MILITARY DAYS

Above is a 1945 photo of Mainz-Finthen AAF ,

I was there from 1972-1974

The one above is from the 90's.

I started my Army career on the Army's delayed entry program on my 20th birthday 1971. I went to Ft. Jackson, SC in Sept. 71 and started my training as a soldier at the foot of tank hill in E-4-1. I sort of enjoyed my time there, then again who enjoyed the Army's basic training program. I was also in a sort of experimental phase while there. I was in the first all volunteer (VOLAR) basic unit of the Army since before the draft. The reason being, I joined because my number was up for the draft. Uncle Sam was drafting people then during Vietnam and I joined to get a shot at working on helicopters, or even flying them. Well about a month or two after I joined, they did away with the draft, so I was committed.

After my 8 weeks there I was ready for AIT. I was sent to Ft. Eustis Virginia, to the US ARMY Transportation School. I was assigned to Co. B 2nd Sch BN USATSCH Bde. There I spent 2 weeks learning the basics of working on a helicopter (67A10), then 8 weeks learning the inside and out of the CH-47(Chinook) helicopter. I graduated from there as an E-4 in May of 1972 as a 67U20 helicopter repairman and waited my fate for my next assignment. Vietnam was still a very hot area and a very likely place for a FNG to go. I received my orders for Ft. Dix New Jersey, and knew then that my destination was in the European theater.

In June of 1972, I found myself in Frankfurt, West Germany, and USAREUR, then to a place called Schwaebisch Hall and the 15th Aviation Group. They had helicopters there and even had a Chinook Company, the 4th Avn. Co. ASH). A few of my buddies were there and felt we would be spending our time there. Well, wrong, we were split up after a week and sent to our respective units. I was sent to the 295th Aviation Company(HH) at Mainz-Finthen and my buddies were sent to a Huey unit the 351st Avn Co. (AH) at Werthiem. I should have known something was up when I saw that big ugly helicopter fly in and I had my orders to go to the airfield. I'll never forget my first ride in the pod of a Skycrane. Man that is just a box hung to the underside of a big helicopter. I had visions of being punched off during flight because of a mechanical problem, (I didn't know any better). Well I arrived at Finthen AAF, and had no idea where I was in Germany. They had flown me in an enclosed box and let me out on the ramp of the airfield.

I was told to report to a house and see the 1st Sgt. Well I was really assigned to the 326th Avn Det., a support unit assigned to the 295th Avn Co. (HH). I was given my introduction and then asked what I would like to do here at Finthen AAF. And being assigned to the 326th, I was really excess to the unit. I was given a choice, the mess hall, the guard shack, or the motor pool. Being mechanically inclined, I figured I would work well in the motor pool. So without further ado, I was assigned to the motor pool as the TAMMS clerk. I was a paper pusher in the motor pool. I filled out the reports and did all the paperwork for all motor vehicles assigned to the unit's. The 326th Avn Det. was finally disbanded and we were transferred to the 295th. I worked there for the next 2 years, and even had to change my MOS in order to get a promotion. I went from a 67U20 to a 63B20 and acquired the rank of E-5 spec.5. I worked in the motor pool and was there when I left in May 1974. I really enjoyed my stay in Germany and really saw a lot of the country while there. Being an enlisted man with my wife there, I still managed to travel a little. We went to Amsterdam one weekend, and really explored the castles along the Rhine River every weekend. I flew every chance I got while there. If I could find a way, I'd bum a ride in the evenings with the crews and most times, I would get to act as crew chief on the flight. I even got to ride the Administrative Huey on occasions. Now that was an experience within itself.

This is the 326th Trans Det. attached to the 295th Avn. Co.,in 1973 it was disbanded and everyone was assigned to the 295th.

I did have an unpleasant experience there. One day in the motor pool, we were cleaning up with gasoline, after painting, and we started getting a little playful. My buddy was playing and accidentally set my clothes on fire. I received 1st and 2nd degree burns to my hands and right side. After a few months, I was as good as new. I was really not mad at this fellow and after that, he and I drifted apart. I tried to tell him it was not that bad, but he really felt guilty and guess he dealt with it his way.

