HOUSE BILL NO. 34 "An Act naming the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots' Memorial Bridge." 1:35:05 PM REPRESENTATIVE LADDIE SHAW, SPONSOR, thanked the committee for hearing the bill. He shared that the topic was close to his heart as he had served two tours in Vietnam. He relayed that as a certified helicopter pilot, he was honored to be invited to be part of the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association. He noted that the idea for the legislation had originated with Representative Cathy Tilton, who had graciously offered to have him carry it. He acknowledged the work done on the bill by Representative Tilton's staff. He read from prepared remarks: The photo that I'm passing around was taken September 20, 1970, nearly 51 years ago. I talked about these helicopters being a lifeline to my generation. That helicopter is hovering, it had no place to land, typical of the delta and the jungle of Vietnam. That day I lost two of my teammates. That helicopter is medevacing three of my fellow teammates that were wounded. Truly a lifeline. In salute to those helo drivers, I would like to make note of a communication between Ghost Rider 172 and Ghost Rider 174: Red Hat 6, this is Ghost Rider 172. I'm sorry I won't be there to assist you any more today, my helicopter has been shot and I personally have been gut shot. I have to leave you now. Hang on, good luck. The radio transmission from the 189th assault helicopter company pilot to an Army captain and his unit fighting the 66th North Vietnamese Regiment, 27 February 1968. Ghost Rider 172 was hit 20 times in a heavily armed area deep in enemy territory. The aircraft made a forced landing causing moderate damage to the aircraft and to crew members. Ghost Rider 174 had an engine failure and crashed eight miles south. Ghost Rider 172 was of a total loss, fortunately with negative injuries to the crew. Over 12,000 U.S. military helicopters spent 7.5 million hours in Vietnam flying 2 million missions. A total of 5,086 choppers, literally 42 percent were destroyed by enemy fire. Vietnam truly was the introduction of the helicopter operations in wartime. 1:39:22 PM Representative Shaw continued to review the bill with prepared remarks: Many of those helicopters were not only destroyed by enemy fire, they were also destroyed by bad weather, mechanical snafus, and other bad hands that war routinely deals with those who are sent to fight it. The total among those who flew for a living: 2,000 pilots killed, 2,700 crew chiefs dead. On April 18, 2018, a memorial marker was unveiled at Arlington National Cemetery just outside of Washington, D.C. to honor the young men who gave their lives flying and maintaining the helicopters flown in Vietnam; it was an event three years in the making. I was 22 years old in that picture. This monument is 22 inches high, 21 inches deep, and 32 inches wide. It was placed in Section 35 along Memorial Drive, not far from the tomb of the Unknown Soldier. As a Vietnam veteran, I want to express my gratitude to the members of the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association for their leadership on this issue. For so many reasons, we need to remember the courage and the selflessness of our comrades who paid the ultimate price in service to our country, and I hope we won't take three years to provide this small honor. 1:41:51 PM JOSH WALTON, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE LADDIE SHAW, explained the bill. The bill would rename bridges 1124 and 1889 that span the Matanuska River heading northbound and southbound at mile 30.4 of the Glenn Highway as the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Memorial Bridge. He referenced photos of the bridge in members' packets. Members' packets also included background on the roles that helicopters and helicopter pilots played in the Vietnam conflict. He shared that it was the first war to use helicopters in a significant way. He noted their effectiveness had been proven in the conflict. He elaborated that the packets contained an academic article and contemporary articles highlighting the heroism of the Vietnam helicopter pilots and some of the challenges they had faced in being recognized post- conflict. He relayed that the bill had the support of Lynn Kile, President of the Alaska chapter of the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association. He added that the sponsor had received a letter from the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Commissioner Torrence Saxe, offering his department's support for the legislation (also included in members' packets). He thanked the committee for its time. Co-Chair Merrick acknowledged the many courageous things Representative Shaw had done in his lifetime. She thanked him for sharing his personal story. 1:44:18 PM Representative Thompson thanked Representative Shaw for his service. LYNN KILE, PRESIDENT, VIETNAM HELICOPTER PILOTS ASSOCIATION - ALASKA CHAPTER, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), shared that he is a Vietnam veteran. He shared that the organization in Alaska had about 85 pilots and crew members. He noted that according to the national database, there were likely 300 more pilots and crew members in Alaska that had not yet been reached. He thanked the committee for taking up the historical and memorial opportunity. He thanked Representative Shaw and noted that his story was one of many. He stated that it had been a difficult time and the bill was a small token of recognition. He relayed that he had listened to various committee hearings on the bill in the past several years and he had been overwhelmed by the positive response and touching comments. Mr. Kile highlighted that Alaska is an aviation state with a large military population. He elaborated that many of the returning helicopter pilots and crew members from Vietnam were instrumental in all aspects of building, maintaining, and implementing the state's aviation, transportation, and logistics infrastructure. He stated that the individuals had learned a valuable skill in the jungles of Vietnam and had brought the training home to Alaska. He highlighted that from logistics to medical evacuations, the bill was an opportunity to complete the honor, which other committees had already seen to be a worthy cause. He emphasized that a sign on a heavily traveled route in view of the Gold Star Peak would show a small token of thanks to individuals who were instrumental in building Alaska and to memorialize others who did not return. He noted that Vietnam veterans did not receive a very honorable return. He relayed it was an opportunity to honor their contribution and sacrifice to the country and Alaska. He underscored that the honor was worthy of the individuals' legacy and a historical reminder of the dedication of the landmark on the Matanuska bridge in their honor. He thanked the committee for the opportunity to speak. Co-Chair Merrick thanked Mr. Kile for his service to the country. Co-Chair Merrick OPENED and CLOSED public testimony. 1:47:58 PM AT EASE 1:49:24 PM RECONVENED Co-Chair Merrick thanked Representative Johnson for passing out co-sponsor sheets to members. HB 34 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further consideration. [Note: HB 34 was taken up again at 1:54 p.m. and reported from committee. See below for detail.] 1:49:46 PM AT EASE 1:51:51 PM RECONVENED Representative Carpenter requested to take up HB 34 again and report it from committee. 1:52:13 PM AT EASE 1:54:12 PM RECONVENED HOUSE BILL NO. 34 "An Act naming the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots' Memorial Bridge." 1:54:32 PM Co-Chair Merrick noted that Representative Rasmussen had joined the meeting. Representative Carpenter MOVED to REPORT HB 34 out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal note. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. HB 34 was REPORTED out of committee with a "do pass" recommendation and with one previously published fiscal note: FN1 (DOT). 1:54:48 PM AT EASE 1:56:04 PM RECONVENED