Tan Son Nhut Air Base Scenes, Vietnam 1968-1969

[@goaroundgoaround]

I’m based in Vietnam at the moment and flew out of Tan Son Nhut last week, a lot of the old buildings are still there and have been repurposed!

[@bobmorgan618]

This video is great! I was a Loadmaster in the 774th in this time period. My first shuttle into Viet-Nam I was in the last c-130 to land at Khe Sanh and I guess its still there. We crash on landing and when we left on a Huey, it was still burning ! Bob (Tex) Morgan

[@areal5760]

So happy to find this video. Brought back a lot of memories. Was especially glad to see the ALCE photo. I worked out of the Comm-Nav shop in the little quonset hut right behind it. Spent a lot of time on Rebel Ramp and Charley Row before we were moved to Cam Ranh Bay. Best part, I got to show one of my grandsons the video of where I was in 68-69.

[@Johngs2000]

Thanks so much for posting this. My Dad, Elwood Shaulis "Woody", was the Ops Officer for the ALCE. Thank you for sharing these memories, now I can put pictures to the stories he would tell me.

[@kirbystevens2800]

Brings back memories. I was a maintenance officer in Det. 1. 834th Air Div. at TSN Sept. 68-Sept. 69. I knew those airplanes well. Great bunch of guys. I was there when we got the first AC-130's on Rebel row. We didn't get the air conditioned quarters like you TDY guys. The PCS officers were out by the main gate. I was there with Col. Sam Haggard(Ch. of Maint.),Col. Charles Weber (CO), Capt. Dusty Rhoads, Capt. Carl Blakemore, Lt. Wayne Fury, Lt. ? Savage and me Lt. Kirby Stevens

[@timhershberger1632]

Mar, 68 thru Mar, 69 TSN 377 Combat Support Group, Thanks for the Video. I flew on some of the 130's on the video. Also on the 123's. Bladders birds, Johnny Boone and I were on the crew that set a record 35,000 + Gallons of JP4 in one day. That was one of the good days...

[@terryronning4697]

WOW, what a memory rush. I worked at the MAC In-country Pax terminal/Baggage, 8th Aerial Port Sq, at the end of Rebel Ramp right next to the Australian terminal. There from 15 May 1970 to May 15 1971. Lots of memories. I think I missed the cyclo rides the most, sitting right in front, smoking some Cambodian Red.

[@earlsmall9808]

I was there with you flying C-123s. Moved to DaNang in May

[@COMSEC101]

Thanks for this video. We flew in C-130's and 123's with 3/4 ton trucks and a commo hut on the back throughout VN. Stationed at TSN with the ASA at Davis Station and then up in Pleiku and Danang. 66-69

[@usbrasilcafe]

Amazing how the scenes from any of the Southeast Asian towns and cities circa mid to late 60s immediately foster "those memories." Ssgt Al Priebe back then '68-'69, 600th Combat Photo, 601st Photo Flight, Det. #3, Ubon. Great video...... love the "super 8mm" look of it all... :-)

[@dragnoak]

Many thanks for this video. My brother, Capt. Gary Brunner, was AC on the plane that was shot down. I've found many other links to his flight, including a report from the ground troops, who were there during the incident. They saw it crash, and were the first on the scene. It was a well written article.

[@ninemilliondollars]

Sorry for your loss. In the years since you posted, I'm sure you've exhausted info about your brother, but if not, you can find more on the online memorial here - thewall-usa.com/index.asp#search. I saw the picture of the tombstone at Arlington at the site.

[@juliepeters5753]

My Father loadmaster Staff Sergeant George charles Peters was on the plane with your brother Gary June 23, 1969

[@ericwhitver7612]

Thanks for the memories. Was in the 8th APS, Inbound area 10/69 - 10/70, driving a forklift all night long. What a great bunch of guys were there!

[@RudyNortz]

Was FE on C-130E and TDY to TSN from CCK in '69 and '70. This was off and on for a year and a half with occasional TDYs to Thailand. Stayed at the Merlin Hotel which was located somewhere down town.

[@guns4uandme]

Wow! What great memories. I was station @ Tan Son Nhut 12 June 69 - 12 June 70 with HQs 7th Air Force (DOCC) worked for BGen Cramer. Can say now our mission was the "out country war". Other words the war in Cambodia n Laos. Back then we couldn't discuss exactly what our mission was. Worked with a great group of men and had a hellva time during off hours!

[@jaycats2358]

Lost my brother Pfc. George Francis Catalano at Tan Son Nhut at the Army supply point on July 30, 1967 at Tan Son Nhut when he volunteered to unload ammunition he was crushed by a fort lift. Almost 50 years has gone by and it still feels like it happened yesterday.

