Laughing Buddha Taichung, Taiwan

With Buddhism a dominant religion/philosophy in the region, Buddhas were to be seen everywhere rendered in all shapes, sizes, and materials. Here is a very large Laughing Buddha in the city of Taichung, Taiwan – 1972.  Based on recent photos I’ve seen on the web, this Buddha has undergone some refurbishing and appears to be sporting a brighter smile as a result.

Taiwan landscape 1972

Although we spent most of our time in Vietnam, our official duty station in PACAF (Pacific Air Command) was CCK (Ching Chuag Kang) Airbase near Taichung, Taiwan. Generally we would take a week or more break in Taiwan in between two or three week tours to Vietnam where all the operational flying was done. I even had a rented house in downtown Taichung (a good sized city) that I shared with two other C-130 pilots … even maintained a small 1971 Mitsubishi Galant auto to drive around while on this periodic R & R. Attached photo is sample of beautiful landscapes that were typical of this mountainous island.

Marine C-130 Nam Phong

Marine C-130 on ramp at Nam Phong Airbase, Thailand 1972. Nicknamed “The Rose Garden” Nam Phong was a Marine airbase relocated from Danang and literally carved out of the jungle. Conditions were rough with many structures nothing more than tents. Everything was encrusted with the red clay dust that’s evident in the photo. Also a Marine Corp F4 Phantom squadron there. Base supported air ops in nearby Laos and Cambodia as well as Vietnam. Recently viewed YouTube video of 1972 Bob Hope USO visit at the base where he humorously capitalized on the Rose Garden aspects of life there.

Hanoi anti aircraft installation

In early 1973 our C-130 was one of the first USAF aircraft to fly into Hanoi following the ceasefire. Our mission was involved with transporting peace negotiation delegates. As we approached Gia Lam Airport, here is a photo of one of the many antiaircraft installations that made Hanoi the most heavily defended city in the world. Only weeks earlier this ring of defense had been highly active during the 1972 Linebacker II Christmas bombing campaign. We certainly would have been a sitting duck at that time. Don't know much about these facilities and whether it was SAM related and/or artillery.

C-130-E proud tails

Three proud tails of C-130-E aircraft in protective revetments at Tan Son Nhut Airbase Vietnam – 1972. The “C” and “E” around the “130” meant the plane had a “Cargo” configuration and was an “E-model” respectively … “A-models” were oldest and the model Letter was incremented to note improved/different versions of the plane. E models dominated this era. The large letters on the tails indicated airbase of origin … the planes were repurposed to Vietnam from US installations … in photo “LK” was Little Rock AFB, AK, and “DY” was Dyess AFB, TX. The smaller numbers on the tails (obscured in this photo) indicated year of manufacture; the larger numbers the last three digits of the serial number. C-130 flight crews generally always flew together but not on any particular C-130 aircraft, whereas crew chiefs were attached to specific airframes.

Herky Hilton Saigon

Here is the entryway to Herky Hilton where C-130 Hercules Officers stayed while at Tan Son Nhut Airbase in Saigon – 1972. All things are relative, and although this was no Ritz-Carlton it was truly heaven compared to what the troops in the field were provided … we were safe here, dry, and enjoyed electricity, hot water showers, and manageable amounts of creeper crawlers … even had flush toilets. Vietnamese women housekeepers would do laundry and provide clean linens. Lucky to often have private room or shared one with another crewmember. Each small rectangular room had simple gray, bare concrete floor and walls … can’t recall any windows. Appointments were a minimal barracks steel frame bunk and dingy ceiling light. There was a metal locker, maybe a chair … can’t recall anything with draws but there may have been. Only other items I remember were two steel helmets under the bunk … guess we were supposed to put them on in case of a rocket attack. Life here was good after a full day of flying and post flight trip to the bar.

Clark AirBase ramp

The boys waiting on ramp at Clark Airbase in Philippines – 1971 – while C-130 being serviced for flight. We occasionally had overnight “good-deal” trips to the Philippines from Vietnam where we always stayed off base at hotels in nearby Angeles City that was a fun place to be. Clark also had a good officers club where we played "liars dice" for drinks. Today I believe Clark is closed because of the recent volcanic eruption that buried the base in ash. Clark also had a major medical complex that served the critically injured in much of SE Asia. I was medivac'ed there myself and was in hospital several weeks with some sort of "jungle fever" which was never diagnosed.

C-130-E in flight cruising

C-130-E in flight over Vietnam 1972 probably at about 10,000 feet altitude. We were not flying in some kind of planned formation … just basically sneaked up on buddies in other aircraft. Although there was air traffic control (ARTC) in Vietnam (Invert was one) it was very relaxed especially during enroute segments of the flight. Often flew visual flight rules VFR while avoiding thunderstorms where as always all eyes in cockpit on lookout for other aircraft traffic especially when advised by ground control of other planes in the area.

Saigon woman

Women taking leisurely walk down the street in Saigon holding bamboo stick and straw hat along with typical garb and sandals. We didn’t have much free time in Saigon as we flew most every day while staying in relatively crude BOQ (Bachelor Officer Quarters) on the Tan Son Nhut Airbase. There was plenty to do on base, and it was too easy to get in trouble outside the gates in the bustling city - 1971.