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Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Flight Suit 1972 Saigon

My flight suit hanging on metal locker in BOQ in Saigon. Usually carried at least two or three suits as it was imperative they be washed every day if at all possible after being soaked with sweat during a day of flying. Cockpits were like ovens without AC when parked on red hot tarmacs of Southeast Asia. Flight suits were made of the flame retardant material Nomex … very unpleasant and itchy especially in the heat ... they tended to get more comfortable after a zillion washings when they lost half their bulk and became softer. Some pilots preferred older gray cotton flight suits if they could be had. In any case all the zippered pockets, flaps and Velcro were great. Muted war-zone patches and insignia on suit include my 1st Lieutenant bars, 345th TAS (Tactical Airlift Squadron ) patch, and name tag with pilot's wings. Little plastic container on leg held hard rubber ear plugs which were not very effective around the jet engines … what was that you said? White plastic spoon in arm pocket was for my Maypo.

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