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Summary: Low Level Hell - A Scout Pilot in the Big Red One
Review: Excellent book about some of the dedicated aviators that supported us infantrymen in the Big Red One in Vietnam. As a LRRP in Co.F/52nd Inf. (LRP), 1st Inf. Division in 1968, I always felt that we had tremendous helicopter support. Our LRP company originated as a part of 1st Sq./4th Cavalry, and they regarded us and watched over us from above like brothers. We often called upon the Cobra gunships of D Troop (Air), 1st Sq./4th Cav, call sign: Darkhorse, and they never let us down. Mills book provides us with a cockpit view of their hunter-killer team missions, as opposed to the direct gun-ship support role in which we generally saw Darkhorse. But the 'guns blazing' tactics were obviously the same for the scout ship pilots as they always were for the gunship pilots/co-pilots. Very interesting reading, and the place names brought back many exciting memories of those days over 30 years ago, when we ourselves operated around Phu Loi, Lai Khe , An Loc, the Iron Triangle, Catchers Mitt, and other locations he mentions. Knowing that Darkhorse pilots like Mills always 'had our back', was a reassuring feeling. Could not possibly express enough gratitude to such pilots and crews for the way they supported us. An excellent addition to any Vietnam library.
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Summary: A few Scout pilots survived...
Review: Helicopter ops in Vietnam consisted of dust-offs, which carried out the wounded, gunships, which blew the [heck] out of the enemy, slicks, which hauled troops, and scouts. Scouts flew "loaches", open cockpit OH58's at tree-top level, locating hidden trails, bunkers, in general, trying to start a fight and provoke the enemy into revealing their location. Most scout pilots didn't last six months. A few made it back. Two have written books about being a scout. This is the best of the two. See also "Hunter Killer Squadron"
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Summary: A Valuable Book
Review: I am about two thirds of the way through this book, and it is one of the best I have read about Vietnam. Although I have read a lot of books about the war, this is the first one I've seen which is written by a Loach (LOH)pilot. It seems like most of the books I have read about choppers are about Hueys, LRRP pilots or gunships and I never really had a good understanding about what the Loaches experienced. This book really filled a gap in my knowledge, and it is very well written.
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Summary: Low Level Hell
Review: I have read every book written on Army aviation in Vietnam and Low Level Hell is, no question, the best book written. I am an active duty Army aviator and consider Hugh Mills to be one of my heroes. This is a must read for anybody interested in Army aviation in Vietnam. I've read the book 5 times!
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Summary: Low Level Hell
Review: I have read Low Level Hell on a couple of occasions, mainly during times that I really miss those exciting, less complicated days. The book really does detail those days with Darkhorse as they really were. What seems funny today was not that funny at the time. This book highlights our first tour with Darkhorse as a scout pilots. Approximately 8 months after returning home from our first tour, we both volunteered to return to Vietnam. We both found stateside life to tame and not really to our liking. We both returned to Darkhorse as scout pilots and survived another year flying scouts. (...) By the way, Hugh and I both live in Kansas City, Mo and see each other regularly. Rod Willis, Darkhorse 17, 16 & 13.
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Summary: Outstanding Account of Army Aviation in Vietnam
Review: If you visit the Army Aviation Museum at Fort Rucker, Alabama, one of the first things you will see is Mr. Mills's Loach displayed outside the museum. A good choice, because Low Level Hell is a superb account of the bravery and skill of U.S. Army helicopter pilots in Vietnam. I read the book as a Second Lieutenant undergoing flight training at Fort Rucker, and it helped me make up my mind to become an Aeroscout. You will simply not believe some of the things these pilots did to accomplish their missions. Entertaining and informative.
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Summary: Outstanding Account of Army Aviation in Vietnam
Review: If you visit the Army Aviation Museum at Fort Rucker, Alabama, one of the first things you will see is Mr. Mills's Loach displayed outside the museum. A good choice, because Low Level Hell is a superb account of the bravery and skill of U.S. Army helicopter pilots in Vietnam. I read the book as a Second Lieutenant undergoing flight training at Fort Rucker, and it helped me make up my mind to become an Aeroscout. You will simply not believe some of the things these pilots did to accomplish their missions. Entertaining and informative.
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Summary: One of the most exciting books of aerial combat to come out
Review: In LOW LEVEL HELL, Hugh Mills has written one of the most exciting accounts of aerial combat to come out of the Vietnam War. Mills flew OH-6A Light Observation Helicopters, nicknamed "Loaches," with the famed Darkhorse unit, the air cavalry troop assigned to the "Big Red One," or 1st Division, in 1969. He was a scout pilot, an "Outcast," whose mission required him to fly just a few above the ground looking for the enemy, and in eye-to-eye combat, engage him. In the long history of warfare, military scouts stand out as a special breed. Always out in front of friendly troops, at the point of the spear, the first to make contact, usually outgunned, the scout needed an extraordinary blend of skills and courage. With the advent of the helicopter, aeroscouts became modern day Kit Carsons and Jim Bowies operating in three dimensions above the battlefield. As a Naval Aviator flying fixed-wing close air support in the Mekong Delta, I had the privilege of working with Darkhorse pilots when they later became an independent troop of the 164th Aviation Group. I knew of no more courageous and dedicated men than the pilots and crew chiefs who flew scouts. LOW LEVEL HELL tells their story with a flair and excitement and detail that I guarantee will get your adrenaline pumping.
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Summary: Adrenalin inducing - Great read.
Review: Last summer my work required daily helecopter transport into some heavily forested areas of Alaska. On one end-of-the-day flight back to camp I asked the pilot if he ever read "Chickenhawk" by Robert Mason (a "Huey" pilot in Vietnam). He replied it was manditory reading for pilots. Moments later he says if I really want a good read to pick up "Low Level Hell" by Hugh Mills. For the remainder of the flight he kept talking about this book. So on his advice I picked it up. He was right on...what a read. Mills writing really puts you into the thick of it....to the point where I had to put the book down about a half-hour before turning the lanterns off for the night...to let the adrenalin subside. The book is well written, humorous at times, terribly sad at others, and a real page turner. Even if this is not your typical read, pick it up. The book leaves a lasting impression.
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Summary: The best book about Vietnam i have read
Review: Low Level Hell is the highlight of my Vietnam book collection. From the moment i picked it up, i had the hardest time putting it back down. Every word on every page intrigued me and made me feel like i was in the cockpit of his OH-6A. Mills is one of the most interesting men that i have ever met, and he deserves the repect of every American. Reading his book only made my interest in Vietnam explode into almost an obsession. Thank you LTC. Mills for your great account of your experiences.
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