U.S. AIR FORCE " THERE IS A WAY " F-105 THUNDERCHIEF IN VIETNAM WAR KORAT AFB PART I 24914

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Part II: • U.S. AIR FORCE " THERE...
This U.S. Air Force recruiting film "There is a Way" is about the Fighting Cavalier Squadron and their F-105s Thunderchiefs in Vietnam. This is Part 1 and was filmed in November 1966, most of the base footage is from Korat Air Force Base in Thailand. This film came about in a peculiar way: in 1965 with F-105 losses mounting, 469th TFS Thud pilot Capt. Tony Gangol started saying after each mission, "There ain't no way" to complete a tour. The use of the phrase spread among F-105 pilots and alarmed commanders. "There Is A Way" shows pilots successfully completing 100-mission tours of duty.
Opening titles: U.S. Air Force presents 'There is a Way' (:10-:48). Three lieutenants are about to land. They have completed an astonishing 101 missions flying the Republic F-105 Thunderchief. Jeep and cars drive down a tarmac (:49-2:30). The date is November, 1966. These men are part of the 'Fighting Cavalier Squadron' aka 421st Tactical Fighter Squadron. The pilots are interviewed. Jeeps drive past the men and blow their horns. The pilots celebrate their accomplishment amongst the men in a barrack (2:31-4:04). One of the pilots talks about his future plans with another. A board on the wall is filled out. Pilots discuss mission numbers. The Mission Summary board (4:05-6:12). Men who are stationed share their thoughts on being where they are in the war (6:13-8:07). A pilot speaks on staying for another tour. An officer stands in front of a map and explains the bombing objectives (8:08-10:31). F-105 plane taxis on the runway. A pilot comments on a raid. F-105 takes off down the runway (10:32-12:19). F-105s fly in the sky. F-105s bomb targets in North Vietnam, explosions seen on the ground from high above. Formation of four F-105s (12:20-13:45). Pilots in a truck being transported after the mission, they discuss the mission. They exit the truck and go into an intelligence briefing. The pilots look over maps and discuss while seated at a table (13:46-15:31). An officer drives a car past various buildings that house certain squadrons. A man drives on a truck while passing by some F-105s and giving his thoughts on the plane (15:32-17:02). The officer continues to drive and give his thoughts on the F-105. Mechanics work on the planes. Night falls on the airstrip. Mechanics work on F-105s (17:03-18:42). Bombs are hoisted and then brought over to planes. A truck drives a ton of shells for the planes. Pilots sit and eat in their mess hall. A man and a woman sing 'I Left My Heart in San Francisco' for the men. Pilots enter their planes at night. A plane taxis in the darkness. An F-105 takes off followed by another (18:43-20:49). F-105 takes off at night. Morning is approaching as an F-105 taxis. One after another, F-105s take off (20:50-22:36). F-105 gets refueled in mid-air. F-105s fly in the sky. Another 105 moves near the tanker plane and gets refueled (22:37-23:53). F-105s fly through clouds. Pilots exit a truck. Officers discuss neat the Mission Summary board. Pilots discuss (23:54-25:36). A map of Vietnam is looked at and weather patterns are discussed. Tomorrow's targets are discussed and pointed at. Roscoe the dog is the only dog allowed on base. Roscoe sits in the commander's chair during briefings (25:37-27:31). F-105s stationary on the air strip. A target is shown enlarged on a screen and it shows SA-2 anti-aircraft missiles that must be destroyed. Pilots give their thoughts on the Hanoi area (27:32-29:49). Pilot talks about being shot at by missiles. Pilots get ready to go on their next mission. They get all their gear and put some of it on. F-105 has bombs ready (29:50-31:37). End of Part 1.
The Republic F-105 Thunderchief was an American supersonic fighter-bomber used by the United States Air Force. Capable of Mach 2, it conducted the majority of strike bombing missions during the early years of the Vietnam War; it was the only American aircraft to have been removed from combat due to high loss rates. During the Vietnam War, the Cavalier Squadron lost 33 planes to accidents and combat.
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[@bvelliot]

My father, Les Elliott, was the principal photographer of this film. He was a civilian working for the 1352nd Film Group at Lookout Mountain AFB in Hollywood. He flew four actual missions to get the combat footage, including the images of the SAM missiles coming at them. He thought highly of Carl Richter, and all the pilots really. He was close with Robbie Risner. When the POWs arrived at Andrews AFB, Risner was one of the first out of the plane. I woke my dad up to watch. When I turned to see my dad’s reaction, he was crying. The only time I ever saw him do that.

