Mace writes; I was a Sgt assigned to Det. 2, 6994th Security Squadron at DaNang and NKP in 1971-73. I extended my tour in SEA for six months for which I was entitled a 30 day free leave in the states. On my return flight across the Pacific I was seated next to Todd Melton, who had re-enlisted and was returning for an extension of duty in SEA also. He'd just been promoted to SSgt.

On my first flight out of NKP following my return from leave, as the AMS I was instructed to go to the scrambled frequency before we were out of sight of the flightline (right at sunrise). We were Baron 52. On that frequency I was instructed to change our call sign to Baron (something else) because yesterday's Baron 52 had not been heard from since late in the night. We were also instructed to go to another territory. Todd, I had only met on the flight back from the states, Kiwi I knew from Misawa, and the others I'd flown with on TDY missions. Thanks for this web site. It's fun to revisit the past. Our time in the SS was fun, and we were treated like kings. I couldn't believe that when I first arrived in DaNang, I was not allowed to fly because all of the airconditioned housing was full. I Lived on the flightline in an unairconditioned barracks the way everybody else did for two weeks before airconditioned space became available for me. My roommate and R&R companion to Bankok on every break we got was Jim Collins. We had lots of fun and made lots of memories. Our motto if we didn't get back from Bangkok on time was "What are they gonna do, send us to Veitnam?" Jim, Ken Seals, and I were sent on that TOP TOP TOP Secret mission to monitor a pinging device that was planted on a ship in Bangkok. I think that we were down there for 2 weeks listening to the PING as it sat in port loaded supposedly with drugs. The CIA wanted it to get into international waters before it was seized. It finally left port and grounded on a reef before it got anywhere! Anyway, we sure had fun in Bangkok, and while we were there we read about our 'secret' mission in "The Nation" newspaper purchased at our hotel! Thanks again for a great site!

Don writes, I Served with 360 TEWS (Antique Airlines) Tan Son Nhut 10/68 - 10/69 as Aircraft Mechanic (43151). Arrived as Airman Left as Sgt TDY to NKP Thailand to new EC-47 Detatchment 9/69. Primarly worked Flight line Spent a little time scheduled maintenance. Lost most of my Photos and "junk", Would appreciate anyting that could be sent E-mail.

John writes, Please include my Email address in you EC-47 listing, I served with Det.2 6994th Security Squadron from AUG-67 to May 69.

Ed sent me the information via email then we had a good phone conversation.

Jim, I served in the 361st from July of 69 to April of 70 as a SSgt Flight Mech. I served at both Nha Trang and Phu Pussy. I noticed in the web site you mentioned LtCol "Chick" Preston. I was the Flt Mech assigned to Col Preston's crew. One unusual event that happened to me during my tour was related to our move from Nha Trang to Phu Cat. Myself and a pilot 1stLt by the name of Gene Bankoski, were volunteered to escort all the squadron equipment from the harbor at Nha Trang to QuinNohn. I can always say I spent a night at sea on a US Navy vessel in a combat zone. Another interesting part of that trip was driving the equipment from QuinNohn to Phu Cat. What was very unusual about the boat trip was the fact that the LST was a US Navy ship that was being operated by a Korean crew under contract to the US. I was also part of the many search flight that took place to locate our crew that was lost in the Oct 69 crash. Redman lived in the room directly across from me. I still remember having tears in my eyes as we gathered his personal effects. I have an aerial shot of the PhuCat Barracks area, I'll try and get it scanned and send it to you for the web site. Although I was already gone when the year book was put together, I did notice a lot of guys that were in the squadron when I was there. Bob Trescott and Bert Parrish were roomies in the room next to me. Curt Willoughby, Brownie, Al Wynn, and Proffitt showed up just about the time I was getting ready to leave. Willoughby, Brown, Wynn and I had already served together at Andrews in years prior to Phu Cat. I'm very much looking forward to reviewing the website in more depth. Keep in touch. I'll be retiring from my Navy job and going to work outside the gate for a contractor.

Ed's Email Address: edcarole659(at)yahoo.com

Greg writes, I was a SSgt assigned to the 362nd TEWS at Danang in 1970. I worked as an aircraft maintenance technician during my tour in DaNang. Also worked as NCOIC of squadron supply for a while.

