First, a short introduction......


After basic training at Ft L'wood, Mo. I volunteered for "Airborne Surveillance" and was sent to Ft Huachuca, AZ where I trained on the Singer IR equipment in spring of '65. I had just graduated from two years of electronics training so the IR stuff was a natural and I really enjoyed working on it and operating it in the Mohawk.

Three of us went from Ft Huachuca to the "RedHaze" platoon at the 73rd Avn Co in Vung Tau, RVN as TOs ('65-'66). At that time, we were the only Mohawk company 'in country'. I think we were the first 'replacements' and I don't think they'd had any losses up to then. We must have done some good because several more units soon joined the war. (At least they didn't insult our intelligence and call it a "police action".)

After a year, I declined to 'extend' or 're-up' and came back to "the land of the Big PX and Round Eyed Women". After the night missions and screwy eating and sleeping schedules, I weighed 135 pounds. My future mother-in-law took one look at me and started cooking meat and mashed potatoes. After I said I do...we did. Our two sons are now 22 and 26 years old. Doug (26) is married but only cats and dogs...no grandchildren. I think Dan (22) is about to get into trouble too.

I joined the old Northwestern Bell Telephone Company (now part of US West Communications) as an equipment man....working on electronic long distance carrier equipment. I had several jobs and titles over the years. But as a lot of companies have been doing....they reorganized, reengineered, and down sized to the point where they made us an offer I couldn't refuse. After my "retirement" I worked a couple years for a local paper distributor taking care of their computers. I've now been with Iowa Network Services about four years....working with several of the same people I worked with and that "retired" from US West. Life goes on....

This last summer my barber, Kevin Penrod, was telling me about a guy that came through talking about the Grumman Mohawks and the Mohawk Association and a reunion that was coming up. I think he said he was on his way to a Keokuk fly-in and then to Oshkosh where it turns out our beloved Hawks were too. Keven hung rockets and guns and stuff on the OV-1As at Phu Bai I think he said. We'd been talking about things from time to time for years. Well, anyway, that really peeked my attention. Thanks to him, I got my hands on a copy of the reunion sign up sheet and made plans. I have fond memories of those days (nights) and flying in the Mohawk and nothing was going to stop me from attending the reunion....even though I didn't have any idea what it'd be like.

It was only a couple weeks notice but my son Dan (22 now) and I drove up to MPLS, MN from West Des Moines, IA. He's taking flying lessons and wanted to see what his dad had been telling him about.

Just as we took the off ramp, out of the corner of my eye I saw "hulks" laying at the end of a flight line. My heart both skipped a beat and sank at the same time because I hadn't really been sure what to expect. Were we going to stand around those hulks and shed tears and call it a reunion? After making a turn I started to see the tail section of a Hawk and things started looking a little brighter and my foot pushed harder on the gas pedal. Then when we parked by the hanger what I saw really made my day. Not just one but three Mohawks that looked much better than the hulks I first saw a couple hundred yards away.

Like I said, I wasn't sure what to expect. Were we crashing a pilots reunion? Would we be welcome? Didn't know anyone and had only a slim hope in seeing anyone that I'd remember. Well, the XO Paul Reed was one of the first to greet us, say welcome, and shake our hand. All this in a hanger with ANOTHER Hawk... being restored.

The weather was perfect and the reunion was fantastic. My biggest regret was not hearing about the Association years ago. Sure would have liked to been at the Arizona reunion!!!!

It was double fun having my son with me who is actually interested in something the same as me. He thought it was a really neat airplane....and it can back up too! Their distinctive sound still gives me a shiver of delight. After 30+ years, yea, I must be sick!

I want to help spread the word so that someone else someday may experience the joy that I did one great week-end in Minneapolis.

Larry Whitehead

PS: I filled out an app for Keven and sent it in....my treat.

PS: PS: I have learned the identity of the mystery person that told my barber about the Association...L.C. Kern. Thanks L C.