Do

YOU

Have

Any unit pictures or

patches, old or current,

laying around that you‟d

like to put to good use?

Send them to us at:

CHPA

PO Box 15852

Washington, DC 20003

We‟ll put

them on

display at

such

venues as

Quad-A, Heli-Expo and

the VHPA reunion!

Hi guys!

I hope this finds you all well! As usual,

we‟ve been working hard on lots of great things for our CHPA members. Our participation at Quad-A

last month was a huge success. We welcomed many new members (THANK YOU!) and visited

with lots of current members. While there, CHPA was recognized by the Texas National Guard for

our contributions and support. Special thanks to Mrs. Christine Gilbreath who has been wonderful to work with and thanks to COL MacGregor and the TX NG for taking the time to say

thanks! On behalf of CHPA, I can say it was a true honor! We‟ve also been working to finalize the agenda for our Annual

meeting in New Orleans. Our friend, Mrs. Teresa Wright, has graciously taken the time to assemble an informative article on must-see locations

and interesting things to do in New Orleans. LTC and Mrs. Wright have generously offered to meet us for a leaders‟ recon in August, after I get back from Haiti, so we should have even more good ideas on things to do.

Be sure to make your hotel reservation now! The deadline for getting the CHPA special rate is August 23!

Next up for CHPA is the VHPA Annual Reunion in San Diego. I was very much looking forward to attending, but my calendar has filled up

and I‟m afraid I may not be able to make it after all. Currently I am flying missions in support of the oil spill response down in the Gulf of Mexico.

VHPA is June 30th to July 5th and I will be there if I can! I hope

you‟ll come by and bring a friend who hasn‟t yet heard of CHPA. By the way, the offer still stands to any members who are interested in helping us

with the CHPA booth at VHPA. We‟d love to share the ultimate, rotary-wing aviation experience that is VHPA with our current generation of

warriors. It‟s a must-see in this lifetime kind of event! As always, keep the great suggestions coming. Currently we are

looking at ways to expand the CHPA store, as well as ways to share the

word about CHPA with aviators in other branches, and we always welcome your good ideas!

Best Regards from sunny LA!

Lori G.

• “Favorite New Orleans Places”

by Teresa Wright

• “Forty-Three Year Career Ends”

from Aero-news.net

• “Upcoming Reunions Info”

• “2010 Army Ball”

by Robert Frost

• “Annual Meeting Status”

by Jay Brown

and much, much more!

Issue #: [Date]

Presenting!

(Continued)

1

May 2010

CHPA President

Hi guys!

Hope this finds you all well! As usual, we‟ve been working hard on lots of great

things for our CHPA members. We had Quad-A last month and

it was a huge success. We welcomed many new members

(THANK YOU!) and visited with lots of current members. While there, CHPA was

recognized by the Texas National Guard for our

contributions and support. Special thanks to Mrs. Christine

Gilbreath who has been wonderful to work with and thanks to COL MacGregor and

the TX NG for taking the time to say thanks! On behalf of CHPA,

I can say it was a true honor!

We‟ve also been working to finalize the agenda for our

Annual Meeting in New

Orleans. One of my friends, Mrs. Theresa Wright, has

generously taken the time to assemble an informative article

on must-see locations and interesting things to do in New Orleans. LTC and Mrs. Wright

have generously offered to meet us for a leaders‟ recon in August,

after I get back from Haiti, so we should have even more good

ideas on things to do. Be sure to make your hotel reservation now! The deadline for getting

the CHPA special rate is August 23!

Next up for CHPA is

2

Volume 5, Issue 5 CHPA • The Swash Plate

We‟re having the CHPA Annual Meeting in New Orleans this fall? What an

awesome location! St. Christopher‟s is a great property, located within walking distance to everything. Good location, great rooms with plenty of history, ambiance

and charm. Dinner jazz cruises in the evening showcase the city from the river, including a

good view of Jackson Barracks. Of course the WWII museum is a great stop, and there will be plenty of time for a visit there. The WWII Museum is literally across the street from the Confederate Museum and around the corner from the Children‟s Museum.

