This site last updated Sept. 21, 2008

117th ASSAULT HELICOPTER

COMPANY VIETNAM

ASSOCIATION

                           

WELCOME HOME!


This page is dedicated to the memory of the
"Beachbums" and "Warlords"
who did not make it home.
  

 

 

The 117th AHC was formed

from the 8th TRANSPORTATION COMPANY

and had these Detachments assigned to it.


130th MEDICAL DETACHMENT 
140th TRANS.  DET. (CHFM)
125th  ATC (Air Traffic Control)
256th SIGNAL DETACHMENT 

 and Gunners from the 25th Inf. Shotgun Program

who were TDY to the 117th.

It took all of us to make up the company.
None of us could have done our jobs

 without the help of others.
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Links to other 117th pages on this web site.

To view the Guest Book for 2006-2008 click on the 2006 link

http://www.117thahc.org/view%20guest%20book%202006.htm

http://www.117thahc.org/view%20old%20guest%20book.htm

http://www.117thahc.org/sign%20guest%20book.htm

http://www.117thahc.org/Future%20117th%20Reunions.htm

http://www.117thahc.org/Past%20117th%20Reunions.htm

http://www.117thahc.org/roster.htm

http://www.117thahc.org/gone_but_not_forgotten.htm

http://www.117thahc.org/died_after_vietnam.htm 

http://www.117thahc.org/membership_application.htm

Hats and T- Shirts

http://www.117thahc.org/for_sale.htm

http://www.117thahc.org/special_requests.htm

http://www.117thahc.org/incidents_and_statistics.htm

http://www.117thahc.org/missions.htm

http://www.117thahc.org/history_of_the_117th.htm

All text and personal photos are the possession of
117th AHCVA website or its members and may not be
copied without permission from the webmaster or the
contributor ©2001

 

 http://www.flickr.com photos.htm

Enter( 117th AHC ) in the search window.

 http://www.117thahc.org/please_identify.htm

 

If you have photos you would like to see on this
page from your tour with the 117th,
please email or snail mail them to me.
If hard copies, I will make sure you get them back.

 

http://www.117thahc.org/memories.htm

http://www.117thahc.org/nostalgia.htm

http://www.117thahc.org/stories.htm

http://www.117thahc.org/poems.htm

http://www.117thahc.org/maps_link.htm

http://www.117thahc.org/salute.htm

http://www.117thahc.org/117th_mentioned.htm

http://www.117thahc.org/ann_margaret.htm

http://www.117thahc.org/board_of_directors.htm  

http://www.117thahc.org/trivia.htm

http://www.117thahc.org/d_company_rangers.htm

http://www.117thahc.org/james_boone.htm

 

________________________________________________________________________

    2008 Reunion

The 2008 117th Reunion in St.Louis, MO.  was a success

Thanks to all those who helped make it happen.

A special thanks to Bob Garcia, Bob Hamilton

and to my sisters Peggy and Janice and to my brother Jerry

(who was able to obtain the Anheuser-Busch items).

*********************************************

2009 117th Reunion

will be in Reno, NV

June 18-21

Once again will be hosted by the VHCMA
 www.vhcma.org/reunion.html

If you like to hit the little white ball VHCMA has

a tournament on the morning of the 18th .

For more information about the 117th Reunion

go to the link below


 http://www.117thahc.org/Future%20117th%20Reunions.htm

___________________________________________________

Posted 7 SEPT 08

8th Transportation Company (Light Helicopter)

Now has a Web Page thanks to Hans Halberstadt

Hans was in the 8th 1962-1963

www.8thtrans.com

___________________________________________________

Posted 7 SEPT 08

THE 10th COMBAT AVIATION BATTALION (VAGABONDS)

PLANS REUNION FOR ALL VIETNAM ERA UNITS IN 2009

The Vagabonds, under the sponsorship of the 281st AHC, will hold its first

battalion wide reunion in Saint Louis during the period of July 29--August 2, 2009.

 Hotel arrangements have been made at a great hotel with very competitive rates

and excellent accommodations to include free shuttle service to the airport,

local eateries and the casinos.

The plans call for individual mini-reunions and activities for individual units.

In that regard we need unit level contact individuals to act as

liaisons with the 281st.

All former members of the units assigned to the 10th BN in Vietnam are invited.

