Possible mast-mounted sight. After around 10 hours at the controls of a Loach, the pilots were deemed worthy of flying in combat. The Loach helicopter was pitted against what was then known as the Bell Model 206. In August 1967, the AH-1G Cobra arrived in Vietnam. A rescue operation for the crew of a downed Loach helicopter doesn't quite go as planned and the rescuers become victims themselves. During 1964, the U.S. Department of Defense issued a memorandum directing that all U.S. Army fixed-wing aircraft be transferred to the U.S. Air Force, while the U.S. Army transitioned to solely operating rotor-wing aircraft. In order to reduce their acoustic signature, the helicopters (N351X and N352X) received a four-blade 'scissors' style tail rotor (later incorporated into the Hughes-designed AH-64 Apache), a fifth rotor blade and reshaped rotor tips, a modified exhaust system, and various other performance boosting modifications. He shares memories of his service and reflects on what the war meant to him then and what it means to him now. The Bell UH-1 Huey & the Hughes OH-6 Loach This aspect was further bolstered by the use of self-sealing fuel tanks that lowered the likelihood of a post-impact fire breaking out. In 1961, twelve companies submitted proposals to meet U.S.Army requirements for a four-seat turbine-powered light observation helicopter (LOH). Despite Being Prone to Crashing, the Loach Helicopter Was Favored By Following the Second World War, significant advancements were made in the field of rotary-wing flight. Required fields are marked *. Aircraft took off, fully flight capable. The hunter-killer tactic worked well for a few years, but by the time the United States left Vietnam, it was obsolete, says Mills. Upon encountering enemy fire, Loaches were to leave immediately, dropping smoke grenades to mark the target so that within seconds, the Cobra could roll in. I could see a cigarette butt still burning. It was pretty hairy, and we got the hell out of there. But Boucher got a rush from the missions, and stayed six months beyond what was required of a draftee. While Loachs were vulnerable to enemy fire, they were famous for surviving crashes like John did. The Mojave is a large heavy-lift helicopter that was deployed in the Vietnam War in 1965 to assist in recovery of downed US aircraft, but it proved ineffective. [2] The pilot was provisioned with excellent external visibility via its large plexiglass windscreen, while its four-bladed fully-articulated main rotor meant it was considerably more agile than the preceding H-13 Sioux. Hughes Model OH-6A Cayuse or LOACH History. The Bell UH-1B/C was modified from the UH-1A Cobra to include a set of machine guns for attacking ground targets. Unit: 173 ABN These rotorcraft were operated by several different organisations, the majority of which were based in Japan. Some crews argued that the Kiowa was nowhere near as nimble as the OH-6, however, the transition proceeded while scouting doctrine was changed to emphasis operations from greater distances. Kane recalls, The vibrations were so harsh I had to return to base camp at Khe Sanh, seven miles from the Laotian border. You were right in the enemys face with a helicopter and had to know what you were doing, recalls warrant officer Clyde Romero of his 1,100 hours flying scout missions over South Vietnam in 1971. The four-passenger teardrop shaped "Flying egg" (six-passenger with rear seats folded-down) was a small, light, sturdy, maneuverable helicopter, with very low drag. Cobra Gunship, Huey and Loach OH-6 Members of C Troop, 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry dedicated an OH-6 Loach Scout helicopter flown by their unit during the Vietnam War Cobras generally attacked with rockets, preferred for long-range accuracy, switching to the less-accurate chin-mounted machine gun and grenade launcher only if they were far enough away from friendly troops or if the rocketsAH-1s could carry as many as 76 rocketsran out. That was about it.. But the Hueys proved too slow to do the job properly, and the need to replace both scouts and protectors was immediately evident. (He later transferred to the Air Force and flew F-4 Phantoms, and eventually became an airline captain.) (7.62MM) The Hughes 369 was redesignated the OH-6A "Cayuse" by the U.S. Army. The back plate was often not used owing to the weight, and even the chest plate was deleted. The task force, which had been designated as Task Force 158, was soon formed into the 160th Aviation Battalion. The following two-week mission was to Yuma for night operation training. The US Army charged Hughes for 714 units with the serial production contract formally announced in May of 1965. See his memoir Warpath: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/60299643-warpath Posted as part of the \"War \u0026 Life: Discussions with Veterans\" project. The small "egg-shaped" design and simplified rotorhead incorporated four rotor blades of constant chord, made of bonded light alloy. The AH-1J SeaCobra was used later in the later stages of the Vietnam war. EH-6B, a previous version of the Little Bird, was used for command, control and radio relay. Books/Magazines Loach History - Fly in a Vietnam War Helicopter The armed OH-6s from Fort Rucker joined the training program in the fall of 1980.