COMMAND AIRCRAFT COMPANY
(CAC)
DYNAMIC YEARLY E–NEWSLETTER, 2015
PART 1
Updated: 4 December 2015
MEMORIAL DAY, 25 MAY 2015:
If there were a symbol of Memorial Day it should be the folded flag given the family upon the death of a veteran. The echoes from taps and rifle salute fade like memories, but the triangle of white stars on a field of blue remains. It’s instantly self explanatory and uniquely American; it identifies and celebrates someone who served when the country called.
They may have died young in battle then escorted home for this last dreamless sleep, or arrived after having lived their full number of years; it matters not as it speaks to a critical moment in time when heroes were needed that they stepped forward.
Bill Mauldin, the creator of the iconic World War Two dogfaces Willie and Joe, wrote about those exposed to actual combat in one form or another as belonging to “The Benevolent and Protective Brotherhood of Them What Has Been Shot At.” Those in the brotherhood form the front row in the chorus of our country’s most admired champions. Behind them stand their supporting forces, sustaining family, and, ultimately, all of us.
They did not join the military to die for their country. Ours is not a nation that demands nor celebrates suicidal jihad, but one that desires all her sons and daughters return home whole to enjoy an untroubled life. No, they saw their soldierly experience as a means of advancing the desire shared by all Americans, from the exalted like Washington and Lincoln to the humble like Willie and Joe, to make ours the more perfect union.
It’s wrong to think that those who repose in Elysian Fields scattered about the globe “gave their life” - even in that last moment before oblivion took them they strove to live another day – rather their divine gift of existence was cruelly snatched away. In that terrible moment their oath to country was forever redeemed by forces hostile to us, their sublime contribution greater than we dare ask of anyone.
Today when we stand on consecrated grounds with the blissful white stones stretching out like a great fan in perfect symmetry, listening to the flag they defended snap in the wind and watch the silent searchers looking for a father or son or sister, it is our moment to acknowledge not just the sacrifice of those at rest here, but of our moral debt to them.
Abraham Lincoln at Gettysburg informed us, “… that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”
The smartly folded flag and the rituals of honor paid are more than just symbols of a nation’s gratitude; they are a reminder that from the exploits of these courageous men and women great deeds are expected of us.
Harry Puncec is a retired printer and long–ago soldier living in Lakewood, Colorado
Additional reading: Distinguished retired Marine addresses crowd at Bergen military appreciation day
LIST OF ARTICLES: (click to go direct)
RATIONALE FOR A SINGLE, YEARLY–CONCEPT NEWSLETTER:
Why change something that has been so effective as a forum?
Some of the more obvious discriptive words come to mind when I look into the mirrow are: Older, wiser, tired looking, burned out, and just a strong feeling I have done enough are a few ‘reasons’ I might choose to expound upon, but I won’t bore you. Predominantly, my real life-changing reasons are marriage, selling a home, moving, combining households, and family matters. I trust most of you understand this. As Donna says, ‘There’s more to life than a computer.”
While I expect adjustments during the year, let’s see how it works! You will have an index to make it easier to access articles.
Donald M. Ricks, Editor/Webmaster
ROSTER–RELATED (23 August):
- As you read the article below you will know we lost Dick Eklund this year.
- Today, January 29, I spoke with Sam Preston Fant, who lives over in South Carolina. Sam lived and worked out of Saigon and remembers when the unit relocated to Long Thanh North—but doesn’t recall relocating to that base himself. He had previously served in helicopter units in Vietnam and after his tour with CAC relocated to serve in the 70th Aviation Detachment in Bangkok. I shared the web site with Sam, and when his granddaughter visits he will ask her to help view the pages (sad to report that he is legally blind but talkative).
- Previously checked in with us and on the MailChimp email list (but I neglected to add his to the roster), Woody M. Nesbitt, Sr., February 1972–July 1972, and former airfield commander at Plantation heliport, is now on the roster. Woody later served with Sam Fant: “Sam was assigned to the Ft Jackson Aviation Facility while I was the Commander. I assumed command during the summer of 1981. I think Sam retired late '83 and I retired in early '84. He was definitely one of a kind.”
