Operation Esprit de Corps!
The restoration of the Marine Huey with Vietnam combat history in HML 167 began about 3 years ago.
Model 204 - Mfgr Model #
UH-1E - Customers Model #
6200 - Mfgr Serial #
155345 - Customer Serial #
5-68 - Date Accepted
********************* Important Current Info ************************
We had Vietnam Marble Mountain Vet (Pat "Crash" Runion, pictured below) honor the museum by reinstalling the pylon panel that HML-167 Vietnam Vets signed at the recent reunion. He not only was a two time Marble Mountain Vet, but recounted that as a CH-46 Crewchief in HMM-262, they never went out on mission without the outstanding support of HML-167s Gunship support. Normally two gunships. So it was just as much a honor for him to install the panel.
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26-30 Mar - Mon-Fri - HMLA/HML-167 50th Reunion, Jacksonville NC
- Two members traveled to the 50th reunion of HML-167 and talked to the Vets that were in Vietnam when the Museums Huey TV17 (serial# 155345). They heard the personal stories of these Vets that will one day could be lost in time. They discussed the continuing restoration of TV17 as well as learning details of its configuration during its tour in Vietnam. After expenses, there was a almost $1000 in donations. Largely due to the reunion attendees response to a raffle of a Cobra Tail Rotor. Everyone that bought tickets signed it, making it just that much more special.
-Not that many Vietnam War Hueys made it back and very few are still in existance today.
Let us never forget their courage and sacrifice
Article of Huey and its arrival at the Museum.
Note-Initial unit information on unit(s) that Navy personnel gave at the time was a guess based on its late manufacture date. Since then evidence have come to light that it was in;
--(Possibly VMO-2 or 5; as it was manufactured May 1968 and was most likely in some unit prior to next unit). Vietnam era Vets said many Hueys came from VMO-2. Curator was told verbally it was originally assigned to VMO-5. VMO-5 became HML-267 in March 1968. So could be either or maybe both. Still researching.
--HML-167, per Navy Archiest and surviving unit AARs April 1968-June 1971
--(Possibly HML-367) as most were sent to Japan from Vietnam when HML-167 departed, per verbal from unit Vets
--HML-776 per painted over tail boom & tail markings
--HT-18 is last painted tail boom markings over HML-776 markings on tail and cargo door markings
Note:
The Navy Archives has confirmed (as of Jan. 2018) that this particular helicopter was for its duration in Vietnam, assigned to HML 167.
Navy Archievest provided HML 167 history link
Pics of HML 167 Pop-a-Smoke
HML 167 Memorial Web Page
Details of its combat damage (Navel Safety Center Summary Data) in the Republic of Vietnam are included after these pictures for these 5 dates.
Below are the 5 Navel Safety Center Summary Dates and hot links to what we believed is the correlated After Action Report for the event
02/23/1969 3 hits by small arms fire while on unknown mission
02/24/1969 2 hits by small arms fire while on unknown mission
03/24/1969 1 hit by small arms fire while on unknown mission
02/08/1970 2 hits by small arms fire while on rescue recovery mission
06/16/1970 1 hit by small arms fire while on recon mission
A lot to go in restoration, but has come a long way.
HooAh and Semper Fi!
SSG Raymond Knox
Project Advisor and Lead Mechanic
If you wish to assist in donating your time, talent or money, please contact Museum Curator Bob McFarland.
mcfarcr@aol.com
(901) 355-5247
Note - Any money or parts donated to support the helicopter repairs, needs to go through the museum curator.
This is so it can be properly documented, as the museum is a nonprofit 501c3 organization.
Here are some before and after pictures from the 1st coat of paint recently put on it. As well as some of the many workers.
The restoration of the Marine Huey with Vietnam combat history in HML 167 began about 3 years ago.
Model 204 - Mfgr Model #
UH-1E - Customers Model #
6200 - Mfgr Serial #
155345 - Customer Serial #
5-68 - Date Accepted
********************* Important Current Info ************************
We had Vietnam Marble Mountain Vet (Pat "Crash" Runion, pictured below) honor the museum by reinstalling the pylon panel that HML-167 Vietnam Vets signed at the recent reunion. He not only was a two time Marble Mountain Vet, but recounted that as a CH-46 Crewchief in HMM-262, they never went out on mission without the outstanding support of HML-167s Gunship support. Normally two gunships. So it was just as much a honor for him to install the panel.
*********************************************************************
26-30 Mar - Mon-Fri - HMLA/HML-167 50th Reunion, Jacksonville NC
- Two members traveled to the 50th reunion of HML-167 and talked to the Vets that were in Vietnam when the Museums Huey TV17 (serial# 155345). They heard the personal stories of these Vets that will one day could be lost in time. They discussed the continuing restoration of TV17 as well as learning details of its configuration during its tour in Vietnam. After expenses, there was a almost $1000 in donations. Largely due to the reunion attendees response to a raffle of a Cobra Tail Rotor. Everyone that bought tickets signed it, making it just that much more special.
