VietNam Conflict - Udorn RTAFB Part 1

This is the first of a series of short videos reflecting parts of my tour at Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base during the Viet Nam conflict, Aug '72 - Aug '73. I was a crew chief on the F-4D Phantom in the 13th Panther Pack, 479th Organizational Maintenance Squadron. I was 20-21 years old then. Former President Nixon stepped up the bombing over North Viet Nam in Dec of '72, and this was called Operation Linebacker II. I dedicate these videos to the men who served at Udorn. God bless you all.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• VietNam
• Conflict
• Udorn
• RTAFB
• Pt1

[samwlassiter]

You are certainly welcome sir. Glad you enjoyed.

[damdorr]

@samwlassiter I thihk I knew you at Udorn, My Name is Daniel Dorr I was the Crew Chief on 66-7491 I came to Udorn in Oct 72 to Oct 73 I remember hearing about the "sapper attack" when I got there. I also think I knew the guys in "part IV" They I think were from Homestead also. The dark hair kid i beleive came from Michigan His father owned a car dealership The NCO in charge of our section was SMSGT Bloom, he originally came from North or South Dakota. I do remember your F-4 ride.

[samwlassiter]

Thanks so much for taking the time to reply! Were you in the 479th OMS? I have forgotten so many, but remember Les Coward, Mike ??, Jake Franzen.....and that's all the names that immediately come to mind. I really appreciate your comments. Welcome home and God bless you for serving sir!

[samwlassiter]

Good for you and thanks for serving - God bless....Sam.

[samwlassiter]

Good for you and congrats on your retirement.

I was at Homestead 71-72, in the 309th, on the E-model. Special memories. One of my videos shows "239", an F-4E (ZF tail code designator) taxiing by at Udorn. After checking closer, I scanned an old pic I had from Homestead, and it was the same plane before it had deployed to Udorn in 72. Take care and thanks for commenting.....Sam.

[samwlassiter]

You are certainly welcome.

[haywired58]

Sawadee Kap. Small world. At about 5:08 you show the $hit box I flew in. I was on the rescue pad '72-'73. Thanks for the vid.

[HHacker1959]

GREAT video! I was a USAF Dependent and lived in Udron from 72-74 (Attended the Air America School). My Dad was assigned to JUSMAGTHAI and was a pilot for the US Embassy. The F-4 Phantom was my favorite aircraft and when I joined the Air Force I lucked out and worked as an Instrument Specialist on the F-4D's at Homestead Florida in the early 1980's. One of the aircraft I worked on is now on display at the New England Air Museum in CT. I ended my 21 years of service working on the KC-135's

[rszimmer1049]

Thanks for the memories! Great videos. I was also sent to Udorn under Linebacker II. I remember December 18th, I heard the whirl of the F4 engines and had no idea why! Man the glow of those afterburners; awesome sight! Then all hell broke loose. What a Christmas present we gave Hanoi.

Bob Hope and his American Beauties shows up to put on a show and it is interrupted by four F4’s doing a low level high speed fly over to celebrate another Mig kill. God Bless America and thanks my USAF Brother!!

[emeraldfrog1]

Loved the videos/music! I was at U-Tapao with the 635 SPS pulling LE/SP duties 6/72-73. I saw the Christmas Bombing Campaign (Linebacker II); a very emotional time for me as we lost our precious bomber crews over North Vietnam. I knew several of the tail gunners from Minot AFB. It was inspiring to watch our men fly off in 3-bomber cells to whatever their fates held for them. My father flew on B-36 and B-52 aircraft and retired in 1964. I joined in 1965. Lamar Miller, MSgt, USAF (ret '88)

[zoomie71]

Good one Bro... That was also my unit There at the same time as you. Never knew anyone did any footage of our time there. I crewed 737 & 747

[Terlingua27]

Great video! Thanks for posting. I was at Udorn from May 1969 - May 1970 (432nd CES)