Phan Rang AB News 110

Transcription

“Happy Valley” Phan Rang AB, Vietnam
...keeping the memories alive
Phan Rang AB News No. 110
“Stories worth telling”
In this issue:
History of the 310th Tactical Airlift Squadron “A” Flight
554th RED HORSE: 'EMPER DUCIMUS' for 47 Years
Phan Rang AB In The News (Stories with a mention of Phan Rang)
HISTORY
OF THE
3l0th TACTICAL AIRLIFT SQUADRON "A" FLIGHT
1 July-30 SEPTEMBER 1970
834th AIR DIVISION, SEVENTH AIR FORCE, PACIFIC AIR FORCES
ASSIGNED TO
TH
315 TACTICAL AIRLIFT WING
Stationed at
PHAN RANG AIR BASE, REPUBLIC of VIETNAM
Prepared by: ROBERT F. MARKHAM, Major USAF HISTORIAN
APPROVED BY: EMERY j. CRANE Lt. Col. USAF Commander
Page 1
The Phan Rang AB News No. 110
CHRONOLOGY
310 TACTICAL AIRLIFT SQUADRON, “A” FLIGHT
1 JULY 1970 - 30 SEPTEMBER 1970
TH
DATE
CLASSIFICATION
SIGNIFICANT EVENT
JULY
4
(C)
Last Psyop Mission Flown.
6
(C)
Last Flare Mission flown.
8-10
(S)
Unit move from Bein Hoa AB to Phan Rang AB, RVN
16
(C)
First training mission flown from Phan Rang.
20
(C)
First Spray Mission flown from Phan Rang. 3 aircraft/23
hits.
22
(C)
Second Spray Mlssion flown from Phan Rang. 3
aircraft/46 hits.
24
(C)
Heavy suppression fighter tactics first employed. 3
aircraft/5 hits.
28
(C)
Spray Mission. 3aircraft/1 hit.
30
(C)
Spray Mission. 3aircraft/1 hit.
31
(S)
12th SOS inactivated, reactivated as 310th TAS, "A" Flight.
6
(S)
Four crews plus maintenance support personnel TDY to
Phu Cat AB for herbicide missions.
7
(U)
L/C Fisher succeeds L/C Walker as "A" FIt. commander.
L/C Walker returns to ZI.
9
(C)
Spray Mission, 3 aircraft/3 hits.
16
(S)
TDY crews return to Phan Rang from Phu Cat.
21
(C)
Herbicide aircraft receives 1 hit while on training mission.
AUGUST
Page 2
DATE
CLASSIFICATION
SIGNIFICANT EVENT
SEPTEMBER
2
(U)
L/C Tate succeeds L/C Cooley succeeds as Chief of
Navigation. L/C Cooley returns to ZI.
15
(U)
Maj. Swanson succeeds Maj. Fratt as Operations Officer.
Maj. Fratt returns to ZI.
17
(U)
L/C Crane succeeds L/C Fisher as “A” Flt. Commander. L/C
Fisher returns to ZI.
26
(C)
310th TAS assumes all administrative and maintenance
functions for “A” .
INTRODUCTION
(U) The defoliation mission of the United States Air Force, code named RANCH HAND, began in
January of 1962. Three aircraft flew the initial test operations from Tan Son Nhut AB, Republic
of Vietnam. Since then, the operations has grown into a fully operational squadron
designated the 12the Special Operations Squadron.
(S) On 31 July 1970, the 12th Special Operations Squadron was inactivated at Phan Rang AB,
RVN, but the aircraft and personnel continued the defoliation mission as “A” Flighty of the 310 th
Tactical Airlift Squadron, at Phan Rang AB, RVN.
Page 3
(C) The flight’s mission is exactly the same as before. It still conducts defoliation and crop
destruction missions throughout South Vietnam. Because of the herbicide delivery techniques
employed and the hostile areas the aircraft must overfly, the unit has become one of the most
shot at in the Republic of Vietnam. To date, over 4700 hits have been taken by the units
aircraft from hostile ground file.
CHAPTER 1
MISSION, ORGANIZATION, AND ADMINISTRATION
MISSION1
(U) The primary mission of the 310th “A” flight, formerly the 12th Special Operations Squadron,
is aerial defoliation. This mission is extensively discussed in the 12th SOS quarterly history for
the period January through March 1970.
(U) The insecticide operation of the RANCH is to conduct aerial spray flights of selected areas
for the control of malaria carrying mosquitoes. It is also discussed in the above mentioned
history.
(U) The secondary mission of the RANCH is to conduct airlift operations and/or other
operations as directed by higher authority.
(C) Psychological Operations (PSYOPS). The psyops mission that the Ranch flew last quarter is
fully discussed in the April-June history. The last Psyops mission was flown on 4 July 1970.2
1
2
834th AD REG 23-1, Mission and Organization, 315th TAW, 24 Jan 70.
12th SOS DAAR (C) 4 July 70.
Page 4
(C) Flare OOperations. The flare missions flown by the Ranch were fully discussed in the AprilJune history. The last flare mision was flown on 6 July 1970.3
ORGANIZATION
(S) The 12th SOS was inactivated on 31 July 1970 at Phan Rang AB, RVN.4 At that time the unit
was reactivated as “A” flight, 310th Tactical Airlift Squadron, assigned to the 315th Tactical Airlift
Wing, at Phan Rang AB, RVN.
(U) The squadron Commander is Lt. Colonel Robert K. Wright, however the “A” flight
commander, who is responsible for the defoliation and insecticide missions is Lt. Colonel Emery
J. Crane.5 Col. Crane came to the RANCH from Andrews AFB, Md. where he was the MAC
Liaison Officer to Headquarters, USAF.6 Col. Crane assumed command from Lt. Colonel Warren
P. Fisher who returned to the ZI. Col Fisher had been the operations officer until 7 August
1970, succeeding Lt. Colonel Ben V. Walker as commander when Col Walker returned to the ZI.
(C) The RANCH has one operating location, Phan Rang AB, RVN. There are, however, herbicide
servicing facilities at Da Nang AB, Phu Cat AB, and Bien Hoa AB. These facilities are necessary
due to the inability of the unit to store herbicide at Phan Rang AB for periods longer than
overnight.7
ADMINISTRATION
(C) The administrative section for the 310th “A” flight remained separated from the 310th TAS
until 26 Sept. 1970.8 At that time “A” flight administrative activities were assumed by the
310th.
Prior to 26 September the administrative office conducted routine operations throughout the
3
12th SOS DAAR (C) 6 July 70.
12th SOS SO-27 1 Aug 70.
5
310th TAS “A” Flight Duty Rooster, 17 Sept. 70.
6
Interview, Lt. Evans, Historian, with L/C Crane 8 Oct. 70.
