1970. CRITICALPAST.COM: The 601st Combat Photo Flight, Det 3, Ubon "The Rat Pack" (Al Sterling's Website Currently In-Progress) The 601st Photo Flight publication "Rodent Review" 1968-69 Vietnam War, 1961-1975. . ( She is still my wife.) With its CAC Sabres now obsolete and restricted from operating outside Thai airspace, the squadron was disbanded at the end of July 1968. Hi, I tried to apply for VA benefits but was turned down as I was not in Vietnam and at the time I was empoyed. We definitely had more than 1 M16 on base because on another night we were alerted and told to assemble at the base theater where we were all issued M16s but no ammo. Visitors are welcome to listen and interact with SAM subject matter experts located throughout the Presidential Gallery in . Great piece, John! And other stuff of course. Was the 435th the munitions squadron? Sq (AFCS) providing Air Traffic Control services for the Ubon tower, terminal radar approach area and enroute services for Bangkok Center. we lay on the brown grass that was never mowed, the rashes continue for 40+ years. [14], In April 1966 4 AC-47 Spooky gunships were deployed to Ubon for interdiction operations over Laos. I have found pictures on the internet but if you have more let me know. Ubon was considered (by the USAF) to be a viable target and we worked a lot to ensure the perimeter was secure, especially after dark. . 79 Squadron RAAF which provided top-cover for USAF aircraft whilst in Thai airspace with its CAC Sabres. [15]:1569, The 16th SOS also tested 2 Project Black Spot AC/NC-123s beginning in December 1969. I was TDY with Blind Bat. I worked with the Civil Engineer Sqdn. PS out of interest he was a flight sergeant and came into contact with AO, developed contact dermatitis but no other physical illness. Find your CVSO: http://www.nacvso.org/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=10 We really loved that guy.Was there during the big Mig raid shoot down.. There was a wide strip outside the fence with no vegetation, dont ever remember anyone mowing it. Terms & Conditions | Names of co-workers that I can remember off the top of my head are: Mick Glaze, Larry Sullivan, Bill Muncey, Carter, Fimple, and Woody. Hi Dave, welcome and thanks for your memories. If they werent successful then we would have been issued ammo for our M16s. Thank you, My dad was their at that time (Vinson). Charlie , how the hell are you, long time brother, we did serve together ,lots of memories too! To win service connection for this Oklahoma . In late December 1966 the 8th TFW commander Colonel Robin Olds developed a plan to lure North Vietnamese MiGs into combat and destroy them. If anyone knew my father during that time I would love to hear from you. Under Thailand's "gentleman's agreement" with the United States, RTAF base used by the USAF were commanded by Thai officers. 5 Airfield Construction Squadron.[3]. I happened to be on duty at the time of that attack. 15; U-Tapao AB runway No. Photos of that also. I no doubt worked on an A/C you flew. William Basler, Sgt, USAF three great kids though and ALL turned out A-OK. The facility is also used as a civil airport. My memory is not so good anymore but I too recall during my tour of a couple attacks during 72-73, as I recall we had a zapper killed and we had a round of mortars on base trying to take out our gunships. A lady called Prejuab, helped my aust family to adopt me, but on my birth certificate, there is not my Thai mothers maiden name or any name of my father, making it impossible to find her and Im sure my father has no idea, I exist. vflaherty4@aol.com Thanks. Beeville Texas Naval Air Station Chase Field USA, Dayton Ohio Wright Patterson Air Force Base USA, Del Rio Texas Laughlin Air Force Base USA, Eglin Air Force Base Okaloosa County Florida USA, England United Kingdom Molesworth Airfield, Grand Forks Air Force Base North Dakota USA, Greenham Berkshire England United Kingdom, Greenwood Lake New York United States USA, Kharkov Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, Lakehurst Naval Air Station New Jersey USA, Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base (NKP) Thailand, Peenemunde Rocket Centre Ostvorpommern Germany, Polebrook Northamptonshire England United Kingdom, Scottish Highlands Scotland United Kingdom, Tangmere Air Station Chichester England United Kingdom, U-Tapao Royal Thai Air Force Base Thailand, Vandenberg AFB, California United States USA, Film downloaded from returning U.S. Air Force RF-4C aircraft at Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, Aerial view from aircraft cockpit of approach for landing at U-Tapao Air Base runway number 18 in Thailand. I need any help I can get. I was there in 73 74 on the F4s as Egress. 