CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

Here are a few from March. Some great stories and wonderful personalities here.

The gentleman with the models on the table flew the F86 Sabre as the "stunt double" for Robert Mitchum in the movie, "The Hunters." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hunters_(1958_film).
He has a story about every one of those four aircraft on the table. He started out as an enlisted man and retired a full colonel.

The #2 spot - in the black shirt behind the chair - was a Army AH-1G (Cobra) pilot in Vietnam.

The man in the leather jacket is in his mid-90's and flew P38's in the China Burma India Theater in WWII. He is proud he can still wear the leather flying jacket.

The Army Aviator in the dress uniform flew both in Vietnam and volunteered again for duty in Iraq. He was the oldest Medevac pilot in Iraq at the age of 58. He flew the Channel 4 helicopter here in Denver for many years. His long career has given him stories that would keep you spellbound for hours.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

Excellent portraits of distinguished men.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

During my two years in Nam the Dust Off (medevac) pilots tended to be older, at first because the duty was seen as easier for older pilots so the young hotshots could be assigned to the gunships and assault transports. Then later I saw evaluations that indicated they found the older pilots, esp those old enough to have children in the military, were more likely to go in for pickups no matter what the situation. The troops came to trust the older Dust Off pilots to come for them through hell if need be. As documents clerk and custodian I saw reports of the older dust off pilots going into places even the gunships avoided. A few disobeyed orders to make pickups of wounded in bad situations. The attitude spread to their door gunners, they would often dismount their M60 and stay in the LZ to help defend it so more wounded could be carried. A Chaplain's Assistant I knew grabbed an extra M60 and joined them once so his Chaplain could fly out with the wounded to administer rites during the flight. The act of doing that and the nickname the gunners got for doing it was "Gunfighter". After all we were the generation that grew up on Westerns on TV and the Movies.

davefales Loc: Virginia

Great share.

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

CaptainC you are a master of your craft... the bond you attained with your clients is so clearly evident in the synergy latent within. As such stands witness to your skill as a gifted creative director...

And thank you for bringing your narrative to the dance here...
In an age while a drone strike kills with deadly precision all the while being piloted by an individual on the other side of the globe is ubiquitous now... dehumanization of the use of lethal force has become so widespread that it now is a signature of today's aerial combatants... sadly "collateral damage" is shaken off as a mere statistic with little regard for the agony on the ground...

http://www.latimes.com/world/middleeast/la-fg-iraq-mosul-airstrike-20170325-story.html

"Yes, and how many times must the cannonballs fly
Before they're forever banned?...
The answer, my friend, is blowing in the wind
The answer is blowing in the wind..." Bobby Dylan circa 1962

Pray for peace...

Thank you for sharing CaptainC
I grown professionally every time I review your superb creative efforts...

carlysue Loc: Columbus

Superb images, Captain C. I'm certain they had to be amazed and quietly thrilled with their portrait; you have given each distinction, honor, and value.

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

Yep, the medevac pilots and crews were a special breed. Selfless. I was a gunship pilot, so I could shoot back - they were just targets. Everyone had their job to do.

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

Thanks for the very kind words.

I have another one to post soon and his story will blow you away.

catgirl Loc: las vegas

these are wonderful Captain C

raymondh Loc: Walker, MI

AuntieM Loc: Eastern NC

Absolutely outstanding portraits.

jaysnave Loc: Central Ohio

Captain, I really can't add much to this post other than again express my admiration for your work. Outstanding does not come close to describing what you have done for these veterans.

GENorkus Loc: Washington Twp, Michigan

Great stuff!

SnapshotGeorge Loc: Florida

Wonderful photos of brave, heroic men. God bless them all.

Mr Bob

You have created excellent portraits. Successful men are difficult to photograph.
Number 3 has a lot of character. You captured the character.