The B-52: Vietnam - 4258th Strategic Wing operations out of U Tapao Air Base, Thailand (1968)

[@nealwilson8044]

My dad worked on this film as recordist and interviewer. His credit appears at the end.

[@skyserf]

Neal Wilson Very cool 👍🏽

[@AllAccessConstruction]

#props

[@danielkeyser9698]

yes cool

[@danielkeyser9698]

@jeffrosamson Be proud Neal

[@ChiekoGamers]

fake

[@charleswallace2080]

I served 12 months on this base in Dec.1967 to Dec. 1968 with the 4258th bomb wing. Worked on the B-52H and the KC-135s as an engine tech. Loved my duty at U-Tapao very much worked long hours but I'd do it again if i was a youmg man. Loved the experience as a run man for the engines.

[@cyndypigott4112]

My Father dis too!

[@deanworsley2244]

I'm ex-Aussie Air Force engine man too, thank you for your service mate. We actually operated out of this base back in '93 working with the Thais on ASW, P3 Orion operations was my bag at the time. The guys who ran the base was the old CO from the Vietnam war days apparently, Dave something. Seems he liked the lifestyle too well to leave haha.

[@mariesummers4326]

Thanks to all of you for your service from a vet

[@larryburton5516]

I was a ground crew member on the B-52's when I spent six months in UTapao from Jul. 67 to Dec. 67. Quite an experience. I made two tours six months each in 1967 and 1968. My first tour was in Thailand. My second tour was mostly in Guam. Got to fly on about twenty bombing missions during my two tours. Thailand was quite a shock to a twenty year old "kid"! I've been looking at a lot of these old films to see if I could see myself on the flight line working on these bombers but so far haven't found any. The older I get the more proud I am of my time in the AF and being a ground crew member and eventually crew chief on the B-52's. I have seen quite a few of the planes I got to work/fly on though. I can still remember some of the serial numbers.

[@frez777]

+Larry Burton I'm reading a book right now about Joe Ronnie Hooper, good book, for sure.

[@CrashandTrash596]

Hats off to you and your buddies. You guys had balls of solid brass.

[@robertvalderaz7329]

Larry Burton TDY from 73 to 75.

[@brendaf8751]

Larry Burton who was your cheif

[@curtisgandy1572]

Larry Burton 👍🏼 Roger that mate.! My pops was a lifer in the USAF.. lived every where.. I became a commercial pilot in 1972.. been fly’n all my life.. never was so proud of my old man as I am today.. he set my bar very high.. Forecast WX: severe clear, operating envelope: top of the green. God bless mate..🙏😎✈️🌤☁️

[@williamhammond2499]

I was in the 4258 AEMS from July 27, 1967-July 27, 1968. The dates are easy to remember because that is my birthday. I was a Aircraft Radio repairman. While I was at work one day a Chief Master Sgt showed up and was explaining to the NCOIC of the Comm Nav shop what he was doing and he had a specific need. He was part of this film crew and he needed a cable to connect his recording equipment to the aircraft intercom system (AIC-5). I had made cables like he needed before as each aircraft was equipped with a reel to reel small portable Sony recorder to record radar signals. I fabricated the cable and he was gone. A couple of weeks later the NCOIC handed me a letter he had received from the film crew thanking me for my help and telling me to watch the film when it came out. At the time they thought it would be called "Strategic Mission Vietnam". I still have the letter. So I finally get to see the film and listen to the aircraft audio that came through my cable some 54 years later. I was on flight status and flew on B-52 and KC-135 missions. This film is real.

[@ecleveland1]

Thank you for your service to our country.

[@johnwest6935]

I was with the 461 bomb wing. Went TDY to Guam in Jan. 1967. Transferred to Utapao in April, 1967 and was there when the first 3 B-52s landed. Left in June, 1967, Can't remember how many were there when I left. I prepared slides and ran the projector for the pre-takeoff briefings.

[@TuongNguyen-yz8zh]

😊😊😊😊b BBIAB😊😊b

[@arthurpaton3540]

I too was part of the 4258th, arriving in November of 1970. I flew as maintenance aircrew, riding the launch trucks for automatic flight control and navigation maintenance support. Thank you for posting this video. I only have photos from my time there. Most memorable were the visits of the U2 and SR-71 aircraft.

[@kosai-js6ug]

于是偶其实不然我会一直软陪她买菜了，

[@automotiveeditor9014]

The greatest aircraft ever built yet designed to carry out the worst possible missions. And to think it was conceived by just four guys in a cramped hotel room over a single weekend and sold to the Air Force based on two sheets of drawings, a few pages of potential performance figures and a hand-hewn balsa wood model. God bless the 1950s, and here's to another 60 years of dedicated service!

