated patches, like the ones shown here, but we’re always looking for more. They are very eye catching and help us garner attention. So please dig through your old patches and if you have some you’d like to share, send them to us at: CHPA • PO Box 42 • Divide, CO80814‐0042

GOT PATCHES?


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EnsuringtheSafetyofThoseWhoFightForestFiresThePartnershipforPublicService,Published:July2,TheWashingtonPost

As awildfirepickedup steamduring themiddleofthenightinthePrescottNationalForestinArizonainMay,10firefightersfledtothetopofaridgetoescapetheflamestearingthroughthetrees.

Those firefighters survived the nearmiss, but soonaftertheincident,BecquiLivingstonwascalledintoanalyzewhat happened and publish any lessons the team learnedtohelpinformotherfirefighters.

Livingston, who works for the US Forest Service,uses her 18 years of experience to make sure thatfirefightersarephysicallycapabletodotheirjobs. Iftherearemishaps or fatalities, she sets inmotion a process forbringingtogetheranaccidentinvestigationteamofexpertsandpeerstoreviewthecircumstancesandextractimportantinformation.

“Mypassionistomakesurefirefightersfirstandforemostarehealthyandfit,”saidLivingston,aFireOperationsHealthandSafetySpecialistwiththeUSForestServiceintheSouthwesternRegionalOffice.

“Firefighting isaphysicallyandmentallychallenging job,much likebeing incombat,” shesaid. “It’soneoftheclosestthingstobeingasoldier,withthecamaraderieandtheelements.”

Manyaspectsareinvolvedinfirefightersafety,Livingstonsaid,frommakingsurefirefightersareusingthecorrectsafetyequipmenttogettingthepropernutritionandhydrationandkeeping inshapeduringtheoff‐season.

“Her biggest asset is she is so caring,” said JeromeMacdonald, deputy incident commander on theSouthwestArea IncidentManagementTeamandLivingston’s formersupervisor. “She is thekindofpersonwhowillfightfortheunderdog.”

Inadditiontotravelingtobigfirestoaddresshealthandsafety issues,shegathers informationfrominteragencypartners at the state, local and federal levels, anddisseminates information to keep firefighterawareandeducatedonwellnessissues.

Livingston, who also is a personal fitness trainer, helped develop an interagency firefighter fitnessprogramcalled“Firefit”thatisgearedtowardthosewhofightwildfires.

At4feet9inchestall,about102poundsandfemale,Livingstonisnotwhatmostpeoplepictureasatypical firefighter. But she proved herself over her nearly two decades of carrying up to 70 pounds ofequipmentonthejob,campingfordaysorweeksnearragingwildfiresandeventuallyjoiningtheSmokeyBearHotshotfirefightingcrewinRuidoso,NewMexico.

Asapartofahotshotcrew,Livingstonwasafull‐timefirefighterwithspecialtraining,workingwiththesamecrewof20firefightersseasonafterseason,unlike“smokejumpers”orothers,whoarebroughtinfromallovertofightsmallerfires.

“When you’re fighting a fire, you want a hotshot crew because of their level of training andexperience,”Macdonaldsaid.“Shewaswellrespectedbecauseoftheenergylevelshebrings.”

Often, those hotshots are in such remote locationsthat they live in a big tent city with food brought in via


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TheSwash!Where are all the story tellers out there? I know there are more stories out there

yet to be told in this forum. Helicopter crewmembers lead a most interesting life and stories abound from qualification courses, non-flying assignments, combat missions, commercial flying or just goofing off. Our most entertaining and informative stories come from you, our membership.

So, if you have an idea for an article, or if you have an article you’d like to submit it’s as easy as submitting it to the guy who puts the newsletter together. The story can be about anything from flight school to real life, TINS, or there-I-was stories. We’ve published several stories over the years ranging from tales of flight school a long, long time ago to real life “war stories” that we’re sure most of you can identify with.

