From Richard L. Snook
I was in Viet Nam from December 1967 until December 1968 and I was assigned to the 360th at TSN. I was an E-4 and a crew chief on the EC-47's and had a small crew of six men and six airplanes to maintain. We worked on the flight line from 3 PM to 11PM each evening. When the TET offensive hit we had just left the flight line for the barracks. It was a couple of days before the base was secure enough to return to the line to see our shot up airplanes. In a week or so, we had them back together so they could continue their flights.

I have used my Air Force aviation experience to continue to work on DC-3's. I am president of a small mission/humanitairan effort here in South Florida called Missionary Flights International. I learned to fly after Niet Nam and I am now a captain on the DC-3. MFI provides air support to over 600 missionary families working in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. We have four DC-3's that we use in this service. We just returned from Honduras where we assisted in relief efforts due to hurricane MITCH. I was landing on 2500 foot grass strips with food, water and other supplies. It was a great experience to see the DC-3/C-47 doing what it was meant to do, reach out to people in need. It is a great OLE bird and my admiration for the airplane grows each time I fly it. After being around the DC-3's for over 30 years I can attest to the airplanes trustworthiness. I am sure they will be flying long after I hang up my wings. I am grateful the Lord gave me my basic training on the EC-47's in Viet Nam. I have used it for His glory ever since.

Ernest L. Short, Jr. Ernest was a Captain at the time, and served as the First Commander, Detachment 2, 6994th Security Squadron at Pleiku from 31 August 1966 through 25 July, 1967.

Ernest had a listing of the first folks to be assigned to the 6994th Det 2. and that listis is posted elsewhere on this site. I thank him very much for this important listing. These folks were among the Pioneers of the EC-47 Operations in SEA and helped set the high performance standards of the operation became known for.

Thursday, 10 Dec 1998 From John J. ( J.J.) Moore
Fantastic web site regarding Air Force ARDF Mission in Viet Nam. Your tribute for our fellow airmen who did not make it back is a reminder that they should never be forgotten and how fortunate we came back to our love ones. I was a Flight Commander in the 6994th at Tan Son Nhut from 8/70-8-71. Col Inge was our Commander, Lt. Col McMakin (sp) was Deputy. SMgt Jerry McKee and MSgt Buddy McGuire were also Flight Commanders (USAFSS)

JC your doing a great job with the web site, giving us a vehicle for networking with old friends and acquaintances from our EC47 days. Your name is not familiar to me, I don't know if we've ever crossed paths. I imagine my tour was similiar to most back enders,both exciting and quite frequently frightening. On my first flight seeing that old patched up second world war gooney bird with no door, to say the least, made me a bit apprehensive. However, after 182 missions like most of us I have survived to reminisce about the good times and bad times.

I remember the scary missions being caught in heavy storms during the monsoons.
I remember us being shot at during night flights as we took off from Tan Son Nhut.
I remember my first combat takeoff----wheels up before we were airborne.
I remember a mission when flying at 5000 feet and notifying everyone I observed heavy ground explosions. We had been flying under a B-52 arc light bombing mission.
I remember when my roomate Red Scholander was on a mission which had to be aborted because the pencil flares exploded when he laid his flak vest on top of the radio equipment directly in back of the cockpit .
I remember frequenlty holding onto the navigators legs as he peered out the side door between the webbing trying to get a dopler set for the computer.

After leaving Nam in 1970 ,the family and I spent a tour in Augsburg, Germany and then back for another 3 yrs at Chicksands where I retired in 1977. Went back to my home in Philadelphia where I retired again in 1996 as a Tax Assessor. Now in Edinburgh, Scotland where my wife Margaret and I spend about 6 months a year.

Hoping a reunion in San Antonio materializes. Will continue to check the site for further details. Good health to you and yours. Take Care J.J.