[@spraudoggy]

I worked on survey crew in Nebraska for a summer and part of the time we were within a couple miles from the end of the runways at Offut Air Force Base. The big B52s took off and came in for landings sometime just a couple hundred feet over our heads. It was a stunning and moving experience. I worked there for three days. The B52s were so huge and seemed to be barely moving with the big exhaust fumes bellowing out of the engines. They sometimes vibrated my entire body. It’s hard to actually describe the overall experience.

[@treypeters1087]

Uh the stratojet would like a word

[@cyndypigott4112]

Absolutely the greatest aircraft.

[@andrewbeattieRAB]

My parent’s had an old friend who flew B-52’s into Vietnam. No chicken. He told his wife he had a desk job in Japan to keep her from worrying.

[@chatomorgan8466]

At 16:00 I was able to stop the vid and I saw 3 of the birds on the board that were at Dyess when I was there from '77-'81; 089, 677 and 676. I was assistant Crew Chief on 56-657, then I was given 56-602 as her C/C. Great vid, thanks for posting...

[@disabldfirefiter]

I was an AF firefighter TDY to Andersen AFB, Guam, in '73. Thanks for letting us see this great footage.

[@Snailmailtrucker]

That sure looks like Col. Alexander Talmont (Commander of the 4258th Bomber Wing at U-tapao) at the beginning and end of this Documentary. Although I was only a 2 striper back then, I was on Flying Status as an Aerial Combat Documentary Photographer and I flew on his B-52s once in a while and I also was in his office about 2 or 3 times a week when he gave presentations to his troops ! *HE WAS A REAL CLASS ACT !* I was real happy for him when he got promoted to Brigadier General while I was on U-Tapao !

[@richardmcgeehan6496]

I went TDY there for 1 month in July 69 from CCK AB Taiwan, remember it well.

[@3ashleypk]

My husband worked on the instrautment systems in 68. Thanks so much for sharing.

[@keithmcfaul9204]

Was stationed at U-Tapao from Feb. '75 to Feb. '76. Left there three months before they closed down the last base in Thailand. I was a ground radio operator and got to talk to all the air crews of the B-52s, KC-135s, TR-1s and SR-71s while I was there. Shortly after I got there we had the Mayaguez Incident when the Khmer Rouge forces from Cambodia hijacked an American cargo ship headed for Thailand. We had 1000 Marines from Okinawa flown to U-Tapao to try to get the ship's crew back. Then we had the Saigon withdrawal and the following month the Cambodian withdrawal. I got to see the last B-52s leave Thailand. Got to take several USO tours of Bangkok while I was there. I thoroughly enjoyed my tour there.

[@lancelot1953]

Hi Keith, thank you for your service, I flew combat missions in three later wars we (USA) got into. It is people like you that reassured us (while over enemy skies) that we were not alone and that there were people caring about us, fellow professional Americans who were doing their best to protect us (fliers) and bring us safely back home. Peace be with you, Ciao, L (Fellow Veteran)

[@goober208]

U-Tapao 75-76 same time.

[@joe-qo3qi]

Excellent doc on the B52 operations. Only "heard" one ark lite strike while in the Nam. I heard rumblings thought it was artillery,it sounded "different", I looked up towards the North and seen faint jet streams, never forget it. Must have been at least 50 miles to the North guessing along the Loasian border in Icorp. The way the explosions echoed off the Mtn. Ranges coming south remains eriely haunting, to this day.

[@steven2212]

Great vid. Thanks to all the Warriors who did their job, as directed by their Country, during a difficult time in our history. Love the BUFF, here's to another fifty years of honorable service!

[@christopherdunn1097]

This is an awesome video! The B-52 was the most destructive weapon the USA had in Vietnam. Originally, SAC did not want to divert B-52s from is primary mission, which was to deliver nukes to Russia. But the NVA/VC were very well dug in. The B-52s flew about 2500 sorties over Khe Sahn, a 77 day battle, the longest in US History. Had we deployed 5 times more B-52s, it is likely the North Vietnamese would have agreed to a cease fire much earlier-saving lives on all sides. The professionalism of these crews is self evident, incredible actually.

[@cyberbubba1]

agreed...4017th ccts, castle afb...67-70, buff sim/op/tech...peace is our profession...

