Takhli RTAFB

Bios and More - Year 2005 entries


Jack Barrett
5 Apr 05

I was a 1LT stationed at Takhli from September 1966 to September 1967. Assigned to the Wing Intelligence Division, I was a briefer, debriefer and EE Officer.

Met some great people, who had a lot of courage.

Jack Barrett
Colonel, USAF (Ret)

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Wayne Blanchard
9 Apr 05

Was stationed March - April 1972 TDY. I was in transportation I was a sgt. e-4.

Looking for info about ambush about 15 clicks away from Takhli. Anyone please contact me. Thanks

Wayne Blanchard

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Bill Burge
18 May 05

I spent a year there as a jet engine mechanic in 69 (I think). Anyway remember the F111's comming and being grounded, a Bob Hope visit, and a crew mate being sucked into a B66 intake.

Had a band that played alot downtown and in the Airmen's club . We called the band Kalidescope. Would love to re connect with the other members...Howie/guitar NY bass player BOB? from Orlando

Bill Burge

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Ron Carroll
29 Jan 05

I was stationed at Takhli 357th TFS as a crew chief from June 70 to Dec 70.

I was also the one that dumped fuel on me and had to get a "Water Cart" to wash me down before the Fire dept did. What a memory.

Ron Carroll

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Jack Cecil
27 Feb 05

I was assigned to the 355th AEMS as an Electronic Warfare Repairman working on the EB-66s.

While I was assigned there we lost two EB-66s. The first one crashed in a violent rain squall while inbound for landing (no casualties) and the second (an older EB-66B) crashed on takeoff (flameout) killing the three crew members. The second loss set a precedent because 2 of the 3 killed were Lt. Cols. Thereafter no more than one high ranking officer was allowed to fly on any EB-66 mission.

Jack Cecil

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Dave Dunklee
10 Jun 05

Stationed Takhli with Det 2, 601st Photo, Airborne shop Sept 68 - Sept 69 as an A1C.

Buddies were John Clemens, Dennis Bosely, Wolfgang Kuenzler (still Photo) SSgt (Fast Freddy) Steiner, Sgt Ibarra and more.

Went on to complete AF career and retired as a Chief, Weather Station Operations. After two more trips to the zone

Dave Dunklee

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Bill Erickson
10 Feb 05

I arrived at Takhli in Jan of 69 and spent the entire year there. I flew the F-105 and had 150 combat missions when the tour was over and went back to the States. I had a 1 month vacation at my home in Ashland, Wisconsin

I came back to Takhli in Jan of 1973 and flew the F-111 and had 65 combat missions when the war ended on Sept 15, 1973 1100 Local time in Cambodia. It was the last combat mission flown during the Vietnam war. I flew the right seat as I was a instructor pilot and Col, Lacy, the wing commander was in the left seat. I flew with him on all 65 combat missions into Cambodia. I still had to stay at Takhli until Jan 1974 to complete the entire year.

Bill Erickson

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Bill Ferguson
4 Nov 05

I was stationed in Takhli from 69-70. I worked in Base Flight ( Prop&Eng Mechanic) on Two C-47's assigned to the Base,then went COT to Europe ,Weisbaden Germany.

I enjoyed my time that I had in Thailand I would like to make it back one of the days.

Great web site. Thanks

Bill Ferguson

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Jim Fitzgerald
6 Jun 05

I was known as Fitz at Takhli. My assignment began in May 1972 when my unit, 824th Security Police Squardron was TDY'ed to Takhli from Kadena. We left Takhi that fall returning to Kadena. In February 1973 I was re-assigned to Andrews AFB until my Honorable Discharge in 1974.

I am currently a Police Captain with the Henrico County Police in Richmond, Virginia.

James B "Jim" Fitzgerald

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Bill Gaines
20 Dec 05

I was stationed at Takhli RTAFB from November 1969 to November 1970 with the 1980th Comm Sq.

I worked in the Comm Center located down the street from the Chapel and across the street from the chow hall. I have many fond memories of my time there.

Bill Gaines

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Sam Goodwin
6 Apr 05

I arrived in Takhli assigned to the 41TEWS as an EWO in April 1969 the day after a EB-66 crashed on takeoff, due to an engine failure, killing all three on board. For the next few months flights were reduced until all the engines could be reworked. I worked in the Frag Shop with the following guys: D.L. Jackson, R. Stone, T.G. Carpenter,A.M. "Tony"Sassone, R.D. Coy, L.G. Cox,D.T. Cairns, and L.D. Boone.