[30]. Units in Vietnam began sending UH-1Bs outfitted with rocket pods and machine guns to circle over the scouts at around 600 feet and attack anything that might interfere with the imminent troop landing. s/n 67-16304 "Pink teams" of scout and attack helicopters, such as OH-6 "Loach" or OH-58 Kiowa scout helicopters and the AH-1 Cobra attack helicopter during the Vietnam War; In anti-submarine warfare an Maritime patrol aircraft may be employed as "hunter", with surface ships such as destroyers as killers. The US military primarily used the OH-6 for observational and reconnaissance purposes. 2023 Smithsonian Magazine [8][9] It was reported that Howard Hughes had directed his company to submit a bid at a price beneath the actual production cost of the helicopter in order to secure this order. The Incident - CherriesWriter - Vietnam War website The Hughes OH-6A Cayuse, was designed for use as a Light Observation Helicopter (LOH) nicknamed LOACH, military scout during the Vietnam war to meet the U.S. Armys need for an extremely maneuverable observation helicopter. I could tell how old a footprint was by how it looked. [10][self-published source][11], Due to price escalations for both the OH-6 and spare components, the U.S. Army opted to reopen bids for the programme in 1967. Following a competitive fly-off and a sealed bidding process, Hughes lost the contract to Bell, resulting in the competing Bell OH-58 Kiowa being produced. Hughes Tool Company, Aircraft Division - USA, (View other Aviaton-Related Manufacturers), Dominican Republic; Denmark; Japan; Spain; Taiwan; United States, (OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable), Intelligence-Surveillance-Reconnaissance (ISR), Scout, X-Plane (Developmental, Prototype, Technology Demonstrator), (Showcased structural values pertain to the base Hughes OH-6 Cayuse (Loach) production variant), RANGES (MPH) Subsonic: <614mph | Transonic: 614-921 | Supersonic: 921-3836 | Hypersonic: 3836-7673 | Hi-Hypersonic: 7673-19180 | Reentry: >19030, (Showcased performance specifications pertain to the. The 'Loach' was one of the riskiest helicopter assignments in Vietnam But the Army decided that it would be more prudent to keep the unit in order to be prepared for future contingencies. Your Privacy Rights Anthony comes from a military family and has served his country proudly in the military as a pilot. We operated from fixed bases that were islands, if you will, of allied control, says Hugh Mills, who flew both Loaches and Cobras in Vietnam from 1968 to 1972, and went on to fly helicopters for the Kansas City Police Department. This. History | In the hunter-killer teams, the Loach would fly low over the jungle, drawing fire and then calling for the Cobra to kill the teams on the ground. Terms and Conditions, Safety Standards Acknowledgement and Consent (SSAC) Overtop of the fuselage was the OH-6s single engine, attached to a four-blade main rotor assembly. A rescue operation for the crew of a downed Loach helicopter doesn't quite go as planned and the rescuers become victims themselves. AH/MH-6J: US Army Special Operations variant derived from the MD-530MG. The Bell Model 206 is a line of both single and twin-engined helicopters with two primary rotor blades. See Also: How Much Does a Huey Helicopter Cost? . If the OH-6 came under fire, the nearby Cobra would then strike at the revealed enemy. Vietnam War Era Hughes OH-6 Loach Helicopter - YouTube The helicopter was hit in the Cockpit Loach crews regularly walked away from crashes that would doom others. On a few occasions, the OH-23 was also used for medical evacuation purposes, but this was rarely the case. In 1966 it entered military service with the US Army. Can a Helicopter Fly to the Top of Mount Everest. Cobras, nicknamed Snakes, flew circles 1,500 feet above the scouts, waiting to pounce on whatever the Loach found. In Vietnam, These Helicopter Scouts Saw Combat Up Close If you would like Headquarters, 173rd Airborne Brigade: Jan 70 May 70 OA-6A 'Loach' Scout platoon. The "OH-6C" was the creation of the Maintenance Section of The Real Cav, B Troop 7/17th Air Cavalry Squadron, which was stationed near Pleiku in early 