[@nongtung157]

Hồ chí minh đã nói là trường kỳ kháng chiến nhất định thắng lợi nhưng cũng nhờ b52 bắn phá trước những năm 1972 miền bắc mới có tài liệu và xác định nhận biết b52 đến năm 1972 b52 mới thất bại thảm hại

[@mariannevanwormer2380]

I was a weapons mech in Utapao 6/67-6/68. My crew are the one's who loaded the bombs on the B'52. I took movie pictures of my team loading the bombs. We were guarded by the Thia Marines so they did not stop me. Loading bombs was not classified at the time. Being that it was over 50 years ago it is old news.

[@thuankhong]

Bragging doesn't turn a disastrous defeat in Vietnam into a victory

[@tinhhoangvan9327]

In your dream?

[@ProjectFlashlight612]

SAC lost about a dozen B-52s during Operation Linebacker II, many from this very base in Thailand. Just crazily risky, striking North Vietnam.

[@DODGFISH]

Hi, I am George Fisher and was at U-tapao in 1969-1970 as a radar air traffic controller. The b-52's were launching I think July 19th 1969 and in very bad weather in the daytime. I issued a Hold to prevent the b-52's from launching and to prevent loss of aircraft and men. A sac general overrode my hold the aircraft started taking off and the winds/weather caused the 2nd b-52 to crash into the end of the runway with loss of the helicopter above the b-52 and 2 men lost their lives. I wish I could have done more but dumm ass generals cover up their mistakes at the cost of millions and loss of 2 lives. I am so very sorry for those men and thier families and friends. george t. fisher

[@raditore]

I as there too on that day. I had a birds eye view of the crash watching from the AGE repair station. My buddies told me to take cover in a close by bunker and I did so just moments before the B52 and it's bombs exploded! it's a day I will never forget!

[@TheRichram]

I was there also , on flight line towing 135, b52 had nose wheel collapse due to a sachel charge . half way down runway bomb went off, nose wheel cllapsed . Tail gunner ejected pod. he survived. 105 750 lb bombs went off in ensuing fire, crew survived. fire dept helo and crew were killed.

[@vinyltapelover]

+DODGFISH Hello George , I'm Richard. I worked weather(Det30, 10th Wea) which was located directly underneath the Tower. I arrived Utapao 24Dec70. If you were still there then, there was a Southern Californian enlisted whose name, I believe, was Herschel. I was curious if you may have known him. I remember him wanting to stay in and try to make a career advancement/move to Rapcon. His feeling was that his civilian employment opportunities would fair appreciably with that job experience under his belt. I remember, back then, that Controllers got, if not the highest, one of the higher VRBs to extend. Have a great day.

[@antikoerper256]

Love the footage and the documentary - truly coming from a different age and time

[@47bohica]

I spent 9 months 3 weeks 2 days at UT starting in March 69 until January 70 working on the flight line assigned to the Instrument Shop. Loved the hamburgers at the USO, The out door theater until we had a launch then they would stop the show until the last heavy had launched. Drinking 10 cent beer at the beach. Sick call at the NCO Club on Sunday Morning( Free Bloody Mary's) Hearing The song "We got to get out of this Place" I was sure glad to return to the World. Thanks for the Video.

[@SFsc616171]

Thank you for posting this reclaimed video!! I was at U-Tapao Royal Thai Naval Airfield from 10/71 to 6/74, 635th Combat Support Group_635th Supply Sqdn/635th Security Police Sqdn. On record, the only American base in SouthEast Asia attacked by ChiCom frogmen. I DID my job. If you can't handle that, that's not my problem!

[@copout1405]

Thanks for downloading this video. The Colonel narrating at the beginning and the end of this video looks like Col. Alex Talmant who was the wing commander during my year of assignement. He was promoted to Brigadier during that time. I worked at the command post comm center and also the telephone exchange. The name of Col. Moore was also mentioned as a commander of an Arc Light mission. He too was there a this time and his office was in the building I worked. Thanks for the memories. NVanderWal

[@katiealvord5550]

B.Gen. Talmant raised a son who is my godfather. I never had the opportunity to meet the man, but he has been a constant presence in stories told through my childhood. I'm glad there was a man of his caliber at such a high level of command. He sounded like good people.

[@Snailmailtrucker]

That was real nice seeing General Talmont again ! Thanks !

[@bobpellerin3836]

I am Bob Pellerin. Had 3 tours to Guam from Westover. From 1966 through 1968. Worked as A/C repair/crew. B-52 c and d, KC/EC-135,F4 A6, C-130. 30+ sorties all of SE Asia. My pilot was often the Wing Commander, tail #086. The Buff in the AF Museum has my initial's where I donated blood. Anyone remember me?