From that part of town you‟re a bus or trolley ride to the Audubon Park and Zoo ... across the street from Tulane University. The zoo was once ranked sixth in the nation, (pre-Katrina). Be sure to

take the train ride for the quick overview. Check and see if the orangutan has a volleyball with which to play with the crowd ... he throws it out of his enclosure and waits for you to throw it back! Check out the

giant bamboo near the South American cats and notice the angle at which they‟re now growing … they used to be straight up and down but Katrina blew them over and they‟ve stayed at a 45-degree angle. Take a meal break in the swamp … good food, and let the kids climb monkey hill. Some kids go in their

swimsuit so they can play in the fountain that runs down the hill. If you do your research you‟ll find that this was built in the 30‟s to show the children what a hill was!

There is a zoo cruise that will take you from the zoo to the aquarium. From the aquarium it‟s an easy walk back to Jackson square. Both the zoo

and the aquarium have great Katrina stories. The trolley ride from the Aquarium to the French Market is a nice

relaxing ride. French Market is loads of fun ... put on your shopping shoes

and plan to hunt for bargains. Be sure to stop for a drink at Margaritaville ... and look for the chess master who sets up on the street corner. How often do

you get to play chess against an international master? He‟ll even give mini lessons. Oh, and if you‟re walking from Jackson square to the French

Market ... stop at the candy shops for samples! There are some cute toys stores for the kids to browse here too.

Everyone says to shop on Royal … but the girls and I prefer Jackson

square. We always have to hit the doll shop, the linen store, the kite store and the toy store. However there‟s a neat autograph shop on Royal I like to

browse too ... and a neat apothecary museum that we still haven‟t been too, but it‟s on our list.

Too bad the Sanger theater hasn‟t been restored after the storm ... y‟all could catch a show in what was a gorgeous theatre. However, Preservation Hall Jazz band, next to Pat‟s is a must see. (Watch your back, benches only – bring the kids to Preservation Hall ... great music.) Bourbon Street during the day is

fine for the kids. Of course sundown is a different story. (Yes there are ads for the girlie shows ... my son learned which side of the street to look at in order to avoid an eyeful he didn‟t care for … no harm done.)

Remember to stop at Café Du Monde … anytime. Take the kids to the window in the back courtyard ... for a little surprise show. Have a pocket of change for the street performers and if you ever

forget where you “got your shoes” read the street signs! (SMILE at the people with clipboards and handfuls of baseball caps ... their spiel is just annoying ... a ticket for being a party pooper and a $20 hat? Take off bud.) Looking for

souvenirs? From Café Du

New Orleans … My Favorite Places By Teresa Wright

Concluded on page 3

Jackson Square

Teresa Wright

3

Volume 5, Issue 5 CHPA • The Swash Plate

Monde, walk toward the aquarium for the typical cheap trinket stuff and the t-shirts, of course. Jax

brewery has the pricey stuff. I like the freebie sites myself ... for example from Café Du Monde, walk up the stairs to the

Washington Artillery cannon. You‟ll see a postcard view of the cathedral and park. And the Cabildo ... where the Louisiana Purchase was signed! If that doesn‟t make a history buff‟s heart flutter I don‟t know what would! From that point, put your back toward the square and go down the stairs into the parking lot

... across the lot, up the levee, onto the riverwalk ... and now ... down the wooden steps. One of only two places I‟ve found where you can easily stick your feet into the Mississippi river. Sit and watch the water

for a while ... The Big Muddy drains how much of the US? How many days ago was that water in which state? OK, so you might be sharing a step with a native hobo washing out his socks, but they‟re usually

harmless ... and often entertaining. Check and see if there are any concerts in the cathedral ... beautiful building, great sounds. We watched the Navy Band perform there and again further down the riverwalk

where the world Fair was held in ‟84.

Still have money? The carriage rides are pricey but loads of relaxing fun. Some drivers are all story and some are all history. Take note of where Jean Lafitte‟s Blacksmith shop is ... that‟s worth going back

for a drink. Now, some like the cemetery tours. Once was enough for me – creepy. Then there‟s a house of voodoo tour ... I haven‟t worked up the nerve for that yet.