Received from Mt. Bethel, PA December 11, 1998

Dave Felker says,

Great Homepage and brings back many memories. Served as a RO in NHA TRANG from 1966-1969. Flew 360 missions with 13 air medals and DFC. Hoping to find some of my colleagues from NAM through this page. Thanks

Received from Joe Wesner, December 11, 1998
Jim, ran across your website in FTVA magazine and thought I would submit an info item for it. Hope the information went through but am uncertain it did. I was there, in Da Nang from Mar 72 thru Feb 73 and was an A20270. Ran flight ops for 202s for awhile then was SEFE for 202s for the remainder of my tour. I knew lots of people mentioned in your website, especially those that were there when I was. Knew Joe Matejov, Pete Cressman and Todd Melton who were killed on their fateful flight out of Ubon. I flew several flights with them when they were assigned to Da Nang. We closed Det 2, Da Nang in Feb, 1973. and I rotated back to the ZI. Fred Ziemer (SMSGT, ret) trained as 202 SEFE and transferred to UBON when we started flying out of there. The scarriest part of my tour was at the end when they painted out the U.S. flag on the tail of the remaining EC-47s and replaced it with the RVN flag. If we had gone down and been captured, we had no cover story or any way to fool the NVN and would have surely been shot. Other than that, it was the best assignment (job satisfaction wise) I had in my career. I met and worked (played??) with some of the finest and most professional guys I ever knew. As time passes, my memory dulls but I have some vivid memories of some great times in both Swampy and Gunfighter villages on Da Nang AB, RVN. Warmest Regards, Joe Wesner CMsgt, Ret. 25106 S. 637 Rd. Grove, Oklahoma 74344

Received from Baltimore, Maryland on November 11, 1998

Bill Christian says,

Spent 3 tours in Vietnam, Nhatrang 7-67 to 6-68, Danang 9-70 to 4-72, head SEFE in Danang, 376 combat missions, 2DFCs, many air medals. Responsible for testing 38 in Grenier after returning from Nha Trang (Major Eddy nav and myself the RO) in 1969 (give or take a year).

Many memories and many happenings during that time. As time goes on I will try to relive some of those. I remember when I left in 1973 only a few had flown over 400missions, Mike Presslar, Art Silvin, Don Boston, and Mike Wilson. I never made that goal!!

Received February 15, 1999

JC, I lived in NhaTrang with Fred Sebers at 8 LeeLai in beautiful downtown Nhatrang. I don't believe Fred was a part of the EC47s but he lived and hung out with us. I think he worked in supply or s/t like that. He was going to retire at the end of this tour and he only had a few months left. I had just gotten back from a mission and was tired and decided not to go to dinner with Fred and Dick Cheney at the Neptune club (a nice military club off base). Next thing I knew I was awakened and told that the VC put a claymore mine into the side of the club and when it blew up pieces of metal went into Freds head. By the end of the day he was pronounced dead, Dick and I believe Jim Ali were lucky and only received several cuts and purple hearts. I also was lucky by not going to dinner with them. If you have or need any other info about that give me a shout. Bill Christian

PS: Looking forward to the EC47 reunion the end of May. Appreciate all ur efforts and everything you have done to bring us all together again.

Received from Bellevue, Nebraska on December 12, 1998

John T. Shultz says,

I was staiioned at Det 2, 6994th Security Squadron, at Pleiku, Republic of
Vietnam, from 1967 to 1969. I worked as a 202. If anyone knows where Bill
Hannon, Joe Stevens, Ron Gooch are please give me a call at, 1-800-246-2438.

I also spent three years in CHIX in Berlin followed by a stint at Goodbuddy
in the 202 school, then 14 years at Offutt, flying in the RC-135's where I
retired. Once you get on it you can't get OFFUTT. Would love to hear from
anyone at any of the above places.

John

Received from North Dakota, December 7, 1998

Shorty Pettit Jr. says,
I was in the 360th TRW in 1967-1968 I am well aware of the missions of the
EC-47 and outstanding dedacation everyone in my outfit gave to the Nam. Out
of all the aircraft I remember is balls 9. She was a good girl and gave her
all for America. In the time I was there she never missed a flight. I am
proud for what I did for my country in Nam.

