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Stephanie Carroll/LVNphoto
Former members and relatives of the HAl-3 Seawolves Squadron are, from left, Al Zaragoza, Alan Billings, Red Fairbanks, Mike Labella, Judie Schkade, Jamie Wood, Dan Higgins and Mike Dobson.
Vietnam veterans who served with the Helicopter Attack Light-3 or HAL-3 Squadron, the most decorated squadron of the Vietnam War, visited Naval Air Station Fallon Friday for the re-dedication of Air Power Park and the dedication of the Bell UH-1, known as the Huey helicopter.
The Huey was an assault combat helicopter used in Vietnam and is still used today for military search and rescue. From 1965 to 1967 the Huey was used to evacuate 378 casualties, many of which were conducted by the members of HAL-3 or also known as the Seawolves.
“They were wild men,” said former HAL-3 member, Mike Dobson. “They were renegades. They would do anything. When the SEALs or the riverboats were in trouble, they were there.”
Alan “Hollywood” Billings, former squadron member explained the Seawolves provided troop and ground support and often conducted rescue missions under fire.
“We were mostly a quick reaction strike force on call 24 hours,” Billings said. “If you ever got into trouble you'd call the Seawolves or HAL-3.”
Billings said the willingness of the Seawolves to risk their lives to save others is how they became the most decorated squadron of Vietnam.
“Navy helicopter crews have long been an unselfish breed,” Billings said.
Dobson said they had to have a special mindset to do it.
“You had to commit yourself that you weren't going to come home, but you were getting a lot of other people home,” Dobson said.
Billings said they were also able to do what they did because they wanted to. Nearly every member was a volunteer, and many went out of their way to join the squadron.
“It was a mixed bag — for some of them it was God and country — others were young men wanting to know who they were and what type of person they were,” Billings said.
Unfortunately, former member Red Fairbanks said Vietnam veterans were not considered heroes at the time due to a lack of support for the war among the American population.
“When we came home they were not happy to see us,” said
The former members of the HAL-3 Squadron were honored Friday to have NAS Fallon dedicate the Huey, demonstrating today's appreciation for their service.
“Now people are proud to be a Vietnam veteran, and it's a real special time,” said former HAL-3 member Dan Higgins. “It's nice to be recognized.”
For more information www.seawolf.us.
The Huey was an assault combat helicopter used in Vietnam and is still used today for military search and rescue. From 1965 to 1967 the Huey was used to evacuate 378 casualties, many of which were conducted by the members of HAL-3 or also known as the Seawolves.
“They were wild men,” said former HAL-3 member, Mike Dobson. “They were renegades. They would do anything. When the SEALs or the riverboats were in trouble, they were there.”
Alan “Hollywood” Billings, former squadron member explained the Seawolves provided troop and ground support and often conducted rescue missions under fire.
“We were mostly a quick reaction strike force on call 24 hours,” Billings said. “If you ever got into trouble you'd call the Seawolves or HAL-3.”
Billings said the willingness of the Seawolves to risk their lives to save others is how they became the most decorated squadron of Vietnam.
“Navy helicopter crews have long been an unselfish breed,” Billings said.
Dobson said they had to have a special mindset to do it.
“You had to commit yourself that you weren't going to come home, but you were getting a lot of other people home,” Dobson said.
Billings said they were also able to do what they did because they wanted to. Nearly every member was a volunteer, and many went out of their way to join the squadron.
“It was a mixed bag — for some of them it was God and country — others were young men wanting to know who they were and what type of person they were,” Billings said.
Unfortunately, former member Red Fairbanks said Vietnam veterans were not considered heroes at the time due to a lack of support for the war among the American population.
“When we came home they were not happy to see us,” said
The former members of the HAL-3 Squadron were honored Friday to have NAS Fallon dedicate the Huey, demonstrating today's appreciation for their service.
“Now people are proud to be a Vietnam veteran, and it's a real special time,” said former HAL-3 member Dan Higgins. “It's nice to be recognized.”
For more information www.seawolf.us.
