Rattler/Firebird Guestbook
James A. Surwillo [E-mail]
Former: Enlisted Crew Chief with 71st Assault Helicopter Company
Call sign: Rattler 201
I was a 68b20 (Turbine Engine Mechanic) for six months and then transferred to 2nd platoon F-Troop and became a 67N20(Crew Chief). I was given a brand new ship 201. I contracted Tony Jones (operations) to paint a rattle snake on the nose cover wrapped around a VC like a boa constrictor with bulging eyes and holding an Ak47 in one hand and a satchel charge in the other. I am looking for anyone who might have a good picture of my nose cover. My only picture was lost when I loaned it to Tony and I never saw it again. The nose cover was lost when 201 got shot down when I was on leave. There is a fake copy in a book called Aircraft Art but it is a fake and not the real nose cover. Please if you have a picture of my nose cover I would love to have a copy. It caused quite a stir when we landed near villages other landing zones. My pilot was Ken Doyle and my gunner was Lawrence Neel and 201 was a great aircraft. My good friend don Deshazer was crewing the ship when it got shot down and it had to be destroyed as it could not be recovered.
April 30, 2020 - Long Beach, CA USA
frederick smith [E-mail]
Former: Enlisted Crew Chief with Company A/501st Aviation Battalion
Call sign: Firebird
it is sad that, we won't be together in Mobile. we all know and understand why. I will truly miss all of you, but it is not the first thing we have had to overcome, we will, without a doubt, meet again. I hope and pray that you and your families, are well, as we celebrate Easter, all be well, we love you all.
April 11, 2020 - Rochelle, Il USA
Matt Jackson [E-mail]
Former: with
Call sign:
Writing the third book in the Undaunted Valor Series which is about Lam Son 719. Would like to talk to anyone who was a crew member on that operation. I was a Chickenman pilot in 69-70 in III Corps. Please contact me as the book focuses on what crews did more so then individual units.
April 9, 2020 - Apollo Beach, FL USA
Käthe Wein [E-mail]
Former: with
Call sign:
Hochwertige Waren vom Produzent. Fabrikverkauf. Versand am gleichen Tag. Bis 95 % günstiger als auf dem Markt. Müllsäcke Alle, Sandsäcke, Raschelsäcke, Spänesäcke, Kartonage, Luftpolstertaschen, Maxibrief, Abdeckplane, Abdeckfolie, Baufolie, Alufolie - Frischhaltefolie, Alu Klebeband - Aluband, Abklebeband, Malerkrepp, Klebeband mit Folie, Malerkrepp mit Folie, Antirutsch Streifen, Klebebänder Alle, Gewebeband, Papierklebeband, Ddoppelseitiges Klebeband, Schaumklebeband, Reflektorband, Absperrband, Kantenschutz, Kantenschutzprofil, Abdeckhaube, Palettenhaube, Reifentüten, Umzugsdecken, Möbeldecken, Alles für Umreifung, Umreifungsband, Haspelspanner, Klemmen, Stretchfolie, Handstretchfolie, Maschinenstretchfolie Unkrautvlies, Malervlies, Renoviervlies, Luftpolsterfolie, Alu Luftpolsterfolie, Schaumfolie, Alu Schaumfolie, Sichtschutz, Sonnenschutz, Windschutz, Glasschutzfolie, Fensterschutzfolie, Katzenstreu alle Sorten, Arbeitshandschuhe und Vieles mehr auf http://follmex.online
April 1, 2020 - Emleben, ZH BRD
Ron Seabolt [E-mail]
Former: Enlisted Crew Chief with 71st Assault Helicopter Company
Call sign: One Zero Alpha
Don...On the 151st patch, the people who sewed that patch sort of messed it up in my opinion. As I recall the CHFM (that was supposed to be on it) on the patch stood for Cargo Helicopter Field Maintenance.
March 19, 2020 - Mabank, Texas USA
Charles Everest [E-mail]
Former: Enlisted Crew Chief with 71st Assault Helicopter Company
Call sign: Rattler one-one char
I just received my packet for becoming a “life member.” I was a crew chief from Dec 70 - Apr 71. I was Mr. Albrick, Rattler One One’s crew chief. After 48 years and at least 10 requests, this past December I finally got my DFC orders for LZ LOLO Shortly after that I stumbled on to the Rattles web site. I cannot begin to tell you what this site has meant to me! The story is a long one. My last “combat mission was on 24 Mar 71, we were shot down in flames in LZ Delta in aircraft 357 and my lifetime membership number is 357. THANKS, My nickname was “E” Call sign: Rattler One-One Charlie echo
March 18, 2020 - Blue Ridge, Texas USA
Don Campbell [E-mail]
Former: Enlisted Maintenance with 151st Transportation Detachment
Call sign:
I was in the 151st Transportation Detachment in 68-69. I would like to ask a silly que. On the 151st patch I can not recall what the lettering on the chopper is. Would like to know. Hope everyone has a safe and great time at the reunion
March 3, 2020 - ANNA, OH USA
greg arndt [E-mail]
Former: Enlisted Door Gunner with 71st Assault Helicopter Company
Call sign:
Skip Vaughn would like Nam stories to add to his book. He has had one published already. You were the first of our ongoing series about Vietnam veterans in the Redstone Rocket. We have exceeded 250 parts and have a waiting list worldwide. Please tell your battle buddies we would love to share their stories. God bless you and yours. He will gladly add to his list if you send him something at Skip.Vaughn@theredstonerocket.com
February 26, 2020 - Huntsville, Al usa
George Reischling [E-mail]
Former: with
Call sign:
To those who have fought for it, Life has a flavor that the protected will never know! Between mortars, rockets, RPGs, booby traps and bullets, there was no safe place for any soldier serving in Vietnam. 50 years has passed since the war but we have only to close our eyes to rejoin our brothers in the greatest nightmarish adventure of most of our lives. You helicopter pilots and crews were amazing! You ferried us out, resupplied us, return to rain hell on the enemy when we were under attack and bravely swooped in to recover our wounded and ferry them to the hospital! Knowing that you were there for us emboldened us infantryman to do our job. Thanks! Remember your Christmas in the Nam? Mine was spent on an ambush patrol near the Cambodian border. I served with the 25th Infantry Division-3/22nd Battalion, Tay Ninh and later the 93rd Evac Hospital at Long Binh. -We may have served in different units in different AOs but our mission was the same! -Courage on the Mountain- Free to Amazon Prime members- Over one hundred 5 star reviews- courageonthemountain.com Glad that you made it home brother! George Reischling courageonthemountain.com greischling@hotmail.com
February 23, 2020 - Rutledge, TN US
Tony Marinaro [E-mail]
Former: Enlisted Crew Chief with 71st Assault Helicopter Company
Call sign:
Ed Phillips, I remember 173, I think it was one of the birds in 2nd platoon, F troop, I may have flown on it at one point, or another, I'll ask around, and see what I can find, still in contact with several other crew chiefs.. Always good to hear one of our birds will fly again.
February 19, 2020 - Farmington, N M