We worked 42 days straight and then had 7 days off to go anywhere we wanted just so we got back to work on time. Bangkok and the Nippa Lodge at Pattaya Beach were favorite places to spent off-time.

My room mate was Chuck Guardalibene, another EWO, and I have lost his whereabouts.

Great memories: "Kobi" beef (?), The Takhli Villa, Winnie's restaurant and Honda 49cc motor bikes and carrier landings in the backroom of the O'Club (sliding on your stomach with the floor covered with ice).

Sam Goodwin

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Myron Haley
28 Sep 05

I was TDY to NKP & Takhli in 1966. I was part of the Prime Beef 14 deployment.

I would like to hear from anyone that was part of Prime Beef 14.

Myron G. Haley

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Bill Henderson
19 May 05

We were TDY 1965 out of Wichita Kansas 355th, after year & a half on Okinawa with the 18th TAC Fighter Wing. I was in the F-105 Fire Control shop. We left Takhli just before Christmas or it would have been my third Christmas out of the big ZI. We suffered numerous losses the most well known was Capt. "Nasty Ned".

E4 H. W. "Bill" or "Tex" Henderson
depends on how long the other guys had known me.
SKYTECH AVIATION, INC
ADDISON, TEXAS 75001

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Ron King
23 Jan 2005

What a great site for memories!

I was a co-pilot for Mike Moore. Our nav was Jim Bowdin, and the boom opr was Jim Sullivan. We had gone with the first group on Operation Bullet Shot / Young Tiger to Utapao and caught up with the rest of the squadron in Takhli in May. What a great bunch of guys to be associated with.

We were on 90-day rotations there, with two week trips back to the land of the round eyes. One the eve of returning in Oct I remember Kissinger saying "peace was at hand" and we firmly expected to be back in just a few weeks (became five months). Anyway, we all worked hard and the maintenance crews were absolutely unbelievable -- and it was great to be able to socialize with all at the "Dildo" club which was operated by our boom operators and located between our barracks and the 49ers from Holloman. That is where I learned to play cards and 4-5-6. Great education.

I left the USAF in 1976 and went to work for Ross Perot and have been in the IT business ever since. I would really enjoy hearing from anyone from those days.

Ron King

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Barry Kopman
3 Jan 2005

I was looking at the damage in Thailand from the tsunamis and decided to look up information about an Air Force base I was stationed at (Takhli) and came across your web site.

I was in the 49th Tac Fighter Supply Squadron. According to your website the base was closed in 1970. In May 1972 THE 49TH Tac Fighter Wing(about 80 F4 fighters and 2000 members) were sent to Takhli to reopen the base. When we got there there was nothing left except for a few barracks. Since we were in supply were lucky enough to get the barracks.

Others who came after us were put in tents. By the time I left 2 months later there were about 10000 personnel on base. Our mission was to completely set up the base to support the bombing of Vietnam since the US was in the process of reducing forces in Vietnam.

Barry Kopman

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Deril W. Laster
25 Aug 05

I was at Takhli in 1967-1968 in 357 TFS / weapons mechanic.

I am looking for someone that was there when I was. I need copy of the orders or pictures, anything to prove I was there. I am trying to get disability from the VA. If anyone can help please e-mail at address shown below.

Deril Laster

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Harry Lawson
3 Jan 2005

Ii hope you may be able help me find some of my old buddies. My Takhli service dates Aug. 1967 to Aug. 1968, 41st. TEWS, crew chief B-66b-491. Aircraft 491 crashed on landing in July 1968 and i have several pictures I could send you later if this info reaches you.

I have tried for the last 6 years to find my old flight line chief, with out any luck. I gone thru the Air Force info center etc. and records do not go back that far, I've been told. Can you head me in the right direction or have info on the following two members. TSgt. Shelton,(no first name) who was at Takhli during the period of Aug. 1967 to Aug. 1968. I've also found Jules Shubuck on a roster on this web site but no addition information. looking for state of resident or first name of TSgt. Shelton. Thanks for any information you can provide.

Harry Lawson
.

