I was treated to an awesome flightline tour by Capt Alejandre of HMMT-164 at MCAS Camp Pendleton today. This beautiful CH-46E Sea Knight (Phrog to all of us who flew her) will be headed to the east coast this summer for induction into the Smithsonian Udvar-Hazy location in August. It will officially be the last fleet Phrog flown when HMM-774 flies it to Quantico and Washington. (VMR-1 will fly the last H-46 in the Marines for another couple months.) Right now, YT-11 is being flown, maintained, and treated very well by the Marines of HMMT-164. It commemorates four HMM-164 Marines who were killed on April 29, 1975 at the end of the evacuation of Saigon. They even had a Phrog taxiing out for an FCF, that stopped right in front of me so I could get a picture. I spent the better part of my Marine Corps career flying this great aircraft through two wars, many operations, and countless exercises. She never let me down, and always brought me home, day or night, rain or shine. Even provided us shelter as the Boeing Hilton on many a night. It was an honor and a privilege to sit in, feel, smell, and generally admire a mighty Battle Phrog again. Thanks to the Knightriders!!!
Posted on: Sat, 24 Jan 2015 02:03:03 +0000
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