Looking for information as to what month and year the Blue Ghost Night Hawk mission became operational and where? Who were the first crews? I think this operation was suspended sometimes in 1972.
I can't remember the exact time we started nighthawk. It just started with a standard slick with high power lights and a night scope. Cobras would fly cover and would attack any targets that the nighthawk found. He would find them give me the general area and I'd set up the gun run and start. Just as I would roll in in the darkness he'd switch on the light and I would use that as target aquisition. The first mission I remember flying was late '69 or early '70 and I think that Cpt Gallitin was AC of the nighthawk. I talked to Mike Austin and he said by the time he got into country the "nighthawk" was a leathal weapon unto itself. with 50cal and minigun mounting. Then would trol about 500 ft with their night vision (better than what we had at the time) see the target and engage with no cover fire. Can't help you much beyond that
Dave Harrigan, Blue Ghost Blue in 69 writes that to his recollection Cpt. Larry Gatlin was the first pilot and the operation started in May or June of 69.
The first night hawks flew late February or early March 1970. Phil Hogen was the first crew chief, but I don't remember the rest of the crew. Eustace Denton Blueghost Recovery 69-70
I was the 50 cal gunnerin 1972,around May to Aug. We had some great guys. I follow SPC Garza and SPC James Fentress followed me. Richard "Gus" Gustafson.
----------------------------------------------------------- From: Gus Message 7 in Discussion
I was the 50 cal gunnerin 1972,around May to Aug. We had some great guys. I follow SPC Garza and SPC James Fentress followed me. Richard "Gus" Gustafson.
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BLUEGHOST6: Remember me also. SFC James Fentress, (then SP4), nighthawk crewchief after GUS. I can't remember if you were there when I fell out of the bird that night and saved only by my monkey strap. Called ANGEL after that. Good to know you're still around with us Sir. Are you planning on being at the next reunion? I'd like to see you for old time sake. Talk with you later - JIMBO Jim Fentress SFC, Retired
Hey GUS, Thought I would drop you a line here also. I wrote from one of the other spots but wanted to make sure you heard from me. Sure will be good to hear from you and to see you again. You better be at the next reunion. Jim Fentress-ANGEL LIKE A HAWK, I TRAVEL THROUGH THE DARKNESS OF NIGHT ON WINGS OF DEATH WITH TALONS OF FIRE. "NIGHTHAWK"
Hey RANGER, I was the LAST crewchief and .50 cal gunner on the NIGHTHAWK. Like GUS stated, I followed him and we were pretty good friends. I remember going on emergency leave in August of 72. I arrived in MAR. We were still stationed at Danang at Marble Mountain AAF. It wasn't long after I returned, and I am guessing around Sept or Oct, we moved to Bien Hua. We, (the crew), were hoping to continue NIGHTHAWK missions, however; if I remember, we only flew 2 or maybe 3 missions in Bien Hua. So you were right, 1972 was the end. Unforetunately , I wasn't with F/8 when they stooddown since I volunteered, (Never do that????) and ended up with several crewcheifs being transferred to Saigon. We flew missions for the 4-Party Joint Military Commission. We went there right before the January cease-fire became effected and our lasst day flying if I remember right was MAR 31, 1973 at 0-dark-30 when we went out on our final mission, and upon return, flew home to the states. Hope to meet you at the next reunion. ANGEL
Requesting "Night Hawk" missions info: I think late '69. CW2 George Williams was a night hawk pilot as was CW2 Phil King & I think Capt. Larry Galitin also switched from guns to that section too.
A good person to contact for the "best info" will be Capt. David Owen, he was the operations officer at the time it was started. Also, Capt. Rick Leonard was the Lift platoon leader and he would also know !
Wiggs is right, Dave would probably know. I don't remember Phil King on that mission but I do remember Galitin as the main Nighthawk when I was flying team lead. We flew quit a few missions together and got called out several times when they found something hot. That was before the 50cal was added. They had night vision goggles and a minigun Gerryrigged if I remember right. BlueGhost Two-Zero
72Angel, I sure remember the Nighthawk crew and the bird. You arrived close to my departure in July so I don't recall you well. I worked and ran the night crew in the armament repair shop. I am the one who had the flight helmet painted black witha cross and angst on it. Sure would like to know who got it after I came home. I do recall the incident of one of you guys falling out of the aircraft. Those monkey straps sure do come in hany. Look forward to seeing you at the next reunion in Branson.
I can't remember the exact time we started nighthawk. It just started with a standard slick with high power lights and a night scope. Cobras would fly cover and would attack any targets that the nighthawk found. He would find them give me the general area and I'd set up the gun run and start. Just as I would roll in in the darkness he'd switch on the light and I would use that as target aquisition. The first mission I remember flying was late '69 or early '70 and I think that Cpt Gallitin was AC of the nighthawk. I talked to Mike Austin and he said by the time he got into country the "nighthawk" was a leathal weapon unto itself. with 50cal and minigun mounting. Then would trol about 500 ft with their night vision (better than what we had at the time) see the target and engage with no cover fire. Can't help you much beyond that
ReplyDeleteDave Harrigan, Blue Ghost Blue in 69 writes that to his recollection Cpt. Larry Gatlin was the first pilot and the operation started in May or June of 69.
