H A W K S' T A L K
-------------------
Monthly newsletter published by the Information Office of the 73d
Aviation Company (AS), APO 96291, Major Eckols L. Shedden,
Commanding.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Vol 1 No. 3 "The Warriors" 15 November 67
-----------------------------------------------------------------
HAWKS' TALK IS GROWING
Our mailing list is multiplying like rabbits turned loose in
a carrot patch. But, we've got a big carrot patch. If you, our
readers, know former warriors who are not receiving personal
copies of "Hawks' Talk," tell them we're waiting to receive their
mailing addresses. A simple postcard will do the trick.
Remember, "Hawks Talk" is intended to provide current unit
information for Warriors worldwide; it is a means by which
information, ideas, and events can be shared by all Warriors.
Drop us a line with your contribution.
***
SCOREBOARD
During the month of October, Warriors flew 554 sorties while
completing 956 missions for total of 970 flying hours.
MISSIONS
Visual 299
Photo 169
Red Haze 165
Slar 255
Admin 33
Training 35
***
WARRIORS SALUTE A JOB WELL DONE
Quick thinking and raw courage saved the day when SP5
Gilbert LaChappelle reacted to an emergency near the Maintenance
hanger. On the 30th of October, he was monitoring a Hawk engine
start when a fuel "O" ring ruptured and began to spray JP4 onto
the hot turbine engine. To further complicate matters, the engine
could not be shut down from the cockpit due to a faulty topping
governor. LaChappelle immediately mounted the wing, disconnected
the push-pull rod on the conditioning lever of the fuel control,
and placed the lever in the fuel off position while he was
continually sprayed with JP4. His actions prevented tragedy and
have gained the professional respect and sincere congratulations
of all Warriors.
***
73D EAST SAYS HELLO
The majority of instructors in the OV-1 Transition Flight at
Fort Rucker are former Warriors. Labeling themselves the 73d East
are Majors Quisenberry, Standridge, and Parker and Captains
Stienbaugh, Griswold, Bryan, and Earnest. Keep up the good work,
gentlemen; we're waiting for you to replace us.
***
DEPARTURES
CPT Chapman Ft. Benning
ARRIVALS
CPT Paul Piper SLAR Platoon
2LT Art Palaia II
***
SLAR PLATOON SHOWS IMAGINATION
Members of the SLAR Platoon have solved the problem of
excessive glare from the RO-166 Recorder-Processor Viewer. When
the RO-166 is used at night without its visor, a definite safety
hazard presents itself due to glare. If the RO-166 visor is used,
it inhibits use of the radar by the pilot as a navigational aid.
The SLAR Platoon now uses a 16" x 30" olive drab piece of canvass
draped over the raised observation window. This procedure greatly
reduces cockpit glare without depriving the pilot use of the
radar screen when desired. It also allows the observer to use the
bright mode of viewer illumination improving early identification
of targets as they appear.
***
NEWS BITS
On many Sunday afternoons, you'll find the 73d Warriors
reenacting the "Battle of the Bulge" on the sands of the back
beach - officers versus EM in teeth clattering touch football. We
won't discuss results of bruises!
The Hawks Roost welcomed two new residents in October - Bob
Brown and Dave Graham, flight surgeons in the 222d Bn. Warriors
couldn't get better medical coverage if they had Blue Cross.
"Hawks' Talk" received a kind hello from Major Dave Clark.
He's in his glory working on the "super sniffer" at Aberdeen
Proving Grounds. When last seen, Dave was strapped to the belly
of a Hawk inhaling the Maryland countryside.
***
THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH
Happiness is - a precautionary night landing in your OV-1C
Mohawk because a strange glow is illuminating the cockpit from
the rear sensor compartment as seen from the perforations in the
bulkhead to your left rear and subsequent discovery that you've
left the taxi light on and it has been reflecting into the sensor
compartment from the nose wheel well because the splash shield
has been removed from the rear of the well - gasp!