Sonny

My first trip in country in 1967 I was issued a M-16 at Naha. When I landed at CRB I was asked if I had been issued a weapon and when I replied "Yes" they took it from me until I rotated back. The next time I went in country I didn't tell them I was issued a weapon and kept it locked in the gun cabinet. Fool me once!!

Tom, I was in the 21st!! but we're still friends. Sonny

Alan, Thanks for taking the time to identify all those airfields and bases. I really enjoyed looking at them. Lots of memories. Sonny Crew Chief 56-0533 Naha '67-'68

I can't find it either.

The second one lost was 56-0533. I was the C/C until I rotated stateside in October 1968.

7872 was a great plane in '66. I was the acc on her when she was at McGuire.

I still have my P-38 on my key ring. As I recall I had some pretty good chow aboard a Swift Boat out of CRB. Sonny

Casey, The price is now $22.00 (in cash) and Lars' e-mail is [email protected]. Sonny

Great Pictures! I especially liked the ones of Ubon. Many memories. I was the Crew Chief on 56-0533, a Blind Bat bird. I was in the 21st from May '67 until Oct. '68

Wishing all a Merry Christmas and a happy, HEALTHY, New Year.

Thanks Ray. Great picture. I know some changes took place after I left in '68. They must have painted the tail codes differently because all the tail codes were white when I was there and each squadron only had two Blindbat birds. I understand they consolidated all the Blindbat birds into the 21st after I left.

56-0533 had white tail numbers and had ECM installed in January 1968. I was the C/C from late '67 until October '68.

Right back at you and all the veterans out there.

The letters were on them when I arrived at Naha in May '67. At that time each squadron had two aircraft desinated as Blind Bat A/C's. I was lucky enough to be the Crew Chief on one of them, 56-0533.

I vote yes. Is there anyway you can import the patch gallery from the old Herc Hdqtrs. site? Many of us sent in patches there.

Thanks for the post. It was all too true!

Thanks for the pictures. I was the Assistant C/C on her when she was at McGuire ('66-'67).

Add my name to the long list of congratulations.

Here's a picture of 63-7872 that was sent to me by a member of the Illinois National Guard.

Last I heard she was at Peoria with the Illinois ANG. In fact one the guys there sent me a picture. Actually it was a poster featuring 7872. Sure hope they use her in a nice way!

Are we talking about 63-7872? I was the assistant cc on her when she was at McGuire (66-67).

Cliff, I should know you. 543 was a 21st bird. I was Crew Chief on 56-0533 '67-'68. I was also the assistant under Bob Ramierez on 56-0489 in early '67. Sonny Cook

Done a few of those in my time. Sure brings back memories. By the way, Happy Birthday!

Lars should have an updated one out around April. But you can e-mail him at [email protected]. Last year the cost was $22.00, postage included. He likes the money in cash sent to him. Apparently the banks in Sweden charge him about $18.00 to cash company checks and they do not accept foreign personal checks.

I guess all Witherspoons were nicknamed "Spoon". Spoon was assigned to my crew on 56-0533 (Blind Bat) when he first arrived at Naha in '68. I would like to think he went on to bigger and better things. He was just one of those guys you enjoyed working with. Thanks for the response. By the way , where abouts do you live in Dover? I have a retirement home waiting for me in Georgetown (as soon as the Boss decides she wants to retire) that I can't wait to get to. Hopefully it will be within the next year. I spend a lot of time commuting between Hyattsville, MD and Georgetown. Sonny Crew Chief 56-0533 21st TAS ('67-'68)