[@patriot03062]

Yes. Many casualties in Vietnam non combat related. May their memories live on

[@peppiherc]

Love seeing the Herks in combat. Amazing to think that you made this video the year I was born. I've been flying Herks since 1995 and absoloutely love the airplane !!

[@Suncast45]

I was an AP with the 377 th SPS. I worked Law Enforcement out of Bldg 19 as a Desk Sergeant and Patrolman, 3/69-3/70. Great bunch of Men.

[@stephenp8086]

I was a loadmaster on C-130Bs with the 774th TCS 67&68. Videos bring back many memories. Steve Pollina

[@Fretlovr]

Thanks for posting! My dad flew C-130s out of Tan Son Nhut during this period. His unit (I think it was the 773rd TAS) was later repositioned to Cam Ranh Bay.

[@saltysailor43]

Fretlovr I had the same assignments. What was your dad's name. 1968 69 Marvin Dutton

[@spivens1]

Thanks for this video. I was assigned to the 834 AD Det .1 Dec.67 to Dec. 68. Spent most of my time in the "Charlie" truck or working on C-130 hyd. systems.

[@j.dunlop8295]

My dad served at Tan son nhute a year before this was made, he awoke with a King Cobra in his hooch, bit upsetting!

[@rvnmedic1968]

I was stationed there from 1968-1969, E.R. medic on the night shift at the 377th USAF Dispensary. Was on that flight line many times, at night, responding to inflight emergencies from all sorts of aircraft. The primary one was the C-130, the workhorse of RVN. Am trying to locate two Army aviators, both warrant officers, whose plane crashed on take off in 1969.

[@PurplePhoenix9]

Very nice footage. I have a few old photos of some of the men that were stationed there. They sent them to my mom cause she would ship over care packages to them for a taste of home. There are no names on them so I don't know who any of them are. I do remember her telling me the one picture is of a young man who enlisted under age (6 months shy of 16th birthday)and she always hoped everything worked out alright for him. Only Identification is the name on his uniform, looks like it says Galagher.

[@JFK0429]

Thanks for the video! Looking for anyone who may have served with my father: Daniel "Danny" Novotny. He was 1967-1969 Tactical Air Command at Tan Son Nhut. He passed suddenly 16 years ago and I would like to know more about his time here. He/we are from Chicago, IL

[@gooniebird1]

Thanks for a nice trip back! I was with the 6994th Security squadron(USAFSS) at TSN 1970-1971.

[@earlsmall9808]

Thanks for protecting my ass.

[@michaeloneilhedges6206]

I remember it well. I lived on the air base at Davis Station. 1968-69 ASA HQ’s.

[@6mmRAT]

That brings back memories for me as well. I was there on a TDY tour in 1966 with the 463rd TCW out of Mactan, Philippines

[@BLKACE1]

THanks man I needed to see this so bad I server 71-72 as a Crash Rescue Fire Fighter and washed down many fuel spills on the Charlie Row ! Thanks man! Sgt. JJ Bell USAF Fire Fighter

[@rvnmedic1968]

Nice video. Hopefully other guys will upload their old movies to youtube. I was an E.R. tech at the 377th USAF Dispensary, night shift, from Jul 68-Jul69.

[@maltia50]

My late husband was there at the end of 1968 to the end of 1969. Was with the Air Force MAC. He passed away in 2009 from complications due to Agent Orange. For the life of me I can't remember if there was another air base that he was at. His name was Vincent Trezzo.

[@SamC130B]

The first time I was at TSN was in May 1965. I was in and out a lot while at Naha in 66-67. I got to Clark in early '69 and made a couple of shuttles before we moved to Cam Ranh. I was in the 29th at Clark and 35th at Naha.

[@thomasrule92223]

i was a loadmaster in the 29th at clark 66-67

[@SamC130B]

@@thomasrule92223 You probably knew Gomer Pyle. Gomer passed away about a year ago.

[@spivens1]

I was stationed there with the 834 AD Det. 1 as an hydraulic mechanic on the C-130 on the Rebel Ramp and Charlie Row. However, my first duty assignment was the old bomb dump across the runway from the Rebel Ramp. It was later closed and all heavy maintenance moved to Charlie Row. I arrived Dec.67, departed Dec,68

[@TheGG794]

While stationed at HHC1MIBARS,we drove from Muscara Compound through this gate to our hangar almost daily.We flew U-6 beavers and our call sign was Good Guys.I crewchiefed on Good Guy 794 for a number of months,but before that,I chiefed at Can Tho Army Airfield on the delta .I still remember the sound of the PSP lined strip particularly when landing on it.

[@ronaldpariseau2479]

I lost my High School buddy there, Billy Cyr KIA during TET. Help arrived to late, they took an NVA rocket dead center on their out post! FOUR GREAT AMERICAN SOLDIERS died in that bunker that day! SEMPER FI! WE REMEMBER and WILL NEVER FORGET!

