Phoenix 13 (Hardback)
Americal Division Artillery Air Section Helicopters in Vietnam
Imprint: Pen & Sword Military
Pages: 169
Illustrations: 45 colour illustrations
ISBN: 9781526759429
Published: 15th October 2020
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Phoenix 13, the call sign of US Army helicopter pilot Darryl James, recounts his and many of his unit’s, experiences flying small scout/observation helicopters in Vietnam in 1968 – 1969. Assigned to fly “Ravens” (OH-23G) and “Loaches” (OH-6A) in the Americal Division’s Artillery Air Section, James and his fellow pilots regularly undertook dangerous missions, often flying solo. For freshly graduated pilots it was an exciting and nerve-wracking baptism of fire.
Flying over rugged, mountainous jungle bordering a narrow coastal plain of farmlands and rice paddies in the I Corps area, the scout pilots’ missions varied from aerial observation, transporting POWs, carrying critical small cargo, convoy cover, providing support to Military Assistance Command (Vietnam), aerial scouting for the US Marines in Da Nang, and inserting long-range reconnaissance patrol (LRRP’s) and Seals into small landing zones.
It became common at the end of every mission for the pilot’s to retire to the officer’s club to unwind and share their experiences. Phoenix 13 recounts some of those stories.
The 'TINS' within this collection also reveal the brotherhood developed between not only the pilots themselves, but with their crew chiefs as well.
Air & Space Power History
"For those seeking a thought-provoking look into the broader world of Army helicopters in the Vietnam War, Phoenix 13 delivers."
The VVA Veteran
Read the full review here
About Darryl James
The author flew scout helicopters during the Vietnam War. He is now a petroleum geologist working in the oil and gas industry.