The Last Combat Sortie at Cam Ranh Bay by Ralph Lennen

12th TFW Association Log Entry, Dec. 2007

The Last Combat Sortie at Cam Ranh Bay by Ralph Lennen

The last 12th combat sortie off of CRB was flown in March 1970 and was a three ship "trees in contact" type mission with each a/c having 10x750 (MK-117GP). I was in the last a/c as a GIB and Herbie Coachman was the AC, so I was literally the last pilot to fly the last mission. The strike was not remarkable in anyway but we all did a 600kt fly by and the fire dept and final ceremonies officers hosed us down after we taxied in. The 559th mascot goat was on hand as were Col. Melton (Wing commander)Big and Little Dot (nurses) and who ever was still around to celebrate the last flight.

The goat mascot was named "CL" after a FNG had picked up a checklist with the name C.L. master printed on it and asked who this guy was and if he would mind if his check list was borrowed to go fly. The goat was named "CL" in this guys honor.

FNG GIB’s had the task of feeding, caring for, and displaying the goat for the squadron and brought him out for the final flight. He had the nasty habit of butting people from behind which made him immensely popular with the nurses.

The last days of the 12th at CRB were anti-climatic in that fewer and fewer pilots remained with fewer and fewer combat missions. The alert shack was closed down and the missions seemed just enough to accommodate what remained. The three squadrons all ended up flying together which had not been the case except rarely and social life was diminished. I do remember Kritzburger, a shark bait (557th TFS) front seater, having to protect the party hooch booze from marauders. He actually had to cold cock some thief.

As I had six months to go on my tour, I ended up going to Danang, when so many others went to Thailand, but I was not bitter (yeah, right).

The Closing of Phu Cat by William Wojciechowski

My recollection begins in the fall of 1971, probably around late October. I was a captain and the commander of the 12th Headquarters Squadron. I remember that rumors were flying all over the base that we would be shutting down operations and turning the base over to the VNAF. The rumors began to take on some credence when the South Korean "Tiger" Division (Infantry), who were responsible for providing our perimeter defense, began to be pulled out and started to be replaced by the ARVN. Once the ARVN were in place, I remember that we heard that the aircraft would soon be moved out. That began to take place soon after. Things started happeningpretty fast.First to go were the Caribou outfits and their support and soon after the F-4s.

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The Closing of Phu Cat - continued

Lists were quickly being put together as to who would be rotated out.They started first with who they called nonessential personnel, mostly administrative and logistical support troops. I remember charter airliners coming in and leaving with all seats filled. These troops were those who had been there the longest. Others were being reassigned in country and some even went to Thailand. Colonel Schoeneman, who was the 12thTFW commander, left, and Colonel Melton assumed command, Within a very short time, perhaps two weeks, we were re-designated the 6259th Air Base Squadron with Colonel Melton as commander and Colonel Vickrey as the vice. My position title changed to Chief of Administration/Executive Officer and I was also assigned duties as the Protocol Officer since we had numerous high level folks in and out planning an expedited transfer of the base to the VNAF. By Thanksgiving there weren't too many of us left, perhaps 150. A formal change of command/base transfer was planned, as I remember. We had a high level civilian official---perhaps an assistant SECAF--- a three star, and a bunch of 0-6s. It was a rainy and windy day and the ceremony was held on the flightline. In addition, there were numerous Vietnamese officers and civilian officials. I remember thinking that it was rather stupid to be doing this out in the rain next to a large empty hangar. Anyway, there were brief remarks from some of the dignitaries, an awards ceremony and then a transfer of the base where our colors were taken down and covered and the Vietnamese colors were raised.I and several others were decorated by the Vietnamese with the Cross of Gallantry w/Palm for helping to prepare the VNAF and ARVN to take over and operate the base. Within a few days after that, most of the troops left either for home or for other in country assignments.28 of us were "selected" to stay and further advise the VNAF on various operational aspects of keeping the place running.I remember being there for Christmas. It was pretty lonely and quiet. Many Vietnamese without their families with them on the base, simply left and went home. Being catholic, a couple of us went to midnight mass in the base chapel. The mass was celebrated by a Vietnamese priest/chaplain in their language.After mass, myself and the other two airmen, went up and thanked the priest.When we walked out of the chapel, there was a group of Vietnamese gathered who had also attended mass. Some of the children came up to us and gave us small bags of candy, and I guess, wished us a Merry Christmas as did the adults.I don't consider myself a very sensitive person, but I can tell you I cried.I had a wife and four children back home who were just like those kids. Any way, I thought that I would be there longer.

However, on December 28, I received word that I would be leaving on December 31 to Tan Son Nhut AB where I was to be assigned as the Executive Officer to the 7AF/IG. I left Phu Cat on a rainy evening via a C-123 with a few other airmen. How long the other 18-20(?) stayed I don't know. I ended my tour in that job with my primary duty as the congressional liaison handling all in country congressional inquiries directed to the Air Force.

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The Set-up by Ken Hopkins

My buddy, A/2c Larry Fiksdale and I had only been in-country at Cam Ranh Bay for a couple of days. We were still being processed in and shown around the base by SSgt Rodriguez, (if I recall his name correctly), when we found our way into the officers’ housing area (yep, guys – they had air-conditioning). Coming towards us was a Major all decked out in his nice clean khakis and looking mighty sharp. We were waiting for Sergeant Rodriguez to lead us with a salute as the Major was getting within saluting distance. He gets closer and closer and Larry and I are looking at each other wondering what we airmen should do as the sergeant was doing nothing. Do we salute or do we follow the sergeants’ lead? Well, guess what? We followed his lead and there was no salute. I then assumed what my Dad said about not saluting offers in a combat zone was true. That thought was short lived, however! We walked a few paces more when the major barks for us to halt and orders us airmen over, where of course, he cuts us a new one for… not saluting! In the meantime, we look over at Sergeant Rodriguez and there he is standing in the shade with a S##t-eating grin on his face! So we’re wondering, how come we got chewed out and not him? After the Major gets done “eating us for breakfast” we asked Sergeant Rodriguez what that was all about and why we (who’s we?) didn’t salute. He just shrugged his shoulders, still with that gall-dang S##t-eating grin on his face. Larry and I, the bewildered snot-nosed, pimple-faced airmen that we were, shrugged our shoulders, sucked it up and moved on!