Timothy D. Wilson, Specialist 5, Flight Operations, Saigon Detachment, 1968–70, signed up for MailChimp service while checking in and sent a photo and a brief of his past experiences. Tim’s information and photo are now on the unit roster:
Attached is a photo of me standing in front of the Saigon Detachment.
After I left the Army I used my GI Bill to go to college and law school. In 1979 I joined the Air Force JAG Corps and stayed for 28 years giving me a total of 30 years Military service. [Editor: Tim is a retired Air Force Colonel. What a story he could tell! He served at the same time I was also with the Saigon Detachment, then we moved to Long Thanh North in early 1970. Don Ricks]
I don't know if I can make it to the reunion in October but I would like to hear about it and will try to make it.
Thanks for giving me the opportunity to share my story.
Tim
Joining the growing MailChimp email list on 24 May, CW2 Steve E. Sears states: “I joined CAC as a W-1 in October 1970 and stay until October 1971. I would like to join the Long Trip group and get in touch with the guys I flew with in the unit. ”
Welcome, Steve, and if interested we have a reunion of folk from Long Thanh North (including CAC personnel) scheduled for September. Check the information available below at another article regarding the reunion.
Contact Steve at: sesears (at symbol) me.com
Don Ricks
please note my changed email address available from the side bar.
The above right condo is at Long Thanh, where I roomed with Bill Ipoc and "The Chief." Steve
CPT Woody M. Nesbitt, Sr., CAC 1972, sent in this photo, from which we have a roster photo:
SSG Juan Santiago, CAC March 1969–March 1970, made contact and is now in the process of submitting other roster related information. His experience in Vietnam was long and included ground duty as a Forward Observer:
I was with Command Aircraft Company in March 1969 and I left in March 1970. My First Sergeant was 1stSgt Wallace Bressette and the commander was LTC Robert Bayne. I arrived as an E-5 and made SSG in the unit. SSG Jackson was the maintenance team leader and SFC John Daniels was the NCOIC in the Maintenance Shop. I arrived in Vietnam in 1965 and served with the 2nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Division[an infantry regiment in the United States Army that has served for more than two hundred years]:
After two and a half years in the bush as a Forward Observer for the 81 MM mortars section, I left and got a job with the 120th Aviation Company “Deans” at Tan Son Nhut. I was with them until 1968—then went to school for the fix wing U–21, after which I was assigned to the Command Aircraft Company at Long Than North. I served a total of five years in Vietnam. I joined the army in 1958 and retired in 1981. I have since returned to Nam to visit with my wife, who is a retired LTC, QM Corps Offices.
Juan Santiago
SFC, Retired, USA
[Editor: The Deans supported the Headquarters, United States Military Assistance Command Vietnam (MACV)]
Early August, 2015, brought a flurry of contacts information from former Command Aircraft Company members Lynn Hayes and Jack Bailey. Below are edited versions of their messages (and more to come):
Don: Lynn Hayes here— just 3 days ago found the Longtrip site. I was in CAC as an aviator from December1968 to December1969, first at Long Thanh North and then to golf ramp in Saigon as it was called then. I saw your bio and it appears we had some overlaps in our flying assignments, since I was in the 70th Fight Detachment at Don Maung in Bangkok from May 1972 to December 1974. I am trying remember you but at 74 years young and 41years ago I am foggy [Oh, how we all can now relate to that!]. I was an IP and unit standardization in the 70th. First let say that I have booked my hotel as instructed and mailed my 120 bucks to Ron Richardson for the reunion. I was going to contact the guys that I knew well at Longtrip. I did call Joe Lynne, a 70–71 Aviator who had worked for me when I was the 5th Army Engineer advisor at Fort Sam Houston Texas. Since I live in some 55 miles south of Tucson and is a easy drive for me, I booked a room for all 3 days with 2 beds and extra cots, if needed, so if there is any problem with rooms I will have extra space if needed.
I do have a lot of group and indivual photos: Mick Evans, Welch Agnew, Gary Long, Garnett Crask, Steve Arny, Bill Peel, Jim Steelman, Grant Ferrieria, Chuck Walker, Jeff Gray, Sam Fant and Paul Thomas, a former Army Carabou driver. Dave Barlow, Jim Guiltaruri.
