Waiting for unloading help?

One advantage of Crewing a CH-46 was that a pallet would fit on the rollers inside the bird. If nobody came out to get whatever it was we were delivering, we could (and did) just kick it out! If it was at the incorrect location, someone would certainly come out then, and they wouldn't be so slow next time either. This kinda stuff happened from time to time, though. Was it unusual for it to be HMM-363?
Semper Fi
Joe

Joe

I was not the Crew Chief, but I was flying that day, I think this was Medical supplies that no one wanted when the aircraft arrived and the pilots were being told over and over that they we needed ASAP and they were not to return them. I understand they finally had the Crew Chief and gunner drop them on the side of the LZ.

As to the CH-46s, in FEB 68 ( as always) they were worth their weight in Gold, this was TET 68 and we were in short supply of helicopters, men and supplies. I think the 34s were called off their mission because they were close to the Emergency supply pick up and to camp Evans.

The post just shows how confusing those months were during TET 68 were. I remember going into zones for Emergency Medevacs and just picking up KIAs because we could not get to the call for hours. Just too much action and not enough Helicopters.

FYI

I crewed 34s, and 46s in Vietnam, I agree with you, the 46s is AWESOME for on loading and off loading troops, supplies or rolling stock.

I was not the Crew Chief, but I was flying that day, I think this was Medical supplies that no one wanted when the aircraft arrived and the pilots were being told over and over that they
we(re) needed ASAP and they were not to return them. I understand they finally had the Crew Chief and gunner drop them on the side of the LZ.
...................................................................................
On 27 February 1968 two UH-34Ds from HMM-363 were mission diverted to provide Emergency Resupply for Camp Evans. On arrival at Camp Evans the crews waited one hour and 15 minutes to have the Emergency Cargo unloaded and nobody had claimed the cargo when the aircraft departed.

Not 2nd guessing-(Not qualified to)-just curious:
Not to take anything away from the great work everyone did under terrible conditions, but as busy as they were, and being short crews & a/c, it seems strange they didn't just offload the supplies as soon as they landed @ Evans instead of sitting there for 1.25 hrs.
I don't remember ever sitting anywhere for very long, even in 70 & 71 when things were comparativly a lot easier & less hectic most of the time.

I am curious

Is there any information as to who the crew was for this diverted emergency?

:confused:

I didn't fly that day!

one hour and 15 minutes

That sounds like a lot of time to be shut down. Something else must have been ongoing.

Maybe knowing the source or have the crews give their comments would clarify things.

Stuff happens. Who cares?

Source document:

Pike Military Research

Declassified NND 735017

HMM-363

27 February 1968

Declassified Material

Gorge,
How could you tell which squadron from this document? Is there something else that links the situation to HMM-363?
Semper Fi
Joe

Pike Military Research

Declassified NND 735017

HMM-363

This 300 page Command Chronology covers HMM-363 only, from April 1967 until Feb 68

We also , Thanks to TRIPPER, have three other books covering 65, 66 & early 67, along with one that finishes in Dec 68 when we disbanded. These books have entries for everyday from Pilots after-action reports .

Tripper brings them to the reunion and they are great for getting conversations going or checking out long lost facts and information.