From back in "the day"

[Flyin6]

Ah the memories!

[Flyin6]

A MC-130 at 95 knots!

And the USS...???

[Flyin6]

More recent vintage...

[Flyin6]

The boys today, still doing it!

And a thanks to our Airborne warriors!

[Flyin6]

At our core!

[TexasRedNeck]

Awe inspiring


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[EL TATE]

To say the least

[TexasRedNeck]

I bet the ground crew loved it when you sat the arse in the saltwater......

[Flyin6]

I bet the ground crew loved it when you sat the arse in the saltwater......

NO THEY CERTAINLY DID NOT!

So funny story

Haiti, 1994, you remember the invasion that turned into a sleepover with guns and no clear direction?
Yea that one.
So for a couple days we actually conducted some military missions, raids to round up the thugs masquerading as soldiers. On each one in Port au Prince, I'd come in low from the bay and I figured with all the over water flying I was doing the engines and airframe were gathering their share of salt.
If you look at the map of the place, there is a huge lake between Haiti and the Dominican Republic. I got this brain storm to fly over there and land in the lake and swim around for awhile to rinse the aircraft off in fresh water. So I made my approach and ker-plunk down I go and flooded the interior as well. Then my crewchief yells over the intercom that it is salt water!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I took off immediately and noticed a thunderstorm not too far off. Second bad idea in a row...I flew into that to wash off the salt water. Well I guess we did, cause we got thrown around in that thing like a spit ball on a hockey court in a windstorm under a ducks foot!

And just like they are supposed to, the wheel bearings all corroded up and destroyed the wheels. Yup, my name way mud for a goodly amount of time until I brought back like a ton of sodas which I had at altitude just before making my approach into the airfield...Cold cokes for everyone and Big Don was G-T-G again!

[JR]

Gorgeous pics there BD. Sure it was work but I bet you had lots of fun too.

[KeithB]

Those are some good pix, brings back memories. Have done fast rope, repelling and spy rigging. The closest I got to flooding was the helo dunker.
Didn't know you were in Hati in 94 Don, I was there too. Spent three weeks in Gitmo and 1week in Roseavelt Roads training for the port landing. We're you land based or ship?

[Flyin6]

Those are some good pix, brings back memories. Have done fast rope, repelling and spy rigging. The closest I got to flooding was the helo dunker.
Didn't know you were in Hati in 94 Don, I was there too. Spent three weeks in Gitmo and 1week in Roseavelt Roads training for the port landing. We're you land based or ship?

On "Invasion day" Led the helos down from Great Ignaua, an island north of Haiti. We flew into and occupied the airport at Port au Prince. If you came through, the chinooks there were mine

[KeithB]

We were heavy weapons platoon. Humvee mounted and were to land at Port Au Prince, via LCU if things went south.

[Wilbur]

Really awesome pictures....thanks for sharing them!

[Sammconn]

Awesome!