Scott writes, I was assigned to Det. 1, 6994th Security Squadron at Phu Cat in 1971. Iarrived at Phu Cat in February of 71. Most of my missions were in the central highlands and around the tri-border into Laos.

I pulled out my old black and white photos and negatives to refresh my memory only to find that I can remember nicknames for all of the faces but not everyones actual name ---- In any event, I became an AMS in June of 71 and hit my 100th mission sometime in late September or early October. Phu Cat was closing down and being given over to the ARVIN I believe. They were not assigning new people to the squadron so they had to lift the monthly hour limit to accomplish the mission --- we flew a lot of hours!!

I had extended my tour for a second year and was about to move to Da Nang when when my father was found to be terminally ill. I returned to the States and ultimately was re-assigned to a SAC base near home. One of my big regrets is that I left Nam so quickly that I never got to say real goodbyes to my buds there. Things were bad at home because of my dad so I kind of just lost track of them.

I think I ended up with about 111 missions. I loved the goonies - but my closest calls came when an engine would let go. Worst case - we lost the right engine bottom cylinder head in some valley in the highlands. White smoke - in parachutes at the back door while the front end is on the intercom arguing who would stay at the controls while the other bailed - real fun day! They finally got it shut down and feathered only to find the best we could do is lose 100' per minute on one engine. We were at treetops coming out of the valley and then down hill back to Phu Cat. Best damn pilot/co-pilot around - landed with the right gear covered with oil, slide right - goose left engine to catch up, slide right - goose, slide right - goose, etc... You had to be there I guess. Interesting side light, this was the 10th mission for the junior rdf operator - he thought it was a joke until the navigator and I dawned chutes and headed to the back door -----

Must be over 400 words - sorry. Look forward to reading/sharing the site - thanks for putting it together. Have some black and whites of goonies/last mission washdowns and general life at Phu Cat.

William writes, I was a SSgt assigned to the 6994th Security Squadron at Tan Son Nhut in 1966/67.

Paul writes, I was a TSgt assigned to the Detachment of the 6994th Security Squadron, assigned to airborne maintenance at Danang and transferred to NKP about half way through my tour in 1972.

Paul writes, I was a 1st Lt. assigned to the 361st TEWS at NKP in 1973.

Jim writes, I was a TSgt assigned to the 6994th Security Squadron at Tan Son Nhut in 1968.

Mike writes, I was a Lt. with the 361st TEWS at NKP in 1974. In 22 years I was on 3 operation aircraft, the EC was the best time.

Stan says, I was an E-4 assigned to Det. 2, 6994th Security Squadron at Pleiku and Danang fro July 1969 to July 1970.

Stan's Email Address: [email protected]

Robert says, I was a SSgt assigned to the 6994th Security Squadron at Tan Son Nhut in 1966/67. Was a member of the Backenders as an AMS on the Drill Press and Phyllis Ann missions.

George say's he was assigned to the 361st TEWS at Phu Cat in 1970/71.

Jim say's, I was a Lt. assigned to the 360th TEWS at Tan Son Nhut in 1971/72.

Ken says, I was an A1c with the 361st TEWS at Nha Trang in 1967-69. Retired as Capt.

Roger says, I was a Sgt. with the 360th TEWS at Tan Son Nhut. I was in country from May of 68 Thru June 69. I work the night shift most of the time. What does the volunteer need to do. I would be intrested in helping if I can.

Dale says I was a Tsgt assigned to the 361st TEWS at Nha Trang and at Phu Cat from May, 11969 to May 1970. After spending 4 days at Camron Bay, finally got a hop to NaTrang on a Huey. Experienced my first rocket attack while looking out the ops window showing a newby around the 361 building; we both got some bunker training! I was orderly room clerk working with TSgt Milo Dago, 1st shirt. Heard from him a year or so ago. He lives in Ft Worth and is retired with poor health. Talked to Cajun Prevost some time a go. He called from the pentigon.. was a col at the time. Was involved in the move from NaTrang to Phu Cat; can still remember loading up the C47 with everyone's records and flying to Phu Cat...what a place! Spent a total of 363 days then back to the world.

