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Lee-Jackson Militaria
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1st - 19th
Special Operations
Air Commando
Special Activities
Units
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ALL New ARRIVAL
Patches/etc. are listed on the
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for Selective Searches click on Links:
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GO TO:
1st - 19th Special Operations, Air Commando & Special Activities Units
Return To: Home SOS, Air Control, ARRS, & AREFS main page
For Ordering information contact: Jack@LJMilitaria.com
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"SPADS FOREVER!"
"SPAD", one of the names the A-1E, G, H, and J Douglas Skyraiders were called
(I think one of the USAF Squadrons used "SPAD" as a callsign?)
Very Large, Japan made, Backpatch
 UnUsed........inquire
( also on Navy "VA" & Aircraft pages; and USAF Aircraft page )
( storage with Blood Chits )
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partial History
A-1E/G/H/J (formerly AD) Douglas Skyraider aircraft saw service between the late 1940s and early 1980s.
Operated by the USN, USMC, and USAF; also flown by the: British Royal Navy, French Air Force, VNAF, and other counties.
Saw Combat service in Korea and Vietnam as an attack aircraft and as a carrier-based airborne early warning aircraft.
Production ended in 1957 with a total of over 3,000 built.
In 1962 some Skyraiders were redesignated A-1D through A-1J and later used by both the USAF and the Navy in SEA Operations during the Vietnam War.
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USAF Special Operations Force (USAFSOF)
In mid-1968, the USAF Special Air Warfare Center (SAWC) was Redesignated USAF Special Operations Force and became the equivalent of a Numbered Air Force. Subordinate units were Redesignated as Special Operations Wings and Squadrons, thus eliminating all reference to Air Commandos.
Insignia used from July 1968 through June 1974
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Made in Japan/Okinawa
  stains on scroll, made in Japan/Okinawa, UnUsed.....inquire
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Air Force SOF, made in Thailand
  Thai made, UnUsed.......inquire
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partial History
The USAF Special Warfare Center (SAWC) was established at Eglin AFB, Florida in April 1962
( the Center was probably located at Eglin Auxillary Field No. 9 ( Hurlburt Field ) )
The USAF Special Operations Force was Activated July 8, 1968 supplanting the USAF Special Warfare Center at Eglin AFB
On July 1, 1974 the USAF Special Operations Force was merged with the 1st Special Operations Wing and ReDesignated 834th Tactical Composite Wing
In July of 1975 the 834th Tactical Composite Wing was Redesignated 1st Special Operations Wing
For more details/history see these links:
http://www.airpower.maxwell.af dot mil/airchronicles/aureview/1984/mar-apr/alnwick.html
http://www.specialoperations dot net/1SOWWW-77.htm
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9560A - Prototype/Experimental FLIGHT SUIT from Eglin
Similar to a CWU-27/P but the: material, label, lanyard, and VELCRO are different, has a Bi-swing back
  9560A - From a Colonel who was stationed at Eglin AFB, FL circa 1972, data label stamp is visible but unreadable (the ink has been absorbed into the label material), White VELCRO, Pilot’s Light Lanyard is a Brown cord (never seen anything but a white cord on CWU-27s), NO cloth lining in collar like the First Model of the CWU/27Ps(see #9561 below), Material is a Dark Shiny Sage Green, Colonel’s Eagles under Plastic Rank sewn-on-shoulders, older kahki cut-edge TAC patch sewn-on right chest, shows no sign of being worn, UnUsed but has badges.......Inquire
Measurements:
Chest = 41+
Shoulder to shoulder seam = 20 3/4
Sleeve = 33
Inseam = 29
 Neck Label - the printing is visible but unreadable - ink was absorded into the label material
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| TASK FORCE ALPHA associated with Project Igloo White
a sensor dropping program along the HCM Trail
  uncommon TF Alpha, Thai made, RFU, Used.....inquire
( also on: Equipment and htm pages )
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Sensor Air Drop Mission
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partial History
Overall management/execution of the Trail Interdiction program was the responsibility of a Joint Task Force of:
Army, Navy, & Air Force Commands to integrate their respective intelligence and targeting under one roof.
Initially known as Joint TF 728 Sensor air delivery and attack portion of the program was first managed by the U.S. Navy under the code-name Dual Blade, later called Dye Marker, and still later Muscle Shoals.
