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The Rockpile had a wooden LZ at the top, constructed in Sept or October of 1966. An H-34 squadron delivered the materials, one wheel at a time. Which squadron was it?
Pictures: On the side of one door, the inscription "Nasty's Nine, Best on the Line" On another, "? Time Loser" On another the tail number is 6.
I have a series of pictures of this operation from the USMC Heritage Center that I am trying to ID to squadron and crews. Need squadron and dates.
Posted : 2008-02-01 00:27
Rockpile LZ
Building it was before my time, but I truly remember backing onto the "LZ" with an "A" model CH-46 for the first time! Pilots had to REALLY trust his Crew Chief! They usually did, and they showed great A/C skills while doing it! It was sometimes gusty up there and a steady platform on which to unload supplies and load empty cargo nets/troops, etc. was essential!
Posted : 2008-02-01 06:24
LZ Rockpile
Alan, the planes you are referring to belonged to HMM-161. Lt. App was known as Nasty. The crewchief as I remember was Dutch Short. If I saw the pictures maybe I could remember more. Charlie
charlie baker
Posted : 2008-02-01 16:45
Rockpile LZ
I remember flying and dropping off supplies and such before the platform. And with the platform, life was easier when we delivered these items again. I can remember other crew chiefs commenting on the platform and being thankful that it was in place.
S/F Gary Alls
HMM-263 '66-'67
Posted : 2008-02-01 23:19
Rockpile
Does this bring back some memories???? 
Posted : 2008-02-02 11:28
Rockpile "LZ"
Yes it does! How about one prior to the platform??
Posted : 2008-02-03 13:13
Rockpile
Don't like to be a nitpicker, but regarding the time frame the pad at the Rockpile was built, I got " in-country" Nov '66 and joined HMM-263. My first trip to the Rockpile was end Nov/ first Dec '66 [ in a '34 ] and there was no pad yet. Just a one or two wheeler.
Posted : 2008-02-03 19:05
LZ Rockpile
Joe, you are correct in that the large platform was not built yet,but in Sept. 66 HMM161 sent two birds to Rockpile with 6 pallets that were used to build a platform. The 34s would come in and land one wheel on the platform and unload their cargo. This platform was on the highest peak. Down lower is where the 03s had their tents and equipment. Later the peak was leveled out and the larger platform was built. "Nastys nine-best on the line" was piloted by Lt. App of HMM161
charlie baker
Posted : 2008-02-05 18:13