Take a moment to lay fingers on keyboard or just put pen to paper and send in those stories. You can email them to [email protected] or through the US Post Office to: CHPA • PO Box 42 • Divide, CO 80814-0042

[CallForArticles]

helicopterorpackmules.ShemetherfuturehusbandwhenhehelicopteredintodropoffsuppliesnearafireshewasfightinginColorado.

Asayoungster,Livingstonspenttimeatasummercabininthewoods.Inhighschool,shewasdrawntofirefighting,despiteanassociateprincipal tryingtotalkheroutof it. Shethenappliedto jointheYoungAdult Conservation Corps’ fire crew in the Smokey Bear Ranger District in NewMexico’s Lincoln NationalForest.

Duetoherunusualfirstname,Livingstonwasacceptedundertheassumptionshewasamalelikemostotherapplicantsinthelate1970s,andbecameoneofthepioneerwomeninfirefightingonwildlands. Shesoonbecameaseasonalfirefighterandinthelate1980sbecameoneofthefirstwomentojoinherdistrict’shotshotcrew.

Although Livingstonmostlyworks on the health and safety of other firefighters now, the job is stilltough.Firescontinuetoburnhotterandbigger,duetorecord‐breakingtemperaturesandforestconditions.

“Because of all those accumulated fuels and health conditions, forests are burning with intensevelocityandthere’snothingwecando,”Livingstonsaid.It’satoughenvironment,sheadded,anddwindlingresourcesmakeiteventougher.

“Peoplearecontinuallyinharm’sway,”Livingstonsaid.“Wedoeverythingwecantokeeppeoplesafeandhealthy.AllIwantisforfirefighterstocomehomesafeeverynight.”


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PhotobyNathanPfauDavis D. Tindoll, Jr. , director of the InstallationManagement Command Atlantic Region, passes thegarrison colors to the incoming Fort Rucker GarrisonCommander, COL Stuart J. McRae, during a change ofcommand and responsibility ceremony at the US ArmyAviationMuseumJuly13.McRaeassumedcommandofthe garrison from outgoing Fort Rucker GarrisonCommanderCOLJamesA.Muskopf

FortRuckerWelcomesNewGarrisonCommanderNathanPfau,ArmyFlyerStaffWriter

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Ft Rucker welcomed a new garrison commander andgarrison command sergeantmajor,whilebidding farewell to twowell‐knownfacesontheinstallationJuly13.

COL Stuart J. McRae assumed command of the garrisonfromCOL JamesA.Muskopf, andCSMBuford E.Nolandbecamethe new garrison command sergeant major, assumingresponsibility from CSM Dwaine E. Walters during a change ofcommand and responsibility ceremony at the US Army AviationMuseum.

“COL McRae brings to Ft Rucker a wealth of experiencefrom a wide variety of operational and staff assignments,” saidDavis D. Tindoll Jr., Atlantic Region Installation ManagementCommander director and guest speaker. “His assignments,extensive experience and military education offer impeccablecredentialsforgarrisoncommand.”

McRaeisnostrangertoFtRuckerashispriorassignmentwasasthedirectoroftheUSArmyAviationCenterofExcellence’sCapabilityandDevelopmentIntegrationDirectorate.

“The McRaes have been here for a year and there isnothing but goodness that comes out of that,” said Muskopf.“He’shadachancetofigureoutwhatFtRucker’sallabout.”

Thenewcommanderagreedthatisagoodthing. “I’vehadtherareopportunityduringthislastyeartobeprepositionedhereandbeabletoobservethe

interactionbetweenthegarrisonandtheAviationCenterbeforetakingcommand,”McRaesaid. “I’vebeenabletoobservemanygreatleadersthatworkandseewhatrightlookslikefromthetopdown.”

McRae began his military career in 1987 when he graduated from Montana State University as adistinguished military graduate, and began his career as a leader when he served as the platoon leader,battalionmaintenanceofficerandassistantS3forthe9thInfantryDivision,FtLewis,WA.

NolandcomestoFtRuckerfromFtLeonardWood,MO,whereheservedascommandsergeantmajorforthe193rdBrigadeSupportBattalion,4thManeuverEnhancementBrigade.

