Return from Vietnam, February 27, 1971
I
sure do feel 98% better after a shower. I've washed off the dirt
of TSN, Danang, and Taipei.
We had to stop in Taipei so two 834th NCO's
could clear customs (TPE is the only port of entry for Taiwan).
While we
were on the ground there the CCK weather went to zero-zero. So we
waited an hour or so and it came up to 200' ceiling and 7/8 mile
visibility so we leaped off.
As we reached overhead CCK we were advised that CCK was below minimums
again. So we held for about a half hour until the weather came up
to 200' ceiling, 3/8 mile visibility, and runway visual range of
2800'. Our minimum to begin an approach was 200' and RVR 2400 so
we headed down. Pea soup. At 200' we spotted the strobe
lights but I'd
already started a go-around.
I
probably could have landed OK, but I felt a go-around was safer.
So
I climbed back up and shot another approach. It worked out nicely
with
a grease-job landing even. I'm glad I did it that way.
Back at the
776th were waiting letters of appreciation for being a mission-hacker
my last two TSN shuttles--with endorsements from the wing director of
ops and the squadron commander. BFD really, but it is nice to be
appreciated.
Scrabble, March 3, 1971
After
dinner
we
played
a
game
of
Scrabble
at
Sach's.
Mike
takes
our
Scrabble series very seriously in a good-natured way. I hadn't
won a game before, but I left him talking to himself
tonight--everything just fell into place.
I successfully challenged Mike's word on the first turn of the
game. Then I got to make the first move and I used all my
tiles. I did that twice and got a triple-word score so I had over
200 points after the 4th play. Suffice to say I won.
Ready for leave, March 8, 1971
My leave was scheduled to start March 14th. I could go as soon as
I finished one more check flight.
I've
finally got my leave card right in my hot little hand, signed sealed
and delivered, along with an authorization for commercial air travel or
standby. I'm now scheduled for a check ride tomorrow if
maintenance will release an airplane. Hope hope.
Check ride #1, March 11, 1971
I got some of the check ride done, but wasn't able to finish it.
The flight examiner said he didn't note any significant discrepancies
in my performance. That's one positive thing.
Talked
with
the
scheduler
this
morn
and
learned
that
the examiner decided not
to count any of yesterday's flight towards my check--he said we didn't
get enough done to count. Sigh. However, I may get a
proficiency check tomorrow (if they can wish up an airplane) and skip
the TAC portion. That'd suit me fine. Sooo, there's still
hope for my leaving here the 14th.
Even if this letter goes out today I
may be there to read it to you when it arrives, so I'll make this
missive my last.
Wishful thinking.
Depression, March 16, 1971
These
recent
days
have
sure
been
grim--waiting
on
this doggone check ride
while I watch our time together being eroded.
Yesterday I was told I'd
get the check today, so I packed my bags, studied a little and thrashed
the night away. Got up early to get
the briefing ready and learned once again that there were no airplanes
available. I was really sick. And then I guess I really hit
bottom this afternoon when I learned there won't be any airplanes
available tomorrow either.
A couple of people remarked that I looked kinda bad. Small
wonder.
I had checked with stan/eval about taking the check on an
out-and-back and with the other squadrons about getting on one of their
airplanes. No luck. So I tried to call you on MARS.
No luck.
I never understood why guys went AWOL. Now I do.