7
Interview, Lt. Evan, with L/C Walker, 8 July 70.
8
Interview, Lt. Evan, with Capt. Schaller, 7 Oct 70.
4
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period.
(S) INACTIVATION
As discussed in the last quarterly history (Apr-Jun 70) the RANCH ceased its spray operations
because it had used all the "WHITE" herbicide that was available. "BLUE" herbicide was
available but for crop targets and at that time there were no crop targets available. In May
the RANCH was directed to fly FLARE and PSYOPS missions in support of the Cambodian
operation.
As the Cambodian operation began to decline the RANCH was again without a mission. On 13
June 1970, a request was made for the inactivation of the 12th SOS. On 28 June 1970, authority
was received from Seventh Air Force to relocate the RANCH at Phan Rang AB,
beginning 1 July and being in place no later than 10 July 1970.
On 2 July 1970 CINCPACAF approved the inactivation of the 12th SOS, to be accomplished by 20
July 1970. However, MACV requested that the 315th TAW, the parent wing of the 12th SOS,
maintain a herbicide capability and continue the insecticide mission.
Seventh Air Force then gave the 12th SOS approval to suspend all FLARE and PSYOPS activities
on 5 .July I970, but to maintain a four hour alert capability for possible FLARE missions. The
last PSYOPS and FLARE missions were flown on 4 and 6 July 1970 respectively. The insecticide
mission, due to its high priority, continued to operate throughout the period.
On 3 July 1970 the Wing DCO published a Unit movement order instructing the RANCH to
complete its relocation to Phan Rang by 10 July 1970. Tile relocation of those selected
personnel and assets was completed on time.
Page 6
The 12th Special Operations Squadron was officially inactivated on 31 July 1970 with two
roservationS. First, the 315th TAW would maintain a defoliation capability and second, the
wing would maintain two UC-123-K aircraft and crews to continue the insecticide program.
The entire inactivation process is covered and referenced by the following SECRET messages:
281000Z June 70--Authority to relocate 12th SOS from Bien Hoa to Phan Rang,
130700Z June 70--Request for inactivation of 12th SOS.
050600Z July 70--0utlines reassignment proceedrues and personnel requirements for required
retained capabilities.
CHAPTER III
OPERATIONS AND TRAINING
DEFOLIATION
(C) The RANCH, after a brief period of time, resumed its defoliation mission on 8 July 1970.
9
At that time a message from MACV ordered the destruction of certain crop targets in Military
Regions II and III. Operations began on 20 July 1970.10
(C) It had been over two months since the last defoliation mission and due to the lack of actual
combat experience of the newer crew members in this area, training flights were begun on 16
July 1970. The designated training area was located just north of Nha Trang over a pacified
area, but when an aircraft on a training mission took a hit on 21 August, the area was
redesignated and the training was conducted overwater.11
(C) The RANCH was not allowed to store herbicide on Phan Rang AB, through agreement with
the local provence chief.12 However there were storage facilities at Da Nang, Phu Cat, and Bien
Hoa Air Bases. This presented some difficulty to the operation since combat missions could oly
be scheduled every over day using the day between to fly to one of the other locations to
reload the aircraft with herbicide prior to the next mission.
9
Interview, Lt. Evan, with L/C Walker, 8 July 70.
Interview, Lt. Evans, with Maj. Mendleson, 7 th AF Strike Plans, 26 June 70.
11
12th SOS DAAR (C) 21 Aug 70.
12
Interview, Lt. Evans, with L/C Walker, 5 July 70.
10
Page 7
(C) The first mission was flown on 20 July against a crop target.13 The formation received a total
of 23 hits. The second mission, on 22 July, against another crop target, 20 miles west of Nha
Trang, resulted in 46 hits on the formation. Both targets were effectively destroyed. On the
latter mission Major Claxton received a flesh wound in the left wrist, and major aircraft
damage, and had to land at Nha Trang, for emergency treatment.14
(C) On 6 August four aircraft and crews along with necessary support personnel went TDY to
Phu Cat AB to spray a series of crop targets in Military Region II. Five targets were fragged but
due to Seventh Air Force cancellations only two were flown. The results were excellent, and
the crews and support personnel returned on 16 August.15
(C) During the quarter the RANCH flew 60 combat spray sorties all against crop targets. A total
of 45,000 gallons of herbicide was expended during the quarter, while 12 aircraft took 82 hits. 16
INSECTICIDE
(c) The insecticide operation is led by Major R. C. Furr. This operation was discussed in detail in
the April-June history. There were no significant events during this quarter.
(U) For the quarter the two “BUG BIRDS” flew 146 productive sorties and dispensed a total of
22,480 gallons of Malathion.17
TACTICS
(c) Two changes in tactics were made during the quarter, both as a result of the 22 July
mission. In the past the herbicide aircraft have maintained a very loose formation while
spraying crops within a target box. Frequently, individual aircraft would break completely away
from the formation to spray an isolated filed due to the random nature of crop planting. The
escorting fighter aircraft would orbit over the target area, expending their ordinance only after
the herbicide aircraft had reported ground fire. On 22 July, Major Claxton was wounded on his
13
Frag Order from 7th AF to 12 SOS, 20 July 70, (C)
Rpt, (U), “Joint Service Antiaircraft Fire Incident and Damage Report”, July-Sept 70, 12 SOS.
15
Ibid
16
Interview, Lt. Evans, with Maj. Williams, Scheduling Officer, 11 Oct 70.
17
Ibid
14
Page 8
second pass over an area from which he had not received ground fire on his first pass.
(C) The new tactics required all herbicide missions to be flown with heavy fighter suppression,
i. e. fighter aircraft will expend CBU-24 or CBU-48 immediately in front of the oncoming
herbicide aircraft along the entire spray run. In addition, herbicide formations are to be held
considerably tighter on future missions to insure maximum effectiveness of the heavy
suppression.
BATTLE DAMAGE
DATE
AIRCRAFT COMMANDER
HITS
DAMAGE
15 July 70
Maj. Claxton
2 30 Cal
Skin
20 July 70
Maj. Fratt
4 30 cal
Skin
20 July 70
L/C Fisher
5 30 cal
skin
20 July 70
Maj. Claxton
14 30 cal
Skin
22 July 70
Maj. Fratt
6 30 cal
Skin, Right Wing Spar.
22 July 70
Lt. Conway
4 30 cal
Skin
22 July 70
Maj. Claxton
31+30 Cal
Skin, two engine changes,
tires A/C wounded.
