swash plate december 2012

December2012

• “President’sMessage” RobertFrost• “ThanksfromDr.RobMilhous” JayBrown• ”AfghanistanDefinesMarine” CPLMarkGarcia• “ACombatChristmas” CPTGinaGoris• “ReunionsandGatherings” • andmuch,muchmore!

Presenting!President’sMessageRobertFrost

If you are like me this is the mostspecialtimeoftheyearformanyreasons.Itis a special time to bewith our friends andlovedones. It is a time forover‐indulgencebecause with the coming new year we canresolve to do better with our “New Year’sResolutions”. But most importantly, it is atime for renewingour faith, our spirituality,and giving thanks for our good fortune ‐ tolive ina freeandgreatnation. Ourmembers, their lovedones,andtheirfriendswhoreadourmonthlynewsletterknowmorethanmostothersthatthe freedomandprosperityweallenjoyasAmericanscontinues tocome

fromavigilantandbravegroupofwarriors.Ourmilitaryhasprotectedusandpreservedthenationformorethan200years.JustoneexampleoftheAmericanspiritistheWWIIBattleoftheBulgeduringtheChristmasseason of 1944. I ran across this letter the other day and thought I would share it with you this holidayseason. It isGeneralMcAuliffe’s letter tohis troopswhowere surrounded inBastogne. Theywere vastlyoutnumbered,freezing,becauseoflackofwarmclothing,lowonammunition,andlowonfood.Nevertheless,theyheldonuntilPatton’sArmycouldreinforcethem.TheletterincludesthedemandforsurrenderbytheGermanCommander,andGeneralMcAuliffe’sfamousresponse.Hereitis:_____________________________________________________________________________________

Headquarters101stAirborneDivisionOfficeoftheDivisionCommander24December1944

What’sMerryaboutallthis,youask?We’refighting–it’scold–wearen’thome.AlltruebutwhathastheproudEagleDivisionaccomplishedwithitsworthycomradesofthe10thArmoredDivision,the705thTankDestroyerBattalionandalltherest?Justthis:Wehavestoppedcoldeverythingthathasbeenthrownatus fromtheNorth,East,SouthandWest. Wehave identifications fromfourGermanPanzerDivisions, twoGermanInfantryDivisionsandoneGermanParachuteDivision.Theseunits,spearheadingthelastdesperateGerman lunge,wereheaded straightwest for keypointswhen theEagleDivisionwashurriedlyordered tostemtheadvance.Howeffectivelythiswasdonewillbewritteninhistory;notaloneinourDivision’sglorioushistorybut inWorldhistory. TheGermansactually did surroundus. Their radiosblaredourdoom. Theircommanderdemandedoursurrenderinthefollowingimpudentarrogance.

HAPPYNEWYEARFROMCHPA

Volume 8, Issue 12 CHPA • The Swash Plate www.chpa-us.org

2

December22nd1944TotheU.S.A.CommanderoftheencircledtownofBastogne.

Thefortuneofwarischanging.ThistimetheU.S.A.forcesinandnearBastognehavebeenencircledby strong German armored units. More German armored units have crossed the river Ourthe nearOrtheuville,havetakenMarcheandreachedSt.HubertbypassingthroughHombresSibret‐Tillet.LibramontisinGermanhands.

There is only onepossibility to save the encircledU.S.A. Troops from total annihilation: that is thehonorable surrender of the encircled town. In order to think it over a term of two hourswill be grantedbeginningwiththepresentationofthisnote.

IfthisproposalshouldberejectedoneGermanArtilleryCorpsandsixheavyA.A.BattalionsarereadytoannihilatetheU.S.A.TroopsinandnearBastogne.Theorderforfiringwillbegivenimmediatelyafterthistwohoursterm.

All the seriouscivilian losses causedby thisArtillery firewouldnot correspondwith thewell knownAmericanhumanity.

TheGermanCommanderTheGermanCommanderreceivedthefollowingreply:22December1944TotheGermanCommander:NUTS!