USAF assumed control in June 1968 and name was changed to Task Force Alpha
( overall EW program of dropping sensors along the Ho Chi Minh Trail was known as Igloo White )
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Air America Scratch-Pad Sheet  Sheet from a scratch pad from: "AIR AMERICA HANGER 137-C TAN-SON-NHUT AFB SAIGON R. V. N.", UnUsed.......inquire
( placed on an orange background to show-up better )
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| "The Dirty Thirty" USAF C-47 Pilot's flying VNAF aircraft April 1962 - December 1963
  "Ba Muoi Lam" made for 30 USAF Pilots (The Dirty Thirty), hand-embroidered in Vietnam, UnUsed....(sold)
"Ba Muoi Lam" = the number 35 = a Billy Goat
also there is a "Black 35" which equates to a Lecherous Man
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partial History
unedited information from the USAF Site
"In April 1962 a unique group of 30 USAF pilots were detailed to serve with the South Vietnamese Air Force in its C-47 squadrons. This permitted the VNAF to release some of its own experienced pilots to form new units for its rapidly-expanding air arm. A second group of 30 USAF pilots replaced the first group in the spring of 1963 and flew with the VNAF until the project ended in December 1963.
These 60 USAF pilots flew VNAF C-47s for flare drops, airborne assaults, airborne resupply, psychological warfare leaflet drops and loudspeaker broadcasts, and constantly-increasing cargo and troop movements. During the 20-month period they were on loan, they flew approximately 25,000 hours with the VNAF, making a significant contribution to its expansion. During the period of Dirty Thirty operations, 97 Air Medals and two Distinguished Flying Crosses were awarded.
The term "Dirty Thirty" originated because of the round-the-clock duty hours, which required them to wear their flying suits constantly. This once resulted in a passing comment about "one of those dirty pilots" and the term "Dirty Thirty" was born."
( see info on this link http://www.nationalmuseum dot af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=1284 )
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Fulton Aerial Retrieval System patch
SKYHOOK
Factory Patch presented to Aircrews who qualified at Pope AFB, NC on the Fulton Pick-up Sytem
A certificate, and possibly a Pin, was also given to the Aircrews
The first six Straygoose (Combat Spear in SEA) Crews of DET-1, 314th TCW received this patch (see below)
 RFU, Used......(sold)
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partial History of Fulton Recovery System
The Fulton Aerial Retrieval System developement process was finished circa 1958
The Fulton System was installed on Talons and Aircews trained on it until 1995 when it was removed from the Talon C-130s
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Original Det-1, 314th TCW(PACAF) "S and D" patch"Combat Spear in SEA"
An outstanding example of the Original Patch for the Straygoose Unit from a Veteran; this patch was made in late-1966 or early-1967
( I have edited his email )
The "S and D" on the Straygoose patch can have two meanings: "Secret and Dangerous" or "Search and Destroy"
The first meaning is more accurate as we had no offensive weapons other than the Officers carried a S & W .38 Special, and the Enlistedmen carried M-16's
Symbols used on the patch:
The SPEAR in his bill is for "Combat Spear"
The "V" in-lieu of his feet denotes the Fulton Pick-up System
The HEADSET recognizes that we carried a Radio Operator for communications with MACVSOG
The "V" WIRES depicted our dual HF Antennas back to the vertical stabilizer
Along the side of the "Goose" are Dashed Parallel Lines which signify our Aluminum Chaff Dispensers to defeat enemy RADAR
We had a white Muscovy Duck as our mascot, named Maynard, but he died of cirrhosis of the liver from sipping too many cocktails in the stag bars and was buried over the Gulf of Tonkin, off Haiphong, NVN
( see a 15th ACS version of this design on this link )
 partial History of DET-1, 314th TCW(PACAF) and Successor Squadrons
This information is from a Pilot who was in the Original six Straygoose Crews; based at Nha Trang 1966-67
( I have re-arranged and changed some of the verbage with his permission )
I was a pilot in the original 6 Straygoose (Combat Spear in SEA) C-130E(I) crews who went from Pope AFB to CCK AB, Taiwan; then to Nha Trang, RVN in the fall of 1966
Crews were Qualified on the "Fulton Recovery System" at Pope AFB, NC before we deployed
Each received a certificate signed by Robert Fulton Jr, and also received a SKYHOOK patch (similar to the above patch)
We were barred from wearing ANY identifying patches on our flight suits or fatigues, due to our Classified Missions
We had the innocuous unit name of "Detachment 1, 314th Troop Carrier Wing (PACAF)"
314th TCW was based at Taichung, Taiwan, (CCK Air Base) which DET-1 used as their Home & Maintenance Base
In March 1968 unit was Renamed the 15th Air Commando Squadron
Then it became the 15th Special Operations Squadron
Later Redesignated the 90th SOS
Finally Re-designated 1st SOS, which is currently based at Kadena AFB, Okinawa, flying Combat Talon II's (MC-130H)
- - - - - - - - information from another Veteran - - - - - - - -
( additional info(in black letters) entered VERBATIM on 110728 from his email )
"Current description on your site for of the Straygoose Patch is:
The "S and D" on the Straygoose patch can have two meanings: "Secret and Dangerous" or "Search and Destroy"
The first meaning is more accurate as we had no offensive weapons other than the Officers carried a S & W .38 Special, and the Enlistedmen carried M-16's
Symbols used on the patch:
The SPEAR in his bill is for "Combat Spear"
The "V" in-lieu of his feet denotes the Fulton Pick-up System
The HEADSET recognizes that we carried a Radio Operator for communications with MACVSOG
The "V" WIRES depicted our dual HF Antennas back to the vertical stabilizer
Along the side of the "Goose" are Dashed Parallel Lines which signify our Aluminum Chaff Dispensers to defeat enemy RADAR
All C-130 aircraft are equipped with HF radio antennas which terminate at the vertical stabilizer.
