The 4th Time Is A Charm
EDITORS NOTE: I spent my entire Military Career in the USAF, but for others
it took a bit of shifting from one or the other Services before they found
their niche. The following story was written by one of the greatest FEs and funniest guys I had the privilege to
fly with.
Steve
The SAGA of William “WILD BILL” Jaynes
I joined the Maine National Guard in June 1952 at the age of
16. I lied about my age and signed the paperwork saying I was 17. I served as a
Tank Driver and achieved the rank of Sergeant.
I joined the Marine Corps in 1956 and went through 16 weeks of hell before I was
finally called MARINE.
I didn’t realize that the Gunny was talking to me as all through Boot Camp I
was only addressed as Tu*d, Pussy or Maggot and a few
other choice words.
After graduation from Boot Camp, I was sent to Camp Giger, NC for Advanced Combat Training, then onto NAS Jacksonville, FL for my Aviation
Training. I was trained as a Fixed Wing Aviation Mechanic. After graduating
first in my class, I was allowed to choose my duty station. I was from MAINE, so I picked MARINE AIR FACILITY
(MAF) Jacksonville, NC (as close as I could get). This was a helicopter
base and I was assigned to HMR-(L) 262. This unit flew the H-19 or in Navy/Marine Corps speak,
the HRS. After signing in, I was
assigned as an Assistant Crew Chief and was getting half-pay for Flying Status.
I was also promoted to PFC (E-2). Sometime later, we received the HUS (H-34). I was promoted to Corporal (E-3*), made Crew Chief of my own brand new HUS and finally received full Flight Pay. Editors
Note: At this time the USMC did not have the rank of
Lance Corporal (E-3), so all pay grades were one back from those of today’s
CORPS.
After making many Cruises on WWII
type Aircraft Carriers to just about every port in the world, I was promoted to
SGt (E-4) and preselected
to SSGt (E-5) if I would re-enlist,
this I did not do! I had seen all the problems experienced between the guys and
their wives when they returned from a cruise and I wanted no part of this, so
in January 1960, I said my good-byes to the CORPS.
After working in a Service Station
with my Dad and two brothers for 10 months, I had to make a change. In November
1960, I joined the U.S. ARMY. Initially, I was stationed at Fort Knox, KY, but during the CUBAN CRISIS we
were all sent packing to Germany.
Once again I was a flying Crew Chief, this time on the H-37 MOJAVE. It
looked like a giant grasshopper on steroids, but I learned to love it.
After serving in the ARMY for 3 years, I knew that I did not
belong there. Let me explain, I went in the ARMY as a Private First Class
(E-3), made SPEC4 and was busted to
PVT (E-1) after an auto accident. I was the first person in the Company to have
an accident and I was used to set an example. At the time I thought it was
unfair and still do. Fifteen months later, I was a SPEC5 and said goodbye to
Uncle Sam for the second time in December 1963.
On March 14th,1964 I married my beautiful wife SANDY. I was working as a new
car Set-Up Man at the local Ford Dealership and making somewhat of a living. I
was happy to be married, but missed the camaraderie of military life. Well, one
day I received a letter from the local Air Force Recruiter asking if I had thought
about going back into the Service. At the time, we had our first daughter,
STACEY and we were expecting a set of twins, SHERRY & JEANNINE. I talked it
over with SANDY and then joined the USAF in December 1965.
My first duty assignment was VANDENBURG AFB, CA. They had
H-19s for base security and to warn-off
“Soviet Spy Trawlers” before a missile shot. I walked in the door, took a test,
became a Crew Chief and went back on flying status. Oh, by-the-way, the USAF
enlisted me an A1C (E-4), so I didn’t have to start at the bottom again. I was
sent off to UH1F School, but before we received the first one, I was again sent
to school, this time on the CH-3. I graduated number#2 on the UH1F and HONOR
GRAD on the CH3.
Shortly thereafter, I was off to H-3E Combat Rescue School, Survival Schools and to S.E.A. I
arrived at UDORN RTAFB in December 1966 and was assigned as a Helicopter
Mechanic until a position opened allowing me to go back on Flying Status. Our
Detachment was moved to Nakon Phanom
RTAFB, so H-53s could take our place at UDORN. I flew over 100 Combat Missions
during my tour and didn’t get a scratch. My helicopter took a beating, but not
me. Lady luck was on my side.
When I arrived back in the States, I saw my son WILLIAM Jr.
for the first time. He was going on a year old. We had 3 girls and finally a
BOY, yippee hooray for me, thank GOD, home at last.
I was reassigned to PERRIN AFB, TX and guess what they had
for helicopters? You guessed it, the “WHISTLING
SH*THOUSE”! Never worked on one, never went to
school on them, great, had to learn all over again, but at least I was still on
Flying Status and that helped pay the bills. I hated Texas so much that I put in for a
transfer to anywhere. I was back in MAINE on leave when I received
notification that I had been selected for one of 3 assignments; S.E.A. – KOREA or ENGLAND. I immediately called USAF
Assignments and asked if I had a choice and was told NO! I then asked if it was
S.E.A. – No, was it Korea – No, I could not believe it. I was
going to ENGLAND for a 3 year tour. Also, I was
promoted to SSGt at PERRIN by MAJ Kessler the DETCO
who was not happy that I put in for the transfer and let me know it.
Well, the rest is history. What I
experienced while in “Loverly Ole England” at DET2 40thARRW, was a good
Detachment, good friends, great workmates and sometimes good Pilots when they
weren’t scaring the crap out of me (just kidding!). There are some memories
that really stand out; ARTIC EXPRESS, TDY to BODO, NORWAY in MAR 1970. Although 40 ARRW HQ
allotted a week for us to reassemble the birds, we had completed all the work
and had FCF one bird by 20:00 on that first day. Then there was
the time we hit that severe down draft while returning from the Air Show at RAF
Chivenor. Other than some missions in SEA, my
sphincter meter had never been higher.
After leaving DET2 I went to RECRUITERS SCHOOL. I stayed in Recruiting from 1973
until they sent me to AFEES(MEPS) Manchester, NH as Testing N.C.O.I.C. I retired in 1978 after 13 years in the USAF
and 23 years accumulated military time.
I now live and work in South PORTLAND, ME and spend quality time with my
wonderful WIFE, my Kids and Grandkids.
Bill Jaynes
