“Happy Valley” Phan Rang AB, Vietnam

Transcription

...keeping the memories alive
Phan Rang AB News No. 80
“Stories worth telling”
In this issue:
Free Forces Team Foils VC Attack
Security Police Solve Vehicle Problem
MARS - The Link With Home
ANG Chief Visits
C-123 Provider Crew Rescue Stranded Ship
My Dad...Lieutenant Colonel Don G. Harris
Pilot Offers to Take Flags on Air Missions
Sabre Pilots Thwart Enemy Night Attack
Air Commandos Aid C-123’s At Da Nang
War Zone Reports: Thursday, August 22, 1968
The Arrival of 614th TFW... a pictorial
Phan Rang Memories by Larry Theurer:
Phan Rang AB Library
2015 Reunion Information
Free Forces Team Foils VC Attack (Seventh Air Force News, November 13, 1968)
PHAN RANG — A tri-nation effort involving three major Free World forces at Phan
Rang AB combined to foil a probable Viet Cong mortar attack on the base recently.
The intruding Viet Cong mortar team was first spotted moving toward the base perimeter
by a patrol of the Australian Air Force No. 2 Squadron.
Following a brief exchange of small arms fire with the VC force, the Australians radioed
for the heavier firepower from the 35th Security Police Squadron's heavy weapons team. They
laid in a barrage of mortar fire that started the intruding VC in full retreat.
The mortar fire resulted in at least one secondary explosion.
Additional impetus was given to the enemy's flight when the 105 mm howitzers of the Republic
of Korea White Horse Division, also headquartered at Phan Rang AB, added high explosive
and illumination rounds to the harassing fire.
There were no friendly casualties as a result of the encounter. Enemy casualties were
unknown.
Security Police Solve Vehicle Problem (Seventh Air Force News, November 13, 1968)
PHAN RANG — Members of the 35th Security Police Squadron at Phan Rang always have
vehicles, because of a small group of volunteer mechanics.
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The Phan Rang AB News No. 80
The squadrons 52 vehicles were plagued with minor maintenance due to the bad road
conditions; however, a group of security police volunteers are now performing maintenance to
keep the vehicles moving.
Working with the motor pool, the security policemen all with background in auto mechanics—
perform minor but vital maintenance of the vehicles.
SSgt. Kenneth A. Trobaugh, San Antonio, NCO in charge of the small sub-motor pool,
commented, "Most of these men never received professional training in vehicle maintenance,
but they are all 'professionals'."
One of the mechanics in this unique section, A1C John R. Ethridge, Lufkin, Tex., stated, "It's only
natural that these vehicles break down a lot. The perimeter roads around the base are full of
ruts and holes. Broken springs are not unusual."
The sub-motor-pool, housed in the base motor pool, has seven part-time mechanics, part-time
security alert members, and two permanent vehicle dispatchers. One of these dispatchers, A1C
Bruce W. McGrath, San Lorenzo, Calif. said, "The dispatcher keeps track of the vehicles."
MARS - The Link With Home
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ANG Chief Visits (Seventh Air Force News, November 13, 1968)
PHANRANG—Maj. Gen. Winston P. Wilson, Chief of the National Guard Bureau, Washington,
D.C., and Maj. Gen. James F. Cantwell, Adjutant General for the state of New Jersey and
president of the National Guard Association visited Phan Rang AB recently.
"Our visit here," said General Wilson, "is one of many we are making to Army and Air Guard
units mobilized in January 1968 and subsequently assigned to Southeast Asia."
At Phan Rang, General Wilson joined Maj. Gen. Joe C. Moffitt, adjutant General of Colorado
who arrived earlier for a four-day visit with the 120th Tactical Fighter Squadron and other
Colorado Guardsmen stationed here.
General Wilson praised the efforts of the 120th Tactical Fighter Squadron and other Guard units
serving in Vietnam. "National Guardsmen have shown once again their ability to react quickly
in a crisis," he said. "The men of the 120th came to Phan Rang to do a job and by all reports
they have shown that they are professionals doing a professional job."
C-123 Provider Crew Rescue Stranded Ship (Seventh Air Force News, November 13, 1968)
PHAN RANG — At least one C-123 Provider aircraft that makes passenger shuttle runs out of
Phan Rang AB is considered an "angel of mercy" for stranded ships at sea.
Capt. George J. Vogel, Fair Lawn, N.J., recently filled such a role while piloting a shuttle flight
from Tuy Hoa to Cam Ranh Bay AB.
