F-105 Thuds in Vietnam: Going Downtown

USAF Captain Gary Barnhill shares his experiences flying F-105 missions in the hazardous and challenging skies over North Vietnam, the highest threat environment of the entire war. Produced by Jarel & Betty Wheaton for Peninsula Seniors www.pvseniors.org

[@MrMenefrego1]

*I am nearly 60 years old now, and I can say without a doubt that, THIS is the kind of man I only wish I had been able to have been in my life. God Bless him and all the brave American's who fought and/or died for this great nation, made even greater since the 58th Presidential Inauguration, Friday, January 20, 2017! On a personal note; In July of 1968 two USMC officers pulled into our gravel driveway in Pecatonica, Illinois to give us the news of the death of my big brother, and my personal hero. I was just 8 years old at the time and was playing with my best friend in the front yard with our GI Joe's, we were fighting the "Commies". One of the officers, I think it was the Chaplin, knelt down and scuffed-up my hair and asked if I was going to be a Marine when I grew up. Of course I said that I was, as the two officers walked away the other officer whispered to the Chaplin, "That's good, we will probably still be fighting this f-ing war when that kid is old enough to join-up." I watched them knock on the door and waited to see what was going on. As I looked on, I watched as my mother, after hearing the news, collapsed on the front porch. As I ran to help her I saw that the two officers were ready for just that occurrence and held her safely in their arms. Mom was never the same again, she attempted suicide on many occasions, succeeding just two years ago well into her 80's. I hope you found the peace that eluded you in life, Mom. Rest in Peace, Mom and Bob, I miss you both so very, very much. Thank you for this wonderful video.*

[@tomshiba51]

This was tough to read, but thank you along with your mom and brother. When I was an NCO in the Army, I personally had to inform families that their soldier had died . I performed this duty three separate times.

[@paulbjansen2176]

I'm the son of a Thud driver (KIA 5/31/68) and I wish I had known about this presentation...God bless these brave men who were sent to fight with their hands tied behind their backs.

[@garybarnhill6212]

Hi Paul. I recommend you watch the doc THUD PILOTS on Amazon. It will give you a sense of what your father was up against. Gary Barnhill

[@paulbjansen2176]

@@garybarnhill6212 - hello Sir - I was a donor for the making of that documentary and Mark Vizcarra used a photo of my Dad at the end - I also went to San Diego for the premier...you guys had balls of steel and it's a damn shame LBJ and McNamara hung you guys out to dry - God Bless

[@garybarnhill6212]

@@paulbjansen2176 Good to hear from you, Paul. I see Mark at least once a month at QB and he says he will make a THUD PILOTS II.

[@paulbjansen2176]

@@garybarnhill6212 - that's great news, looking forward to the sequel!!

[@MrTonyharrell]

Lt. Col. David Hatcher flew a 105 and got shot down in Viet Nam. He spent 7 years as a prisoner of war. He was our hometown hero here in Mayberry (Mount Airy NC) He died last year and received a missing man flyover from Seymour Johnson F15s at his funeral. I recorded it on my channel.

[@bluetopguitar1104]

The F105 pilots paid a high price.

[@garybarnhill6212]

Dave and I were early Instructor Pilots at Nellis circa 1962-64. He was a great guy and and outstanding pilot.

[@fizzys26]

I could listen to this man all day.

[@MikeJamesMedia]

Thank you so much, Captain Barnhill, for sharing your experiences with us. Congratulations on surviving!

[@colderwar]

This man is a US national treasure, look after him...

[@benchapple1583]

Oh yes! That's what a man looks like.

[@Discover-Bible-Prophecy]

Captain Barnhill I salute your and your service. God Bless

[@GARDENER42]

What a marvellous account. People like Mr Barnhill are real heroes.

[@igorkratka]

Great man. I love his language! Describes things as they are and political correctness is unknown to him. The figure worth of following!