[@robertmacellaro3181]

Three TDY's from Westover. '67,'68 and '70. Anderson,Utapao and Kadena

[@rustybracewell4424]

Did an ARC Light TDY from the 379th BWg and I too was surprised to see the video and posted the link a several SAC veterans websites.

[@larryrobert6980]

I was stationed at UTapao from Jan67 to Jan68. There is nothing more awesome than watching 27 B52's loaded with massive armaments weighing the wings down, take off! The one funny event was when two new officers picked up two women and drove on the flight line to watch the planes take off. They did not realize that when a B52 is idling, that it is NOT safe to park behind them. When the planes took off one after another, the gravel fired into their car hundreds of times. They were shipped out the next day. My greatest experience was to be good enough of a technician to be on the Red ball truck, to handle last minute emergencies. I learned about keeping a cool head in a major crisis, many times over. Every airman on the base worked twice as hard as they ever did before. Our mantra was PRIDE. It was truly one of the greatest experiences in my life. I went over a boy and came back a man. I will always hold the highest respect for the USAF.

[@lancelot1953]

Hi Larry, I am sending you my personal thank you to you and all your maintenance crews for ensuring the safety and survival of our planes. I flew with the Navy and I know that I owed my life to these young American kids, away from home, alone at sea, working nights and days, the unsung heroes of the war. Thank you Larry for your service, thank you on the behalf for all the crews that made it back because of your professionalism and attention to details. May Peace be with you, Ciao, L (Captain, Navy Ret)

[@danmulcrone6581]

Larry, I was a C-135 navigator on a Young Tiger tour to Thailand at the same RTNAB. I wish the film showed the bomb laden D-models, rather than clean ones. Also saw a bunch while I was on Guam, wondering if they would get airborne. Don't know if your familiar with Anderson's runway, but those BUFF's would disappear below the horizon and then reappear as they finally climbed. Larry, FIRST thank you for your service. SECOND, and I'll say this for ALL the crewmembers I've flown with in my AF career: Maintenance not only took care of our aircraft, IT TOOK CARE OF OUR LIVES! God Bless, Dan (Hopefully that's not politically incorrect!) .

[@kengarrigues504]

From my understanding Guam has a much shorter runway than UTapao . UTapao was the longest in the world. Our Buf's were air worth fully loaded at lift off. Even the black bird took off vertically on the end of the runway. Awesome sight . looked like a NASA launch . which was the idea. Bet Charley went on full alert thinking they were getting nuked . LOL

[@badguy1481]

We were second for takeoff, behind a Blackbird, when I first saw one. It was leaking something all over the taxiway. I called the tower and advised them. I found out later that's normal. The skin heats up and expands, in flight, so the joints and seals all close up.

[@danmulcrone6581]

What I remember about the fully loaded Buffs taking off from Anderson, unlike UTapao (watched them there also,) was how they lumbered down the runway, 'finally' went airborne, and then disappeared below the cliffs. Took a while before they came back in sight with their 8 smoking engines.

[@Snailmailtrucker]

Just remembered another Col. Talmont adventure. I can't remember the exact reason for this celebration but Col. Talmont Piloted one of his B-52s and did a Fly By about 50 feet above the ground "balls to the wall" and did a sharp left turn just when he got to the beach area at the end of the runway... Never saw a BUFF turn that hard before... Spectacular sight !

[@paullemenager1273]

My understanding is the fly over at 50 feet was the 'celebration' of 100 missions in that BUFF and it was LOUD. I was electronic Counter Measures Technician with the 4258th BW from 1968-9. Also for those that were there you could buy a cap celebrating 100 mission in a Baht Bus! ha

[@semco72057]

I spent two years at U-tapao air base and never saw any of the air crew climbing up on the stands and checked the bombs to make sure they was locked in place. I never saw anyone check the ammo compartment at the rear of the bombers either after MMS installed the ammo in the aircraft. That film must have been made prior to 1969 because we installed the racks in the bomb bay and the bombs on the wing pylons and left and other personnel installed the ammo on the bombers and left.

[@SFsc616171]

All I remember is nightime in the Spring of 1972. Their equipment was all Chinese. Their 'suits', were of the the Lloyd Bridges era. The guys were not of Thai origin. They came ashore on the other side of the other 'klong', away from the beach restaurant. They made it to a few B-52 rivetments, at the back of the field. I, on the other hand, was at my security post, the APC bunker, at the back point of the fence, behind the hospital, hearing all this on the Motorola radio i carried.

