30,000 Combat Sorties -- Air National Guard in Viet Nam

Air National Guard Web Site ^

[Liberty Ship]

On 3 May, F-100s from the 120th Tactical Fighter Squadron (Colorado) arrived at Phan Rang Air Base. By 1 June, all of the l20th's pilots were flying combat missions. In the meantime, the 174th (Iowa), 188th (New Mexico), and the 136th (New York) had all deployed to Vietnam with their F-100s. In addition, 85 percent of the 355th Tactical Fighter Squadron -- on paper a regular Air Force unit -- were Air Guardsmen. The Air Guard units were quickly and effectively integrated into Air Force combat operations in Southeast Asia (SEA). Prior to their return home in April 1969, they flew 24,124 sortie and 38,614 combat hours. Those numbers rose to approximately 30,000 sorties and 50,000 combat hours if the predominantly Air Guard 355th was included.

[FormerlyAnotherLurker]

Didn't mean to cast any aspersions your way.
I have seen that so many times and even heard it from a Phantom driver(!) that I can feel my blood pressure rising when it's repeated.
When a radio host mentioned it to me I started to talk about F102s being in Vietnam and was cut off - tape delay.
Five minutes later he was telling his audience that the ANG never went to Vietnam, 102s were never there. The far-leftie of the radio team - facts don't matter - just bash Bush.

[JoeGar]

When I was at Chu Lai, I remember two F-100s stopping by to refuel. The pilots mentioned that they wanted to hurry back to Phu Cat so they could "get in 9 holes" before the sun went down. Cool.

[MEG33]

Thanks for the links at #19.I am filling up space over there with my pings!

[FormerlyAnotherLurker]

Thanks, I need cheering up - I just heard the same radio host say his lies about Bush - re: AWOL nonsense!
I gotta find something else to listen to in the morning.

[MEG33]

Important links on this thread.See #19 for archives,updated daily by backhoe.

[MEG33]

I turned off TV yesterday during the day..I know what you mean.At least here I can respond!

[FormerlyAnotherLurker]

Oh, I respond - yelling at the radio does seem rather stupid, it's NEVER worked but I feel better(?) - sort of!
Actually, it's on headphones so I must look really stupid!
LOL

[MEG33]

Important links FYI at #19.

[sonofatpatcher2]

Re: On TV last night a National Air Guard general stated that the F102 fighter wings were not deployed to Viet Nam.

There was a limited deployment of Convair F-102 "Delta Daggers" to Da Nang Air Base.

The 102's were TDY from Clark and were for air defense of the base. The crews were on "Alert" and lived in tents between the taxiway and runway. comes from Here.

[FormerlyAnotherLurker]

If you haven't seen it (or even if you have!):
A thread or 2 on a letter to the editor from a pilot who served with President Bush.
Wish I had seen it 3 hours ago when I was listening to the radio. Could have raised my blood pressure even higher if I called and got cut off.
http://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1075896/posts
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1076034/posts

"It is quite frustrating to hear the daily cacophony from the left and Sen. John Kerry, Massachusetts Democrat, et al., about Lt. Bush escaping his military responsibilities by hiding in the Texas ANG."

[MEG33]

#19..FYI

[maro]

I bet you Barbara Bush was dead set against him volunteering for Nam, the way that 41 volunteered for WWII.

[MEG33]

Fuel..in case you have missed the links at#19

[American_Centurion]

Can't really blame her if it is.

My Mom and Dad both had conniption fit's when I joined the military, and it was peacetime.

[North Coast Conservative]

Dad was a line chief with the 136th, (Niagara Falls), New York Air National Guard. They were flying Huns, (F-100 Super Sabres)out of Tuy Hoa. Whether I was on the ground or in the air, (spotting naval gunfire, sub unit 1, 1st ANGLICO), I knew that when I heard callsign TACO that relief was just a few minutes away.

Tuff boy Cash and Kerry can kiss my NYANG Brat A$$ with his stories about how the Guard doesn't matter. I watched my old man walk on and off active duty all his professional career, WWII, Korea, Cuban Crisis, VietNam, and when they went to competition at Nellis AFB they left the AF regulars in the dust.

I dare him to walk up to my CMSGT brother-in-law with the NJANG Jersey Devils, (177th FW), and tell him that they are nothing special.

How can anyone with any knowledge of what the Guard and AirGuard have done for this country put up with this $hit?

His record of treason and treachery after his separation from active duty needs to be hand delivered to every active duty, Guard, AirGuard, and Reserve unit, as well every post/detachemnt of the DAV, VFW, Legion, and Marine Corps League in the USA.

I got my bumper sticker this morning, it will be on my car for the ride home.

In God We Trust…..Semper Fi!

[Defender2]

Active Duty F-102A/TF-102A Fighter Interceptor Squadrons were deployed to Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia, Japan, The Philipines and Thailand(Southeast Asia). In Viet Nam, F-102s' were deployed to Tan Son Nhut, Bien Hoa, Danang in Viet Nam. The last F-102 F.I.S. pulling out in april, 1970. Not enough time for President Bush to have ammassed enough flying hours to have qualified for the overseas Palace Alert Program. Air National Guard pilots who had enough time ammassed before April, 1970 (At least three or four years of Flying Hours) in the F-102 did serve Palace Alert. By the time the last F-102 unit pulled out of Viet Nam as they were replaced inthis role by F-4Cs',Ds' and E's, The President simply did not have enough Flying time to qualify for Palace Alert at the time. President Bush, then a young Lt., started training on the F-4.

F-102 Units that did participate in Southeast Asia were the 509th F.I.S., 64th F.I.S., 16th F.I.S.,

[MEG33]

#19 for fuel!

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Thanks for the ping, Defender2.

Linking:

8 Photo of Kerry with Fonda enrages Vietnam veterans

[Defender2]

Thanks for the return PING and Link:-)

[Badray]

BUMP