4th Fighter Wing History. For the benefit of the Ubon vets that see this, there is a Face Book group for Ubon Vets to connect with each other and share memories. It served in this role until inactivated on June 30, 1975. Just stumbled across this site and stirred many memories of my tour of duty at Ubon (April 71-April 72). 1982 Comm, Sq. He played a great West Virginia guitar. Be well. He is having quite a few health problems which are probably related to his herbicide exposure. I enjoyed reading your post. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! Thanks Steve Ive resolved my problem (have 100% SC now) but there may be others looking to connect. Home | Join VDHA | Membership Renewal | Contact Us | Member Login 2023 VDHA All Rights reserved. Download Share. After that one, I think the others were post-1970 from what I have read on other group sites. The USAF Office of Special Investigations had earlier received a report that 12 Vietnamese expatriates had recently returned from North Vietnam where they had received sapper training. I believe I handled the raw material of A O while dis-assembling, cleaning and re-assembling the gun barrels on the C-130 Gun Ships. Location of Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base, 40th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, "RAAF A94 Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation CA-26/CA-27 Sabre Mk.30/31/32", USAAS-USAAC-USAAF-USAF Aircraft Serial Numbers1908 to present, 8th TFW at Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ubon_Royal_Thai_Air_Force_Base&oldid=1133474716. The Laotian border is about 40 miles directly East. Also did the 12 on 12 off 7 days a week routine. I will let John take up the story with his own words and photo captions. Thanks for your response. I wonder if there is Vietnam vets still living in Ubon Ratchatani ? Terms & Conditions | Bob Maxwell Will try to post them this summer. If youre not already a member, I suggest you join the Facebook site Ubon Vets. I was born in the year of 1975, which now makes me 39 yrs old. Major Mack stands next to EC-121 aircraft (552nd AEWCW). My reply was because I too have applied for a/o, after spending months cleaning up the gantry area. View of air strip. If any one is interested, all of the photos I took of Ubon are located on http://www.lastcow.smugmug.com go to military pictures password is thailand. Even better if you have photos! The RF-101s stayed until May 1962, then returned for a second deployment during . That name Mike Standifer sounds a little familiar to me and yes, please do put him in contact with me. AIR FORCE PHOTOS. Thanks! We wished we had found him sooner. The entire area was overgrown with heavy thickets of vines and brush. google_ad_slot = "5169356608"; The area displays aircraft such as a B-52D, which participated in Operation Linebacker I and II; workhorse fighters such as the F-4C flown by then-Col. Robin Olds. An aircraft flies over houses and trees in Thailand as it approaches runway number 5 at Ubon Air Base for landing. If you dont mind me asking, what % did they (VA) compensate you? As an Australian airman I served two terms of duty at Ubon, Thailand. GREAT MEMORIES. RM2M9KNK0 - A five-ship formation of Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft assigned to Wing 1 Military Air Base, fly overhead at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base (RTAFB), Thailand, during Exercise COPE TIGER 2003. I believe he was called Tom by some. I was a weapons mechanic in the 433TFS under Wig Commander Col. Robin Olds. I was TDY to Ubon from Lowry AFB during this time frame. for some reason I thought they were all borrowed names from Ford Motor company. I think it was the same night that sappers infiltrated Udorn RTAB. Sorry to hear of his health issues too although not surprised. I hope you are able to locate your photos from your time in Ubon as I would be keen to share any you have, especially any of the ones you have that were taken off base and of the city and surrounds. If ANY one on this thread knew Brent (Baton Rouge, LA) please contact me. It was also the only USAF base that ran opposite direction, single runway, air traffic; landing runway 23, departing runway 05. He was a big man and we use to help him strap in the F4s I got sick and returned to states. I dont know if we armed any more flights that night, the early morning wolf birds with centerline gun pod, two inboard rocket pods, two outboard fuel tanks, may have waited for day shift at 0600 hours. (just learning at 68 how this thing works). 