AlliedTroopsarecounterattackinginforce. WecontinuetoholdBastogne. ByholdingBastogneweassurethesuccessoftheAlliedArmies.WeknowthatourDivisionCommander,GeneralTaylor,willsay:WellDone!

We are giving our country and our loved ones at home a worthy Christmas present and beingprivilegedtotakepartinthisgallantfeatofarmsaretrulymakingforourselvesaMerryChristmas.A.C.McAuliffe.TheAmericanCommander

Iamproudtohavewornmycountry’suniform.Isaluteallofourwarriorspastandpresentwhohave

answeredthecallwiththesameresolveasthosebravemenatBastogne.Mybestwishesgoouttoyouandyourlovedonesasyougivethanksthisholidayseason.HappyNew

YearandmayGodcontinuetoblesstheUnitedStatesofAmerica.


3

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

Sharethe“Swash”

ThanksfromDr.RobMilhousJayBrown

Twoof the guests present at the 2012Annual Conventionweremyson, Jay IIIandhis friendDr.RobMilhous. I’vehadthedistinctpleasureofgetting to knowRob,hiswife,Danaand their son, Lukeover the courseofmanyyears. AftertheConventionendedand I’dmademywaybacktothemountainsIreceivedthismessagefromRoband,ashesuggested,Ithoughtitwouldbegoodtoshareitwithyouall:

Heypops!Hopethingsaregoinggreatforyou,minusthefactthatour

Dawgsdidn'twin.JustwantedtoletyouknowthatIsincerelythankyouforallowingme

the opportunity to have been part of everything while inWashington, DC.AndwhateverIwritetoyouhere,pleasefeelfreetoshareitwithwhomeveryoulike.

Thebrotherhoodyouguysare foreverpartof is remarkable. Fromas farbackas I can remember Ialways wanted to have the same feelings of belonging. With that being said, it probably has its rootssomewhereofhavingcomefromabrokenhome.But,whoknowsreally.Iwasneveraffordedthehonorofservinginthemilitaryduetohealthreasonsthus,provingthatitisonlythosewhoarethestrongestthatareable to answer sucha calling. However, the stories fromyou, andall thoseotherbravemenandwomen,allowedmetolivethroughthemvicariously.

There isnotenoughpaper torecordthestoriesyouallhaveto tell. Yeteachandeveryoneofyoudeserveyourownbiographyinorderfortherestoftheworldtolearnfromtheselessonsofsuchselflessness.

I remember reading in college that what defines a person is the sum of his experiences. A hero issomeonewhoisadmiredfortheirexperiences,bravery,andnobility.Allofthesevirtuesshownbyyourself,andalltheothersIbefriendedthere,totalthesumofyouall.Andthatiswhatmakeseachandeveryoneofyoumyheroes.

Itwastrulyanhonortohavehadtheprivilegeofmerelysittinginthesameroomwiththemostinsane,anddistinguishedgroupofpeopleIhaveevermet.

Thankyou.Thankyoufromthebottomofmyheartonceagainfortheexperience.

PleaseconsidersponsoringCHPA’sprograms.YoumaymaketaxdeductibledonationstosupporttheGoldieFund,CHPA’sScholarshipprogram,theHolidayBoxesfortheTroops,T‐shirtsforHeroesortheAssociation.ForfurtherinformationpleaselookatSponsorshipatthewebsite,http://www.chpa‐us.org.

Sponsorship


4

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]


5

BeatingCombatStressJohnHenden

TheSkyBehindMeByronEdgington

Byron Edgington’s aviation memoir is filled with war stories not just fromcombatinVietnam,butfromhispersonalchallenges,pursuitofflyingjobsandfinallyhisstrugglewiththelossofmedicalclearanceandhisaviationcareer.

Edgingtonwrites firstof flying inVietnam. MeetLadyHookerandmakehersmile,hidebehindthecycliconcombatassaults,landinanLZ“likeabagfullofBuicklugnuts.”ComewithinaheartbeatofdeathafteralandinginLaos.