24 July 70
L/C Fisher
5 30 cal
Skin
28 July 70
Capt. Downs
1 30 cal
Skin
30 July 70
Col. Blood
1 30 cal
Skin
09 Aug 70
L/C Fishee
3 30 cal
Skin
21 Aug 70
Capt. Atkinson
2 30 cal
Skin
12 Sept 70
Maj. Basden
1 30 cal
Left Nacelle Tank
12 Sept 70
Lt. Morgan
1 30 cal
Right Wing spar
14 Sept 70
Capt. Atkinson
2 30 cal
Skin
Page 9
HISTORY
OF THE
3l0th TACTICAL AIRLIFT SQUADRON "A" FLIGHT
1 OCTOBER - 31 DECEMBER 1970
ASSIGNED TO
TH
315 TACTICAL AIRLIFT WING
Stationed at
PHAN RANG AIR BASE, REPUBLIC of VIETNAM
Prepared by: Robert F. Marham, Major, USAF
Historian
Approved by: Daniel T. Dolan Lt. Col., USAF
Commander
CHRONOLOGY
TH
310 TACTICAL AIRLIFT SQUADRON, “A” FLIGHT
1 OCTOBER 1970 - 31 DECEMBER 1970
DATE
CLASSIFICATION
SIGNIFICANT EVENT
OCTOBER
10
(C)
Spray Mission, three aircraft/two hits
12
(C)
Spray Mission, three aircraft/two hits
26
(C)
Spray Mission, four aircraft/one hits
3
(C)
Spray Mission, four aircraft/one hit
5
(C)
Spray Mission, four aircraft/five hits
11
(C)
Lt. Col Daniel T. Dolan becomes “A” Flight Commander.
13
(C)
Spray Mission, three aircraft/one hit
14
(C)
Insecticide aircraft took one hit returning from mission.
(C)
Herbicide aircraft took one hit on a crop survey flight.
(C)
Spray Mission, four aircraft/two hits.
NOVEMBER
19
Page 10
DECEMBER
1
(C)
News releases for the past few months have indicated a
complete shut down of all herbicide operations in SEA.
RANCH HAND IS STILL IN OPERATIONS.
INTRODUCTION
(c) The defoliation mission of the United States Air Force, code named RANCH HAND, began in
January of 1962. Three aircraft flew the initial test operations from Tan Son Nhut AB, Republic
of Vietnam. Since then, the operation grew steadily to a fully operational squadron then
declidned to its present state encompassing eight aircraft and 30 men. (C) The flights mission is
exactly as it was before. It still conducts defoliation and crop destruction missions throughout
South Vietnam, although more recently the entire operation has been toward crop destruction.
Because of the herbicide delivery techniques employed and the hostile areas the aircraft must
overfly, the unit has become one of the most shot at in the Republic of Vietnam. To date, over
4,725 hits have been taken to the unit’s aircraft from hostile ground fire.
CHAPTER III
OPERATIONS AND TRAINING
Defoliation
(C) The unit history for the period July-Sept. 1970 discussed the period of inativation, and
reactivation and the associated move from Bien Hoa AB to Phan Rang AB, RVN.18 (C) This
quarter further problems were encountered as the integration with the 310 th TAS became more
inclusive. A Phenomenon occurred which was unforeseeable from the beginning. The relative
rank structure of the RANCH compared to the 310th TAS found the RANCH HANDS to be, on the
whole, senior in grade and possessing more longevity in the service than the younger manned
310 TAS. Therefore as integration progressed RANCH HANDS began to hold more and more key
additional duty positions in the squadron as a whole. Then the 315 th TAW began its
Vietnamization program it found a lucrative source of experience in the RANCH, Each of these
aspects put an additional drain on the already dwindling Ranch resources. With public opioion
being what it is regarding herbicide operations in general, there were not a great deal of new
resources available to a unit that officially did not exist. All of these items grouped together to
develop an almost critical situation from an operational standpoint since at the end of the
18
Unit History July-Sept 1970.
Page 11
quarter the RANCH possessed 16 pilots, five navigators, and nine engineers.19
(C) During the quarter, the RANCH flew 38 proactive sorties, dispensing 28, 630 gallons of blue
herbicide and taking 15 hits on 11 aircraft.20 (C) The only change to the operation during the
quarter was restructuring that placed Targeting under the direct control of the Chief of
Navigation rather than the control of the Operations Officer.21
Insecticide
(C) The insecticide operation was led by Maj. Furr. This operation was fully discussed in the unit
history April-June 1970. The only significant event during the quarter was the incident on 14
November when the big-bird took a hit while returning from an insecticide spray mission.22 For
the quarter the bug-birds flew 148 productive sorties, dispensing 22,365 gallons of Malathion
and took one hit.23
Tactics
(C) The only tactic change occurred in the insecticide program when one of the silver painted
Bug-Birds was sent to Kadena AB, Okinawa for its periodic corrosion control treatment and had
to be replaced with a camouflage colored herbicide aircraft. Seven Air Force directed that all
missions accomplished by this airplane be accompanied by a PSYOPS loudspeaker equipped
escort to notify the local inhabitants of the intent of the mission in the hope that it would not
be fired upon.24
BATTLE DAMAGE
DATE
AIRCRAFT COMMANDER
HITS
DAMAGE
OCTOBER
10
12
Major Swanson
1-30 cal
Skin
Major Horrigan
3-30 cal
Skin, Punctured herbicide
tank
Major Claxton
2-30 cal
Skin
19
310th TAS Duty Roster, 13 November 70.
Interview, Major Markham with Major Swanson, Ops. Off.
21
Interview, Major Markham with Lieutenant Colonel Tate, Nav. Chief
22
310th TAS, “A” Flight, DAAR, (C), 14 Nov 70.
23
310 TAS, “A” Flight, V-5 Report (C) Oct-Dec 70.
24
Msg. (C) Seventh AF, 061047Z Dec 70.
20
Page 12
26
Major Williams
1-30 cal
Skin
3
Major Swanson
1-30 cal
Skin
5
Major Williams
1-30 cal
Skin
Major Furr
3-30 cal
Skin
Major Swanson
1-30 cal
Skin
13
Major Williams
1-30 cal
Skin
14
Major Williams
1-30 cal
Skin
Lieutenant Kaysch
1-30 cal
Skin
Major Williams
2-30 cal
Skin
NOVEMBER
19
(Note: (U) This is a retyping of the original message submitted by anonymous (PRAB Vet).
The pages were properly marked for classification purposes on the original document, but are
included here for graphic effects only and are not intended to reflect the classification of each
page. Footnotes are numbered for the entire article, whereas the original had footnotes for each
chapter. When you see IBID in the footnotes it means “same source as last time” (previous note)
Ibid is short for the Latin ibidem. Kirk Minert recommended that this be put in the Phan Rang
News so that it would reach a larger audience.)
554th RED HORSE: 'EMPER DUCIMUS' for 47 Years
The 554th RED HORSE Squadron continues to uphold its unit motto, "semper ducimus" or
"always leading" as it celebrates its 47th birthday on Oct.12, making the 554th RHS the oldest
RED HORSE squadron in the U.S. Air Force.