[@raoulcruz4404]

Spoke with a Thud pilot. He said that his squadron flew Thud Ridge at the same time of day, same route, same altitude every day. “Great way to run an airline” he said.

[@scubadiver360]

Huge respect Cap Barnhill. Thank you for your service.

[@nor4277]

Thank you I wasn't a pilot but I was your mechanic,I work on specialy modified f105 that went to viet nam ,I would never take credit for those who served ,and those liars that said they were there should be ashamed .thank you sir for sharing this video.

[@cargo4441]

I really wish they would make a great movie about flying downtown in a thud.

[@garybarnhill6212]

The producers of the THUD PILOTS documentary (#1 doc on amazon) are working towards that exact goal.

[@dogpatch5220]

Read Col. Jack Broughton's book, Thud Ridge!

[@allandavis8201]

Normally I don’t like lectures but I decided to give this one a go, mainly because it is about one of my favourite Vietnam war aircraft, and Woah, am I glad I did, funny, informative, and interesting in every way. Capt Barnhill delivered his story with confidence in his self ability but also with humility, thanks so much for uploading it, 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍/10😀🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 P.S How anyone (eight at the time of writing) can dislike this Veteran or his story and experiences I can’t imagine, they are either deaf, blind or both. As a side issue, the fear of falling is irrational, it’s the sudden stop at the bottom you should be scared off.

[@catfish252]

Great presentation

[@bluecyclone6318]

Thank you for your service.

[@davidrobinson7112]

After the fantastic lecture the Thud pilot made I have say my opinion of our military command structure and the civilian regime of Vietnam War era should have been removed and sent to Vietnam..

[@hoatattis7283]

saw one of these in 1966 flying along the beach at Vung Tau it was below my observation point

[@markmcdowell5509]

THANK YOU VERY MUCH !!!!! I WORKED AT REPUBLIC AIRPORT ON LONG ISLAND N.Y . BACK IN 1983 , ON A SUMMER DAY ,A F-105 FLEW BY WITH FULL AFTER BURNER , WENT AROUND THE FEILD AND SET UP FOR A GREAT LANDING HOT,AND A SHOOT , TO SLOW IT DOWN ,WOW I WAS 17 YEARS OLD , IT WAS THE BEST EVER AIRCRAFT IN THE WORLD TO ME . THAT AIRCRAFT IS NOW IN THE LONG ISLAND MUSEAM . IT IS NOW TODAY JANUARY 6th 2020, AND I CAN SEE IT FLYING OVER IN MY MIND TODAY !!!

[@randygerman2176]

Such a good presentation. I grew up at Naval Air Whidbey and had neighbors and classmates dad’s that where pilots that didn’t make it home. Later, I joined the Air Force as a crew chief and worked with Vietnam vets that worked with the Thuds (and F-4s, F-100s etc.), met and talked with Vietnam era Navy pilots. I have watched videos and read books about the subject but this hour may have been the best time that I have spent on the subject.

[@nor4277]

I was a mechanic on the f 105 our pilots called it, a nickel ,I had to get a top secret clearance,after our planes were sent out and came back a little differance,then they went to viet nam .In those days when I was skinny and was elected to crawl down the intake to help guide the replacement engine in .this talk was great love this guy.

[@rvnmedic1968]

The presentation was very professionally done, crystal clear and fine audio. I salute Capt Barnhill for his service and sacrifices as a Vietnam Vet stationed at Tan Son Nhut (ER med tech) 68-69. Well done presentation, humor mixed with sadness for those who couldn't return home. I never knew Dulles and LBJ provided the NVA with targets in advance. I'm outraged and if they were still alive, should have stood trial for their treasonous crimes! Hanoi Jane should have been arrested for traveling to North Vietnam (which was illegal at the time) and for giving aid (propaganda) and comfort (support) to the Communist bastards.

[@stephenpowstinger733]

Funny how she was given a golden pass.

[@esphilee]

A true man... True men are humble.

