OLAA Operating Date 01-Dec-1969

Roster

PRE-PCS OLAA ROSTER…

Pleiku Air Base… (Detachment 1)

Lt. Col. James W. Wold (Jim)
Maj. Timothy L. Buttermore (Tim)
Capt. Robert Karre (Bob)
Capt. Glenn R. Manning
Capt. Paul D. D. Houppert (DD)
1st Lt. James Seith (Jim)
Lt. Warren C. Blanchard (Doc)
Lt. Donald L Engebretsen (Don)

Da Nang Air Base… (Detachment 2)

Maj. Dean E. DeTar (Dean)
1Lt. Maurice A Coleman, Jr. (Mac)
Lt. John W. Weinig (JW)
Lt. A. Jackson Roberts (Jax)

On This Date in OLAA History

The first draft lottery since World War II is held in New York City. Each day of the year is randomly assigned a number from 1-365. Those with birthdays on days that wind up with a low number will likely be drafted. The History Place 

1969 – December 01; A HH-3E from Det. 1, 40th ARRS, crewed by Capt. Leonard D. Fialko (P), Edward L. Hlavaty (CP), Daryl I. Durant (FE), Charles D. Morrow (PJ) and Roy D. Bloebaum (PJ), saved the pilot of a A-1G (Call sign “Firefly 55”), Richard D. Chorlins (P), when his aircraft had an engine failure on take-off at Nakhon Phanom RTAFB, Thailand. No other details are known at this time. “Vietnam Air Losses” by Chris Hobson & JRCC Save Form

OLAA-ID: 22-1      
Flight Date: 01 Dec 69
Pilot: Timothy L. Buttermore
Mission ID:
Tail # 314-H
Location:
Team Name:
Hours Flown: (3.70)
  
Remarks:
Tags:
OLAA-ID: 22-2      SOG
Flight Date: 01 Dec 69
Pilot: Donald L. Engebretsen–02
Mission ID: 1223
Tail # 638-H
Location: 285/120/940- 120/60/72
Team Name: Ballgames
Hours Flown: 3+40 (3.7)
  
Remarks: SOG - 100/30m; NVR; 3 BLU-22(?); 4 CBU-25
Tags:
OLAA-ID: 22-3      
Flight Date: 01 Dec 69
Pilot: James W. Wold–01
Mission ID: 4175
Tail # 517-H
Location: Bu Prang
Team Name:
Hours Flown: 3+45 (3.7) N3.7
  
Remarks: 2 BLU-32; 8 CBU-25; 2 CBU-22; Night Strike on Bu Prang - 100/75
Tags:
OLAA-ID: 22-3      SAR
Flight Date: 01 Dec 69
Pilot: Robert Karre–02
Mission ID:
Tail # 077-J
Location: IC
Team Name:
Hours Flown: 3+55 (3.9) 3.9N
  
Remarks: #2 BLU-32; 8 CBU-25; 2 CBU-22; Night Strike on Bu Prang - 100/75 SAR Boxer 05 (Bob’s notes??? Not in PjsinNam)
Tags:
OLAA-ID: 22-4      
Flight Date: 01 Dec 69
Pilot: Dean E. DeTar
Mission ID:
Tail # 258-H
Location: Da Nang?
Team Name:
Hours Flown: (1.90)
  
Remarks:
Tags:
OLAA-ID: 22-5      
Flight Date: 01 Dec 69
Pilot: Maurice A Coleman, Jr.
Mission ID:
Tail # 551-H
Location: Da Nang?
Team Name:
Hours Flown: (1.90)
  
Remarks:
Tags:
Jim Seith status on this date….1st flight in my records is 08Dec69 Was this the date that Pete Williams ejected from #546 when the right seater had a seat failure?  It was from the 602nd and was taking off from NKP.  NO…MUTZA’S BOOK SHOWS 546 WAS LOST WHEN RICK CHORLINS WAS KILLED!!!!! On another note…Ed Hlavaty flew a number of missions showing as with the 40th AARS.  On 4Mar17, I called him to resolve my confusion.  He confirmed that he was always assigned to the 37th at Da Nang, but they commonly rotated crews on an “as needed” basis between the Da Nang unit and the NKP unit.  This was true for all crewmembers including PJ’s which is helpful to know when following the names involved that often show up at other locations. Note:  On this mission, or one of the previous 2 Nov missions flying with Tim Buttermore, Don E observed the following…Tim broke away from our approach to land at Pleiku and said “follow me”.  We let down and were soon over Route 14 from Pleiku to Kontum.  What followed was a display of low-level Spad flying that I will never forget.  I flew a bit higher for obvious reasons and watch as vehicles swerved off the road with troops waving and various stopped vehicle occupants jumping and waving.  At times Tim’s wingtips were nearly skimming the terrain.  Talk about fun.  Tim would modestly blow me off about this, but it left a lifetime memory.