James say's I was assigned to the 360th TEWS at Tan Son Nhut from 4 july 67 to 4 july 68 Flight Mechanic on Maj Steingasser crew also Lt Col Hastey.

Jim's Email Address: toby_boy(at)bellsouth.net

Robert was a real early bird with the EC-47 program. He began in June 1965 and ended in May, 1966. He was a 292x1 and was at Tan Son Nhut, Danang and Pleiku and worked with Drill Press and Phyllis Ann.

Robert has no Email Address.

Alan writes, My experience with the EC-47 was from Nov. 1967 to late Sept. 1968. I was a member of the 360th TEWS,"Antique Airlines" at Tan Son Nhut and flew some 155 missions. Several of those were from the other two EC bases. While there, I helped produce and appeared in a Top Secret training film of the mission. In later years it was declassified and clips from it were included in other historical films of the DC-3, C-47 and Dakota.

Alan's Email Address: tucsonalan (at) cox.net

Enlisted 10/70 basic at Lackland AFB TX following this I was assigned to Keesler AFB MS for tech school training for (dittybop). After tech school I got my first overseas assignment which was to San Vito de Normani AS in Brindisi, Italy. Approximately 14+ mos later, I got (so I thought) the flying job that was my true focus.

The orders were for Da Nang preceeded by much more training. After a short trip to Aviano AFB in northern Italy for the flight physical it was back to Brindisi to pack up and await return to the "World". After some leave at home it was off to San Angelo TX for more tech school work, ARDF school etc. This was followed by water survival school at Homestead AFB FL., only a 200 mile jaunt from my hometown of Orlando, FL. From Homestead off I went to Basic Survival at Fairchild AFB WA. As I was born at Madigan Army Hospital, Ft. Lewis, WA., I once again felt a homelike presence. As it was by then January, that homey feeling was short-lived.

Then it was shipout for the PI and there to enjoy contact near instantly with the term "stealie-boys" but the real reason was for Jungle survival school. This is where things temporarily came apart. The Da Nang orders were red-lined and replaced with Ton Son Nhut in Saigon. Never made that either; on the shipout day these orders too were redlined.

After cooling my heels a couple days, new orders were cut. These relegated me to the outback! Assignment to Nakon Phanom RTAFB, Thailand. For the five months stationed there I was mostly placed in charge of a small "trailer" operation which worked in conjunction with a remote platform that gathered the information we worked with. I was able to favorably impress the HMFWIC who knew that what I really lived for was to get my wings. To that end he vigorously aided my dream and finally what I trained for and wanted so much was granted.

This resulted in an in country transfer to the 6994th at Ubon Thailand. In the months left of my tour in S.E.A. and despite 2wks DNIF for the less than more successful removal of my wisdom teeth(all 4 simultaneously --the doc was getting out soon and wanted practice---serious ouch!) I was able to garner permanent aircrew member wings, complete 72 missions and log over 1200 combat hours.

Convinced that flying was over for me and being sent to Kelly Field in Tx; I opted for an early out and was separated in April of 74.

Dale writes, I was a SSgt with the 6994th SS at Pleiku, 1966-68. Memories. I was one of the early ones at Pleiku. Memories of sitting on the barracks steps watching the gunships firing into the adjacent fields, drinking martini's during the incoming mortar attacks (no respectable airman would go in the bunkers with the rats), painting the support columns in the barracks white so they could be seen at night but adding polka dots and flying over some of the most beautiful country anywhere.

Thanks so much for putting the site together. It was great to turn through the guessbooks and see the names of guys you flew with. I am currently TDY at Kirtland. As soon as I get home,I will e-mail my pictures from TSN. I noticed in one set of pictures of 360 aircraft that the black belly C-47 was refered to as an administative aircraft. Actually,it was the "b.s. bomber" that was moved down from Phu Cat. Many may remember hearing this aircraft playing "ice cream man" music as it taxied in. Also the white top Scatback C-47 can be seen in the background.

Fred's Email Address is: fred(at)wizardsofque.com

Great site! I flew Electric Goons with the 361st TEWS at Phu Cat. Your site brings back a lot of memories.

Thanks!