“His military police background gives him special insight into the complexities and challenges ofrunning garrison operations,” said Tindoll. “Due to his extensive experiences, he knows the needs of theSoldiersandtheirFamilies.”

Theceremonywasa timetorecognize thenewgarrisoncommanderandcommandsergeantmajor,butitwasalsoatimetorecognizeMuskopfandWaltersforthetimetheyservedonFtRucker.

“Overthepasttwoyears,theyexcelledinovercomingnumerouschallengestoensureFtRuckermadetremendouscontributions,notonlytoArmyreadiness,butbyproviding the best possible quality for our team here,” saidTindoll.


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They achieved this next level of support by refining common levels of service, using detailedperformance management reviews and customer feedback to improve the efficiency of base operationssupport,accordingtothedirector.

“This is what right looks like,” said McRae about Muskopf’s leadership. “The team that you’vedevelopedandpassedtomeisabsolutelysecondtonone.”

MuskopfsaidthatwhattheyachievedonFortRuckerwasnoone‐singleeffort,butateameffortfromeveryoneonhiscommandteam,tothepeopleinthesurroundingcommunity.

“Philadelphiacallsitselfthecityofbrotherlylove,butthereisnomorebrotherlyloveintheworldthanthebrotherlylovethattheWiregrassgivestoFortRucker,”hesaid,addingthathecouldn’thaveaskedforabetterseniorcommandertoworkunderthanMGAnthonyG.Crutchfield,USAACEandFtRuckerCommandingGeneral.

MuskopfwillgoontoCarlisleBarracks,PAastheUSArmyWarCollege’sdirectorofStrategicPlansandWalterswillretirefromtheArmy.

McRaesaidhewas ready to takeon thechallengesasgarrisoncommanderand ready to tackle thevisionthatCrutchfieldhassetforthefutureoftheAviationBranchandFtRucker.

“Iappreciatetheconfidencethat[Crutchfield]hasshown…andItakehisvisionstoheart,”hesaid.“IrecognizethatthemostimportantandvaluableresourcethatwehavehereatFtRuckerisnotouraircraftoroursystems—it’sourpeople.”


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TalibanWagingWaronAfghanPeopleISAFMedia

BGLewBoone,USArmyDirectorofPublicAffairs,HQISAF

Since armed insurgents stormedthe Spozhmai hotel on Lake Qargha June22,itseemstheTalibananditsassociatedterror networks have been waging avicious campaign against the citizens ofAfghanistan. (We say “seems,” becauseinsurgents operating in Afghanistan haveneverbeenshytotargetcivilians.)

TheTaliban’swarisagainstfamilieswho dare to send their girls to school.Theirwar is against the fathers, sons andbrotherswhodaretotryandprotecttheirfamilies and neighbors by enlisting in theAfghanNationalSecurityForces.Theirwarisagainstanybodywiththecouragetosay,“Enough,”aswesawlastweekwhenGhaznivillagersbravelythrewtheTalibanoutoftheirhomes.OnMonday,theywererepaidfortheircouragewithreprisal. TenAfghanswerekilledand19werewoundedinGhazniwhenapassengerbushitan improvisedexplosivedevice. Itstrainscredulitytosuggestthe insurgentswhoplacedthatbombhonestlybelievedtheywouldbetakingoutamilitarytarget.

Weunderstandthatciviliancasualtiesare, tragically,anunavoidable factofmodernarmedconflict.When civilians are unfortunately lost as a result of ISAF and coalition actions,we are subjected to intensescrutinyfromthemedia,theinternationalcommunityand,mostimportantly,ourAfghanhosts.

Thisisasitshouldbe.Civiliancasualtiesshouldbescrutinizedsothattheymaybeavoidedinthefuture.Wehaveaccepted

thatchallengeandhavedecreasedtheamountofISAF‐causedciviliancasualtiesby30percentbelowthistimein2011.TheTalibanandtheirinsurgentallies,however,areresponsibleformorethan80percentofAfghancivilian casualties. In the last week alone, insurgents have caused 98 percent of all civilian casualties inAfghanistan.

