The Red Stuff

SEFEGeorge, that works. Cause I know r can saw is in some country. Isn't it? Just kiden...grew up an Okie myself. pwylie, I take it you were a crew member? Don't know about survival gear myself. Never was issued any Did try on a chute when flying with ABCCC. I was so tall it was going to be a nightmare to fit, so the AC said "don't worry about it".....OOK!

Perhaps an M16 and one clip of ammo, or? I always figured the 45 was to do yourself when that clip ran out. I have often wondered what the Air Force was thinking? Or, were they?

You Scored as Medic You're a medic. Not really into fighting people, but prefer to help and heal. Your a caring person who generally wants to help, but not fight. But instead you heal the injured. Your a brave person, but most people generally regard you as foolish because of the risks you take to help others. But you don't care because your a battlefield medic, and saving lives is your business. READY, CLEAR!!!! Combat Infantry/Armor 75% Support Gunner 75% Medic 75% Special Ops 56% Officer 50% Artillery/Aircraft 44% Engineer 44% Civilian 0% In a way I was a Medic. An airplane medic.

Muff, I'm with you. Sam has represented what I would call the exception to the rule. Perhaps because agent orange exposure is a given if you have proof of time in an area now included for probable AO exposure and display listed symptoms from exposure. Plus, Sam has great communication skills. Had I not saved every possible piece of paperwork with my name on it, and had I not had excellent representation from the DAV. The VA would have dismissed my claim in a heartbeat. In fact they tried, had it not been for the records I kept (tdy orders, combat pay, travel vouchers, etc;(thanks Mom), and although incomplete, medical records from the records center) the VA would have turned me away for lack of proof to substantiate my claim. Meaning they may have believed what I presented as true or actual, they(the VA) will not approve any claim without supporting documentation and their doctors diagnosis must also agree with the claimant's claim. For me it was a process that took over two years, beginning to end, and while I may have been able to do it own my own. I'm glad I didn't try. Vets, if you know or feel you have a justifiable claim for a service connected disability. It is your obligation to prove it, in most instances. Whether you look to the DAV, VFW, Purple Heart, or any other veterans service support group for assistance . In the end the representative who takes your case is a very important part of the process. They need to be well trained and not overwhelmed with cases. I have dealt with two of the groups I mentioned and the DAV as an organization is as top notch as you get. Hope this helps someone.

Found a pic of 62-1857 along with this. Lockheed C/EC-130E-LM Hercules Serial 62-1857 of the 7th ACCS at Korat, 10 May 1974. This aircraft survived the Vietnam War and was converted to C-130E-II, later to be redesignated EC-130E in 1976. Later, this aircraft served as an EC-130E Airborne Battlefield Command and Control Center (ABCCC) aircraft at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona (1999) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/7th_Airborne_Command_and_Control_Squadron

An Khe, Jan '69 - Left/rear MLG axle broke (caused by previous pilot error CRB)...my TDY order to facilitate repair shows me leaving CRB Jan 27th '69. An AR troop by the name of Terry Simms and myself R & R'd the strut assembly - without jacks. Simms and I spent three nights outside the wire with your baby. The rest of the story when the crew chief shows up. Are ya here? excerpt from my bio

Thanks Alan, I'd bet most of us have googled in search of one base or another, but to have done what you have is above and beyond. thanks again JG

Ken, A possible way of finding out if anyone was recognized that day would be to find out who the AC was. He, under his Commanders signature would have most likely(but not always) put all officers aboard in for recognition. Officers tend to take care of their own. Not selfishly, it's just the nature of the beast. I will say, based on experiences with the DAV, had you been in the Army or Marine Corps your NCO would have seen to it that you were recognized. That's how they operate. Air Force NCO's however are generally not exposed to such events, and many just didn't care, or, didn't want to be bothered with the paper work. Another possibility is records kept at Katum may site the incident. The Army and Marines commonly called broke birds MORTAR MAGNETS for obvious reasons, so a daily log entry is probable . As well, any troops stationed there will remember it too, especially if they had duty near where the repair was taking place. Just some thoughts. Been there done that. JG

Smokey, remember any guys on skim boards? Being a kid from California one of the first things I did was to requisition one of the bases plywood STOP signs. Sanded all the paint off then took some sand bags from our bunker and placed it on a circle of bags with a couple in the center of the plywood and with regular watering it dished out in a couple of days. Then squirted it with a fresh coat of paint and was off to the beach. Those were the days. I worked 6p to 6a and didn't sleep a lot so lived at the beach when I wasn't TDY from my TDY that is. After thought - Or were you on the main base side?

1968 CRB, hydraulic shop(tdy side of base) drew straws and two lucky guys got to go. Lucky me was one. We arrived early and stayed late. As best I remember the show got a late start. Some enterprising guys next to us had brought a "BIG" trash can full of iced beer and to our surprise shared their bounty with the two of us. It was a time I'll never forget. Side story: Some years ago I was in a antique shop in Palm Springs, Ca. and found Bob Hopes Personal "Operation Holly" Stage Pass for the 1968 USO tour. I've researched it some but have few details. It's hand made, has his name on it, and is embossed. This happened prior to his passing. Can't tell you how badly I wanted to contact him for authentication, but, respect for his privacy overruled my personal wants. I'm a lucky guy. It means a lot to me and brings back some good memories.