"We were about 12 miles southeast of Nha Trang just about dusk," he said in an interview after
the flight. "I happened to glance out the side —and spotted a distress signal from a 125-foot
coastal trawler."
"I banked around and saw a crew member on the ship signalling an 'SOS' with a lantern or
flashlight. I radioed the Nha Trang tower and continued to orbit the ship until a U.S. Army U-8
helicopter from Nha Trang came out to help."
"As we made our final bank to continue the flight to Cam Ranh, I saw the lights of a military
vessel coming up to take
the disabled Vietnamese ship under tow," he said.
Captain Vogel saw the ship safely in port at Nha Trang the following day. "That made us feel
that our time and effort on the rescue were well spent," he said.
Other crew members on the flight were: 1st Lt. James Nehrer, Parma, Ohio; Sgt. Michael L.
Blake, Columbus, Ohio; and SSgt Richard White Jr., Tulsa, Okla.
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My Dad...Lieutenant Colonel Don G. Harris
Page 4
Pilot Offers to Take Flags on Air Missions (Moultrie County News,
Sullivan, Illinois)
Dear Mr. Best:
In reply to your offer in the 19 September 1968 edition I am ordering
two sets of the American and Illinois flags for my sons, Brice and Brad.
I plan to take them on combat missions with me so that in later years
they will perhaps have a personal meaning to them since they are too
young now to really understand the significance of their Daddy being in
Vietnam.
I am a pilot flying close air support and night interdiction missions in
the B-57 Canberra in both South Vietnam and along the Ho Chi Mihn trail.
I extend an offer to any of your subscribers either individuals or
organizations to fly their flags on combat missions also. All they need to
do is mail the flags to me at the following address:
Major Don G. Harris FR30934
8th Tac. Bomb Squadron, Box 977
APO S. F. 96321
When I return the flags I will enclose a short narrative with a brief
histroy of the 8th Bomb Squadron from its beginning in World War II to
the present date along with the events encountered during the mission
on which the flag was flown.
Sabre Pilots Thwart Enemy Night Attack (Seventh Air Force News, November 13, 1968)
PHAN RANG — Two F-100 Supersabre pilots of the 532nd Tactical Fighter Squadron here were
recently commended for the part they played in halting a night ground attack against the U.S.
Army's 1st Brigade of the 25th Infantry Division.
The pilots; Captains Colin A. Clarke, Bothell, Wash. And Sloan L. B. Brooks, Houston, Tex., were
alerted and arrived at the scene of the battle to find the friendly forces under heavy attack.
Weather over the target area was extremely bad and visibility was limited. Because of these
conditions, Captain Clarke had to go through the target on his first pass without dropping his
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bombs, but he was able to see enough of the target to direct Captain Brooks, who put his
bombs on the forward air controller's marker.
Receiving constant and accurate groundfire throughout their attack, the Supersabre pilots fired
their 20mm cannons on the enemy positions after dropping their bombs. After several passes,
the gun positions were silenced and the ground attack had ceased.
The next morning, an Army unit made a sweep of the area and an air liaison officer assigned to
the unit stated in a letter that "there were 47 Viet Cong killed in action. Twenty more VC were
killed as a direct result of the air strikes."
Air Commandos Aid C-123’s At Da Nang (The Phan Rang Weekly (Phan Fare), August 2, 1967)
In the wake of the massive rocket attack on Da Nang Air Base, the 315th Air Commando Wing of
Phan Rang is helping out the 311th Air Commando Squadron up there.
Three C-123’s have been flown to the unit, according to wing scheduler TSgt. Weldon D. Knox.
He noted that three of the Da Nang unit’s C-123’s were damaged in the attack, and will undergo
major maintenance at Phan Rang. Wing plans and scheduling technician SSgt. Donald. G. Von
Bunoted that a C-123 wing was flown up this week.
United States Air Force Daily Summary, Thursday, August 22, 1968
North Vietnam
Pilots and Crews Hit Line of Communications and Military Storage Areas
South Vietnam
Air Force Supports Toan Thang Offensive with 108 Sorties
Summation
Note: This item has been cleared for release by MACV.
North Vietnam
Pilots and Crews Hit Line of Communications and Military Storage Areas
Air Force F-4 Phantom crews from the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing, using 500-pound bombs,
destroyed three trucks, caused 14 sustained fires and three large explosions when they struck a
petroleum oil and lubricants transit point, 38 miles (61 km) northwest of Dong Hoi, yesterday
(Aug. 2l). Two of the crew members on the strike were First Lieutenants Terry A.
