I entered the USAF July 1961 and retired after 23 years July 1984. C-130 assignments included Sewart AFB, Tenn. , Lockborne AFB, Ohio, and Naha AB, Okinawa. I went to pilot training at Williams AFB, Arizona July 1961.
I was assigned to the 21st TAS, Naha AB, Okinawa June 1966, and remained there until Dec 1969. The last year or so that I was at Naha, I was in E flight.
We flew C-130As. I flew on frequent TDYs to Cam Ranh Bay, Tan Sun Nhut (Siagon), and Thailand. After a short period as a co-pilot, I was moved to the left seat and later back to the right seat as an IP. We flew a variety of missions which included airdrops of people and equipment, LAPEs, PLADs, and of course landings at airfields of all descriptions. Though it was older and didn't have as many creature comforts as later models, my opinion is that the A was better suited for the missions in Southeast Asia. The three bladed prop, though tempermental, was better for short field take offs and landings. Also, As were lighter which made a difference, as you folks know, on short fields. I'm interested in the aircraft that were flown by the 374TAW and especially the ones that were flown into Khe Sanh during the siege.