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Bob Lockmiller
11 May 05

Arrived Takhli Aug. 15, 1973 assigned to the 474th AMS A shop avionics. Moved sometime to Korat and left with the return of the F-111A to Nellis via Guam sometime in 1975

Bob Lockmiller

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Raymond Mack
12 Aug 05

I was stationed at Takhli from Aug 1969 to July 1970. I was night shift supervisor of the FMS Electric Shop in Oct, Nov 69. The shop chief went to Okinawa in Dec 69 and I was shop chief till my replacemant came in June 70. Left Takhli on emergency leave in July 70.

I retired from the USAF with 20 years the end of Aug 1970. Retired to Amarillo TX, got a 2 year degree in electronics and went on to a new career in hospital biomedical, later worked for Dupont servicing blood chemistry instruments until Dec 1993, then retired to a home by Lake Conroe in Texas.

Most of the tour at Tahkli was kind of a blur, we worked 12 hour days with little time to relax.

Raymond A. Mack

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Mick Martinez
15 Mar 05

My name is Mick Martinez aka “Marty” I was sent from Colorado Springs to Yakota Japan 441st FMS. There I learned to fix 105’s especially the front struts. Thanks to the guys who helped. I was sent to Takhli June 1966 to Dec 1966. I had a daughter born in July back in El Paso Tx. and then sent tdy to DaNang for 7 days. I had a great time with the 333rd. I worked as a crew chief on 105’s night shift.

I remember eating breakfast, breakfast, and breakfast the entire time. Remember all the rice bugs late at night? My house boy taught me how to tell the difference between male and female rice bugs. I loved the place. I remember spending New Years in Bangock.

Did anyone go to Chang Mi for RR What a great time…

The very best service a guy could want. Super guys to work with all the way around. What has happened to us...?

I went to Danang VietNam but can not find orders in records anybody else have this problem?

Mick Martinez

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Donald Mattasolio
30 May 05

F-105 Pilot 333rdTFW.

Capt. Mattasolio passed away April 9, 2005. I am his wife and I wanted him to be with his comrades.

I would love to hear from anyone who has any stories I can share with his children. Thank You.

Mrs. Donald Mattasolio

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Raymond Metzger
29 Jan 05

1980th Comms Squadron August 68-August 69. NCOIC Technical Control, Hill 260, Base IWCS, MRC-98 Vans.

Filled in when necessary at the sites, had office in the 1980 Comm Sq Head Shed. TDY To Thailand,Vietnam as a member of 1st Mob Clark AB PI 1964-67

Anyone have an aerial photo of Takhli AB, or photos of Hill 260 Comm Site, 19th Hole Club? Would appreciate if I could get copies.

Thanks

Ray Metzger

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Ralph Miller
27 Jan 05

I was a Crew chief on the 130's out of CCK around June-Aug.. of 73 this was the time frame where they were releasing the POW's Think were Det.3-374 OMS. We moved there from NKP. I was there when that F-111 had the gear collapse and the ensuing fire and explosions scared us all!

We were in there TDY and yes besides hauling cargo we hauled the NVA POW's back to Hanoi from there. The outfit at CCK was the 374th and that outfit is now at Yokota. Interesting we started out at NKP and were moved to Takhli. Been a trash hauler mechanic for about 30 some odd years now. My current outfit is the 166th out of Newcastle Delaware.

I did get to go back in '89 to Korat for a Badge Torch exercise and had a wonderful time there. I can retire in March 2005 and haven't really decided yet. I think the club at Takhli was one of the best.

I am as you can tell by my address still wearing a uniform and near Afghanistan.

Ralph Miller

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Dan Nelson
14 Jan 2005

Served from Nov 66-Nov 67, 355 FMS. Hooch was near officers mess & pool.

I remember a Blackbird landing & some KC-135's coming in to fix it. Everybody on the flight line was watching the take off a couple days later. What a site & don't forget the U2 that was at the base.

Dan Nelson

[Ed Note: I wonder if anybody has pictures of the SR-71 or the U-2? I think their takeoffs and landing were mostly at night so no way to get photos and of course it'd be verboten anyway]

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Rick Ornelas
21 Jan 2005

Was TDY to Takhli in 65 from Yokota, Japan. We had 4 engine troops there, I worked nights the other 3 worked days. I remember one night when there was a mix up on time off, and all four of us showed up at the lumber yards together. What a place. A lot of work and a lot of good people.

I worked F-105 engines in Japan, Korea Thailand, OKI. And George ABF, I love working the bird.