1972. Accordingly, this tactic had resulted in substantial losses being incurred on the contract with the U.S. Army; the company had allegedly anticipated that an extended production cycle would eventually make the rotorcraft financially viable. The Hughes (Model 500M) international military version was sold in ten countries and built under license in Italy and Japan. This helicopter was UNK Home | The Sea Stallion is a line of heavy-lift transport helicopters. On March 3, 2023, at a White House ceremony, retired Army Colonel Paris Davis received the Medal of Honor. Systems damaged were: FUEL SYS In the Vietnam War, these choppers were used to recover downed aircraft. Its like a street cop going into a bad neighborhood. Vietnam following a morning mission with the 11th Special Forces (SF) at Long Than North, South Vietnam. 1:00 Jan. 6 will mark 50 years since former Newburgh resident Dave Middleton was shot down in Vietnam while piloting a Loach helicopter on a mission to which he wasn't originally assigned.. Hughes Model OH-6A "Cayuse" or "LOACH". Observation Helicopters 4. Rattler One-Seven puts you in the helicopter seat, to see the war in Vietnam through the eyes of an inexperienced pilot as he transforms himself into a seasoned combat veteran. You can have all the guns, vests, and radios you want, but you need street smarts or youre going to be dead within an hour.. Each could be equipped with any number of armaments, including grenade launchers, 7.62 mm miniguns, Hydra 70 mm unguided rockets, and TOW and Hellfire anti-tank guided missiles. Hughes 500M: Military export version of OH-6 in mid-1970s with upgraded 278-shp Allison 250-C18 turboshaft engine, "V" tail. Nate Shaffer has restored a Hughes OH-6A Cayuse helicopter. I still have scars on my legsit was terrifying. There was one day of initial training, says Bob Moses, who was first trained as a tank crewman and then as infantry before a sudden transition to helicopter door gunner. To this day I am closer to those guys I flew with in Vietnam than my own brothers, says Mills. The helicopter Continued Flight. The OH-6/Model 369 was also license-produced overseas by the Japanese aerospace company Kawasaki Heavy Industries for both military and civilian operators. The US Naval Test Pilot School (USNTPS) trains and graduates qualified engineering test pilots, flight test officers, and flight test engineers to conduct test and evaluation (T & E) at the Naval Air Warfare Center-Aircraft Division (NAWC-AD) Patuxent River Maryland and other activities. Date: 03/25/1970 and Images on this page are gathered from various sources. In contrast, of the nearly 1,100 Cobras delivered to the Army, 300 were lost. Adopted after. The OH-6A replaced the Korean era OH-13 Sioux and OH-23 Raven light observation helicopters. In 1966 it entered military service with the US Army. Built by Hughes Tool Company, it was designed to be a scout helicopter during the Vietnam war. They chose the OH-6A scout helicopter to fill that role, and it became known as the Little Bird compared to the other aircraft in the task force, the MH-60 and the MH-47. They were famous for being shot down or crashing in combat. Kawasaki Heavy Industries produced 387 OH-6D Cayuses under license in Japan. The Sikorsky S-61R is a twin-engine transport and search helicopter. The flames covered my boots and lower legs. All written content, illustrations, and photography are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and not for reuse/reproduction in any form. When the Loach debuted in 1966, it broke records for speed, endurance, and rate of climb, all important attributes for a scout helicopter. We were combat trackers, says Mills. (7.62MM) When the opposing forces exposed themselves, the crew would call upon an accompanying Bell AH-1 Cobra to attack. With US Army evaluations of each prototype ongoing, the underpowered Bell offering was formally dropped from contention and the US Army decision favored the Hughes design over the Fairchild-Hiller. During the course of the competition, the Bell submission, the YOH-4, was eliminated as being underpowered (it was powered by the 250shp (186kW) T63-A-5). Has a mouth full of pointy teeth and a pair of eyes. This chopper is mostly known for having been used to spot enemy artillery. In the end, Hughes lost its contract to Bell, who was deemed to have the superior design. One, nicknamed Queer John, hit the dirt at least seven times. But even that armament combined with the Cobra escort couldnt keep them safe. 10 Types of Helicopters in Vietnam (Vietnam Era Helicopters) - Aero Corner How a Vietnam War Helicopter Pilot Captured a POW With His Civil War It was deemed, based on Hughes' estimates, his units would be most cost effective in the