Remember … food, food, food! Sure there‟s the Court of Two Sisters (touch the gates for the gift of charm ... great Sunday jazz brunch … the kids love it!), and Palace Café and Commander‟s Palace (men, wear your JACKET … not just a tie), and Two Jacks, and NOLA and Emeril‟s, but I like the mom and

pop hole in the wall places ... like Mother‟s Restaurant, and some sub shop down Pirate‟s Alley … and Erin Rose for an evening drink … and the Acme Oyster house … yum!

Oh! And if parents want to go out in the evening without the kids, Dependable Kid Care is wonderful; nannies who come to your hotel. Or you can check with the hotel concierge for other options.

There‟s plenty more! You could perhaps arrange a tour of the Old Mint. I used to send people to see the Streetcar named Desire ... but she washed away in the Katrina floods. Take a taxi or drive to Jackson Barracks if you can arrange a tour. And the 1812 battleground is nearby. Of course we always

drive by Fats Domino‟s house when we visit Jackson Barracks. Now, we haven‟t even considered swamp tours, fishing trips, City Park, or Metairie Cemetery‟s

monument to the Washington Artillery. Nor did I mention the local sporting events ... or the IMAX at the aquarium.

Wear comfortable shoes and clothes. Expect rain. Carry a water bottle. Carry change. If you get lost ... put your back to the river, the quarter runs from the River to Armstrong Park, and from Canal on your left to Esplanade on your right. Enjoy!

The Swash! [ Call For Articles ] We all hope you enjoy your newsletter! We work to find articles of interest for our very diverse

membership ranging from human interest to humor and wonderful war stories of helicopter pilots and

crewmembers’ daring do. Our most entertaining and informative stories come from you, our membership. 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 JBrown@chpa-us.org or through the US Post Office to:

CHPA • PO Box 15852 • Washington, DC 20003

4

Volume 5, Issue 5 CHPA • The Swash Plate

When CWO Herb Dargue joined the Army as a

helicopter pilot, the Beatles' "Penny Lane" topped the charts, the UH-1C Huey was the hottest "chopper" flying, and actor William Shatner was "Star Trek's" Captain Kirk on prime time

TV. Forty-three years and 21,000 flying hours later, Dargue made his last flight as a military aviator Friday. He's capping a

career that has included a year in Vietnam, another year in Iraq, and service in the active Army, Army Reserve, and New

York Army National Guard.

"It's the end of an era for this flight facility and this unit," said Army LTC Mark Slusar, commander of the 3rd

Battalion, 142nd Assault Helicopter Battalion. "The lessons and the experience this guy can pass on will be greatly missed." The unit plans to mark Dargue's last flight, after more than 5,300 hours of military

flight time with a fire truck salute and the traditional champagne soaking when he steps out of a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter for the last time.

For Herb Dargue, flying is in the blood. His grandfather, also named Herbert Dargue, became an Army pilot in 1913, and received the first Distinguished Flying Cross. Two weeks after the attack on Pearl Harbor, he was flying to Hawaii to assume command of some Army units based there when he died in a

plane crash. Dargue's father, Donald, was a B-17 bomber pilot in World War II, was shot down, spent time as a German prisoner of war, and then went on to serve in the Strategic Air Command.

Dargue ended up flying Army helicopters because the Air Force wanted him to have a college degree, and back in 1967 the Army didn't care. "I went to the recruiter's office in Patchogue, NY," he

recalled. "I walked in the Air Force door and said, 'I want to fly.' They said, 'Do you have a college degree?' I was a young punk, 19 years old. I didn't want to finish college. I went next door to the Army, and they signed me up."

In 1968, Dargue went to Vietnam where he flew Hueys for six months with the 3rd Squadron, 17th Air Cavalry, and then six months with a VIP transport unit. He left active duty in 1970 and joined an

Army Reserve aviation unit, flying everything from tiny OH-23 observation helicopters to the CH-47 Chinook. At the same time, he pursued a career as a civilian pilot, flying traffic report helicopters and

charters of all kinds, before winding up in Iran in 1977, training Iranian army helicopter pilots. That job lasted for two years until the Islamic revolution. He and the other contractors were evacuated. "We were

in the heat of battle getting out of that place," Dargue said.

