Here's one for you. This is about how I went from a school train killer to an OJT UH-1 helicopter crew chief.
Starbuck and My Transition
Starbuck was the T.I. (Technical Inspector) for
D/227 AHC. I do not know if the CO directed him to keep a close eye on me or not. What I do know is that he taught me a hell of a lot about that UH-1 during that time we were both in Delta Co. I believe he did do a damn good job of my training as a Crew Chief. Of the eight years I worked as a helicopter Crew Chief none of the birds I crewed ever had a forced or even a precautionary landing.
It all began one morning when I was an eleven bravo door gunner. I was servicing the sixties when the CO walked up. He got right to the point and ask if I would like to serve as a Crew Chief. His question caught me completely by surprise.
I replied, “But Sir, I know very little about these helicopters.”
He said, “ You have a G.T. score of 110. That makes you my choice to be a good OJT Crew Chief.”
I replied, “Before I answer you I have one question for you. Will you or can you change my MOS from 11 bravo to 67 November?”
He said, “Yes and I will.”
I said “Sir, you have a deal.”
He said, “I think you will turn out to be a good Crew Chief. By the way this bird, it is now your bird. I will be sending you out a door gunner to take over your door gunner duties. Then you can start learning to be a Crew Chief.”
I now had a way of ridding myself, of that bloody job of up close and personal killing.
Now I knew that my lack of knowledge about the UH-1 could very well result in not only my demise it could also kill the other three crew members in a mechanical related crash.
I went looking for SP-6 Starbuck the company’s Technical Inspector. I found him on his knees up on the engine deck of another bird. I ask him if I could have some of his time for a chat. He said he was busy and would see me when he was done there. I was up on top of my newly assigned (old) helicopter, looking over the rotor head when he showed up.
We sat on the floor in the open door and I told him that the CO had just made me a Crew Chief. He said the CO had already talked to him about OJTing me that morning, but he didn’t know the CO was going to do it so soon.
I told him that he and the CO must know that I will be needing a lot of help and some very close supervision. He said of corse we do and I will be standing over your shoulder every time you get back in from flying. I was on the path of ridding myself, of that 11B2P MOS.