-Not that many Vietnam War Hueys made it back and very few are still in existance today.
Let us never forget their courage and sacrifice
Article of Huey and its arrival at the Museum.
Note-Initial unit information on unit(s) that Navy personnel gave at the time was a guess based on its late manufacture date. Since then evidence have come to light that it was in;
--(Possibly VMO-2 or 5; as it was manufactured May 1968 and was most likely in some unit prior to next unit). Vietnam era Vets said many Hueys came from VMO-2. Curator was told verbally it was originally assigned to VMO-5. VMO-5 became HML-267 in March 1968. So could be either or maybe both. Still researching.
--HML-167, per Navy Archiest and surviving unit AARs April 1968-June 1971
--(Possibly HML-367) as most were sent to Japan from Vietnam when HML-167 departed, per verbal from unit Vets
--HML-776 per painted over tail boom & tail markings
--HT-18 is last painted tail boom markings over HML-776 markings on tail and cargo door markings
Note:
The Navy Archives has confirmed (as of Jan. 2018) that this particular helicopter was for its duration in Vietnam, assigned to HML 167.
Navy Archievest provided HML 167 history link
Pics of HML 167 Pop-a-Smoke
HML 167 Memorial Web Page
Details of its combat damage (Navel Safety Center Summary Data) in the Republic of Vietnam are included after these pictures for these 5 dates.
Below are the 5 Navel Safety Center Summary Dates and hot links to what we believed is the correlated After Action Report for the event
02/23/1969 3 hits by small arms fire while on unknown mission
02/24/1969 2 hits by small arms fire while on unknown mission
03/24/1969 1 hit by small arms fire while on unknown mission
02/08/1970 2 hits by small arms fire while on rescue recovery mission
06/16/1970 1 hit by small arms fire while on recon mission
A lot to go in restoration, but has come a long way.
HooAh and Semper Fi!
SSG Raymond Knox
Project Advisor and Lead Mechanic
If you wish to assist in donating your time, talent or money, please contact Museum Curator Bob McFarland.
mcfarcr@aol.com
(901) 355-5247
Note - Any money or parts donated to support the helicopter repairs, needs to go through the museum curator.
This is so it can be properly documented, as the museum is a nonprofit 501c3 organization.
Here are some before and after pictures from the 1st coat of paint recently put on it. As well as some of the many workers.
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Naval History and Heritage Command email response dtd JAN 2018
...For the dates you requested, our records verify that this particular helicopter was assigned for the duration to HML 167. For more information, see the information below (the full history is provided online at the link, http://www.mag29.marines.mil/MAG-29-Units/HMLA-167/About/ )
On 1 April 1968, at Marble Mountain Air Facility, Republic of Vietnam, Marine Light Helicopter Squadron-167 was commissioned. From commissioning date until June of 1971, HML-167 would participate in operations against communist forces in the Republic of Vietnam. Flying UH-1E's for the duration of its tenure in Vietnam, HML-167 achieved distinction with the following awards: Commanding General Third MAF "Outstanding Performance" (1968), Presidential Unit Citation with a Bronze Star, Meritorious Unit Citation with a Bronze Star, National Defense Service Streamer, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with a Palm, and the Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation. Additionally, on 21 June 1969, LtCol. T.F. Miller, the HML-167 Commanding Officer, dropped the first helicopter bomb. This was accomplished using the Helicopter Trap Weapon (HTW). In May 1971, HML-167 was the last operating helicopter squadron in the Republic of Vietnam. On 26 May 1971, the squadron held its official stand down in the Republic of Vietnam, concluding over 60,000 combat flight hours.
On 19 June 1971, HML-167 was transferred to MCAS(H) New River, Jacksonville, NC and became a part of MAG-26, 2d Marine Air Wing. On 15 June 1971, the last two aircraft in the Republic of Vietnam departed and flew aboard USS Dubuque.
In April of 1972, HML-167 received the Marine Corps' first UH-1N and became the primary UH-1N squadron for the Marine Corps. HML-167 acquired the additional responsibilities as training squadron and model manager for the UH-1N. On 16 May 1972, HML-167 was transferred to Marine Aircraft Group 29 at the same Air Station. The squadron performed the first coast to coast UH-1N flight in 1973...
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Below is an excerpt from a book written by HML-167 Marine Dave "Candy" Barr, while on a mission with Mike Swiatecki. It's a good book and a must read if your a Vet. Times and Wars change, but the stuff we go through is timeless.
