[Bigiron] Vietnam Helicopter Research

Mon Jun 9 10:37:43 PDT 2025

Jim, great to hear from you! I always thought I was in the Entrepreneurial Navy (HA(L), VRF, HC, HM), vs the Corporate Navy (TACAIR, ASW, CRUDES, CV). I define the Corporate Navy as longstanding and enduring whereas the Entrepreneurial Navy is created for specific missions for a limited period of time. Each have their role in the overall scheme of Naval Warfare. Certainly, the Entrepreneurial Navy is less certain, career wise and promotion wise, but I received a great sense of satisfaction in what my role was and I can’t think of anything I had rather done with my youth and my life than what I did in the Navy. I wish I could do it all over again! 

I am attaching a document I wrote re my experiences in HA(L)-3 for your perusal. 

Morrie

> On Jun 8, 2025, at 4:49 PM, James Scurria <jfscurria at msn.com> wrote:
> 
> Happy to see this finally being addressed Morrie.  Better late than never I guess.  Your input with be invaluable!  I always felt the Navy was far too quick to ditch the Navy armed helicopter concept, post Vietnam.  We gave lip service to the reserve HA(L) squadrons.  So little so that in 1988, with the standup of the United States Special Operations Command, and the force allocations that followed, they didn't even want HA(L)-4/5 for Navy Seal support.  It took decades, but Navy armed helicopters are back in business.  
> 
> I had orders to HA(L)-3 that were cancelled in late '71.  Reported to HC-6 in July '74.  Jim Magee was CO.  One of my most enjoyable assignments was as OIC of an 8 month, two plane Det to the Med.  I would be interested in hearing about your experiences with the 46's in your HC-6 det.  What a fun airplane to fly! 
>  
> Hope you are well!
> 
> Jim Scurria
> 
> 
> 
> From: Bigiron <bigiron-bounces at helobubbas.com> on behalf of Morris Steen <morrissteen at me.com>
> Sent: Sunday, June 8, 2025 3:26 PM
> To: bigiron at helobubbas.com <bigiron at helobubbas.com>; ryanw0401 at gmail.com <ryanw0401 at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [Bigiron] Vietnam Helicopter Research
>  
> Ryan, I had two tours in VN. The first tour, 1967-68 with HA(L)-3 as a gunship pilot, and the second, 1872-73 with HC-6 as OIC of a two acft detachment flying combat support missions. Between the two tours I flew 721 missions and would be available to speak with you regarding my perspective. I have written about my experiences and will refer to those documents in any discussion we may have. Thanks.
> 
> Morrie Steen
> 850-843-0636
> morrissteen at me.com <mailto:morrissteen at me.com>
> 
>> On Jun 4, 2025, at 11:52 AM, retiredaffairs at nhahistoricalsociety.org wrote:
>> 
>> Anyone who might be interested in helping Ryan with information he might need in his research efforts, please contact him directly………mgb
>>  
>> From: Ryan Gilchrist <ryanw0401 at gmail.com <mailto:ryanw0401 at gmail.com>> 
>> Subject: Vietnam Helicopter Research
>> Good morning,
>>  I hope you are doing well.  My name is Ryan W. Gilchrist and I am researching for the National Naval Aviation Museum's new Vietnam War exhibit they are currently developing.  Under the direction of Deputy Director Mr. Hill Goodspeed, I have been tasked with researching a number of topics for inclusion in a touch-screen display format, including aircraft, weapons, missions, enemy threats, and ROE.  Obviously Navy helicopters played a big role in Vietnam, from the Seawolves' UH-1s to the other ship-based helicopters such as the SH-2 and SH-3 performing rescues, feet wet and feet dry.  Helicopters are not my area of expertise, and consequently I have no contacts for any of these communities.
>>  I wanted to reach out and see if there was a possibility of being connected with a Vietnam Navy helicopter veteran or veterans so I can email them a few questions for the museum.  Each part of the display will be somewhat small, but I am pursuing first-hand knowledge for each and would appreciate any help you can provide.  Thank you and I look forward to hearing back.
>>  Very Respectfully,
>> Ryan W. Gilchrist
>>  
>>  
>>  
>>  
>> Mike Brattland  CDR USN (Ret.)
>> Vice President, NHAHS & NHAHS/NHASF Webmaster
>> (NHA) LTM #70  R-12230 CGAA LTM P-5463
>> P.O Box 180578
>> Coronado, California 92178-0578
>> 619 454-0496 Cell
>> retiredaffairs at nhahistoricalsociety.org <mailto:retiredaffairs at nhahistoricalsociety.org> retiredaffairs at nhascholarshipfund.org <mailto:retiredaffairs at nhascholarshipfund.org>
>> mgbrattland at gerlecreek.com <mailto:mgbrattland at gerlecreek.com>
>> www.nhahistoricalsociety.org <>    www.nhascholarshipfund.org <http://www.nhascholarshipfund.org/>  
>>  
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