[@PeriscopeFilm]

We're really thrilled to have your father's work on our channel. Thank you for your comment.

[@bvelliot]

I just realized I wrote “When the POWs arrived at Andrews AFB.” It was Travis AFB. My mistake.

[@94Whiskey]

Your father did great work documenting these warriors of the air....and the hard work put in by ground crews. Future generation need to know and understand the past! Thank u again for your father's great work!

[@FlyingAceAV8B]

What I love most about watching these old videos that show the most basic squadron life is how similar it was to my squadron and Afghanistan experience. I see the same sense of humor that existed decades prior was also present when I was a young know nothing boot pilot. As much as I sometimes feel that I missed out on the greatest time in military jet aviation, I am more than thankful to have had the opportunity to fly some of the greatest machines man ever built in my own time. The men in this video were brave heroes because they faced an actual defensive capability and put their lives on the line over multiple tours. This should never be forgotten regardless of the evils of every war mankind has ever fought. To those who never made it back home, rest in peace. No better way to go than in blazing glory doing what you love.

[@donnapierce2906]

I just love seeing Carl ricker in these videos because I loved him I dated him I wish you would have came home

[@ernestsabatino826]

Was at takli afb, Thailand when this was filmed, 65 to January 66. Can't believe it's been that long. Aircraft recovery maintenance.

[@richroylance4630]

If I understand correctly, most of the air to ground missions in vietnam were flown by the F-105, and they took the heaviest losses. These guys were tough !

[@tristanholland6445]

Most of the missions flown into North Vietnam by the USAF was the F-105. They were all stationed at air bases in Thailand. It was the primary strike aircraft for the Air Force for Rolling Thunder(operations in North Vietnam). In South Vietnam the primary CAS aircraft where F-100 and F-4.

[@dmutant2635]

Out of roughly 750+ F-105's built, about a third were lost over Vietnam.

[@lucasner463]

I didn't recognize any of the other pilots...but to see and hear Richter was quite the privilege.

[@dmutant2635]

I'd read about Karl Richter but it was nice getting to actually see him in this film.

[@johngriffiths118]

Shot down on mission 198 according to Wiki . Nearly made it through two back to back tours . Youngest Mig killer at that time . RIP

[@donnapierce2906]

@@johngriffiths118 did you know karl richter? i live in michigan dated him when he came home on leave do nna

[@wastedapathy22]

I recognized some of the other pilots Ed Rasimus mentioned in “When Thunder Rolled”. Major Bill Lloyd is right at the beginning, “Spider” Spelius is the other pilot they interviewed before Raz, and I’m pretty sure Capt. “Wimpey” Peake and his “Poirot mustache”, as Raz described it, is seen later in the film.

[@SAA11572]

That Lt. Rasimus is Ed Rasimus, who wrote two excellent books on his experience flying out of Thailand. The first, “When Thunder Rolled”, is about his time flying F-105s. The second book, “Palace Cobra”, is about what happened after his first tour and his eventual return to flying F-4s during the latter part of the war. Both are excellent books with an honest view of flying in that war. Some of the other pilots in this movie show up in Rasimus’ first book as well.

[@dmutant2635]

Maybe you've read John Trotti's book about flying F-4's with the Marines in Vietnam?

[@SAA11572]

@@dmutant2635 Read that also; great book. Also “Over the Beach” by Zalin Grant; great book about naval aviation and in particular VF-162.

[@Praetoras]

@@SAA11572 He also helped Robin Olds with his book "Fighter Pilot".

[@charlesbukowski9836]

Didn't he have some negative remarks about Jack Broughton?

[@SAA11572]

@@charlesbukowski9836 Not in his books AFAIK

[@yuvegotmale]

In the 60s my dad had a small plane (taylorcraft bc12d) and I flew quite a bit with him. I was 15 in 1966 and had a interest in the planes flying in the VN conflict. My brother was in the AF and in 66 was based at Da Nang and when he came home he gave me his olive drab shirt that had a patch of the RF 101 Voodoo...dang I loved wearing that kaki shirt. I went in the Navy in 68 and my first duty station was NavSupAct Da Nang. I got to the air base a few times to look at the aircraft but could never get very close to them. In 2017 I visited my son in Hong Kong and as a surprse he scheduled a trip for us to Viet Nam. We landed in what I still call Saigon and then a flight up to Da Nang. We landed on the old AFB air strip...some of the original protective buildings are still standing. I still can recall a sign at the Da Nang air base that said Welcome to the 15th airel port...this was in 1969. I tried to find my old base (camp Tien Sha)...was not easy ...so many things have changed. It is now a VN naval base and they wanted no part of us being any where near the main gate. Part of that main gate was left over from when I was there. Always loved the Thud.....

