Info Sheet - Michael A. Peake
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I came into country in June 72 and was shipped over to Long Binh for several days before airlifted to Da Nang by C130 and to Tan My by slick. I recall my introduction to shit-burning at Long Binh along with junkies. Five years later when Lynyrd Skynyrd came out with the song "That Smell," I knew EXACTLY what they were talking about.
Long Binh at that time were for people coming and going back to the world, and a hand full of people that included some Blues. Must not have lasted too much longer, because some of the older guys that had been there were sent up to Tan My later, even though most of them were short-timers.
Just remembered when I took the Centaur slick from Da Nang to Tan My, it was a "Let's-Screw-With-The-Cherry" flight. I was sitting on the left side of the aircraft with my feet dangling out checking out the scenery. PIC went into a tight left bank and I'm looking straight down to the ground. Not realizing I wasn't going anywhere, I nearly ripped off the gunner's pants leg grabbing for a hold. Thanks for the welcome, WHOEVER you were!