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Subject: FW: Update from the dirt
-----Original Message-----
From: Osborn LtCol Roy
To All,
A quick update at the end of the first week of the New Year.
Amazing as it seems, but today makes 6 months of combat operations for us.
We flew the Phrogs ashore that day so long ago. Who would have believed that
we would have done so much for so many with so little.
All of our aircraft have performed magnificently.
No matter whether it was the Hawgs running externals for hundreds of miles
or the Skids providing close air support, we have done it all. Most of it at
night and in some real crap conditions. Let no one think that low light over
the open desert with no contrast and rising terrain doesn't make you pucker.
The real performers have been the Marines and Sailors.
Pinned almost 30 sets of Combat Aircrew Wings on last night. Still have a
few more to pin yet. All earned them the hard way while getting shot at.
My Corpsmen have been amazing in their own right.
All have earned their Fleet Marine Force designation and pin. They all have
also earned their Combat Aircrew Wings. Makes you proud to call them
brothers in arms.
To make all this happen, I have a prize crew of support Marines. From my
Admin heroes delivering tons of mail (more on that later) to my wrench
turners - all have pulled the weight of the world. I also have, hands down,
the best MACG and MWSS Marines in the theater - they have been shining stars
in this fight from before our arrival.
We have far exceeded even my own expectations.
Flown over 6500 combat hours in six months.
Carried over 8000 pax and in excess of 3,000,000 lbs of cargo. Shot
everything from rockets to guns to Hellfire at insurgents.
May sound like bragging to some and it is.
I am bragging on the ability, determination, ingenuity, and perseverance of
America's finest.
We still have a way to go yet before we go home.
That pathway will be littered with traps and trips, but we will overcome all
challenges. Keep us in your thoughts.
VR
Ozzie
PS on the mail, thanks a million to all the support, care packages and
letters. Please don't send anymore packages. Letters are great.
LtCol Roy A "Ozzie" Osborn
HMM-263(REIN)
"Thunder Chickens"
Posted : 2005-01-09 12:25
HMM-263 Update
K.D.
Thanks for posting the update regarding our "Thunder Chickens." I could not be prouder of them for their hard work under very difficult times.
And a big thanks to everyone of our brothers in the Popasmoke group who sent packages, cards and letters. I know that in our time we really enjoyed receiveing them.
Again, thanks for your post.
S/F Gary Alls
HMM-263 Class of '66-'67
Posted : 2005-01-09 14:12
Boasting
LtCol Osborne:
Someone once said: IF IT'S TRUE IT AIN'T BOASTING.
It ain't boasting.
John
Posted : 2005-01-09 16:36
sounds like CO has right to BRAG. Welcome to the world of Combat Aircrew to all those Marines and Corpsmen. I know most of us have been there done that in a different enviremoent, these folks are doing it all at night mostly on NVG's. For those who have not flown lowlevel flat out with NVG's at night It's a trip and if you hit a fog bank, sand blast WOW. Keep it SAFE and bring all assets and our Brothers home safely.
Jim
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Posted : 2005-01-09 18:25
A job well done
I know the feeling of low light on NVG's in the desert, its not a good one. The only thing worse is "Trans Lant" night flying. The Marines of HMM-263 have done a oustanding job. "Semper Fi" Marines.
P.S.: I believe the saying is "It ain't bragging if you can do it"
Garfield411
UH-1N and CH-53D
Combat Crewchief
Garfield411
UH-1N and CH-53D
Crewchief
Posted : 2005-01-10 20:35
Garfield411, you did it there so you can really relate to it, I only did it at Stumps and Yuma area mostly. So terrain a little different, but pucker factor probably about same, NEVER got the "earm and Fuzzy" on NVG's.
I say if you are doing it "You Own Braggn Rights".
SF
Jim
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Posted : 2005-01-12 20:38
Latest Update from the dirt
Hope you enjoy this latest update from the HMM-263 "Thunder Chickens" It was passed on to me by JD Barber.
S/F Gary Alls
HMM-263
Class of '66-'67
> [Original Message]
> From: Osborn LtCol Roy
> Date: 1/18/2005 9:27:13 AM
> Subject: Update from the Dirt 2005
>
> To All,
>
> I wanted to provide an update as we hit the mid point of January.
> We have been very busy since my last update and the pace is not slowing
> down.
>
> We have hit some milestones.
>
> Our Advance Party is back home in the US.
> We have been looking at the light at the end of the tunnel for a while.
> I tell the Marines and Sailors, it is a train coming and we are going to
> ride it, not get run over by it.
> With the Advon, the train has definitely left the station.
>
> We are now counting the weeks until we go home, not months.
> Still a ton of missions to fly and many tasks to complete, but that is the
> way we do things in this squadron.
> I would not have it any other way.
>
> On a down note, had a substantial fireworks show from the cockroaches the
> other day.
> They are not very good shots, but they occasionally get lucky.
> Took a couple wounded from my guys, to include one of my civilian aircraft
> maintainers - former Marine and still tough.
> Took a boatload of hits on aircraft as well.
>
> A lot of units may have wanted to crawl in a hole and lick their wounds
> until they leave.
> Not us.
> It was taken as a challenge to be overcome.
> The Marines and Sailors attacked the damage with a fever.
> 90% of the damaged aircraft were flyable the next day.
> We launched on schedule to do our mission.
> All others will fly again shortly.
> Truly a magnificent effort.
>
> Our homefront has also been very active.
> The spouses have been very busy getting ready for the return.
>
> One thing that has changed over the years.
> Active duty have to sit through "Warrior Transition" briefs to get us
ready
> to go home and back to the US.
> Now similar briefs are being provided for the spouses to prepare them for
> our return home.
> The briefs provide us the opportunity to address what we have seen and
done
> in combat.
> The briefs for the spouses allow them to understand something of what we
> have seen and done in combat.
> We have come a long way in my time in the Corps.
>
> Things will be even more of a zoo around here in the coming weeks.
> We are all focused on assisting and supporting the Iraqi Elections.
> It is going to be a truly world shaping event.
> This country more than deserves the chance to set their own destiny.
> We will be here to help.
>
> I will close for now, but know the Thunder Chickens still carry the torch
> burning bright.
> We have things to do, places to go, and people to see - some who don't
want
> to see us.
> Just another challenge for this great bunch of Marines and Sailors.
>
> VR
> Ozzie
>
> LtCol Roy A "Ozzie" Osborn
> HMM-263(REIN)
> "Thunder Chickens"
Posted : 2005-01-21 19:47
Thunder Chickens
Great job guys! It make us proud of our younger "Brothers & Sisters" that are carrying on the tradition of our Corps. Give them hell and return home to your gratefull nation. You guys will have the welcome home you deserve, too bad it wasn't like that in our era. God's speed be with you.
Semper Fi,
Tim McMahon HMM-262 Combat Air Crew of 66-67
Posted : 2005-01-22 11:35
Tim
You're right, We all should be extrenentakky PROUD of the New Breed, New Corps Brothers and Sisters who have taken over the watch.
HMM-263 CO has awarded Ouroke Heartd, 16 or so to hus acft by haveing it painted on side of a wounded bird, also they awarded 20 of them to his Marines.
They will get their well deserved homecoming welcome with Honors for an OUTSTANDING JOB done. BZ to all those Marines and Sailors of the Thunder Chickens.
Y O U N A K E U S O R OU D
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Posted : 2005-01-22 20:08