AfterthewarEdgingtontakesjobsfightingfires,spottingfish,chasingbearsinAlaska,countingpowerpoles, reporting trafficandcarryingspoiledVIPs. Climb intothe cockpit as the author flies 3,200 emergency patients: an old man too cold to

pronounce,afarmkidwhoshouldhavediedbutdidn’t,akidwithagunshotwhosemotherchangedthelaw,awomanwithasemiinherbackseat.Liftofftherooftoppadwiththeauthorat2a.m.minustenandfly100milesforadrunkwhocurseshim,threatenshimandthenpukesonhim. FlyacrossO’HareInternationalatpeaktraffictimeinaJetRanger,missawirehazardbytenfeet,getcaught inafogandflysidewaystogethome.FlyaroundKauai2,500times,thenloseamedicalandseeitallgoawayafter12,500hours.AvailableonAmazoninpaperback$17.95,andatSmashwords.comasanE‐bookfor$9.99.

BeatingCombatStress isaone‐stophandbookof field‐testedtechniquesandstrategies to help service personnel, veterans and professionals to deal with thepsychologicaleffectsofcombat.• Features101field‐testedtechniquesandstrategies formanagingcombat‐related

stress• Designedtobeaccessibleandusefulbothtoservingpersonnelandveterans,and

totheprofessionalsandvolunteerswhoareengagedinhelpingthem• Takes a solution‐focused approach to dealing with combat‐related problems,

promoting simplicity and proven techniques over complex theories andpsychologicaljargon

• User‐friendlystyleandlayout,withspecially‐commissionedillustrationsthroughoutJohnHendenisaninternationallyrenownedauthor,trainerandtherapist.PriortofoundingtheJohn

Henden Consultancy he worked in NHSmental health services for over 20 years, as both a manager andpractitioner. He is a member of the British Association of Counseling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and theauthorofPreventingSuicide(Wiley‐Blackwell,2008).

Buy now at 20% discount! 978‐0‐470‐97580‐3 Paperback 184 pages £24.99 / €32.90 £19.99 / €26.PleasequotepromotionalcodeHDN11whenplacingyourorder.www.wiley.com/psychology.


6

ConcludedonPage7

AfghanistanDefinesMarineCPLMarkGarcia

LTCJayM.Holtermann,commandingofficer,MarineHeavyHelicopterSquadron361,3rdMarineAircraftWing(Forward),fliesaCH‐53ESuperStallionduringOperationLundSafar,toCampRhino,Afghanistan,Dec.7,2012.HoltermannhasenjoyedbeingapilotsincebeingcommissionedandwasthefirstpilottolandaconventionalforceUnitedStatesMarineCorpshelicopterinAfghanistanatCampRhinoduring2001.

Before 9/11, LTC Jay Holtermann was unsurewhether he would continue his military career.Holtermann is currently serving on his sixthdeployment, this one as the commanding officer forMarine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361, 3rd MarineAircraftWing(Forward).

“9/11 changed the way I look at everything intheMarine Corps,” said Holtermann, fromGreen Bay,WI.“Ididn’tthinkIwasgoingtostayin.AllIhadseenwas training and that’s allweeverdid, but therewasneverreallytheenemy.After9/11though,everythingchangedwehadanactualenemy.It’sthereasonwhyalotofpeoplecameinandwhyalotofpeoplestayedin,andit’sthedefinitelythereasonthatIstayedin.”

Since getting commissioned, Holtermann hasenjoyed his time as aMarine and the opportunities ithasprovidedhim.

“BeingaMarinehasbeentheprimarysourceofmymotivationforthelast18yearsandhasprovidedmewithcountlessopportunitiestolivethelifeI’vewantedto,”Holtermannsaid.“TheMarineCorpshasgivenme farmore than I have been able to give back, and I couldn’t be happier aboutmy choice to become aMarine.”

ForHoltermann, thisdeploymentmarkshis first time returning toAfghanistansince thestartof thewar.HefirstcamehereaspartofaMarineExpeditionaryUnit,whichhadpreviouslybeenconductingtrainingexerciseswithvariouscountries.

