Memories of Days Past

After leaving Clark AB I was assigned to Kelly AFB in San Antonio, Texas. I was attached to the Air Force Special Communications Center which was an analysis and research group. I was doing research and analysis on Chinese Air Defense Radars and trying to figure out their weaknesses and method of operation. Very important work, but quite boring. Since I had some knowledge of the Vietnamese methods of operations, I was asked to go to Okinawa for another TDY to do some analysis work on current capabilities. I stayed there for six months and finally had to go back to San Antonio. I had heard about a new unit forming in Vietnam which would allow me to go on flying status for the first time. Several of us were picked to go to Saigon and form the nucleus of a new project known as Drillpress, using EC-47 aircraft to monitor VietCong and NVA regulars communications in South Vietnam.

After attending survival school in Nevada I was sent to Tonsonhut AB, in Saigon. Later I would return to the Phillippines for jungle survival training. Tonsonhut was the busiest airfield in the world in early 1966. In addition to all the civilian airlines that flew in passengers from all over the world, there were bombers, fighters, and

military transports everywhere, plus a few specialized aircraft that defied description. Ane everywhere was dust and dirt and mud when it rained, and it rained often. Our headquarters was in the Military Assistance Command for Vietnam Compound, right next to the 7th Air Force Headquarters. We had two buildings, one for operations and flight scheduling, and the other for admin. Our commander was Colnel Wallender, he had several officers for his staff and assistance.  Drillpress had two aircraft both were equipped with four positions in the cargo bay for monitoring communications. Our crews would normally consist of three morse intercept operators, one Vietnamese linguist, and me. I was the Airborne Mission Supervisor and since I had no position to man I usually made my home upfront in the Flight Mechanics station if it was empty, or in the back on the parachutes which were stacked in the rear of the aircraft.

My normal duties consisted of monitoring the activities of the operators and maintaining a log of intercept activity. Other than that I could spend a lot of time in visual recon or looking out the window. Our two waist windows were usually open, since the plexiglass had been removed. This provided us with needed air conditioning.  The aircraft itself was unarmed, though all of us carried .38 revolvers and we had M-16s aboard should the need arise. My other job was to ensure all the classified was destroyed if we went down. It was all put on water soluble paper so I had to drink plenty of coffee to make sure I had the requisite material to destroy the classified.

Our missions were normally about 7 hours in duration, and we flew every day or so it seemed. I averaged about 90-130 hours per month, which was probably about average for the backend crews. Our missions were usually flown at 4000-6000 feet which gave us an excellent view of the country side and the rivers, lakes, bomb craters, and deforested forests. Unfortunately it also gave the enemy and excellent view of us.

This mountain was affectionatly known as Pussy Mountain, I wouldn't have a clue as to why. I never saw one cat on that hill, not one!

Our outfit had detachments at Pleiku and Nha Trang. Occasionally we would fly out of those airfields, as well as Danang and Phu Bai. I remember one set of missions which called for us to fly from Saigon to Pleiku, refuel, fly a seven hour mission, land at Pleiku, refuel, and return to Saigon. This would give us about 12-13 hours of flight time and a crew duty day of about 16 to 18 hours. Good thing we were young and eager.

The Drillpress aircraft were based at Saigon and deployed where needed. In addition to these we also had other EC47 aircraft which belonged to an operation called Phyllis Ann. These aircraft were based at Saigon and the two detachments.Their mission was Airborne Ranging and Direction Finding. They had equipment to locate enemy transmitters very accurately. They were in communications with ground controllers for the purpose of calling in ground fire or air support for fire missions. Occassionally we would fly a tandem mission with Phyllis Ann. We would obtain and identify Viet Cong signals and pass the interesting ones along to Phyllis Ann for location. Using a one time crypto pad I would call the info over the UHF links to the other bird. We lost one Phyllis Ann bird in 1967, and several more in subsequent years. Please refer to Jim Wheelers site for more information. I had attended survival school with some of the lost crewmen.

During this tour I had saved my money, No, not all of it, I did spend a few bucks in Saigon for fun and good times, but that is another story. I ordered a car from the BX and had it delivered when I returned home. Wish I still had it.

By the time the tour was over I had accrued 621 hours flying time in the EC47 aircraft. This amounted to 126 combat missions. I received a Distinguished Flying Cross, Two Air Force Commendation Medals, and Nine Air Medals. Although my aircraft was fired upon on many occasions we always came back. I have many fine memories of this tour, of all my time in Vietnam. The land, the people, but most of all for the men, my brothers. Did my two tours in Vietnam teach me anything? Well, perhaps not at the time, but in the thirty or so years since I have had time to reflect and remember and talk to others who served and those who didn't. I guess I learned that boys grow into men in short order when the future is uncertain. We didn't often speak of it but somehow we didn't plan for much either. I tried to save some bucks but spent most of it on good food and lots of drink in Saigon. I didn't want to die with money in the bank. I guess I still don't. I have a very shallow concept of the future even now. I have seen how quickly it can be taken from us. I see the younger generation striving to pile up money and goods and just can't emulate it. I have lost the feeling of god given immortality. I guess thats what Vietnam took from me and my generation, it was the feeling that we would reap the good life if we disearved it. Fuck that! I know all to well that that everything can be taken in the blink of an eye. Life is the only important thing we have. Don't waste it. Enjoy it to the fullest, try everything, laugh, cry, and above all love. Oh Yeah, try and do some good for your buddies along the way.

I have spoken with many men over the years who fought in different wars, but all of them spoke the same truth. We fought not for our country, not for our leaders, not for ideals. We fought for our lives, and for our friends. It was that simple, and that complex, we fought for our friends and ourselves.

God Bless the Warrior, and damn the Politician