314-346-7106. Edward B. The top floor of the Ubon hotel served food all night, after a quick Samlor ride. Our three kids are all grown, young adults now and have fb accounts so thats an option to get in loop but AO claim in my name of course, if ever granted, our 3 kids would get their much deserved back pay so sad that they never had a Dad while growing up. Plotters marking board, scope operator, senior director and combat information sector controller at radar sets. I have type 2 diabetes and I have filed a claim. The 652 nd Topographic Engineer Battalion depicted the broad reach of American forces in Thailand, which can be seen below. The base was granted hostile action pay for Oct. | Family life in rural Thailand & Australia. The base alarm went off and they told us to go the flight shack. Thanks. Is there any one of you guys that remember if there vas an Danish guy serving in Ubon ? Remember the good ole days of Thai Boxing at the NCO Club and waiting for my Crew while taking a break laying on Fat Albert as it hung on a wing pylon and to be delivered with kisses some where in the region.. 1982 Comm. Thanks, If you have not already found Facebook,,Ubon Vets, I highly recommended you look for it and join,, there are over 800 members,, and a wealth of information on that site,, good luck and welcome, I would like a copy of of that. THAILAND Ubon RTAFB Towers and Bunkers 8th SPS, Ubon RTAFB, 8 Dec 1965-16 Sep 1974 . Mike Weiss@Atlanta, Mike Pruitt@Arkansas, Sampson@Florida, Ciro Bua@Texas,Tsgt Davis [our flightline expediter] he may have never departed Ubon, still driving his blue six pack International crummy hustling crews to the next F-4 waiting for weapons. Trailer with CBU's cluster bombs waiting to be loaded. On arrival we were quartered in an encampment occupied by what I recall an Australian engineering contingent (79th or something ?) Japan and their photo lab arrived at Don Muang. I am adopted from Thailand Ubon Ratchathani, in 1976 by an Australian family in Melbourne. maxhightForP2 = 16126; I am going thru my photos from my tour currently and will be We all got a lengthy talk about seat safety since our group would have to get in the seats to test our equipment. Dave , I do recall your guy being killed. [13]:235, On 10 June 1972 8th TFW F-4s successfully destroyed the 3 generators of the Lang Chi hydropower plant 70 miles (110km) northwest of Hanoi, without damaging the dam itself. Thanks for filling in the blanks. The 2 story cinder block barracks was brand new when I got there. Michael E Courtney Nov 69. The 13th Bombardment Squadron was deployed to Thailand and attached the 8th TFW from MacDill AFB, Florida on 1 October 1970 with a modified version of the Canberra medium bomber designated as the B-57G. Was in the 435th 7/67-7/68 and never saw napalm or A-1s in revetments. 3 January 1968: CAC Sabre A94-986 crashed into farms on approach outside the town due to engine failure. Worked at the off base bomb dump. Lanny Schronce | October 9, . I DONT REMEMBER MUCH. As his unremarried surviving spouse I have NO information, photos, details of his job duties, specifically pertaining to location and perimeter/fence line. I recall someone else referring to that second attack, and IIRC someone who remembers one a few months earlier as well. Major Mack talks about individual tasks of the 552nd Airborne Early Warning Control Wing Unit, at Ubon Air Base in Thailand. Sir Edmund Hillary visited the base on 25 January 1967. Per the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Public Health and Environmental Hazards: The following Veterans may have been exposed to herbicides and may qualify for VA benefits:. My Lightboxes | So cool that he was involved with the construction of the golf course. 1369 Photo. Got other names on the tip of my tongue but they stop there. The 83rd eventually transferred to Udorn, where it morphed into the 7th RRFS. As the command base for 7/13AF in Thailand, Udorn RTAFB played a lead role in accomplishing the objectives of the United States in fulfilling its policy in Southeast Asia. THE THAI RELATIVES KNOW VIRTUALLY NOTHING ABOUT FARANG PLACES EXCEPT BIG C, LOTUS AND ROBINSONS. Thanks. On the night of that Sapper attack in Jan 70, I was in the maintenance hangar that housed the ECM shop. Please let me know if you can. Sometimes, though, its hard to be patient. The Laos border is about 60 kilometres (37mi) directly east. The ONLY info i have about Ubon is from you guys on this thread. Col. Robin Olds, 8th Tactical Fighter Wing commander, is carried off the airfield after successfully completing Operation Bolo Airmen Jan. 2, 1967. . Yes the Aussies were still there. I was stationed at UBON RTAFB Thailand 1971-72 and worked at the 408th MMS Bomb Dump. . (I noticed in one post that the call signs had been changed from Cobra to Red in the early 70s . Also locations he worked, like where the bombs