[@stevelittle8404]

Great lecture-- captivating speaker. When I was a baby USAF pilot, the Vietnam era guys were almost all gone; but all of them were men's men, and fascinating to listen to.

[@tysoncott7402]

Thank you for sharing this, its a great watch 👍

[@erikkunkle9574]

I really appreciate all ya'll do.

[@stoneblue1795]

A priceless, riveting account sir. Thank you for your service and for sharing these memories!

[@NateWilburn1]

Thank you for your service, Mr. Barnhill.

[@glenhenning9261]

I served AF, Brooks AFB Texas from Dec. 73 until May 77 as a medical technician. We were the specialized medical only base that saw all AF pilots that returned from Nam, called " RPOW's" at that time. These guys had been through hell. My friend in x-ray would routinely show me x-rays of many breaks in a pilot's arm or leg that were done as torture. Sometimes we had to re-break and straighten a limb so that they regained mobility. Every one of these pilots had a horrifying story to tell. They are amazing men.

[@aileron48]

Thank you so much Capt. BarnhillI Amazing and awesome story!! I was at Udorn AB, Thailand in '69 when a shot up RF-4 came back and tried to land, lost control and crashed into several buildings around where I was. Scariest experience. Fortunately, when we heard it coming in we also heard the two "pops" of the pilots ejecting, alerted us of impending trouble and we took cover. After Thailand, I was transferred to Nellis AFB, also. In those days it was the F-111s in the fighter squadrons there.

[@Aikitrad]

UK - Thank you Capt Gary Barnhill for a most interesting and totally captivating story of your experiences, I am the same age as you at 84 yrs, I survived the bombing of WW2 and my elder brother was in the occupation army in Germany at the end of the war, he is now 93 yrs. you are the kind of man I would love to share a pint of Guinness with :-)

[@iainbradford4254]

Another excellent addition to your splendid collection, thanks :-)

[@raymondj8768]

We had many Heroes that fought in Nam God bless them all !!!

[@stijnvandamme76]

What a guy, love his story telling... Somebody must have a very cool granddad to look up to.

[@tomshiba51]

An informative, humorous, and factual account of going downtown in the Thud. I've read other books about the thuds in Viet Nam, but this is the first personal account verbally told to me by an actual participant. Thank you Captain Barnhill.

[@blueshowlar]

Thanks for your service sir.

[@MikeSealguitar]

Thanks for sharing your experiences, and I'm glad you didn't have to eject twice!

[@94Whiskey]

Thank you Sir! Your life story is amazing...what a life living on the edge!

[@Weco-es6vu]

I have been following this Channel for a year. I wanted to let you know that i appreciate youre videos! Greetings from the Netherlands

[@RioHondoHank]

Enjoyed the video. Especially since one of my friends is Boyd Van Horn who flew 200 missions in F105’s in Vietnam. It gave me some insight into what he went through.

[@Stiglr]

This guy is a riot!!!! Loving this!!!

[@DurinSBane-zh9hj]

A very interesting and informative talk. Thank you for your professionalism, service, and dedication

[@jameswebb4593]

I have one recollection about a F 100 Super Sabre. One afternoon in the early 1960's in England I saw a F100 flying fairly low over the Thames Estuary and I watched until out of sight heading north into the North Sea. Next day on the news the search was being carried out for a F100 pilot who went missing the previous day. They never found him , I believe he was a Major . Strange thing is that was the only time I ever saw a Super Sabre in the air.

[@memonk11]

These old vet/heros are remarkable.

[@shermansquires3979]

Wow! great stuff!, what a guy!

[@spydude38]

The sacrifices of these brave men are immeasurable. Many never came home, while others suffered years of torture and imprisonment. We can never thank you enough for your service and sacrifice. Those of us who served in the years after you, benefited both through improved tactics and the technology developed for SEAD. This allowed the U.S. to dominate in every domain during Desert Storm.

[@greglaroche1753]

The best of this series I’ve seen. Keep them coming. It would be very interesting to hear about his CIA flying afterwards!

