Helicopters

Regarding an item in your column “Only in LA/People and Events” (Metro, Feb. 25): I must admit that as a military man and a Vietnam veteran I read it with a certain amount of nostalgia.

Tying an event that one witnessed with what one reads in the paper often allows you the opportunity to be informed of two entirely different happenings (certainly a common occurrence in Vietnam era media reporting).

Your reference to the Navy Search and Rescue Helicopter from Point Mugu not getting to the Northrop University event was certainly a fact which no one would refute.

However, the person writing the article (or being quoted) neglected to include the fact that the helicopters based at Point Mugu were unable to be there due to the old adage that “You can’t be in two places at one time.” I’m sure it will also come as a great surprise to the one who wrote the article that the helicopters at Point Mugu are there in fact to support the Pacific Missile Test Center and associated Sea Test Range, and not solely for group entertainment or community relations.

Commitments permitting, we try to accommodate groups or organizations requesting static displays. I, too, am glad spokeswoman Debra Callaghan was not “lost in the desert.” Our helicopters and crews were busy doing what your tax dollars pay us to do. At sea, performing our Navy mission.

BOB STEVENS

Senior Sea Air Rescue (SAR) Pilot

Naval Air Station

Point Mugu