I retired from civil service as a GS-15 in August 2012. I worked from December 2012 to May 2013 for Booz Allen Hamilton as a strategic communications associate, working on a federal contract supporting TRICARE and the Defense Health Agency. I decided to take my final retirement in May 2013. Since that time, I have been playing drums in a classic rock band, riding and restoring motorcycles, taking photos, collecting and building scale model aircraft, shooting my guns, and enjoying life!
Best Moment The squadron was deployed to Ching Chuan Kang AB, Republic of China (Taiwan) 16 May - 1 September 1972. At that time, the 61st had the ONLY Adverse Weather Aerial Delivery System (AWADS) equipped C-130s in the Air Force fleet. The deployment served to validate the effectiveness of the AWADS system, which permitted aircrews to drop all manner of supplies in zero visibility weather. While we were deployed to the theater, we also flew flood relief in the Philippines resulting from Typhoon Rita.
Rita's large size and long life caused heavy rains throughout the areas it hit. Rita and Tropical Storm Susan's presence strengthened the southwest monsoon flow over Luzon, where torrential rains occurring between July 17 and July 21 lead to disastrous flooding which killed 214 and with over $150 million in damage. Near Guam, on July 8, the typhoon caused an Air Force Boeing B-52 to crash into the ocean, killing one member of its six-man crew. The remaining crew members were rescued by a US Navy nuclear attack submarine which surfaced in the roiling seas and literally fished the men out by using a line attached to a periscope and reeling them in as the boat rolled in the seas. In Taiwan, heavy rains caused landslides, one of which derailed a train, killing three. In Korea, eight people were killed, more fifty small vessels were lost, and more than two hundred buildings were destroyed. In the Ryukyu Islands, three people were killed. Crop damage was heavy, numerous boats were sunk, and several highways were blocked by mudslides.
Rita killed 229 people, making it that season's deadliest typhoon.
Worst Moment I was transferred from the 62nd TAS to the 61st TAS so I could be deployed with the squadron on CONSTANT GUARD IV. This particular deployment was the assignment of tactical airlift assets from Little Rock AFB and Langley AFB, Va., to boost the tactical airlift capabilities to the besieged cities of An Loc and Kontum -- both of which were being heavily attacked by Viet Cong forces and North Vietnamese regulars who travelled via Laos into South Vietnam during what was referred to as "the Easter Offensive." We were assigned to the theater, under operational control of the 374th TAW from 16 May-1 Sep 1972. When we deployed, we didn't know how long we were going to be gone, or where we were going. It caused a LOT of problems for the lower ranking airmen in the unit, including me. During a commander's call in the base theater at CCK, several of the lower ranking airmen were pleading with Lt. Col. Billy B. Mills, our commander, to tell us when we might return home so we could pass some encouraging news on to our spouses. Lt. Col. Mills was NOT amused and began screaming that we had no "dedication to the mission," and weren't willing to "make sacrifices" for our country. "When this is all over, the survivors of this campaign will be among the most decorated personnel in TAC!" Mills shouted, as if that was going to make us all feel better. It took squadron morale among the support and maintenance troops to a new low.
Chain of Command We were initially deployed to Ching Chuan Kang AB, Taiwan, which was home to the 374th Tactical Airlift Wing. At the time we joined the 374th at CCK, the wing commander was Col. Andrew P. Iosue, who later became the 314th TAW commander and who retired as a full general in command of Air Training Command. When our crews went into South Vietnam, they were working for either Detachment 1, 374th Tactical Airlift Wing, or for the 834th Air Division and 7th Air Force.
Other Memories When I wasn't deployed with my aircrews, I worked in the Base Hospital at CCK. I sewed up a lot of cuts from fights and drunken airmen falling into "binjo ditches" and responded in the ambulance on several occasions to motorcycle accidents. Most of those were souped-up Honda 305s, some of them chopped, who had been hit by Chinese civilians in cars or busses. I certainly was able to maintain my first aid and emergency medical skills!
