Dear Col. Dabney,

 I was a crew chief with HMM-364 from Nov  67 to Dec  68.  Yes,  I too remember  the 'Super Gaggle.'  Now, more than thirty years later my eyes still sweat when I think of you and your men in that area.  I have always felt it a great honor to have been  part of such a fine group  of men as those in HMM-364.  I guess I  never thought much of us as doing such extraordinary deeds.  I considered it my responsibility to keep my bird up and flying in support the troops on the ground.  When the call went out we were to respond  and get the job done.  We were very aware of the desperate needs in the Khe Sanh area.

I remember we tried to figure out some way to show our support so we tried the beer and soda drop, we hoped that had some effect.  If my memory serves me correctly, we also got yelled at a bit because, I think, a few cases of soda and beer may have gone astray, possibly causing some personal injury.  I think I tossed a case of soda out one day and dinged somebody on the ground.  If so, I sincerely hope no serious injury occurred.

One particular incident I remember, had just pickled (aviation talk for dropping our external load) and I jumped up from the hell hole and looked out the side door to see an A-4  about 50 feet outside our rotor tips.  The fixed wing had his gear down, flaps down, and speed brake deployed.  I yelled at the pilot, "do not turn right".  The jet jock had a big smile on his face and gave me a thumbs up.  I would give a couple of months flight pay to have a picture of that. Those guys were dead  serious about supporting you too.

I know I was at Hill 881S at some time.  I could never make much sense of that area. Seemed like there were little outposts all over the place.  I was generally hanging upside down  looking out the hell hole trying to direct the pilot to the drop zone.  You may recall hearing about the Marine C-130 that got nailed at Khe Sanh.  I rolled by that plane when it was still burning and slide my cargo out onto the runway.  I remember it was a big box that said whole blood on the side and I had 2 pallets of stretchers.

In  September '68  we dropped a recon team off at Khe Sanh, came back to picked them up a few hours later, and  remember the chills going down my spine.  The place was completely deserted.  Not a sound or sign of any life.  The base had already started to green over.  There was a feeling of surrealism which I can't put into words.  The most expensive (in lives and dollars) piece of real estate I've ever personally seen.

Colonel, I hope some day I may be able to shake your hand.  I would be honored.  You and your 'Warriors' fought the good fight.  When the call goes out again, the Purple Foxes of HMM-364 will be there to provide support for today's Marines.

A proud Purple Fox,

Cpl. Thomas J. "TJ" Miller,  crew chief  YK-14 & YK-7 (both known as TJ's Taxi)