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Planning for the 2026 Reunion

WHAT?   GAGGLE NOTES 2025 (not require by the By-laws)
WHEN?   Sept 29, 2025 - Oct 5
WHERE?   Beal House Ft Walton Beach Florida

There seems to be some consternation concerning the meeting we had during the Gaggle, so let me explain.

First, after the last reunion in Branson I asked Ron Conner to explore other possible venues for our next reunion however, I was aware that in order to change it from the place specifically designated in our By-Laws (Article VIII paragraph 1) as Ft Walton Beach Florida, we would have to have a “Membership vote” to do so. This could be done by email or telephonically but would be difficult. I asked Ron to provide us with his findings at the Gaggle.

On Tuesday September 29 I told everyone present at the Gaggle and again on Wednesday that I would like to have an informal meeting to listen to Ron's information. This presentation was allowed by Article XI paragraph 6 and the informal meeting was in accordance with Article XI paragraph 4 which allows the President or Vice President to convene a meeting “of the Board Members present” with 48-hours-notice and only requires 3 Board Members to be present. Article VII 8b says the primary duties of the other Board Members are “continuity, advice, council and assistance.”

During those two days Paula from the Beal House and her event coordinator, Dianna, provided me and others with a verbal proposal for us to come back to the facility we had been going to for so many years. They are willing to provide a tent on the patio as our “Semi-Private” meeting area, a Friday night Buffet (meals to be determined later), free parking and breakfast and, if we want, they will provide a DJ or entertainer.

I invited anyone interested to be present and comment. Ron visited both Nashville and San Antionio and provided cost data for each. I provided the information for the Beal House.

We discussed a “Women's event” and the majority, including some women said they would rather shop. We discussed the banquet and again the majority of those present agreed a Friday night buffet would be enough. We discussed a guest speaker and most indicated they did not think it would be good because it dragged out the evening too long. Finally, we discussed an auction and agreed that a silent auction would be best, again because of the time it takes.

After the gathering the three board members present me, Mel and Charlie plus Ron, agreed that we would stay at the Beal House, our dinner will be a buffet at the Beal House, we will not have a women's event, we will have a silent-auction and we will not have a guest speaker. The Beal House items are still pending until they give me a written proposal which should come soon.

We will continue to plan and if enough people complain about our decisions we can certainly re-look some.

Have a great fall and winter. Butch, Mel and Charlie

174th Assault Helicopter Company Association 2025 Reunion

After Action Report - 2025                May 8, 2025

Most of this past year was spent preparing and checking, and then preparing and checking everything again for our move from Florida to Branson, MO, for the 2025 Reunion. We ended up with 28 members registered, along with guests which brought the number to 59 attendees. Our guest speaker was Brig Gen James Schreffler who spoke about the movement of men and aircraft to and from Afghanistan. He was the Battalion Commander and they were a National Guard unit moved to active duty for their tour.

Our business meeting was quite active with a number of items discussed. One item was replacing the Listserver with something new. Hopefully this can be implemented soon.

Our auction was not overly successful although it did bring in $720. If this is to be continued it will require more participation to make it successful.

The banquet seemed to be pretty successful except for the steaks being overcooked. I passed that information to the Clarion Sales Manager. The owner was quite happy with our unit. I spoke with him yesterday and he was so genuinely happy with us that he "comped us the open bar bill. It was approximately $400 so I think they enjoyed our business and we will always be welcome there. He added that they will be replacing furniture in about six months.

The reunion ended on Sunday Morning with Chaplain Steve Kennedy's service.

So now with the 2025 Reunion in the can it's time to enjoy the summer and look forward to next year. Thanks to all of you who attended and a special thanks to Dean and Dwight, and to the Clarion Motel crew.

Dale S.

The 174th AHC Association is excited to announce your opportunity to own this wonderful Joe Kline, "limited edition" 20" X 28", signed/numbered print, entitled, "NOTHING IMPOSSIBLE." The prints were produced from the original painting, commissioned specifically by the 174th AHC Association to remember and honor those individuals who served the 174th Assault Helicopter Company.

To purchase this print, click HERE to order a copy from the Company Store.

Butch Elliott's 2015 Return to Vietnam

Click HERE to see the PDF slideshow Butch put together of his (and other 174th vets) return trip to Vietnam, which includes a return to many of the areas of operations of the 174th. Also included after Butch's slideshow is an account of (KIA) Robert Hazen's wife, Judy's, 2008 trip to Robert's crash site, to honor him as well as their daughter Marcie. Both are well worth the time.

Welcome to the 174th AHC

The 174th Assault Helicopter Company formed at Ft. Benning, GA in 1965. It deployed to Vietnam by U.S. Navy ships in 1966. Our three homes in Vietnam were Lane Army Heliport near Qui Nhon (1966; II-Corps), Duc Pho in Quang Ngai Province (1967-1970; I-Corps), and Chu Lai, basecamp for the Americal Division (1971; also I-Corps).

The 174th flew various models of the UH-1 "Huey" helicopter. We served long and proud in Vietnam and saw much combat action in the rice paddies and mountains in the northern half of South Vietnam from 1966 until 1971, and in Laos during Operation Lam Son 719 in 1971. We have here pictures, stories, and information about the 174th's experiences. This site is dedicated to those Dolphins and Sharks, both pilots and enlisted crewmembers -- brave men all -- who did not return.

News and Announcements

New 174th Guestbook

The 174th's guestbook provider, that we've been using over a decade, went out of business suddenly and folded on April 1, 2012 (yep, April Fools Day), taking all our old guestbook entries with them. A new one has been added to the site, starting anew.

174th Website's New Look

You'll note the website has a new look. The front page has undergone a facelift, and with time many sub-pages will also be converted to the new format. Note all major "Contents" items are now contained on the left Navigation Bar. Hover over each bar to display a "flyout" for any subpages each may contain.

Join the 174th AHC Listserv

Our email Listserv has about 350 former members on it now. It is a low-volume (low bandwidth) list to reconnect friends, share information from "back in the day," coordinate information like reunions, and answer questions about other former members and events. To join, contact the webmaster.

Pictures

"Sharks on standby at the Gia Vuc Special Forces Camp. Gunships Shark #161 'Surfer' and #140 'Hooded Cobra'. We actually had a heavy fire team of three gunships heading back for fuel after a combat assault, when we happened upon a group of 'un-uniformed' regulars. We opened up on them as they scrambled for their weapons. No enemy survived. As close to 'face to face' with the enemy I saw and participated in. L-R: Jarvis Gambrill, Sgt. Ronald Grothe, Budd Vann, Bob Millius (tall guy, with dark hair), John Moore, Gary Harter (seated) and Lt. Bob Hackett's back"- Fred Thompson (Photo by Fred Thompson)

Crew chiefs and mechanics, the backbone of any helicopter unit. (Photo by Fred Thompson)

A combat assault (CA), taken on short-final to the landing zone (LZ), with infantry troops jumping from a UH-1 "Huey." This photo was taken in the Americal area of operations between Duc Pho and Chu Lai. The lead helicopter has just taken off; chalk-2 is unloading (note the right skid hasn't even touched down yet and one troop's already out of the helicopter and has reached the rice paddy dike); chalk-3 is on short-final just before touching down; and the rest of the flight is barreling down on Chalk-3 from the rear. Chalk-2 will probably be on the ground for less than five seconds. (Photo by Jim "Chalk-3" McDaniel)

NOTHING IMPOSSIBLE