As other services have well known units, such as the Army's 101st and 82nd Airborne, the Air
Force's RED HORSE, along with the Thunderbirds, have paved its way to the knowledge of
many, military or civilian.
What makes RED HORSE truly unique in the civil engineer community is that it is classified as a
Page 13
weapons system and provides a highly responsive force to support contingency, peacetime and
humanitarian operations world-wide.
REDHORSE capabilities include but are not limited to: cradle-to-grave engineering, aircraft
launch systems, bed-down operations, expedient facility construction, heavy equipment, water
well drilling, concrete and asphalt batch plant, quarry, explosive demolition, air
assault, supply, logistics, food services, medical, administration, training, contracting and
comptroller operations.
In the early years of the Vietnam Conflict the Air Force lacked the engineering capability to
quickly respond to expedient wartime construction and disaster recovery efforts on U.S. bases.
At this point, repairs were beyond the scope of a regular civil engineering unit.
The Air Force needed a squadron that could construct expeditionary airfields and build facilities
in the most austere conditions supporting forward deployed tactical units.
By September 1965 Tactical Air Command (TAC) created two units with the name REDHORSE,
an acronym meaning; Rapid Engineering Deployable Heavy Operations Repair Squadron
Engineer. These two units would initially deploy to Southwest Asia. The 554th Civil
Engineering Squadron (Heavy Repair) was constituted on Oct. 1, 1965 and organized 11 days
later. The 554th and 555th CES Squadrons began training at Cannon AFB, N.M. The 554th CES
initially deployed to Phan Rang Air Base, Republic of Vietnam in February 1966 where its first
major project was a complete runway reconstruction.
In May 1967, the 554th CES was reassigned to the 1st Civil Engineer Group, and on Feb 15,
1970, the 554th CES moved to Cam Ranh Bay Air Base and then again to Da Nang Air Base on
Nov. 30, 1971. By the end of 1971, the 554th CES was the only squadron remaining
in the Republic of Vietnam. It moved to U Tapao AB, Thailand, on June 30, 1972 to remove
modular facilities.
A few years later, on 5 January 1976, the unit was assigned to Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) and
moved yet again to Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea with a detachment remaining in the
Philippines for a short time. In the early 1980s, the 554th CES proved to be instrumental and
lived up to its name by constructing facilities at Suwon Air Base to support a newly assigned A10 squadron assigned to 5th Air Force.
Page 14
In 1987, 7th Air Force became the proud owner of the 554th CES, and on 15 October 1988, redesignated the unit as the 554th Civil Engineering Squadron, REDHORSE. On 8 March 1989 it
was re-designated as the 554th RHS civil engineering squadron, and on March 1, 1994 as the
554th RHS. The unit's size was significantly reduced in the mid-1990s, but by November 2000,
its manning had rebounded, creating a unit reinforced by strength of 144.
In 2004, the 554th RHS established an airborne capability known as the 554th RHS Assault,
Assessment, and Repair Operations (AARO, pronounced "arrow") team to support rapid airfield
seizure and repair capabilities in the Pacific Theater.
Even today, this capability is the only one of its kind in the PACAF area of responsibility.
554th RHS operating location alpha was activated at Andersen AFB, Guam on September 26,
2005 after the decision was made to move the 554th RHS from Korea. On January 22, 2008,
with the relocation of manpower and equipment complete, the 554th RHS operating
location alpha became the 554th RHS of the 36th Contingency Response Group, 36th Wing on
Andersen AFB, Guam.
In 2009, the 554th RHS completed its first expeditionary deployment outside of the Pacific
Command AOR in 35 years in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. In 2010,
the 554th RHS continues extensive bed-down construction operations supporting itself, the
644th Combat Communications Squadron and the 736th Security Forces Squadron at
Northwest Field. In September 2012, the 554th deployed again for the second time in 38 years
outside of Pacific Command and the first time as the lead unit since the Vietnam
War.
Today, the 554th is one of only four active duty REDHORSE squadrons in the Air Force and the
only REDHORSE unit assigned to PACAF. Additionally, the 554th RHS is the only Total Force
Integrated squadron in the Air Force.
(Source: U.S. Pacific Air Forces news release, Honolulu, Oct 9, 2012. By Master Sgt. David W.
Sommers.)
Page 15
Perpetual war, perpetual lies (Peter Jamieson, Daily Times, The (Farmington, NM) - July 4,
2004)
PBS recently broadcast a segment on their "Frontline" program investigating the number of U.S.
casualties sustained during the ongoing war in Iraq.
It appears that the Pentagon has resurrected a method conceived during the Vietnam War that
was used to deceive the American public about the total number of injured and dead in that
heinous war. The figures for "non-hostile" casualties in Iraq are not being made public
and may actually exceed 11,000 injured.
This would bring the true total of casualties suffered by Americans in Iraq to more than 16,000
troops, not the 5,271 currently admitted by the Pentagon.
I have some personal information to add to the thought that the Pentagon is once again
engaged in a massive cover-up of casualty figures, apparently fearing that if the true numbers
were known it may cause the American public to have second thoughts about sending
their daughters, sons, wives and husbands to Iraq, possibly to die or be gravely wounded.
While serving my second combat tour in Vietnam, one of my most distressing duties was
writing letters of condolence to the families of military members killed in action. A particular
incident has remained with me to this day.
While I was stationed at Phan Rang AB, RVN in 1971, an airman on the base was tragically killed
Page 16
in a rocket attack. I prepared and sent the required letter, signed by the 315th Tactical Airlift
Wing Commander.
A few weeks later I received a response from his mother, along with a letter from her local
congressman, inquiring why her son had not received the Purple Heart medal, historically
awarded to those wounded or killed in action. When I asked personnel at HQ Seventh Air
Force and HQ PACAF why this was the case I was informed, "He was not killed in action."
When I explained to them the circumstances of his death I was told, "He was not in direct
contact with the enemy when he died," and therefore was ineligible for the Purple Heart medal.
His death was classified by them as an "accident," as if he simply had been struck by
a car.
Additionally, this poor soul is not counted among the tens of thousands of Americans killed in
the Vietnam War, nor does his name appear on the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial in
Washington, D.C.
According to the Congressional Record and the House Committee on International Relations
(now Foreign Affairs), the United States of America has used its armed forces abroad in
situations of conflict or potential conflict, or for other than normal peacetime purposes, more
than 240 times in the period from 1798 to the present.
Only five of these instances were declared wars: the War of 1812, the Mexican War of 1846,
the Spanish American War of 1898, World War I declared in 1917, and World War II declared in
1941. This horrific statistic does not include two of the most barbaric events in modern history:
the Colonial Indian Wars (1609-1775) and the Indian Wars (1775-1890) waged against the
native tribes of North America.
