Perrine, Sidney, MSgt

PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE AIR FORCE.
The Country was in a deep recession in 1957 and I had no job or a chance of getting one. I had a wife with child. We were 19 and 18 years old. I was taught if God brings you to it, He will bring you through it. I'm living proof of that fact.

WHETHER YOU WERE IN THE SERVICE FOR SEVERAL YEARS OR AS A CAREER, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE DIRECTION OR PATH YOU TOOK. WHERE DID YOU GO TO BASIC TRAINING AND WHAT UNITS, BASES, OR SQUADRONS WERE YOU ASSIGNED TO? WHAT WAS YOUR REASON FOR LEAVING?
1956-1957 127th FIS, Kansas ANG, McConnell AFB, Wichita, KS. Aircraft Hydraulic Repairman.
1957- Ft. Leonard Wood, MO combat engineer basic training.
1958- Ft Rucker, AL flight simulator instructor school.
1959- Ft Richardson, Alaska, Flight Simulator Instructor/Air Traffic Controller. Received certification as FAA air traffic controller.
1961-Ft Riley, KS, Air Traffic Controller. Shipped from Ft Riley to classified location, (Vietnam), via Oakland, CA shipyard on aircraft carrier w/ 21 of our aircraft. We were the 3rd Army aviation unit sent to Vietnam.
1962- Nha Trang, Vietnam, Air Traffic Controller.
1963- Laguna AAF, Yuma Proving Ground, AZ Air Traffic Controller. Took Army discharge and joined U.S. Air Force in October, 1963.
1963- Tinker AFB, OK, Air Traffic Controller shift supervisor. 3rd Mobile Combat Communication Sq.
1965- San Isidro AB, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Air Traffic Controller shift supervisor. 3rd Mobile Combat Communication Sq. Operation, "Power Pack".
1966- Keesler AFB MS, Attended ATC Instructor School.
1966- Kessler AFB, MS, Lead Instructor. Taught Radar Approach Control at USAF Air Traffic Control School. Awarded Master Instructor Rating. Received certification as FAA private pilot at Gulfport, MS airport flight school.
1970- Thy Hoa AB, Vietnam, Air Traffic Controller Shift Supervisor.
1971- DaNang AB, Vietnam, Air Traffic Control Shift Supervisor. DaNang control tower, during this time, was one of the worlds busiest control towers. Since we were in operations against an armed hostile enemy force it would be common to work multiple emergency aircraft including battle damaged aircraft, wounded/fatal air crew injuries. DaNang had a nickname: "rocket city" 'cause we had many rocket attacks.
1972 - Whiteman AFB, Mo, Control Tower Chief Controller. Awarded Aircraft "Save Award" for saving an imperiled aircraft. Pilot was lost and running out of fuel. We found his position and guided him to a safe landing at the nearest airport to his location. He landed with 10 minutes of remaining fuel. Also, assigned as USAF and FAA Facility Examiner. Each newly assigned controller was placed on training status to assure their knowledge of air traffic control, safe operating procedures and local policies and procedures. At the end of this training period they would be required to pass a written and oral test and also work traffic in a manner that was acceptable to the examiner. If qualified, the examiner would then certify the new controller was qualified to direct traffic in a safe, timely and orderly manner. Additional duty as Unit Security Officer.
1973- Key Field Meridian, Mississippi. Active duty Air Traffic Control Advisor to MS Air National Guard 238th Air Traffic Control Flight. Awarded the Magnolia Metal.
1975- Sheppard AFB, TX Air Traffic Controller.
1976- Keesler AFB MS, Attended ATC Humane Resources Tech School. (Honor Grad).
1976- Sheppard AFB 3750 ABGp CBPO. Assigned as, Chief, Airman and Officer Records Unit.
1977- Retired as Air Force Master Sergeant with 20 years and one day of active duty service.

IF YOU PARTICIPATED IN ANY MILITARY OPERATIONS, INCLUDING COMBAT, HUMANITARIAN AND PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS, PLEASE DESCRIBE THOSE WHICH MADE A LASTING IMPACT ON YOU AND, IF LIFE-CHANGING, IN WHAT WAY?
DaNang AB, RVN. Operation "Lan Som 719" and "Dewey Canyon". In support of defending Khe Shan. Feb 1971 thru Mar 1971. Critical landing and take-offs were at an all time high at DaNang control tower.

FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
Danang Tower Memories #1.

Every morning when our controller crew walked up the DaNang control tower steps I would mention to all, "well, I wonder what we'll see today"? It turned into sort of a ritual or even a statement for good luck, like a jock wearing a pair of lucky sweat socks.

One March morning in 1971 that luck didn't kick-in. The weather that morning was el stinko. Cloud ceiling at 1000 feet above ground and visibility at 2 miles. We were working our normal heavy load of departing F-4C phantom's for their, troops in contact, (TIC) mission's loaded to the max with Mk-82 bomb's and napalm canister's. Every time I saw these aircraft launch I thought, man, I'm glad these guy's are on our side! They could really reek some heavy havoc.

Mid-morning, shortly after we had cleared "Gunfighter 44" for take off, we all heard a very frantic "mayday, mayday, mayday gunfighter 44's been hit" on our primary tower frequency. That transmission had been made by the weapons officer who sat in the seat behind the pilot. This crew member was referred to as the "GIB", (guy in back), The pilot was not responding and apparently was incapacitated. The "GIB" was flying the aircraft and was in quite a panic state of mind. So, the "GIB" is doing one heck of a good job just maintaining control of the aircraft. Remember, he's in cloud, (IFR), with about 45,000 pounds of high performance fighter aircraft strapped to his butt and he's in the BACK seat with very limited forward vision because of equipment between him and the pilot in addition to the bad weather plus, there is a large hole in the front left side of the Plexiglas canopy and blood and other matter is flying back into the "GIB"'s face.

OK, so we don't have a visual on "Gunfighter 44's" position because of the weather so have no choice but to have the "GIB" switch radio frequency to DaNang radar approach control so they can get the aircraft in a position to be lined up to the runway so as to make an emergency precision radar instrument approach and by some miracle make a safe landing.

By this time the Air Force Commanding General located at 7th AF Hq in Saigon has been briefed on this very critical situation. The general's decision was to break off the approach to DaNang and give "Gunfighter 44" a vector, (heading) to Plieku AB because their weather was much better increasing the chance of a successful landing plus this would give the "GIB" more time to jettison fuel and ordinance to lighten the aircraft's landing weight.

The general in Saigon then decided that a safe landing anywhere would not be possible so his orders were to have the "GIB" eject the pilot then himself. This order was carried out. The HH-53 "Jolly Green Giants" rescue chopper's were parked immediately below DaNang tower. We heard their claxon horn go off and immediately observed the chopper rescue crews sprint for their machines. In just minutes they were en route to the "Gunfighter 44" ejection site.The choppers stayed on tower frequency and we could at least listen to the rescue attempt. When the chopper crew made the pick up, and I will never forget their words, "DaNang tower we have the crew, one good and one bad". The pilot had been killed instantly and the "GIB" was slightly wounded and very shaken but did survive.

We continued our shift and completed it at 4 PM. We briefed the oncoming swing shift then signed off duty. Then, without a word spoken, proceed to the NCO club and drank our supper. All of us were profoundly shaken by the events of that day. And personally I am still in that state. I regret not ever knowing there names.

WHAT PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF FROM YOUR MILITARY CAREER?
Please see verification of awards in my photo section.

OF ALL THE MEDALS, AWARDS, FORMAL PRESENTATIONS AND QUALIFICATION BADGES YOU RECEIVED, OR OTHER MEMORABILIA, WHICH ONE IS THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO YOU AND WHY?
As an air traffic controller and Bronze Star Metal recipient while serving in the RVN I'm proud and thankful that I was able to do my duty. I think if any phrase be placed on my gravestone it might be, "He went to war not to take life but to save life".

WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
Danang Tower Memories #2:

Occasionally the pilot's of the 366th Tactical Fighter Wing stationed at Danang would invite the controllers over to the "O" club to partake in a friendly beverage of one's choice get together. One of the pilot's was named "Buck" Brown.

"Buck" and I had told each other "war stories" several times before at these gathering's and he was a great guy to talk "airplanes" with. Buck flew the RF-4E which is the photo recon version of the F-4 Phantom II. His call sign was "Stormy 03".