Rick Ornelas

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Santos R. Ozuna
7 Oct 05

KC-135 crew chief from Fairchild AFB, WA. In Takhli around Xmas 1967, for a week,via UTapao--first tour--second tour--TDY from Loring AFB, Maine--in Takli for a week around Xmas 1972--Linebacker 2.

Air refueled F-105, RB-66, FB-111, and F-100's from around this area--proud of it--take care guys

Santos R Ozuma
US Army Retired
El Paso, TX

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Clifton Shaw
4 Nov 05

Being a crew chief on an F-105 in Thailand was quite an experience. I arrived in Takhli around November of ’68 after serving four months in Korat. Left Takhli for Williams AFB, Arizona in July of ’69. Been in Arizona ever since.

One thing I can not remember about Thailand are the names of those I worked with. I only had one good friend there and he and I met in basic training. His name is Edward J. McGovern V (The fifth). We called him Gov. I went to Takhli from Korat and Gov stayed in Korat the whole year. We joined up again in Arizona. It is unbelievable that he and I worked at every AFB together except the 8 months we were apart in Thailand. How rare is that?

Here are a few of the memories I had of Takhli and Thailand. See if they help bring back any memories for you.

Un-Godly humidity
Paying $4 for a months worth of laundry
Paying 10 cents for a bottle of Pepsi
Culture shock seeing a third world with such poverty.
Khah Phat (Fried Rice)

Celebrating my 21st birthday in the barracks
Working 12 hour shifts, 6 days a week.
Monsoon. I didn’t know it could rain that much. Six inches of standing water on a level flight line after a storm
Rice bugs.
Jammers

Helping remove a full 450 gallon fuel tank by hand thinking it was empty.
Taking naps in the tailpipe, cockpit, or intake when it was raining
Stealing away for midnight chow and catching a movie.
Getting off work at 6 a.m. and only getting 4 hours of sleep because the heat would wake me up.
Going to the library because it was air conditioned in hopes of falling asleep while reading.

Going to sleep in the mornings to the crescendo of afterburners kicking in.
Listening to a Thai rock group at the NCO club and actually getting to think they were good.
Dying to see a round eye.
Knowing some guys who actually had Tealocks (sp)
Taking Karate lessons

Being recognized as Airman of the Month
Almost losing my toes while standing on the slab of a F105 fixing a drag chute and having a hydraulics Staff Sergeant apply hydraulic pressure to the aircraft, catching the toes of my boots between the slab and the body of the aircraft.
Not being able to get a decent hamburger
Sometimes the unbearable loneliness
Buying a 24 karat gold chain necklace for $75 and learning that it was worth $350 in the states. I would have bought more had I known

Romping Rudy (sp)
K-ration day at the chow hall and rummaging through the 50 gallon trash cans for tins of crackers, peanut butter, jelly, and cookies from the k-rations. Used them when money was short before payday.
The ecstasy of getting a bird that was "OR".
The privilege of meeting the brave men who flew our 105’s everyday.
Experiencing the joy of a couple of pilots who reached their 100th mission.
Never losing a plane, but getting one that was shot up pretty good.

Working on the Iron Maiden.
Sleeping on the edge of the ladder.
Bugs, bugs, and more bugs.
During midnight chow, having to take a shower and change uniforms for the next six hours just to get all the grease and oil off.
Having a flight chief that was a decent guy. Sorry I don’t remember his name, but he was still a great guy.

A-hole captain that wanted a salute when I walked past him while reading my mail.
Finding it hilarious that during the bombing halt in Viet Nam that we were still sending out birds loaded with bombs. (They must have been going fishing with them)
Mastering the removal of the aft section of the 105.

Being proud of working with a bunch of guys that knew that what we were doing was vital to the war effort. Without fixing the Thuds, somebody in Viet Nam did not get the air support they needed to stay alive. Knowing this, made it possible to withstand what we had to go through because we knew the men in Viet Nam were experiencing far worse.

Keep healthy gentlemen and remember with pride.

Clifton Shaw
Phoenix, Az

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Butch Shelton
26 May 05

474 F111/A, Weapons Load, MMS TDY-- Jan.1973-Jun.1973, stayed PCS-- Jun.1973 thru base closure, 1974, Frig the Frag jammer driver.