WhentheTalibanandtheirilkwoundandkillcivilians,theyarenotheldtothesamescrutinyasISAForAfghansecurityforces.ThisisbecausetheinternationalcommunityexpectslittlemorefromtheTalibananditscroniesthannihilismandviolence.Whenanorganizationestablishesareputationforevil,peoplesimplystopaskingwhyordemandingbetter.

Notus.Weaskwhy.Whydoyoupoisonschoolchildren?Whatpurposedoesblowingupabusfullofciviliansserve?Wealsodemandbetterfromtheinsurgency,justaswedemandbetterfromourselves.Wedoeverythingwecantolimittheharmthatcomestocivilians.IftheTalibanweretrulyconcernedwiththewell‐beingoftheAfghanpeopleastheirleadershiphasclaimed,theywoulddothesame.


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2012ConventionUpdateJayBrown

Please feel free to forward this issue of “The Swash Plate” to your colleagues, potential members and other interested parties!

Sharethe“Swash”

Registration for the 2012 CHPA Annual Convention is underway and the

reservationsarerollinginsoweknowthesystemisworkingandreadyforyoutosign up. CHPA members and their guests will gather in Washington, DC thisNovember, fromthe13th to the16th. ThoseofyouwhohaveattendedaCHPAConventionandAnnualMeeting in thepast know therewillbeapartygoingon.This year we’ve contracted with Military Reunion Planners and have a greatschedule set for everyone who attends, and what better city to be in thanWashington, DC, full of history andmore sights than you could possibly take inwithoutstayingmuchlongerthanaweek.

Overthenextfewpagesyou’llfindgeneralinformationontheconventionandthescheduleofevents.Theeasiestthingtodoisregisteronline,eitherbygoingtotheCHPAwebsitewww.chpa‐us.org,andfollowingthelinksordirectlytotheregistrationpageathttp://militaryreunionplanners.com/CHPA/#. It literallytakesjustafewsecondsofyourtimetocompletetheregistrationprocess.Ifyoudon’thaveaccesstotheinternetyoucancompletetheregistrationforminthis issueof theSwashPlateand justsend inwithyourpaymentinformation.HQwillhandletherest.

Just toremindeveryone,onceyou’vecompletedyourregistrationfortheconvention,you’llneedtocontact the host hotel, the Holiday Inn and Suites in Old Town Alexandria for your lodging reservations.Remember to mention when making your reservation you’ll be attending the CHPA convention for thereducedlodgingrate,freebreakfastandparking.Thephonenumberforthehotelis877‐504‐0047.

I lived in the suburbs of Washington, DC for a number of years and I can tell you from personalexperiencethereissomuchtoseeanddoinournation’scapitalthatyou’llneverget itall in. Everyoutoftownvisitorwehadleftwantingtoseemore,andI’msureyouwilltoo.Ourschedule,asyou’llseeincludessomesightsvisitorsdon’tnormallygettoseeandothersthatare“onceinalifetime”opportunities.

Soclickthelinks,fillouttheformsandmakethephonecallandI’llseeyouallinDC.

Please consider sponsoring CHPA’s programs. You may make tax deductible donations to support the Goldie Fund, CHPA’s Scholarship program, the Holiday Boxes for the Troops, T-shirts for Heroes or the Association. For further information please look at Sponsorship at the website, http://www.chpa-us.org.

Sponsorship


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COMBATHELICOPTERPILOTSASSOCIATION

2012CONVENTIONWashington,DC‐November13th–16th,2012

WelcometoWashington,DC

Washington,DCistheheartoftheAmericanexperience.Fromitscelebratedsymbolsof

patriotism,monumentstothepast,andaspirationsforthefuture,ourNation’sCapitalistrulyaweinspiring.TheCHPA2012ConventionisyouropportunitytoshareandrememberyourownAmericanexperience.Don’tmissthespecialprivatetouroftheCapitolBuilding.Therewillbemanyopportunitiestoreflectonhistoryasyou tour Arlington Cemetery, theWWII, Korean War Veterans, and Vietnam Veterans Memorials. Digesthistory,experiencethepresentandponderthefutureofthismostAmericanofcities,duringyouroutstandingconventionprogram.Don’tmissit!