Markle, 24, Glennville, Pa.; and Richard Kaercher, 26, Fargo, N.D.
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A truck park, 28 miles (45 km) north-northwest of Dong Hoi, was struck by Phantom crews from
the 366th TFW.
****
A forward air controller from the 37th TFW flying an F-100 Supersabre credited the crews with
destroying two trucks and approximately five tons of supplies with their 500-pound bombs.
Two of the crew members were First Lieutenant Sammy F. Wilburn, 24, Carthage, Tenn.; and
John L. Grozier,23, Plainsville, Mass.
F-105 Thunderchief pilots from the 388th TFW struck a ferry, 27 miles (43 km) west of Dong Hoi
and supply boats 30 miles (48 km) north-northwest of that coastal city.
The pilots reported causing four large sustained fires and damaging three supply boats.
****
An antiaircraft artillery (AAA) position" 29 miles (46 km) south-south-east of Dong Hoi, was the
target for Phantom crews from the 555th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 432nd Tactical
Reconnaissance Wing.
Four of the crew members on the mission were Captains James R. Carder, 30, Marysville, Ohio;
Robert B. Johnson, 35, San Antonio; Joseph A. Weinrich, 25, Grand Forks, N.D.; and First
Lieutenant Walter W. Schauffele, 24, Mituchen, N.J.
Phantom crews from the 12th TFW destroyed a ferry boat, 11 miles (18 km)
south of Dong Hoi, and two large bunkers in a complex, 33 miles (53 km) southeast of Dong Hoi.
****
A storage area, 20 miles (32 km) southeast of Dong Hoi, was struck by Phantom crews from the
8th TFW. The crews reported causing 25 secondary explosions and 17 sustained fires.
Two of the crew members on the mission were Captain Donald J. Alberts, 26, Allison Park, Pa.,
and First Lieutenant Richard D. Dull, 27, Evansville, Ind.
****
Phantom crews from the 366th TFW caused 13 sustained fires and 10 secondary explosions
when they struck a truck convoy, 2 miles (3 km) southeast of Dong Hoi.
Three of the crew members on the strike were Major John A. Mellor, 33, Tucson, Ariz.; Captain
Roy W. Erwin, 25 Albuquerque, N.M.; and First Lieutenant James R. Fegan, 24, South Wellfleet,
Mass.
****
AAA fire was moderate and there were no surface-to-air missiles sighted.
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SOUTH VIETNAM
AIR FORCE SUPPORTS TOAN THANG OFFENSIVE WITH 108 SORTIES
Air Force tactical fighter-bomber aircraft were airborne 475 times yesterday (Aug. 21), bombing
and strafing enemy base camps, storage areas and troop concentrations and providing close air
support for friendly ground forces
"
Two hundred and sixty tactical air sorties supported U.S. and other Allied Forces conducting
combat and offensive sweeps; 108 of the flights supported the Toan Thang offensive,
conducted by Free World Forces in III Corps.
****
Air Force F-100 Supersabre pilots from the 3lst Tactical Fighter Wing at Tuy Hoa Air Base
provided cLose air support for friendly ground forces conducting the TOAN THANG OFFENSIVE 3
km (2 miles) southwest of Phuoc Long City in Phuoc Long Province. The pilots were credited by
forward air controllers with killing 5 enemy soldiers, destroying or damaging 10 fortifications
and causing 2 secondary explosions with black smoke rising 5O0 feet.
Majors Richard E. French, 38, Glendale, Ariz., and Norman G. Smith, 31, Torrance, Calif. were
the strike pilots.
****
F-100 pilots from the 3rd TFW at Bien Hoa Air Base, 35th TFW at Phan Rang Air Base and the
31st TFW and F-4 Phantom crews from the 12th TFW at Cam Rahn Bay Air Base provided close
air support for a mechanized element of the 2nd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division in contact with
an enemy force while conducting a sweep operation 19 km (l2 miles) east of Tay Ninh city, one
hundred and eighty two enemy soldiers were killed during the action. U.S. Army helicopter
gunships and artillery also supported the infantrymen.
****
Supersabre pilots from the 3rd TFW struck an enemy concentration in An Xuyen Province, 35
km (22 miles) southwest of Ca Mau. The pilot’s destroyed 12 fortifications, 3 bunkers and 2
sampans and damaged 13 fortifications, I bunker and I sampan.
Two of the strike pilots were Captain Larry L, Wagner, 29, Columbus, Ohio, and First Lieutenant
Walter T. West, 25, Headland, AIa.
