Last updated - 20 Jan 2021
I found these negatives recently.
My assignment after CCK was to Little Rock. I ended up in Current Operations at the end of my assignment. As one of my last major tasks was to run the LRAFB Air Show in 1978. The "normal" package consisted of C-130s demo with a CDS drop, LAPES, and Max effor landing. I thought that this "normal" wasn't good enough and checking around didn't find anything that would prohibit my plan.
Since the base also hosted a ANG unit which was moving from F101s to KC135s. I contacted them to see if they would like to participate. I also asked if they had a contact at Fort Smith where the ANG unit was flying F100s. They made the contact and the plan was taking shape. The ANG unit also contacted the Army unit at Camp Robinson about participating.
I contaacted the LRAFB EOD unit about making the simulated bombs. I believe they talked with the EOD folks at Blytheville AFB. They came up with a "bomb" consisting of dry C4, dry cement and gasoline. They also designed and built a control box. We did have meeting between the parties so that every knew what to expect.
The started with the KC135 departing to meet up with the F100s. The three C130s then departed to there holding pattern. The show started with the KC135 and four F100s doing a fly by. An Army NG helio dropped the CCT. Once on the ground, the CCT encountered enemy activity and requested air support. The F100 then made multiple passes "dropping" bombs on the targets. They used a fast FAC and this caused some issue with EOD staff controlling the "bombs" as the aircraft were coming from different directions.
After the area was secure, there was a two ship CDS drop and then a LAPES. The Army NG Helios then came over the ridge north of the runway and landed between the runway and ramp and "conducted the simulated battle" using training (blank) ammo. A single C130 did a max effort landing on the runway, backed up and then departed.
Happiness was leaving the tower without any accidents. The Golden Knights and Thunderbirds then did their shows.
I received my commission through the OTS program at Lackland AFB. Here are a few photos from that time. The Cleveland photos are when my brother left for the Army. Thought the ramp photos were interesting.
I went through pilot training at Moody AFB in south Georgia. I was there between Oct 1967 to Dec 1968. From there I went to basic survival training at Fairclild AFB WA in early 1969. The snow was so deep we marched direct to the POW camp. Completing that, I went to Sewart AFB in TN for C130 training. I believe I was in one of the last long RTU courses. I know I was fustrated as IP getting new people who did know much about the aircraft. Some broke, call maintenance. Completing training I returned to Fairchild for another round of survival training. Completing that, off to Clark AB for jungle survival training. Then over to CCK.
As a break from Vietnam, crews were sent to spport Navy/Coast Guard civic action teams on small islands in Micronesia. The crews operated out of NAS Agana (now the commerical airport) on Guam. On this TDY we landed in YAP, Ponape and possibly others. We had to stay over night in Ponape in order to meet a TOA for an airdrop to Kusaie. The island was too small for a runway so the drops were in the water at low tide.
Another of the prize flights were to take a broken aircraft back to the US. You would get a month off and then return a "good" aircraft back. Both of my returning flights were delayed a week so had time to visit the area around the departure locations.
On the first PDM aircraft, my crew were passengers back to the US. The aircraft departed from Naha, where there was a corresion control facility.
The first was departing from St Petersburg FL. Got to visit several attractions in the area in the week waiting for the aircraft.
I actually had two PDM flights during my four years at CCK. On the first flight I met my future wife on a blind date. A year later, on the second PDM flight we got engaged. Six months later I returned (via C130 to Kadena, C141 to Alaska, C130A to Chicago) and we got married and returned to Taiwan. Judy was in Taiwan for a year before we returned to Little Rock.
Eastbound, 1st PDM - Had to wait until the aircraft was ready.
Westbound, 1st PDM
Since we had a week, we rented a car and drove to Kennedy Space Center. As miliary we were given a special tour. The Saturn V was getting ready for a flight to the moon. I forgot we got inside the Vehicle Assemby building.
Returning to CCK with aircraft from PDM - 1st PDM
Returning to CCK with 2nd aircraft from PDM. Waiting at McClellan AFB for new engine. The crew went exploring.
Returning to CCK with wife via commerical 747.
