VMO-2

MARINE OBSERVATION SQUADRON TWO

NEXT VMO-2 MINIREUNION ---> 27-30 October 2022 <--- Pensacola Beach, FL -------------> click REUNION link on this page for details <-------------

Last "POPASMOKE" USMC COMBAT HELICOPTER/TILTROTOR ASSOCIATION REUNION in SPARKS, NEVADA from 24-28 August 2022 - go to http://www.popasmoke.com/reunions for information and signup forms <-------------


"Helicopters are different from planes.
An airplane by its nature wants to fly and
if not interfered with too strongly by unusual events
or by a deliberately incompetent pilot, it will fly.

A helicopter does not want to fly.
It is maintained in the air by a variety of forces and controls,
working in opposition to each other;
and if there is any disturbance in the delicate balance,
the helicopter stops flying immediately and disastrously.
There is no such thing as a gliding helicopter.

This is why being a helicopter pilot
is so different from being an airplane pilot;
and why, in generality,
airplane pilots are open, clear-eyed, buoyant extroverts
and helicopter pilots are brooders,
introspective anticipators of trouble.

They know if something bad has not happened,
it is about to."

Harry Reasoner
ABC Evening News
16 February 1971


“I wish I could tell you about these pilots. They make me sick with envy.
They ride their vehicles the way a man controls a fine, well-trained quarter horse.
They weave along stream beds, rise like swallows to clear trees, they turn and twist and dip like swifts in the evening.
I watch their hands and feet on the controls, the delicacy of the coordination reminds me of the sure and seeming slow hands of (Pablo) Casals on the cello.
They are truly musicians’ hands and they play their controls like music and they dance them like ballerinas and they make me jealous because I want so much to do it.
Remember your child night dream of perfect flight free and wonderful? It’s like that, and sadly I know I never can.
My hands are too old and forgetful to take orders from the command center, which speaks of updrafts and side winds, of drift and shift, or ground fire indicated by a tiny puff or flash, or a hit
and all these commands must be obeyed by the musicians hands instantly and automatically.
I must take my longing out in admiration and the joy of seeing it.
Sorry about that leak of ecstasy, Alicia, but I had to get it out or burst.”

John Steinbeck, "Steinbeck In Vietnam: Dispatches From the War" 1967


SQUADRON HISTORY - 1943 to 1993

SQUADRON HONORS

SQUADRON LINEAGE

COMMANDING OFFICERS -- VMO-2


THE MEN OF VMO-2 (1962-1972)

PICTURES - MEN OF VMO-2 - THEN (1962-1972)

PICTURES - MEN OF VMO-2 - NOW (1975-2099)

PERSONNEL KILLED IN ACTION IN VIETNAM


--- VMO-2 and POPASMOKE REUNION INFO - 2017-2018 ---


THE UH-1E HUEY

THE ARMED HUEY

THE OV-10A BRONCO

THE AH-1G COBRA


COMBAT AIRCREW WINGS

NAVAL AVIATOR WINGS


DEDICATION

This website is dedicated to the many men who gave a part or all of their life to the pursuit of the mission of Marine Observation Squadron Two (VMO-2). They consisted of turbine mechanics, avionics technicians, airframe mechanics, admin clerks, corpsmen, flight surgeons, ordnancemen, paraloft specialists, pilots and personnel from other squadrons who came to VMO-2 for the exhilaration of the type of mission which we were assigned.

It is because of these dedicated individuals readying and crewing the various aircraft and gunships for each mission that the USMC was able to remain a significant element in the conflict.


I'M A HELICOPTER PILOT, DON'T CRY FOR ME

Don't grieve for me, I've returned to base.
To join my fellow Marines - at the Holy place.

My life's been full, I savored much,
Good friends, and laughs, A loved one's touch.

You can wear your flightsuits, fly a hop each day,
It's a pretty nice place, So I think I'll stay.

I've seen a few who went before me,
The guys from Vietnam are here,
So brave, so young we were back then

I still can shed a tear,
But we're United States Marines,
And there is nothing that we fear.

Oh, � God said the devil is still looking for "jane",
And yes, I did get to see John Wayne.

So if you happen to get "the calling", And you're at the pearly gate,
Remember to listen for those rotors, And look for a squadron mate.

"Mrs. Windy" Paula Page

Note: Major Doug Page, USMC(Ret), died in January 1999 from the after-effects of Agent Orange. He served in Vietnam with VMO-2 and VMO-6


A Brief History of
Marine Observation Squadron Two
in the Republic of Vietnam

Combat missions in Vietnam were accomplished above and beyond the call by the pilots and air crew (including USN Corpsmen, USN Flight Surgeons and USMC AO's) of the Marine Observation Squadrons. VMO-2 flew the Cessna O-1B/C Birddog, the Bell UH-1E Huey, the North American OV-10A Bronco and the Bell AH-1G Cobra. VMO-2 crews flew under the call sign DEADLOCK early in the war and later under the callsign HOSTAGE. AO's used the callsign COWPOKE.

When American advisers were inserted in 1962 (with Operation Shufly), VMO-2 was there. Again in 1965, the Close Air Support and Tactical Air Control (Airborne) missions were shared by the crews of VMO-2 and VMO-6. Later in the war, the missions were additionally shared by VMO-3 and then the newly-organized HML-167, HML-367 and HMA-369. By the end of the Vietnam War, VMO-2 had evolved from primarily a medevac, observation and attack helicopter squadron with the UH-1E's under MAG-16 into a fixed wing observation and attack squadron under MAG-11 at the Danang Airbase, flying exclusively the OV-10A Bronco. VMO-2 had served from April 1962 to April 1971, nine consecutive years. During that period, nearly 1900 men qualified to wear the squadron insignia (patch) of VMO-2.

Each of the above squadrons provided a significant degree of security in every way to the Marine ground units and transport helicopter squadrons engaged in combat. Through medevacs, close air support, and retraction missions, they were there to serve all Marines engaged in combat.

"Helicopters --- Here we could characterize our needs as almost a bottomless pit --- the valor and skill of the pilots has outrun the book. The stars on their air medals are matched only by the stars in their crowns."

Lt. Gen. Victor H. Krulak
Commanding General, FMFPacific
11 July 1967


ENJOY THE SITE, AND REMEMBER EACH ONE OF THE MEN WE LOST!

Capt. Alan H. Barbour, USMCR
VMO-2 (1966-67)
MMAF, Phu Bai, Dong Ha, Khe Sanh
Republic of Vietnam



USMC Links

National Museum of the Marine Corps
Marine Corps GIFT SHOP
Marine Corps Heritage Foundation


USMC COMBAT HELICOPTER ASSOCIATION
Helicopter KIA - VIETNAM (USMC)

The Virtual Wall - Vietnam Veterans Memorial - On The Web

Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association - PILOTS (All Services)
Vietnam Helicopter Flight Crew Network - CREW MEMBERS (All Services)

Heritage Press International - USMC Heritage and Traditions

Email: A H Barbour