[@ronaldbeal6293]

I was a B52D and B52G Gunner

[@larrygould1769]

Thank You Sir for your incredible service to this Great Country. My father (MSGT. Clarence A Gould) was also a Gunner flying missions in the B52D and B52G models out of Utapao and Anderson in 69, 70 and 72. Had a little shy of 150 combat missions and was part of Linebacker I and II. Was wondering if you might have known him? he was TDY from Pittsburgh AFB Jan.-July of 69 and June.-Dec. 70 Then TDY from Loring AFB. July-Dec. in 72. I found a U tube video a couple years ago that was found in the Air Force Archives and published by Bill Miller of a Navigator and Gunner receiving their 100 mission wet down celebration and to my SHOCK...it was my father. U-tapao 100 missions ritual (Bill Miller post) If you have not already seen it, i am sure you will enjoy. Again Sir...Thank You for your Service.

[@ramal5708]

Fact that the US had lots of B-52s being operated by SAC for nuclear triad or on nuclear stand by, but not enough for conventional bombings or strikes, that's why during Vietnam War the demand of conventional B-52 strikes was up and many SAC B-52s were converted from nuclear to be able to carry conventional bombs. Also the best thing about B-52s compared to fast jets, they can saturate such large area without the enemy below even knowing the B-52s are up there, thanks to the B-52's radar guided bombing, that signals the B-52 crew when and where they should drop the bombs at a very high altitude, where the people below on the ground couldn't even hear the bomber is up there.

[@SFsc616171]

For those who think the organizations listed are different entities, 'ya missed the boat'! RTNAF U-Tapao had a SAC Wing and maintenance, and a PACAF C.S.G. "Combat Support Group" equals "Wing"; C.S.G. commands all logistics support "Squadrons". I was assigned to the 635th Supply Squadron, BUT, since there was increased activity 'outside the fence', I was on detail for 90 to 180 day rotations, to the 635th Security Police Squadron for increased base security defense operations.

[@keithj6251]

My father was at U-tapao from June 69 - Dec 70. He was with the 635 Secutity Police.

[@MrJosephwolz]

Where is Captain Dietrich now? Hope he's enjoying his retirement after serving our country so well.

[@robertglenn5398]

I just hope we get out of Vietnam soon! My daddy is getting tired of paying for my college tuition and won't let me graduate until the war is over so I don't get drafted. And, at age 61, I really have to start thinking about a career...

[@bobdehler2812]

Looks like Vietnam is one of our best friends now :)

[@MrTea7]

@@bobdehler2812 Frenemy. Check out website TheVietnamese.org. They are going to get a lot of production work as it moves out of China. Note: no news about Corona out of V.Nam.

[@DonaldPettit-l2o]

My Dad served there CMSG Pete Pettit. did a TDY for six months , and than 2 tours. he loved the Thai people there.

[@DavidClark-n1d]

I was at U Tapao from July 68 to July 69 as a SP Sentry Dog Handler that was part of the second group of handlers assigned there to establish the K-9 Squadron. The first group came in March of 68, we were the second group in July 68 and the final group came in September 68, not sure exactly how many dog teams that gave us but it was enough to cover the perimeter on the east side from the north perimeter to the south beach area plus three teams on the west side guarding the POL Tank farm. It was a great base, a little primitive condition when we first arrived but some construction was still going on and we did get a new up to date kennel and barracks not long after arriving. If Thailand hadn’t needed dog teams I would have eventually gotten a tour in Vietnam so I was happy to have wound up there. I experienced the bomb dump explosion my second night on post, witnessed the KC crash while taking off, was shot at one night in May 69 while guarding the POL tank farm, and witnessed the B-52 fire and explosion July 69 while waiting at Base Ops for a C-130 to take us Bangkok to catch our rides home. I remember hearing calls on the radio while on post of B-52s coming in from missions with bombs hanging that didn’t release and KC-135s coming in with booms ripped off. I remember one night while working the beach perimeter, the dog handler on the next post and I met up at the sandbag bunker with the SP guard at the south end of the runway when a call on the radio said there was a B-52, 10 minutes out, coming in with a fire in one engine and losing power in all engines. I told the other two guys I was going to move on back down my post because of if he came short because of no power, he would either hit the water or where we were standing so I was getting some distance from there. They said we have 10 minutes but as I looked south to where he be approaching from,landing light came on and he was right there. I took off running and as he came right over me, I literally couldn’t hear his engines, he had so little power, he was basically gliding in, but he did make it. Those are exciting memories I’ve carried from my time there for 55 years and will as long as I live, not to mention the great guys I worked with and the fun moments we all had together and,of course my awesome partner that I spent all those nights on post with that I loved and depended on. I would love to go back sometime just see how it all looks now but don’t see that ever happening. To all of you who served, God Bless you and thank you for your service.