However the “wires’ depicted on Straygoose insignia are peculiar only to the C-130 with the Fulton “Surface to Air Recovery System” (STARS) - Note that the lines on Straygoose terminate on the wings, and not the tail. These lines are twisted wire cables known as “fending lines”, designed to fend off the balloon line and keep it away from the propellers during a missed pick up.
I hope this minor but significant correction is helpful."
Thanks to another Veteran we know more about the Unit and it's Insignia!
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My opinion of Det-1, 314th TCW(PACAF)'s mission was the Extraction of Teams the 1198th OE&T Sq had Inserted and Resupplied
( If you know more details - write a short blurb and I will put it in this section )
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DET-1, 314th TCW(PACAF) S & D Beercan
Flew the Fulton 'Skyhook' Recovery System pickups for SEA - later Redesignated 15th ACS, then 15th SOS, and then the 90th SOS, and then the 1st SOS
front scan at 600dpi back at 300dpi
  Detachment-1, 314th Troop Carrier Wing's Straygoose Beercan, circa late-1966-67, Used.....(sold)
( also on 314th TCW and 15th SOS sections )
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Air Commando ARCs
  "COMMANDO" Arc made in Thailand, UnUsed.......inquire
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A-1 Skyraider
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"Crater Creator"
  neatly hand-embroidered A-1E patch made in Vietnam, UnUsed.......inquire
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A-1E "Crater Creator" Hand-embroidered patches
 HE in Vietnam, fold-under border, scrapbook residue on back, UnUsed......inquire
A-1E Crater Creator hand-embroidered in Vietnam, UnUsed......inquire
 ( also on Aircraft page )
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AC-47 Gunship
Puff the Magic Dragon - made in Japan
  Japan made, ID'd on back, UnUsed.......inquire
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Numbered Units
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| 1st Air Commando Squadron Vietnam Hand-Embroidered
  Very Nice Hand-embroidered(HE) in Vietnam, UnCommon insignia, UnUsed....inquire
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Vietnam made Beercan DIs
scanned at 300dpi
  1st ACS C-47 Section, "FIRST AND FOREMOST", Used.......inquire
"AIR COMMANDO", Used.....(sold)
First Air Commando, Two Alpha, "EBF", "ZAP"(?), Used.......inquire
A-1E Crater Creator, Used.....(sold)
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Vietnam made Beercan DIs
scanned at 300dpi = shows all the blemishes
  1st Air Commando Squadron, A-1E Crator Creator Beercan DI, made in Vietnam
1st ACS, number '1', made in Vietnam, maker got lazy=some black paint missing around the borders, Used.......inquire
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Arcs found with 1st ACS patch
  "VIET - NAM" hand embroidered, made in Vietnam, UnUsed.....inquire
"SORRY 'BOUT THAT" Vietnam hand embroidered, UnUsed.....inquire
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CALLSIGN "HOBO'S" Arc
made in Thailand
  Shoulder Tab, UnUsed.....inquire
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3509DW - 1st ACS Coffee Cup from Pleiku days
 3509DW - bringback from Pleiku, RVN, Used.....inquire
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1st ACS
 1st SOS(ACS) "A-1H SUPER SPAD",Thai made, Used.....(sold)
1st ACS(SOS) Callsign "HOBO" Arc (tab), Thai made, UnUsed.......inquire
Laotian, Thailand, Cambodian, and South Vietnam Flag patch, Thai made, UnUsed..(SOLD)
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1st ACS/1st SOS
"A-1" "LOADING"
  Thai made An.y Ca.p, UnUsed.......inquire
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1st Special Operations Squadron
 1st Special Operation Squadron, PI made, UnUsed.......inquire
1st SOS "WITH THE GUTS TO TRY", PI made, UnUsed.........inquire
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  1st SOS, Thailand made, scrapbook residue on back, UnUsed.........inquire
Subdued 1st SOS, Philippine (PI) made, Used..........inquire
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 1st Special Operations Squadron "WITH THE GUTS TO TRY", Thai made, UnUsed.....inquire
1st SOS, Thai made, UnUsed......inquire
1st SOS Name Tag, Velcro on Reverse, PI made, UnUsed......inquire