long run. Helicopter Pilots Who Died in the Vietnam War . The Huskie was used by the US Air Force, US Navy, and US Marine Corps. [2] Originally designated as the YHO-6A according to the Army's designation system, the aircraft was redesignated as the YOH-6A in 1962 when the Department of Defense created a joint designation system for all aircraft. Primarily, it was used by the Marine Corp to transport personnel and cargo. Original source(s) and document(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Survivability/Vulnerability Information Analysis Center Helicopter database. The UH, nicknamed Huey is a utility military chopper that was used for troop and cargo transport, medical evacuation, and sometimes for military purposes. Its cockpit teems with electronics and sensors, and its stub wings are heavy with heat-seeking Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, laser-guided Hellfires, rockets (like those used in Vietnam), and even fuel-filled drop tanks. The Cayuse was publicly introduced in 1966 and set several records, including record for endurance, speed and rate of climb. The Cobras high above had a few seconds of warningthey could spot the missiles exhaust plumebut were all the more tempting because at their higher altitudes they were more easily seen than the smaller Loaches. This was a Combat incident. Kanes commanding officer flew his command-and-control Huey to the ravine where Kane and Casher huddled. The OH-6A Loach (for "LOH") would find targets by flying low, "trolling for fire", then marking the target with colored smoke to lead in a Cobra, or Snake, to attack. Although many were still teenagers, their survival depended on well-honed instincts and razor-sharp reflexes, along with plenty of luck. When Chuck Gross left for Vietnam in 1970, he was a nineteen-year-old army helicopter pilot fresh out of flight school. It was used for transporting personnel, escorting other aircraft and naval vessels, attacking enemy units, and acting as an observation post. While they were circling the wreckage, enemy rounds hit their ship. It was powered by a 285-hp engine but the helicopter weighed less than a Volkswagen. During May 1965, the U.S. Army awarded the production contract to Hughes. Ribbon graphics not necessarily indicative of actual historical campaign ribbons. Kane was dispatched to the crash site in another Cobra with copilot Jim Casher. The 1-245th AVN BN enlisted were sent to the Mississippi Army National Guard's Army Aviation Support Facility (AASF) at Gulfport, Mississippi, for two weeks of qualification training in the aircraft. It had to do with the timbre of your voicehow you talked to other guys on the radio, says Romero, who arrived in Vietnam in 1970, initially as a Huey co-pilot. It was mostly used as a transport chopper, but it could also deliver supplies to troops. The Model 206 was mostly employed as a general utility helicopter, but at times it was also used for transporting troops and high command, in addition to serving observational and reconnaissance roles during the Vietnam war. [18] Subsequently, on 6 April 1966, Robert Ferry set the long distance world record for helicopters by flying from Culver City, California, with over a ton of fuel to Ormond Beach, Florida, covering a total of 1,923.08 nm (2,213.04mi, 3,561.55km) in 15 hours, and near the finish at up to 24,000 feet (7,300m) altitude. Accordingly, the U.S. Army's fixed-wing airplane, the Cessna O-1 Bird Dog, which was utilized for artillery observation and reconnaissance flights, would be replaced by the incoming OH-6A. However, the U.S. Army subsequently chose to include Hughes's Model 369 for further consideration as well. Its first overseas deployment, as well as into frontline combat, was the Vietnam War. The Cayuse . Samantha Franco is a Freelance Content Writer who received her Bachelor of Arts degree in history from the University of Guelph, and her Master of Arts degree in history from the University of Western Ontario. loach | My Vietnam Experience This teamwork was actively encouraged by Army officials, and led to the development of so-called "hunter-killer" tactics that sought to flush out and eliminate hostile ground targets. The Loach-derived MD-500 and other civilian variants still roll off the assembly lines at MD Helicopters, Inc., while Boeing produces an upgraded variant, the AH-6 Little Bird, for military forces (including an autonomous drone version). Light Observation Helicopter - Wikipedia The Boeing CH-47 Chinook is a tandem rotor chopper that was developed by Vetrol and built by Boeing Vertol. The type was born from the US Army Light Observation Helicopter (LOH) program (which provided its "Loach" nickname) and ultimately proved an excellent helicopter