[@genehasenbuhler2594]

From my birth till 1988 these BEAUTIFUL bird's flew right over my house from Biggs Army Airfield! They flew so low I could wave at the pilot's and tail crew's as they floated overhead! Even when they switched to the C5A Galaxy's they flew over on take off and touchdown runs! I rarely see one of either here now!

[@albertcostello7476]

I used to watch them fly over when I was on guard duty, near khe sahn coolest thing I ever saw

[@anibalcesarnishizk2205]

I bet the ground where you stood shook like hell.

[@haroldmclean3755]

⚡⚡ ⚡ B - 5 2 - D ⚡⚡⚡ Ten Billion Percent Respect 🔟👍

[@katherine101able]

What a beauty.

[@ridethasno]

My father served on this base between 1967-1968 42nd / 68th Maintenance and munitions.

[@robertvalderaz7329]

2 of our B-52's from the 7th bombwing at Careswell A.F.B, Texas. Saw action in Viet Nam.

[@fredbrown6350]

brother Ken was there.. B52 mechanic... during TET....amazing!

[@jerryblankenship4838]

worked the bomb dump 1967-68. had my hands on thousands of 500's and 750's. worked the revetment assembling them.

[@ianbirdsall4877]

I was the MASO when we closed the base. Thought I was going to end up at Leavenworth!

[@LMTDDS]

@@ianbirdsall4877 Why?

[@goober208]

bomb dump 635 MMS 75-75

[@WillChandlerFLD120]

Id say one of or possibly best aircraft ever produced last one 1962 Reliable still flying missions today

[@christopherterrell1805]

My late Father was at U’Tapao 67-69 He was always in AFRC/AFSOC his whole career 66-88 He lost a PJ friend who went down in an HH-43 attempting to rescue the crew of a B-52 that crashed on takeoff. Unbeknownst to everyone on the base the B-52 crew had gotten out early after a fire on the takeoff roll, but the aircraft still exploded and sent UXO flying all over the place. The HH-43 came in over the B-52 and was consumed by secondary (possibly ejection seat charge) explosions…there was a theory an ejection seat fired from the B-52 wreckage and struck the helicopter as it hovered.

[@TheRichram]

I was there at UT when the 52 blew at the end of the runway. It's along story not many people talk about it. I was the KC launch supervisor at the time.

[@markvickers3488]

You guys who were involved in S.E. Asia, are the top of American Armed Forces. Bad to the Bone. I have Nothing but Respect (& Real Love) for you... the ones who made it back, ...and the ones who didn't.

[@robertstack2144]

I was in the Nam 68 69. Use to go out at night and listen to the 52s bombing at night in the highlands. It was awesome. Our sister squadron the 188 shot down a 52 years before. Accidentally of course

[@airforceveteran71]

Still the greatest Air Force in the world...spent three years with SAC in communications.

[@davidca96]

Theres nothing like being on the ground nearby but not danger close to a B-52 full load strike....guys from Vietnam ive talked to said its like an earthquake while you are standing/sitting on a trampoline. The ground shakes like crazy. I dont know how they kept that trail going once the B-52's started hammering them...but they did.

[@zanovan3951]

It is more difficult to extract aluminum from the air than it is from the ground, but we Vietnamese have done it. The combs made from the wreckage of the b52 are supposed to be ... very durable.

[@jafo766]

Charlie Don't $urf ! but he does like to comb his hair , a tough and well groomed adversary indeed.

[@b3j8]

Lord Almighty just imagine the huge amount of firepower a 100 B-52s would unleash!! What a beautiful aircraft!!

[@60vanbaker]

Great Video I arrived UT May 68 PACAF POL. That POL troop looks a lot like my roomie but hard to tell and can't read his name tag. to bad they did not show Kilosip and Sattahip or even Pattaya. But loved seeing old Bangkok too. Great memeories thank you.

[@judahsamaria5250]

I was part of 4258th Strategic Wing as a crew chief on KC 135 -1968-1969

[@jafo766]

It all looked pretty exciting when I was a kid , the commercials NOTHING CAN STOP THE U.S.A.F , the lives it affected no more apparent to me @ 8 than the plastic soldiers I left laying in the back yard from the last major battle.

[@jamesruddy9264]

I did a lot of target analysis in the thin bush around Newland. I did a lot of railroad work there. If you were there you'll know what I mean.

[@mr6kings]

Village Inn

[@d.angeloferri1694]

Crash Rescue 1969 -1970. I was surprised to find this video.

