USAF Helicopter Pilot
Association
P.O. BOX 966
MEDICAL LAKE, WA 99022-0966
usafhpa.org

San Diego Boondoggle October 7-10, 2013 2013 Reunion Hands Marc Coody, Chairman Bob Strout, Treasurer John McTasney, Secretary KV Hall, Historian Jon Kennedy, Webmaster Bill Waters, Special Comm

It’s difficult to believe the 2013 San Diego Boondoggle has come and gone!  The 2013 Reunion Team extends our most gracious thanks to the Members, Wives, and Guests that made the reunion a successful event!  The reunion party was 200+ strong.  Our reunion was held on Shelter Island in San Diego at the KONA KAI RESORT and SPA.  Accommodations were excellent and the water views and weather were outstanding.

 

 

The official dates for this reunion were 7-10 October; however some early birds and worker bees arrived on the 5^th and 6^th to help with setting up the hospitality suite and registration desk. We had at least 20 people involved in this effort.  Thanks to all.

 

Most folks began arriving at the Kona Kai Resort on Monday October 7^th.  After checking into their rooms, the members checked out the Hospitality Room to find a few friends relaxing.  That evening we had a light buffet dinner on the patio where you could feel the cool evening breezes.   It was connected to the hospitality suite with quick access to your favorite beverage.  Food was provided to the Association by the Catering Department of Kona Kai at no charge.

 

The Kona Kai is about 100 yards from the water where you see the ships sailing in and out of the harbor. The seagulls, pelicans and other water birds were flying along the beach. You could hear the sea lions barking and occasionally see one swimming along.

 

On Tuesday, Oct 8, we had to be very flexible, our planned visit to NAS North Island was cancelled three days before the reunion because of the Government shutdown.

However the H-60’s were busy flying up and down the harbor so put on a good show for us..Even a couple of Huey Cobras. 

 

 

 Our thanks to Doug Armstrong, a local member living in San Diego, who was able to pull the rabbit out of the hat.  He was able to arrange a tour to the Classic Rotors Museum in Ramona.  The helicopters were very classic, some we didn’t even know about!  Many “vintage” (meaning our era) helicopters. They had an H-21 that was still flyable and dressed up in US Army colors although it was an old Air Force bird.  Plus an H-19, H-43A, H-37, Scorpion build yourself, Huey, and others.

 

The trip was long but well worth the effort.  Lunch was held at the Bali Hai restaurant on the eastern tip of Shelter Island.

 

The Hospitality Room was busy on our off times and very well kept by Gene and Bill Howard and their team.

Right behind the Hospitality Room was a swimming pool and private beach and gobs of private boats.  One even had a Bell Jet Ranger tied down on the aft deck.  Must be tough (wonder if he needs a good helicopter pilot?..)

Wednesday morning was the Golf Tournament at Admiral Baker South Course and as usual Bill Waters and Dick Mulder hosted a great event.  Must say the golfing crowd is getting short of players, must have something to do with the age factor.  The non-golfers did a bus tour of La Jolla, Old Town and Gas District.  They had lunch at scenic Tom Horn’s Light House restaurant. 

 

Wednesday evening we had a dinner cruise that took us on a scenic tour of San Diego’s beautiful harbor.  This may have been the highlight of the week’s events.  Dinner was good and company delightful.

 

Thursday morning’s Business Meeting began at 0800 with Chairman Marc Coody addressing the group.  A few words from the committee members and suggestions for the next reunion.  Bob Putlock won the toss for Charleston, SC nominated for the spring of 2015. Then a presentation by Jack McTasney, Vern Dander, and “Hatchet Team” leader retired U.S. Army Major Gamble Dick. Their presentation covered the rescue of Jerry Young, an HH-3 pilot, who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions while attempting to recover downed troops in Laos and his aircraft shot down.  Major Dick and his forces were on the ground for several days attempting to rescue Jerry.  Jack was Low Bird on the initial mission but after picking up some survivors his aircraft was severely damaged and limped back to Khe Sanh.

 

Another great tour on Thursday took place on the aircraft carrier USS MIDWAY of WWII fame.  The USS Ronald Reagan and USS Carl Vinson were also moored at NAS North Island. 

The USS Midway tour was followed by a harbor cruise of the Navy’s shipyards.  We boarded the Adventure Hornblower for a box lunch and 3 hour trip around the Harbor.  We saw many of the Navy’s latest high tech stealth warships.  We found where all the noise from the sea lions was coming from.  The Navy works with them for underwater detection etc and they were basking on a floating pier about a mile from Kona Kai.

 

The Farewell Banquet and Silent Auction took place in the Kona Kai Ballroom that evening.  The evening ended with the announcement of the Silent Auction’s successful bidders.  The fund will go to the charities selected by our Membership. Also time for photo shoot for the Reunion Memory Book.

 

Then the Farewells and hugs until next time.

 

SEE ALL OF YOU IN CHARLESTON, SC IN 2015!