RonW

I remember when I was on the 7th APT in Germany, we went to Aviano AFB for yearly Spring training. Probably 1970 or 71. Anyway, we were on a D model Huey climbing to altitude. This particular Huey was equipped with an external fuel cell to extend it's range. This thing was nothing more than a long rubber bladder that went under the seat we were sitting on. Long story short, one of the FNG's was moving around trying to get his smoke bracket on his foot and he kicked the fuel cell and ripped a hole in it. Things started smelling bad and we looked down at the floor and it was covered with jet fuel.. The pilot shut the motor down and went into auto-rotation. Normally, this wouldn't of been such a major problem for the jumpers as they could just get out, however, Aviano AFB was a fighter base with a lot of traffic most of the time and we had strict instructions never to exit the airplane without clearance from the tower. So, we were losing altitude fast and wanted to get out more and more by the second. I was getting ready to go without the OK when the co-pilot nodded his head and we un-assed the AC. After we landed, the co-pilot told us that he was talking to the tower and when they finally gave him the OK, he turned around to tell us we could jump, the helicopter was empty. Probably the fastest and the lowest exit that year.

I can't believe you remember the growler. Ron

I do indeed. How have you been all these years? Ron

Wow! What a blast from the past. It would be great fun to hear from anyone from the 7th APT. I have nothing but good memories from that time. I think somewhere in the attic I have a box of photos I liberated when I left in 1973. I seem to remember the team was shut down not much after that because of the gas crunch. Ron Walker