system seeing only limited service in the inventories of several American allies worldwide. All Rights Reserved. Army units this aircraft deployed with in Vietnam: Onboard UH1 Huey helicopter (SN 66-163-56) was Aircraft Commander, WO William H. Seaborn Jr., myself as . [17] On 26 March 1966, Jack Schwiebold set the closed circuit distance record in a YOH-6A at Edwards Air Force Base, California, flying without landing for 1,739.96mi (2,800.20km). One of the most dangerous helicopter assignments was a tiny scout helicopter known as the Loach. Officially designated the OH-6 Cayuse, these things were made of thin plexiglass and metal but were expected to fly low over the jungles and grass, looking for enemy forces hiding in the foliage. (He later transferred to the Air Force and flew F-4 Phantoms, and eventually became an airline captain.) While Hiller did not participate in the rebidding, Bell opted to, submitting their redesigned Model 206. The NVA [North Vietnamese army] was everywhere. The Cobra was fast and deadly. For this, a small rotorcraft capable of landing in restrictive locations and easily transportable via US Air Force transport aircraft was necessary. So I engaged the enemy, but didnt make it out of that one. [22], Following the April 1980 failure of Operation Eagle Claw (the attempted rescue of American hostages in Tehran), it was determined that the military lacked aircraft and crews who were trained and prepared to perform special operations missions. We do not sell any of the items showcased on this site. When the 1980 hostage situation of Operation Eagle Claw was deemed a disaster, the US military realized there was a lack of aircraft and personnel trained for such special operations. Upon landing, an inspection revealed a damaged pitch link, a rotor head component so critical that had it failed, they too would have crashed. 2 M260 2.75-in Hydra 70 rocket pods (7 or 12 each) Fitted with 1x 253-shp Allison T63-A-5A turboshaft, 4 bladed main rotor, and an offset "V" tail. In addition, an M60D 7.62mm machine gun could be mounted in the front port (left) or rear starboard (right) door openings. Loach crews were equipped with small arms and returned fire as they fled. Even when this helicopter was shot down, it refused to crack. The light observation helicopter OH-6 Cayuse, or Loach (based on the LOH acronym), was a Vietnam-era helicopter designed with speed and maneuverability in mind. It is 1/6th scale and very large, has to be at least 3 feet from rotor tip to rotor tip. While in Vietnam, Loach helicopters operated as part of air mobile teams. They were operated by a number of military organizations, including the Japanese Army, Navy and Coast Guard. Information on U.S. Army helicopter OH-6A tail number 67-16304 It had a distinct teardrop-shaped fuselage, which made it instantly recognizable, and a cockpit for two crew members, along with two removable seats in the passenger cabin. Mills, who served two tours in Loaches and one in Cobras, was shot down 16 timesall but once in OH-6s. The enemy was moving toward us when a [command and control] ship picked us up. Systems damaged were: COMM SYS, STRUCTURE, INSTRUMENTS, PERSONNEL FAQ | The high-low hunter-killer combination gave way to uniform-altitude missions, with all helicopters flying nap of the earth. A recontoured nose allowed for greater leg and head room. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value only and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation. He shares memories of his service and reflects on what the war meant to. Vietnam War Era Hughes OH-6 Loach Helicopter 60,632 views Mar 30, 2013 327 Dislike Share Save Steve1958OR 221 subscribers A friend came by with his restored US Army Loach OH-6 helicopter. The OH-6 was largely removed from active U.S. Army service in favor of the Kiowa, but modified versions of the helicopter flew with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment as the MH-6C Little Bird as late as 2008. It was a joy to fly. Kane, who today sells securities in Richmond, Virginia, flew AH-1s in Vietnam from 1968 to 1971. As a separate part of the project, armed OH-6As were being developed at Fort Rucker, Alabama. The first Loach arrived in Vietnam in 1966, and a total of 1,434 of the primary . 