Just finished writing my Memoir of my service years, and a major undertaking of doing a re-write of the family military history (1770's to 1983. Being the last member of my family to serve, probably puts me at the pinacle. Hopefully the kids who are just now growing old enough to understand willspend the time to read both and accept the challenge of returning the favor of securing our freedom for their grandkids.
Other Comments:
I served as an Aircraft Maintenance Ground Crewman, Assistant Crew Chief, Crew Chief and Aircraft Maintenance Superintendant. Crew Chief Duties were on B-52H, KC-EC-RC-WC-135, C-141A and Enroute Maintenance Team Chief for all MAC - boy that's OLD - aircraft, including Commercials, transiting through Andersen AFB, Guam 1968 thru 1969. My last assignment was Night Shift NCOIC Production and Mobility for the Field Maintenance Branch, 6th CAMSq, 6th Strategic Recon. Wing, Eielson AFB, AK.
After my retirement I went to work for the State of Alaska as a Correctional Officer/Prisoner Transport Officer for another fifteen years. Received my Commission from the Alaska State Troopers in 1985 and retired it in 1997. Retired from the DOC in 1998.
Drove School Bus for a year, and then went into Private Security. Worked two years under the Federal Protective Service as a Security Officer/Sergeant at the U. S. Federal Building in Fairbanks, AK. Retired due to health.
Moved back to Michigan in 2004 to pursue my dream of completion of a degree in drafting. When it's over I'm going back to Alaska and ship my two sons to Florida. LMAO.
Just a note: Crew Chiefs went by numerous nicknames while I was in that line of work. Some readily identifiable examples were "Ramp Apes", "Screw Chiefs", "AGE Monitors", "Gorilla," and so on. Along about 1980 something, I first heard the term "Crew Dawg" used by an Aircraft Commander. When asked what that really meant, he replied "Dedicated, Able, Worthy, Guardian!" I agreed. The "DAWG" is the man or woman who has an awesome responsibility.
Description November 15, 1961-March 1, 1965 .
On November 15, 1961, the 2d Advanced Echelon (2d ADVON) was activated in Saigon, capital of the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam). The 2d ADVON, administratively part of the Thirteenth Air Force, controlled USAF units operating in Vietnam and reported to the Military Assistance Advisory Group, Vietnam. The 4400th Combat Crew Training Squadron's FARM GATE detachment arrived on November 16. The FARM GATE, organization, although trained for counter insurgency combat, for about 2 months limited its mission to training Vietnamese aircrews and supporting with reconnaissance flights the operations of the Vietnamese Air Force (VNAF). Activation of the 2d ADVON and arrival of the FARM GATE detachment heralded the buildup of the United States Air Force presence in Vietnam.
Responding to the Republic of Vietnam's appeal in December 1961 for increased military aid to counter Communist (Viet Cong) insurgents, the United States gradually increased its forces. From January 2 to 5, 1962, for example, the USAF moved a tactical air control system to South Vietnam and landed equipment and personnel at Tan Son Nhut Air Base (AB) in Saigon; Bien Hoa AB, I5 miles north of Saigon; Da Nang AB, 375 miles northeast of Saigon; Pleiku AB, in the Central Highlands 230 miles northeast of Saigon; and Nha Trang AB, on the coast, a little less than 200 miles northeast of Saigon. Shortly afterwards, on January 7, a flight of C-l23s equipped for aerial spray missions arrived at Tan Son Nhut. Code-named RANCH HAND, this USAF detachment 3 days later began defoliation operations that continued for 9 years.
To manage U.S. forces in Vietnam, the Commander in Chief, Pacific Command, at the direction of President John F. Kennedy and the Joint Chiefs of Staff, created Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (MACV) on February 8, 1962. Army Gen. Paul D. Harkins was named the first Commander of MACV. The 2d ADVON became the air component of the new command. A few months later, on October 8, the USAF activated the 2d Air Division, which replaced the 2d ADVON. In spite of increased U.S. aid, the Viet Cong insurgency grew, and the government of South Vietnam faced growing civil disorder. A year later, on November 1, 1963, a group of South Vietnamese military officers deposed President Ngo Dinh Diem in a coup détat, and not until June 1965 would the South Vietnamese establish a reasonably stable government. Meanwhile, on June 20, 1964, Anny Gen. William C. Westmoreland became Commander of MACV.
Communist insurgents also operated actively in Laos, and in May 1964 United States involvement in Southeast Asia expanded to include military aid to that country. On June 9, F-100s flying from Takhli Air Base, Thailand, about 110 miles north of Bangkok, made the first USAF strike in Laos. Air Force pilots bombed an antiaircraft installation at Xiangkhoang, on the Plain of Jars, about 100 miles northeast of Vientiane, the Laotian capital. In December 1964 the USAF launched an air interdiction campaign against the Ho Chi Minh Trail, a network of roads, trails, and waterways in the southern Laotian panhandle.
The nature of the conflict in Southeast Asia changed dramatically in late 1964. On August 2 and 4 torpedo boats from North Vietnam (Democratic Republic of Vietnam) attacked U.S. naval vessels in the Gulf of Tonkin- On the 5th, U.S. naval aircraft launched retaliatory air strikes against coastal targets in North Vietnam. That same day the USAF deployed B-57s to Bien Hoa AB and F-100s to Da Nang AB. Then in December 1964 the Viet Cong used conventional field rather than hit-and-run tactics to drive South Vietnamese forces temporarily from Binh Gia, near the coast, only 40 miles southeast of Saigon. For both North and South Vietnam governmental authorities this battle marked an escalation of the conflict. As the war rapidly intensified, on February 7, 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson ordered American dependents evacuated from South Vietnam. The same day the Viet Cong shelled Pleiku Air Base. In retaliation, the USAF conducted its first raid against North Vietnam on the 8th,
hitting a target just north of the 17th parallel.
My Participation in This Battle or Operation
From Month/Year
November / 1961
To Month/Year
March / 1965
Last Updated: Feb 22, 2023
Personal Memories
People You Remember TSgt. Jack Harris Crew Chief, SSgt. Larry Johnson 2nd Assistant Crew Chief - RC-135D 60-0357.
Memories TDY to Kadena AFB, Okinawa from Eielson AFB, AK. To provide additional Strategic Reconnaissance platform to support for RC-135M 'Combat Apple' Strategic Reconnaissance missions along the Vietnam coast. April and May 1973.