[@timroach5260]

I served in the 6010 and 17th Wild Weasel Squadron as a crew chief at Korat. This video brought back many memories...I could almost smell the flight line and jet exhaust again...

[@kaypie3112]

Wow. A rare chance to see and hear Karl Richter speak. A legend.

[@udaloop86]

This is excellent. Raw, real and such a valuable record of the courage of those Thud crews and their support crews.

[@dmutant2635]

This is great cinema. Thanks for posting these films.

[@user-um6mi7wm7r]

best Vietnam War time videos

[@Thunder_6278]

The film is in terrific shape, almost can't tell this was almost 60 years ago.

[@jds6206]

The dog at around 27:00. From Kadena, Okinawa. Sorry the fellow who brought him was shot down. Anyway, that dog is so typical of the yellow shorthair "mutt" found all over Okinawa. Only after those dogs end up in the company of Americans, do they fill out and look pretty good. I'm a retired Marine who served three tours on a peace-time Okinawa.....

[@ernestsabatino826]

Brings back a lot of bad memories!!!!!!!

[@rl64rl]

Ed Rasimus, “FOD!” Luv it!

[@surlyogre1476]

This _so_ reminds me of the old Air Force Now films shown at Commander's Call in the '70s.

[@PeriscopeFilm]

Check our channel we have posted a lot of "Air Force Now" episodes. Thanks for your service to our great nation. Love our channel? Help us save and post more orphaned films! Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/PeriscopeFilm Even a really tiny contribution can make a difference. Join this channel to get access to perks: kzbin.info/door/ddem5RlB3bQe99wyY49g0gjoin

[@kraziivan_]

9:30 I wish we would have stopped it there man.

[@paullittle9187]

I was an infant when all of this was filmed.

[@mwbright]

It's kind of like if Harley Davidson made a fighter jet.

[@aquatecpoolservice4547]

Exactly

[@aquatecpoolservice4547]

Great plane except we flew them around @ like 15k over weight, stall speed was just under mach and you had to deploy the arresting chute @ 50'. Otherwise just a joy to fly.

[@ionhunter]

7 Dirty Hippies voted thumbs down.

[@ernestsabatino826]

105 recovery squadron.

[@lukefleming1822]

Wish I could find the recording of Red River Valley

[@chrismartin1956]

While not the exact version heard at the opening, the song itself is on here in Dick Jonas’s cover. The song is called “Teak Lead.” kzbin.info/www/bejne/qqWteXmHh82rpM0

[@spookyfizz]

This is one of my favorites.

[@CrownOfGoldCompleatSacrifice_2]

Not sure if I should go to the doctor or if I should just go back to work

[@jrhamp]

Richter is memorialized by a statute at the Air Force Academy.

[@almondsnackbar4969]

The THUD.

[@mihaildudarov3425]

A good fighter, but the losses were still horrible by SAM and artillery.

[@Benne6666]

ho wonderful ! what the fisrt music pls ??? :)

[@johnt.4947]

"Red River Valley". Very popular ballad sung by many artists over the years.

[@Mishn0]

@@johnt.4947 Except these lyrics are different from the traditional ballad. It's sung by a group of USAF pilots with the words changed to reflect the Red River Valley missions over Hanoi.

[@johnt.4947]

@@Mishn0 Thanks for the info!

[@user-rm6ti1gz3v]

12:08 什麼 歌名

[@donnapierce2906]

Do you any of you pilots remember Carl ricker I would love to know if he ever mentioned me and coming home Donna Pierce I hope he didn't love the girl in Vietnam I didn't know about her at the time could you please tell me if he really did I will be there a disappointed but love is love I guess got to follow your 💜

[@donnapierce2906]

I just replied in a reply about night flying and I said sells Vietnam repairing everything I meant to say the North Vietnam army not the South I meant the North

[@davidraper6178]

Heil fire

[@PauloPereira-jj4jv]

The last fighter of Republic.

[@giancarlogarlaschi4388]

Meanwhile Mr. Robert Mc Namara and his cronnies were backstabbing this Men ! 😠😠😠

[@tman651]

☠☠☠

[@RaulRodriguez-bq4nj]

Americans know how to make war propaganda and the heroes come in six packs.

[@billynomates920]

that poor bastard going on about communism and hawaii and shit city

[@robertfonovic3551]

10 years fighting a 3rd world country, and the US still lost. bahaha

[@maxcorder2211]

Tell it to LBJ and RSM.

[@arthurpearson3407]

Politicians lost the thing!! No will!!