[@AllAmericanFiveRadio]

Enjoyed your video! I was TDY there March April May 1968. Worked on mostly C130s, instrument shop.

[@Bluenose352]

So very interesting to see the AC-130A in your video. It has me curious in general. I've never seen a clip of an A model before. Very nice.

[@TourofHomesColumbia]

Stationed with 716th MP's at Tent City A across the flight line. Crossed over the flight line one night mixing in with a bunch of C-130's taking off. My trail gun jeep had a new guy driving. I thought he would follow that C-130 into the air, but his jeep had no wings! Seems funnier now than it was then. Loved the video. Would love to know if anyone has photos of Nixon's stop at Tan Son Nhut in July 69.

[@airbats801]

@airbats801 He passed away this year right before retirement after 40 years at oregon steel. God bless him. He will be missed

[@bbo40]

Really great video from that era, Thanks for sharing!

[@MrHelmyabdullah]

Nice footage ! Nevet thought the ship can perform reversed manouvre . I'm not an American . Not even a Vietnamese . Born in 26 September 1971 . Barely four when Saigon fell , but I feel very sorry we the Free World have lost South Viet Nam to the Communists . My respect to the C-130 aviators in Nam , both Americans and South Vietnamese . Greetings from Malaysia !

[@khadijahcooper2837]

HELMY ABDULLAH

[@lennardcovarrubias5950]

i remember one night I told the driver to stop so i could take a picture next to the skyrader.... awesome plane...sp4 ..rvn70/71...

[@rvnmedic1968]

Continued: My buddy and I were first responders and I extricated the pilot from his seat while the base fire department was bombarding the single engine with foam. I think they were flying a FAC Cessna when they hit wake turbulence from a large plane that had taken off just before they were cleared. Both pilots were unconscious and we took them to 3rd Field Army Hospital. Would appreciate if someone who is familiar with Army aviation at TSN to point me in the right direction. Welcome home!

[@ccf9207]

My brother was KIA at or near Gate 051 January 31, 1968 during Tet by ambush. He drove a tank in 3/4 Cav Troop B. Stationed in Cu Chi w 25th Inf. Still miss you PFC GERALD LAMPLEY FITTS FROM ARKANSAS ❤

[@geraldskaggs3903]

Does anyone remember serving with my brother James (Jim) Skaggs. He was a Sp4 in the US Army stationed at Tan Son Nhut in 1967 (I think) and was a radio repairman in the comm shop. We lost him last year from complications from Agent Orange. I would love to hear from you.

[@donaldfarmer8421]

My dad, Master Sergeant Donald Farmer. was stationed at Tan Son Nhut in 68-69.

[@airbats801]

my old man randy stafford was satrioned here on the airbase in saigon during tet. He repaired the fuel tanks on about everythign. Spent quite a few days inside a wing of a plane while the base was getting bombed.

[@t2axum]

Hello, my father ssgt. Tucker Axum was stationed there in 68-69 he was in comm sq. He passed away 7 years ago but if anyone remembers him I would love to hear about it, thank you

[@rvnmedic1968]

You might try this: www.tsna.org/mainpage.html He was there at the same time I was, but I was a medic. Good luck.

[@yellowboxster06]

TSN April 67 April 68 460 TRW. Busy place…lots of activity going on then.

[@patriot03062]

TanSonNut 1971/1972. 7th Air Force and MACV

[@catherineb4224]

Has anyone met Harmon E Burns? On a broader scope, what was the ambiance like in the base early January 1968?

[@JaimeGarcia-sk8cb]

Yes, I worked the ALCE. 834th Air Division. "All The Way"

[@tedmoss]

Yeah, my twin brother worked at Ubon and I worked at Korat in 1966-7. I was an aircraft radio tech and he was a bomb jockey.

[@nityanadesan4725]

I was an aeromedical specialist (Air Force medic) in the 10th Casualty Staging Flight ferrying the wounded between Tan Son Nhut Air Base and Andrews AFB via Elemendorf AFB in '67 and '68. I cannot find any reference anywhere about the 10th CSF. If anybody knows where any information about the 10th CSF is on the internet I would sure like to know. It's like it didn't even exist.

[@ronjensen7019]

Nitya Nadesan did u ever know Lt.Col. danny oakes believe he flew the dead back to dover was shot down in huey going in to get wounded and dead. trying to find out more about him any info or leads would be great

[@rvnmedic1968]

+Nitya Nadesan I was an E.R. medic, night shift, in the 377th Dispensary (attached to the CSF), from Jul 68 to Jul 69. It stinks that the Air Force involvement in Nam has very few historical unit records. Welcome Home.

[@ralphkelly7338]

If this was the SSgt Jim Ross of the USAF AAVS photography unit (600th Photo Sq at Tan Son Nhut), I knew him. We were fellow motion picture photographers in Vietnam.