Would like to hear from 1st crew chief, SSgt Jacobs (gunship, C-130, shot down over Laos)

Wilmer "Butch" Shelton

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Greg Soccio
27 Oct 2005

I was the Lab Tech at the 6280th combat support hospital from 10/73 to 8/74. By the time I got there, it was accross from the gym in several portable buildings

Greg Soccio

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Mike Spencer
12 Mar 05

I was stationed with the 366th TFW at DaNang Takhli from June 1972 to November 1972. My job was a weapons mechanic on F4's. In November 1972 we went to Udorn RTAFB 432nd MMS. I left Thailand in June 1972 for K.I. Sawyer AFB Michigan and discharged in January 1975.

I now live at in Eau Claire, WI 54703.

Thanks for the website.

Mike Spencer

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John Thorp
1Oct 05

I was at Tahkli Jan. '66 - Jan. '67. Then I was sent on a consecutive tour at Phan Rang V.N. from I/67 - 2/68.

I was a 20 yr-old Sgt. at the time, working in that huge old WWII hanger at the end of the boardwalk. It was my first time out of the 48, and I was just so very young, dumb, and fulla c**e, and overwhelmed by the entire experience. I went overboard with the cheap booze & cheap thrills of 'The Strip'. I allowed it to interfere with duty responsibilities, and was damned fortunate that I didn't spend most of the tour in the stockade!

Some of the bits I recall-----

-Coming in on the bus that first day, after dark. Pulling up to main HQ, right near the original BX, and Base Hospital. That large supply storage yard on the right, where the huge trees were. Falling out with my duffle and the FU lizards singing the 'Welcome'

-Those tin-roofed hooches we lived in out near the softball field, long before the fine, new barracks were built out near the gate on the road to town. How quiet things were in those early days, and how awfully loud the "Trucks" were, taking off on those night raids.

-That damned 'hump' in the runway, and how the heat waves shimmering off it hid the other end.

-How so uncomplicated, and simple things were for the first few months on the Base, (AND in town). The place was a pretty tight little community, & I knew most of the people I passed each day by sight. Then, G.I.'s began shipping in at the rate of HUNDREDS each week, and the whole place went from quiet to riot.

-Being amazed at the sight of RTAF troops in those wild white and black striped coveralls with an actual steel ball and chain on their ankles, dragging around doing menial yard work. AND finding out that this was the way the RTAF punished it's F/U's!! I never bitched very much about conditions after that. Only a little bit.

-My first pass into 'town', and riding in on the back of a motorcycle behind an off-duty Thai Sgt. making extra money by charging us for rides! There were no scheduled buses into town then, because the road was all dirt, and no bridges over the 2 or 3 creek beds. So Thai civilians with cycles and cars hung around the back gate hawking rides to G.I.'s going in. I can remember choking on the dust, and being surprised at the amount of traffic on that little road, hanging on for dear life, and damned near breaking that bottle of vodka between my legs. I also remember the panic at the thought that this fool was gonna kill us both before I ever discovered what the Big Deal was down on ' The Strip '.

-That long walk up the boardwalk from the Main Bldg. towards the flightline, before there was a shuttle.

-I recall the dog that made rounds of the flight line most every day looking for handouts, and how the riggers in the 'chute shop ( I think ) made a really wide collar for him to wear, and put 2nd Lt, bars on it. Over a period of a few weeks, they kept 'promoting' the dog. I don't remember seeing him after he made Major. That's about the time we were all moved out to the NEW barracks, and duty sections near the back gate. We all got such perverse pleasure out of saluting that dog whenever we happened on him, and how confused some of the new guys were over it all.

- Early 1966 when the 11-7 shift RTAF guard at the back gate fell asleep on duty and when found asleep, his C.O. shot him to death. It was right around the time of their New Year, because I can recall all the water balloons, and laughter on the bus going out. Then, how it all soured really fast when the driver was forced to stop at the gate by the Thai officers, and looking at the body, even when I really didn't want to see.

-Finding out what a "Tee-Lahk" was.

-Fred Adams, and that odd dog he named 'Aduin'. He asked one of the Thai guys one day "What was that silly dog a-doin' over there", and they thought it was hilarious and that's what they called the dog from then on; "Aduin".

-The Tsgt. who was an ex-boxer and was so fond of that rice dish, that we all called him Sgt. Khow Pahd. He'd get a few beers in, and start yelling, "Hey, Mishiko,,, I wanna pom-pom". When he was much younger, in 1943 or 1944 he had fought a VERY tough bout with Tony Zale. Sgt. Khow Pahd had huge chest and shoulders and walked like a cat. Even though he was in his 50's at the time, and I never saw him angry, or without a smile, he's the last guy at Tahk I would'a tried.

