A Secret Airbase… (NKP) Nakhon Phanom Thailand - THE END OF THE WORLD, CARVED OUT OF NOTHING

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Күн бұрын

Пікірлер: 50

@buz263 Жыл бұрын

NKP was my duty station from 1967 - 1969. I was a crew chief in the 609th ACS/SOS on the A-26. After my first year I was extended for six months twice. NKP was good duty and 12 hour days 6 to 7 days a week was common depending on what was going on "across the fence."

@donwaterhouse9630 9 ай бұрын

I was a cook at NKP 1966/1967. Left for the world in April of '67'. Probably fed you guys at some point. Glad y'all made it back.

@C4Sdriver1 8 ай бұрын

I was there in ‘66-‘67, so thanks for cooking my meals.

@eodmax Жыл бұрын

I was TDY to NKP in 67 Munitions Storage . Six of us were sent to NKP manning assist for experienced Techs since a 3 level opened a partially open butterfly cluster bomb. As I recall the base wasn't secret but our Mission Was. At the time we were supporting A-26s flying missions in Laos. One of the bars downtown was right on the Mekong river and you could sit out on the deck and watch bomb flashes in the distance in Laos. Mainly what I did the duration of my TDY was rewarehouse 50 caliber ammo from the floor to the ceiling . On our way back to Taiwan my friend and I elected to stay in Bangkok as they only had 4 seat and we let the married guys take them. We stayed in Bangkok til our money was running low so went over to the C-130 terminal and managed to get a hop to Taiwan.

@daves9164 Жыл бұрын

I was stationed at NKP in 1973 to 1974. The flightline look like something out of WWII. Shocked me as soon as I got off the C-141.

@c7042-u5g Жыл бұрын

Wow! I was at NKP with the 18th SOS and didn't know the base was secret. No one ever told me. I was trained at Lockbourne AFB on the AC119K so almost everywhere I went, there were gunships waiting for me. Really cold airplane at night (too many holes). I was at Bien Hoa May 2, 1972 when Stinger 41 was shot down and knew of Terry Courtney but I'm not sure (dementia now) that, I've ever flown with him. Spent time at DaNang, Kontum City, Pleiku (21st TASS-O2A). and Phan Rang also. 17 months and 1 day then back to the world.

@edwardwhitford8213 Жыл бұрын

I was TDY at NKP and Udorn from late 1966 through early 1967 with a Rapid Area Supply Support (RASS) Team. The NKP runway then was still PSP (pierced steel planking). The flightline included A-26 bombers that hit the Ho Chi Minh Trail. Those aircraft had eight 50-cal machine guns in the nose that could blow a truck off the road. Across the Mekong from the town of NKP was the town of Thakhek in Laos. You could see the fuzzy green sugar-loaf mountains in the distance in Laos, where the Ho Chi Minh trail came closest to the border. At night, we could see the flares dropped over the Trail by aircraft. Rumor was some Air Force enlisted guys got drunk at an NKP bar one night and hired a boat to covertly cross the river so they could say they once planted a leg in Laos. Crazy times. I was surprised to find out that there is now a bridge between NKP and Thakhek, the "Third Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge," 1423 meters long (there are videos of it on KZbin). We once looked across at Laos with foreboding, but now both sides are friendly. Wow.

@vikinghog 3 ай бұрын

Welcome home and thanks for your service. These stories bring back so many memories that i can relate to regarding recruiter lies, being assigned to a job i hated, being reassigned to another foreign base i did not want to go to when i left NKP, etc. I used to gather gunny sacks full of rice bugs that were attracted to the lights used for plane maintenance at night and sell them downtown. You had to be careful as they could pinch you through the sides of the sacks. They actually tasted ok once they were cooked as long as you salted them.

@militarytales 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you to all for joining us

@JuanSanchez-zg7ti Жыл бұрын

In Nov. 1969 I was an A1 Skyraider crew chief with the 6 th SOS at Pleiku AB, Vietnam. On this month the 6 th SOS got disbanded because the base was being turned over to the VNAF, and we ended PCS to NKP for less than a month . For 20 days we worked installing the wing spar re inforcement cap on the A1 s, and then on Dec. 23 we were told to jump on a C-130 bound for Don Muang because we were coming home. I arrived at my home in Puerto Rico on the 24 th Christmas Eve. Have good memories of that short PCS.

@masterwilson9139 Жыл бұрын

My father was working ATC at Naked Fanny. Talked about many shot up aircraft getting back. Thank you all for serving.

@c7042-u5g Жыл бұрын

Ask him, does he remember the F-4 that took a missle hit over Hanoi, then was shot up by a Mig, then took ground fire. The flaps wouldn't lower so the approach speed was insane with the tail hook down. On engagement of the barrier wire on touch down, the barrier house exploded from the spool up stress. The brakes didn't work so the cable was stretched, then started dragging the aircraft backwards so the Pilot and Wso popped the canopies and dove out over the side. The airplane was such a mess that it was crated and sent back to the world as spare parts. Tense and funny to watch but everything worked out for the crew if not for the aircraft. Wish I had a movie camera that day. I don't know if the crew got a medal but they sure deserved one IMO.

