Major Leslie Johnson Jr., USAF, Retired
"First, my son told me he sent you a picture of a helo on the river. If it's the one I think it is, then it's a pickup of wounded navy personnel off a river boat. We had to make several pickups, both day and night. It worked like this, the boat runs at about 20 - 25 kts. in mid stream and Pedro comes in and hovers about ten feet above the boat. A Navy guy goes to the bow, stands on it facing the boat, holding on to a rope and leans backwards over the water, at speed, and the pilot maneuvers up until the Navy guys head can be seen between the rudder pedals. This position is held until the pickup is complete. Miles sometimes. A pickup at night, no lights, makes you feel as if you have been run over by an 18 wheeler. You get the idea."