-How really pitiful those bars on 'The Strip' looked in the daylight. And how spooky 'The Lumberyard' was at night! Yeah, we knew it was off-limits, but a few of us went anyway, just to see what the big deal was; and of course to brag about doing it!

-How completely astonished I was first seeing a 'Katoy Boy'. I was too ignorant to know such existed. Then later on, laughing like hell, watching FNG's finding out about 'em the hard way.

-Dec. '66, or Jan. '67, late one afternoon when the place went on lock-down, and for hours, there was scattered gunfire at different spots around the perimeter. I don't remember hearing the details of it, or who was at us. I think that was the day that the 66 was hit with small-arms fire and went down short of the runway. Were we really hit that day??

-The Thud two-seater. Was it E-model, or F-model, that we lost so many of the first few weeks we had 'em?? A lot of general despondence about then!

-Chuck Borne regaling us all with tales of Chicago.

-John Murch. Was a BULL of a man. We called him 'Much Murch'.

-Chirikhit Apahsarah {?sp) --Miss Universe that year

-Niloy (Capt?) Chilui, --who was head of security for the district; asked me along on a tiger hunt, once. I only recall a blur of deep jungle, and insects and elephants, and Mahmouts chewing beetle-nut, and finally someone shooting a tiger. Being that close to even a dead tiger was frightening. It was huge, and awesome, and I could almost feel the terror of being near a live one! Never went again. If I'd seen live one, I'd have fainted!

-Ahmpohrn Anantahng. --A nice lady I met. Very pretty, and demure. NOT a B-girl! She and I only had a casual relationship, but if I'd had half a brain..... She ran a small restaurant in the REAL town of Tahk. I wish that I'd found a way to stay in contact after leaving. One of the people I truly miss.

-Thai radio played two popular female singers' songs a lot. Some of the words: One girl sang "Mahr Noi Tamada" ---- Ordinary hairy dog ( or was it black?). The other sang "Bai Lohn a Lohk, puchai" ---- Go to hell, boy

- Kaow bawk wah, Bai lohn a lohk -- He/She said, Go to hell

-Farahng/ Philong - is a pulpy, pear-like tree-fruit with pale meat & that's why they used it's name as slang for us white guys. It wasn't quite a racial slur, but they thought it was cute.

-"Thai" is the Siamese word for "Free" -Thailand = Freeland. They are a proud people.

and John sent a second round of Takhli recollections and reflections a few days later

Who was that Thud driver in '65 - '66 who had this MONSTER of a handlebar mustache, and kept an old WWII leather helmet, big goggles, and a long red scarf in the cockpit on missions?? When he'd hit the taxi-way post flight, and pop the top, he'd don the helmet, and goggles, wrap that scarf around his neck, and throw the long end of it out along the upper fuselage, and come flappin' and grinnin' on in to the ramp. Just like Ol' Snoopy, or the Baron! He got away with it for a short while, but of course, the Safety Sluts put a stop to it, just when we came to look forward to it.

Late nites on the flight line, maint. crews working their asses off to get their bird flight-worthy for tomorrow and those huge light generators shining on the tarmac. I remember those big old roach-like beetles would line up by the hundreds on the tarmac, facing those lights, real still in a semi-circle... row, after row, after row of the things. They'd just squat there, not moving, just staring into the blinding lights! Kinda spooky at times! We used to make jokes about the bugs worshiping the God of the Night Lights!

Some guys had trouble with the 'Blister Beetles' in the early days. These small bugs would get in beds, and it seems they left a slight trail of caustic slime when they crawled. Crawling over a human body, the stuff caused long, slim blisters to appear. Hurt like hell, too!

Some of the "restaurants" in town served a soup with veg's, and some small round meat things. Some guy told me it was "Monkey Ball Soup", and those were actual testicles of simians in there! I never tried the stuff.... halfway believed him!! I've wondered over the years if that was true!

Taking the lower half of jet engine shipping containers, filling them with ice and beer out near the old softball field, grilling burgers and hot dogs, and 70 - 80 guys getting wiped out totally, before it was all done! Seems that was one of the very few avenues of escape that were available.

John Thorp

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Takhli Main Page

Flight of Four over Takhli

Flight of four F-105s over Takhli RTAFB during 1969 Red River reunion - photo courtesy Bob George

Dick Williams

edit 17 May 2008