HotelInformation

TheconventionofficiallyrunsfromTuesday,November13thuntilFriday,November16th.YouwillbestayingatthefullserviceHolidayInnHotelandSuiteslocatedat625FirstStreet,Alexandria,VA22314.TheHoliday InnHotel is locatedclose tomanyofWashington’smostpopularattractions. Theroomrate is just$109.00plustaxpernightbasedonsingleordoubleoccupancy.Theroomrateincludesbreakfastserveddailyin the hotel restaurant. For those of youwho choose to arrive early or stay late, the same room rate isavailable threedays prior and threedays after, basedon availability. Pleasemake your hotel reservationsNOWbycalling877‐504‐0047. Youmaycancelupuntil72hoursbeforearrivalatnopenalty.Mentionthatyouarewith theCHPAConvention toassureyouareassociatedwithour group. Youmay request specificroomtypeswhenyoucalltomakeyourreservations(handicapaccessibleroom,etc.).Thehotelcheck‐intimeis3:00pm.Please,donotexpecttogetintoyourroombeforethen.Theywillaskyouforadepositorcreditcardnumbertoguaranteeyourroomreservation. Thehotel isholdingroomsuntiltheyselloutorOctober5th,2012whichevercomesfirst.

Transportation&Directions

The closest airport isWashingtonNational –RonaldReagan (DCA). Thehoteloffers complimentaryshuttleservicefromWashingtonNationalAirport.Pleaseusethecourtesyphoneinthebaggageclaimarea.For thoseofyoudriving to thereunion,wehavenegotiatedcomplimentaryparking for thedurationof thereunion.Travelsafelyandwewill….

SeeyouinOurNation’sCapital!


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COMBAT HELICOPTER PILOTS ASSOCIATION

CONVENTION EVENTS

WELCOMEDINNERATTHEHOTELTuesday,November13th(7:00pmattheHotel)

Welcometotheconvention!Gatherwithyourfriendsforacasualall‐you‐can‐eatBBQdinneratthehotel.Thisisagreatchancetoseewhoisherethisyear,andkickofftheconvention!

EVENTA:MEMORIALS,MONUMENTS&SPECIALCAPITOLHILLTOURWednesday,November14th(2:00pm‐11:00pm)

BeginwithavisittosomeofthemostfamousmonumentsandmemorialsinWashington,DC.BeginattheVietnamVeteransMemorial,wheretherewillbeplentyof timetoreflectandremember,thenvisit thenearbyKoreanWarVeteransMemorialandtheLincolnMemorial.TimepermittingyouwillstopattheWWIIMemorial,JeffersonandUSMarineCorpsWarMemorial(IwoJima).EnjoysometimeonyourowninUnionStation fordinnerandshopping. UnionStationoffersmanyuniquechoices foryourdinner. ThecoachwilldepartUnionStationat7:00pmfor thespecialCapitolTour. Averyspecial tourhasbeenarrangedat theCapitolBuilding.YouwillhaveaprivatetouroftheCapitolincludingareasnotoftenopentothepublic.TheCapitolTouristentativelyscheduledtobeginat7:30pmandconcludeat10:30pm.

