Mt.crewchief

I personally think that my plane ,#62-1804 , which I was crew chief on at CCK from Mar. 1969--June 1970, carried containers that contained Agent Orange on several or more occasions during that time. I knew what agent Orange smelled like from hanging around some of the C-123 Ranch Hands parked over near the terminal at CRB. I would walk over there from my plane to get something to eat. Maybe even from the In Flight Kitchen. I even Sat on the ramp of one of them and ate chicken in the shade. The smell of that strong weed killer was easy to remember. That smell occurred in the cargo compartment of my plane from time to time over the period of the 15 months I went to CRB on 1804. From what I can figure, the smell in my plane came from pallets of mostly odds and ends including barrels strapped on together. I cleaned the whole plane after every mission, and never cleaned up what I would call spills, but wet oily spots were common. Just ask any crew chief.  During that time I just assumed that the agent Orange smell was annoying, but harmless. I had no reason to believe otherwise. Remember the green cans of DDT ?  Another case of using something harmful but hell, it was standard equipment in the aircraft and the barracks.                                                  Anyway, I know my plane lived it's final years at the Rock and I would imagine many other Viet Nam trash haulers did also.

Maybe you can make a legitimate claim. I hope you can. Also, since the war, those C-123 Ranch Hands were legally behind many agent Orange claims from men who were never in Viet Nam but had claims approved by the VA in recent years.

Just my opinions and hopefully I am wrong because I might have to prove boots on the ground someday due to an Agent Orange claim.

Also, thinking back, I am sure the weed spray smell that I lived with for 18 months at Naha and Viet Nam, were the same stuff I smelled as CCK for the next 15 months.

Ken

Way to go old timer. It's okay, I turned 71 in Feb. I also have nothing showing on my DD 214 that I was in Viet Nam 29 months out of 33 while stationed at Naha and CCK. I do have 2 Air Medals for Blind Bat (40 missions) but that is also missing from my records - the awards and dates are there, but nothing in my records show why. I have always planned on getting my 214 corrected, but didn't have any service related health issues. I did get 10% tinnitus and that was on my medical records from Naha. I still don't have any military related health issues, but who knows----that could be any time!

 Thanks for the post I realize I should probably get my butt in gear.

Ken

Thanks Sonny, you're a good guy.

Ken

I received two Air Medals for 40 flare missions as a flare kicker on Blind Bat in 1968.

I didn't know a anything about it until they came to the squadron at CCK. (345th OMS) I think. He ( the Col.)  mentioned awarding them to me at the next Commanders Call. I conveniently flew everywhere my airplane (62-1804) went until it was forgotten. There is nothing in my records showing why I was awarded them. The Air Medal awards themselves are actual awards with the correct dates on them. I was told by somebody that it took 20 missions. 

 I would think you would have a whole bunch of them. Especially for the Frantic Goat missions.

 I am like you, I would like to have all of the records and awards in my possession or at least recognized before I die. My kids and grandkids might like to see them.

Ken

Lynn,  I am glad I didn't miss your post. I am starting to get back up to speed on my favorite forum. Okay, so you knew Dave well. I was at CCK from March 69 to June 70. It seems like I knew Dave all of that time, but probably not. That picture was taken in Steve Mudge's and Dennis (Red) Guinane's room. Tony Martone lived in that room also, but he wasn't one of the regular gang. The gang I am talking about is Me, Red and Steve, Wes Eckert, Dave Glanville, Dave Beesley, and maybe a few more.Later on John Chase was usually around also. He and I were at Naha together before CCK. I am in touch almost daily with Red and Steve. Dave Glanville joined this forum, but I think he has/had some major medical problems and I haven't heard for or about him in a long time. Oh, just remembered another of the group----Pete McPheters. I am now in touch with him also. Another guy you might know is a good friend of Red's and Steve's is Ted Skidmore. He is also on on our e-mail list. He and I don't remember each other, but we have mutual friends. Have you looked at my gallery? Most of those guys are in there plus ----maybe you!!

 I know you and I have talked before on the old forum a long time ago but maybe our memories are fresher now!

Take care Lynn and/or Dearstone, and let's see if we can't straighten out some of our memories. I know there are several more guys that were at CCK during our tours there. On this forum! It would be neat to see how many of knew or should have known each other. Sort of a reunion ---hell, even if I don't remember everything, I could make something up!

Ken    ACFT 62-1804  CCK  4/69--6/70  Barracks 336  Dirty Dozen part time/ Mongolian Barbeque main dining!!!  

Dallas,  I am guessing the Army suffered worse battle damage!  

Ken

Davis, I hope you have/had a good 73rd. birthday and many more .

Ken

I have had a lot of experience with Veterans Choice and I wonder if any of you have. Between the VA and Veterans Choice how have things gone for you?

I think it would be interesting to see if thing are different all over the country.

I think we would be surprised that there is anything we have in common in how things are handled.

Let's compare notes,

Ken

I can't believe how good they working for me. They were replaced 7 weeks apart and I had no problems at all while going to rehab. About a year ago I decided that although they were doing good they could be better. I started walking 4 miles a day 5 days a week out on the country roads and through the hills. There are no flat roads around here. Anyway I don't think I have ever been in as good shape since I was in my 20's. One of these days I will post some pics of the Elk, Deer, & Antelope I see almost daily.

Thanks for asking. I hope everything is good with you.

Ken

Thanks Sonny. I guess I need to get my butt in gear and start taking part in the forum again. I talk to Chris (tinwhistle) fairly often, and will tell him you wished him a happy birthday. He is doing okay.

