Rattler/Firebird Home Page

Welcome to the snakepit! This is the home page of the Rattlers and Firebirds of Company A/501st Aviation Battalion, 71st Assault Helicopter Company, 151st Transportation Detachment, and the 94th Signal Detachment. We served in Vietnam from 1964 until 1971, moving from our original base at Bien Hoa to Chu Lai in 1967.

Firebirds attacking

Rattler & Firebird Names

The radio call signs “Rattler” and “Firebird” were used by our aircraft during our service in Vietnam. “Rattler” was used by our UH-1D & H helicopters that carried troops, supplies, ammunition, performed command and control, combat assault, medical evacuation and insertion/extraction missions, as well as many others. The call sign “Firebird” was used by our UH-1B, C & M gunships, some of the most feared gunships in all of Vietnam. You can find more about the call signs and where they came from on our history page.

The Association

The Rattler/Firebird Association has no political agenda. We simply provide a means to stay in touch with those who share our experiences. If you served with us, or with anyone else during the Vietnam conflict and nobody has told you this already, we'd like take this opportunity to say, “Welcome Home!”

What's New?

Here are the most recent changes to our site:

Coming Soon: The 2012 Rattler/Firebird Reunion is coming soon. The deadline for reservations has now passed, but late reservations are accepted on a space available basis with a non refundable $10 per person late fee.. Hope to see you in New Orleans!
Added photos: Added a page to our photo gallery for Mike Seely's pictures. Mike was a Forward Air Controller (FAC), call sign Aloft 22.
Added photos: Added a page to our photo gallery for Larry Walters' Pictures. Larry was a crew chief with the Iowa National Guard that ended up with a couple of our aircraft.
Added Name to Taps Page: Added Frank Grosso to the list of Men Who Have Died Since Serving With Us
Added Name to Taps Page: Added Sallvatore Lebalbo to the list of Men Who Have Died Since Serving With Us
Added Name to Taps Page: Added James Dixon to the list of Men Who Have Died Since Serving With Us

Director's Corner

April 16, 2012-RATTLERS and FIREBIRDS - If you are putting off making reservations, remember that on May 11th is when our block of rooms ends. Also late fees will apply after that date on your registration with Military Reunion Planners. This is 25 days from today. On the reunion reservation form, please note that a fish dinner option has been added to the beef and chicken banquet meal.

Due to some unforseen problems, LTC Bruce Crandall will not be able to attend our reunion. Joe Galloway has aggreed to step in for him. Joe gave a knockout speech in 2006 in San Antoino, but most of it was drowned out from next door. This will not happen again.

Our November newsletter was mailed on Friday, December 23rd. IMPORTANT: The reunion reservation form in the newsletter has the banquet meals listed at $45 each. This is incorrect. Mark through it and change it to $36 each. Gary White will be posting the corrected newsletter on this site.

Reservations may now be made for our reunion next June. The dates are Wednesday, June 20th to Sunday, June 24th at the Hilton New Orleans Airport hotel. For reservations call 1-800-445-8667. Our code is RFR (for Rattler Firebird Reunion). Room rate is $99 plus tax.