EVENTB:ARLINGTONCEMETERY,WREATHLAYING&SMITHSONIANSONYOUROWNThursday,November15th(9:00am‐3:00pm)The day begins with a tour of Arlington Cemetery. Here you will ride the tram up to the “Tomb of theUnknown”foraspecialWreathLayingCeremony,followedbythefamous“changingoftheguard”ceremony.ThenproceedtoviewtheKennedygravesiteandtheEternalFlame.ThetramwillpassArlingtonHouseasyoureturntotheVisitor’sCenter.Thisisawonderfulandmovingexperienceforeveryone.Yourmotorcoachwilltake you to theMallwheremost of the SmithsonianMuseums are located. Youmay choose theNaturalHistoryMuseum, theAir&SpaceMuseumortheAmericanHistoryMuseum. ThereareseveralartgallerieswhicharealsopartoftheSmithsonianMuseumGroup.AlloftheSmithsonianMuseumsarefree.Yourcoachwill dropyouat theAmericanHistoryMuseum; you canwalk to theothermuseums fromhere. All of theMuseumsofferrestaurants for lunchonyourown. Themotorcoachwilldepart fromthedropoff locationpromptlyat3:00pmtoreturntothehotel.Forthosewhowanttostaylonger,youareonyourownforreturntransportationtothehotel.

PleaseNote:AstrictdresscodeisrequiredtoattendtheWreathLayingCeremonyatArlingtonCemetery.Ifyouarenotdressedperthecode,youwillnotbeabletoparticipateinthetour.Pleasenotedresscoderequirementsareoutlinedbelowinimportantconventionnotes.


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BANQUETDINNERThursday,November15th(7:00pmatHotel)

JoinyourfriendsfortheBanquetDinnerattheHotel.Cocktailswillbeavailablefromthecashbarat6:00pm;dinnerwillbeservedat7:00pm. EntréechoicesareRoastedBeefwithmushroomdemisauceorGrilledChickenwithfreshherbsauce.Pleasemakeyourentréeselectiononthereservationform.

TOURCANCELLATIONINSURANCE

Protectyourselffromunforeseenexpensescausedbysickness,injuryoranyothercausesthatimpactyour travel plans. This insurance enables a refund of Tour&Banquet expenses. Please note CancellationInsuranceexpiresat11:59pmthedaybeforetheconventionstarts.NorefundsaregivenaftermidnightevenifCancellationInsurancewaspurchased.Ifyouneedtocancel–pleasecontactourofficeimmediately(817‐251‐3551)oremail:cancel@MilitaryReunionPlanners.comforconfirmationofyourcancellation. Ifyouhavenot purchased cancellation insurance, all tour and meal money is non‐refundable 6 weeks prior to theconvention.

ImportantConventionNotes:~ArlingtonCemeteryDressCodeRequirements: Men:Collaredshirt,casualslacks,andappropriateshoes.Women:blouse,casual slacks, skirtordress,andappropriateshoes. The followingarenotpermitted:Bluejeans,patchedjeans,shortsofanykind,tanktops,haltertops,teeshirts,showertypeshoes,tubetops,shirtsthatexposethemidriff.~Toursmaybecancelledifaminimumof30peopleperbusisnotmet.Inthiscase,fullrefundswillbegiven.~Pleaseunderstandthatacertainamountofwalking isnecessaryfromthebustoattractionsand, insomeinstances,toalsoseetheattractions.Pleaseconsideryourabilitiesbeforepurchasingtours.~Besuretobringphotoidentification(likeadriver’slicense)onallevents.~Alltourtimesaresubjecttochange.Afinalitineraryisavailableatregistration.ReservationsareduebyOctober5th,2012.Late reservations acceptedon a space available basiswith a non refundable $10per person late fee. Youshouldmakea copyof this form for your records. For information callweekdays: 817‐251‐3551orEmail:[email protected]. Requests for refundsmustbemade inwritingandpostmarkedbeforedue date above. No refunds will be made after this date, unless you have purchased Tour CancellationInsurance.Sorry,norefundswillbegivenforanyreasonstartingatmidnightthedaybeforetheconventionstarts. There isa$10perperson refundprocessing fee. Yourcancelledcheck is your receiptandproofofpurchase. There is a $25 return check fee for NSF. For a written confirmation, please enclose a self‐addressed, stamped envelope. MRP will not be held liable for failure of vendors to provide contractedservices or any injuries/accidents that may occur during the convention. Tours require a minimum of 30peopleinordertooperate.FullrefundswillbegivenforanyeventcancelledbyMRP.