****
Air Force A-37 pilots from the 3rd TFW hit enemy bunkers and fortifications in An Xuyen
Province, 19 krn (12 miles) south of Ca Mau. The pilots destroyed or damaged 14 fortifications
and 7 bunkers and caused I secondary explosion with white smoke. One of the pilots was
Captain John A, Kulas, 28, West Warwick, R. I.
Phantom crew's from the 12th TFW hit an enemy base camp in Bac Lieu Province, 79 km (49
miles) south-southwest of Can Tho. The crews were credited by the FAC with killing three
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enemy soldiers and destroying seven fortifications, damaging nine more and damaging three
sampans.
****
Other A-37 pilots from the 3rd TFW hit an enemy base area in Kien Phong Provinee, 2l km (13
miles) northwest of Sa Dec. The pilots destroyed or damaged 9 fortifications and 250 square
meters of encampment and caused 1 secondary explosion with smoke rising 800 feet.
Captain Charles E. DeWitt, 35, Melbourne, Ky., was one of the pilots.
DRAGONSHIP SUPPORT
Throughout the night, AC-47 Dragonship crews, assigned to the 14th Special Operations Wing,
headquartered at Nha Trang Air Base were airborne more than 33 times providing flare
illumination and firepower while supporting friendly ground forces in the Republic.
Two Dragonship crews from Nha Trang Air Base were airborne throughout the night firing into
enemy positions near Phan Thiet in Binh Thuan Provi.nce. Army of the Republic of Vietnam
(ARVN) forces had an enemy force surrounded and the crew was over the target area for nearly
two hours firing into the enemy positions, The crews commanded by Colonel Conrad S, Allman,
45, Alexandria, Va., commander of the 14th SOW, caused five secondary explosions. They also
received enemy ground fire from numerous positions.
****
A Dragonship crew from Binh Thuy Air Base provided flare light and fire support for ARVN
elements in contact with enemy troops in Vinh Long Province, 29 km (18 mijes) east of Binh
Thuy.
****
Dragonship crews from Da Nang Air Base were airborne eight times firing into enemy positions
on a hill 34 km (34 miles) southwest of Da Nang in Quang Tin Province. U.S. Marines on top of
the hill kept the enemy forces from coming up the hill while the AC-47 crews kept them from
retreating. Two of the aircraft commanders were Major Samuel O, Sadler, 35, Wichita, Kan.,
and First Lieutenant Jerry L. Beatty, 23, Hancock, Md. One of the navigators was Captain Allen
R. Miliefsky, 30, Worcester, Mass.
Another crew from Da Nang provided flare llght and firepower while supporting an ARVN
and Australian outpost under enemy mortar and ground attack 10 km (6 miles) west of Quang
Ngai City in Quang Ngai Province. The aircraft commander was First Lieutenant Earl B. Kramer
25, Rancocas Woods, N.J.
****
VNAF AIR STRIKES
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Vietnamese Air Force A-1 Skyraider and F-5 Freedom Fighter pilots were airborne 65 times
yesterday. They were credited by FACs with killing 6 enemy soldiers, destroying or damaging
32 fortifications 40 bunkers and 13 sampans and causing 1 secondary explosion.
TACTICAL AIRLIFT SUMMARY
Air Force tactical airlift crews, under the direction of the 834th Air Division, and Royal Australian
Air Force airlift crews were airborne 1,228 times as they delivered 11,370 troops and other
passengers and 2,544 tons of mail, supplies and equipment, The combined payload was 3,908
tons.
PSYWAR ACTIVITIES
Air Force psychological warfare crews from the 14th SOW were airborne 74 times as they
dropped more than 20 million leaflets urging the enemy to return to the side of the Republic of
Vietnam government. They also broadcasted more than 35 hours of tape recorded messages
over suspected enemy locations in the Republic.
B-52 MISSIONS
Air Force B-52 Stratofortress crews hit the following enemy targets yesterday morning:
Troop concentrations in three strikes from 20 to 26 km (12 to 16 miles) west-northwest of Tay
Ninh City.
Troop concentrations, bunkers and tunnels in two strikes in an area centered 45 km (28
miles) west-southwest of Chu Lai in Quang Tin Province.
Yesterday afternoon and evening, the eight-engine bomber crews bombed the following enemy
target:
Troop concentrations, bunkers and tunnels in an area centered 45 km miles) west-southwest of
Chu Lai. Pilots reported setting off 15 medium to-Iarge secondary explosions.
