John Hatch

Helicopter Mechanic, Flight Engineer, Gunner, Hoist Operator, Cargo Loader and Unloader. 1972 Cut the top off CH-53 625, on my first combat mission in Laos;

1963 - 1966 At Dreux AB, France as a vehicle mechanic.

1966 - 1967 At Randolph AFB ,Texas as a vehicle mechanic.

1967 - Crossed trained into the helicoptr mechanic field.

1967 - 1968 At Reese AFB, Texas as a mechanic on HH-43's.

1968 - 1969 At Nha Trang AB, Viet Nam with the 20th SOS "Green Hornets" as a mechanic on UH-1P Gunship "476".

1969 - 1971 At George AFB, CA. with the Pedro LBR as a flight mechanic on the HH-43B/F's.

1971 - 1972 At Hill AFB, Utah at the HH-53B/C Flight School as a student Flight Mechanic.

1972 - 1973 At NKP RTAB, Thailand with the 21st SOS as a flight mechanic/gunner on the CH-53C's.

1973 - 1977 At George AFB, CA. with Base Flight as NCOIC of Maintenance on UH-1P's. (We had UH-1P "476", Note: UH-1P Gunship "476" is in the USAF Museum at Wright Patterson AFB, OH.  The highest time UH-1P in the Air Force and a Viet Nam "Green Hornet" "WAR BIRD")

1977 - 1980 At Bergstrom AFB, Texas with the 701st TASS as FE/NCOIC on CH-53C's. (1 save at 10,023 feet, OGE-Hover-Stokes litter, with 3925 SHP, -7 engines)

1980 - 1982 At McClellan AFB, CA. with the 41st ARRS on HH-53's "Operation Honeybadger", One of the Original "Cowboys" to hit Hurlburt Field, FL. in 1980 with numerous TDY's back and forth between McClellan AFB, CA. and Hurlburt Field, FL.

1982 - Retired at McClellan AFB, CA.

"FREEDOM ISN'T FREE"

~SOMEONE PAYS FOR YOU AND ME~

"HELICOPTERS" - THE ONLY WAY TO FLY

~NEVER FORGOTTEN~