The resultant death toll is countless millions of innocent victims; civilians, children, women, the
aged and the infirm. The support and maintenance of a systematic and diabolically designed
perpetual war machine, which with lethal insistence protects the "vital interests" of
the mega-wealthy and war profiteers at the expense of all others, has resulted in inexpressible
and irreversible damage to our country's core foundational beliefs; life, liberty, and the pursuit
of happiness.
Page 17
Since the start of the Iraq war we have heard innumerable lies forcing us to realize once again
that it has become "Standard Operating Procedure" to mislead the American public. We
deserve to know the true numbers of military dead and wounded, as well as "non-hostile
casualties," that our troops and their families have endured.
The many thousands who have been injured in Iraq are also severely suffering from cuts in
veteran's benefits instituted by the Bush administration, as well as the deliberate minimization
of their disability allowances.
Those who have sacrificed so much for so many deserve far better treatment than to be lied
about and dismissed by a president and vice president who in their past "had other priorities"
than active military duty when millions of other Americans bravely served.
Obituary, Herbert H. Holmes
Herbert H. Holmes, Col USAF Ret, slipped the surly bonds of earth and put out his hands and
touched the face of God on March 5, 2006.
He was born in Presque Isle, Maine, 8 November 1928, the son of Eva Warman and Rodney
Arthur Holmes. On 11 Feb 1951 he married the former Marguerite Short in Milford, Ct. He is
survived by her and their three children, Peter F. Holmes, MD and wife Susan; Cindy L.
Holmes and Diane M. Holmes, and grandchildren Pamela Holmes, Amanda Rose HolmesDavidian and Daniel Holmes.
After graduation from the University of Connecticut in 1949, Herb signed up with the
Connecticut National Guard, went to Officers Candidate School at Lackland AFB, Photo Radar
Interpreter School at Lowry AFB, and the 72nd Strat Recon Tech Wing at Ramey AFB, Puerto
Rico. He then went to Pilot training at Stallings AB in Kinston, NC; then to the 3545 Pilot Tng
Wing at Goodfellow AFB, San Angelo, TX. He was awarded his wings 29 Aug 1956, and then to
further training at Randolph AFB, TX and West Palm Beach where he piloted the KC-97. He
was transferred to Westover AFB, Ma, and to Plattsburgh AFB, NY where he flew missions in
the "cold war" in KC-97's and was upgraded to KC 135 Tankers at Castle AFB. From there he
served at Bergstrom AFB, TX where in addition to refueling B52 bombers, he refueled
Navy planes on their way to SE Asia. From Bergstrom he was assigned to Armed Forces Staff
College in Norfolk, V A. During the Viet Nam War he flew B-57 bombers, while stationed at
Page 18
Clark AFB where he was a member of the 405th Fighter Wing, flying missions as a
member of the 8th and 13th Bomb Squadrons out of Phan Rang, Viet Nam. His missions were
mainly low altitude night bombing missions. While there he earned the Silver Star for gallantry
in action, the Distinguished Flying Cross, Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal, the AF
Commendation Medal and the Air Medal, 1st through 18th oak leaf clusters, and the Air Force
Commendation Medal. He earned the National Service Medal, the Viet Nam Service Medal,
Republic of Viet Nam Gallantry Cross, the AF Outstanding Unit Award and Armed Services
Reserve Medal. His war days over, he was Director of Operations Services at Randolph AFB,
then to Mather AFB where he was Director of Operations for the 454 and 455 Flying Training
Squadrons, and to Chanute AFB, Illinois where he served as the Inspector General, and Deputy
Base Commander. He finished his career at the Headquarters Training Center as Commander of
the 3290 Technical Training Group, the "Red Hats". He was retired from active duty at Lackland
AFB on 29 October 1982 at which time he received the Legion of Merit.
After retirement, Herb enjoyed many years living in his "fish camp" on the Guadalupe River
in Comfort. His favorite pastimes were fishing and hunting with his friends and family, family
gatherings, and music and noshing with his Comfort friends. In his high school yearbook the
comment by his picture was "The air doth laugh with our merry wit". Up until his last days,
he was known by friends and family for his jokes and sense of humor. He was a member of, the
Dedalians, and a life-long member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was cremated in his
flight suit as was his wish. A visitation will be held on Sunday, March 19, 2006 at Mission Park
Funeral Chapels North from 6:00 8:00 PM. A graveside service will be held at Ft. Sam Houston
National Cemetery at 10:00 AM on Monday, March 20, 2006 with full military honors.
City Recognizes Veteran for May (The Rapid City Journal, May 24, 2004)
RAPID CITY - Robert J. Boyer, a licensed contractor and owner of E Z Home Repair, was recently
recognized as May's veteran of the month by Mayor Jim Shaw in partnership with the Veterans
Coordination Commission.
Boyer grew up in Oil City, Pa., and joined the Air Force after high school. He did basic training at
Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, armament specialist training at Lowry AFB, Colo., and spent 18
months at Cannon AFB, N.M., before being sent to Vietnam.
Page 19
While stationed at Phan Rang Air Base, Boyer remembers taking direct enemy fire at least 35
times while loading weapons onto the aircraft. For his efforts, Boyer was awarded the Republic
of Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Presidential Unit
Citation, the National Defense Service Medal with one bronze star and the Republic of Vietnam
Gallantry Cross with palm.
After his tour in Vietnam, Boyer was stationed at McConnell AFB, Kansas, assigned to the F-105
Aircraft Gun Shop. After re-enlisting, Boyer was again sent to Cannon AFB before going to
Misawa Air Base, Japan. While there, he worked to close the war reserve materials division and
relocate it to Yokota Air Base.
It was at Yokota AB that Boyer met his future wife, Carol, on a blind date. They were married
three months later and have been married for more than 31 years and have two sons. The
couple spent a couple of more years in Japan, he at Yokota and she at Takakawa Air Base. Their
first assignment together was to Kadena AB, Okinawa, where Boyer loaded weapons onto the
F-4 Phantom aircraft. In March 1976, the Boyers moved to Ellsworth AFB, where Bob was
assigned to the B-52 Stratofortress.
In March 1979 Boyer was sent to Osan AB, Korea for the next year before returning to Ellsworth
AFB for the last 12 years of his military career, in which he served in many roles, the most
memorable being the resource advisor for the B-52-to-B-1 transition.
Boyer retired as a master sergeant in 1992 and the Boyers made Rapid City their permanent
home. Boyer is a lifetime member of the VFW, a member of the American Legion and the Elks
BPOE, as well as the Handy Man Club of America and the Bassmaster Fishing Club.
For more than 20 years, Boyer has devoted countless hours to the Boy Scouts of America and
most recently served as Scoutmaster of Troop 1187. He was recently recognized for his service
by receiving the National Presidential Scoutmaster Award of Merit and the Penjahame District
Award of Merit.