Lynn
Don: Bill Campbell told me about your group on Thursday [Thank you, Bill!]. I had no idea it existed prior to that.
BIO: I made AC in Feb 1972 just before we left Long Thanh North. As the Motor Officer I was responsible for initiating and supporting the shuttle bus operation we had from our remote site by the Saigon Morgue on TSN to main base on TSN. In line with the move, I contributed to an investigation into certain questionable activities concerning the air transport of some entertainment groups. This resulted in my being shipped off to F Troop 4th Air Cav (way up north when the NVA came south) , where I stayed until October, when I assumed command of the 1st Aviation Brigade Flight Detachment on Tan Son Nhut Air Base until late Mar 1973, and the Vietnam stand down. My Army history:
Master Army Aviator 7/83. Major USAR, then inter service transfer to Navy Reserves; retired at age 60, CDR/05—only Master Army Aviator in U.S. Navy at time of retirement.
Multiple careers: Captain, First with Frontier and then with Continental Airlines (Retired); Commander, USNR, Ret; FAA Aviation Safety Inspector, Retired. I now do public speaking engagements and consulting work.
CWO Phil Powell and I were in flight school together, class 68-5 FW. If you have his data, I'd like to contact him. Cpt Bill Campbell and I are QBs in Ft Worth. Frank Bracken is also in contact with Bill.
Thanks for the website, it looks good and has lots of good info.
Jack M. Bailey
Comments:
I designed and had produced the fully embroidered patch that incorporated the tail numbers of our two losses. I was in the company when Perry and Perkins went down coming out of Phu Bai. I have attached pics of the two patches as well as my last command patch [1st Aviation Brigade Flight Detachment on Tan Son Nhut Air Base until late Mar 1973]. Just a bit of trivia for the record.
Jack Bailey
It is a sad task to say we have lost another Longtrip veteran. LTC Cecil O. Locklear, Jr., USA, Retired, died on 17 June 2015. His obituary and photo are at his roster line. Our condolences go out to his family and friends.
Donald M. Ricks
Editor
HOW SHORT ARE THE DAYS OF OUR LIVES—DICK EKLUND, DECEASED:UPDATED: 13 January
This article concerns a man who has struggled and long–suffered from a serious medical condition, a fighter of equally extraordinary determination, and, of course, the living example of all we know of this well–loved man named Dick Eckland:
Eklund home address:
243 Woodland Road
Hampton, NH 03842
Hi everyone,
Please accept my apologies for sending this news electronically, but being able to do it more personally is impossible due to the legions of people who asked to be kept updated.
As you probably all know, Dick has been at Mass General Hospital since before Christmas. His leukemia is back after more than a year's courageous battle. He also has a fungal pneumonia. We had a meeting today and the plan is for him to go home to NH probably on Monday. Palliative care will start and then hospice will take over if needed. I am sad to say that my "Eye of the Tiger" warrior brother is not going to pull through this. He will go to NH to his home, his bed, his dog Lola and his wife Lydia where he will finish out his last days or weeks.
He loves his family and friends and told me he is happy that he really lived his life. He knows about and appreciates everyone's prayers and well wishes. As he stated himself earlier this year, it is amazing that he survived last year and through both his and Lydia's birthdays in May and June. He also hung tough for their 45th anniversary in October. I'm sure Lydia would appreciate any cards or notes and she or other family members can read them to Dick when he's home.
Please share this with other friends and people who know Dick and may want to be aware of this. Please, hug everyone your love every chance you can.
Love you all,
Deb (and Tony)
(Dick's "Sista")
UPDATE: 13 JANUARY 2015:
Dick Eklund fought a good fight for a lengthy period of his life but died in dignity this morning. That is all we can reasonably expect, and with a strong presence of family and friends in his life it has been a easier process. Lydia, his wife, and Debbie, his sister, were highly involved and protective. His passing is mourned by many who loved him and appreciated his exemplary style and manner. I pray for peace for all who knew Dick, and like his sister wrote above, "Please, hug everyone you love every chance you can."