Received From Lytle, Texas on December 6, 1998

Larry J. Cromer says, got your URL from Freedom Through Vigilance latest book and decided to check you out. I was in command from February 1955, (Ashiya, Japan) until i retired in 1977 from kelly.

I was a 292 then 202. In Viet Nam I was AMS on Drill Press and Phillis Ann. Was at Phubui when tet came about. I got out as soon as we could and went to Pleiku and continued to fly our mission from there. I left there in 68. The name of one of our gooneys was BIG JEAN last 3 digits were 068 I think.

Received December 13, 1998

Orvin Copeland says, I was a TSgt and was assigned to the 360th TEWS at Tan Son Nhut. I arrived there in July of 1967 for a years tour. Says most of his tour he was flight examiner, (Had to have been a flight mechanic.) but did not specifically say so. Wishes to hear from anyone who read this that may have known and worked with him. Gives his phone number as (334) 693-3626. Orvin did not leave an email address and I think submitted this via a friends system.

No E-mail address available.

Received: December15, 1998 Dave Eddy says, Hi Jim...great page. I have a lot to review yet, but have seen some familiar names and pics. You have done a great job. The EC-47's did a fantastic job in Nam and should be remembered. This is one super way of doing that. I was with the program from it's inception, flying the first prototype (Hawkeye) out of TSN beginning in Sep 1965. That tail number by the way was 50925. The prototype system was the ARD-18, and 50925 was sent back to Sanders Assoc to be modified and outfitted with the ALR-34. Missing from your list is 49268 (can't recall the year, but I think a 43 model) which was the first ALR-34 delivered in April of 67. Our crew Businger, Line, and others I can't recall, were the first to fly that one and started the training of the 6994th Operators and the front enders on the system. I need to do some digging to pull up more information, but those two tail numbers stick in my mind. Have long since lost or retired my Form 5 and the memory is not what it used to be. There was a second Hawkeye ...and I want to say that it was 703. Maybe Bob Line can help with that. Iwas also fortunate to start training for the TEWS on the ALR-35 and the ALR-38 system. Ended up several years of ARDF fun by closing TSN in Dec of 72. Again. ..thanks for your page. It is, and will be, a great memory maker for us that spent time in the Goons.

Received From Spartanburg, SC on December 15, 1998 Melton L. (Randy) Francis says,
I was with the 360th TEWS from Nov. 1968 to Nov. 1969. I remember having a hell of a time replacing the heat exchanger on "Balls Nine"!! It is great to see these photos and see this history. I have always said the Gooney Bird is the best aircraft the Air Force ever owned!! Mel Francis

Received on 16 December, 1998 Clifford N. Craig say, I served with the Detachment 2, 6994th in 1970-71. Hope to get more on Clifford. 7 July, 2001. Clifford added this information. I was a Sgt and served as an RA292x1 Airborne Intercept Operator.

28 Feb. 2006. Clifford's Email Address: [email protected]

Postal Address: 227 N. Pintado Dr. Diamond Bar, CA 91765

Phone: (909) 861-7008

Received December 17, 1998 from Minneapolis, MN

From Gregory Smith who says, I served in 360th TEWS from Feb 71 to Feb 72 on Flight Line. Like to hear from fellow budds who worked there the same time I did. Also woundering if anyone remmebers TDY to NKP Thailand on 30 day rotations from 360th TEWS. It was Detatchment 1 360th aka. Commando Forge. I was there May/June of 71. Can't forget those guys in Det 1. either. Im also looking for a close Line buddie I served with, Michael Martin. Jul 70/71 from 360th. He left Nam for Malmstrom AFB. Mont. Can/t find him.

