1971 01 Cmd Pilot: I don't remember his name, but this Warrant Officer flew with B Troop slicks until LTC Molinelli discovered his "special" talent. Prior to enlisting, he had owned a successful pediatric clinic, I think, in Pennsylvania. He sold his practice and went to flight school. When Molinelli found out he was a doctor, he wanted him as his command pilot, no ifs, ands, or buts. If anyone knows his name, I'd appreciate an update. He was a great guy. I believe that after Molinelli left, he requested a transfer to the medivacs. E-mail Terry O. Atkinson (Terry.owens@gmail.com).

1971 02 with LTC Molinelli enr KheSanh: LTC Molinelli took me with him to reconnoiter Khe Sanh prior to Lam Son 719 in order to lay out squadron positions. Here we're looking over the command pilot's shoulder at that lovely I Corps terrain we're all familiar with.

1971 03 LTC Molinelli enr KheSanh: Here's the great man himself: "Cheyenne Phantom". I wish I had a better picture of him, but the back of his head is the best I got. I was a little nervous trooping around a deserted Khe Sanh, but Molinelli wanted to "walk the ground" before he deployed his troops.

1971 04 LTC Molinelli enr KheSanh: Here he is again. Molinelli and I actually went to Khe Sanh several times before the Troops deployed there. One day, I ran into some infantry guys who were bragging about being the first on Khe Sanh. I had to tell them that Molinelli had actually been there a few days earlier.

1971 05 KheSanh Cav front: In the foreground is the bunker line-either D Troop or the Hac Bao Company. Behind them is the flight line with cobras, slicks, and LOHs. Behind the LOHs are the surviving marine aircraft bunkers in which we placed our tents and stored supplies. Although two planes are seen on the runway, this is pretty early in the Lam Son operation. If you look closely just to the right of the last protective wall you can see the Squadron Tactical Operations bunker still under construction. Another give away are the LOHs. They were pulled out after a few days when it was clear they were unable to survive the intense anti-aircraft environment in Laos. We also had little need for scouts, since everybody and his brother unloaded on our guys as soon as they entered the AO. We knew where they were!

1971 06 KheSanh Cav front: Another shot of the Cav sector.

1971 07 KheSanh CavTOC: In the foreground is the top of the uncompleted Squadron Tactical Operations Center. Molinelli complained that the engineers had placed us at the bottom of the priority list for backhoe support. Our bunker was not getting built! CPT John Yearwood, 1LT Jeff Gill, and I drove over to the engineer company at the opposite side of the runway and, pretending to be senior engineer officers, we "convinced" an engineer officer to send over a backhoe right away. You do what you gotta do, right?

1971 08 KheSanh CavTOC North: Taken in front of the TOC looking north across the flight line and perimeter. Often I would look at the mountains surrounding Khe Sanh and remember the plight of the French at Dien Bien Phu also surrounded by mountains.

1971 09 KheSanh Cav area & airstrip: If you look just right of center, near the far edge of the runway, I think those are the fuel bladders that were the sappers' target the night they broke through our perimeter.

1971 10 KheSanh Cav area & airstrip: In the background, one of the many, many helos that had to be evacuated. The group approaching is MAJ Newman, C Troop CO, his Operations Officer, and his Guns Platoon Leader. I don't remember their names, if anyone does, please let me know. E-mail Terry O. Atkinson (Terry.owens@gmail.com).

1971 11 KheSanh MAJ Newman: Same group. I don't recognize the man behind them.