Comments:
I am very sorry to say that Dick Eklund 'slipped the surly bonds of earth' this morning. A celebration of his life will take place sometime in March. We lost a GOOD one today!
Best BROTHERS,
Jerry DiGrezio [Catkillers.org]
This is certainly not the news we wanted to hear, despite expecting it any time. I am so glad we had that time together last summer. We've lost another great one. Thanks so much for keeping me in the loop.
Sarge Means [Catkillers.org]
How very very sad.
Charles Finch
From Delta Airlines Personnel regarding Captain Richard A. Eklund: (20 January)
June 10, 1944 — January 13, 2015
Word has been received with the passing of retired Delta pilot Captain Richard ‘Dick’ Eklund, age 70. Captain Eklund had battled leukemia this past year. He is survived by his wife Lydia. Captain Eklund joined Delta Air Lines 02–08–1973 and was based Boston then JFK/031 at the time of his retirement. Arrangements are not yet known.
Personal condolences may be sent to the family at 243 Woodland Road, Hampton NH 03842-1536 [phone] (603) 601–2641
2015 LONG THANH NORTH REUNION, TUCSON, ARIZONA:UPDATE 23 August
Ron ‘Sapper’ Richardson, the reunion coordinator, sent in an update message on 23 August for all attendees:
THE PREVIOUS PLAN HAS CHANGED. Please read the attached PDF file regarding the Saturday reunion dinner. Ron needs your attention and action as he has contract deadlines coming up in a few weeks. We also need to get a good count of those planning to attend by September 3 for the catering service; there is also a cut-off date to retain our hotel rooms at the contract price (August 24):
ATTENTION, ACTION REQUIRED (Please read now):
UPDATE, 23 August 2015, (includes attendee list!!!
UPDATE, 8 September 2015, Directions and Traffic Reminders
Comments:
When I went to Saigon in late March 1969, I was assigned to the villas where Bob Wise, Steve Canaday, Grant Ferreira were living—it was closed down a couple of months later. In the second one, which was larger, we had Grant Ferreira, Steve Canaday, Stan Cunningham, Welch Agnew, Gary Long, Bill Peel, Jeff Gray, Jay Drinkwater, Garnett Crask, and I took over Ken Fender’s room. My plane to plane call sign was "Gabby" on VHf 12345. When I arrived at LTN on or about 7 December 1968, MAJ Rowe was the Ops Officer—and a former Carabou Driver. LTC Bayne was the CO, Dave Blunt the Maintenance Officer.
Other pilots were Maxie Holt, David Smith, Charlie Barnes, Al Duckett, Cecil Locklear, CPT Ron Rowe, Chuck Lauterette (who went on to fly for Delta), Gary Long (who was a TAC in my OCS class), Barry Sparks, Dave Barlow, Mickey Evans, Sam Fant, Paul Thomas, and Chuck Walker. Chuck Lauterette gave me my first in country ride. I was transferred to Saigon in late march 69. Garnett Crask signed me off as AC after I arrived in Saigon . I must have kept a low profile or stayed in the cockpit too much to not be well known. I hope the names that I mentioned gives you some idea of the group I was with, they were a great group and very professional. I am proud to have served with each one. It was one or two weeks prior to my departure for the States that I left the Villas for the Southern BOQ and the !st Lt. [Michael Knight, recently added to the Vietnam Wall] that died in Hawaii was to take my room. I know that 45 years is a long time and the memory does fade but I am still fond of those days and the Long Trippers that I flew with. I retired in May 1990 as a LTC Commanding Libby Army Air Field and Flt. Detachment. My total fixed wing flying time was 4723 hours and rotary wing time 390 hours. I hope to see you at the reunion in Tucson.