He moved back to New York in 1980, went to work for Island Helicopter Corp., and joined the New York Army National Guard helicopter unit at MacArthur Airport here. Since then, he has also

flown for Thompson Industries and most recently Lehmann Brothers, while continuing to fly helicopters with the New York Army National Guard.

In 2005, he deployed to Iraq as part of the 42nd Combat Aviation Brigade. As an aviation liaison officer, he worked in the 42nd Infantry Division Tactical Operations Center in Tikrit, tracking Army flights across an area of Iraq the size of West Virginia. With the 3/142nd deployed to Iraq in 2008 and

2009, Dargue got an extension on his retirement date because the New York Army National Guard needed experienced helicopter pilots at home, too.

His years of experience flying in New York City's congested airspace have made him an invaluable asset to every pilot at the Long

Island Army Aviation Support

Army Aviator Ends 43-Year Career www.aero-news.net

Concluded on page 5

CWO Herb Dargue

5

Volume 5, Issue 5 CHPA • The Swash Plate

Facility, said Slusar, his battalion commander. "He just gave me my New York City orientation last

week," Slusar said. "He told me what was going to happen before the tower would tell us." Flying around New York is tricky, because there

are so many aircraft and so many airports, he explained. "You have to have exact procedures. Otherwise, it creates chaos."

In his years as an Army pilot he's seen plenty of change, Dargue said. The UH-60 has two engines,

while the UH-1 had just one. And Huey navigation, he said, was all dead-reckoning and looking out the window and back at the map. Now, pilots have scrolling electronic maps that tell them where they are.

And in combat now, helicopters always fly in pairs. "You're never out there by yourself; you always have a wingman," Dargue said. "In a lot of operations in Vietnam, you'd be out there by yourself

all alone." Leaving the Army after so many years is "bittersweet," Dargue said. He said he has loved military

flying and the camaraderie, but he knows it's time to leave. "All my peers have gotten out," Dargue said.

"It has a different atmosphere to it. The Vietnam vets, they were just a little crazier than the generation nowadays, a little more fun. They're a little more business-like now. The atmosphere is not the same."

CHPA News!

Are you looking for current news related to

the military and helicopters, as well as

breaking news from CHPA? Weekly, we

update the News under the About Us tab at

www.chpa-us.org:

Click here for Current Aviation News

CHPA’s Web site offers many features that

can only be viewed by members once they

have logged into the system. Please

remember to login, and to review and

update your online profile from time to

time! If you forget your username or

password, request it by contacting

HQ@chpa-us.org.

Reminder!

Share the “Swash” …

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

Please consider sponsoring CHPA's programs. You may make tax free donations to support the Blaise ‘N’ a Trail for Education Scholarship program, the Holiday Boxes for the Troops or the association. For further information please look at Sponsorship at the website www.chpa-us.org.

Sponsorship

6

Volume 5, Issue 5 CHPA • The Swash Plate

1st Squadron, 9th Calvary Reunion

The 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry will hold

its 2010 Reunion October 7-10, 2010 in Columbus, GA.

For more details and registration see the Bullwhip Squadron Association website at

http://www.bullwhipsquadron.org/. For any questions you may have contact

Larry Wright, larryw9thcav6566@aol.com or 812. 871.8642

1st Attack Helicopter Battalion, 24th Aviation Brigade Reunion

The 1-24th AHB Vipers will be holding a reunion in Savannah, GA, October 15-17, 2010. If

anyone is a former 1-24th Viper and wants to attend, send your information to viperreunion@gmail.com. Please include your name, e-mail (civilian

preferably), address and phone. Look forward to seeing everyone!

Viper 249 Barry Thomason

256.842.5140 Office

270.268.6014 Cell 256.313.3208 Fax

D Troop, 2/4th Calvary Reunion

It‟s been forty years but who‟s counting, for a group of Vietnam helicopter pilots who first met on German soil beginning in 1969 following at

least one tour in Vietnam, if not more. Veteran and proven pilots all, they started this small unit almost from scratch and within 90 days had 100% fill of personnel and equipment. Sixty days later they were in the field taking their first

Army Training Test. It was some 30 months following that the unit concluded what was to become the historic “Ansbach Test.” This was the first major and

documented helicopter versus tank war exercise conducted within the Army until that time. Much was written about the Sky Raiders of the 2/4th Cav, their

lessons learned and ultimate outcomes which resulted in the development of helicopter versus tank war tactics, many of which remain in use today.

The Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA) Annual Reunion is the first attempt to reunite these men and their families since they went their separate ways beginning in 1971. Not unlike their RVN experiences, strong

bonds and friendships were formed between unit members. These friendships and bonds were shared with the pilots within the adjacent aviation community. These „Friends of D

Troop‟ played an important role in the mission and success of that organization and in the positive results of this most important exercise. The same can be said for their family members as well.

The pilots and families of D Troop, 2/4th Armored Calvary, 4th Armored Division (Ansbach, Germany) and their Bavarian buddies and spouses, „Friends of D Troop‟, from adjacent units are invited to join us at our mini-reunion in San Diego during the VHPA Annual Reunion. For more information

your points of contact are J. T. Severin at jtseverin@hotmail.com or Dick 'Bear' Beardsley at ullibear1@comcast.net.

Upcoming Reunions

7

Volume 5, Issue 5 CHPA • The Swash Plate

2010 Army Ball Invitation Celebrate America's Army, The Strength of the Nation and our 235 years of service by attending

the 2010 US Army Birthday Ball Saturday, June 12th at the Gaylord National Hotel & Convention Center, Washington, DC. The US Army Birthday Ball is designed to honor the service and sacrifice our

soldiers, families, veterans, retirees and Army civilians make every day, and is a time to reflect on the proud history and heritage of our Nation.

The event is open to all active duty, National Guard, Reserve, Department of the Army Civilians, Army Government Contractors, family members, retirees, veterans and invited guests. Reserve your tickets early for an elegant evening of dining, dancing, and entertainment!

CHPA Secretary, Robert Frost, has reserved a table for CHPA and invites you to join him as his

guest. There are still limited seats available. Contact Robert at secretary@chpa-us.org and provide him

your name if you‟re interested in attending this most prestigious event.

General Information

Time: Saturday, June 12, 2010 5 pm to 1 am.

Location: Gaylord National Hotel and Convention Center.

For directions visit: http://www.gaylordhotels.com/gaylord-national/.

Entertainment: The Master of Ceremonies is Mr. Donald Tison, Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff, G-8. The main entertainment of the evening will be Trace Adkins. A long-time supporter of the U.S.

military, Adkins has traveled to Iraq and Afghanistan where he and his band, in partnership with the USO, performed for more than 10,000 United States military personnel. Adkins performed his highlight

"Til the Last Shot's Fired" at the 44th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards with the West Point Glee Club in support of the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP). The song "Til the Last Shot's Fired," from

Adkins' 10th album X, looks at military history and personal sacrifice. The Volunteers will follow Trace Adkins. The Volunteers is the U.S. Army's premier touring show

band. They have played in all 50 states and cover events ranging from Mardi Gras to major sporting

events. They play a blend of popular American music that includes rock „n‟ roll, standards, jazz and patriotic music.

Attire: • Military: Dress Blues/Dress Mess/Class A with white shirt and bow tie (or equivalent for other

services).

• Civilians: Formal Evening Wear/Black Tie.

Check-In: The night of the Ball, check-in will be required at either the Gaylord and/or the shuttle service.

For those choosing bus transportation from the Pentagon, busses will be ready to begin boarding at 4 pm at the lower-tier Pentagon Metrobus Lot (adjacent to Pentagon METRO) and at 5 pm at the Gaylord Level Lobby. A government issued photo ID such as a military ID or driver's license

(with photo) will be required in order to check in. Each attendee must present their electronic ticket and photo IDs that must match the name on the attendee's ticket. Please allow additional

time for required security screening.

Parking: Free parking is available at the Pentagon. Hotel parking is available at $16 per vehicle. Additional parking will be available at nearby parking garages for $11 per vehicle.

Shuttle Transportation: Free shuttle service from the Pentagon to the Gaylord will be provided for the Army Birthday Ball

attendees. The shuttles will Concluded on page 8

8

Volume 5, Issue 5 CHPA • The Swash Plate

depart every 10 minutes from the lower-tier Pentagon Metrobus Terminal beginning at 4:20 pm.