[@nan16cd]

I was here TDY out of Clark AFB in 1972 working on C-130s.

[@jaycole8408]

I was at UT from Nov 67 to Nov 68 in the Environmental Systems Repair Shop in the 4258th FMS.. I met Col. Talmant when he came down to our shop on the flight line. He was a very cool commander, but I still am mad at him for the Bob Hope Show not coming to UT in his Christmas 67 tour. Col. Talmant said he would not make the flight crews give up their air conditioned trailers to Bob's crew. He was at UT every year after that.

[@marcel-w7]

Fly straight and level just the way North Vietnam SAM (surface to air missals) liked it.

[@larrybowes4008]

On the flightline and in the shop. ECM/EWR. Guam Okinawa and Thailand.

[@Yosemite-George-61]

what does the bombardier says at 32:33 ? " I have the time going to hit................ we want "

[@jimsvideos7201]

Sounds like "I have the time going, eight decimal five is what we want." What that exactly means I don't know.

[@jbg43]

I believe the radar nav is calling out the offset angle and time to release based on their station keeping from the cell lead who drops first.

[@darkknight1340]

@@jimsvideos7201 Eight point five seconds to ordnance release,yes they did work in fractions of seconds!.

[@jessevadney9458]

Ssgt jesse vadney. 1967. 1968 crew chief kc135. Tdy from blytheville afb ark. Great experience life changing

[@ZenosWarbirds]

👍

[@sasha5320]

You gotta love them Buffs , get some Charlie ✊🏻👍🏻

[@jafo766]

Ohh they GOT SOME , and gave as good as the GOT from the side of a Peugeot bicycle with a bamboo control stick.

[@gotmythumbs]

I thought I saw familiar eyebrows in the pilot seat. I was at Utapao in the same time frame as this video was taken. I didn't know George Dietrich at the time but later on we were both in the FB-111A at Plattsburgh AFB NY.

[@jbg43]

I flew two tours at UTP 69 & 70 and that's how I remember it.

[@morganlewis2667]

Don't nobody remember Thi stick and New Land ? Oh yeah, what happens in Thailand stays .... except Agent Orange.

[@russellgreer2663]

Oh, and I spent 16 years in SAC flying the BUFF and SAC did suck, but only for those not able to handle the discipline required to be a member of the best damn combat unit in history.

[@sarge505050]

Damn straight! Carswell from 72-76. Only the best got SACumcised

[@danmulcrone6581]

sarge505050 I only spent 4 years in SAC ((71-75) navigating KC-135's. I was sorry they didn't mention my aircraft type (YES, I WAS AT UTAPAO ROYAL THAI NAVAL AIR BASE (RTNAB)--most people don't realize it was not an AFB.)

[@nkp7071]

Dan Mulcrone Check it out officially - it was RTNAF or Royal Thai Navy Air Field.

[@badguy1481]

I flew them for only a year and a half...but I had a lot of respect for SAC's people and management. In the 1970's, SAC's primary mission was against the Soviets....a mission that would probably mean the end of life for many crews, if they were ever called to carry it out. Also, the use of SAC against the North Vietnamese and the losses incurred bombing North Hanoi were still on everyone's mind. A good bunch to stay at it and keep training for those VERY dangerous missions.!

[@robertvalderaz7329]

Russell Greer Loved SAC, no better outfit. spent 3/4 entire enlistment, with SAC. After being assigned to Tinker , with the 2953rd CLSS. And dealing with civilians and the bull shit ass kissers. I got out. SAC was the best years of my life.

[@denvercolorado811]

This video is pretty cool!

[@4y6857]

Do you recall the El Camino (I think) w/ a cushioned pad mounted across the back? It would pace the U2 as it landed and the pilot would drop the wing onto the pad as it slowed and lost lift.When it stopped a ground crewman would attach the outrigger gears that fell off during launch so it could taxi to its revetment.

[@williamcruz7044]

4y6857 they were logos called heckle and jeckle like the cartoons .two crows !😀

[@goober208]

@@williamcruz7044 Used to watch this every afternoon. UT 74-75

[@videoman4424]

I was a Bomb loader [MMS} from 1971-1972 with the 307th bomb wing 8th airforce at this base.

[@copout1405]

Jay, we probably passed each other one time or another. I worked at the CP comm center July 67 - July 68. Nick

[@williamwright4060]

what up with the UP. with. the HP Victor bomber resting in the water ? its a British.plane.