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  Asian Made 1st Special Operations Squadron
Top Left - Korean made, UnUsed.........inquire
Top Right - UnUsed.........inquire
Bottom Right and Left, UnUsed.........inquire
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MC-130H Combat Talon II Lockheed insignia
 see on aircraft page, C-130 section for details
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partial History
Constituted and Activated 1st Air Commando Squadron (Composite) June 17 1963, Organized July 8 1963
Redesignated 1st Air Commando Squadron (Fighter) August 15 1967
Redesignated 1st Special Operations Squadron August 1 1968
Assignments
Pacific Air Forces, 17 Jun 1963; 34th Tactical Group, 8 Jul 1963; 6251st Tactical Fighter Wing, 8 Jul 1965 (attached to 3d Tactical Fighter Wing, 21 Nov 1965–8 Mar 1966); 2d Air Division, 18 Feb 1966;
14th Air Commando Wing March 8 1966;
56th Air Commando (later, 56th Special Operations) Wing December 20 1967;
18th TFW 15 Dec 1972; 18th TFG 1 May 1978; 3d TFW 15 Jan 1981; 2d AD 1 Mar 1983; 23rd AF 1 Feb 1987;
353d SOW (later, 353d Special Operations Group), 6 Apr 1989 –
Stations
Bien Hoa AB, South Vietnam, 8 Jul 1963; Pleiku AB, South Vietnam, 5 Jan 1966; Nakhon Phanom RTAFB, Thailand, 20 Dec 1967; Kadena AB, Japan, 15 Dec 1972 (segment of squadron operated from Nakhon Phanom RTAFB, 15 Dec 1972–28 Jan 1973); Clark AB, Philippines, 1 Jan 1981; Kadena AB, Japan, 5 Feb 1992–.
Aircraft
B–26, 1963–1964; T–28, 1963–1964; U–10, 1963–1966; C–47, 1963–1966; RB–26, 1963–1964;
A–1, 1964–1972; FC–47, 1964–1965; AC–47, 1965; C(later, MC)–130, 1972–.
Operations
Combat in SEA 8 Jul 1963–7 Nov 1972 and 15 Dec 1972–28 Jan 1973
Trained Vietnamese Air Force pilots in counterinsurgency operations, Jul 1963–Nov 1972
( for some early History of this Squadron, see Fulton Recovery System patch section above )
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1st Special Operations Wing
ANYTIME ANYPLACE
  1st Special Operations Wing 5" sticker, UnUsed......(Sold)
1st SOW, 3", UnUsed.........(Sold)
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 RFU with khaki edge, Used.....inquire
RFU Olive Green fatigue shirt, Used.......inquire
3" subdued patch, UnUsed........inquire
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see DET-1, 56th SOW page for patch and History
Det-1, 56th SOW was formerly Designated DET-1, 1st ACW
Water Pump "EVERY MAN A TIGER" Insignia
 ( listed with 56th SOW )
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| 3rd Special Operations Squadron flew AC-47D Gunships
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3rd SOS "SPOOKY" ( scanned at 300dpi = all the scrapes and blems are visible )
5/8" Viet made Beercan with single-nail on reverse, Used.........inquire
( single post, a scan of the back is available-ask! in #49 )
( also on htm and NA pages )
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3509ER - Spooky Party Shirt and Cap 3509ER - shirt ( chest 42"+, back 28"+ ), cap around a 7 1/8+/-, Used.....(sold)
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conflicting histories on the 14th ACS and 3rd ACS (later 3rd SOS)
partial History
o/a January 15, 1968, a second AC-47 unit, the 14th ACS was formed at Bien Hoa AFB as part of the 14th ACW
Redesignated 3rd ACS May 1, 1968; Redesignated 3rd SOS August 1, 1968
( The Official AF history states the 3rd was stationed at Nha Trang...however some of the Unit was located at Bien Hoa AFB in early-1969 flying AC-47Ds )
A1C John Levitow was assigned to the 3rd SOS when he received the Medal of Honor
( The aircraft nickname changed from "Puff the Magic Dragon" to "Spooky" around January 1968 )
Additional info on the 3rd and 4th ACS/SOS:
"I was a gunner on Spooky in 1969 with both the 3rd & 4th Spooky Squadrons. Nha Trang was the HDQTS for the 3rd & 4th and each squadron had FOB'S. Binh Thuy AB in the Delta was 3rd SOS "D" flight. Bien Hoa was 3rd SOS "C" flight etc. The 3rd was inactivated in the summer of 69 and Bien Hoa became the 4th SOS "C" flight. In the 4 year history of the AC-47 there were many changes in names but mostly known as the 3rd & 4th Air Commando Squadrons later changed in 1968 to Special Operations Squadron. You have picture of a Spooky shirt with a hat. I have the same shirt from when I was with the 3rd SOS in Binh Thuy."