[@garydrew2360]

Thanks for a great presentation.

[@oveidasinclair982]

Petula Clark song was a nice touch

[@mrlodwick]

Absolute pleasure, thank you SIR!

[@OldFliersGroup]

Well produced video and a pilot with a great sense of humour.

[@johntack1049]

Love this channel

[@Allan_aka_RocKITEman]

As much as I know about the Vietnam War, I have NEVER heard that Dean Rusk quote before. *HOLY SHIT....*

[@JohnRodriguesPhotographer]

Johnson and company micromanaged Vietnam to disaster.

[@Mike-01234]

We should have never been there in the first place. Just like we should not have ever been in the Middle east going back to 1991

[@seananthonyegan3395]

What a fascinating man thank you

[@TheFleetflyer]

Incredible, just incredible. Thanks so much for sharing this.

[@cloudshe]

outstanding presentation, thank you!!! hopefully we've learned something from a time when our "Leadership" felt Americans were expendable in the context of pleasing the rest of the world

[@williamhager1872]

A HERO Among us. God Bless you Sir.

[@kevoman4980]

GREAT STORY! Thanks

[@susantepper9592]

Gary Barnhill, this is so interesting. I played volleyball with you on the beach in Long Beach. You had a blue Porsche.

[@JustMe00257]

Fantastic!!

[@mike20sm]

Great talk

[@IrishManJT]

Fantastic!

[@stephenpowstinger733]

As a veteran 4th Div Army 1968 II Corps SVN I was amazed that he said 4 of 5 guys claiming veteran status are not truthful. I don't like stolen valor either but I just wonder where he got that number. I think there are a lot online.

[@garybarnhill6212]

Stephen, the 4 out of 5 was from the last national census. Will be interesting to see if there is a substantial change. Gary

[@JohnRodriguesPhotographer]

I love millennials questioning what he witnessed and fought through.

[@briancooper2112]

These video's are awesome!

[@hillbillyb4u]

I liked the Bitburg F-15 in the background. "36th Supply Squadron 1984-87"

[@garybarnhill6212]

Balazs Molnar wrote: "Many times he said Korean war instead Vietnam war. F-105 did not flew in Korean war." After reviewing the video: I could not locate "many times". The story of firing ten second burst during firepower demonstration on the NORTH KOREAN BORDER was because that happened on the North Korean border in 1965. Can't recall if I mentioned; 96 NORTH KOREAN PILOTS did secretly fly the North Vietnamese MiGs in combat over North Vietnam.

[@southernshop8424]

Welcome home sir, and thank you so much for your service and sacrifice.

[@garybassett8755]

'Cadillac Flight' by Marshall Harrison tells a fictional story of one particular Thud pilot. It remains one of the best books I've ever read.

[@johnrandall125]

When Thunder Rolls by Ed Rasimus is a factual account of a tour flying Thuds over Vietnam. It is a very good book and I recommend it.

[@ron5935]

I worked with a vet who was a “repair/maintenance” person on F105`s in Nam. Yes a lot were lost and he was shocked a replacement was always available from the states in short order. Story about the bridges on Ho Chi Min trail where F105 pilots risked their lives to destroy only to have a replacement up the next day. They were prebuilt in the jungle and ready to put in place, but they were not real bridges. The real bridges were ramps 6/12 inches under the water and could not be seen from the air in the muddy water . Wonder how many pilots were lost taking out fake bridges.

[@orangelion03]

Interesting, amusing, and informative. Have met two former Thud pilots, real characters both. Is Cindy Macha related to Pat Macha?

[@dogpatch5220]

Colonel Jack Broughton's book Thud Ridge, when the thud was in full afterburner. Imagine six milk bottles turned upside down!

[@JamesLaserpimpWalsh]

Wild Weasels are legendary. Even here in the UK.

[@BlackMan614]

Nice touch... cameo by Hanoi Jane.

[@garybarnhill6212]

You probably noted: her name was never mentioned.

[@BlackWarriorLures]

Gotta watch that documentary.

