MIKE BRATTLAND’S FIRST HELICOPTER RIDE

Had my first flight in a helicopter riding as a passenger in one of SFO’s ‘birds, a Sikorsky S-61 from SF International across the bay to Oakland, Ca on this day March 26, 1971 on my way to NAS Alameda from Humboldt State University, Arcata, Ca to be sworn into the Navy. There were two Army folks sitting immediately next to the passenger door during the flight. I overheard them mention they had never flown in the helicopter before without a door gunner. It was a different age…..Michael Gordon Brattland