Final comment: In 1976 I was afforded what all aviators dream of. The Commanding General of the Army Communication Command sent me TDY to Wichita Kansas at the Beach Craft factory to observe the 11th C–12 being built for 3 weeks observing when the first stringers were placed for the fuselage until it was a completed aircraft #22263. I signed for the Army and took possession of this new car smell Airplane. On the way home to Ft. Huachuca, Arizona, at FL240. Several airline pilots would Razz us about Army Aviators getting nose bleeds above 10,000 feet. My comment was, “We Army guys have arrived. ”
Lynn Hayes
CAC PILOT, 1LT MICHAEL KNIGHT, TO BE MEMORALIZED ON THE VIETNAM WALL:
This announcement concerns a lieutenant who served in the unit in the latter part of 1969, went to Hawaii to get married and died while there on leave. He was never added to the Vietnam Wall as a deceased veteran stationed in Vietnam during the war (see original article at the CAC 2nd Quarterly Newsletter, 2014). The government will correct this oversight, as mentioned in the statement below:
1LT Michael “Mike” Knight will be memorialized onto the Vietnam Wall in Washington, DC, on Mothers Day, May 10, 2015. Michael’s [widow] called me and she will be there along with their daughter, who is now married to an Air Force colonel. Don’t know who can and who can’t make it, but this announcement is for all.
Mike Russell [http://www.cowboysranch.com/210thcab.html]
EDITOR: This site does not have official confirmation of the planned event.
AN OVERPOWERING DESIRE FOR FREEDOM:
Thanks to Catkiller Curt Perry, this Sleeping Dog Productions video, The Gift, is a story of the life and service of Bill Hoover and is one that deserves review by all pilots. He probably had something to do with the research and development of an aircraft you flew. It is a biographical film that dramatizes the life of R.A. Bob Hoover, it will premier at EAA Oshkosh Warbirds in Review 2015:
Another Sleeping Dog Production:
Just click on the photo to access the Welcome Home trailer website:
WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU GET TOO OLD TO DO ANYTHING ELSE:
Perhaps this is start of something presumptuous, but if the shirt fits you can put it on (so to speak). There must be something in there that relates to aviation (Your Army Air Force is in there):
WEB SITE MAINTENANCE MATTERS:
On January 25, I sent out a request for assistance in the form of a donation from anyone who might possess a large external drive. The purpose of my request was to improve the increasingly worsening situation of the separation of site files and “working or original files.” This had become an uncomfortable and awkward situation that made it difficult to locate and store needed records for easy access. The external drives I had continually purchased were quickly not sufficient to support consolidation of files, thus they were being fragmented into other similar drives. Since they were not together, it became time-consuming to find an item.
Within a few days there were several offers of financial assistance and questions about how the responder might help. On the third day, my friend and fellow OCS classmate, and flight school classmate, and later platoon-mate in the 4th Platoon at Phu Bai, Glenn Stewart, stated in an email that he had a large drive he could send. In a few days he had mailed the item to my home address. In the meantime, Jack Bentley offered to purchase from the Catkiller Store, which had sufficient funds, a 2TB external Western Digital drive. Both more than satisfied the requirements and arrived on the same day, Thursday, January 29; and by the close of day on January 31 all the web site files were consolidated and were being automatically backed up onto the 4TB donation drive from Glenn. An existing 1TB external drive is now set up to contain consolidated site and working files for the 97th Engineers.
I appreciate all the offers of help and encouragement and now enjoy the tools necessary to effectively maintain the web sites properly. This disk, too, is now backed up on the donated drive. All files are consolidated and separated from my personal files.
In the coming days, though I am in good health, I plan to well document what I do and, as an added security of data possessed, I will provide a briefing letter stating the operation, location and function of the assets someone would need should I no longer be able to serve as the webmaster.
Our files are already archived at three locations: within the two dedicated web site external drives, the web sites themselves (which are mirrored by our web site host, JustHost), and each October our site files are provided as a complete archive with the US Army Center of Military History. Too, I never depart my home on a trip without my MacBook Pro and the main drives and a series of backup flash cards or chips in my bags. I am anal about doing extra work to safeguard our files. I agree with concerns expressed about the worst-case possibility of theft or fire.
My objective to consolidate and make it easier to manage what I do is now complete, thanks to Jack Bentley and Glenn Stewart. The smaller drives previously used were just not working. I believe the solution of two larger portable drives will work well into the coming several years, especially as our history initiatives seem fulfilled. My desire is to have an off site backup separate from my home computer and time capsule system is fulfilled. The ultimate objective of having all original files and the web sites on at least three separate external disks (one a full backup capable device) is also fulfilled.
