Buddy Ltr

[Dyoric]

I am in need of a buddy ltr from a C-130 crew member that was stationed at CCK AFB, Tiawan around 1970.

I need a statement that C-130 aircraft departing CCK, Tiawan in route to Bangkok, Thailand did stop at Tan Son Knut AFB, Vietnam. AF History unit says all flight records have been destroyed and VA says no records of any flight stopping at Tan Son Knut.

[Berta]

http://314thtcw.wordpress.com/

314^th Troop Carrier Wing...

They might have a reunion roster.

Maybe something here to help:

http://www.macvsog.cc/detachment_1,_314th_troop_carrier_wing_%28pacaf%29.htm

Maybe something here too:

http://www.tanwater.com/776/

In part:

“During 1970 and 1971 the 776 TAS was operating out of CCK, Taiwan with Det 1 at Ton Sun Nhut, Vietnam and Det 2 at Utapao, Thailand. Crews were rotated to the detatachments on a TDY basis. There was also a shuttle operating out of Bangkok, Thailand. As the U.S. involvement in the war began to wind down, Det 1 in Ton Sun Nhut was closed down and the 776 crews began operations out of Nakhon Phanom ,Thailand. Missions were still being flown into Vietnam, but no [u.S.] C-130 crews were assigned TDY to Vietnam.”

Have you googled your unit's designation to find their specific web site?

http://314thtcw.wordpress.com/

314^th Troop Carrier Wing...

They might have a reunion roster.

Maybe something here to help:

http://www.macvsog.cc/detachment_1,_314th_troop_carrier_wing_%28pacaf%29.htm

Maybe something here too:

http://www.tanwater.com/776/

In part:

“During 1970 and 1971 the 776 TAS was operating out of CCK, Taiwan with Det 1 at Ton Sun Nhut, Vietnam and Det 2 at Utapao, Thailand. Crews were rotated to the detatachments on a TDY basis. There was also a shuttle operating out of Bangkok, Thailand. As the U.S. involvement in the war began to wind down, Det 1 in Ton Sun Nhut was closed down and the 776 crews began operations out of Nakhon Phanom ,Thailand. Missions were still being flown into Vietnam, but no [u.S.] C-130 crews were assigned TDY to Vietnam.”

Have you googled your unit's designation to find their specific web site?

[Dyoric]

Just sent email request, Thank you for your help.

Dyoric

[harleyman]

The information provided here by Berta is very informative. I would copy the information she provided and I would send it to the VA in support of your claim. As the air shuttle and troop ratation information as well as the web site addresses are information in support of your claim. It will also help the JSRRC, as I know a couple of these JSRRC people and they can use the information to aid them in their research.

Edited August 16, 2013 by harleyman

[Berta]

"VA says no records of any flight stopping at Tan Son Knut." BS to that.

I think you will need to do some research and then practically hold the VA's hand explaining to them that C 130s did stopovers in Vietnam.

Tan Son Nhut Air Base - 1962. The uncrowded flight line reflects the level of USAF/SVNAF activity which would increase dramatically after the 1964 Gulf of Tonkin Resolution.

Vietnamization and the 1972 Spring Offensive

C-119Gs of the VNAF 819th Transport Squadron - Tan Son Nhut Air Base

In 1970, with American units leaving the country, the VNAF transport fleet was greatly increased at Tan Son Nhut. The VNAF 33d and 53d Tactical Wings were established flying Fairchild C-123 Providers, C-47s and De Havilland C-7A Caribous.

By November 1970, the South Vietnamese Air Force took total control of the Direct Air Support Center (DASCS) at Bien Hoa Air Base, Da Nang Air Base and Pleiku Air Base.

At the end of 1971, the VNAF were totally in control of command and control units at eight major air bases, supporting ARVN units for the expanded air-ground operations system. In September 1971, the USAF transferred two Fairchild C-119 squadrons to the VNAF at Tan Son Nhut.

In 1972, the buildup of the VNAF at Tan Son Nhut was expanded when two Lockheed C-130 Hercules squadrons were formed there. In December, the first VNAF C-130 training facility was established at Tan Son Nhut, enabling the South Vietnamese to train its own Hercules pilots. As more C-130s were transferred to the VNAF, older C-123s were returned to the USAF for disposal."

I would think the Squadron date was due to the fact that C 130s were already at this air base.

Are you sure about the C 130s or could it have been the C 123s????? sorry, there must be a big difference between those aircrafts , and I should know it ( my daughter was USAF) but I dont and I lent my good USAF book on specs of aircrafts to a friend.

The above photos and quotes are from :

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tan_Son_Nhut_Air_Base

Question , is this for an Agent Orange claim?If so do you have an AO presumptive condition?

“By the end of 1965, the 315th Air Division had 32 C-130s stationed at Tan Son Nhut, Vung Tau, Nha Trang and Cam Ranh Bay Air Bases “

http://amcmuseum.org/history/vietnam_war/tactical_airlift.php

This link might be a good one for you to access.

Harleman is right...the more detain;ed the better for JSRRC, as to dates, places, anything that can help them narrow down their search.

[Dyoric]

I have been fighting the VA since 2002 for my heart condition. They acknowledged it, but could not prove stop over in Vietnam. Filed NOD and now two years of waiting. Also gathering info on my tour in Thailand, so it is a wait and see time. Have met some great people and recieved plenty of help. Thanks to all of you.

[Berta]

Here is the VA Agent Orange Thailand regs:

http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange/thailand.asp

(Thanks to the incredible work of hadit member, Kurt riessman, the very first AO Thailand veteran VA SCed.