Brand-new 63d MAW C-141As on the ramp at Norton AFB, 1967. Serial 66-0177 is in foreground. This aircraft will become the famous "Hanoi Taxi" which flew Bob Hope to USO shows in South Vietnam, and, in 1973, during the final days of the Vietnam War, repatriated American POWs from North Vietnam. Arizona Senator John McCain was one of the POWs who flew home on the Hanoi Taxi. 66-0177 was the last C-141 to be withdrawn from Air Force service after a career of almost 40 years, as the last of the fleet was retired in 2006. Today, 66-0177 is on permanent display at the National Museum of the United States Air Force
Established at the height of the United States' involvement in the Vietnam War, MAC provided long-range strategic airlift from the United States to Military Airlift Support Squadrons (MASS) located on Pacific Air Forces bases in the Pacific AOR. These were:[3]
By 1968, MAC military and contract transports were hauling 150,000 passengers and 45,000 tons of cargo monthly to and from Southeast Asia. At first, MAC transports to Vietnam landed regularly only at Tan Son Nhut AB, necessitating considerable transshipment within Vietnam by the Common Service Airlift System. New air bases opened at Da Nang AB and Cam Ranh AB in January 1966, and later at Pleiku AB, Bien Hoa AB, and Phu Cat AB, reducing the need for redistribution.[4]
Major unit movements by MAC aircraft from the United States usually required further airlifts to operating areas by in-country transports. Introduction of the C-5 Galaxy transport in the summer of 1970 created new problems of in-country distribution, since C-5 deliveries were massive, and, initially the planes could land only at Cam Ranh Bay. Eventually, however, C-5s could unload at Tan Son Nhut and elsewhere.[4] Primarily, MAC transports carried high-value cargo such as aircraft and equipment parts, while MAC civilian-contract flights transported passengers to and from the combat zone.[1][2]
Undoubtedly the most important development of MAC during the Vietnam War was the use of the LockheedC-141 Starlifteras an airborne ambulance evacuating casualties out of South Vietnam to hospitals in Japan, the Philippines and the United States. Generally, patients requiring hospitalization for thirty days or more were moved to offshore hospitals; others were sometimes evacuated to keep an empty-bed reserve of fifty percent in Vietnam. Military Airlift Command transports carried the more serious cases from Clark AB to the United States, and, in 1966, began making patient pickups in Vietnam.[2][4]
Other Memories
Proud to have served in MAC for my entire enlistment and loved working on the C-141, keeping the troops in Vietnam supplied. Established at the height of the United States' involvement in the Vietnam War, MAC provided long-range strategic airlift from the United States to Military Airlift Support Squadrons (MASS) located on Pacific Air Forces bases in the Pacific AOR including 604th MASS, Clark Air Base, Philippines and all 6 Military Airlift Support Squadron Bases in Vietnam. MAC was part of the 22nd Air Force.
Criteria The Outstanding Unit Award may be awarded by the Secretary of the Air Force to numbered units such as Air Forces, Air Divisions, Wings, Groups, and Squadrons and to Medical Facilities such as hospital... The Outstanding Unit Award may be awarded by the Secretary of the Air Force to numbered units such as Air Forces, Air Divisions, Wings, Groups, and Squadrons and to Medical Facilities such as hospitals, clinics, and medical centers (whether or not they are numbered) for exceptionally meritorious service or exceptionally outstanding achievement that clearly sets the unit above and apart from similar units. Heroism may be involved, but is not essential. MoreHide
Description The 604th Military Airlift Support Sqn. (Awarded 2 May 70-15 May 71). During the Vietnam War the 604th, on Clark AB, PI, supported cargo aircraft that flew around-the-clock missions in support of the... The 604th Military Airlift Support Sqn. (Awarded 2 May 70-15 May 71). During the Vietnam War the 604th, on Clark AB, PI, supported cargo aircraft that flew around-the-clock missions in support of the US and allied forces engaged in Southeast Asia. MoreHide
Criteria It is awarded to all service members of the U.S. Air Force who complete four years of honorable active or reserve military service with any branch of the United States Armed Forces. The Air Force Long... It is awarded to all service members of the U.S. Air Force who complete four years of honorable active or reserve military service with any branch of the United States Armed Forces. The Air Force Longevity Service Award is a ribbon that replaces the Federal Service Stripes previously worn on the uniform. MoreHide
Comments
The Air Force Longevity Service Award is awarded for completing four years of Active, Air Force Reserve, or Air National Guard service.
Chain of Command
Lt. Col. Leon V. Creed, C.O. - Col. Creed was a Tuskeegee Airman and was a Master Navigator, Radar Man, and Bombardier on the B-47 Stratojet in the Korean War with the 19th Bomber Sqadron. I was honored to have served under him in the 63rd Avionics Maintenance Sq. at Norton AFB ('68-'69).
