by Rich Hooper (Author)
Captain Mark Reed took a circuitous path from the role of a Recon Platoon Commander to becoming a Marine Attack Pilot. Circumstances led to an unexpected path into aviation. Although becoming a jet pilot had never been a consideration, Mark's lack of confidence and fear of failure were overcome with an unconventional and somewhat compulsive approach to flight training. Mark's passion led to a mastery of the technical aspects of weapons delivery methods that resulted in him becoming an elite attack pilot in the early phases of the Vietnam War. He became Marine aviation's equivalent to the ground forces sniper. Captain Mark Reed was part of a contingent of Marine pilots who flew thousands of combat missions in the A-4 Skyhawk during the early months of the Vietnam War from a small Marine Air Base constructed on a beach called Chu Lai. They performed with skill and dedication off of a short runway made of aluminum matting under challenging terrain and weather conditions, operating with jet assisted takeoffs and arrested landings. Although the contribution and impact of accurate and timely close air support, helo escort, interdiction strikes and landing zone prep provided for the ground forces was unheralded, the men that called themselves Attack Pilots knew something special was taking place.