 We have a commitment from four of the former BN Commanders

to attend and are looking for the CSMs.

However, if you were a mail clerk, cook, door gunner, crew chief, mechanic,

platoon leader, aviator or filled any other position

in any of the 10th Battalion units, this is your reunion!

 Please post this info to your web sites/newsletters, reserve the

dates, and contact your buddies.

Please contact our unit coordinators: Gary Stagman or Jack Mayhew to be put on the mailing list

                GARY STAGMAN                                 JACK MAYHEW

  • 2525 Revere's Route                                  2021 Huntwood Drive
  • Granite City, IL 62040                                Gambarills, MD 21054
  • cooter@charter.net                            intruder06@comcast.net 
  • 618-797-1336 (C) 618-806-1765                     202-1683-1660 (C) 410-562-6791
    •

    If you are planning on attending please also notify the 117th at

    namvet42@hotmail.com

    Message from the 140th Trans.Det.

     Commander 65-66

    281st AHC/ 10th CAB 2009 Reunion

    JULY 29-Aug 2

      Lou Lerda  (COL USAR Ret)
    Rank:  Cpt
    Branch: TC
    Provided field maintenance support to 117th AHC
     
    address:  3250 Saint Andrews Drive
                  Chambersburg, PA 17202
     
    Served as detachment Cdr for only four months, was transfered to
    281st AHC in Nha Trang in mid March 1966. Checking in as we
    (281st) are trying to host 10th AVN BN units at a combined unit
    reunion in St Louis next summer. Have located my old (and I do
    mean OLD) unit clerk, Darrell Piatt (COL Ret USAF) and we're
    hoping to find other members of the 140th from the 1965-1966

    ___________________________________________________

    ?  Can You Help  ?

     
      Mon, 10 Mar 2008 
    From: "Shawn Smith" 
    Subject:     Love Letters Roger Lee Smith 
     
     I am a niece of Roger Lee Smith he was in the 117 Aviation Company,

    he was from South Point, Ohio. 

    My daughter is doing a social studies fair project on My Family Hero

    which is about him.   He is her great Uncle.  

     We are trying to find anyone that knew him or

    has any pictures of him that was in his group. 

     Anything would be appreciated.  Thank you very much and God Bless.
     
    Tonya Smith

    tyemkodmom@verizon.net   &  info@pownetwork.org

    Please send a copy of any correspondence related

    to Roger Lee Smith to the 117th AHCVA as well.

    Thank You.

    ___________________________________________________

     

    Links to other sites 

     http://www.117thahc.org/links_to_other_sites.htm

    ***************************************

    Vietnam Helicopter Crew Members Association

    www.vhcma.org

    ***************************************

    145th Combat Aviation Battalion(Vietnam)Association

      www.145thcab.com

    ***************************************

    Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association

    www.vhpa.org

    Check out the 117th page at the VHPA Museum site.

    http://www.vhpamuseum.org/companies/117ahc/117ahc.shtml

    ***************************************

    1ST AVIATION BRIGADE WEBSITE
     http://www.1stavnbde.com


    ***************************************


    Ohio River Logo used with permission
     

    To contact the Ohio River Chapter of
    the VHPA please email :

    CAPTBOB757@AOL.COM

    Or to view their web site:

    http://www.ohrivlz.org/
     

    ************************************************

    21OCT07

    This is a link to a great song

    sung by a one of the great singers of all time.

    http://mywebpages.comcast.net/singingman7/TNOTW.htm

    ***********************************************

    ***********************************************

    Added 19 Sep 08

    Paul Goodwin  71-72

    reunited with his old ship UH-1H 68-16563  then

     

    now 2008

    REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ON UH-1H 68-16563

    To whom it may concern,

    My name is Brian Shera and I'm trying to find any information I can on a Huey I'm helping to restore.

    My brother in law bought a UH-1H Huey earlier this year from Bangor, Maine with the tail number 68-16563.

    After researching, I found out it started "in country" in 7001 with the 1/9 Air Cav

    and was there thru 7012.n It was eventually attached to the 117th in 7107 thru 7202.

    We are in the process of restoring this bird and I'm looking for any information

      regarding this chopper. I would love to find any pilots or crew who flew her.

    We have authority to fly to educational and veteran's events which we'll be doing.

