COMBAT LOSSES/DAMAGE

Notwithstanding the fact that in two years the EC-47s had flown over 30,000 sorties at altitudes which did not put then above all groundfire, combat losses were minimal. The first EC-47Q model to reach South Vietnam, however, was lost 3 1/2 months after it arrived in theater. Its first tactical flight took place 28 November 1968, and it was declared missing in action 5 February 1969.

During the October-December periond of 1968, four EC-47s suffered battle damage while flying combat missions. In addition, three EC-47s at Pleiku and one a Tan Son Nhut AB, RVN, were damaged by enemy action while on the ground. The extent of the damage to these aircraft was unknown.

On 30 September 1969 one EC-47 crashed during takeoff at Hue Phu Bai, following an operational stop at that base. The crash resulted in the injury of one crew member and extensive damage to the aircraft.

Scarcely on week later, on October 8 1969, and aircraft crashed while on final approach to Phu Cat AB, RVN. The aircraft commander had previously declared an emergency because of fire. There were no survivors from the crash.

An EC-47Q from Pleiku AB was struck by anti-aircraft fire on 22 April 1970 while operating in the Steel Tiger area of Laos, northeast of Saravane. The pilot attempted to keep the aircraft in the air long enough to reach a suitable airfield, but was unsuccessfull and was forced to crashland it 24 nautical miles southwest of Hue Phu Bai. Of eight crewmembers aboard the aircraft, six were recovered by search and rescue efforts; the other two were KIA. Because of the sensitive equipment still aboard the EC-47, it was destroyed on the ground by demolition charges and air strikes.

On the evening of 19 May, 1970, and EC-47 parked in a revetment at Pleiku AB, sustained a direct hit during an enemy rocket attack and was totally destroyed. Another EC-47 in an adjoining revetment sustained minor shrapnel damage to the nose of the aircraft. It was estimated that the second aircraft would be in a flyable condition the next day. There were no personnel injuries. Six days later, Pleiku was struck by another rocket attack, resulting in major damage to another EC-47.

All in all, the combat and operational loss rate remained excellent, in part because of the historically recognized toughness of the old Gooneybird, and in part because of the experience and training of the crews and maintenance personnel.