This is from the Reporter, Vol I, No. 27 - Ton Son Nhut, - Viet Nam - 14 August 1965
Phu Bai, (usarv-10)-
Flying north from Danang, one passes over the bay of Touurane, the sunlit ships below looking like precious stones set in emerald- over the craggy Hon Soc Cha, thrust far into the sea, and eventually to the remote , little vase of Hue- Phu Bai. Here, surrounded by dazzling sheets of white and yellow sand, is the home of the 220th Aviation Company.
The 220th Aviation Company, although a relative newcomer to Vietnam, is growing accustomed to enemy fire. Flying the light, single engine O1F, the 220th spots enemy positions, directs artillery fore, calls for air strikes and relays radio for U. S. Marines and ARVN forces, covering an area from Quang Ngai to the 17th Parallel.
The unit was organized in Ft. Lewis Wash, on May 15th and arrived in Vietnam on July 1st. "When we got off our caribou's in Phu Bai, " said SSgt. Domnic Carechia, " We immediately grounded our equipment and started constructing defensive positions."
The men sleep in tents where the temperature is well over a 100 degrees and work under the sun, where it is considerably hotter. Their club tent serves hot beer and soft drinks. Until their mess is completed, they will ride a few miles to the 8th RRU compound to eat.
Under these conditions, the unit's spirit and high morale seem incredible. The men are proud of their officers. " There isn't a man here", one NCO stated, " who wouldn't do anything for Major Currey."
Major Jerry R. Currey, the commanding officer, carries a Korean walking stick a traditional symbol of respect rarely presented to Americans and runs his company, as Sgt. Carechia put it, " the way an Army unit should be run." The executive officer, Capt. William O. Shumale, tells the same story: " We've really worked hard, but we're still a company. We don't slack because we're in a combat zone."
The 220th now has platoons or detachments in Hue, Danang, and Quang Ngai. It's pilots and ground crews work day and night to perform their mission- a mission, in Capt. Shmale's words, of being, " eyeballs on an elevated platform."
The stroy came from the Reporter August 1965 and was sent in by Bruce Jones, Clerk for the 220th RAC.
End of Mission- SSgt. Domenic Carecchia, a flight platoon NCO, guides Bird dog to it's parking area after a mission near Danang. O-F1 Bird dogs fly from unprepared strips- cruise at 110 kts, with a range of 450 miles. (photo by (USARV-10)