[@juliepeters5753]

My dad George Charles Peters KIA June 23, 1969

[@hoogerwerf4106]

Dear Julie, I was a pilot in the same squadron as your Dad. I am so sorry for your loss, so many years ago. You do doubt are familiar with the circumstances of what happened. However, you many not be aware of the special status he had on that flight. At the time, flight crews were in transition. Younger new pilots were being upgraded to aircraft commander. Capt. Gary Brunner was the first in my group. He went through a rigorous transition and was fully qualified, having flown with several top flight instructors and completed his in-country checkout. For his initial rotation as a new aircraft commander, the squadron selected the best of the best for his crew. Your father was one of those chosen to accompany him; you can be very proud of him. When I read your comment, it brought back into stark focus the memory of that time. During the interim years, I’ve had a full life with family and friends. In contrast, what might have been for you and your Dad, came to an unfortunate end fifty-three years ago. I hope this message provides some comfort knowing that your father’s memory has not been lost to many of us veterans. Sincerely, Jim Hoogerwerf 773rd TAS, 463rd TAW Clark AP, Philippines May 1968 - May 1970

[@derektrobeck8665]

My dad was a MP at Tan Son Nhut from 68-70

[@S62bhas]

Yes this was the Crew Members My Neighbor was talking they were his Colleagues he was stationed in Okinawa Very Sad Ending Greatly Missed ill tell him to see this in You tube Tan Son Nhut Air Base

[@lauriestruble7977]

Does anyone remember a Sergeant Perry R. Norris? My husband, who served in the Army during the Viet Nam Era, but did not go to Nam, was his younger brother. Perry was killed by a drunk driver, shortly after he came home from Viet Nam. Here is some info. my husband has given me about Perry. He was in Viet Nam from '67 to'68 ? at Tan Son Nhut Air Force Base. My husband wrote down Westmoreland's headquarters, & that Perry received a Silver Star for Tet Offensive.

[@beverlydowdell269]

... THE ACCOMPANYING MUSIC ON THIS VIDEO LEAVE A LOT TO BE DESIRED.

[@roneagle8038]

Dumbass!

[@hoogerwerf4106]

Actually, I thought it fit pretty well...still do.

[@allgood6760]

What is the music called? 🎶

[@hoogerwerf4106]

It’s credited at the end of the video.

[@Nikkis_Channel]

Does anyone know the location of the Merlin Hotel, it was close by TSN airport back in the 1960’s

[@hoogerwerf4106]

Nikki, I have a general idea where it is located. Leaving TSN we drove down plantation rd now “Ly Thoung Kirt.” I know this because we passed the Phu Tho race track on the right when going to the Merlin. We crossed a major rd that I think is Vihn Vien and passed some side streets. We turned right on one of them. The Merlin was not on Plantation rd, but about half a block at a corner on the right. Search in ward 4. Anyone who finds it, let us know. Thanks, Jim

[@Nikkis_Channel]

@@hoogerwerf4106 Thanks Jim for the information you’ve provided me, hope to hear from others if they have more information on the Merlin Hotel

[@jamescorkern1562]

Reminds me as if it were yesterday. I was pilot in 345 TAS. the Det 1 building was like I just left it.

[@stephenp8086]

I was a loadmaster in the 347th at Dyess when the 345th left. Later was in the 774th at Mactan.

[@NoDeadlines]

HILDA!!! (ALCE) we always like to hear from Hilda when we were on the ground... It often meant that one of you guys was coming to bring us home! (8th APS MOB Team)

[@earlsmall9808]

"Hilda, Hilda, Hilda: This is Bookie 109"

[@mohdhuzaimi6341]

Licensing and enforcement unit

[@tinjarir]

Anybody happen to be there in April of 75?

[@cmullins1984]

may uncle was at this base Air police 377th S.Gilbert

[@troyseals8646]

Safer than Chicago at the time

[@lennardcovarrubias5950]

Well riding shotgun on email run into the airport I had the driver stop take a picture beside a Skyraider 1971 Republic of Vietnam.. .

[@sydneyaustralia4487]

San bay Tan Son Nhat ngay xua dep qua , sau 41 nam ?

[@jrnumex9286]

great memories this and nice vid that ok then. vietnam 'conflict" was it, totally mismanaged by us gov. can't do this as china might get mad, can't do that as 'off limits list" and so on. my 20/20 policy: hanoi, pull all your troops out of S vietnam or your a pile of rubble". China you want some? back off. hence now military says we will not do another vietman come a conflict/ war shock and awe buddy. thank goodness

[@glenncanale9225]

Great vid I was on 130s out of Pope AFB 67, 68 and out of Naha Okinawa 69 70.Only fault with this is that the music really sucks. No one over there would ever listen to this music maybe a lifer.

[@onceANexile]

What if JFK had been only wounded and she got killed?????