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  • U.S. Air Force Dog Handlers

    Air Force dog handlers provided a unique and critical capability in defending air bases against attack. Under PROJECT TOP DOG 145, the U.S. Air Force sent 40 sentry dogs and 40 handlers to South Vietnam in the summer of 1965. Many more followed, with the U.S. Air Force sentry force in Southeast Asia

  • Protecting the Force: Air Base Defense

    "It is easier and more effective to destroy the enemy's aerial power by destroying his nests and eggs on the ground than to hunt his flying birds in the air."- Gen. Giulio Douhet, noted air power writer, in 1921In previous wars, most air bases were far behind the front lines. All of South Vietnam

  • South Vietnam: Tet Offensive and Vietnamization

    TURNING POINTLate in January 1968, the communists launched their famous Tet Offensive throughout South Vietnam. They hoped to achieve a dramatic victory that would force South Vietnam and the US to accept defeat. First, they attacked Khe Sanh, a U.S. Marine base in far northwest South Vietnam. Nine

  • There Is A Way

    With F-105 losses mounting, 469th TFS Thud pilot Capt. Tony Gangol started saying after each mission, "There ain't no way" (meaning there was no way to complete a tour). The use of the phrase spread among F-105 pilots. At the prompting of the 469th TFS commander, the Air Force sent cameramen to

  • Beyond 100 Missions North

    Some customs of "100 Missions up North" spread beyond completing a 100-mission tour over North Vietnam. Airmen that did not fly most (or any) of their missions over the North directly copied the design of the original F-105 patch, while others used the idea of a mission tally in a humorous way. The

  • The Thunderbuzzards

    From 1971-1972, the 469th TFS and 34th TFS at Korat RTAFB escorted end of tour aircraft with the humorous 5-man team called the "Thunderbuzzards." Mimicking the famous Air Force Thunderbirds, they had special suits and rode motorscooters in various formations as they led returning aircraft to the

  • 20th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron Honor Roll

    Maj. Roger McLain, a pilot in the 20th TRS at Udorn, Thailand, had this honor roll made in 1967 to recognize the squadron's pilots who had completed their tours. He presented the honor roll to the squadron when he completed his 100 missions. After the war, McLain added the names of those who were

  • 34th Tactical Fighter Squadron Honor Roll and 100 Mission Scarf

    The 34th TFS flew F-105 bombing missions over North Vietnam during OPERATION ROLLING THUNDER. This name board was started in 1968 by Capt. William Thomas of the 34th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 388th Tactical Fighter Wing as a tribute to the pilots in the unit. The unit also put the pilots' names on

  • 100 Mission Traditions

    In addition to a special patch and elaborate celebrations, there were other aspects of the 100 mission tradition. Some aircrews grew large "bullet-proof" mustaches to "protect" themselves and shaved them off after completing their tours. Nearly all had a "boonie hat" (also known as a "go-to-hell" or

  • Lt. Col. Jerald Ransom: First 100 North Vietnam A-1 Missions

    In November 1966, Lt. Col. Jerald Ransom became the first A-1E Skyraider pilot to complete 100 missions over North Vietnam. Ransom was a veteran of World War II, flying 35 missions over Europe as a B-17 navigator. In 1966, as commander of the 602nd Fighter Squadron (Commando), Ransom flew 366 hours