[@kruzn1934]

Been there done that. Fred Fernandez engine shop and test cell

[@jerryblankenship4838]

I remember the kc-135 crash, actually I was in pattaya on a 3 day pass when it happened. the b-52 must have crashed after I left in January 69 because I don't remember that. I do remember bombs going off in a revetment and scouring the area for fragments.

[@kengarrigues504]

I remember well the Kc135 and the Bomb dump explosion in 1968 to , I was on wrecker duty at the dump when it all came down. I got TBI from it and cant convince the VA that it it even happened. apparently utapao is still Secret. Can you help me to verify the dump blew up? I need a witnesses that saw it . And or the helicopter from ubon that crashed delivering fire suppressant. ?? anything related will help.

[@TheRichram]

Jerry your name very familure. I was 4258 oms, 135's flt line super. Do you remember the anaconda at the snack shack they used to feed live chickens to?

[@enlightenedwarrior7119]

How many were lost in combat?

[@turnyernie]

My uncle Ronald Hintz flew those wonderful birds. Ate 5 star spicy Thai food and drank like a Irishman. He told me some stories about where the B-52s never officially flew and told me of taking politicians up in the planes so they could have their meetings without being heard.

[@Electriceye1984bySam]

Awesome doc

[@annegotthard6103]

4258Th FMS fro Nov.1967 to Nov. 1968 Jerry Gotthard

[@DavidEVogel]

I worked at UTapao Air Base during the Vietnam War. Several TDY tours working with the U-2 reconnaissance aircraft. Great memories.

[@jaideedave]

Huh, I never realized they could smoke on those things. Mind you as a diesel boat submariner we could smoke almost anywhere on the boat back in the day

[@warplanner8852]

"A suck for SAC is a blow for peace".. Helped write the SIOP. DOCODW, SAC HQ, Offutt AFB, 1969-1973.

[@apocyldoomer]

Awesome, gotta hit the sack though, I will place on the watch later list.

[@nkp7071]

Yes please list them!!

[@davegeisler7802]

Looks like the B52D Tall Tails were used in Vietnam. such a shame that they chopped up all the D models. All we have left now is the B52H.

[@robertmilward3365]

I was waiting for the pilot to turn and ask me why the fuel gauges were spinning... I would ask, clockwise or counter clockwise.... then fix the problem.... 66-70

[@barrysullins3231]

This is for A1C Ron Young, 461st BW, 1967-68. The 4258th became the 461stBW in March 1963. Based out of Amarillo AFB, TX. Flew first B-52 missions out of Thailand.

[@sillygoose2508]

you would have to borrow under ground because that plane would make living above ground kinda hazardous

[@xtaywin4448]

1968 ,in this time,B-52 bomber hed four engine, now eight engine.

[@tammyhenson7295]

Former B52H crew chief, 410th BW, 644th BMS. Balls 38.

[@raywalsh2468]

During Vietnam, B52's carried 84 500 pound bombs internally, and 24 750 pound bombs underwing. Nothing matched it's carpet bombing ability.

[@tinhhoangvan9327]

Welcome to Hanoi Hilton 🎉🎉🎉

[@richardmcgeehan6496]

LEST WE FORGET HAND SALUTE

[@ggmitch01]

Egress shop 379 FMS Dec 1971-72

[@ironroad18]

United States Government films, which are public domain, being offered for sale by a private entity?

[@ZenosWarbirds]

"Public domain" means that anyone can do what ever they wish with the original material, including selling copies, regardless of who originally produced it. I copyright the restorations I do of these films, which is very time consuming. You can buy un-restored copies of this film elsewhere. You can sell your own version of Moby Dick if you want to. :)

[@theroadrunnerjarhead4109]

Watching and Listening to B52s dropping their bombs and the bombs exploding which caused the ground to shake violently is better than any fireworks show or rock concert. Vietnam 1967 I corps near macnamara’s strip by the demilitarized zone and Con Thien.

[@GroovyVideo2]

my father flew B29 & B52 on his grave stone it said he fought in Nam - he retired in 1962 he never said anything about Nam - mistake on headstone ?? i wonder

[@humbolt45]

Served 68-69 w/4258 MMS/AGE.

[@Kabul81]

My brother was in nam but I'm sure the horizontal refreshments in thailand was the priority not sight seeing! :D Jman

[@ferrallderrall6588]

Pays the same marching or fighting

[@sumbeech1484]

Tryin' too wear out Mama Son ! Always good to kill time-- got my first basket ride there !!!! Some swell times !!!!

[@davegeisler7802]

Those SA-2 Guldelines gave the Buffs all they wanted over Hanoi and Haiphong , even with ecm and evasive actions.