@luckylou79 9 ай бұрын

I served in Korat 1965-66. I heard stories about NKP. Thank you for your service and God Bless!

@GregoryFliearman 8 ай бұрын

My dad served at NKP from Mar 72 - Feb 73 as an Air Traffic Controller with 1987th Communications Squadron. He was there when I was born in Dec 72. I would really like to connect with others that were stationed at NKP during that time. My dad passed away in 1997 from cancer, so I did not get much time to talk to him about his experience at NKP. I served in the Marine Corps from 1990 - 1998 as a 2531 (Field Radio Operator), and I have a son who is now serving in the Marine Corps with 2/24 as an 0311.

@tomspahr3013 Жыл бұрын

Rich, I was at NKP from October 68 to June 69 and was working on the A-1H that Arnie fired the 20mm gun on. There are so many of the stories he talked about.

@chillinupnorth5151 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks men! I salute you for your service! Sharing your experiences is priceless. 23 TASS 74-75!!!

@militarytales 2 жыл бұрын

Much appreciated!

@paullee2177 Жыл бұрын

Great stories. I was just down the ramp as a O-2 mechanic with the 23rd TASS in '69.

@frankhinkle5772 2 жыл бұрын

First off, to all three of you, Welcome home. Thanks you for sharing your experiences with us. Thank you for going in the first place and doing the jobs that needed to be done. Thank you for helping to bring other Americans back home to us. I'm glad that all three of you can put the bad experiences behind you and remember the camaraderie of your service. Thank you.

@militarytales 2 жыл бұрын

Well said!

@spamtrak 10 ай бұрын

Wow -- very powerful and reminded me a lot of my Father's stories. Thank you for sharing.

@friscostreetstories5403 2 жыл бұрын

I went to rehab about 10 years ago in Napa and had the honor of going thru that program with an old Covey pilot that flew over Khe Sahn during the seige. I hope he did well after, I wish I had gotten his name. Thanks guys

@fredericogle9814 9 ай бұрын

My dad flew Spads there (Skyraiders) w/ the 1st. SOS. He was lucky to survive- luckier still- alive, 94 this April.

@richardstephens7408 8 ай бұрын

I was stationed at U-tapao in 69-70. While operations at NKP were not widely known the existence of NKP was not secret. While NKP was located on the edge of civilization, U-T was nearly a seaside resort.

@yankeeairpirate1799 6 ай бұрын

Great stories guys, fully enjoyed this … I was at NKO, late 68 - late 69, 23 TASS as O-2 driver, Nail13, still best job I have ever had.

@militarytales 6 ай бұрын

Hello YankeeAirPirate, do yo go to the NKP reunions, I believe the next is scheduled for Colorado in 2025 Arnie or Barry would be good to contact; they are on the planning committee

@hermanhamilton3416 Жыл бұрын

I arrived at “NaKed Phanny” in July 1970, 56th Supply Squadron.

@lawrencemiriampayte7679 2 жыл бұрын

What a wonderful video!! So glad these guys got a chance to share their stories!

@Dinkledorpher 7 ай бұрын

"Iron Hangers" we called them at George AFB.

@markjfox866 2 жыл бұрын

Welcome hme. Thanks for serving. HERO,S👏👏🎖🎖🎖👍🏼👏👏 THE MEN, WOMAN ,DONUT DOLLYS AND SERVICE DOGS🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🎖🎖

@KenKlabon 6 ай бұрын

I was a 462 from Aug of 63-67 B 58 for 1 1/2 years then Yokota Japan then Tahkli Thailand when we weren’t there I was a cannon cocker of the F 105 for the complete system we were all trained for checking the complete system My last 6 months at macdill on the F 4 C&D models

@ManuelRodriguez-ot2ii 11 ай бұрын

I was at NKP 1973-1975. I didn't realize how hazardous our surroundings was and how well the Security Police defended our perimeter. I was a Medic, Preventive Medicine Specialist.

@militarytales 10 ай бұрын

@ManuelRodriguez-ot2ii Welcome Home Sir! Thank you for your service and thank you for watching

@garymorris2857 2 ай бұрын

I was at NKP from 68 to 69. I was amazed how the K9 guys, had to patrol the perimeter at night, in the pouring rain. How they stayed sane, is amazing.

@C4Sdriver1 8 ай бұрын

Great video. I was there in ‘66-‘67.

@militarytales 6 ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it

@justintime2277 Жыл бұрын

My Dad was a technical staff Sargent in Bangkok his name is Arland (Buck)Purchase

@RaySantamouro 7 ай бұрын

I was there in 69-70 NKP WAS GREAT TIMES LANDED AT TRAVIS , S F AIRPORT WAS WEIRD AT THAT TIME . BUT I WAS WITH THE 809TH ENGS.WORK ON THE MAIN HIGHWAY .