Week two...
We counted backwards 365, 364, 363, 362 days to DEROS (Date Estimated Return from Over Seas) .... not many thought in terms beyond the present day, and most developed a pretty keen sense of humor no matter the situation. Somtimes a bit macarbe, but humor none the less!
Training, cameraderie and a real desire to positively contribute to the ground troops allowed us to get the job done day after day - we were aware our helicopters were their life line. Usually up by 4AM, brief 4:30, takeoff 5:30, back by 6 or 8pm or so, eat, sleep, do it again. Night ops were unpleasant. The most concern was when dealing with what the military called medium intensity threats (.51 cal, 37mm antiaircraft weapons, tanks, etc.) - no one managed to avoid them in Laos. Tom Marshall makes the point that the price of exit was getting hurt or killed. Couldn't have been said better. The only choice was to make the best of it and get the job done right!