Tuesday, July 09, 2013

Still Serving

From the Usual USAF Source:
Lead MC-130E from Son Tay Raid on Display
Members of the 27th Special Operations Wing at Cannon AFB, N.M., gathered to officially welcome the MC-130 Combat Talon I that is now on static display near the base's front entrance, according to a base release. This aircraft, tail number 64-0523, has a distinguished past, having led the Son Tay Raid to free US prisoners of war in North Vietnam in November 1970. "By displaying a proven special operations legend at the Cannon Air Force Base front gate, aircrews can see and realize the true spirit and proud tradition of the Son Tay Raid from so long ago," said retired Maj. William Guenon, copilot on the raid, during the June 28 welcoming ceremony. The Air Force retired this airframe in June 2012. While the raiding party found no POWs at Son Tay, the raid boosted the spirits of the POWs held elsewhere in North Vietnam when word spread because it showed that the United States had not forsaken them, states Cannon's July 2 release. (Cannon report by SrA. Jette Carr) (See also The Son Tay Raid from Air Force Magazine's archives.)
"So long ago?"  Really, Maj. Guenon?  Seems like only yesterday...

(I was a Staff Sergeant at Wakkanai AS in November o' 1970.  SN1 was four years old, SN2 two.)
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6 comments:

  1. OldAFSarge09 July, 2013 13:10

    Uh, junior in high school...

    Damn, you are ancient. (And I say that with a great deal of respect. Perhaps I should start calling myself Young AF Sarge? Nah...)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Buck09 July, 2013 13:41

      Perhaps I should start calling myself Young AF Sarge?

      I was one o' those, once upon a time. ;-)

      Delete
    2. (not necessarily your) Uncle Skip09 July, 2013 13:56

      Good grief, how you guys go on.

      Delete
    3. Buck09 July, 2013 14:55

      Heh. It's a slow news day.

      Delete
  2. virgil xenophon10 July, 2013 21:08

    I was stationed at RAF Bentwaters-Woodbridge at the time with the 78thTFS in F-4Ds. Shortly after that op LTC (then) Herb Zender who piloted one of the lead HH-53s in that op became Sq. Co of the 87th (?iirc) ARRS across the runway from us at Woody. He walked around in custom-made German boots by Hans Probst and wore wrap-around shades. He was a Kool Dude..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Buck11 July, 2013 09:46

      Virgil. Buddy. E-mail me, I have an offer for ya. This is yer second notice.

      Delete

Just be polite... that's all I ask.

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