Mt.crewchief

I was thinking of some of the trips I took with my plane other than in-country! One memorable and good one was a trip to Naha from CCK to have wingtip lights installed. It took several days and I got to leave and go get a room downtown (Naminouie), and renew old acquaintances!!! Did all of the C-130 E's get that modification or was it just for the ones going to Viet Nam at the time??? Another TCTO (I guess it was one), was having a little urinal and "piss tube" installed back by the "honey bucket". Was that something that stayed with the airplanes or was it replaced by something more modern? I do remember that while you were in the area of the tube on the outside of the airplane(behind the left paratroop door) you had to remember to not lean against the side of the airplane or you might get dirty from the "over spray" !!! Needless to say this was an "in flight" urinal only!! Just a few questions that need to be answered before I forget that I remembered them!!!! Ken

Bill, will you quit messing with my CRS!! I can't count the number of times I went to some real neat/interesting countries/places and all I got to see was a Trans. Alert truck, and fuel truck, and my airplane while everybody else went downtown shopping or whatever!! I also remember the words " hey chief, want a sandwich or something to eat" as the crew and passengers hopped on their transportation to places I never did get to see!!! I guess that is called bitching but that is the way it was!!! Being fair though. I do remember a trip or two that the flight crews took me with them. I also spent several nights with the whole crew at Misawa one time! Of course, I repaid the crew by helping the Loadmaster "short-sheet" the AC's bed!!! You know, I could have stayed back at CCK and let somebody else take my airplane, but that would have been like loaning your only prized possession to somebody!! Enough of my crap for now, Ken

Don, I agree. You might add your name to that group of curious guys! Every time I see a new member or one that I have not seen for a long time I check their "about me" to see if I might have know them at one time. I will never quit looking for old friends and I always like to know about my new friends on the forum!! I wish everybody on the forum would put a little history of themselves on their bio. I find it fascinating to know what all of you new (and old) guys are doing! I also would like to see everybody have some pics in their "users gallery" if they have any. I keep loading mine up just to see how many of you look at them and what they are most interested in! I really enjoy looking at old pics of your military life! Casey has done a good job of making this forum easy to use and I thank him for making it possible for me to share my experiences and pictures with people that might be interested!! It is also fun to know the age of some of you "eternally young" guys!!! By the way, most of you guys (in my mind), look just like you did 40+ years ago!!! Thanks for bringing this up Don. Ken I can't speak for Larry though-----I think he's just snooping around!!!! (supposed to be funny) PS Don, I just checked your Bio. again!!!!!!!

Bill, you have a key word in your post-----Crew Rest!!!! Did you ever hear of Crew Chief Rest???? Ken

Hey, welcome back! We haven't heard from you in awhile! Thanks for taking an interest in my VA stuff! I have been to the clinic in Billings twice now. So far, I am very pleased with the place and the people. The clinic is brand new and very modern. The first visit was mostly just that---answered a lot of questions and explained that I would probably have a few claims in the future. That day I had an EKG and a chest x-ray that were both good. I think they did those first because I have a family history of heart problems. Yesterday I went down for complete lab tests and got the results today!! My PSA was good as were all of my other tests. Next week I go down for stress(treadmill) test and an ultra-sound. I don't know when I will see a doctor but I am also scheduled for a hearing test in the near future. I assume this is the way they do things there instead of doing everything at once. I will make sure to get my AO screen done also! I think they are dragging it out a little as my representative is a very nice looking young lady and she wants me!!!! (yeh, right) If any of you other guys want to weigh in on this (especially Muff and Giz), feel free. I need all of the help I can get. Ken Dan, I hope you get rid of your new ailment! I just read it on your other post! Here in Montana, several people have gotten very ill & died from Hantavirus cleaning out Deer Mice nests from old buildings etc. So, take care!!!!

Yep, heard of that one!!!

Mike, As far as my experiences go, and I think it was a standard procedure, all of the C-130 inputs to Vietnam had two crewchiefs and that was their airplane! Most of the time, the crew chiefs did not go on missions in-country as that was our only time off!! All of the rigging and de-rigging I ever did was after the plane returned to base (CRB) or before it left on a new mission that called for some sort of rigging configuration!! Sometimes, we rigged a plane for passengers or med-evac and somebody higher up would change their minds and we would have to de-rig!! So, I guess I could ask where were all of the flight crews hiding then??? I started this thread praising how hard the loadmasters worked so you probably realize my last sentence is in fun!! I am definitely glad I didn't have to go with the airplane or I would have never had an hour off!! Many hours were spent on the airplane working on it until it was ready to fly again. Sometimes I never saw a bed for several days!! Just one "for instance" changing the pilots nesa window!! What a pain!! I wonder if the new era crew chiefs and flight crews have to put in as many hours as we did?? Ken PS, Sometimes we derigged the plane on the way back to CCK or Naha and the Loadmaster helped!! Much easier then!!

