Big Mothers You knew if you were looking for downed aircraft it had to be close in, otherwise the "Big Mothers" would be out on SAR (Search And Rescue). They were heavily armed and known for their fierceness. A mini-gun was mounted on a post in the bay door of the fuselage, 4800 rounds per minute. I would't want to be on the receiving end of that. A cannon sat directly behind the pilot and hung partially outside a small opening. They were large choppers but, could and often would inflict severe damage to any threat. They often came in shot up and we never knew of those that didn't return. You always figured they had been reassigned somewhere else farther south. I remember a fair amount about these happenings but, sometimes it's better left for awhile. On the gun line, shortley after leaving the ship, there was a terrible helicopter crash involving numerous officers and enlisted men. They were all killed including the crew, except the pilot and co-pilot, while flying from the LongBeach to the Chicago while we were in the gulf. We didn't want anyone to go but...things happen. One of the officers, KIA'd, was ceremoniously & officially, without remains, buried at sea off Pearl (Hawaii).