Gary, I just have to give you a "WELL DONE'. As an old blue that was there that day, I can only say I'm grateful for the cool head and piloting skill you demonstrated. Otherwise this could have been a disaster.
I salute you even though, as I remember, you hated being saluted.
From:
Greg Yaramishyn
(Sun Aug 16 14:19:10 2009)
Mr. Ista, you told me we were at 400'under 60 knots.Got hit by a 50 cal or larger. We Lost the the gearbox and tail rotor.You auto-roatated and we slipped sideways.
From:
Greg yaramishyn
(Sun Aug 16 14:21:13 2009)
i asked you why we slipped sideways and you said " that is what happens when you loose a tail. We did spin several times.
From:
Greg Yaramishyn
(Sun Aug 16 14:33:00 2009)
Your comment on being hit was "It felt like the jolly green giant reached up grabbed the skids and shook it"
From:
greg yaramishyn
(Sun Aug 16 14:36:58 2009)
I asked you why the ship did not burn "you said we needed to come in and get you even thought we were out of fuel and could not make it back to base.
From:
Greg Yaramishyn
(Sun Aug 16 14:38:41 2009)
you said we would have to put it down on the other side of the mountain.
Thanks
From:
Greg yaramishyn
(Sun Aug 16 14:47:57 2009)
On the auto-rotation you asked me to tell you what i remembered, I told you, You said "I did it by the book".
From:
Larry Potts
(Fri Aug 21 07:51:07 2009)
All I can say is great job Gary. I also want to thank Greg Yaramishyn for pulling me out of the wreck for I crushed a laws rocket with my back and had no feeling in legs for some time. (about 7 hours). Sure brings back memories of that day.T hanks again Gary
From:
John Harris
(Mon Aug 31 21:27:54 2009)
I was a sergeant with a squad of BLUES on Tom McCone's huey as we were picked up from a hot LZ.
We were behind you on the way out and I had a front row seat to watch parts and pieces fly off your ship as the tail section was literally shot to pieces.
From:
John Harris
(Mon Aug 31 22:01:33 2009)
Many things were thrown out as spinning started and a door gunner also flew out but managed to grab a skid and hold on all the way down. He was kia on impact. This is my most vivid vision of the war.
From:
John Harris
(Mon Aug 31 22:07:27 2009)
Your ability kept this from being a lot worse.
The BLUES always knew they could count on you, Tom and
Phil King to come through, no matter what.
Thanks Gary for all you did.
