Mt.crewchief

Nice try Sonny. When you go over there to clear your bill at the pawn shop, would you take care of my class ring? Ken

If I remember right Sonny has invited all of us old Naha guys to a reunion at Naha AB sometime this year! He even offered to pay for a side trip on a Cam Rahn Bay input. The return trip would be on an A Model with the main landing gear chained down. Also on 3 engines. Sonny, can you confirm that info? Thanks buddy, Ken

Sam, I wish you were right about not receiving citations on paper, but again, you should be saying " I don't think that happened", because I know that I did receive hard copies of both citations. On the blue paper just like my Air Medals are printed on. My wife remembers seeing them and thinks she might have thrown them away when cleaning out some stuff when we had a water line break several years ago. I hate to say this Sam, but do you show up here every few years to straighten us peons out? Ken

Sonny, you must have been seeing things!! It's kind of odd that so many of us remember things that we obviously didn't see. When I was at CCK, we had several planes return from IRAN with brand new paint,also without tail codes etc. But within a few days they had their tail letters and numbers on them. Sam, you have to agree that almost everything changed -- almost daily, in PACAF. I was stationed in PACAF for 33 months straight and I saw it personally. Also, while I am at it, even though flight crews may have been assigned to squadrons and flew all planes of all squadrons, us crew chiefs/maint. guys worked on our assigned planes or planes assigned to our squadrons. There, I got that off my chest. Ken

Gary, Have good day. The next time you're in the area let me know. Ken

Easily one of my favorites, Sonny Ken

Happy belated birthday jmotes/chief. Ken

Jim, I probably didn't know you at CCK, but we probably crossed paths once or twice. Have a happy birthday, and that is no April Fools! Ken Crew Chief 62-1804 until June 1970.

The picture with the YJ on the tail could have been my bird, as my squadron was the 35th TAS. at Naha. The same squadron Sonny wishes he would have been in!!! Ken

I'm sure glad I decided to read this article about our Herk. When I got out of basic, I was scheduled to go to Lowry for Weapons and Munitions training. Then of course the Air Force decided to change my career field. To what---nobody knew. I got orders to go to Shepherd, went to PAT School for awhile, did KP twice, then finally got orders to start school as a 43151F ---! Nobody in the squadron knew what that was. Finally through research, a friend and I discovered that we were going to school to learn about a C-130. We drove around until until we found the building that we were starting school in. We laughed at that big snub nosed silver airplane looking and decided it must be a C-130. A few months later, I was working on them at Naha (A Models), and for the next thirty three months I lived on them and E models at CCK. It was the best experience of my life! I will never forget the times and friends And experiences I had on the Herk. I would have re-enlisted if the C-133 wouldn't have soured my good relationship with the Air Force. Also, since I had never had stateside duty, and had no guarantees of working on the Hercules again, and also having been promoted to Ssgt. I figured it was too risky. Sorry about the long post, Ken

Hey thanks guys. Sonny, I will look that stuff up on my real real computer instead of my Kindle. Bob, I suppose you have a point about the staff at the New Cindy. I know you and I and Sonny haven't changed any, but I doubt that we could say the same for the gals. Funny how that works isn't it? Ken

This is a question for all of you guys stationed at Naha in 67, 68, &69 and maybe 66. Also had to be members of the 374 TAS/TAW. While I was there, Our squadrons and our wing were awarded an Outstanding Unit citation and a Distinguished Unit Citation. Two different awards. When I got out I had one of each along with my two air medals. They were on that official blue paper like all of those things were on. Now when I go through my surviving records, I can't find them. I have the two air medals, but the other two disappeared. I am asking if I am going nuts or am I right. If I am not screwed up, how do I replace them if possible. I have several documents missing also. If any of you old farts can help me I would take you downtown and buy you a fresh Orion. Maybe I would even throw in a steam bath & massage. Maybe the New Cindy? Ken

Bob thanks for the great pictures! You know I'm not sure I ever saw that place in the daylight! I can still remember the smell! I see from the list, that I must have missed a few of the clubs. Once I got my 5-level, I started to go on a few CRB inputs, a 60 day TDY, then 90 days in Blind Bat in Ubon. Then off to CCK to learn another language and another Bar district. I am going to save those pictures they are so good. Ken

Hey Jeff, happy birthday. 69 big ones huh? I remember when I was that young! I see Sonny baked another cake. I hope you had a good day. Beer's on me I'll even pay for the "skoshi" cab to Naminoue. Ken I

One more question you guys. When I first got to Naha, (sept 67), I remember seeing pictures of people (Blind Bat Crew types) wearing berets and bloused pants/boots and the works. I assume that died out soon, because I never saw that in Ubon in 1968 . At first, I thought it was cool, but I had no urge to have a beret. I am glad that wasn't still in style when I was a crew member. Possibly the berets went by the way of the nose art ! That's all until I have another brain-fart! Also just a few pics taken at Ubon. Ken

Sonny, you could be right. I just know that we flew missions early and late. The early ones we took off just about sunset, and the late were around midnight to back across the river at daybreak(hopefully) I always assumed there was another crew up during the times we were flying which would make four missions every night. Another question Sonny and nascarpop, did either of you or anybody reading this ever see the gunship without the radome. (Vulcan Special?) there? I swear we drove past it several times, but what I read, it wasn't there when I was there! Also nascarpop, it is remotely possible that I may be full of crap about the black planes! Of course, actually I am only sure of one thing---all of the 40 missions I flew on were in black bottomed planes! For all I know, they were all Sonny's Honey! Hey, by the way, I am glad to see that you guys still have your memories!!! Ken

When I was flying with Bat 6 all of the Blind Bat birds had the bellies painted black like Sonny's Honey and like the one in my avatar. My tour in Ubon ended sometime in November 1968. The gunships were all black with red numbers I think. I remember the next times I went to Ubon with my E-model from CCK all of the Blind Bats were black. That was in March of 69 on. I am sure I went on a mission or two on Sonny's Honey!! How many Blind Bat planes were at Ubon to cover the mission.As a side note, out of the 40 missions I flew, we never had an abort and always had on time blocks. Ken

I feel like I knew him and I will miss his good information and his relentless work keeping track of the C-130. RIP Bob

Thanks for the birthday wishes guys. So far 72 years feels the same as any birthday so that is good! Sonny, I sure wish I could get my hands on that cake! Thanks again all of you, Ken

Chris, I didn't see your name on the birthday list, but I know it's today. You need to start visiting with us old farts here on the forum again. We miss you. Anyway, old buddy,have good one, Ken

Hey Leland, it's your birthday. I hope you have a good one! Let's meet down at the "Dirty Dozen" ----I'll buy you a Taiwan Beer and Mongolian Barbeque. Have a nice , Ken

I wish all of you a very happy New Year Ken

Yeah Muff, I hope you had a happy birthday. Have you gotten your sign in name etc. correct now? Sonny, are you a cake-maker on the side? If so, that one is real fancy. Ken

Joe, welcome to the forum. Your name sounds familiar. When were you at Naha and Ubon? We're you a flight crew member at Ubon? If you have some names and dates, it would be great. I am always trying to fill in the gaps in my memory. I am sure that most of us older guys would like to see a complete "about me" on your membership name etc. Ken