Scoggins, David B, SMSgt

TO THE BEST OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE, WHAT INFLUENCED HIS/HER DECISION TO JOIN THE AIR FORCE?
Had been working in a factory in my home town for 2 years and kept getting laid off every fall at around Thanksgiving. I got tired of that and, since the draft was getting closer, decided to join the service of my own choice. I have always been fascinated with airplanes so joined the Air Force. I have never regretted it.

TO THE BEST OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE DIRECTION OR PATH HE/SHE TOOK IN HIS/HER MILITARY SERVICE. WHERE DID THEY GO FOR BASIC TRAINING AND WHAT UNITS, BASES OR SQUADRONS WERE THEY ASSIGNED TO? WHAT WAS HIS/HER REASON FOR LEAVING?
I started out as Recip Engine Mechanic and got cross trained to Jet Engines. Then back to Recips for Vietnam. Then I went Flight Engineer. When I got grounded I went into the Air Operations side of the house.

IF HE/SHE PARTICIPATED IN ANY MILITARY OPERATIONS, INCLUDING COMBAT, HUMANITARIAN AND PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS, TO THE BEST OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE, PLEASE DESCRIBE THOSE YOU FEEL WERE THE MOST SIGNIFICANT TO HIM/HER AND, IF LIFE-CHANGING, IN WHAT WAY.
Not in face-to-face battles but kept the Gunships (AC47 & AC119) flying. I was also was in and out of Vietnam almost monthly as Flight Engineer on C-141's.

I did get to Germany for Reforger a couple of times. l also got to Israel in 1973 on Operation Nickel Grass. That was an experience I'll never forget.

OF ALL THEIR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, ARE YOU AWARE OF ANY HE/SHE HAD FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH WAS THEIR LEAST FAVORITE?
I probably have the best memories of my last assignment which, if I tell you, I'll have to kill you. I got to fly right seat in a Super King Air a lot. I worked with an amazing group of people. Not just my own project but the entire base.

Probably my least favorite was Plattsburgh AFB, NY. I had some good friends there and enjoyed the job. Even in the winter when it was rather cool. I did not like the town, primarily because they did not like us. They liked our money though.

Another favorite was Williams AFB, AZ. I loved the area and the western atmosphere. There were still some real westerners there then. The easterners and Californians hadn't moved in and spoiled it yet. Best of all, that's where I met the lady who became my wife.

I really enjoyed Mactan in the PI. Another area still unsullied by too much civilization. I have seen some pictures on the 'Net and it looks like it's become a tourist site now. Too bad.

FROM THEIR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY PERSONAL MEMORIES, YOU MAY BE AWARE OF, WHICH IMPACTED HIM/HER THE MOST.
There are so many it's hard to decide. I'm in the process of writing a series of "War Stories" for my Grandkids so they'll know the answer to "What did you do in the war, Grampa?". I guess the best answer I can give is "It's a compendium of all my memories from all the flights as a Flight Engineer on C-141's and the times I was a Right Seater on Super King Airs."

I didn't realize it at the time but, one of my most jarring memories that just won't go away happened at Tan Son Nhut AB in Vietnam in 1966. I was TDY there from Mactan and we got a hot work order on a C-130 that had just come in from a trip up-country. I went up the ladder to get the forms and was greeted by a terrible sight. The plane had brought back a load of KIA from some battle somewhere up North. Most were in body bags but a few weren't. There were body fluids running on the floor and the smell was indescribable. There was a fire truck standing by to hose it out but I got there too soon.

Years later I was in Church and our Pastor was teaching about Revelation. As he began to describe what may happen, that scene jumped into my mind and I had to go sit in the lobby. The memory of those poor guys comes to mind more frequently as time passes.

I guess that's just one reason I get really angry when I see anyone desecrate the Flag, or leave their hat on during the playing of the Anthem, or remain seated during a Parade when the Colors pass.

WHAT PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS DO YOU BELIEVE HE/SHE WAS MOST PROUD OF FROM HIS/HER MILITARY SERVICE?
Clay Green and I were recommended for Bronze Stars for fixing a broke AC-119 at Ban Me Thuot but our Branch Chief, (A Captain) quashed them because "They were submitted by a Reserve Lieutenant Colonel who is not your Squadron Commander". The Reserve Lieutenant Colonel was the Commander of the 71st SOS. They were the Reserve outfit who brought the AC-119's to Nha Trang and they flew them for 6 months before the RegAF took over. They were never forwarded past the Captains desk.

