New Call sign

Joe,I have a feeling it was a Squadron thang. Who ever they are aqssigned to will have them put back the YK 364 has always had. If its left to be, then they will all do it, and they will not let them. My take. Semper Fi, and READY-APP.

HMM-364's tail code has been PF since they were reactivated in 1984. I don't know for certain, but I believe that since YK had already been assigned to HMH-466, PF (as in Purple Foxes) was requested by the squadron for their tailcode.

New Call Sign

The mistake was made when the HMH Squadron was activated. It should have been set aside for re-ativation by 364 when ever, but wasn't. Thats not keeping to Marine Corps Standards. I wonder who cares anymore. Semper Fi, and READY-APP.

Standards?

John,
I think they are keeping to a standard that Marine Corps and HMM-364 attained in RVN and beyond. They are a proud unit and rightly so with their tradition of excellence where ever they go. I don't see a problem with the PF call sign and think it shows thier unit pride.
How cool to hear "Purple Fox 1-1 and flight of 6 inbound for clearance"!! Too cool! Don't cha' think??

The mistake was made when the HMH Squadron was activated. It should have been set aside for re-ativation by 364 when ever, but wasn't. Thats not keeping to Marine Corps Standards. I wonder who cares anymore.

The Marine Corps doesn't assign tail codes. That's done by the Chief of Naval Operations. When a squadron deactivates its tail code becomes available for reassignment. It used to be that when a squadron reactivated or a new one was stood up, it got whatever code was available regardless of history. Now, CNO is more willing to honor a request for a specific code, especially if it's for historical reasons.

If you go here you can see how tail code assignments have changed over the years.

standards

I can see that Joe. Just about every Squadron over there was a very Good one, or they would have been absorbed into others. Things change for one reason, or another. Glad they were given the PF code. I believe each Squadron had a job to do, and it was done. Some gave medals all the time, while others didn't give any at all. If things had worked out, and I could have flown the full 13 months, I could have gotten well over a thousand plus missions. I'll settle for my 21 Air Medals, and wings, as I know they can never take them away. Less than 3 months I had 423 combats. Thats fine with me. I know we were able to do what many others only dream about, and leave it at that. I'd try to take it easier on my last Flight though. That was the roughest I do believe. I'm still dealing with it, 41 years later. Semper Fi, and READY-APP.

Standards

Joe would the Purple Foxes now be known as the Popa Fox? Just curious as wether they will go by the inter-national code or not. Semper Fi, and READY-APP.

Poppa Fox

John,
My guess is they could...but if I was the HAC, I'd just HAVE to call the tower as Purple Fox 1-1....They'd get used to it and it's be more tradition to absorb....:D

Popa Fox

Joe, they may, and may not. If The Foxes do it, they all will start doing it. I believe there were just as many outstanding Squadrons as the Foxes were. Some were more favored I would say. They all did their job, and then some. Semper Fi, and READY-APP.

Good units!

John,
Without question that is true! Good units every one!

Small Detail

Per agreement w/ NATO in the 1950's our phonetic alphabet was changed.

Thus, "PF" prior to the agreement would have been Peter Fox.

Today, it correctly is Papa Foxtrot.

However, I predict that "PF" will remain Purple Foxes forever.

Good Units

Joe, it is Great to think back, and realize that All we Squadrons in The Nam, worked our back pockets off keeping up with the Amazing Jobs the WWII, and Korean Marine Wingers did. We just could not let them, or our Men on the Ground down. I'm just in amazment what we were able to do to help anyone out that needed help, any time, anywhere, and for any Mission. Thats everything from a Huey, to a 53, and every Fixed Winger as well. The training we went through was just as rough with long hours as we found when we arrived on scene, West Pac. Many Grunts believe we were goofs, but we were there most every time they needed us. The Weather especially. I have found very few that will believe we and the 46, and I believe other Birds, could do a Button-Hook. They usually say,'IMPOSSIBLE', well like Patton said in Europe, 'Thats what we are in Bussiness for'. Thats to this day as well. I don't believe I'd mind being called 'Poppa-Fox', as it would have a good ring to it. Its just as good as 'Echo-Papa'. Have Good ones. Semper Fi, and READY-APP.