[@vitogulotta7193]

He said; "Thuds shot down 21 Migs with this gun during the Korean war." Ooopsey! The F-105 first flew in 1955 & the GE Vulcan 20 mm entered service in 1959. Other wise good stuff. Thank you Captain.

[@garybarnhill6212]

Hi Vito; Correct, I misspoke. Actually Thuds shot down 27 Mig 17 over North Vietnam and three with the Sidewinders and 24 with the Vulcan.

[@JohnRodriguesPhotographer]

Never heard of upgrades, retrofit or modifications I guess. Every plane goes to it grave without change once it rolled out of factory.

[@vitogulotta7193]

@@JohnRodriguesPhotographer I certainly do know about upgrades & retrofits, having been in aviation maintenance over thirty years. Twenty of them in the USAF. As acknowledged by the Captain, a slight error as Thuds were not around during the Korean war. I have nothing but respect for the Pilots & air crews from all branches who fought behind enemy lines on every mission. Again Thank you Captain Barnhill.

[@thetreblerebel]

He meant the Vietnam War when he talked about the Thud shooting down MiGs

[@mohammedcohen]

...it DID kill one of the test pilots...George Welch - one of only two pilots who got into the air during the attack on Pearl Harbor...the clip of this accident shows up briefly in the movie "The Hunters" with Robert Mitchum and a VERY YOUNG Robert Wagner...the F-100 standing in for an F-86...

[@daveybernard1056]

42:50 The really wild info comes out. astonishing Thank you, American veterans.

[@thetreblerebel]

A very tough job flying F105 in 'Nam

[@12gauge1oz]

Great presentation, Greater American>

[@Ayns.L14A]

THUD what a great name for a war plane!

[@DurinSBane-zh9hj]

The only source for the claim that Rusk gave information to the Swiss to pass on is from Gen. Pete Piotrowski's book in 2015

[@motorTranz]

105's were at the old Oxnard AFB.

[@orangelion03]

Respectfully, Oxnard AFB hosted F-89s, F-101s, and F-106s.

[@adrianrosenlund-hudson8789]

What a gentleman. Absolutely unbelievable that the north Vietnamese were informed about where they were going to be bombed. That's treacherous

[@56hueycobra]

PeninsulaSrsVideos Thank You U.S.A.F. Captain Gary Barnhill For Your Service to Our Country in the U.S. AIR FORCE Sir & GOD Bless You Brother Gary .................JESUS is LORD

[@briancooper2112]

Pilot skills more than Jesus.

[@philipselden7264]

Amen!!

[@LLACEM]

that man is a hero

[@hootis8]

What senator is lying about serving in vietnam?

[@P51]

Dick Rutan also tells great THUD stories...Look them up!

[@njaneardude]

I wonder if that was his DFC citation he read.

[@garybarnhill6212]

Yes

[@dukecraig2402]

I can one up him on that 20mm, I was a Vulcan gunner in the Army, when we shot that gun the breech end was about two and a half feet in front of our chests and we were looking right down over top of the barrels, we're the only people to sit in a better place than a fighter pilot for shooting a GE M61 cannon.

[@TallyVisual]

That's ARMA3 - a video game @8:30

[@karlchilders5420]

Who told you that? That is from a CIWS test on the range in California. The CIWS is actually farther behind the camera, and above it, than you may think. I'm talking 500 yards roughly. That's why you hear that "crack" of the rounds before you hear the BANG of the gunfire itself. Not sure why you think it is a video game doing that.

[@TallyVisual]

@@karlchilders5420 kzbin.info/www/bejne/eX64p2V4e5qbi9E That's the ARMA 3 Video the clip was made from.

[@karlchilders5420]

@@TallyVisual I see, that is *exactly* the same look that was made from China Lake, same time of day and everything. I've seen that as well. Same sounds, same visuals. Very interesting.