ReplyDeleteThe first night hawks flew late February or early March 1970. Phil Hogen was the first crew chief, but I don't remember the rest of the crew.
ReplyDeleteEustace Denton
Blueghost Recovery 69-70
do not know you guys but thanks for doing such a good job God bless
ReplyDeleteDonot know you guys but thanks for doing such a great jod god bless you
ReplyDeleteI was the 50 cal gunnerin 1972,around May to Aug. We had some great guys. I follow SPC Garza and SPC James Fentress followed me. Richard "Gus" Gustafson.
ReplyDeleteI remember you.
ReplyDeleteColonel Jack Kennedy
USA Retired
Blueghost 6
-----Original Message-----
From: Gus
To: BLUE GHOSTS
Sent: Sun, 14 May 2006 06:42:04 -0700
Subject: Re: NIGHT HAWK
-----------------------------------------------------------
New Message on BLUE GHOSTS
-----------------------------------------------------------
From: Gus
Message 7 in Discussion
I was the 50 cal gunnerin 1972,around May to Aug. We had some great
guys. I
follow SPC Garza and SPC James Fentress followed me. Richard "Gus"
Gustafson.
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BLUEGHOST6: Remember me also. SFC James Fentress, (then SP4), nighthawk crewchief after GUS. I can't remember if you were there when I fell out of the bird that night and saved only by my monkey strap. Called ANGEL after that. Good to know you're still around with us Sir. Are you planning on being at the next reunion? I'd like to see you for old time sake. Talk with you later - JIMBO Jim Fentress SFC, Retired
ReplyDeleteHey GUS, Thought I would drop you a line here also. I wrote from one of the other spots but wanted to make sure you heard from me. Sure will be good to hear from you and to see you again. You better be at the next reunion. Jim Fentress-ANGEL LIKE A HAWK, I TRAVEL THROUGH THE DARKNESS OF NIGHT ON WINGS OF DEATH WITH TALONS OF FIRE. "NIGHTHAWK"
ReplyDeleteHey RANGER, I was the LAST crewchief and .50 cal gunner on the NIGHTHAWK. Like GUS stated, I followed him and we were pretty good friends. I remember going on emergency leave in August of 72. I arrived in MAR. We were still stationed at Danang at Marble Mountain AAF. It wasn't long after I returned, and I am guessing around Sept or Oct, we moved to Bien Hua. We, (the crew), were hoping to continue NIGHTHAWK missions, however; if I remember, we only flew 2 or maybe 3 missions in Bien Hua. So you were right, 1972 was the end. Unforetunately , I wasn't with F/8 when they stooddown since I volunteered, (Never do that????) and ended up with several crewcheifs being transferred to Saigon. We flew missions for the 4-Party Joint Military Commission. We went there right before the January cease-fire became effected and our lasst day flying if I remember right was MAR 31, 1973 at 0-dark-30 when we went out on our final mission, and upon return, flew home to the states. Hope to meet you at the next reunion. ANGEL
ReplyDeleteI remember you and I was there when you flew out of the aircraft, attached only to your monkey strap.
ReplyDeleteI, too, was part of the Four Party Joint Military Commission in I Corps.
I am planning on going to Branson next year and hope to see you there!
Jack
Blueghost 6
Requesting "Night Hawk" missions info: I think late '69. CW2 George Williams was a night hawk pilot as was CW2 Phil King & I think Capt. Larry Galitin also switched from guns to that section too.
ReplyDeleteA good person to contact for the "best info" will be Capt. David Owen, he was the operations officer at the time it was started. Also, Capt. Rick Leonard was the Lift platoon leader and he would also know !
Bob Wiggins
"BlueGhost 26"
Wiggs is right, Dave would probably know. I don't remember Phil King on that mission but I do remember Galitin as the main Nighthawk when I was flying team lead. We flew quit a few missions together and got called out several times when they found something hot. That was before the 50cal was added. They had night vision goggles and a minigun Gerryrigged if I remember right. BlueGhost Two-Zero
ReplyDelete72Angel, I sure remember the Nighthawk crew and the bird. You arrived close to my departure in July so I don't recall you well. I worked and ran the night crew in the armament repair shop. I am the one who had the flight helmet painted black witha cross and angst on it. Sure would like to know who got it after I came home. I do recall the incident of one of you guys falling out of the aircraft. Those monkey straps sure do come in hany. Look forward to seeing you at the next reunion in Branson.
ReplyDelete