(from email dated 120202)
( anyone with more info on the Vietnam era History of this unit contact Jack@LJMilitaria.com )
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partial History per the USAF
Organized as Photographic Section No. 1 on 4 Apr 1918. Demobilized on 3 Jul 1919. Reconstituted, and consolidated (1924), with 1 Photographic Section which was authorized on 15 Aug 1919. Organized on 27 Sep 1919. Redesignated: 3 Observation Squadron on 1 Jun 1937; 3 Observation Squadron (Medium) on 13 Jan 1942; 3 Observation Squadron on 4 Jul 1942; 3 Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron on 11 Aug 1943. Disbanded on 2 Jul 1944. Reconstituted, and redesignated 3 Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron, Medium, on 9 May 1952. Activated on 28 May 1952. Inactivated on 1 Jul 1958. Consolidated (19 Sep 1985) with the following units: 3 Special Operations Squadron (constituted 3 Air Commando Squadron, and activated, on 5 Apr 1968; organized on 1 May 1968; redesignated 3 Special Operations Squadron on 1 Aug 1968; inactivated on 15 Sep 1969); and 3 Tactical Electronic Warfare Training Squadron (constituted 3d Tactical Electronic Warfare Training Squadron on 13 May 1976; activated on 15 May 1976). Consolidated squadron retained designation: 3 Tactical Electronic Warfare Training Squadron. Inactivated on 30 Sep 1991.
Redesignated 3 Special Operations Squadron on 20 Oct 2005. Activated on 28 Oct 2005.
update from a Recent Veteran of the 3rd:
"Squadron is now active again and flying the MQ-1 Predator.................They started at Nellis AFB in 2005 and just moved to Cannon AFB."
Assignments
I Corps Observation Group, Apr 1918; First Army Observation Group, Nov 1918-Apr 1919; unkn, Apr-3 Jul 1919. 1 Wing, 27 Sep 1919; 1 Surveillance Group, c. 12 Nov 1919; Eighth Corps Area, Jun 1922 (in association with 12 Observation Squadron, affiliated with 1st Cavalry Division, Jun 1922-Jun 1926, and with 2 Division, Jun 1926-c. Oct 1931); 3 Attack Group, 8 May 1929; 12 Observation Group, attached 1 Oct 1930, assigned 31 Oct 1931, attached 1 Mar 1935; Eighth Corps Area, 1 Jun 1937; Third Corps Area, 20 Jun 1937 (attached to Coast Artillery School); Coast Artillery School, c. 1939; I Air Support Command, 1 Sep 1941 (attached to Coast Artillery School to 5 Apr 1942); 73 Observation Group, 12 Mar 1942; Second Air Force, 12 Aug 1942 (attached to II Ground Air [later, II Air] Support Command to 23 Sep 1942); IV Ground Air (later, IV Air) Support Command, 7 Sep 1942; Army Air Forces School of Applied Tactics, 21 Jan 1943; Air Support Department, AAF School of Applied Tactics (later, Tactical Air Force, AAF Tactical Center), 18 Feb 1943 (attached to 432 Observation [later, 432 Reconnaissance; 432 Tactical Reconnaissance] Group, 27 Mar-1 Nov 1943); Tactical Air Division, AAF Tactical Center, 4 Jan 1944; Orlando Fighter Wing, 20 Feb 1944; AAF Tactical Center, 28 Mar-2 Jul 1944. 26 Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, 28 May 1952-1 Jul 1958. Pacific Air Forces, 5 Apr 1968; 14 Air Commando (later, 14 Special Operations) Wing, 1 May 1968-15 Sep 1969. 3 Tactical Fighter Wing, 15 May 1976; 6200 Tactical Fighter Training Group, 1 Jan 1980-30 Sep 1991. 16 Operations Group, 28 Oct 05-.