Thanks again Sonny,

Ken

Correction.  I think you didn't hear me correctly. I said 62-1804. Didn't  I?

Anyway it did have the DH  above the number.  345 th. TAS.

Ken

Here are the pictures of the David Beesley that I knew well. I do remember he was married, and I see in my blanket order pic in my gallery he was on separate rats..  I remember him as being fairly stocky/muscular and had a great sense of humor. One night down in the "Dozen" he saved Wes Eckert  from getting his outfit cut off by a guy selling "skibbe pictures" All Wes did was offer to show the guy his "crank"! Then he went around the rest of the evening saying "God bless David Beesley for he saved my crank" . I know this may be a family forum, but I know almost all of us guys had some very humorous moments  away from home.  Sometimes my wife will

look at me thinking what the hell is wrong with you when one of those old 40+ year old memories pops into my head.

The picture is one I drug out of my old slides of a violin Dave bought downtown and he was wearing his smoking jacket or whatever serenading some of guys in the barracks. (#336) by the way.

Hope he is the same one we know. Dave, if you ever visit this forum, congratulations on your promotions.!

Ken

Bob, do you remember what year that was?  I do have a few pics of him that aren't  what you would call " in proper uniform" , taken in 69 or 70, but would probably look like him as a younger version. I will write myself a note to post a picture of the David Beesley that I knew. I think his name is on my blanket orders I have posted in my gallery also.

Ken

On 8/31/2016 at 11:19 PM, Jerry Lawler said:

Ken, I remember David Beesley at cck, I was also stationed with him at Carswell AFB 1984, He was a CMSGT, When i was at cck was the only time i got to work on C-130 , worked on B52's and Kc135's . Isure did like the Herky Birds the best. I retired from the USAF in 1991. I still remember some of the people , Butch Tucker , Ken Newman, Lynn Dearstone, Troy Juresko I was stationed with him 1985 in Injurlik Turkey, Big Indian Chief Locust, A1c Pearson was my assistant crew chief, I took over 62-1834 from SSGT Eckert. some of the names are coming back to me, But that has been a long time ago. If i can think of more, i will post. The only one i keep in touch with is Butch Tucker Moultrie Ga. He is a Bass Pro fisherman. His son too J. Todd Tucker. If you are on Face Book , Look me up Jerry Lawler , Oh, remember Tsgt Tyner,

What year was Beesley a CMSGT? He must have made the USAF a career after I knew him. At CCK he was a SGT same as me? Wes Eckert was a good friend of mine. When I left CCK I left my stereo equipment with Wes (SSGT Eckert), so he could ship it to his home in Middletown NY . He had no limit on "hold baggage" due to his rank. I spent the last 6 months at Dover and drove up to pick up my stuff at his house. I think he had gotten out for good.

See if anymore names jog your memory? Did you look at my gallery? You should know some more of those guys in there.

Ken

Jerry, Welcome to the forum. It is real nice to see a new "one of the old guys" join up. You and I both were at CCK on the flightline at the same time. We probably were on the same flight out leaving the country. Do you remember Steve Mudge, Dennis (Red) Guinane, John Chase ,David Beesley, Dave Glanville, Pete McPheters, and more?? I have some of those guys in my gallery. Sitting on a table behind 336.

I see my guess on my post above about the crew chief on 777 was wrong. Is the rest of my story about 777 right? I do know we are in agreement on the members of the Bob Hope troop.

 Hope to see you on her often---that means I will have to be n here more often also.

Ken

Sonny,

I laughed so hard I now have drain bamage!!

Ken

Sonny's Funnies    sounds like a good title for a guy that probably also has a good sense of humor.

Keep up the good work Sonny,

Ken

I also read the newspaper every day and like Larry, my daughter and son in law never have one around. But I noticed that when they come to our house, my son in law reads our paper from front to back.  I'm guessing it is easier than reading it on your phone.

16 minutes ago, hehe said:

I just want that original A-model one, I already have every single one on ebay through trading.

Well, just in case you have or know where there are a few extras, let me know. There is no need of you having duplicates laying around!

I may have some trading material.

Ken 

Did the E-Model  have the same one as the A? I was a crew member on 56-475 at Naha and Crew Chief on 62-1804 at CCK. I suppose if they are different, I will have to buy one of each!

I would really like to have one, but probably never will!!

Ken

Chris, 

 Sorry about not announcing your birthday yesterday. Actually, I didn't want to draw attention to your advancing age.

I hope you did something interesting . 

Ken

Hey Chris,  I just realized that I missed your birthday. You know the one that makes you a year older than me.

Have a good one and hopefully I will see you this spring.

Your friend,

Ken

Thanks Sonny  I'm not a dancer, but with my new knees maybe I should give it a try.

Ken

I suppose I should respond to nice inquiries about my knees. Both are in their proper places and have been ops checked and signed off. What a relief it is to be rid of the constant pain. I admit that they aren't, perfect yet, but that will take some time yet. I would recommend this operation to any of you that has been putting up with arthritic knees etc. Honestly, there is actually very little pain involved compared to the pain you have probably been putting up with for years.  Also,if you are in V A care,they will be paid for.  After the complaining I did about Veterans Choice early on, it turned out not so bad. The problems I had early on seemed to smooth out as time went on. The biggest problem was and still is, the doctors and medical facilities try to Bill the V. A. And it doesn't work.

So anyway,thanks for your concerns and good wishes. And by the way Chris, I managed to keep my other knee. !!!

Ken

Sonny, I damn near forgot, have a happy 70th.

I'll meet you at the Kokusai Bowling Alley for some bowling and beer!!!

Do you remember the way???

Ken