$0th Anniversary of the Phrog!

icky57,
I agree with all, but must admit that I'm curious. Why would someone not even born when we first flew these birds care so much? Don't misunderstand, I'm appreciative but curious.
Joe

There is a PHROG PHLYERS PHOREVER patch in production, and we should have them for sale by the end of March 2004. See attached image. The way things are going maybe our grandchildren will be flying the 46's.

😀 PHROGS Forever OOOOOOOORAH. Also everyone should email loca area tv stations in the Boeing area and ask they to find out why? Stations for Seattle area Boeing coverage are www.komotv.com, www.king5.comand www.kirotv.com Also your local congressman and/or senator get all area covered.

Reply to Mr. Reed

Mr. Reed, I have been a Phrog Crew Chief for the past 12 years and a Marine for 15 1/2. I have 2800 plus hours in the Phrog and I LOVE this aircraft. I feel it is a shame the Boeing Company has turned it's back on it. The 46 has been a workhores for the Corps for 40 years and deserves to be reconized and promoted as the greatest helicopter in military aviation.

Bravo!

Good on ya' Icky! Got more hours in 'em than I do, sounds like! Hope you are successful, I agree with all!
Semper Fi, Sir
Joe

The PHROG PHLYERS PHOEVER patches came in today 3/4/04, and should be posted on the Freedom Hill PX within the next couple of weeks. We have them for sale $6.00 at this time. We have 105 on hand right now.

The Boeing Company

I agree it is a shame that Boeing are not recognizing the 40th Anniversary of the Phrog but it doesn't surprise me. Their main web site states unequivically that they are uninterested in co-operating in any way with anyone.

My own experience confirms that they mean it. I spoke to the people here in Philadelphia, where the Phrog was manufactured and pointed out that the reports written by the Field Engineering staff (Tech Reps) was a fabulous source of materials detailing the history of the H-46 and the H-47. I offered my services to do the leg work. Since I am retired I have plenty of free time. I also offered a selection of Vietnam era photographs which are professional quality, no strings attached. In neither case were they in the least bit interested.

The only hope is to get the politicians interested.

I don't think they made any note of the anniversary of the B-52 either.

Boeing-Vertol

So sad to me, John. It proves the old addage that "if it doesn't make $$, they don't care"!! Boeing rode to success on the backs of these great aircraft and the people that flew and maintained, and built them. They should acknowledge the feats and milestones along the way. Wonder if it's the money or the time out of their day that is the real underlying issue here????

Even the old "A" model in the photo here, one of the original workhorses, should be due some praise somewhere up the line!

Semper Fi
Joe

Phrog 40th

The Boeing plant in Philadelphia is in the 7 th Congressional District, Rep. Curt Weldon.

Following is a draft of a letter I intend to send to the Congressman and before I do I would like comments.

I also encourage everyone to write to Congressman Weldon.

2466 Rayburn House Office Building
Honorable Curt Weldon
Washington, D.C. 20515

Dear Congressman Weldon

40 years ago, 1964, was a very significant year for your constituents and for the H-46 Sea Knight. This helicopter was designed and built in your District by people who largely would have been your constituents. Three major milestones were reached in 1964:

June - Delivery of the first UH-46 to the USN.
October - Delivery of the first CH-46 to the USMC
November – H-46 released for Fleet use.

The H-46 went on to become the backbone of the Marine Corps’ helicopter fleet and is still in service today.

The H-46 gets less than its fair share of attention, maybe because when its mission is complete, it retires over the horizon, out of sight of journalists and politicians. These upcoming anniversaries appear to me to be a perfect opportunity to educate the public about a program that has been an outstanding success. It is also an intensely human story. The H-46 had serious problems at the start of its service, a number disintegrating in mid-air, killing all on board. Vertol had recently been acquired by Boeing and were able to call on the bigger company’s resources to help solve the problems. The H-46 went on to become the second safest helicopter in service. The safest, by the way is the H-47, the Chinook, also designed and built in your District. There seem to be lessons here of perseverance overcoming adversity, which apply directly to the V-22 Osprey, which needs all the help it can get.

To my surprise, I have been told that Boeing has no plans to celebrate these anniversaries. This seems to me to be very short sighted. Boeing is ignoring a glorious part of its history, and especially ignoring the US Marine Corps’ sentiments. There are many Marines and retired Marines who flew, maintained or flew in the H-46 and love the old bird. There seems to be an unusually strong bond between today’s Marine in the H-46 community and those of us who flew it long ago, maybe because our young Marines are flying the same exact airplanes as we did.

Could you please use whatever influence you may have with the Boeing people to recognize these anniversaries.

I am pleased to say that I was a constituent of yours in 1987 when you regained the seat in the 7th Congressional District for the Republicans and looking at your record on most issues, I voted the right way in voting for you.

Yours truly

John Dullighan

40th Anniversary

Bravo John, I wish I were so eloquent.
S/F
Bill Weaver

John

You should consider advising the Honorable Congressman that your letter to him and his response to you will be posted at

https://www.popasmoke.com/notam2/showthread.php?threadid=4190

On the United States Marine Corps Vietnam Helicopter Association "POP A SMOKE" website. This website receives over 10,000 views a month.

GOOD NEWS!!!!!!!!

Good noew for all concerned. I have recently received an e-mail from the Boeing Historian and he said that it looks like the Marine Coprs is "pressuring" them into doing something for the 40th Aniversary of the Phrog. It seems that my letter writing campaing to both my Congressman and Senator, The Marine Corps Times, Marines magazine and Leatherkneck may have paid off. I will keep you all posted with anyother information I get. But lets not give up keep the pressure on your Congressmen and Senators and lets get the Phrog the reconition it deserves.
SSgt Nick Dmitruchina

Phrog Anniversary!

Way to go Nick!
Your jumping on this got it going, so you deserve all the credit if it does come to fruition! I've said this before for ther benefit of my generation, but gentlemen we have left our Corps in good hands!! These are great young men and they continue to do us proud every day! Semper Fi
Joe

BZ, maybe Boeing thinks it will helptheir v22 sales with BHC.
A;sp anyone out there woho would like a license plate frame made with PHROGS Forever and/pr what ever else on it and/pr any other saying check out www.usaircombat.com. I got on with HMM-165 WhiteKnights on top and Vietnam Vet on bottom looks good.