USNI-Should USS Roosevelt Co Be Reinstated (YES!)
Apr 17, 2020 21:35:58 GMT -5
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dustoff262 and mongo like this
Post by docv on Apr 17, 2020 21:35:58 GMT -5
In 1984, we were in Camp Humphrey So. Korea for joint military exercises with the ROK marines. There was a landing zone that became clouded because 2 CH 46 were landing simultaneously. Unbeknownst to the pilots, there was a conex box used as target practice surrounded by weeds. The pilots in the first bird landed safely and the second bird was being piloted by the C.O. (Col. Medinger) and his co pilot Lt. Pinto. Pinto had control of the bird and stated he was going to go around again because he lost sight (and the crew chief) lost sight of the LZ area in the dust up. Col. Medinger then said "I have control" and proceeded to land even though his crew chief was telling him he could not clear the zone. The back wheel landed on a chunk of rusted conex box which tilted the 46 on its left side where the front rotor hit a tree branch sending flying rotor blades into the other 46.
Just a bad accident. An aggressive vietnam vet pilot, Commanding Officer, exhibiting no fear under pressure, being a well meaning mentor for his rookie pilot, caused a class A mishap. He was relieved of command before he returned to base camp. No one was killed but the damage to both Helos was enough to categorize it a Class A. Col. Medinger was very well liked. A hot shot highly decorated vietnam veteran pilot. It was a hard pill to swallow to see him grab his bags, and load up on an outbound flight. His XO, Col Sukow took command, and the guys loved him even more.
Commanding Officers come and go. Each one must be judged on their own success and military career. To attain the rank of Col. or Capt is a feat in itself. There is much you have to go through to be promoted to full bird. That collar insignia shows all of your peers, and all you will command, a certain confidence and trust the higher ups have in them. And that means your career path suddenly narrowed to a tight rope. One day you are walking a wide road, then a side walk, then a very thin line. You get your bird because you are expected to maintain balance and figure out a way to use your wings to get the job done as expeditiously as possible. In Capt. Cozier's case, he opted to dissolve his responsibility of operational security and secrecy and publish his feelings in an email that HE KNEW, once release in unsecured channels, was going to be out in the open in a matter of hours. He hazard the ship (a term not often used in the navy) because he chose an unwise way to walk his tightrope. He fell off, and took down the ship in the process. Did he save his ship from the outbreak? Yes he did. Did he willingly do it in a manner that was a career ender? Yes he did. Did he knowingly choose to throw his superiors under the bus? Yes he did.
For that reason, he may have the endearing love from his crew, but you cannot give a command back to a person who would allow to be compromised by his personal feelings. If he got the word to go bomb a chinese base, would he do it, or challenge the order because he felt there were bigger political and military ramifications that threaten his crew. That is, a loss of confidence to lead. A bad decision from a ranking Naval officer who should never exhibit such ambiguity in how he deems what is operational secrecy and what is altruistic emotions.
BZ Dustoff! Well said. I had 23 years in the Navy and retired as an 0-5. I completely concur with your statements. His heart and intentions were pure but he went about it the wrong way.