Received from Dave White 8/21/2026:

HMM-262 Combat Helicopter Association
“2017 REUNION AAR”
(After Action Report)
New OT Logo 2011
HMM-262 ANNUAL REUNION
CHERRY POINT & NEW RIVER

SEP 7, 8, 9,10

Wed SEP 6- Bill Janning was our S-4 for the event and drove up from Jacksonville, NC to bring us all the Squadron Paraphernalia and Admin items which we had shipped to him. The rest of the day was spent setting up the TIGERS DEN. Some of the Early Arrivals started showing up.

Tigers Den 1
Grier Harrison Loftin Gatewood Proutey
(Animal) (Magnet Ass) (Hippy) (Sir Ron) (“Doc”)

We were all housed in the former BOQ, a fully renovated, quite modern facility: The Cherry Point Inn.
Tigers Den 2

Doc Proutey & Shirley Sorcic – Marge & Phil Gates

THU SEP 7 – Several of us made the 1st Package Store and Commissary run. As promised, the Tigers Den was up and going full bore by Noon. People started checking-in and the sea-stories began to flow.

Note: Col. Todd Ferry, Old Tiger and Cherry Point’s Base CO arranged permission for our group to shop at any of the stores, restaurants, etc. on base.

FRI SEP 8 – After breakfast, we all left on the bus at 09:30 for New River. We were met by Mark Bettler of MCAS New River Plans and Operations, at the Aviation Memorial, just outside of the main gate.

We re-boarded the bus and on to Lunch. This event was held in the Main Mess Hall. It was quite a treat be surrounded by dozes and dozens of Marines in a Mess Hall. Some of mingled with. I saw several in flight suits wearing Combat Aircrew Wings, so I stopped and chatted with them. They were extremely respectful and genuinely pleased to speak openly with us. Their opinion on Mess Hall food to was anywhere from GOOD to OUTSANDING and certainly plentiful.

After lunch we visited composite squadron VMM-162 located in what is know as the MEGA-HANGAR which is 4 stories tall and 900 YARDS long!. After a briefing in the Ready Room by VMM-162 XO LtCol Holliday, we were allowed to mingle among the aircraft in the Mega Hangar V-22s, CH-53s, Hueys, Cobras). We were allowed to walk into the various shops (Avionics, Hydraulics, Metal Shop, Flight Line, etc.) to interface with “the troops”. Also we could walk right up to the men and women working on the aircraft and converse with them.

We had to get back to Cherry Point in time to go to our evening meal, but this event was so interesting and everyone was scattered around the various aircraft it took a bit longer than expected to round up everyone.

Friday evening’s dinner was held at Col. Ferry’s favorite spot on MCAS Cherry Point: ROADHOUSE Sports Bar and Grill right on base (with 40 different beers on tap). And, just to make sure everyone got back to the Cherry Point Inn safe and sound, we have two Designated Drivers on hand, volunteers from the Headquarters office. Of course, then back to the Tigers Den until just after midnight.

SAT SEP 9 At 10:30 AM we all gathered at Miller’s Landing for a briefing by Col. Ferry and the 2nd MAW XO Col. John Rahe. It was not only informative, but OUTSTANDING to get a true update on today’s Marine Corps Aviation. Col. Rahe did not once hesitate to answer rankly and in detail to each and every one of the many question asked of him. Both he and Col. Ferry we very professional, accommodating with their explanations so we all understood perfectly what they presented.

Col. Rahe – Col. Ferry

Fred McCorkle backing up Col. Rahe’s remarks

Col. Rahe – LtGen. McCorkle

Althoff (BTTW) – McMahon (Sgt Timmy) – Ferry (Flipper) – Craycraft (Dennis)

This was all followed by and excellent Mexican Style Luncheon prepared “in-house” by Miller’s Landing chefs and staff.

Then, what else, back to the Cherry Point Inn to hang out in THE TIGERS DEN for more camaraderie, sea-stories, share other stories of the men we lost this year and generally just enjoy the bonds that have tied us together for 50 PLUS years. The last time some of us were at Cherry Point was November 30,1966 when we loaded onto the C-130 Hercules, bond for Vietnam.

Miller’s landing

At 17:30 that evening we returned to Miller’s Landing, gathering in the Officer’s Club Bar dedicated to “Alfred A. Cunningham”. at 18:30 everyone entered one of the ball rooms for the Annual Squadron Dinner events. The MCAS Cherry Point official Color Guard render honors to the Colors. Our fallen Old Tigers were remembered at the Missing Man Table Ceremony and a Toast.

Color Guard

Another excellent meal was provided be the Chef and Staff of Miller’s Landing followed by the evening program. Our 2007 Guest Speaker was Maj.Gen Tom Braaten, USMC (ret.).
As I began to read his very impressive Biography, he stepped up the podium and interrupted me, saying: “Jake, the most important thing there is that I was a “Phrog Phlyer”.
Obviously, the room erupted with a thunderous applause.
Without exception, during the next 30+ minutes we were addressed by a Master Orator. Between very interesting facts and raucous laughter, there was repetitive applause. The presentation ended with a standing ovation.
Just before adjourning, Dave Althoff and Col. Ferry were invited to the dais. We wanted Col Ferry to understand the Origin of his previous “CO’s Aircraft” 152562″ at HMMT-164, which last Phrog to fly on active duty in the Marine Corps’ inventory.
Below is what it looked like 40+ years prior, after one of Dave Althoff’s more “active” days in Vietnam, with 300+ bullet holes.
We adjourned at approximately 20:30 and returned to The Tigers Den until about Midnight.

“The Main Man”
Col. Todd (Flipper) Ferry
“Old Tigers are always WELCOME”

NOTE: About a 12 Old Tigers had to cancel at the last minute due to the impending Hurricane (IRMA)

SPECIAL RECOGNITION:

Bill Janning & Doc Proutey- Logistics Support
Tim McManhon – Admin Support (Managing the Tigers Den)
Gene (Herr Krug) and Bridget Kruger – Donation of the Bookmarks and Give-Aways

REMEMBERING
This year, absent was one of our Old Tigers who rarely missed any of our events. Mel Steinberg passed 15 days prior to our reunion. Mel and Doris were among our staunchest supporters.

SEMPER FIDELIS, SIR…
COLONEL MEL STEINBERG
USMC (Ret.)
SEP 29, 1925 – AUG 15, 2017

Thanks,
Semper Fidelis

Jake
HMM-262 Old Tigers
Board of Directors
Email: oldtigers262@yahoo.com

Related Images: