Sparks

Bob, Is there a point of contact for the gent listed in your post. Based on what I just went through and the experiences of others, we may be able to offer nuggets of wisdom. I'll do what I can to help

After 41 years 8 months and encouragement from my friends here, I have finally got confirmation of the elusive "boots on the ground" Thanks all but especially Paul, Jerry, Chris and Bob. There is a goldmine of information and friendship on this site..I cant thank you all enough

I was an electrician 71-74 316th FMS (37TH SQ)

I am sitting at my sons bedside in Miami. My wife who is currently at home in Crestview sends me a picture of an envelope I got in the mail today from the Air Force Review Boards Office, Randolph AFB, Tx. She later sends me pictures of the six page report regarding my request for correction of military records. Without boring you all with the details I'll quote the final paragraph. "Based on the documentation presented by the applicant combined with information from his official military records, it is more likely than not the applicant served in Vietnam in 1972, and therefore award of the Vietnam Service Medal with one bronze service star is appropriate." After all this time my Vietnam service has been officially recognized! All I can say is WOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

Thanks everyone. The support truly means a lot. Mike was moved to the ICU 3 hours ago and is receiving a blood transfusion. He started bleeding unexpectedly through his incision site. But he is holding his own, joking with the nurses... I do have some other news I'll post on a different thread

Giz, tell Elissa that she doesn't need anymore diet. You still have the crane and duce-n-a-half don't you? (Good thing I'm in Miami). :rolleyes:

Fantastic :o

I am humbled by the prayers and support from the fine group of people I have come to know on this site. I'm sorry we didn't meet on the flightline so long ago, but just being able to re-connect with other folks I served with is a miracle of the internet age. My son was Transferred from Shands Hospital in Gainesville to Jackson Memorial (University of Miami) in Miami where he is undergoing tons of testing. His liver surgery on 27 Nov was unsuccessful and he has had numerous complications since. That is why we are in Miami. Evaluation for possible multi organ transplant. Anyway, Our spirits are high and Michael has a new baby brother. We adopted our foster son Wesley Michael on Jan 3rd. We have had Wesley since he was 2 days old and we are thrilled. Again, Thank you all for your prayers and support.

Best I recall, we went from Langley to some base in California. From there to Hawaii (maybe a day or two) from there to Wake Island, to Guam, then the PI. From the PI, I went to TSN. Never been to CCK. On the way out, I caught a c130 that made a circuit to NKP and another base in Thailand (the name escapes me). Then to Taipei then commercial to Hawaii where I was frisked by Customs (another story) and then on to Langley.

My problem is that as an A1C who volunteered for any mission/TDY I could get, I was never in the know about what, why or where. I just got into the back of the airplane and fixed it when it broke. When that gagle (as Giz so aptly describes) got to the Philippines, I got commandeered to their Electric shop. From there came a request from TSN to send Electrical Tech support and once again, I volunteered to go. During the 40 days I was there, I worked the 6p-6a shift 6 days/week. I can tell you, there was a war going on at the time because I frequently saw Illumination Flairs and heard and felt large guns sending outgoing shells. It is only with the dim illumination of hindsight and history that I've come to the conclusion that the siege of An Loc played a role in the reason for my being at TSN at that time. Like you Giz, I was sent back to Langly on a commercial aircraft in civilian clothes. Funny but true: Langley had no idea where I was and actually thought I had gone AWOL..he he he

Fantastic Giz. I'm happy for you! As for me.....After having received a letter from Randolph dated 15 May 2013 stating they received my application for correction of military records, I have heard......ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ. The letter stated the review process "may exceed 90 days to complete" but would advise me when the application was complete and sent to AFBCMR (Andrews AFB, Md). I think it may be time for me to write them and let them know I'm not dead yet. I recently read an article by Sam McGowan in Air Force Magazine (Oct 2012) titled The Hercules of An Loc that helps explain why the mission from Langley to SEA took place in the April/May 1972 timeframe and how I came to be in VN. I may need to get permission to use the material as a supplement to my claim as it is copyrighted. But........

Funny!!!!! Got to get one. :cool:

Oh yeah.....Tech school Chanute AFB Il. Winter 1970... The HAWK was definitely KICKING ASS!!!! The Hawk was a fairly common term among the maintainers that I knew. If it was freezing cold and the wind was blowin........The Hawk

Merry Christmas all. I've been blessed by getting to know you personally or through your postings. Have a wonderful and prosperous New Year.....Keith

In Aug of 72 the battle for An Loc was winding down. In April 72 the NVA under General Giap, launched a spring offensive against south Vietnam with the intention of cutting the country in thirds and forcing the South to capitulate. Only the steadfastness of the ARVIN and American advisors along with massive air support saved the south from being overrun. The southern thrust of this offensive came from the Cambodian Border directly at the town of An Loc which straddled the major highway from Cambodia to Saigon. At least two C130 aircraft were shot down and a third (Spare 617) was severely damaged and her flight engineer killed while attempting to resupply the beleaguered and surrounded forces at An Loc. Only massive air strikes and gallant air resupply along with the fierce fighting of the ARVIN and US advisors turned the tide. The NVA had massive firepower employed in this attack including Russian tanks, Antiaircraft Artillery, and Cannon. The AAA was used very effectively against any and all aircraft. C130s making resupply airdrops to the surrounded troops were especially vulnerable. I was at Tan Son Nhut Airbase outside of Saigon in the May/June timeframe 1972. I distinctly remember the boom , boom , boom of the howitzers surrounding Saigon as the sent their shells north.

History will judge the Obama Presidency and put it into perspective. I didn't vote for this president but I truly wished him well. Now that he is in his 2nd term (foolish American electorate) my judgment is that you can take a community organizer out of the community but you cant necessarily transfer those skills to the leadership of a nation. My first real inkling of how he would be president was with the "beer summit". For a president to inject himself into such a trivial 'Therapy" session sent shivers of dread up my spine. To attempt to project himself as a peacemaker he has actually become the Appeaser in Chief. He appears weak The USA has lost a lot of credibility throughout the world and has emboldened our enemies with his lead from behind strategy. Domestically, he has no idea of what is happening in his own administration. He claims to be unaware of the controversies swirling around him and holds absolutely no one accountable....especially himself. He half heartedly offered an apology for the ACA (Obamacare) only after facing defections from within his own democrat party. Is Holder held accountable for Fast and Furious? NO. Is Sebilus held accountable for Obama Care roll out? NO. Is Clinton held accountable for Bengazi? NO Clinton, "At this point, what difference does it make?" Well Mr. President, it makes a great deal of difference to me and many others like me. As I said earlier...History will be the judge. My hope is that history wont be recorded in Chinese, Russian or Farsi.

WoW. Merry Christmas to all...

Holy crap....I hope Jane Fonda doesn't die anytime soon. Now THAT would be a flag lowering I would go Postal over

AC Gen - Alternating Current Generator or Aircraft Generator T Handle - Fire warning control devices (shaped like the letter T) located in the cockpit. Each engine had one handle. in the event of an engine fire, the T Handle for the affected engine would flash red lights. Pulling the handle would discharge fire extinguishers in the affected engine and would shut down the engine and feather the prop. (TMI?) ASS - Anti-skid system. Acted like Antilock brakes for the main landing gear. NERTS - Not repairable this station. Aircraft parts so severely damaged, they cannot be repaired locally and have to be sent to a major repair facility. Midnight Chow - SOS smothering toast and scrambled eggs. UMMMMM UMMMM GOOD!!

Please forgive my crew chief remark. It was actually a tongue in cheek comment. Everyone knew, if you used it, you cleaned it. I'm sure the majority of folks would rather pucker their butt cheeks on those long overseas flights rather than "maintain" the bucket. I know I never used it!

Have the crew chief dump the honey pot

No Giz......She Listens UP !!!!

I was an electrician on the 130 E for 4 years. Learned a lot and became quite respected even as a young troop. Was sent all over the world troubleshooting and fixing just about every imaginable system on that sweet airplane. Your TO's and wiring diagrams are important tools but your experience (built over time) is essential. Pick the brains of those around you. Learn from them. Best wishes for a rewarding career.

It was my honor and privilege to have met the three (of four) surviving members of the raiders when they attended their last reunion at Eglin Air Force Base. While each member is in his 90's, each had very young eyes. Remarkable men still. American treasures always

Watch out. She will be smackin you upside the head with a piece of that wood....