PLEASE NOTE: All attendees must be at the lower-tier Pentagon Metrobus Terminal by 5:40 pm in order to catch the shuttle to the Gaylord in time for opening ceremonies at 6:30 pm. The last bus will depart the Pentagon for the hotel at 6 pm. Return bus service to the Pentagon will begin after

the Trace Adkins performance at approximately 10 pm and will continue until 1 am.

Safe Ride Home Program: For those guests who need a safe ride home (within a 25 mile radius) a taxi

service from Pentagon Metro or Gaylord will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, from 10 pm until 1:15 am.

Professional Photography: Professional photography services will be available onsite until 9 pm. Please note that pictures will not be distributed the night of the ball. All pictures may be previewed and purchased online at a later date. Pricing and website details will be provided by the photographer

onsite.

Personal Belongings: All personal belongings should be in your possession at all times.

Somehow over the course of time, as happens with organizations whose members tend to move frequently due to job changes or reassignments, we‟ve lost contact with some of our members. We‟d love to re-establish contact and continue to provide support and a venue for staying in touch with friends we‟ve

shared so much with. If you know any of the following folks, please let them know we‟re trying to get in touch. Ask them to give us a call at 800.832.5144.

Chris Armbrust

James Cahill Gregory Coker Christopher Ezell

Craig Francis

Michael Miller

James Muckleroy Michael J. Rogers Michael P. Spain

Stephen Weaver

CHPA‟s Generous Corporate Sponsors

• Marpat Aviation

• Robertson Aviation

• Greater Las Vegas Property Management

• M1 Support Services

• AM Air Services

• DS2 Defense Support Services

Members Missing In Action

9

Volume 5, Issue 5 CHPA • The Swash Plate

CHPA Member, Chuck Canfield, recently visited the folks at American Huey 369, in Peru, IN. American Huey 369 has a couple of

UH-1s that they bring to local gatherings. If you have any questions or are interested in having these old war horses (the aircraft, not the people) at your event visit them at http://www.americanhuey369.com.

The Combat Helicopter Pilots Association‟s Annual Meeting is on schedule for September 24th-

26th in New Orleans, LA. There are several people doing the “grunt work” that is necessary to put an event of this magnitude together. We hope you‟ve marked your calendar and are making your plans to

join us in “The Big Easy.” A special thank you is due for Rusty and Lynn Bourgoyne. Rusty is one of our Directors and he and his lovely wife Lynn have become the face of CHPA whenever we bring our booth

to conventions such as Quad-A, HAI‟s Heli-Expo and the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association‟s Annual reunion. When we see you in New Orleans please extend a warm thank you to these hard working members.

While it may seem there are a few weeks to go and plenty of time to finalize your lodging plans for the Annual Meeting, remember that hotel

reservations have to be made separately from the meeting registration. The

deadline for the special rate of $79 per night is August 23rd so now is the time to secure your room reservation and the special rate. The best way to

make your hotel reservation is to contact the St. Christopher hotel directly at 504.648.0444. Be sure to tell them you‟re attending the Combat Helicopter

Pilots Association Annual Meeting. The hotel is located at 114 Magazine Street, quite literally a few steps from the French Quarter and the

entertainment center of New Orleans. In the next few days we‟ll finalize the schedule of events and will

have the registration forms available online or for download. Based on my

extensive personal experience and numerous visits to New Orleans I know the food, entertainment opportunities and good times will seem limitless. In

addition to the usual New Orleans fare, the world champion New Orleans Saints will host the Atlanta

Falcons at the Superdome on Sunday, September 26th. If you‟re interested in attending this game let us

know and we‟ll look into getting block tickets for CHPA attendees. If you need to contact us for anything we‟re available to help. Give us a call at 800.832.5144 or

email us at HQ@chpa-us.org. We always look forward to hearing from our members.

2010 CHPA Annual Meeting News Jay Brown

The Saint Christopher Hotel

Contact CHPA

E-Mail: HQ@chpa-us.org Toll Free: 800.832.5144

Office: 719.687.4131 FAX: 719.687.4167

Chuck Canfield