EXCELLENCEINCONVENTIONPLANNING


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COMBAT HELICOPTER PILOTS ASSOCIATION 2012 CONVENTION RESERVATION FORM

DATE EVENT COST QTY TOTAL CONVENTION REGISTRATION FEE – Per Person

Everyone Please Pay ~ Non-refundable $15 pp

Thu 11/13 Welcome Dinner (7:00pm at the Hotel) $39 pp Fri 11/14 EVENT A: Memorials, Monuments & Special Capitol

Building Tour (2:00pm-11:00pm) $49 pp

Sat 11/15 EVENT B: Arlington Cemetery, Wreath Laying & Smithsonians on your own (9:00am-3:00pm)

$49 pp

Sat 11/15 Banquet Dinner (7:00pm at the Hotel) Roasted Beef $50 pp Grilled Chicken $50 pp Non Refundable Late Reservation Fee (If mailed after Oct 5th ) pp $10 Tour Cancellation Insurance (non-refundable) $10 pp TOTAL: Make On-line Reservations with a Credit Card at:

www.militaryreunionplanners.com/chpa Or, send this entire completed form with a check payable to:

Military Reunion Planners, P.O. Box 1588, Colleyville, TX 76034 PLEASE PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING:

Name (As you want it to appear on badge): __________________________________________________

Spouse: _________________________________________________________________________

Guest(s):________________________________________________________________________________

Address: _____________________________________City: ____________________St: ______Zip: ______

Phone: (Home)________________________Phone:(Other):__________________________________

Email Adresss:___________________________________________________________________________

Emergency contact during the convention: _______________________________Ph:______________

Reservations are due by October 5th, 2012. Late reservations accepted on a space available basis with a non refundable $10 per person late fee. You should make a copy of this form for your records. For information call weekdays: 817-251-3551 or Email: [email protected] FOR OFFICE USE ONLY Date Rec’d: __________ Check #: ______ Amount $: _______ XCL #: __________


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ReunionsandGatherings

As previously reported there is now an “official” CHPA web presence on Face Book located athttps://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/196724920353496/. The page was set up to provide a venue fordiscussions,sharingofideasandanotherwayofgettingthosenaggingquestionsanswered.Joiningthegroupis as simple as asking to join. Stop in, sayhello and join the conversationsor start yourown. All CombatHelicopterPilotsAssociationmembers,potentialmembers,guestsandthosewhosupportCHPAarewelcome.

AnothersourceofinformationonwhatCHPAisdoingistheCHPAwebsiteatwww.chpa‐us.org.Everymemberhasaloginandpasswordthatwillallowthemtoviewamemberdirectory,readtheby‐laws,viewandsubmitpictures,updatetheirmembershipprofile,renewmembershipsandlotsmore.Ifyou’veforgottenyour log in information contact HQ@chpa‐us.org and we can provide you that information as well asinformationonhowtosetyour login informationtosomethingeasyforyoutoremember. Ifyouhaveanyquestionsgiveusacallat800.832.5144ordropusanemail.

Areyouplanningareunionoreventthatmaybeofinteresttoourmembers?Letushelpyougetthe

wordoutandsupportveteransgroupsofallsizesandlocations.JustsendamessagewiththeinformationtoHQ@chpa‐us.org.Ifyouhavealogo,sendthatalongaswell.

Besuretoincludeaccuratecontactandregistrationinformationandwe’lltakecareoftherest.

VINHLONGOUTLAWSASSOCIATION

Vinh Long Outlaws Association will hold its 2012 reunion in Savannah, GA,September6–10.Callingallmembersofthe62ndAvnCo;CoA,502ndAvnBn;175thAHCand all attached units. Form up in Savannah. Contact Bob Koonce, (253) 537‐4818,[email protected].

334UTTREUNION

Personnel who previously served in the UTT and its subsequent unitdesignations;68th,197th,334th,507thRegiment,227thRegiment,501stRegimentareinvitedtoattendthe50thanniversaryoftheUTTdeploymenttoVietnam.ThereunionwillbeheldatFortRucker,AL,September26–30. Formore informationcontact J. J.Aretz,334‐324‐0015.

