We Saw the Tracers Ahead of Us sums up one very slow night for Cobra 3-1 over Cambodia. Actually, the NVA led him so badly that he simply went dark, turned left and lived. Now he’s back with RePete and Fig for round two.
A Reunion Worth the Trip
First, one thank-you call from the Gary Sinise Foundation became a sponsored 114th Assault Helicopter Company reunion in Savannah. As a result, attendance jumped from 50 to 170. Then the old gunship pilots tried the Apache simulator. Naturally, Cobra 3-1 saw 220 on an aircraft that stops at 183.
Also, his old Vinh Long neighbors were the 175th, home of Chuck Howard from Episode 227.
We Saw the Tracers Ahead of Us, and Other Bad Ideas
Meanwhile, the 114th had no Loaches, so the lead Cobra became the hunter. Consequently, he flew low, slow and pointing at things. He also explains why the AH-1 Cobra may owe its name to his unit’s third platoon. Then come the bullet catcher, bug-ship flares and the push 21 miles into Cambodia. In fact, he admits the line between crazy and reckless was never clear.
The Hole Nothing Fills
However, the heaviest story is his flight school roommate Les. Les died just weeks after his son was born. Furthermore, Cobra opens up about survivor’s guilt and the VA therapy he finally sought. Finally, his father’s merciless teasing over a mystery photo keeps things light. His advice to his 19-year-old self? Full steam ahead.
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