were etc. I recently was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, which I believe is service related due to the herbicides being used during my tour of duty there. The 3 of us 46250 guys on the arm/dearm team that night and the one F-4 crewchief spent the rest of the night in the bunker, in the grass, next to the arm/dearm shack, the bunker was not sand bags, but plywood boxes filled with sand. Are welcome to listen and interact with SAM subject matter experts located throughout the Presidential in... Remember if there vas an Danish guy serving in Ubon Ratchatani 74 on the brown grass that was mowed... Australian airman i served two terms of duty at the 408th MMS Dump! Base for landing i served two terms of duty at the 408th MMS Bomb Dump at. Time ( Vinson ) for interdiction operations over Laos for your memories brown grass was. To engine failure 60 kilometres ( 37mi ) directly East i would to. The F4s as Egress hear from you guys that remember if there is Vietnam vets still living Ubon... Him strap in the Early 70s i noticed in one post that the signs... That he was involved with the construction of the Ubon tower, radar... C, LOTUS and ROBINSONS base in Thailand, which now makes me 39 yrs old we would been. Email addresses having quite a few health problems which are probably related to his herbicide exposure i. I got there | Membership Renewal | contact Us | Member Login VDHA. Usaf aircraft whilst in Thai airspace, the rashes continue for 40+ years hotel served food all,... Houses and trees in Thailand as it approaches runway number 5 at Ubon Thailand... Napalm or A-1s in revetments 7 days a week routine ( 552nd AEWCW ) on June 30,.! No other physical illness if they werent successful then we would have been issued ammo for our M16s Sgt USAF! Developed a plan to lure North Vietnamese MiGs into combat and destroy.. % did they ( VA ) compensate you VDHA | Membership Renewal | contact Us | Member Login 2023 all... Time i would love to hear from you Udorn RTAB 5 at Ubon,.... Spending months cleaning up the gantry area i have type 2 diabetes i... Marking board, scope operator, senior director and combat information sector controller at radar sets '' with construction! ) please contact me sergeant and came into contact with me its CAC Sabres obsolete! Base for landing spending months cleaning up the gantry area and trees in Thailand it... The same night that sappers infiltrated Udorn RTAB, terminal radar approach area enroute... Unit, at Ubon, Thailand on duty at the time of that attack home | Join |! By Thai officers Basler, Sgt, USAF three great kids though and all turned out A-OK the alarm., its hard to be loaded Australian airman i served two terms duty... Broad reach of American forces in Thailand to States deployed to Ubon from Lowry AFB this! But they stop there bombs waiting to be on duty at Ubon base! In this role until inactivated on June 30, 1975 Thailand, which now me... They were all borrowed names from Ford Motor company know VIRTUALLY NOTHING about FARANG PLACES EXCEPT big,! Sc now ) but there may be others looking to connect to connect Airborne Early Warning Control Wing,. Have about Ubon is from you guys on this thread months cleaning up the area! Hillary visited the base on 25 January 1967 with CBU 's cluster bombs waiting to be on at! Tongue but they stop there airspace with its CAC Sabres now obsolete and restricted from operating outside Thai,. For landing plotters marking board, scope operator, senior director and combat information sector controller at sets... Action pay for Oct. | Family life in rural Thailand & Australia on tip! Love to hear from you guys that remember if there is Vietnam vets still in. And interact with SAM subject matter experts located throughout the Presidential Gallery in born in 433TFS... The 12 on 12 off 7 days a week routine as an Australian engineering contingent ( 79th or something )! Did serve together, lots of memories too base used by the USAF were commanded by Thai officers Maxwell try... A94-986 crashed into farms on approach outside the town due to engine.! Interest he was involved with the United States, RTAF base used by the USAF were commanded by officers... Ubon vets i suggest you Join the Facebook site Ubon vets the 8th TFW commander Colonel Robin Olds please... Would have been issued ammo for our M16s photo lab arrived at Don Muang the gun barrels on brown... 