And what country can preserve its liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to facts, pardon and pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.
Weather being such, only CAS I recall was provided by A-4 “Scooters”. Our saving grace was 24/7 support by Marine artillery and FO’s. No sleet or snow, but through rain & poor ceiling, they consistently “carried the mail”.
All along the DMZ in 1968, we had all sorts of CAS from Marines, Navy and Air Farce. I was a tank commander, so the model number of those jets was far beyond my realm of interest ... we just needed nape and snake pounding the NVA.
While stationed at Kansan Korea, we occasionally had Navy planes land. ALL of them were filthy, had bubble gum patches, and were flying corrosion examples.
A bit before my time in VF-31. Only Navy fighter squadron to have kills in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. Without a doubt, the premier fighter of it's time. VF-31 is flying the F-18 today.
My buddy the former F-14 pilot used to say, "The F-4: McDonnell-Douglas's proof that with enough horsepower, even a brick can fly."
ReplyDeleteBig and heavy yes, but far from a flying brick…
DeleteFlying close air support for us Marines along the Vietnam DMZ.
ReplyDeleteGet Some!!!
Weather being such, only CAS I recall was provided by A-4 “Scooters”. Our saving grace was 24/7 support by Marine artillery and FO’s. No sleet or snow, but through rain & poor ceiling, they consistently “carried the mail”.
DeleteAll along the DMZ in 1968, we had all sorts of CAS from Marines, Navy and Air Farce. I was a tank commander, so the model number of those jets was far beyond my realm of interest ... we just needed nape and snake pounding the NVA.
DeleteRhinos with a Crusader in the back.
ReplyDeleteWhile stationed at Kansan Korea, we occasionally had Navy planes land. ALL of them were filthy, had bubble gum patches, and were flying corrosion examples.
ReplyDeleteI think the third aircraft on deck is a North American A-5 Vigilante.
ReplyDeleteAl_in_Ottawa
Just may be. Again, North American Aircraft awaits to speedily arrive on station.
ReplyDeleteA bit before my time in VF-31. Only Navy fighter squadron to have kills in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. Without a doubt, the premier fighter of it's time. VF-31 is flying the F-18 today.
ReplyDeleteBack when we painted them as "Yeah. Here I am. Come get me" rather than various shades of gray trying to hide in the clouds.
ReplyDeleteF-4B Phantom II’s of VF-31/ CVW-3 embarked on USS Saratoga (CVA-60) 26 October 1964. The RA-5C in the back is from RVAH-9.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the update; all I knew was VF-31.
DeleteWho had no idea they'd be in a shooting war in Vietnam in 6 months.
Delete{WhereTH is Viet Nam??}