“On the lighter side of things, we were flying in one of the more troubled spots, near the Qua Son Mountains, which were full of tunnels, bunkers, caves, and whatnot. As nothing was happening one day when we were flying out there, and we were impatient for something to begin, Mike Swiatecki got permission to shoot a water buffalo. There should have been no civilian population around there – the water buffalo obviously belonged to the VC, the NVA, or whoever was out there. Swiatecki shot the animal and lo and behold, the whole hillside lit up. There were people down there and they started shooting at us. There were a lot of bullets flying through the air – we really had done the wrong thing this time! The people there believed they could replace their wives and children more easily than they could a water buffalo. We had really fouled up the family prize possession, and this was a mighty big family. There were rounds and tracers flying everywhere and both our helicopters took hits that day.” (Page 130, Four Flags: The Odyssey of a Professional Soldier Volume 1 by Dave Barr)
NOTE
Editors take details out sometimes to make the reading flow better. Here is an interesting one. Per conversation with Mike Swiatecki in MAR 2018; there was a small explosion followed by a larger one. This was due to the water buffalo was hauling ammo for the enemy at the time.
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Here are five safety reports that go with this aircraft. That was researched by a Vietnam UH-1C US Army Crewchief from the 173rd.
***Note***
Information on U.S. Marine Corps helicopter UH-1E tail number 155345
Date: 02/23/1969
This was a Combat incident. This helicopter was REPAIRED IN THEATER This was an Unknown mission While Enroute this helicopter was at Level Flight at 1300 feet and 080 knots.
South Vietnam
Helicopter took 3 hits from:
Small Arms/Automatic Weapons; Gun launched non-explosive ballistic projectiles less than 20 mm in size.
The helicopter was hit in the Mid area
Systems damaged were: MAIN ROTOR SYS, STRUCTURE The helicopter Continued Flight.
The aircraft continued and accomplished all mission objectives.
Original source(s) and document(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Survivability/Vulnerability Information Analysis Center Helicopter database. Also: NSC (Naval Safety Center. ) Information on U.S. Marine Corps
Helicopter UH-1E tail number 155345
Date: 02/24/1969
This was a Combat incident. This helicopter was REPAIRED IN THEATER This was an Unknown mission While Enroute this helicopter was at Level Flight at 0800 feet and 100 knots.
South Vietnam
Helicopter took 2 hits from:
Small Arms/Automatic Weapons; Gun launched non-explosive ballistic projectiles less than 20 mm in size.
The helicopter was hit in the Passenger Cargo Section Systems damaged were: STRUCTURE The helicopter Continued Flight.
The aircraft continued and accomplished all mission objectives.
Original source(s) and document(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Survivability/Vulnerability Information Analysis Center Helicopter database. Also: NSC (Naval Safety Center. )
Information on U.S. Marine Corps helicopter UH-1E tail number 155345
Date: 03/24/1969
This was a Combat incident. This helicopter was REPAIRED IN THEATER This was an Unknown mission Unknown this helicopter was Unknown at UNK feet and UNK knots.
Vietnam unspecified
Helicopter took 1 hits from:
Small Arms/Automatic Weapons; Gun launched non-explosive ballistic projectiles less than 20 mm in size.
The helicopter was hit in the Aft area
Systems damaged were: STRUCTURE
The helicopter Continued Flight.
The aircraft continued and accomplished all mission objectives.
Original source(s) and document(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Survivability/Vulnerability Information Analysis Center Helicopter database. Also: NSC (Naval Safety Center. )
Information on U.S. Marine Corps helicopter UH-1E tail number 155345
Date: 02/08/1970
This was a Combat incident. This helicopter was REPAIRED IN THEATER This was a Rescue and Recovery mission for Rescue or Rescue Support , Medevac Escort.
While in Target Area this helicopter was Attacking at 0800 feet and 090 knots.
Vietnam unspecified
Helicopter took 2 hits from:
Small Arms/Automatic Weapons; Gun launched non-explosive ballistic projectiles less than 20 mm in size.
Systems damaged were: FLT CONTROLS
The helicopter Continued Flight.
The aircraft continued and accomplished all mission objectives.
Original source(s) and document(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Survivability/Vulnerability Information Analysis Center Helicopter database. Also: NSC (Naval Safety Center. )
Information on U.S. Marine Corps helicopter UH-1E tail number 155345
Date: 06/16/1970
This was a Combat incident. This helicopter was REPAIRED IN THEATER This was a Recon mission for Armed Escort While in Target Area this helicopter was Attacking at 0800 feet and 060 knots.
South Vietnam
Helicopter took 1 hits from:
Small Arms/Automatic Weapons; Gun launched non-explosive ballistic projectiles less than 20 mm in size. (7.62MM) The helicopter was hit in the Nose Systems damaged were: STRUCTURE The helicopter Continued Flight.
The aircraft continued and accomplished all mission objectives.
Original source(s) and document(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Survivability/Vulnerability Information Analysis Center Helicopter database. Also: NSC, JSIDR (Naval Safety Center. Joint Services Incident Damage Report. )