[@toadman506]

@@karlchilders5420 the ARMA-3 Devs digitized the China Lake Footage

[@molnibalage83]

@@karlchilders5420 Nope, it is simulator game.

[@TJ-USMC]

"Semper-Fi Sir"

[@molnibalage83]

Many times he said Korean war instead Vietnam war. F-105 did not flew in Korean war. The B-1B got RCS reduction by "inserts" in the intake which prevents to fly faster M1.2. Not the cost. If they were remover the B-1B even today could fly with M2.0. But as one commander what I spoke is Ostrava said "we choose low level and smaller RCS instead barely usable speed".

[@PBAR_B1B]

I doubt a B-1B, even with the inlet guide vanes removed, could fly at Mach 2. It's 80,000 lbs heavier than a B-1A. And the B-1A flew Mach 2 at 40K', well above where a B-1B can fly.

[@molnibalage83]

@@PBAR_B1B 1. Empty weight of the B-1A was 176 000 lb. www.alternatewars.com/SAC/B-1A_SAC_-_December_1986.pdf 2. Empty weight of the B-1B is 192 000 lb. This is 14 000 lb difference and not 80 000 lb... But in flight considering the weight of the weapons and fuel the difference of total weight is less than 5%. Because during flight the total weight is above 300 000 lb. The difference between 300 000 and 288 000 lb is marginal. This has marginal effect on max speed regardless a big higher AoA for level flight. B-1B can climb without any effort to 40k feet...

[@Jpriest13]

He actually said because of weight and cost. And because the inlets are not used, it cannot go supersonic. The air has to be slowed before entering the engines, otherwise the engines quit. Not aware of any times he referred to Vietnam as Korea. Then again I wasn't watching intent on finding any speech errors or mistakes.

[@molnibalage83]

@@Jpriest13 Belive what you want. I respect the guest but they many many times say many inaccurate things... Just check the "Line of Death video" about 300 SAM sites... BTW I'm an engineer specialized on fluid mechanics. Pls. lecture me more about inlets... :)

[@PBAR_B1B]

@@molnibalage83 yea dude, I have 1400 hours of B-1B flight time. I was referring to loaded weight and no way a B-1B can climb to 40K' without difficulty.

[@rickdavid1795]

OMG!!!

[@bravo3575]

Respect Hoooah RSA

[@kenclark9888]

What an awesome lecture. And LBJ and McNamara? /‘S/?:?.$’x

[@tomshiba51]

Grrrrrrrrr............Hanoi Jane smiling, clapping, and laughing with the NVA. I've seen other videos of her with them, but not this one.

[@molnibalage83]

I do not get how is calculated that an "F-105 pilot is downed after in average every 33 missions". It means after 33 sorties 1 plane is lost. The total plane loss in this case would be 397 * 33 = 13 101 sorties. But Barnhill said F-105 flew in total more than 100 000 sorties over Vietnam.

[@Jpriest13]

Balázs Molnár , it was pilot loss(death) not plane shot down. More planes shot down than pilots killed.

[@molnibalage83]

@@Jpriest13 Which means even worse your calculation... 1. Less pilot was dead than plane was down ---> the cases where a pilot was downed and not dead was even more frequent. 2. The slide uses the "getting shot down" term. Not killed. In case a pilot was downed twice it also was counted at 1 pilot is downed = 1 plane is killed. The slide is inaccurate or the total sortie rate of the F-105 is not accurate. Both cannot be true. This is very simple math.

[@garybarnhill6212]

@@Jpriest13 Actually this 33 figure is a "snap shot" in time. As tactics changed over the 4-years of Rolling Thunder; that rate is different for any 6-month period. It was actually 40 in my time. 591 Thud pilots completed 100 missions. Around 400-435 Thuds were lost. Plus the 1965 TDY pilots that flew for four months instead of 100 missions. I no longer use the 100,000 figure as I'm not confident is is accurate. Anyway you cut it; it was not a turkey-shoot. 158 Thud pilots killed and 105 POW.

[@bbrf033]

Who is the senator?