As I said, I was the TAMMS clerk of the motor pool and had to take care of the records. Whenever we had an inspection, my books were reviewed by the IG team. One year we had an officer that was a real pain in everyone's side, and he insisted that things be done his way and his way only. We didn't pass inspection that time. The CO called me in and asked what the problem was, and I told him. He wanted to know if I could straighten out the books in order to pass the inspection. I informed him I could only if that "certain officer" didn't interfere with my work. Well, we passed the recheck with flying colors and that "officer" was transferred. 

It was somewhere along the fall of 1973 that a new unit was coming to Finthen. This unit came without any aircraft. The advance members were reporting in and were telling everyone that a Hook unit was coming to Finthen AAF. This was the reactivated 205th Avn Co. (ASH). They were disbanded in Vietnam and were being reformed in Germany. I really don't remember a lot about them, they were at the other end of the field. I can't really remember if they had aircraft there when I left in May 1974.

I do remember that Sikorsky had brought the new Black Hawk to our field to show it off. The Skycrane was Sikorsky and the new Black Hawk was in the test stage. That aircraft was never the one the army got, but was close. I saw that thing do a barrel roll over a flight of cobra's that day. That was a powerful aircraft. There was a Sikorsky factory in Germany and they were building the CH-53 for the German Air Force there. We were guests there one time, that too was impressive. I even got to hear about the first vertical indoor flight of an aircraft from the woman (Anna Reight) that did it, at a dinner one night. Very impressive, and she was more than an acquaintance of Adolph Hitler.

One day in May of 1974 the new XO called me into his office. He had some news for me, I was going back to the States, my time in Germany was over and I was to get a transfer Stateside to finish my tour of duty. Due to having my wife there, I was told, only two years in country with dependents. Any way, he asked me if I had a preference of duty stations in the States. He informed me that Ft. Carson and Hawaii were not an option. Well when I got my orders, I fell over, I was going to the 179th at Ft. Carson, anyway.

I drove myself across the US and arrived in Colorado Springs in June 1974. I again was dealt a very unusual hand. With orders in my hands for the 179th, I was sent to a Maintenance Co. due to my primary MOS.63B20. I was doing my sign-in and finally ran into the CO in the motor pool, and after looking at my paperwork and files, asked if I would like to work on helicopters, Chinooks. Yes sir I sure would. Well the 179th was reforming at Carson after being disbanded in Vietnam and he figured they may need more mechanics, and after a visit to the 179th, I found myself transferred to the airfield and the 179th Avn Co. (ASH). I supposed with 9 months of my commitment left, why not. If things would have worked differently, I would have stayed in the Army. I would have realized my goal of FE on my own bird, along with another promotion to E-6 and would have stayed around until the Army was tired of me. Due to family, no reenlistment bonus, demilitarization due to withdraw from Vietnam, I decided I should just leave the Army on very good terms, and left the 28th Feb 1975.

I really enjoyed and am thankful for my time in the Army. I learned a lot and really saw quit a bit, both of the United States and Europe. I got to see parts of history that I only read about and heard of while growing up. I did not go to Vietnam, and I really don't regret not going. Friends, class mates and relatives of mine went and didn't return. So Vietnam does have a place for me in my mind. I was just a number while in the Army, a number to be called to go, a number to not be needed, a number for a place to be and a number away from being sent to southeast Asia. The class in front of me and behind me went from Eustis to Vietnam, and I went to Germany. I feel that evidently there was a reason I was picked for that number and don't question it any more. A man I met and went through AIT with stayed in and retired this year as a CSM. I haven't really got to talk to him, but I am sure he has stories to tell that will make me envious of his career. I can't wait to talk with him a lot more. I finally found him through this media, the Internet, and can't wait to visit and learn even more about what the Army has been and will be. He and I lived it and he made a career of it.

Do you know any of these guys.

third from the left back row is Joe Bordelon.

This photo was taken at Finthen AAF Germany circa 1972

thanks Joe!!!

   Visit my 295th Avn Home page here.

  Or visit my Links Page to all sorts of Helicopter sites and stuff

Any questions or problems, contact me

back

This page last updated

03/15/2011