CHPAonTheWeb


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30thANNIVERSARYOFTHEWALL‐READINGOFTHENAMES

TheVietnamVeteransMemorialFund is hosting the Reading of theNames of 58,272 service membersinscribed on the Vietnam VeteransMemorial inWashington,DC,aspartofthe special activities planned thisNovembertocommemorateTheWall’s30thAnniversary.

TheReadingof theNameswill takeplaceatTheWall for65hoursovera four‐dayperiodbeginningwith anopening ceremonyonWednesday,November 7, 2012 at 3:00pm. Volunteerswill readnames forapproximatelyeighthoursfrom4pmonNovember7to12amonNovember8.Participantswillthenreadthenamesfor19hoursdailyfrom5amuntil12amonNovember8,9,and10.

TheReadingoftheNamestookplaceinWashington,DCjustfourothertimesinTheWall’shistory.InNovember 1982, the names were read aloud at Washington National Cathedral as part of a week‐longNational Salute to Vietnam Veterans. The names were read at The Wall during the 10th Anniversarycelebration in November 1992, during the 20th Anniversary celebration in 2002 and during the 25thAnniversary celebration in 2007. For more information and to sign up to participate visithttp://www.vvmf.org/ROTN.

THEDISTINGUISHEDFLYINGCROSSSOCIETY

TheDistinguishedFlyingCrossSocietywillhold itsAnnualConvention inSeattle,WA.ThedatesoftheconventionareAugust19–23inSeattle,WA.Thesocietywill gather at the SeattleAirportMarriottHotel. Formore informationvisittheDFCSociety’swebsiteatwww.dfcsociety.netorcalltheReunionBratat360•663•2521.


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SubmitYourPhotos!

CHPAhasagrowingcollectionofphotos,fromflightschoolclasspictureslikethese,toactionphotostohelicoptershotsfromaroundtheworld…IfyouwouldliketocontributetothecollectionpleaseuploadyourphotosbyfollowingthelinksontheCHPAwebsiteorclickhere!


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Call on Us! Contact Quick Reference ChairmanoftheBoard–RheaRippey BuzzCovingtonChairman@chpa‐us.org BCovington@chpa‐us.orgPresident–RobertFrost AlMajor Callus!president@chpa‐us.org AMajor@chpa‐us.org 800•832•5144VPAdministration–Vacant RichMiller Faxus!admin@chpa‐us.org RMiller@chpa‐us.org 719•687•4167VPMembership–RustyBourgoyne RandyZahn Writeus!membership@chpa‐us.org RZahn@chpa‐us.org CHPA

POBox42Secretary/Treasurer–LorenMcAnally JimFerguson Divide,CO80814‐0042Treasurer@chpa‐us.org JFerguson@chpa‐us.org Remember!ExecutiveDirector–JayBrown JohnFore FeelfreetocontactusHQ@chpa‐us.org JFore@chpa‐us.org usanytime. RandyJones RJones@chpa‐us.org

HaveyouthoughtaboutaLifetimeMembershipinCHPAbutthoughtitwastooexpensive,ormaybenotworththecost?Tobreakitdown,duesforaLifetimeMembershipforpilotsis$650;forCrewMembersduesare$425. While thatmay seem likea lot,whenyoudo themath it coversyou for justa shadeovertwentyoneyearsatregularmemberdues.Hasanyoneevermentionedyoudon’tnecessarilyhavetopaytheentire amount “up front?” Well, you have the option of enjoying the benefit of not worrying about anyrenewalnoticesorwritingayearlycheckbypayingLifetimeduesininstallments.CHPAoffersplanstoallowyoutopayyourLifetimeMembershipduesoverseveralmonths.Youcanalsosetupautomaticdebitstoyourcreditcard.Giveusacallat800•832•5144fordetails.

LifetimeMembershipsJayBrown,ExecutiveDirector

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