Marine Light Helicopter Squadron 771

First UH-1E choppers were rebuilds from Vietnam and many arrived with combat seats and armor still intact, some visible patches.

1971, Huey Regular Marines assigned to support 771 Reservists were Gunny Armstrong, Sgt Billy R Morris, Cpl Chuck Nacaratto, Cpl Brian Howland, Sgt Joe Procutto(Sp?). Tail #'s 414, 415, 416, 417.

1971-1975 or longer, I don't remember his name but one Sgt in HML-771 was known as Squirrel, great guy, mechanic

1971-1986, MgySgt Bill McCorkle was the Squadron Crew Chief from 1971 until his retirement in 1986. Jimmy Fong was also part of the unit I believe and Joe Cherry was one of the pilots.

1973-1979, Served in HML-771 from McCorkle walked around with a clipboard and never touched a Huey. Cherry was the line chief for several years and eventually became a warrant officer. He was never a pilot. Fong was a crew chief and Vietnam veteran. He seemed like a decent guy. nHML-771 seemed to attract guys that never spent a day in the Marine Corps. Former Navy and Air Force guys playing Marine. I think we ran the PFT once or twice in six years. Most of the staff NCOs took a paper PFT. In retrospect, it was a wasted 6 years. I should have joined the 25th Marines.

1986-1992, I worked in the ordnance shop at NAS South Weymouth 1986-1992. Regular Marine Corps 1986-1989 then reserve 1989-1992. Cleaned repaired and maintained 3 primary guns for those Huey's, the M2 Browning .50 cal MG, the GAU-2B .30 cal mini-gun and the M60D .30 cal MG.

22jan91 activated in support of Desert Storm/Desert Shield as a UDP to MCAS Futenma, Okinawa, Japan