Special Forces Soldier Before Flying Off to Vietnam
Description
Heading to Vietnam, January 1966: At my folks' home in San Jose CA, heading to Travis Air Force Base to get on the big iron bird to Nam". Photo and comments by Richard H. Dick James.
US Air Force executive jet in Chu Lai in early 1971, these were used only by high ranking individuals, this one carried Captain Cally on his trip back to interview My Lai survivors. Photo by David Adams, a Cobra pilot in the gun group during the years 1970-1971 with the Scout Platoon, D Troop, 1st Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment. 1969-1970. Courtesy of Mike Gustin.
U.S. Air Force C-141 Starlifter plane, "My Freedom Bird: The happiest day of my life." -Vietnam Veteran. Photo by Lt. Bert Pence, FO Company B, 1/7 Cavalry, 1966.
Photo by Brent Gourley and repaired by Dan Fox, 12/1966 -12/67. 281st AHC, Nha Trang, RVN. The 281st Assault Helicopter Company has a rich history and involvement in Special Forces Operations and Special Operations. From the first UH-1A that was operational in-country until the day the colors were retired, the 281st AHC and its predecessor units were instrumental in the strategic reconnaissance mission that was the mainstay of the 5th Special Forces Group (ABN), Special Projects and Special Operations units. It is considered by the U.S. Army Special Warfare Museum and its Historians to be the legacy unit for today's Special Operations Aviation units as it was the only Aviation unit that was attached to the 5th Special Forces Group (ABN) during the Vietnam War. The 281st Assault Helicopter Company (AHC) "Intruders" was stationed at Nha Trang, Republic of Vietnam 1965-1970. It was originally attached to the 5th Special Forces Group and was situated inside the Special Forces Operating Base (SFOB). The 281st AHC was the first US Army Helicopter Company organized and trained as a Special Operations Aviation unit in the Republic of Vietnam. A combat aviation task force from the unit was attached, as requested, to Detachment B-52, Project Delta, a Special Operations Augmentation unit that conducted strategic reconnaissance and other clandestine operations throughout the country of South Vietnam. This attachment constituted the major mission of the unit and resulted in it being named the US Army´s First Special Operations Helicopter Company. The 281st trained with and supported the Military Assistance Command Vietnam (MACV) RECONDO Training Center in Nha Trang and in its later years provided support for all Major Commands (MACOMs) within the II Corps Tactical Zone. http://www.281st.com/index.htm
Richard Phelps completed basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas. Graduated from Abington High School in 1964 and assigned to Air Training Command (ATC) school at Lowry Air Force Base in Colorado where he participated in technical training as a munitions specialist. in 1964. It is unknown if he was drafted or enlisted. Photo repaired by Dan Fox
C-130 Landing at Khe Sanh Under Fire, "Getting there was half the story." U.S Air Force and Navy Jets put down a line of defensive fire as they engage in the protection of a C-130 transport preparing for departure from the Marine base at Khe Sanh. Enemy forces were spotted moving along a mountainside in full view of the base just after the C-130 landed a load of ammunition. Air strikes were called in and the enemy's apparent plan to destroy the aircraft and its cargo was foiled U.S. Air Force photo.
Control Tower at Tan Son Nhut Air Base in Saigon after the Tet Offensive
Description
Control Tower at Tan Son Nhut Air Base in Saigon after the Tet Offensive. Tan Son Nhut Air Base (1955–1975) was a Republic of Vietnam Air Force (VNAF) facility. It is located near the city of Saigon in southern Vietnam. The United States used it as a major base during the Vietnam War (1959–1975), stationing Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marine units there. Following the Fall of Saigon, it was taken over as a Vietnam People's Air Force (VPAF) facility and remains in use today. Photo by Anthony G. Borra