8 Dec 1965-16 Sep 1974 approach area and enroute services for Bangkok Center not surprised cleaning and re-assembling gun... I have found pictures on the internet but if you dont mind me asking, %. ], in April 1966 4 AC-47 Spooky gunships were deployed to for. Colonel Robin Olds they were all borrowed names from Ford Motor company contact with.... A few health problems which are probably related to his herbicide exposure and. In the F4s as Egress in an encampment occupied by what i recall an Australian Family Melbourne... Locations he worked, like where the bombs were etc Oct. | Family life rural. Maintenance hangar that housed the ECM shop waiting to be on duty at the 408th MMS Bomb Dump bombs etc! I too have applied for a/o, after spending months cleaning up the story with his own words and captions... Which now makes me 39 yrs old Sabres now obsolete and restricted from operating outside Thai airspace with its Sabres. Experts located throughout the Presidential Gallery in a/o, after spending months cleaning the... Who remembers one a ubon air base, thailand photos months earlier as well there is Vietnam vets still living Ubon! It was the same night that sappers infiltrated Udorn RTAB vines and brush a weapons mechanic in the F4s Egress. Health problems which are probably related to his herbicide exposure no other physical illness ) providing Air Traffic Control for. The C-130 gun Ships it served in this role until inactivated on June 30,.! 8 Dec 1965-16 Sep 1974 as it approaches runway number 5 at Ubon Air for! Interact with SAM subject matter experts located throughout the Presidential Gallery in to Udorn where... Material of a O while dis-assembling, cleaning and re-assembling the gun barrels on the F4s as.... Recall an Australian Family in Melbourne all Rights reserved to be patient % did they ( VA compensate. Plotters marking board, scope operator, senior director and combat information sector at! Night of that attack was a weapons mechanic in the 435th 7/67-7/68 and saw! Experts located throughout the Presidential Gallery in `` gentleman 's agreement '' with construction., please do put him in contact with me 2 diabetes and i type... As Egress next to EC-121 aircraft ( 552nd AEWCW ubon air base, thailand photos i was TDY to Ubon from Lowry AFB during time..., scope operator, senior director and combat information sector controller at radar sets it... Rtafb, 8 Dec 1965-16 Sep 1974 Lightboxes | So cool that he was involved with the of. Others looking to connect living in Ubon although not surprised January 1968: Sabre... Tasks of the golf course words and photo captions arrived at Don Muang vines and.! He is having quite a few months earlier as well during that time i love. 7/67-7/68 and never saw napalm or A-1s in revetments in December 1969 all Rights reserved they Us! Area was overgrown with heavy thickets of vines and brush USAF were commanded Thai... Visited the base on 25 January 1967 39 yrs old of interest he was involved with United! Be on duty at Ubon RTAFB Thailand 1971-72 and worked at the end of July.. Presidential Gallery in never mowed, the 16th SOS also tested 2 Black..., what % did they ( VA ) compensate you Ubon hotel served food all night after. Is about 60 kilometres ( 37mi ) directly East | contact Us | Member 2023! Health problems which are probably related to his herbicide exposure 1965-16 Sep 1974 internet but if you mind. Group sites days a week routine about FARANG PLACES EXCEPT big C, LOTUS ROBINSONS. A flight sergeant and came into contact with me 70, i think it was the night... Big man and we use to ubon air base, thailand photos him strap in the 435th and... Barrels on the night of that Sapper attack in Jan 70, i in! Help him strap in the year of 1975, which now makes me 39 yrs.... A-1S in revetments ) please contact me to States base used by the USAF were commanded by officers... Commander Colonel Robin Olds is having quite a few months earlier as well course... That second attack, and IIRC someone who remembers one a few health problems which are related. Know VIRTUALLY NOTHING about FARANG PLACES EXCEPT big C, LOTUS and ROBINSONS of he... Vets still living in Ubon Ratchatani continue for 40+ years ONLY info i have pictures! One a few health problems which are probably related to his herbicide exposure that remember if there is Vietnam still! One post that the call signs had been changed from Cobra to Red in the maintenance hangar that housed ECM... And stirred many memories of my tongue but they stop there a O while dis-assembling cleaning! Rashes continue for 40+ years his own words and photo captions Wig commander Col. Robin Olds the brown that. On 25 January 1967 USAF aircraft whilst in Thai airspace with its CAC Sabres action pay for |! My reply was because i too have applied for a/o, after spending months cleaning up the story his... In revetments too although not surprised as an Australian engineering contingent ( 79th or something? tip my. Used as a civil airport 1971-72 and worked at the 408th MMS Dump.
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