Gregory's Email Address: smithhouse2(at)comcast.net

Received December 17, 1998 from Plattsmouth Nebraska

John L. Hurst writes,
James, I flew with you on the EC47's while assigned to Det 1, 6994SS at NaTrang, RVN from the earlist flights in 66' untill I PCS's in Oct 67. I was an AMT (Airborne maintenance Technician). I only flew 18 missions for 104.6 combat hours on those Gooneybirds. I was a brand now SSgt when I got to VN, but stayed in until I retired as SMSgt in 1980 after flying on EC130A&B's in Germany, and RC135S/D/M/U's in Alaska and at Offutt AFB, Ne. Ended up with more than 3,000 hours in the airborne recon program. When the traveling wall visited Omaha I took my two sons and we looked up the names of the guys I remembered from the aircraft we lost in 67. . It really gave them a better sense for what we experienced and the price our comrads paid. My adress is 1309 Cambridge Court, Plattsmouth, Ne 68048. Found you in the Guestbook.

Happy Holidays! John Hurst

Received from Petersburg, Michigan on Saturday, December 19, 1998

Thomas V. Cutcher writes,

I Served in the Air Force Security Service from March of 1968 to July 1972. I was an analyst (202). Basic at Amarillo, training at Goodfellow. First assignmet 6981st at Elmendorf AFB Alaska, then to Danang AFB 1970 6994th Det 4, next to Tan son nhut AFB 1971 6994th as liaision with 509th Army Radio Research Grp Saigon. My last assignment was with the 6948th Goodfellow. I left with the rank of SSgt. Tom says he would be glad to hear from any of you.

This added November 21, 1999 Thomas says, I a SSgt with the 6994th and was a 202 (analyst). I was stationed at Danang at the end of 1970. In early 1971 was tranferred to TanSonNhut were I worked as a liason with the Army 509th Radio Research were all the Army and Air Force missions were coordinated.

Received, Saturday, December 19, 1998

Gary D. Letterle writes,
A quick note from another old crew chief. I was the crew chief of aircraft number 668, WATZAMATTAU, in 1968 at Pleiku air field in Viet Nam. An EC-47N modle. In my opinion the most RUGGED, DEPENDIBLE, HEAVY DUTY, MUSCLE Airplane ever made. A tear comes to my eye every time I think about Her. THANKs for keeping the tradition of the ultimate in no frills flying alive.
Garty D. Letterle former Sgt. USAF

Received Sunday, December 20, 1998 From Dave Kettenhofen

Dave writes,
I was a Sgt and was stationed at TSN AB from May 1970 to May 1971 as a Radio Operator with the 6994 SS. During my tour I flew approximately 130 EC-47 missions and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and 3 Air Medals. I would like to hear from anyone who remembers me from that period. Some names I can recall are Bill Wooten, Rick Heilman, Roy Jordan, Gary Graeber, Brent Spoelstra, Hank Cravens, Nolan Pressley and a guy called "Stumpy". How many of you remember the trips down good old Plantation Road?

Received from Warner Robbins, Georgia, Tuesday, December 22, 1998 11:36 PM

Jim Luther writes,

Found the EC-47 web-site earlier in the day. I have been retired for the past 19 years and have had a computer and E-mail access for the past 3 or 4 years. It just dawned on me to search for "USAFSS". I did and I found the EC-47 site you put together. Right away I found a long lost friend, Walt Palmer. You have done an outstanding job. I spent from November 1971 until August 1973 with the 6994th SS.

Started out in Tan Son Nhut from there I went to DaNang and later, moved over to Ubon, Thailand. Was Chief of SEFE at Danang and Ubon. Was there thru Baron 52 and lots of other things. All those on Baron 52 except Dale Brandenberg worked for me in Stan Eval. I will sign your guestbook as soon as it lets me in. I couldn't get it up this afternoon. Any way, you have a nice site here and I am going to make good use of it.

Am also a ham, WB4SXR, (been at it for 25 years)

73 and hope to hear from you. Jim Luther, TSGT Ret.

PS, a reunion is a great idea.

Received Wednesday, December 23, 1998 From Don Line

Don writes, I first served in Vietnam at Phan Rang with a C-123 unit and after about two weeks, was sent to the 360th TEWS at Tan Son Nhut. I was a Sgt and served in the 360th TEWS at Tan Son Nhut in 1971-1972. I worked night shift on the flight line as a Crew Chief on EC-47 number 43-48767. I believe this plane was transferred to Tan Son Nhut from Pleiku in 1971.