Stations
Ourches, France, 4 Apr 1918 (detachment at Flin, France, 15-28 Jun 1918); Saints, France, 29 Jun 1918 (detachment at Ourches, France, until c. mid-Jul 1918); Francheville, France, 9 Jul 1918; Moras Ferme (near La Ferte-sous Jouarre), France, c. 25 Jul 1918; Lizy-sur-Ourcq, France, c. 4 Aug 1918; Coincy, France, c. 10 Aug 1918; Chailly-en-Brie, France, 13 Aug 1918; Toul, France, 24 Aug 1918; Remicourt, France, 19 Sep 1918; Julvecourt, France, 3 Nov 1918; Vavincourt, France, c. 28 Nov 1918; Colombey-les-Belles, France, c. 5 May 1919; port of embarkation, France, May-Jun 1919; Garden City, NY, c. 20 Jun-3 Jul 1919. Fort Bliss, TX, 27 Sep 1919; Kelly Field, TX, 2 Jul 1921; Fort Bliss, TX, 24 Jun 1922; Fort Sam Houston, TX, 22 Jun 1926; Brooks Field, TX, 31 Oct 1931; Langley Field, VA, 20 Jun 1937; Camp Cooke, CA, 22 Apr 1942; Blythe, CA, 30 May 1942; Keystone Heights, FL, 21 Jan 1943; Alachua Army Airfield, FL, 3 Feb 1944; Orlando AB, FL, 6 Mar-2 Jul 1944. Lockbourne AFB, OH, 28 May 1952-1 Jul 1958. Nha Trang Airport, South Vietnam, 1 May 1968-15 Sep 1969. Camp O'Donnell, Philippines, 15 May 1976-30 Sep 1991; Nellis AFB, NV, 28 Oct 2005-.
Aircraft
None, Apr 1918-Jul 1919. None, Sep 1919-May 1937; included B-10, L-2, and apparently 0-25 and 0-43 during years 1937-1942; 0-47, c. 1938-1942; 0-49, 1941-1942; 0-52, 1941-1942; L-4, 1942; P-39, 1943-1944; A-20, 1943; DB-7, 1943; L-2, 1943; L-3, 1943. YRB-47, 1953-1954; RB-47, 1954-1958; B-47, 1958. AC-47, 1968-1969. None, 1976-1991.
Operations
Organized in France in Apr 1918, the Photographic Section No. 1 processed aerial photographs taken by flying units working with the I Army Corps (American) and French XXXVIII Army Corps, 5 Apr-Nov 1918. The 1st Photographic Section, from Sep 1919 until becoming the 3d Observation Squadron on 1 Jun 1937, processed aerial photography of associated observation squadrons in Texas. At Langley Field, VA, the squadron engaged in aerial observation work with the Coast Artillery School until Apr 1942. It supported ground forces on maneuvers during 1942, and served as a training and demonstration unit Jan 1943-Feb 1944. The squadron was not manned or equipped, 1 Mar-2 Jul 1944. Activated again in May 1952, the squadron did not receive its first aircraft until 1 Jul 1953, when it immediately began familiarization training, followed by in-flight refueling training in Feb 1954. It received RB-47E aircraft in Mar 1954, and conducted its first long-range mission (6 planes to Alaska for 10 days) in May 1954. The squadron deployed at RAF Upper Heyford, England, 14 Sep-3 Nov 1954. It photographed numerous Air Force bases and American cities, 1954-1958, and participated regularly in SAC exercises, but was not operational, 15 Apr-l Jul 1958. As the 3d Air Commando Squadron in South Vietnam, it absorbed resources of the 14th Air Commando Squadron. It flew combat missions in AC-47D gunships in close air support of ground forces, providing flare illumination and gunfire in support of strategic hamlets, outposts, and friendly forces under night attack. From 16 Feb-1 May 1969, all squadron aircraft were maintained on ground alert when not flying, due to the TET (New Year) offensive. It began transferring its gunships to the Vietnamese Air Force in Jun 1969 and flew its last mission on 7 Aug 1969. The 3d Tactical Electronic Warfare Training Squadron although having a "tactical" designation, was not equipped with aircraft. Rather, it operated Camp O'Donnell, Philippines, the Pacific Air Forces Electronic Warfare Range, the Crowe Valley Aerial Gunnery Range, and associated facilities. It provided realistic conventional, tactical, and electronic warfare training in a simulated combat environment during COPE THUNDER exercises. These exercises provided combat training for fighter aircrews of not only the U.S. Air Force, but also fighter crews of the US Marine Corps, US Navy, and allied air forces in the western Pacific area. Following the eruption of Mt Pinatubo in Jun 1991, personnel were evacuated, and the squadron remained unmanned until its inactivation
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4th Air Commando Squadron (Fire Support)
- - - - Flight "A"
  4th ACS(FS), FLT A, Asian made, UnUsed.......inquire
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UnCut & a Hand Embroidered 4th ACSs
 UnCut 4th ACS, Vietnam Era, unusual construction, pre-August 1, 1968 vintage (as the Unit was changed to the 4th SOS on that date), Unused......inquire
4th ACS, hand-embroidered in Vietnam circa 1966-67, UnUsed...(sold)
 - - - -
4th ACS/SOS Tail Number patches
Tailcodes of AC-47s: 622 & 623
 "623 SPOOKY", Thailand made, UnUsed.........inquire
"SPOOKY 622" "HAVE GUN WILL TRAVEL", yellow border, Thai made, UnUsed......(sold)
"SPOOKY 622" "HAVE GUN WILL TRAVEL", Thai made, UnUsed......inquire
 - - - -
Grouping from a 4th ACS Colonel
 3 3/8" Round Brass "coaster"(?) with plastic feet and wall hanger on back, stamped on back: "Made in Taiwan Republic of China" , UnUsed-in-Box...inquire
High-quality Taiwan made Beercan DI, screwback, UnUsed......inquire
( DI made similar to the high-quality Air America items from Taiwan )
( I have the Colonel's name and a handwritten letter from a person who had the Grouping )
The 4th ACS/SOS flew FC/AC/C/ & HC-47 aircraft in Vietnam under the 14th ACW/SOW
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Basic AC-47 gunship patch design, similar to a 4th ACS/SOS insignia
 Is this patch a 4th ACS/SOS Detachment in Thailand?
