Captain Pierce became the Air Base Commander of the 416 Aviation Unit at Fort Huachuca, Arizona. According to my uncle the town around the base had no name. They called it "Sierra Vista" and the name stuck. He was now flying the de Havilland, L-20, "Beaver" (bottom above). It was developed in 1947 as a rugged, highly-versatile aerial truck which could take off and land almost anywhere, carry large load and be very reliable. Later while at Fort Huachuca he learned to fly and later taught other students to fly the deHavilland, C-7A, "Caribou". The "Caribou" could carry 39 people or 2 vehicles and a crew of three. (Top photo.) It was a work horse used in Viet Nam, capable of carrying 33,00 pounds. The "Caribou" resembled the Air Force Lockheed, C-130 "Hercules", but smaller. Uncle Harry having flight seniority, regardless of rank in the cockpit, was always the pilot in charge. It could carry a jeep, arms and troops.
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