FORT WORTH, Texas - -- “A grown man can cry today.” “Beautiful.” “It makes your heart thump.”
These are just some of the words that could be heard by veterans when two UH-34 Sikorsky helicopters flew through downtown during the biennial U.S. Marine Corps Combat Helicopter Association reunion held at the convention center here Aug. 11.
“It flies as a living memorial,” said Carlos Puente, who served with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron-362 from 1966 to 1967. “It’s a beautiful thing to see these still flying and keeping alive the memory.”
One of the helicopters, designated as YL-37, was from Puente’s old squadron, the Ugly Angels, and flew several combat missions in Vietnam. Now, it flies again to preserve the memory of “fallen angels.”
The Ugly Angels was just one of the numerous squadrons represented at the helicopter reunion that drew over 1,400 people this year. However, helicopters weren’t the only vintage aircraft seen in the skies this weekend.
‘Pop A Smoke’ coincided with the 3rd Annual Cowtown Warbird Roundup held at Meacham Airport Aug. 12, an event that benefited the OV-10 Bronco Association, Forward Air Controller's Museum and the Vintage Flying Museum.
Themed, “Welcome Home Vets,” the event showcased more than 30 “warbirds” and drew a large portion of the community to honor the past, present, and future of military aircraft.
Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing showed in force with their commanding general, Brig. Gen. Dave ‘Coach’ Papak, on deck to present many of the reserve wing’s flying assets. History was also relived for this veteran helicopter pilot as he was reunited with his first commanding officer, now Marine Corps Aviation Association Executive Director, Lt. Col. (Ret.) Art ‘Mad Mex’ Sifuentes.
Locally-based Marine Aircraft Group 41 personnel, along with base operations personnel from their home of Naval Air Station-Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, parked and arranged the static display of all the incoming vintage aircraft as well as their own F/A-18A+ Hornet from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 112 and a KC-130T Hercules from Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 234. The event couldn’t be complete without a look towards present Marine rotary-wing aviation. Flying in from California-based MAG-46 were a matching set of a UH-1N Huey and AH-1W Super Cobra from Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 775.
MAG-41 Commanding Officer Col. Juergen ‘Baron’ Lukas noticed that members of the helicopter reunion, mostly veterans of the Vietnam War, were communicating with his active-duty Marines; regaling stories of triumphs, tragedies and close calls too numerous to count.
From one generation to the next, this can do nothing but help Marines who are currently involved in multiple deployments in support of the Global War on Terror, said Lukas.
A special moment during the event was the dedication of a newly restored O-2 Skymaster to 82 men who died flying that airplane during service in Southeast Asia. It was restored by Jerry Stephen, a former O-2 Forward Air Controller and Distinguished Flying Cross recipient who put in countless hours bringing the Oscar Deuce back to life.
Whether to organizers or attendee, it was apparent of the importance of having the event during a time when the nation is at war.
“Our goal is preservation, education, and inspiration,” said Jim “Grump” Hodgson, president of the Bronco Assoc. “I feel that we’re accomplishing each one of those though the Roundup.”
Founded in 1998, the Bronco Assoc. was originally founded to “take responsibility for preserving the history of the people and events associated with the OV-10 Bronco, as well as the history of the aircraft itself”, but through the Roundup has created a way for all veterans and their families to unite in a common purpose of honor and respect.
Considered a success, the Roundup seemingly did as much for the organizers as it did for those in attendance.
“Service to country becomes service to each other,” said Grump. “Although lot of work, when you see two old friend say ‘welcome home’ and start to heal old wounds, it’s all worth it.”