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FORT CARSON, Colo. - Vietnam-era Soldiers shared their history
with current Soldiers from 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry
Division, during a visit by Aviation Electrical Veterans at Butts
Army Airfield on Fort Carson on Aug. 7, 2014.
Avionic
Soldiers from 2nd General Support Aviation Battalion and 3rd Assault
Helicopter Battalion, both from 4th Aviation Regiment, 4th CAB, 4th
Inf. Div., gave veterans a tour of the hangars.
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Aviation Electrical Vietnam veterans pose
with Soldiers from 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry
Division, during their visit to 4th CAB hangars at Butts Army
Airfield on Fort Carson, Colo., Aug. 7, 2014. (Photo by Sgt.
Jonathan C. Thibault, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade Public Affairs
Office, 4th Infantry Division)
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"We have avionic service members in attendance that
served in all regions of the Vietnam War," said Jack McCabe,
former avionics communication equipment repairer and AVEL
coordinator. "This is our fourth reunion and we change the
location every year to suit all of our members. We decided
to have it in Colorado Springs and heard about the 4th CAB
being stationed here. We thought it would be a great stop
and the CAB made it happen for us without hesitation. We are
very grateful to have this opportunity to meet with these
great CAB Soldiers."
The veterans said they
appreciated the time they spent with the CAB Soldiers and
the opportunity to see how their old profession has
progressed.
"It was
great getting to see the [advancements] they made to the
aircraft over the years," said McCabe. "The majority of us
worked on Huey helicopters. I don't think most of us have
ever been this close to a Black Hawk helicopter. The Chinook
is like an old shoe -- models have changed a lot, but still
have the same functions. The more things change, the more
they stay the same."
Sgt. Sharanbir Mander, avionics
mechanic, Company D, 2nd GSAB, enjoyed learning how the
veterans fixed electrical problems during Vietnam.
"During one of stories that the vets were telling me, I
figured out that some of the same technical issues they
faced a long time ago are some of the same ones we face
today," said Mander. "It means a lot to me that I got to
meet with these Vietnam veterans from my own career field.
It was a great experience."
Spc. Quarterrio Lilly,
avionics mechanic, Company D, savors how hard the vets had
to work during their time in service and their help in the
progression of his profession.
"The veterans had much
harder conditions during their time at war," said Lilly. "I
learned they used to have [to] search for electrical issues
by physically looking at all the wiring. Today, we just hook
a computer up to run diagnostics to tell us where the faults
are. It was great seeing the men and women who helped
progress our career field."
The visit ended with the
presentation of sentiments from both the 4th CAB leadership
and the AVEL veterans. AVEL vets presented Command Sgt. Maj.
Antoine Duchatelier, 4th CAB, aviation patches from the
units they served with in Vietnam. Duchatelier presented the
vets with a certificate of appreciation and gave them all
unit coins.
By U.S. Army Sgt. Jonathan C. Thibault
4th Combat Aviation Brigade Public Affairs
Office, 4th Infantry Division
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2014
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