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I’m retired military. In the Marine Corps and Air Force, situations occurred that required an immediate response. The quote “running towards the battle” covers a plethora of situations. I’ve responded to a vehicle fire on the flight line. In that one a pickup caught fire while parked next to a...

My very first milsurp was a 1891 Mosin Nagant Dragoon. I paid $50.00 for it at a yard sale. I’ve yet to fire it even though I’ve had it for over 20 years. It’s still packed in cosmoline in the internals. The receiver is mostly clean as is the barrel. Later on I bought a M1938 Mosin. It was an...

Outstanding article Cap’n! In the Marine Corps, we weren’t issued knives unless for a very specific reason. The tool control program was very strict. Once I began flying, I received one of the electrician’s knives. On the flight suit there is a small pocket with a long lanyard, which is perfect...

Every night in Boot Camp (MCRDSD Oct 81 to Dec 81) we’d sing the first verse of the Marine Corps hymn while lying on our racks at the position of attention. Then, IIRC, “Good night Chesty, wherever you are”. At which point the drill instructor would give the command “rest”. Within a few seconds...

The Soldier holding the M1 with the mortar shell on it is my uncle Walter Kyle. He was in the 101st. The mortar shell idea was his and the Army awarded him, IIRC, $50.00 for the idea. During a battle they ran out of the rifle grenades. Uncle Walter figured out how to mount the mortar rounds...

My uncle Walter Kyle was in the 506th in World War Two from D-Day until the end of the war. He figured out a way to attach mortar rounds to the grenade launcher on the M1 Garand. Somewhere in my files I have the specs on the mortar rounds but I’ll be durned if I can find it. Anyway, here’s a...

When I started putting parts together, there were only his books and a couple others that I could get info from. Did you crew Rebel? That was a one of a kind armored box.

I’m a Marine vet who crewed CH-53A heavy lift helicopters in the early ‘80’s. Our weapons were two M2’s, one on each side. I only fired it in training but I fell in love with that big badassed gun. I also served in the Air Force and retired with a total of 25 years. For various reasons, I...

It all started with a M91 three line Mosin, with Finnish capture marks. It cost $50.00 at a yard sale. I have a few “battle rifles” that I enjoy, which fed off from the Mosin. I have a few modern firearms the are the same or close to the original firearms I used in the service. Except for Ma...

I served in both the Marines and Air Force. I maintained and crewed 4 different types of helicopters. I spent the majority of my AF career on UH-1N’s. At one time the AF had single engine Huey’s, the HH-1H. There may be some training Huey’s operated by the AF but I can’t verify that. Now that...

I’m thinking of using it as a display for Veteran’s events, parades, local base open house. It’d look awesome next to my gun truck!

Some way, somehow, I want to get ahold of a H-34 and restore it. It wouldn’t be able to fly but saving a piece of history would make the effort worthwhile. I was a Crew Chief on CH-53A/D’sin the Marine Corps. I also crewed HH-53B/C’s, HH-3E’s, UH-1N/FD and HH-60G’s from 1981 to 2007. Fixing a...

My pain care Doc always carried. That neat little PDA pouch carried a small 9mm. A surgeon I frequented (8-9, maybe more surgeries to put me back together) was retired AF and he couldn’t care less as long as you didn’t come into his office butt naked.

I appreciate the thought but I’m no hero. I fixed the birds so the aircrew and PJ’s could do their jobs. I made sure the H-3’s were safe to operate and could perform their missions by maintaining, inspecting and overhauling helicopter systems. I was the ground crew that launched the bird to...

I was a HH-3E crew chief. I guess you could say I still am. Someday I’ll get the feet tattooed on but not yet ready for that many needle sticks (I really hate needles). I was stationed in Iceland of all places in the late ‘80’s. We had some of the longest rescues while flying around the North...

I learned shooting with both hands. Mind you, I was a so-so shot. I was right hand dominant so most of the time I shot that way. I served in the Marines and Air Force as a mechanic. Shooting wasn’t my specialty. I love to shoot though. Nearing the end of my military career, I fell and crushed...