“Iwaswiththe15thMEU.WewereinDarwin,Australia,during9/11whenwegotrecalledtotheshipaftertheaircrafthadstruckthesecondtower,”Holtermannsaid.“WefirstwenttotheNorthArabianSeaandparkedout there for a little time. Initiallywewere just runningmissions intoPakistan. At a certainpointthough,webecameaquickreactionforceforoneofthefirstassaultsthatwasgoingtobedonebythespecialoperations forces. I landed the first conventional force United States Marine Corps helicopter here inAfghanistanatCampRhino.”

WhileHoltermann’sfirstdeploymenttoAfghanistanwassignificant,hecountshiscurrentdeploymentasthemostfulfillingofhiscareer.

“Thisdeploymenthasfarexceededanyinthepast,largelybecauseIamfillingacommandbilletofacombat deployed flying squadron,” Holtermann said. “I countmyself very fortunate to be surrounded bymotivatedyoungMarineswhowanttofixandflyaircraft.Mydeploymentin2001wasimmenselyrewarding,butinadifferentway.Iwasayoungcaptain,andIwaspartofanoveralleffortthatwastransformationalforallofuswhoparticipated.WeexecutedOperationalManeuverFromtheSea,andwedidwhenitcounted.

Thevastmajorityofmypeersin2001arenowsquadroncommandingofficers,whichisatestamenttotheoveralllevelofqualitythatwehadaspartofthatMEU(AviationCombatElement).Ihavefoundmyotherdeployments to be rewarding aswell, but this one andthe2001standout.”


7

GoodThoughtsNeededJayBrown

BetweenAfghanistandeployments,Holtermannhashadtheopportunitytodeploytwiceto Iraqand

acted as the presidents’ pilot for four years. Holtermann noted the drastic change that has occurred inAfghanistansincehewaslasthere.

“Afghanistan is tremendously different. Whenwe first got here, therewere no (forward operatingbases), therewas no infrastructure and therewas no direct air support set up,” Holtermann said. “Quitefrankly,whenwefirstgotheretheflightsweresolongthatonlytheCH‐53ESuperStallioncouldflythem.Wedidn’thaveescorts,wefelta lotmoreoutandonthefringeandaloneasasectionofaircraftflyingaroundAfghanistanthen.Now,wehavearealfoothold.Itdoesn’tlooklikethesamecountryatall.”

Holtermannhaswantedtobeapilotissincehewasakid.“IgrewupinthatTopGungenerationwherebeingapilotwasaboutthecoolestthinginanymovieat

thetime,”Holtermannsaid.“SoIboughtintoithook,lineandsinker.TheMarineCorpshadanopportunity.ItwasjustcompletedumbluckonmypartthatIwalkedinattherighttime,andtheyhadaspotformeasapilot.”

During his current deployment, Holtermann tries to stay in touch with his loved ones as much aspossible.

“Iammarriedwithtwoyoungchildren,”Holtermannsaid.“LikemanydeployedMarines,Iamabletotakeadvantageofthesignificantadvancementsinconnectivitywiththehomefront.Ithinkwealldealwithitinourownway.Iprefertostayverypositiveinallcommunicationwithhome.”

Whiledeployed,Holtermannwill continuetoconduct flightswhilealso takingontheresponsibilitiesassociatedwithbeingasquadroncommander.“Thankfully,Igettoflyasmuchasanyofourpilots,”Holtermannsaid.“Iholdseveraladvanceddesignationsthatstillmakemeagoodfittoflyonanygivenday.IfIcanwrestleflighttimeawayfrommyyoungcaptains,youcanbetI’llbeflying.”

TheBoardofDirectorsrecentlylearnedthatourimmediatepastPresidentandcurrentChairmanoftheBoard,RheaRippeyhasbeenhospitalizedwithserioushealthproblems.Weareallsendingourprayersandgoodthoughtstohimandhiswife,Marianneforafullandcompleterecoveryandwe’reaskingforyoutojoininandkeepthembothinyourthoughtsand,shouldyoubesoinclined,inyourprayers.

Rhea,inadditiontoservingintheleadershiproleforCHPA,isaFoundingMemberandhasservedonthe Board of Directors since 2006. Rhea has always placed the growth and mission of CHPA ahead ofeverythingelse.SopleasejoinusinsendingourbestwishestoRheaandhisfamilyinthistimeofneed.

