Fort Rucker UH-1B Navy Training

[George Dossett Major USA-Retired]

Brothers,
I'm a VN combat aviator veteran (1970)and then was assigned
to Fort Rucker, Ala.
In 1971 I was an Instructor Pilot at Fort Rucker in the Rotary Wing Qual Course. We trained the Navy Pilots in the UH-1B for Vietnam deployment. I never knew the
Magnificent mission on which they were about
To embark.
I must tell you that of the hundreds of aviators that I had the please of training, none held a candle
to my Navy students. I would teach them In the cockpit; then they would teach me
In the Officers club. A wilder crew I have never seen. Standing on the bar, "carrier landings"....then flying with excellence the next day.
I appreciate the sacrifice that these wonderful aircrews made and the lives that they saved.  We may be distinct in our particular branch of service, but will always be brothers as combat aviators.
I wish you all
My best!
Salute!

[Michael La Bella (ROH)]

yes, our pilots were not to be outdone, they saved more lives and got rid of charlie quite well,, we never really though of them as our superiors or untouchables,,, we were brothers, for good of worse, we breathed the same rocket dust and they kept us as safe as they could with all of our self tought maneuvers and hanging out over and under the pylons to eliminate any ass hole trying to stop us,,, brothers then and brothers now..   thank you for praising our fantastic pilots.....
Just a door gunner

Michael

[Mike McNaull SW-81]

The biggest pucker factor at fort Rucker was doing full night autos.  Boy did the sparks fly!

[Dossett George]

That’s why aviators drink....A Lot!