Phan Rang Dec 67 - Dec 69

I arrived in country Dec 68 and was assigned to the 309th Air Commando Squadron, which was renamed Special Operations Squadron in January 68. I got there with about 25 other three levels fresh from tech school and we were dispersed through the 309th, 310th and 311th working the trash haulers, C-123B/Ks. I worked mostly the B-models (without the J-85 jet engines) and the AP did mostly PAX runs around the country, tail number 6549. My crew Chief was Sgt. Charlie Smith (Smitty) who made staff while there. My line chief was CMS Lewis Simpson from Houston, Texas. When he left the line chief was MSGt (SMS selectee) Bowman, I am unsure of his first name. I was the with John Landers of Houston, a guy named Moody from South Carolina, Bruce Denno from Dracut, Mass, and many others I can't recall right now. It was one of the most intense years of my young life up to that point but I look back at my experiences there as the basis of the man it turned me into. I ended up doing 20 years in the AF and I retired in May 87. I have often thought of traveleing back there from time to time to see what the place looks like but that will probably never happen. Oh well.

Bob King Phan Rang AB, RVN 20 Dec 67 - 20 Dec 68