Combat Story (Ep 7): Eric Brethen OH-6 Loach & AH-1 Cobra Pilot | Vietnam Veteran | 3 x DFC
About This Episode
Join our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan for people who love and support our veterans, service members, and their families. It has info on a significant event in military and/or intel history, a funny military joke, an update on a current event I'm following, something I'm doing that week in my life, a book I'm reading, a look at an upcoming interview, a reflection on a past episode and more
Eric Brethen is a former US Army Chief Warrant Officer and OH-6 “Cayuse” aka “Loach” reconnaissance and AH-1 “Cobra” attack helicopter pilot.
At just 19 years old, Eric found himself flying missions out of Cu Chi, just northwest of Saigon, in hunter killer teams in scenes reminiscent of Apocalypse Now.
During his 19 months in Vietnam from 1969-1970, Eric flew 3,600 hours and was awarded three Distinguished Flying Crosses, three Bronze Stars, Air Medals with Valor, Army Commendation Medals with Valor, and the South Vietnamese Gallantry Cross.
3 x DFC
Chapters
- 0:00Intro.
- 4:10The Army recruiter asks, ‘Have you ever thought of being a pilot?
- 5:35Ending up in 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry (3/4 Cav) flying to Vietnam in first class with Field Grades landing in Ben Oui.
- 8:13Getting picked up by the nephew of then SecDef Melvin Laird.
- 9:40Hunter Killer teams (Loach and Cobra).
- 12:24‘Nobody volunteers for the Loach.’
- 14:33Watching a tail boom skid down the runway in front of the aircraft.
- 16:35The reality of an autorotation (video of MD-500 auto today).
- 24:50First flight outside the wire with a Pig (Loach) and a Snake (Cobra).
- 30:59Based in Cu Chi and farmed out to support missions in Ta Ninh and Katoom (1st Air Cav).
- 34:04Shooting a control tower with a mini-gun. Eric’s crew chief and close friend Kenneth Taylor had the idea to mount a mini-gun on the OH-6 for the first time.
- 40:34First combat engagement at Boi Loi Woods near Godaha village.
- 46:46How to steal a helicopter (twice) for a night out to the President Hotel.
- 50:06Fighting Cobras at night lining up on a ground strobe light.
- 56:15Only time being afraid.
- 1:01:28Being shot down a couple times with a real autorotation.
- 1:04:58Picked up a Cobra crew (sitting on the skids) that was shot down.
- 1:09:25Close up view to a Cao Dai temple (example).
- 1:17:04Transition from OH-6 to AH-1 and a testament to control touch.
- 1:20:49The decision to get out.
- 1:23:57Always carried a St. Christopher’s medal (the protector of travelers). Got one blessed by the Pope at one point.