Obituary, William F. Bryant Jr. (Texas City Sun, December 21, 2003)
Lt. Col. William F. Bryant Jr., U.S. Air Force retired, age 62, died peacefully at his home in
Niceville on Dec. 8th, 2003, after a short illness.
Page 20
Bill was born in Galveston, TX in 1941. After graduating from Texas City High School in 1959 he
entered the United States Air Force Academy where he subsequently received his Bachelor of
Science degree and was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1963. Bill earned his pilot's wings
at Vance AFB, OK and was assigned to Luke AFB, AZ for combat crew training in the F-100. From
1965 through 1967, Bill was an operational fighter pilot with the 494th Tactical Fighter
Squadron, 48th Tactical Fighter Wing, RAF Lakenheath, England. In 1968, Bill served in
Southeast Asia as a forward air controller flying the O-2A in support of the U.S. 1st Air Cavalry
Division. He participated in extensive combat operations during the 1968 Tet Offensive,
including the Battle for Hue, the Siege of Khe Sanh, and the A Shau Valley Offensive. In 1968,
Bill was the first forward air controller to receive an in-country checkout in the OV-10 Bronco,
and he completed his combat tour as an OV-10 instructor pilot with the 504th Tactical Air
Support Group at Phan Rang AB, Republic of South Vietnam.
From 1969 to 1971 Bill flew the AT-33 and F-100 while assigned to the 27th Tactical Fighter
Wing, Cannon AFB, NM. In 1971, Bill attended the Air Force Institute of Technology, WrightPatterson AFB, OH where he earned a Master of Science Degree in aeronautical and air
weapons design engineering. Following graduation in 1973, Bill was assigned to the Air Force
Flight Test Center, Edwards AFB, CA, serving as a flight test engineer on the YF-16 Lightweight
Fighter Program and F-16 full scale development program. During this period he was also an
academic instructor at the USAF Test Pilot School.
Returning to primary flying duty in 1977, Bill was a flight commander and operations officer in
the 425th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron, Williams AFB, AZ, flying as an F-5 instructor pilot.
In 1979-1980, Bill was Commander, USAF Detachment, U.S. Military Training Mission, Taif,
Saudi Arabia, where he was the chief advisor and F-5 instructor pilot to the Royal Saudi Air
Force. In 1980, Bill attended the Defense Language Institute, Monterey, CA, earning a Master's
degree equivalent in Indonesian language and cultural studies. He then served as Chief, Air
Force Division, U.S. Defense Liaison Group, U.S. Embassy, Jakarta, Indonesia, and was also the
U.S. Deputy Air Attaché. During this tour of duty Bill piloted the embassy C-12 aircraft and flew
the F-5 with the Indonesian Air Force. Following this assignment Bill reported to USAFTAWC in
September 1983.
Bill was a command pilot who has flown the F-100, A-37, O-2, OV-10, AT-33, L-20, C-12, and F-5.
He has over 2,800 hours flying time, including 280 combat missions and 600 hours combat time.
His decorations include Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Air
Page 21
Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, and numerous expeditionary unit/service awards. His
service and skills as a pilot earned him the Distinguished Flying Cross.
In 1993 Bill earned a Masters Degree in Psychology.
Bill loved fishing, boating, writing, reading and spending time with his family and his beloved
African Grey, Bobby. Bill was very patriotic and encouraged everyone to exercise their right to
vote. After Bill retired from the Air Force, the job he loved most was with his last employer,
ATAC. He enjoyed being back working with the fighter planes he loved so much and he could
once again smell the jet fuel. Bill had a team of eighteen engineers working under him and he
enjoyed working with each of them. He was loved by many and will be missed very much by his
family and many friends.
Bill was preceded in death by his father, William F. Bryant and his mother, Avernell of Texas
City, TX and his nephew, Christopher Collier of Harlingen, TX.
Bill is survived by his loving wife, Helen Margaret Embley of Vancouver, British Columbia; his
daughter Lisa of Conroe, TX; his step-son Dean and his wife Ann of Northport, FL; his son Bill
and his wife Nicole of Escondido, CA; his sister Bobbie Jean Tufts and her husband Neely of
Tucson, AZ; his niece Allison and husband Kamal of San Antonio, TX and his granddaughters
Cassandra and Faith.
A Memorial Service will be held sometime in January, 2004. Date, place and time will be
announced at a later date.
Reading 100 Years of the Chinook Observer: That Asian War
--Jan. 24, 1969 (Chinook Oberver (Long Beach, WA) August 27, 2003)
"Lt.-Col. Paul A. Kauttu, son of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel C. Kauttu of Seaside, [and a graduate of
Ilwaco High School] has become assistant deputy commander for operations for the 35th
Tactical Fighter Wing at Phan Rang AB, Viet Nam. Col. Kautta served at Cam Rahn Bay AB, Viet
Nam, as commander of the 559th Tactical Fighter Squadron prior to his appointment at Phan
Rang."
Page 22
From the Hawk Eye achieves at the Burlington (IA) Library
Oct. 23: J. Tom Wiemer, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Wiemer, 201 S. meritorious service in
Vietnam. He was a munitions specialist at Phan Rang, Vietnam from June 1967 to May 1968.
He has since been promoted to sergeant and serves at an air force base in Missouri.
Daily Hampshire Gazette (Northampton, MA) - April 15 1997)
Staff Sgt. David J. Munska, son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas J. Munska of 46 Woodbine Ave.,
Northampton has received the U.S. Air Force Commendation Medal at L.G. Hanscom Field. Sgt.
Munska was cited for his outstanding performance of duty as a crew chief with the 311th
Tactical Airlift Squadron at Phan Rang AB, Vietnam.
Speaker’s Circuit (El Dorado News-Times (AR) - September 4, 2006)
Gen. Rupert Burris will be the guest speaker when the Civitan Club meets at noon on Thursday
at Immanuel Baptist Church Family Life Center.
Burris' career has encompassed a wide variety of notable roles including aerial combat over
Nazi Germany and communications support in the field in Vietnam. He also commanded the Air
Force Communications Service.
He spent his early years as the son of a sharecropper in Arkansas. He grew up in Mount Holly
and now resides in El Dorado.
He entered the Air Corps at age 18 in 1943 and was an enlisted gunner aboard B-17 bombers
during World War II. After the war, and a brief stint as an administrative clerk, he completed
Officer Candidate School in 1948, and received his commission as a second lieutenant.
During his tour in South Vietnam, he survived two attacks on Tan Son Nhut AB, fixed the Air
Traffic Control radar at Phan Rang AB and was picked up at Bien Hoa AB by his son, John, who
flew Army helicopters.