Donald M. Ricks, Webmaster
DEATH OF LTC (RETIRED) DONALD L. UNDERWOOD, 18 OCTOBER 2014, SPRING LAKE, MICHIGAN:
With information received from Don Nicholson we now know that Don Underwood died late last year. To view a copy of his obituary in full length, please visit The VHPA Aviator site and their comprehensive "TAPS" section:
Don Underwood (LTC ret.) was graduated with Flight Class 68-1 and flew in Vietnam with the 283rd Medical Detachment (Helicopter Ambulance) under the Call Sign DUSTOFF 61 in 1968-69 as a Warrant Officer. On one fateful day, while attempting to evacuate wounded soldiers from a mountain top fire base, his ship was hit by enemy fire resulting in a loss of aircraft control and a subsequent crash. He and the Aircraft Commander, CPT Conners, the unit commander, were both severely injured. He was evacuated to the 71st Evacuation Hospital in Pleiku and eventually to Japan where he quickly recovered and was back with the 283rd in only a month. He completed his year-long combat tour in spite of his injuries. Later he accepted a commission in another branch of the Army and retired as a lieutenant colonel in 1989.
ORIGINAL CAC PATCH:
I don’t know how many from the “new” CAC will remember this, but this was the original CAC patch worn from a pocket button. It’s actually very crude but we all wore one at some point. This was while the CAC was still a part of the 210th CAB.
The “bubbly” appearance is the time effect on the cheap plastic holder—when it finally goes I’ll send you a pic of the patch w/o it.
Enjoy. Keep up the good work!
Rich Hendrickson
LONG THANH NORTH REUNION RESULTS:
Tucson was probably the lowest turnout of a reunion to date, especially for the Command Aircraft Company. This note just in from Lynn Hayes says:
“I was able to get Joe Lynn and Chuck Walker to come to the Long Trip meeting; however, Jeff Gray who told me he would come was not able to attend. I spoke with Gary Long, Welch Agnew and they could not make it. I was able to see and visit with David Barlow, with whom I had flown many missions. I also bought his new book "Corrosion," a spy story from Vietnam. Dave later left the Army and became a CIA agent.
I also got to meet Joe Tilghman and we were both in CAC approximately the same time in Saigon but never linked up. Joe was also disappointed that we had so few members there. I am not sure of the solution or if there is any.
Lynn Hayes”
The photos below came from the meeting:
There was a discussion while in Tucson regarding a siutable place to hold the next reunion. The location chosen was Kansas City, and Joe Tilghman seems to have taken the lead, at least for the CAC side. Look for additional information on this plan at an appropriate time.
ANNOUNCEMENT: LONG THANH NORTH REUNION, 2016:
Attached is a PDF announcement of initial planning guidance and requested attendee action regarding the 2016 reunion planned for Kansas City. Your response is important, requested as soon a possible and will give Mike and Barbara the information needed to start their all–important groundwork by 15 December of this year:
VIETNAM VETS RADIO:
Hi Don,
Thanks again for all you do for the Longtrippers and Catkillers.
Not sure if you're aware of this but there is a great internet radio station called Vietnam Vets Radio. Among other access methods are Tune In, Shoutcast Radio and Liveonlineradio.net. Tune In and Shoutcast are easily accessible via Roko. Shoutcast provides excellent quality.
While playing the music we all listened to on AFN, Bennie (the station master) also includes AFN "spot" announcements that really add to the experiences we all had. Yesterday was an AFN announcement of the Saigon traffic safety campaign. Really adds to the experience! Might be something to mention on the websites.
Best wishes to you and yours for a very Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy New Year.
Regards,
Rob Tommasone, CAC
[Editor’s Note: Below are suggested alternative links. You are on your own to check it out (cut and paste to your browser)]
- SHOUTCAST RADIO: http://www.shoutcast.com
- LIVEONLINERADIO: http://www.liveonlineradio.net/usa/vietnam-vet-radio.htm
- TUNUIN RADIO: http://tunein.com/search/?query=Vietnam%20Vets%20Radio
Thank you, Rob, and since you are the first to mention it, let’s add that Christmas wish and send it out to EVERYONE:
