Marine Corps pilot returns to the same Helicopter he flew during Vietnam

After surviving the Vietnam War in the H-34 Seahorse, Captain Bill Collier continued to have many adventures flying helicopters commercially all around the world. He flew almost every size and shape helicopter produced in the U.S. from the smallest "whirlybird" to the largest CH-53 "Jolly Green." His last position was flying the UH-1 "Super Huey" for the Orange County Fire Department in Southern California. He also flew the French-built Alouette III. In 2008, Captain Bill retired to the small, peaceful town of Sandpoint, in the Idaho panhandle. He keeps himself busy writing about his 32 years of helicopter flying. He is a life member of several veterans organizations. He is already at work on additional books from his lifelong experiences in flying helicopters.

[@chennault41]

Thank You so Much for your service. God Bless.

[@alexandercharehjoo7744]

Thank you for your service and welcome home.

[@albertbeard8800]

Thank you for your service 🙏

[@user-ji2nv2vd6r]

It was a great sight when it was coming in for pickup. Thanks for your service.

[@user-su8be2rb9i]

Thank you sir for your service and this is from my heart welcome home

[@thegreencat9947]

I met him in the Safeway in Sandpoint where we both live. He invited me to come on over to our little airport and see his H-34 " CHARLIE " restoration Marine Corps League Detachment #1110. This was a quite a few years ago. I'm reading one of his books right now.😁👍🏼

[@mr19471985]

I was in charge of the LZ at An Hoa with the 5th Marines in 1969 & 1970 and we had many Air America choppers land at our LZ, the pilots all wore Civilian clothes. They we more than welcome

[@jackcook6644]

My cousin was a pilot in HMM-362 and was shot down 4 times during his tour.

[@boondocker7964]

After Jan. '67, we flew less and less in the '34's, and more and more in the '46's, the old eggbeaters beat walking or trucking to the operations, but, they weren't exactly "speedy".

[@HM2SGT]

Did you train at Ft Wolters?

[@RandallSoong-pp7ih]

Awesome!!