I'm proud of my Air Medal because it signifies flights into a combat zone. I don't know if we were ever shot at on our trips to Vietnam on the C-141's but we were always kind of nervous whenever we were bout to land, or after takeoff, until we reached a safe altitude. I do know we got shot at at Ban Me Thout and on a couple of other flights I made on AC-119's after going somewhere to fix a broke one.

OF ALL THE MEDALS, AWARDS, FORMAL PRESENTATIONS AND QUALIFICATION BADGES HE/SHE RECEIVED, WHICH WERE THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO HIM/HER AND WHY?
I think the Wings and the Air Medal are the most meaningful. Flying was just about my favorite job and the Air Medal was recognition that I had done that job in sometimes hazardous circumstances.

IF KNOWN, PLEASE LIST ANY INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM HIS/HER TIME IN THE MILITARY WHO STOOD OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON THEM AND WHY?
I can't think of one specific person. Lt Col Jim Bob Brandeberry who was my Squadron Commander in the 15th MAS; Lt Cols Ken Dyson and Russ Easter, who were both my Commanders at my last assignment, all stand out as the kind of Officers who exemplify what an Air Force officer should be. They took care of their people and made sure the mission was accomplished. Lt Col Ed Blank at Mildenhall was my go to guy there. Superb leader and a fine human being.

I had excellent NCO's to lead and guide me from my earliest days in the Air Force. A1C (E-4) Larry D Walker was my T.I. at Lackland and he gave us all a role model to emulate. I don't think any of us really liked him but, man, did I admire him. Still do. He could have been a model for 35-10. Always impeccable. The epitome of a T.I.

One of the Air Guard guys at Nha Trang, MSgt Walt Fritsche, was anther big influence on me. He taught me more about AC-119's and their R-3350 engines in 3 or 4 months than I could have learned in a classroom in 2 years.

IF HE/SHE SURVIVED MILITARY SERVICE, WHAT PROFESSION(S) DID HE/SHE FOLLOW AFTER DISCHARGE?
When I retired I went to work for Northrop Corp on the B-2 project. That was interesting but a little stifling. Maybe if I could have got into the Flight Test portion I would have stayed. After that I worked several jobs until I got hired on at an AT&T Call Center here in Arizona. I worked there for 12+ years until I had to resign for health reasons. I did some test driving for Nissan for about 3 or 4 months and then worked a Pony Ring and drove horses for hayrides for a couple of years.

I am retired completely now and trying to get more involved with TWS.

IF KNOWN, WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS WAS HE OR SHE A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? ARE YOU AWARE OF ANY SPECIFIC BENEFITS THEY DERIVED FROM THEIR MEMBERSHIPS?
Just TWS. I was never interested in any of the alphabet organizations. From what I've seen and heard it's probably just as well I never joined any.

IF HE/SHE SURVIVED MILITARY SERVICE, IN WHAT WAYS DO YOU BELIEVE HIS/HER SERVING IN THE MILITARY INFLUENCED THE WAY THEY APPROACHED THEIR PERSONAL LIFE, FAMILY LIFE AND CAREER?
It gave me discipline and the means to set goals and the path to reach those goals. Like everyone else I have had my gripes about the military but they were more about individuals than the military in general. If given the chance I would do it all over again.

IF THEY WERE HERE TODAY, WHAT ADVICE DO YOU THINK HE OR SHE WOULD GIVE TO THOSE WHO FOLLOWED IN THEIR FOOTSTEPS AND RECENTLY ENTERED MILITARY SERVICE?
Keep the faith. If you are having a problem with superiors or subordinates, DO YOUR JOB. If you do your job to the very best of your ability the rest will fall in place. Don't let circumstances wear you down. Circumstances change. Duty and Commitment do not.

HOW EFFECTIVE HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM BEEN IN HELPING YOU RECORD YOUR REMEMBERED PERSONS MILITARY SERVICE? DO YOU HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS OR SUGGESTIONS YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE?

TWS and The USAF

TWS is the best thing that has happened to me in the last few years. I have been able to connect with some old friends and, better yet, have made many new friends. The recent Reunion at Wright-Pat was a revelation to several of the wives about the closeness and camaraderie there is between members of the military. What a privilege and honor it is to be associated with the Brothers and Sisters on this site.

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