Thankyou.


8

CombinedTeamUruzganCSMJeffersonMoserpresentsregimentalsergeantmajorofthe7thBattalionRoyalAustralianRegimentTaskGroupWarrantOfficerClass1MichaelLandywithaChristmastreefromTrees‐4‐Branches.(PhotobyWO2AndrewHetherington)

ACombatChristmasCPTGinaGoris

More than 11 years into the war inAfghanistan, care packages continue to be apleasant reminder that soldiers serving atMultinational Base Tarin Kot are rememberedduringtheholidayseason.

More than 20 organizations have adoptedcoalition forces at MNB‐TK, sending various itemsfrom festive stockings to live Christmas trees. Thishasnotgoneunnoticedbythecommandgroup.

“It is extremely humbling that theseorganizationshavesentgiftsforourAustralianandUS soldiers,” CSM Jefferson Moser, 2nd ArmoredBrigadeCombatTeam,3rdInfantryDivisionsaid.

BevAnn Brevig, an Operation Shoeboxvolunteer,sentmorethan1,400Christmasstockingswith food, hygiene items, pens and paper tomakethetroopsholidayalittlemorecheerful.

“We are pleased to bring you these stockings in hopes to bring you some enjoyment through theholidays,”saidBrevig,“GodblessAmerica;Godblessyouandyourfamily.”

Trees‐4‐Branches also helped soldiers get in the Christmas spiritwhen they sent Christmas trees inmemoryoftheirAustralianfriendswhopassed.

“I am dedicating these trees to pay tribute to Australians and the service that they provide,” DaveKohler,Trees‐4‐Branchesvolunteer,said.

“Wearehonoredtoacceptthesegiftsonbehalfofthemenandwomenwhoservehere,”saidMichaelLandy, regimental sergeant major warrant officer class one, 7th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment TaskGroup.

SoldiersappreciateeverythingthattheyreceivebecauseitmakestheirChristmasalittlemorefestiveevenwhiletheyareincombat.


9

SubmitYourPhotos!

CHPAhasagrowingcollectionofphotos,fromflightschoolclasspictureslikethese,toactionphotostohelicoptershotsfromaroundtheworld…IfyouwouldliketocontributetothecollectionpleaseuploadyourphotosbyfollowingthelinksontheCHPAwebsiteorclickhere!


10

ReunionsandGatherings

Areyouplanningareunionoreventthatmaybeofinteresttoourmembers?Letushelpyougetthewordoutandsupportveteransgroupsofallsizesandlocations.JustsendamessagewiththeinformationtoHQ@chpa‐us.org.Ifyouhavealogo,sendthatalongaswell.

Besuretoincludeaccuratecontactandregistrationinformationandwe’lltakecareoftherest.

ATroop,1/9Cavalry,1AirCavDivisionApache Troop, 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry, 1st Air Cavalry Division will host itsannual reunion at the South Lake Tahoe Embassy Suites. Check in will beSunday, August 25, 2013 with a final Memorial Service and departure onThursday,August29,2013.Thisreunionisforallformermembers,familiesandhonoredguests. Specialemphasis isforenlistedpersonnelregardlessofflightstatusorposition.ContactJeffCromaratapachetroopreunion2013@gmial.comor817‐647‐5213formoreinformation.

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, 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?


11

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–RichMiller RandyJones Faxus!admin@chpa‐us.org RJones@chpa‐us.org 719•687•4167VPMembership–RustyBourgoyne RandyZahn Writeus!membership@chpa‐us.org RZahn@chpa‐us.org CHPA

POBox42Secretary–MickTesanovich JimFerguson Divide,CO80814‐0042secretary@chpa‐us.org JFerguson@chpa‐us.orgTreasurer–LorenMcAnally JohnFore Remember!Treasurer@chpa‐us.org JFore@chpa‐us.org Feelfreetocontact usanytime.ExecutiveDirector–JayBrown HQ@chpa‐us.org

swash plate december 2012

Documents