John, Thanks for the kind offer. I have e-mailed you my address! As a side note, one of my best friends at CCK (Steve Mudge), told me that after he got out of the AF. he was in the Rhode Island ANG. The planes there at the time (around 1975) were 57-511,57-512,57-513,57-514, & 57-515. His acft was 56-0478. He said there was a snub nosed one from Michigan #54-1631 & another like it but he can't remember the number! How many of them are you still flying!!! I know you mentioned 57-512. Anyway not to mess up this thread, Thanks again, Ken

Sonny, I tried this but got my mail returned!! Back to square one! Ken

I tried to look up that movie last night and couldn't find it! i am very interested in seeing it. If any of you guys find a link to it or whatever, please post it!! Thanks, ken

That's a neat find Bob. That is the same type of 781 some of us were talking about awhile back. I can't read the person's name that signed it off can you? It would be fun to see some more 781's from Viet Nam Ken

Jerry, AKA, INS/Dopplertroop, Well, how did you fare in the storm? Okay I hope! Let us know. Ken

EYE OF THE STORM Typhoon party at Naha Any of you guys in the picture??? For the life of me, I have forgotten some of the names!!! Let me know if you know any of the guys. I have a few more of the same group--one I would call R rated

I was at Ocean City on Labor Day weekend in 1970! The beach was really crowded!!! If I remember right, that was the last weekend of the year for the beach! Maybe the last weekend has already been observed this year!!! I hope you are ready for whatever comes in! If I remember right, the terrain is somewhat flat around Dover!! Take care, Ken

I was just watching Irene's path a few minutes ago and I got to thinking a lot of you guys are in it's path!! I don't think the forecasts are wavering any either!! I was only on the East Coast once & that was at Dover. I can imagine what it would be like there if Irene stays on it's current route!!! I suppose Rehoboth Beach is going to see some damage! Anyway, right now it sounds like it is the real deal so you guys be careful. You guys that were stationed at Naha could always head for Naminoue or it's equivalent before they close the main gate!!!!! It sounds like it could be no joking matter so take care, Ken

Sonny, you just described me!!!

Well said, giz! I see stuff like that all of the time! Ken----Ssgt. retired C-130 Crew Chief (4 yrs,) !!!!

I kinda wondered about that also!!!

polcat, Did you happen to see 62-1804 while you were there?? She was delivered not too long ago from Little Rock and I always wonder if that is her final resting place. ken

Giz, GVS is right, you are somebody that I feel like I have known for a long time!! I called the VA in Billings today and have an appt. for Aug. 30th. Also have received an invite to an orientation and tour of the facilities any day between now and my appointment. I will keep you guys posted!! GVS, Giz is a good guy, and he is not the only one on this forum. I find it is a good place to hang out and shoot the bull with the guys. Giz, Don't let our compliments go to your head!!!!! Thanks again for your encouragement, Ken

Damn you Giz, Now you did it!!! You know, since I am the one that started this thread you would think I might have my sh*t together, but you would be wrong!! Since I got the clearance and a Cat. 6 rating, I still haven't been to the VA clinic!!! Everyday it seems like, something comes up and I put it off to another day and then of course something else comes up! You know vacations, grand kids, relatives ,etc. etc.! This time you finally did it, you got through to me! I am calling tomorrow and scheduling an appointment!! No more procrastinating! Your post today has made me think some more about things and I have decided to get off my butt and do something !! Thanks for the motivational speech and also you too Muff, Ken

Charles, There is a loadmaster who has a post in the current VFW "claims " section that is looking for a way to prove his Viet Nam boots on the ground as he has Ichemic heart disease and diabetes. I gave him directions to this forum, but don't know if he has been here. I will send the link to this thread to him with your success. I got all of my records from St. Louis, but there were no travel vouchers included. Did you have to ask for them specifically? I might have to try again, Thanks, Ken fortunately, my DD214 shows that I was in Viet Nam and I have been given a category 6 and it includes the Agent Orange part!!

Muff, At one time while I was over in the area (Naha or CCK), the Japanese were protesting something at Tachikawa and they were flying balloons and kites and whatever in the flight path at the end of the runway. It seems to me that maybe the A-models pulled out around that time. I don't remember there being any A's from Tachi at CRB later in my tour at Naha. But, then again, I might not remember I wrote this by tomorrow!!!! Ken

Davis, I guess I thought I had read most of the regulars on this forum's profiles!! I missed yours obviously! I guess I missed you at CRB since my first trip there was in 67! Ken

John, Thanks for the offer. If I was a little closer, I would be down there waiting for the chance to go for a spin!! If you ever have one coming to Billings, let me know please. I will be on my way in a few minutes. better yet, bring one to Columbus, our airport would handle one of those beauties!!! Thanks again, Ken