Sonny

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 larsolausson@telia.com. 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 don't think it was, but it is possible. He was already at CCK when I got there in 1970. He stayed overseas for many years and went to Hurlburt SOS I believe in 77 or 78. I know he was at Hurlburt until he retired. He was black, but not heavy set. Super nice guy and a helluva common sense loadmaster. We used to fly some of the tougher EFlight missions where no one was sure it would fit on the airplane. We made it work every time.

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)

[quote name=' Wesley (Spoon) Witherspoon and I flew with E-Flight from the initial crews at CCK until I left Clark in November 75.

Jon Andrews

Dover, DE

Retired Air Force

Loadmaster C141A, C130E, C5A/B[/quote']

Was this the same "Spoon" Witherspoon who was at Naha in '68? As I recall he was a short , on the heavy side African American. Hell of nice guy.

Ken,

All squadrons at Naha were involved with the Pueblo Incident. I went to Korea with 56-0533 and all I recall was I spent the time hauling tents between Kunsan and Punsan. I also remember it was cold and snowing!

Sonny

Bob,

I think I have some photos of 57-0472. She took some fire while at Naha and I took some pictures. My roommate (Bob Mallot) was the asistant c/c on her at the time.

Sonny

Just bought their Christmas album last night. Great music!!

Thanks or the link.

I intend to send them a copy of my Basic Training Picture to add to their collection.

I was in the 3724 BMTS, Flight 58, 1964.

Sonny

Mt.crewchief wrote:

Sonny,

Thanks for your reply. Do you have any more info other than the date etc? I\'m looking for more details such as crew members etc. You know official write-ups etc. Do you happen to know the crew-chiefs of 0477 at the time? I was at Naha at the time, and I am starting to remember some of the details, but have always wondered what I have forgotten.

Thanks for any more info you might have,

Ken

Ken,

Sorry, thats all I know. I was at Naha at the same time also. Try as I might, I can\'t remember the CC\'s names.

Sonny

jrkaegi wrote:

From 68-71 i was in the 21th, 41th, & 374 OMS. Looks like the same barracks i live in. Most of the time i injoy Naminoue,the misty bar. Yes i \"remember it Well.

Did you mean the \"Bar Mitzi\"? It was the place the 21st hung out in \'67-\'68 when I was there.

Sonny

Ken,

She was a Naha bird, 41st I believe. She was shot down on May 22, 1968 during a Blind Bat mission.

Sonny

Ken,

I was there \'67-\'68 (21st). Loved the snack bar, especially the eggburgers. I remember the barber shop and the pool table. There was a also a laundry in one of the barracks, kept losing my tailor made shirts!!

Sonny

http://www.sammcgowan.com/home.html

Try this one.

Fantastic job Casey. Time sure flies when you\'re having fun! :lol:

Just wanted to wish all you guys a \"Happy Father\'s Day\".

Seems a shame to send this one to the \"boneyard\". It should be in a museum!!

Gee, does that mean if I took a picture of your picture I could use it anyway I wanted?

I still carry my P-38 on my key ring. My grandkids marvel when I use it to open cans!!:ohmy:

She sure looks like a Blindbat \"A\" to me. If this is 533 she sure looks different from when I crewed her in \'67-\'68. She still had the camoflague paint with a black bottom then. Called her \"Sonny\'s Honey\" and Russ Saley was my assistant. Don\'t recognize the name of the Crew Chief you all are talking about.

PS John Reves, who was a 41st Crew Chief, was the first to have his bird painted all black.

Dan,

I like the way your mind works!

Hope you all had a Merry Christmas.

Sonny

I hope Lockheed is okay with you putting them here. i would love to see them also.