On this evening's occasion we were trying to out do each others "war stories" and having a few beer's. Very relaxing and fun after a hard day in the cockpit and the tower. As we both had early assignments the next morning we both departed the shindig around 10 PM for hopefully a good night's rest unless rocket explosions would awake us, if they would strike they would usually start the attack around 2 AM. We were lucky this night-no rockets.

The next morning Buck took off for a photo recon mission to access bomb damage over a North Vietnam target area. En route to the Hanoi area "Buck" took a direct AAA hit. He and his aircraft disintegrated. In less than a blink of the eye Buck was reduced to a fading cloud of pink mist.

Like in the movie "Forrest Gump" said it best. "That's all I have to say about that".

WHAT PROFESSION DID YOU FOLLOW AFTER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW? IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY SERVING, WHAT IS YOUR PRESENT OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY?
Aerospace Technical Illustrator working for Beechcraft and Boeing Aircraft Co's. I fully retired in 2001. Today, I spend most of my time flying my computer flight simulator and playing with "Cooper" our Yellow Lab.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS SERVING IN THE MILITARY INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU HAVE APPROACHED YOUR LIFE AND YOUR CAREER? WHAT DO YOU MISS MOST ABOUT YOUR TIME IN THE SERVICE?
It has instilled in me a deep respect and love of this great Country and it's everyday Heroes considering that many have sacrificed their all for those of us that have been fortunate to survive many dire situations in our career's. It has also inspired the spirit of, "NEVER give up" on what you strive for.

BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE AIR FORCE?
If you KNOW your correct, hold your ground!

Danang Tower Memories # 3.

Subject: Rotation back to the States on American Airlines Boeing 707.

Location: Boarding gate, Danang AB, RVN.

Date: 4 May 1971.

Weather conditions: Wind swept monsoon rains.

Narrative: Boarding passengers were a mix of enlisted and officers. Boarding would be by rank with higher ranks going to the front seats of the aircraft and lower ranks filling seats rearward.

It was a standing tradition at DaNang, for a controller going home, to be accorded the "reserved VIP seat" on the freedom bird. This was accomplished by the on duty guy's working in the tower to inform the Captain of the inbound freedom bird that a controller would be boarding his craft at the terminal and would he please insure this individual be accorded and escorted to the "VIP seat" which was always located in the most front row, 1st seat on the left side of the aircraft.

All the flight deck crews and fight attendants were aware of this procedure and had attended to this formality many times and truly looked forward to the procedure knowing that these controllers had kept them safe for the year of duty that the controller had served. Their way of saying, "thanks".

So, as we all cued up for boarding I found my place in line at the front of the enlisted ranks. As I entered the aircraft embarking door a flight attendant who, I guess, had been briefed on my appearance by the tower crew on duty, (which was my old crew and had really supplied the ground work for a smooth boarding for me), asked me if I was MSgt Perrine when I replied yes she said "follow me" at which time she led me to the "VIP seat", front row left.

Well, I took my seat and noticed I was surrounded by officers of all ranks from Colonel on down. As soon as I sat down the Colonel behind me advised me, "you can't set there Sergeant, this section is reserved for officers" I respectively replied that I had been assigned this seat. Well, he took umbrage at this and again stated that I would have to move to a more rear seat in the enlisted section. I completely ignored him not quite knowing what I should do so I just sat there defying his instructions but I knew I was right.
Just in the nick of time the flight deck crew including the Captain, First Officer and Flight Engineer in full uniform came though the opened cockpit door and headed right for me and extended their handshake's to me and thanking me for a job well done and a hardy welcome aboard. They then returned to the cockpit and continued with the engine start and flight.

Total silence all around me and I couldn't resist a wordless glance over my shoulder and saw the most confessed looking Colonel I have ever seen. I tell ya that was one of the sweetest moments of my life, ever.

I relish that memory as just about the best in my career.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.
After all these years have gone by I think our memories, good and bad, still seem so near and in sharp focus. Those events that we all shared have brought us all very close, at least in spirit. This web site kinda puts all those many memories in even clearer focus. We all are really as ONE.

SBP (Papa Echo)
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