( see USMACTHAI/TLD on this link )
- - - -
Partial History
Constituted 4th ACS (Fire Support) & Activated August 2(?), 1965; Redesignated 4th SOS August 1, 1968; Inactivated December 15, 1969; ReDesignated 4th Airborne Command and Control Squadron March 12, 1970; Activated April 1, 1970; Inactivated September 20(?), 1992; Redesignated 4th SOS February 13, 1995; Activated May 1, 1995
Assignments
Pacific Air Forces, 2 Aug 1965; 2d Air Division, 8 Aug 1965 (attached to 6250th Combat Support Group, 8 Aug 1965-1 Mar 1966); 14th Air Commando (later, 14th Special Operations) Wing, 8 Mar 1966-15 Dec 1969. 28th Bombardment Wing, 1 Apr 1970; 28th Operations Group, 1 Sep 1991-30 Sep 1992. 16th Operations Group, 1 May 1995-15 November 2006. 1st Special Operations Group, 16 November 2006-.
Stations
Tan Son Nhut AB, South Vietnam, 8 Aug 1965 (deployed at Forbes AFB, KS, 8 Aug-c. 1 Nov 1965); Nha Trang AB, South Vietnam, 1 Jun 1966; Phan Rang AB, South Vietnam, 1 Oct 1969-15 Dec 1969. Ellsworth AFB, SD, 1 Apr 1970-30 Sep 1992. Hurlburt Field, FL, 1 May 1995-.
Aircraft
FC(later, AC)-47, 1965-1969; C-47, 1966-1967, 1969; HC-47, 1969. EC-135, 1970-1992. AC-130U, May 1995-.
Operations
Combat in Vietnam, c. 20 Nov 1965-30 Nov 1969.
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5th Air Commando Squadron
"TRUTH SHALL MAKE THEM FREE"
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WANTED
1960s era 5th ACS items
 Needed: patches, party suits, scarves, badged flight suits and shirts, photos, and etc. from the 1960s
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partial History from a Veteran of the 4th ACS, circa '67-'68
The 5th ACS (sister Squadron to the 4th) flew the Loudspeaker/Paper Distributor EC-47s as well as the PSYOPS U-10s.
These were commonly referred to as Bull S... Bombers and were stationed at most OLs.
In 1967 the 5th ACS was split to form the 9th ACS which took over MRs 1 and 2
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6th Fighter Squadron (Commando)
later redesignated: 6th ACS and then 6th SOS
flew: B/RB-26s, L-28s (U-10), T-28s, and A-1s
  6th FS (Commando), cheesecloth backing, early-mid 1960s era, RFU, Used......inquire
( ID'd from Jerome Polder's Book Volume 1, page 51 )
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7232F & G - 6th FS(Commando) Pilot's Bringbacks
 see on Weapons page
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partial History
The unit was reconstituted at Hurlburt Field, Florida April 27 1962 and assigned to the 1st Air Commando Group;
flew: B/RB-26, U-10(L-28), T-28, & in 1963, the A-1E (callsign HOBO).
Trained in COIN & Unconventional Warfare; served as advisors to Vietnamese Air Force personnel at Bien Hoa.
All aircraft were reassigned in July 1963 except the T-28. Some personnel formed cadres for new special operations units.
Squadron deployed to Udorn RTAFB to train air and ground crews in COIN operations.
By December 1967, the last of the T-28s were transferred, and the unit started receiving A-1G, H and J aircraft.
Unit deployed to Pleiku Air Base in February 1968 and was reassigned to the 14th ACW.
Reassigned to the 633rd SOW July 15 1968 and was Redesignated 6th SOS.