Received from Bob Irving, Andover, MA December 28, 1998

Bob writes:

Very nice job. Thank you for putting all of this information together. I served as a Navigator in the 362nd TEWS at Pleiku from September 1967 to September 1968. Would enjoy hearing from anyone who recalls hanging out at Del-Mac's... the unofficial R&R center (bar) in RMK area. Mike Keller and I were proprietors for the tour. You were all a really great bunch of guys. I've always been very proud of the job that we all did. Thanks, JC, for the history and wealth of detail about our mission.

Bob's Email Address: rhirving(at)gmail.com

Received from Mark Broswick, Virginia December 30, 1998

Mark writes:

I was assigned to Det 2, 6994th Security Squadron at DaNang in 1972 as an airborne radio direction finding specialists.

Time 1999-01-01 16:55:00

Received Saturday, Janurary 1, 1999 From: Don Boston

Don writes, I was with Det 2, 6994th from 4/69 to 2/72 at Pleiku and Danang as a ditty chaser. I have to correct a comment by Bill Christian - Bill I didn't make 400 missions - only 356. Today, 1 Jan 99, I have been retired exactly 21 years. I'll have more to add later - meantime, if anyone is interested, my eMail is [email protected] ham call is N1HEM but I have not set up my rig at this site yet...73's

January 3, 1999 Received from Mike Kahley

Mike writes, Great website! I found the loads of data very interesting and it brought back many memories. I remember people like Herm Smitley, Mike Kaiser, Fred Ziemer, Jim Luther, Paul Weyandt, Mark Morris, Lionel Blau, Brad Howell, Ralph Jasper, Ron Schofield, Carl Nevin, Wildman (can't remember his name, but he was an X1 that later became an officer), Lt MaCaulley (sp), Tom Rinderele (Dagwood), and Joe Matejov (who I used to work with in Misawa and where he was known as Kiwi). Also, there were the aircraft, like tail number 570 that gave me and the crew two sorties in the same day, due to an unsked stop. There was another time when we crashed on our return to Ubon, when the newly qualified pilot bounced and caught a cross wind that threw us off the runway into a barrier shack and collasped the landing gear, providing us with the ride of our lives, Not sure of the date and tail number, would have to try and figure it out from the records I still have. According to my records, it happened on Oct 3rd 1973 and involved tail number 208, which was later put together by the maintenance crew so that they could fly it out. I don't know if it was ever used for later missions, as it had damage to antennas and who knows what else. Anyway, after I left the 94th, I went to Crete, than Thailand again, back to Kelly in San Antonio, a second tour to Misawa (the original tour was my first tour in the AF), to Fort Meade, than to Japan for a tour with a Navy Unit supporting 7th Fleet, than back to Fort Meade where I retired. I now work for Harris Corporation as a system administrator and facility manager. Keep up the good work on your website and I can assure you that I will be checking it out frequently. Mike Kahley, MSgt, USAF (Ret)

Mike's Email Address: mike94th(at)comcast.net

Received January 4, 1999 from Dave Mace Masson

Dave writes I was a Sgt Squadron 6994th Base Tan Son Nhut & NKP Year 1971-1973 What I remember most of my fantastic tours in the 6994th is the comraderie and long lasting friendships made during these trying times. The gooney bird quietly ruled the skies. So many missions so many dedicated people. People like CMSgt Paul Weyandt Col Eddy CMSgt Sherwood CMSgt Dagwood Rinderle and truly the list could go on forever.

Received from Marsby E. Warters, Fairhaven, MA January 4, 1999

Marsby writes, Hi Jim, Great to find this page. I've seen one name I think I remember -- Dave Felker. I served at Nha Trang from Feb 69 to Apr 69 then NKP May-Sep 69 and finally Phu Cat until Feb 70. I was a 292 ditty bop with the 6994th. Landed in NAM after 18 months at Clark AFB, RPI. Ended my 4 year career at Kelly AFB, Medina Annex.

Marsby's Email Address is: jmwarters (at) comcast.net