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Radacravitz · 11-19-2021, 11:01 PM

Via paramount plus last night I enjoyed watching Surviving 100 Missions … learned a few things, too.

i was stationed at Korat, Thailand, where many of the planes / crew were based. the timeframe of this documentary was 1966, I was stationed there in ‘74, so the base as filmed was much more basic than when I knew it.

all these years later it’s very interesting to see film of what the crews and their aircraft contributed to the war. tough guys, every one of them.

this image shows Chappie James and Robin Olds, heroes both. i interacted with Lt. General James at Scott AFB after I returned from Korat … quite a leader.

and for any of you who know the story, Roscoe appears in this film. I knew Roscoe.

watching this doc was quite a trip down memory lane for me so not sure how others will see it.

Roscoe | 34th Tactical Fighter Squadron - Thud Era

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inlineskater · 11-20-2021, 05:17 AM

Thanks for your service. Was on a destroyer off the coast.

nctox · 11-20-2021, 06:46 AM

I, too was at Korat in "74. While I didn't actually meet Roscoe, I was well aware of his status on the base. His picture was posted on the Security Police bulletin board with a warning to all SPs not to mistake him for the many other stray dogs that may be encountered on base.

I will try to view the video you referenced above.

mickeybitsko · 11-20-2021, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by inlineskater

Thanks for your service. Was on a destroyer off the coast.

Small world, I was on the USS BENNER DD 807
WESTPAC 69-72
3 tours
I do remember the Decatur , might have had a beer
with you along the way.

Old-Biscuit · 11-20-2021, 09:00 AM

Welcome home!

Also off coast on same destroyer ....'Dicky Doo'

Cpl Ed · 11-23-2021, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old-Biscuit

Welcome home!

Also off coast on same destroyer ....'Dicky Doo'

I rode many a convoy up the Hai Van pass, from DaNang to DMZ. Alway's shadowed by a Destroyer for support. Thank you guy's for being there!

Fair wind and following seas!

Cat320 · 11-25-2021, 04:12 PM

As an Army Aviator in VN, (after a ground tour in the artillery) I find it interesting to compare the USAF policy of 100 missions versus our policy of a one year tour. We had some aviators, usually second or third tour guys who were commissioned officers, who flew virtually not at all. Then again, some Huey drivers that flew 100 hours a month. I flew a Chinook, CH47...we didn't fly the hours the Huey guys did...but enough.

Dunrollin · 11-25-2021, 04:16 PM

Thanks- I was a 11B grunt but my brother was a F8 pilot in the Navy so I will send this on to him in case he has not seen it yet.

TandW · 11-25-2021, 04:37 PM

"Stories of a Westpac Cruise" by Commander Kennedy. Look it up and read it.
DD743 USS Southerland
The distillation of hydrocarbon species into the ship's drinking water system was documented all the way back then!

Radacravitz · 11-26-2021, 10:03 AM

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I’d purchased this earlier in the year and hadn’t gotten around to reading it … until watching this documentary.

a very exciting and well written book.

F4Gary · 11-26-2021, 11:26 AM

My T-37 IP was a good friend of Chappie James.

Radacravitz · 11-26-2021, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by F4Gary

My T-37 IP was a good friend of Chappie James.

your IP must have been a pretty special guy.

my former hootchmate and I were talking about General James the other day. he said when he was stationed @ Clark (~’70 iirc), General James came through as part of a fact finding assignment.

my buddy and his flight mates had just gotten off mids and we’re having a couple of beers in the airman’s club. they saw him enter the club but didn’t recognize him / his rank until he got much closer. after “at ease” he sat down with them and spent the better part of an hour discussing his - and now their! - topic of interest.

my buddy said General James couldn’t have been easier to talk to and all these years later he relishes having spent time with him that morning.

kenwyatt · 11-26-2021, 01:28 PM

Ran that pass a few time when making a run from my base in Dong Ha to Da Nang in 1970. Had to make runs with blown armored vehicle engines and new replacements when the normal supply chain couldn’t keep up. Never had any escorts that I knew of. We just loaded up and ran as fast as we could.

edge68474 · 11-26-2021, 01:32 PM

I will have to watch that one. I have read a bunch on Robin Olds, my kind of leader.
Must be cool to run across another ships crewman from same ship. Must not have been the same time or you would of said something like, Hey, I know you, or something to that effect.
Thank you to all who " Served "