Hanoi Tourists?

Seems like a boring photo, but interesting to me WRT context. Photo taken on ramp at Gia Lam Airport, Hanoi on a truly historic fight by our USAF C-130 crew there shortly after a ceasefire in 1973. As mentioned previously in blog, we transported NVA peace delegates back to Hanoi from Saigon ... this was not long after the heavy bombing of Hanoi in the Christmas Linebacker II air campaign. The airport understandably had primitive facilities, and lots of collateral destruction. Guess I was surprised to see what seemed to be a large group of western-dressed women boarding a Soviet made prop-driven aircraft looking very much like tourists ... with many well wishers bidding them farewell from the patched building in the background. Would really like to know the truth and story behind this happening as it did not make sense at the time. An NVA dressed man can be seen at the head of the passenger line with the wing of the Soviet aircraft overhead.

Indonesian MIG-21s at Iswahyudi

Occasionally our C-130 crew would get a "good deal" trip somewhere outside the war zone. In early 1973 we headed for Jakarta, Indonesia, and on the way stopped at Iswahyudi Airport in the central part of Java, several hundred miles east of Jakarta. The Indonesian Royal Air Force had a presence there, and we were able to tour one of the hangers while our C-130 was getting refueled. In the hanger were a half dozen Soviet made MIG-21s belonging to the Indonesian Air Force. It was not clear if they were operational. However I was surprised at how small they were.

Crew Bus and Post Flight Beer

Takhli, Thailand, 1973. I took this photo from rear on one of the familiar dark blue and noisy USAF crew buses that took us to/from the C-130 when we flew. Here Joe (navigator) on left stands next to Tony (flight engineer) giving the one-finger salute. Captain Ed (AC) watches from front of bus. Notice we all already had beers in hand as it appears late after returning from the day's sorties that were probably into Vietnam as was the norm. Signs in bus only said No Smoking so I guess Drinking was OK at least upon return from flying :-).

Saigon C-47 and PEDROS

Tan Son Nhut Airbase, Saigon, 1972. Puddled ramp shows taxiing South Vietnamese C-47 Gooney Bird; tail number 0-49814 .... probably configured to carry passengers. In the distant center of photo is a red-signed "PEDROS" USAF squadron building ... to the left is one of the PEDROS HH43 rescue helicopters at the ready. Pedros squadrons were often scrabbled to provide air rescue to downed air crews and others in perilous situations.

Saigon Passenger Terminal?

Tan Son Nhut Airfield, Saigon, 1973. View from C-130 parked on ramp. Often we received flight passengers that walked from the direction of the large white building ... therefore I assume this was some kind of passenger terminal. Blog readers please correct me if wrong. Red emergency vehicle departs on left with a bus and truckload of soldiers visible in front of building. Commonly seen ... several white-shirted Vietnamese airport workers milling around on ramp.

C-130 dawn NVA passenger loading TSN

Tan Son Nhut Airfield, 1973. A NVA pith helmeted soldier (left) walks to board C-130 in predawn light for flight from Saigon to Hanoi courtesy of USAF. Bright yellow aux power cart on far left, and two NVA officers standing at center. Several C-130 crew members watch on right. "Flying Horse and Chariot" insignia of the 463rd Tactical Airlift Wing visible on side of C-130. The 463rd TAW was out of Dyess AFB, Texas, and had C-130 aircraft on rotation to the Pacific theater throughout the war.

View of C-130 cockpit from crew entry door.

Photo taken from crew entry door of C-130 on port side of aircraft. There was fold down steps into the plane, and then a short ladder up into the cockpit. Cargo area is to the right in this photo. Note rack of aircraft tech publications on right, and a sextant port for celestial navigation in roof above copilot's head. On the copilot's left part of the bench seat that was at the rear of the cockpit can be seen.