Shortly before his retirement in 1977, he was selected as the third speaker for the newly
established Air Force Academy Commandant's Leadership Series. The next year, he received the
prestigious Order of the Sword from AFCS NCOs in recognition of his contributions to
the enlisted corps.
Page 23
He was recently named to the U.S. Air Force Communications and Information Hall of Fame.
His military decorations and awards include the Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster, Bronze
Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Force
Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Vietnamese Honor Medal-First Class, Republic of Vietnam Cross
of Gallantry with Palm and the Republic of China Meritorious Service Medal, Class A, Second
Degree.
VFW Gets New Chief (Capital Times, The (Madison, WI) - July 27, 1991)
A Benton man, Ed Stockel, has been elected commander of the state Veterans of Foreign Wars,
the first Vietnam War veteran to serve in that post.
In that capacity, he will administer the state VFW organization, which has 52,000 members,
including 13,000 Vietnam War veterans.
Stockel, a Wisconsin native and Hazel Green High School graduate, joined the Air Force in 1967,
trained at Lackland AFB in Texas, and served at bases in Colorado and Michigan before being
assigned to the 504th Tactical Air Support Group at Phan Rang AFB in Vietnam.
The new commander was released from active duty in 1971. He joined the VFW post in Benton
in 1975, and was named post commander in 1983.
Stockel was named 3rd District commander in 1984, state VFW inspector the following year and
state chief of staff in 1986. After serving in several other state posts, he was elected state
commander at the VFW convention last month in Superior.
Stockel, who is employed as an inventory analyst at the John Deere Dubuque Tractor Works in
Dubuque, Iowa, termed membership as the ``lifeblood of the VFW organization.'' He sees a
challenge in the continued growth of the VFW, based on the expected influx of new members
who fought in the recent Operation Desert Storm.
MEMORIAL SOUGHT FOR UNSUNG HEROES - DOGS ARE ESTIMATED TO HAVE
SAVED SOME 10,000 LIVES IN VIETNAM. (Wisconsin State Journal (WI) (Published as
Wisconsin State Journal (Madision, WI) - November 23,2003.)
Page 24
Carl Adams knew his friend Andy would never return from Vietnam.
The two spent the better part of a year and a half on patrol by themselves outside the Phan
Rang Air Force Base, near the South China Sea. They had such a dangerous job during the war
that it was done on a volunteer basis only.
They were the first line of defense and held the safety of the base in their hands.
Andy never complained about spending every night on watch, trying to detect enemy
movements in the extreme darkness. He never showed fear and would give his life to protect
his fellow soldiers.
Adams got to know Andy those nights on patrol. He knew him so well Andy didn't have to make
a sound if he spotted something. His body language said it all. When the time came for Adams
to leave the base in 1968, he knew Andy would stay behind and help someone else through
those nights.
Like many who left or were transferred, Adams parted from his friend without knowing what
became of him, but he was certain he never came back to the United States.
Years passed before a breakthrough. In 2000, Adams found out what happened to his friend.
Andy had died in Vietnam in June 1970.
There was no ceremony. No name etched on The Wall in Washington, D.C.
Adams and other Vietnam veterans have not forgotten the sacrifices Andy, and others like him,
made for their country. And they are trying to get a dog handlers memorial erected in the
nation's capital to pay tribute to the forgotten canine heroes estimated to have saved some
10,000 lives.
Andy was one of 4,000 dogs used in Vietnam. Most of the dogs were German shepherds like
Andy.
"Our real mission was to save lives," Adams said from his suburban Chicago home.
Adams is joined by 1,800 other Vietnam vets who were dog handlers there and are now part of
Page 25
the Vietnam Dog Handler Association. They are trying to raise money and gain government
approval for a war memorial. And when Adams recently spoke to the Columbia County
Humane Society at its annual banquet.
When Adams was 19, he and his friends thought that the fastest way they could get to Vietnam
and help their country was to join a military program as a dog handler.
So they joined the Air Force.
"The dogs that we went through with, in dog school, were sent separately to Vietnam," he said,
noting that they were assigned dogs once arriving overseas.
Andy had been in Vietnam for a year when Adams was assigned to him. There were five
different programs to which he could have been assigned. There were scout dogs, a mine and
booby trap unit, water dogs that could smell the enemy 30 feet underwater, track dogs that
were lab retrievers, and sentry dogs, highly aggressive dogs that patrolled areas with only their
handlers at night.
"There was 20 miles of perimeter and 53 dogs, and we worked one to two miles from the
base," Adams said.
Any sound by Andy could give away their position, so Andy would relay activity to Adams
through body language, and then Adams would radio back to base for help if needed.
"I could tell with Andy if he was alerting to an animal, a snake, another human being, and if it
was an American or Vietnamese," he said.
Andy had four handlers before he died in Vietnam from a disease he got from a tick and was
put to sleep.
Had Andy not gotten the disease, he still wouldn't have come home. Adams said no dog came
home even when the troops left.
"They were considered excess equipment," he said.
Dogs that weren't put down were given to the South Vietnamese and never heard from again,
Page 26
Adams said.
About 250 dogs were transferred to other bases. The quest to build a memorial has been an
uphill climb.
But through his book, "Remember the Alamo, A Sentry Dog Handler's View of Vietnam from the
Perimeter of Phan Rang Air Base," and speeches, Adams and others are trying to make the
country aware of their cause.
So far the National War Dog Memorial Fund has raised $100,000, but Adams acknowledges that
there is a long way to go.
"We're lobbying very actively," he said.
For Adams, Andy was so much more than the ID number -- 314F -- stamped on his ear. He was a
soldier, a protector and a friend, one worthy of remembering.
Obituary for John J. Virnig (Wisconsin State Journal (WI) (Published as Wisconsin State
Journal (Madison WI) - July 1, 2012)
MADISON - John J. Virnig, age 79, passed away on Friday, June 29, 2012, at his home,
surrounded by his loving family.
John was born Feb. 22, 1935, in East Moline Ill., the son of John and Elizabeth (DeMeyer) Virnig.
John entered the U.S. Air Force in July of 1951 and served as an Aircraft Engine Mechanic for 20
years, retiring in 1971. He was stationed at Sampson AFB in New York, Lackland AFB in Texas,
Chainute AFB in Illinois, Randolph Field in Texas, Kindley AFB in Bermuda, Burtonwood RAFB in
England, Truax Field in Wisconsin, O'Hare Field in Illinois, Clark Field in the Phillipines, Phan
Rang AFB in Vietnam and Hurlburt Field in Florida. After retiring from the U.S. Air Force, he was
employed for 23 years at Nagle Hart/Fabco Equipment in Madison as a mechanic and shop
foreman. John retired in 1995 at the age of 62. He enjoyed playing golf and cards and especially
spending time with his family and grandchildren. John also enjoyed spending time at the VFW,
Post 8483, where he served as commander for two years.