Criteria The Outstanding Unit Award may be awarded by the Secretary of the Air Force to numbered units such as Air Forces, Air Divisions, Wings, Groups, and Squadrons and to Medical Facilities such as hospital... The Outstanding Unit Award may be awarded by the Secretary of the Air Force to numbered units such as Air Forces, Air Divisions, Wings, Groups, and Squadrons and to Medical Facilities such as hospitals, clinics, and medical centers (whether or not they are numbered) for exceptionally meritorious service or exceptionally outstanding achievement that clearly sets the unit above and apart from similar units. Heroism may be involved, but is not essential. MoreHide
Description
63rd MAW-During the Vietnam War the Wing flew the C-141 cargo aircraft on around-the-clock missions in support of the US and allied forces engaged in Southeast Asia.
Best Friends
3369th Tech School (42230) Classmates: A3C Jerry Peterson, A3C Barry McCaskey, A3C Larry Oakley, A3C Jerry Rueschhoff, & A3C James (Jimmy) Lamendola.
Other Memories
From its establishment in 1917 as a military aviation school, until its closure on September 30, 1993, Chanute AFB has served almost continuously as a technical training center for the United States Air Force. As one of the oldest military installations in the Air Force inventory, Chanute AFB has played an important role in the development of the American air defense system.
Criteria The National Defense Service Medal is awarded for honorable active service as a member of the Armed Forces during the Korean War, Vietnam War, the war against Iraq in the Persian Gulf, and for service... The National Defense Service Medal is awarded for honorable active service as a member of the Armed Forces during the Korean War, Vietnam War, the war against Iraq in the Persian Gulf, and for service during the current War on Terrorism. In addition, all members of the National Guard and Reserve who were part of the Selected Reserve in good standing between August 2, 1990, to November 30, 1995, are eligible for the National Defense Service Medal. In the case of Navy personnel, Midshipment attending the Naval Academy during the qualifying periods are eligible for this award, and Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) Midshipmen ae only eligible if they participated in a summer cruise that was in an area which qualified for a campaign medal. MoreHide
Comments
120 consecutive days of service participating in, or any honorable active duty service during the Vietnam War period.
Criteria The Air Force Training Ribbon is awarded to Air Force members on completing an Air Force accession training program (i.e., Basic Military Training; Officer Training School; ROTC; Air Force Academy; or... The Air Force Training Ribbon is awarded to Air Force members on completing an Air Force accession training program (i.e., Basic Military Training; Officer Training School; ROTC; Air Force Academy; or Medical Services, Judge Advocate, or Chaplain orientation courses). MoreHide
Comments
Completion of Basic Military Training (BMT) for enlisted personnel
MSgt. Glenn F. Banks, NCOIC
Vietnam Era (1966–1975)Edit
Established at the height of the United States' involvement in the Vietnam War, MAC provided long-range strategic airlift from the United States to Military Airlift Support Squadrons (MASS) located on Pacific Air Forces bases in the Pacific AOR. These were:[3]
- Cam Ranh Air Base, South Vietnam (608th MASS)
- Tan Son Nhut Air Base, South Vietnam (616th MASS)
Phu Cat Air Base, South Vietnam (Det. 1, 616th MASS)Bien Hoa Air Base, South Vietnam (Det. 2, 616th MASS)
- Da Nang Air Base, South Vietnam (617th MASS)
Pleiku Air Base, South Vietnam (Det. 1, 617th MASS)In addition, MAC operated MASS Squadrons on Non-CONUS bases in both Alaska and Hawaii:
By 1968, MAC military and contract transports were hauling 150,000 passengers and 45,000 tons of cargo monthly to and from Southeast Asia. At first, MAC transports to Vietnam landed regularly only at Tan Son Nhut AB, necessitating considerable transshipment within Vietnam by the Common Service Airlift System. New air bases opened at Da Nang AB and Cam Ranh AB in January 1966, and later at Pleiku AB, Bien Hoa AB, and Phu Cat AB, reducing the need for redistribution.[4]
Major unit movements by MAC aircraft from the United States usually required further airlifts to operating areas by in-country transports. Introduction of the C-5 Galaxy transport in the summer of 1970 created new problems of in-country distribution, since C-5 deliveries were massive, and, initially the planes could land only at Cam Ranh Bay. Eventually, however, C-5s could unload at Tan Son Nhut and elsewhere.[4] Primarily, MAC transports carried high-value cargo such as aircraft and equipment parts, while MAC civilian-contract flights transported passengers to and from the combat zone.[1][2]
In the winter of 1965-66, MAC conducted Operation "Blue Light," the deployment of elements of the 25th Infantry Divisionfrom Hickam AFB, Hawaii to Pleiku, South Vietnam.
During the 1968 Tet Offensive, MAC transports airlifted additional troops from the 101st Airborne Division from Fort Campbell, Kentucky to South Vietnam, supporting a buildup of forces in South Korea in response to the seizure of the United States Navy intelligence-gathering ship USS Pueblo (AGER-2) by North Korea in January 1968.[2]
Undoubtedly the most important development of MAC during the Vietnam War was the use of the Lockheed C-141 Starlifteras an airborne ambulance evacuating casualties out of South Vietnam to hospitals in Japan, the Philippines and the United States. Generally, patients requiring hospitalization for thirty days or more were moved to offshore hospitals; others were sometimes evacuated to keep an empty-bed reserve of fifty percent in Vietnam. Military Airlift Command transports carried the more serious cases from Clark AB to the United States, and, in 1966, began making patient pickups in Vietnam.[2][4]