1685FCC Posted December 6, 2009 Share Posted December 6, 2009 Been awhile since I've been on here, but thought I would share in this thread. I just graduated BFE back in October and one of the guys in my class had an Uncle that was a Loadmaster with the Desert One mission. I will have to get back with you on a name, but he has some burn marks from the mishap. The guy was telling me that his Uncle practically ripped the troop door off its tracks to get out of the burning Herk. Now with this information some of you might know who he is??? I'll be back with a name none the less. I will not forget the brave souls that truely had "The Guts To Try"! Good book by the way. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoyleR Posted March 23, 2010 Share Posted March 23, 2010 There were three loadmasters on that aircraft, Ken Bancroft, Wesley Witherspoon, and Jim McClain. I think the one that you are referring to is Ken Bancroft, he was the big guy. They did one heck of a job, getting everyone in the cargo compartment out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skip Davenport Posted March 23, 2010 Share Posted March 23, 2010 There were three loadmasters on that aircraft, Ken Bancroft, Wesley Witherspoon, and Jim McClain. I think the one that you are referring to is Ken Bancroft, he was the big guy. They did one heck of a job, getting everyone in the cargo compartment out. Ken makes two of Spoon and Banzai all great guys would fly with them Anytime Anyplace. Wait a minute I did already and would again Anytime Anyplace. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
herky Posted April 7, 2010 Share Posted April 7, 2010 I too remember the plaque on 1818 and was in awe every time I saw it at what they attempted Herky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vincent_Latona Posted December 1, 2010 Share Posted December 1, 2010 I found this site tonight on Google. I was looking up my Dad, Vincent A. Latona Sr. He was a radio operator with the 8th Special Operations Squadron. He was on Repuplic 5 EC 62-1857 for the Desert One mission. He's mentioned a couple of times in Jerry Thigpen's book and I'm his very proud son. I just wanted to say "Thank You" to you and everyone on this forum for remembering. Sincerely, Vincent A. Latona Jr. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Red Stuff Posted January 6, 2011 Share Posted January 6, 2011 Found a pic of 62-1857 along with this. Lockheed C/EC-130E-LM Hercules Serial 62-1857 of the 7th ACCS at Korat, 10 May 1974. This aircraft survived the Vietnam War and was converted to C-130E-II, later to be redesignated EC-130E in 1976. Later, this aircraft served as an EC-130E Airborne Battlefield Command and Control Center (ABCCC) aircraft at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona (1999) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/7th_Airborne_Command_and_Control_Squadron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knock7785 Posted July 11, 2013 Share Posted July 11, 2013 The first acft I was ever assigned to, EC-130E 62-1818, was one of the planes on the ground over there in Iran, and had a plaque on board dedicated to those men, and the airplane. I always thought that was the coolest thing to at least get to touch and care for a living piece of history every day while I was there at Keesler. Also I lived on Kanuha Street in Commando Village, named after SSgt Damon Kanuha, the FE on Spirit 03! Shame people dont think about who the bases or streets are named after or why! Nathan I know this is a thread for Desert One, but Damon Kanuha was my next door neighbor while I was in the 16th SOS and I remember vividly the day we were recalled to the squadron and informed that we had a Gunship missing. Damon was a heck of an individual and a $h1t Hot FE. No, we truly never forget. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SEFEGeorge Posted July 11, 2013 Share Posted July 11, 2013 I went through the FE Performance School C-130 certification with Joe Mayo. I had a class picture with all of us "attendees" but can't find the damn thing. I'll just have to keep looking through my stuff to see if I can find it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
APG85 Posted July 12, 2013 Share Posted July 12, 2013 One of the EC-130 plaques... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ComNav Posted July 29, 2013 Share Posted July 29, 2013 I had the job to prep 62-1809 on the avionics comm end prior to Eagle Claw and see her off from Wadi Qena to Desert One. That bird had some messed up comm bits, notably a mis-wired KY and HF issues probably resulting from the booth being yanked for the mission. Spent many days at Hurlburt combing through wire lists and canon plugs trying to figure out her issues. We were sitting in the spare Talon in Egypt listening to the BBC for any news of the mission when we heard Carter come on. Us maintenance folks are the last to hear anything, but we were devastated at the news. Having read Thigpen's excellent Talon book as well as The Guts To Try, There's still lots of pieces to the mission that never got told. Long-since retired, I occasionally think back to those days and wonder "what if." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparks Posted August 2, 2013 Share Posted August 2, 2013 Welcome to the site ComNav. You will find a wealth of experiences that add depth and color to our shared Air Force History. Happy to have added another voice to that history. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 24, 2014 Share Posted April 24, 2014 Today marks the 34th Anniversary of the tragedy at Desert One. Please take a moment to remember those that had "the guts to try." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thud105 Posted April 24, 2014 Author Share Posted April 24, 2014 Today marks the 34th Anniversary of the tragedy at Desert One. Please take a moment to remember those that had "the guts to try." +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Lest we never forget. They Had The Guts To Try Frank Carberry Honorary Member, 8th SOS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbsoto Posted April 24, 2014 Share Posted April 24, 2014 A sad day for their for families and special operations. We remember them with Honor and Pride! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
US Herk Posted April 25, 2014 Share Posted April 25, 2014 The memorial service at the Hurlburt Air Park yesterday was nice Many heroes there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fletcher Posted December 23, 2014 Share Posted December 23, 2014 I was in the 42nd ACCS when they closed the unit. 1818 went to the boneyard; not sure where 1857 went. 62-1857 is on loan to Carolinas Aviation museum. I was the Maintenance Superintendent for 1818,1857 & 1809. I was part of the joint task force, my self my crew and the three ACFT were stationed at Keesler AFB and attached to Hulbert field. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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