He is survived by his wife, Sandra; children, Pamela (Randall) Dyer, Donna (Monte) Gehring and
Page 27
Mark Virnig; his grandchildren, Sarah, Jenna and Matthew; and his sister, Donna.
John was preceded in death by his brother, Louis; and his sons, Lenny, Scott and John "Mike".
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, July 6, 2012, at ST. PETERS CATHOLIC CHURCH,
5001 N. Sherman Ave., at 11 a.m. with Monsignor Charles Schluter presiding. Burial will follow
at St. Olaf's Catholic Cemetery in DeForest. A visitation will be held on Thursday, July 5, 2012, at
RYAN FUNERAL HOME, from 4 p.m. 7 p.m. with a Pass and Review by the VFW at 4 p.m. John's
family wishes to extend thanks to Bridgit B., Mary Z. and Danielle M. of Agrace HospiceCare for
the care they gave to John.
Obituary, Don K. Holderness ( Tampa Bay Times (FL) - April 13, 2016)
CMSgt Don K. Holderness USAF (Ret.) The Chief made his final HALO jump into eternity April 9,
2016. Don was born Aug. 23, 1946 in Maysville, KY. He graduated from high school in Norwood,
OH in June 1964. On Sept. 10, 1964 he entered the Air Force where he remained on active duty
until Oct. 1, 1990. His stateside assignments included Osceola AFS Wisconsin, Lockbourne AFB
Ohio, Billy Mitchell Field Milwaukee, WI, Glenn L. Martin State Airport Baltimore, MD, and Mac
Dill AFB Florida. His overseas postings included Cam Ranh AB, Phan Rang AB, and Quang Tri
Vietnam, Rhein Main AB and Wasserkuppe AS Germany, RAF Lakenheath England, Naples Italy,
and Brussels Belgium. He was decorated five times for valor, seven times for meritorious
service, earned ten battle stars, and was awarded numerous other medals and ribbons. He was
a Master Parachutist. After retiring from the Air Force he worked for several defense
contractors, finally retiring in July 2007. He spent his retirement years residing in Valrico. During
his retirement he enjoyed annual cruises and trips to Europe. He was a member of AMVETS
Post 44, AMVETS Post 26, Moose Lodge 1880, and Eagles Lodge 3566. He is survived by his
fiance;, Tina Zitnyar; son, Thomas Holderness (Nicole Dunbar); son, David Holderness; sister,
Lois Canterbury (Roger); and grandchildren, Elexys and Ethan Holderness.
Aid for Orphans (Pacific Stars & Stripes, Saturday, Nov. 6, 1971)
PHAN RANG AB, Vietnam (Special) — The base chapel staff recently served as a go-between
in the presentation of $to the Ngoc Ninh Buddhist Orphanage in Phan Rang City. The money
was allocated to specific children by American foster parents working through International
Orphans, Inc., headquartered in California.
834th Wins 2nd PUC (Pacific Stars & Stripes Friday, Oct. 1, 1971)
TAN SON NHUT AB, Vietnam (Special)—The 834th Air Div.. responsible for all U.S. Air Force
Page 28
cargo and troop transport in the Republic of Vietnam, has received its second U.S. Presidential
Unit Citation.
The division, headquartered at Tan Son Nhut AB, was cited for its outstanding airlift support for
the Free World Forces in the Republic for the period April 1 June 30, 1970. The earlier
award covered the period Jan. 21 to May 12, 1968.
Under the division are Detachments 1 and 2 at Tan Son Nhut and Cam Ranh Bay AB,
respectively, both flying C130 Hercules aircraft; the 315th Tactical Airlift Wing at Phan Rang AB,
flying C123 Providers; the 483d Tactical Airlift Wing at Cam Ranh Bay, the only C7 Caribou
wing in the U.S. Air Force; and the 2nd Aerial Port Group, headquartered at Tan Son Nhut.
In its five years in Vietnam, the 834th has been responsible for carrying out the largest
sustained airlift in history, dwarfing the combined totals of the Berlin Airlift of 1949, the
“Hump" airlift over the Himalayas during World War II and the tactical airlift of the Korean
War.
More than two billion tons of cargo and 3.5 million passengers were carried aboard the unit's
aircraft in the last year alone.
Bladen Airman Helps Un-Blog Mired Aircraft (The Robesinian, Tuesday, October 29,
1968)
WITH U. S. COMBAT AIR FORCES, V i e t n a m—Mud, bursting air bags and enemy fire merged
to badger Staff Sergeant Eugene Smith Jr., son of Mrs. Gathering L. Smith of Justin, Tex. but
when he finished his job, a valuable transport was airborne over Katum, Vietnam.
The sergeant is a 1957 graduate of Bladenboro N. C. High School. His wife, Ella, is the
daughter of Mrs. Gladys Edwards of Rt. 2. Bladenboro. Sergeant Smith was a member
of a I2-man U. S. Air Force maintenance team that recently recovered a C-l23 Provider
in an operation that was first thought to be impossible.
The Provider lay mired in mud with all three landing wheels off the runway at Katum. One
propeller was bent; the left jet engine was an inch off the ground; the right wing extended 30
Page 29
feet across the 60-foot-wide runway. The airstrip was blocked to other fixed-wing resupply
aircraft and the Provider had to be quickly recovered or destroyed.
Sergeant Smith began the assignment that was plagued with difficulty but conquered by
persistence when he boarded a helicopter at Phan Rang Air Base for the trip to the special
forces encampment, northeast of Saigon near the Cambodian border.
He and his crew were initiated to the trials of the job when incoming mortar rounds forced
their helicopter to take off from Katum before their equipment was completely unloaded. Using
inflatable air bags, the team began the arduous task of lifting the transport during a lull in the
attack but mortar fire took them off the job periodically and then three lifting bags ruptured
from pressure.
The men took shelter as they awaited replacements from Phan Rang and then, even as enemy
fire continued to pound the area, resumed work. They were again delayed, this time by
darkness.
Sergeant Smith and the crew tackeled the job, in the early daylight that also brought increased
enemy activity. On their third attempt to get the transport on the runway, the Provider
yielded.
Supporting tactical fighter pilots blasted the surrounding area with bombs and, strafed as
he maintenance men replaced the damaged propeller, started the engines and checked over
the aircraft. A flight crew arrived and soon, the once-doomed Provider took off for Phan
Rang.
(“Recovery Team Frees Mired Plane While Facing Enemy Mortar Attack” from Phan
Rang Newsletter No. 3 is another story of this event.)
Page 30
Original photo by Joe Schwarzer.
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I hope that you enjoyed this issue of the Phan Rang Newsletter. Just as a reminder all
prvious issues of the Phan Rang News are available here. This newsletter was compiled
and published by Douglas Severt.
Page 31

Phan Rang AB News 110

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