29 of the best politically incorrect Vietnam War slang terms The Hughes OH-6A Cayuse was quite effective when teamed with the AH-1G Cobra attack helicopter as part of what were known as Pink Teams, combining the OH-6A Loach (white team) with a AH-1G Cobra atacke helicopter (red team). Infantrymen would also launch an assault from the ground. The observers and gunners had even less experience. Light Attack Helicopters 3. During 1966, the OH-6 entered service with the U.S. Army, it promptly arrived into active combat in the Vietnam War. I went up in a Loach with an M60 machine gun to get used to firing the weapon. On 27 February 1963, the first prototype conducted its maiden flight. Flight Hours in Vietnam: 1,318 Anthony is our resident military expert who uses his experience to write about all aspects of flying in the military, including what it takes to become a pilot and serve your country. I followed footsteps. The helicopter was hit in the Left Side It never flew again. Hughes bid $56,550 per airframe, while Bell bid $54,200. Armed with a 40mm grenade launcher in a nose turret, and two 19-tube 2.75 inch rocket launchers, the "OH-6C" was ready to take on anything. [27] During June 1972, they were deployed to a secret base in southern Laos (PS-44), where one of the helicopters was heavily damaged during a training mission late in the summer. 2 Hellfire ATGM Cartas de Lee: La historia de un hombre de Vietnam por Larayne M. Topp The Mil Mi-8 was developed in the later stage of the Vietnam War to counter the Bell Huey UH1. Note: The above text is EXCLUSIVE to the site www.MilitaryFactory.com. It was barely used in the Vietnam War because it was replaced by the more advanced Sikorsky H-34 Choctaw. They were employed in hunter-killer tactics, wherein they flew low over the jungle as bait to draw enemy fire. Worthy, the OH-6 Loach and two other air scout helicopter pilots, all decorated, were in Topeka on Saturday night for an event at Forbes Field Airport designed to increase interest and. [13][3] Beginning in 2001, the JGSDF OH-6s were supplemented by the indigenously-developed Kawasaki OH-1, a more advanced observation helicopter. We got hit by incendiary .51-caliber rounds, and the phosphorus ignited the Cobras hydraulic fluid. Find Us on Facebook, Safety Standards Acknowledgement and Consent (SSAC). The Hughes OH-6 Cayuse (nicknamed "Loach", after the requirement acronym LOHLight Observation Helicopter) is a single-engine light helicopter with a four-bladed main rotor used for personnel transport, escort and attack missions, and observation. In air mobile teams, a pilot would fly low while an observer would scan the ground for signs of the enemy force. Light Observation Helicopter (LOH) program, The US Air Force Panicked When Its Top-Secret Stealth Fighter Crashed Into the California Wilderness. South Vietnam Scout pilots were a different breed of cat, says Cobra pilot Jim Kane, who likens his former colleagues to the airborne equivalent of the Tunnel Rats, soldiers who crawled head-first into Viet Cong-built tunnels without any idea what awaited them there. 24 Helicopters Used in Vietnam (And Their Purpose) Since units were all but permanently assigned to particular areas, they came to know the local geography intimately and could spot anything out of the ordinary. Despite its strong offensive abilities, the SH-2 Seasprite was mostly used for rescuing downed friendly aircrews instead of direct combat. Unit: DIR SUP / TRAN The Loach's main role was reconnaisance and observation. The Model 369, with its Allison T63-A-5A series turboshaft engine, took its first flight on February 27, 1963, under the military designation YOH-6A. The Army dictated that after 300 hours of flight time, each Loach go through a thorough inspection, but in practice such inspections were rare: Few Loaches survived to reach that mark. Military operators included the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF), Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), and the Japanese Coast Guard. During the testing phase, it became clear the Bell prototype was underpowered, so it was dropped. Today, the Little Birds in use by special operations are MH-6Ms derived from a similar but more powerful helicopter. To this day I am closer to those guys I flew with in Vietnam than my own brothers, says Mills. Read the harrowing story of what happened on that tragic mission. The pilots dubbed the new helicopter Loach, a word created by pronunciation of the acronym of the program that spawned the aircraft, LOH (light observation helicopter). Cobras and Loaches, two vastly different aircraft, relied on each other to fight the enemy. Even trampled grass was a clue; it meant that enemy troops had passed through the area within eight hours, the time it took for grass to dry upright. Flight Hours in Vietnam: 1,400. In January 1968 PFC Richard Toops went on to Infantry OCS at Ft. Benning, Ga. graduating in September 1968. In 1960, the US Army issued Technical Specification 153 and established the Light Observation Helicopter (LOH) program. The helicopter was inducted as the OH-6 "Cayuse" and would eventually take on the in-the-field nickname of "Loach" in reference to its "LOH" origins.