AIRCREW for Operation SWIFT ?

[GEORGE CURTIS]

Dear Sir:

I have been searching for information concerning helicopter support for my company (M Co 3/5) during Operation Swift Sept 4, 1966. During that timeframe, we were picked up at Hill 63 (Queson Valley) and dropped off in what we believe was an alternate LZ. We suppose an alternate was used because the initial company (K Co) from Hill 63 had a hot LZ as well as the 1/5 Bn Cmd Group that left from their home base.
We would love to get in contact with the pilots of those missions and others that helped us so immensely on that operation as well as Union, DeSota, Colorado, Hastings, etc.
I am trying to provide graphics for the company and battalion from Hastings(Jul66) through Essex (Nov67).
Please advise if HQMC historical CDs would contain any of this information.
I can be contacted at:
JD Murray
140 Horseshoe Dr.
Williamsburg, Va. 23185
757-220-2114
Would appreciate any help you cn provide.

Semper Fi,
JD Murray

RUGMAN21@aol.com

[GEORGE CURTIS]

I was with M Co 3/5 for first 18mos. in country and am currently creating graphics for all operations during that period.

Swift was a weird operation. Early Sept66 all Ch-46s deadlined. But emergency requirements forced (I believe) powers to be to release birds.

I have multiple HQMC CDs from most infantry units of Swift. None talk about origin of Helos. We specifically want to correspond with pilots/crews of helos supporting M Co/K Co/1/5 Command group on initial inserts as well as medevacs, CS Gas drops, and emergency resupplies during the first day.

I am probably asking to much.

As a personal favor, would love to tell the helo pilot and crew to kicked out CS about 1600 on 4 Sep66 for M Co that they saved us that day.

I have Swift graphics on two websites--

First--M Co 3/5 site--under USMC Combatwife/net. All the operations so far are under my name--JD Murray

Second--3/5 site--securenet.net/3rdbn5th/mike35



As an aside, about 15 of us will visit Swift location in the Quesons this August.

Semper Fi,
JD Murray

RUGMAN21@aol.com


__________________

[Jack S. Warner]

Delta Co. 1/5

I was the co-pilot of the first aircraft shot down at the start of Operation Swift on 4 Sept. '67. I have a lot of info on the operation but there is an "Otto Lehrak" in Calif. that is writing a book about Swift. I have his phone number. If you want to contact me for that number and any other info. please feel free to do so.

You can also go to D 1/5's website by typing that into the search engine. D 1/5 made the first contact with the NVA that started Swift. Our helo made Time magazine on 15 Sept. '67.

Let me know if I can help.

Semper Fidelis,
Jack Warner