Grunts?

[QUOTEMany Grunts believe we were goofs,]

John,
I NEVER talked to a grunt that though that...Most thought we were nuts flying in and out of their "hot" zones to provide bullets, beans and med-evac....They had a lot of respect for us as we shared for them!! At least we could leave the area!! LOL!

Grunts

Joe, while I was in Fixed wing, F-8 Crusaders, at Beaufort, S.C., as a Plane Capt., and Jet Mech, when I'd go to PI several times a week, (had a WM there), they gave us all kinds of verbal un-necessarys a lot. A DI, and I were Friends, dating 2 of the WM Friends there, and he straightened his Platoon out one day when I went over in utes. Wrinkled and all. We didn't have to wear starchies, both Cover, and utes, and the hair was a bit longer than theirs as well. When several of us would go over, we stragled, and had no formation. They could tell us good from a distance. Didn't bother me. That was '67. I was a Marine by a year then,at least. Once while there I noticed him marching his Platoon, and he stopped them, called me over, and told them,' This is a Marine that will help save your lives one day in 'Nam'. He told them we would be dumb to wear our best utilities while working on Jet Aircraft. We would drive over in 6-bys during working hours as well on ocasion for things, and I'd look him up, why change? Mainly it was to wet their legs when they noticed no bloused utes, and being wrinkled a bit, as well as having some greese on us. There are wingers, and Grunts that feel, if you aren't ordinance, you aren't Cr-p. Well, I still say if you aren't a Plane Capt., or Crew Chief, the Bird doesn't get off the ground. They don't like that, but its the truth. If we do not make the Bird ready for Flight, its not going anywhere, and what good is the ordinance then? I just feel there is a small riff between the Air Wing, and Grunts. Its felt we have it easy. BUT,Neither is any better than the other. Semper Fi, and READY-APP.

Wingers & Grunts ..........

Joe & et al ....

Had an incident in Jan '68 on a trip into Lang Vei with a group of SF and
ARVN Rangers ..... started taking some fire on the way in and the SF
boyz , knocked out all the windows and began bustin' caps.

One standing next to me, hollered: "How can you stand to be in this SOB!
You're a sittin' duck!" ............

I replied: "You just watch this 'sittin' duck' leave the area as soon as you
get off!" ...... as we continued to blast away.

That, BTW, was just prior to there being "tanks in the wire" and on top of
the bunkers at LV.

Back in the late 90s I attended a reunion of ARVN Rangers in Galveston.
Some there had been at LV and I met and talked to one that might have
been on that flight that day. 'tiz a small world.

It was their 30th Reunion, so it must have been '98. I've got the program
from the dinner around here somewhere.
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John, we had similar "careers" I was an F8 plane captain at NAS Dallas and
then went the gunner route in Vn. Dearly loved the F8 and still do.

Might have the chance to work on a 53 again, if and when the VMAP in Fort
Worth gets one.

wingers, and Grunts

Mike I know what you mean. We had the 9th MAB knock out the rest of the windows we had in the first part of '69. I much would rather be on the Bird, than back on the ground with them. They felt the same way. lol. Neither wanted each others job. Least I had a very good 50 to back me up. Seems I could use it very well for sure. Glad you were able to meet up with some of the men you were with on that mission. It is for sure. In '98, I went back for my 30th to I Corps, still all kinds of bomb craters. Nothing would still grow in them. Have good ones. S/F, READY-APP.

wingers, and Grunts

Mike sliped about the F-8. I loved those things too. They were up most all the time, and pilots could do anything with them. The F-8 actually beat the phantom, but the top brass wanted a twin engine Bird anyway, so it got the shaft. Hope you get the 53. Very good chance you will, as some are getting bit times on them, and it'd be cheaper to farm them out, than moth ball them, I believe. S/F, and READY-APP.

Sittin' Ducks!

One standing next to me, hollered: "How can you stand to be in this SOB!
You're a sittin' duck!" ............

I heard this all the time Mike!! My response was the same or similar to yours!!!!:D

sitting ducks

I too heard this often. It took guts to Fly and stay with it. They didn't have it. S/F, and READY-APP.