Cat Attacks by Trenton Pauley

The first attack occurred shortly after I arrived at Phu Cat and I was sharing a room with another pilot who was on R&R. All I remember is that I woke up under the bed with a flack jacket and helmet on. How I got them on and under the bed, remains a mystery to me. It probably took me about a minute to crawl out from under the bed after I awoke and calmed down. It seemed like five minutes because I had to remove the flack jacket to get out from under the bed. I heard a lot of the pilots outside talking. Being a new guy, I peeked outside and noticed very few pilots had on a flack jacket or helmet. I quickly took mine off as I didn't want to look like an SNG (Scared New Guy), and stepped outside to see what all the commotion was about. A rocket had hit the paint barn and made one heck of a fire. Everyone cheered! The painting of the Ops building and other base structures was suddenly put on-hold.

During another attack one afternoon, I happened to be in a jeep. We came to an abrupt stop, dismounted, and hugged the earth. I could hear the rockets going overhead and I kept raising my head up to see where they were landing. I was told to stay down. My reply was if you can hear it, it can't hurt you.

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Cat Attacks continued

The old heads retort was, "It's the one you don't hear that kills you, Dumb S##t!”

I remember one of the guys was scared s##tless, was shaking, and trying to get closer to the ground. After the attack, he was quick to inform me that he was scheduled to go home in about two weeks. Yea, he had a right to be scared.

There was yet another daytime attack where a couple of rockets hit the ROK (Republic of Korea) troop compound adjacent to Phu Cat. The ROK’s immediately went out and swept the area for enemy. The VC suffered several KIA, and a few POW’s were captured along with some arms. The POW’s must have been pretty sick and expired in spite of the Koreans efforts to help them. Yea Right!

The $20 Boots by E J Sherwood

Place and time: Cam Ranh Bay Air Base, The summer of 1966

The parking ramp, runways and taxiways were constructed of AM-2 aluminum matting placed over a level foundation of sand bags. Basically this was an upgraded surface from the PSP (pierced steel planking) used during the previous 2 wars and was designed to hold more weight and allow hi-performance aircraft to operate without damaging their tires. The surface of the AM-2 had a non-skid treatment to help better control weight-in-motion. While working in my office (F4 Crew Chief, Revetment A-3, on the ramp), I found this surface to be extremely hard on the heels of my jump-boots, and wore out both pairs rather quickly.

After checking around, I found there was no place to buy replacement jump-boots on the base. The POL guy that manned the fuel bladders at the refueling pits located directly in front of our revetment, said he could get me a pair from the Philippians for $20. Bingo! A deal was made and I was told to stop by in a few days to pick up the boots and pay for them upon delivery.

That day came and I headed over to the fuel bladders and found my POL guy. He picked up the boots and handed them to me, as I handed him the $20 bill. We both saw some movement out of the corner of our eyes. The 50,000 gallon rubberized fuel bladder next to us began to split at the seam, and JP4 poured out of it like a dam breaking. The fuel spilled out and over all the electrical wires, cables and large batteries used to operate the control valves for the refueling system, and all were suddenly submerged. Fuel can ignite quickly, but on this day we were lucky and God was with us. The sand soaked up the fuel while we shut down the flightline. I’m sure I ended up with a pair of boots, but I can’t remember how the $20 bill and the boots managed to make the exchange. With all the power units that were running, the strong smell of fuel fumes, and aircraft loaded with ordinance, it was a damn scary situation.

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The Phantoms of Cam Ranh Bay

By Derrell Maxwell Copy Right 1994

Cam Ranh Bay, South Vietnam

Is on the South China Sea

It was the place we called home

While keeping that country free

I’m proud I had the honor

To have served with the best

And to be a part of history

Where war birds came to nest

The mighty F-4 Phantom

Is an awesome bird of prey

Raining death and destruction

On the enemy every day

She’s made of Plexiglas and metal

And her tail wings oddly droop

But God help the Viet Cong

When we release her from her coop

Her wings are heavy laden

With weapons made for war

As she roars thru enemy skies

She’s the pride of the corps

When her mission is complete

And if she survives the flak today

She’ll head back home to roost

Back home to Cam Ranh Bay

She’ll huddle with the other birds

Of the 12th TAC Fighter Wing

She’ll wait and wonder what

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The Phantoms of Cam Ranh Bay - Continued

While she takes a needed rest

Our work has just begun

We’ll check her out from nose to tail

And reload her Gatlin Gun

Day after day she flies

With commander and backseater

We can tell they love her so

From the way they both treat her

They’ll take her dancing thru the clouds

Show the enemy her shapely lines

Then they’ll set her down so gently

As they bring her home on time

On the days we lost a Phantom

While in service to our Nation

The other birds would let us know

And fly the missing man formation

Two brave warriors and their lady

Had answered their country’s call

Will we shake their hands again?

Or read their names upon the “Wall”

As we reflect upon our past

And those images of war

Remember those who gave all

On that far and distant shore

Vietnam is now history

But it seems like yesterday

I was with that Fighter Wing

And the Phantoms of Cam Ranh Bay

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