    I would love any names or pictures so we may document her history and get her restored faithfully.

    I appreciate your help!

    Warmest regards,

    Brian Shera

    Sheraortho@aol.com

    Indiana

     Hello to all,
    I know it's been a while since I've given everyone an update on the restoration of 563.
    I'm sending a video of a story that was done by a local Indianapolis tv station about our bird a few weeks ago.
    Our non-for-profit organization is set up as Indiana Air Search and Rescue. Along with flying in and displaying at veteran's programs, we'll be using 563 as a search and rescue unit. We are all getting trained as first-responders so when she's flying, we can use her to help others.
    This weekend a few in our group went out to Phoenix where there's a company that's been doing our major maintenance for us. They beefed up the tail spar, rebuilt the tranny and the turbine. The tranny was shipped to us last week and they went to get the tail boom and the turbine.
    We have to get that put in, do a few other checks and testing and soon she'll be back to flying in all her glory!
    If anyone would like to talk to me, PLEASE feel free to call me at 317-313-8862 and I'll be more than happy to chat!
    When I get some new info, I'll send it along.
    Thanks to everyone for your interest in the restoration of 563!
    Warmest regards,
    Brian Shera    

    Brian Shera (bshera@sbcglobal.net

    Well, it's time for another update on the restoration of Huey 563 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

    All is going well. We now have the tranny in and hooked up along with the drive shafts.    A few weeks ago we installed the mast and all the work has been checked out by our Indiana Guard crew chief and an A&P.

    We are eagerly awaiting the delivery of our soon to be delivered turbine and rotor head. We are on the downhill slide of getting 563 flight worthy!
    As some of you may know, the crews and pilots of  Little Annie Fannie in 1968, flew the Indiana Guard Company D (Rangers) 151st Infantry. I had the pleasure of meeting a few of these Rangers at a reunion in Kokomo, Indiana last September. Because of them, we have been invited to fly in to Camp Attabury in Indiana this August for the Company D Rangers 40th reunion!
    God willing, 563 will be there!!
    I'm STILL looking for anyone who may have experience with 563 when she was with the 117th in 71. So far, I found Sidewinder pilot Giles Portzer who flew 563 when it was with the 117th.

    We still need to find more people.

    If anyone could help me track them down, I would GREATLY appreciate the help!
    I'm including our web link so people can check out our progress.

     We are in the process of loading more pictures as you read this.

    Keep checking the site for new pics!

    Thanks again for the help and any and all support will be greatly appreciated!!
    Warmest regards,
    Brian Shera
    Indiana Air Search ans Rescue

    27 JUNE 07

    To all,
    As many of you know, I'm involved with the restoration of a 1968 Huey helicopter along with my brother-in-law Charlie Walker.

     The tail number is 68-16563 and she flew 2 tours in RVN from1970 to 1972.

    She started with the 1/9 Air Cav and also spent some time with the 117th AHC.

     Allis going well and we are still putting her back together.

    The reason for this e-mail is Charlie's two older brothers, Johnny and Alan also have 2 Hueys.

    One is only for static display and the other is ready to fly.

    I had the opportunity to take a test flight on Johnny's yesterday.

    They should be flying her within the next few weeks.

    What a ride, even though we were only 20 or so feet of the ground.

    I would encourage all of you to check out their web site and see how things are going.

    Remember, 369 will be flying VERY soon.

     

    The web site is:     americanhuey369.com

     

    After you check it out, please let me know what you think as it's very exciting for all of us here!
    If anyone has questions, PLEASE feel free to call me at 317-313-8862 as I would be happy to chat ANYTIME!
    Warmest Regards,
    Brian Shera

    Sheraortho@aol.com

     
     
    TV News report about 369 
      

    Restoring a Huey to Save Lives Once Again

    Please copy and paste the url into

    your address bar and hit enter.


    http://www.wishtv.com/global/video/popup/pop_player.asp?clipid1=1347357&at1=News&vt1=v&h1=Restoring+a+Huey+to+Save+Lives+Once+Again

     

    ************************************************


    CLICK HERE!
    TO CONTACT WEBMASTER

     

    ALLEN BENNETT
    E-mail me at:
    namvet42@hotmail.com


    (PLEASE PUT 117TH AHC  IN THE SUBJECT LINE)

     

     


                                                             


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