Troop concentrations in two strikes 49 and 45 km (30 and 28 miles) west-southwest of Chu Lai.
Troop concentrations and fortifications in two strikes 2O km (12 miles) north of Pleiku City.
Returning pilots from a strike causing 15 secondary explosions with two large fireballs.
****
Bien Hoa Air Base received approximately 50 rounds of 122mm rocket fire this morning.
Twenty-five of the rounds impacted outside of the perimeter. Personnel casualties and
material damage was Light.
Binh Thuy Air Base received approximately 50 rounds of 82rnm mortar fire this morning. There
were no personnel casualties and material damage was light.
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SUMMATION
Air Force tactical pilots and crews flew 46 armed reconnaissance and strike missions over the
southern Panhandle of North Vietnam yesterday.
The pilots and crews reported destroying or damaging six trucks, one boat, two bunkers, five
tons of supplies, three supply boats, two anti-aircraft artillery (AAA) positions, two bridges, two
barges, one sampan and four railroad cars.
They also caused 69 sustained fires, 52 secondary explosions, 4 land slides and cut 20 roads, a
railroad and 1 ferry approaches.
AAA fire was moderate and there were no surface-to-air missiles sighted.
Over South Vietnam, Air Force tactical aircraft were airborne 475 times causing 13 secondary
explosions, 31 sustained fires and destroying or damaging fortifications, 20 enemy sampans and
numerous bunkers. Forward air controllers (FACs) also credited the pilots and crews with killing
14 enemy soldiers.
In other action in support of the air war in the Republic, FACs were airborne 398 times. There
were 57 training flights and 111 helicopter trips, including search and rescue, logistics and
courier flights. Other aircraft flew 42 photo reconnaissance missions.
Also during the day, Air Force tactical airlift crews were airborne 1,228 times and psychological
warfare crews made 74 flights. Dragonship crews were airborne more than 33 times during the
night providing flare light and fire support for friendly ground units.
The Arrival of 614th TFW, September 1966... a pictorial
Page 11
END OF RUNWAY - F-100 ROCK BAND
I enjoyed being at the end of the runway doing final arming before takeoff for one main reason,
the great show the F-100s put on when they took off. Since I only worked on the B-57s I could
just relax and watch the show.
“The F-100s would taxi down the ramp in groups of three.”
The F-100s would taxi down the ramp in groups of three. Their squadron’s people would run
out and do their arming thing and then the three aircraft would all pull onto the runway at the
same time and line up at an angle, one a bit back from the other.
“A twenty-five foot spectacular column of flame would come out the tail pipe
and away he would go.”
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The first would hold his brakes and run the engine up almost as high as it could go, then release
the brakes and start rolling forward. The jet engine would go totally silent for a second and then
explode with a tremendous loud boom as the pilot lit the afterburner. A twenty five foot
spectacular column of flame would come out the tail pipe and away he would go.
“It was the greatest show on earth.”
When he was down the runway a bit the second aircraft would do the same thing, then the
third. A short while later, three more F-100s would come taxiing down the ramp and do it all
over again. It was the greatest show on earth.
The afterburner was the most incredible sight and mind blowing loud sound. It would shake the
ground under my feet. My whole body and the air in my lungs would vibrate. I tell people the
only sound I have ever experienced like that is to be sitting eight feet in front of the drum of a
rock band.
I loved that sound and show so much that I would be standing there cheering with a big grin on
my face. I wished so much I could film it and record the sound and sent it home for others to
see and hear. I loved that sound but my hearing is paying for it now.
Years later at an air show in the States, I eagerly waited for an F-100 to take off. When he did,
he did not light the afterburner. He wasn’t allowed to disturb the nearby neighborhood. What
a disappointment.
PHAN RANG AB LIBRARY
PREVIOUS ISSUES OF THE PHAN RANG AB NEWS
(The Phan Rang AB News is a newsletter compiled from various sources by Douglas Severt to
heighten the awareness of Phan Rang AB and to keep interested personnel informed about the
annual Happy Valley, Phan Rang AB reunion...’keeping the memories alive’)
To download any of the previous issues of the Phan Rang AB News, just click the hyperlink of
the desired issue. I’ve redone all the links and now anyone can access them. These documents
are viewable on your Kindle, Ipad in IBooks or on your tablet. Download them and read them
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Click on the logo to make your hotel reservations.
This newsletter was compiled by Douglas Severt.
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“Happy Valley” Phan Rang AB, Vietnam

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