The 361st TEWS has been "in the business" for almost five years now. Activated at Nha Trang in early '66, the squadron operated out of the Riviera of the Orient for three and a half years and the crews "trolled" along the Ole Duong So, played volleyball on the beach, and fraternized with the natives downtown. A detachment from the 361st moved ouot into the red dust country around Pleiku and became our sister squadron, the 362nd, now stationed at Da Nang. In September 1969, the 361st migrated north of Binh Dinh Province to become the famous Prongs of Phu Cat. This is the 361st that we knew and served in.

Lt. Col James R. Goad commanded the squadron during the move and, aided by his trusty sidekick/hatchman, Lt. Col "Chick" Preston, guided us through the winter monsoon and the spring offensive. Surviving rocket attacks and Liar's dice, Colonel Goad and the old heads began to talk less and less about the old days at Nha Trang and more and more about the "World" until pretty soon the day came that the old heads were not the people from Nha Trang but the former occupants of Prong City (East) who had emigrated to the "Hill". Phu Cat.... Pearl of the Orient.... who knows what evil lurks beyond the concertina wire??? Certainly not Prongs who were imprisioned within the citadel for a year. Claustrophobic? Perhaps, but we lived there and we griped and groaned and we did our jobs. Lt Col (Colonel) Perry E. Kimerer took over the squadron in June 1970 and was immediately faced with increased flying commitments and not even an extra monkey wrench to help him. Supported by Lt. Col Ted Mace, the Ops Officer, and by a terrific effort from the squadron, "Pops" and the boys came through. The crews flew right up against the stops, but they met the "Frag".

".....to fly and to fight, and don't you ever forget it." We flew our eyeballs off and we saved a lot of grunts. The quiet war...searching...waiting...you can't see what you're looking for and then -- secondhand -- "they got 'em". Prongs?? What do you guys do up there anyhow??? Well...uh...can't tell you, but we do it well.

It's been a transitional year, new faces, old faces. Old guys who have been out of the flying game and young guys who have never seen a prop before. Feather!! What's feather??. Thirty hours at England Air Patch and you're ready for the war. Ups and down... feedback and saves to make you feel good and nighttime skunks to make you feel bad. Proud moments for the young guys who first command their own crews, proud moments for the old guys who showed 'em how to do it. Lots of busywork, lots of real work, lots of flying.

The flying crews have received terrific support from the guys on the line. Preflighting at midnight and launching at dawn, the 361st Maintenance Squadron troops often got their birds back just in time to turn 'em around again for the afternoon mission. The 12th Field Maintenance Squadron aided extensively in the support of the mission. The 460th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, our parent organization in Tan Son Nhut, commanded by Colonel James E. Tilton, consistently provided us with guidance and support.

The 361st Tactical Electronics Warfare Squadron has quietly and efficiently contributed an irreplaceable element to the defense of Vietnam. The crews have endured and they have shown the special kind of gallantry that a slow war demands. In all cases the guys kept their sense of humor. They worked hard, played hard, and "didn't let them grind 'em down..."