Flew combat missions, including air support for ground forces, air cover for transports,
day and night interdiction, SAR, armed reconnaissance and FAC.
Deactivated November 15 1969
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6th Airborne Command and Control Squadron
  6th ACCS, circa mid-1970s cut-edge, tape residue on front, UnUsed........inquire
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partial History
6th ACCS Activated in 1974 and assigned to 4500th Air Base Wing at Langley AFB, VA
ReAssigned to 1st TFW April 19 1976 - October 1 1991, Langley AFB, VA
probably DeActivated in 1992(?)
flew EC-135P's in support of Atlantic Command missions
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7th Air Commando Squadron (Composite)
7th Special Operations Squadron
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C-47 era
Possibly worn on a Bush Hat(?)
  3 3/4" wing-tip to tip, looks European made, UnUsed......inquire
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7th Special Operations Squadron
 7th SPEC. OPS. Sq. "GERMANY" Arc, probably made overseas, UnUsed.......inquire
Bottom Left - 7th SOS, cheesecloth back, UnUsed......inquire
Not pictured - as above but RFU, circa 1971-73, Used.....inquire
Center - 7th SOS, Pelon backing, UnUsed........inquire
7th Air Commando Squadron "30 YEARS", circa 1994, UnUsed.........inquire
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MC-130H Combat Talon II Lockheed insignia
see on Aircraft page, C-130 section for details
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partial History
Constituted 7th ACS (Composite) and activated May 14, 1964 under USAFE; Organized July 1, 1964 at Sembach, Germany; Reassigned to 17th AF May 1, 1967
Redesignated 7th SOS July 15, 1968; Moved to Ramstein AB, Germany August 15, 1968
Reassigned to 26th TRW November 17, 1972; Reassigned to 86th TFW January 31, 1973; Reassigned to 322nd TAW March 15, 1973
Moved to Rhein-Main AB, Germany March 15, 1973
Deployed to Incirlik AB, Turkey January 13 – March 18, 1991 & April 6 – May 14, 1991
Relocated to RAF Alconbury, England October 1, 1992 -
Aircraft
C–47 (1964 – 1973)
C–123 (1964 – c. 1973
U–10 (1964 – 1968)
C–130 (1968 - c. 1977)
UH–1 (1971 - 1973)
MC–130 (1977 – )
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| 7th Airborne Command and Control Squadron ABCCC = Airborne Battlefield Command and Control Center
( forerunner of the modern AWACS and JSTARS Squadrons )
Controlled TAC and SAR Aircraft for the 7th/13th Air Forces in SEA
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Variants of the 7th ACCS
notice the Black and White Bar and other variants
 7th ACCS, Thai made, Removed from Uniform(RFU), Used........inquire
7th ACCS, Thailand made, RFU, Used........inquire
from a Veteran, Patch design copied from the ABCCC Capsule Logo of the LTV Corporation in 1968
 - - - -
7th ACCS Novelty "SOUTHEAST ASIA"
 "IF YOU AINT BEEN THERE SHUT THE F..K UP!", still has the blue marker outlines when it was "free-hand" machine embroidered in Thailand, UnUsed......(sold)
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"Crew 386" "ABLE GUNSLINGERS"
Probably a 552nd AEW&C Wing "Crew" patch who flew EC-121Ds and assisted fighter crews in killing MIGs
came with a 7th ACCS "Orbit" grouping
( USAF.com has it ID'd as a 7th ACCS Crew but the aircraft looks similar to an EC-121? )
 click on pictures for details
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7th ACCS Novelty Patches
Anyone Know the Meaning of the John Wayne Novelty Patch
 100 Missions (over/in) Tokyo Japan, Japan made, UnUsed.....(sold)
John Wayne "OFFICIAL" and "CERTIFIED", Thai made, UnUsed.......(sold)
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variations of Orbit/Callsign "Moonbeam"
"Hillsboro" was Day Callsign - "Moonbeam" was Night Callsign
 7th ACCS "MOONBEAM", Thailand made, Laotian Orbit, UnUsed......inquire
7th ACCS "MOON BEAN", Thai made, Night Callsign for AO in Laos close to DMZ, UnUsed......inquire
( AO = Area of Operations )
7th ACCS "MOON BEAM", Thai made, RARE with the "Moon Eyes", Night callsign for "Hillsboro" AO, RFU, Used.....inquire
( any car buff from the 1950s - 1960s will understand the "OO" in this patch )
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Laotian Orbit close to the DMZ
 "MOONBEAM", Thai made, RFU Flight suit, Used....(sold)
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"Cricket" Orbit/Callsign
Day time Callsign - flew same AO as Night time callsign "Alley Cat"
 Cricket Orbit, Thailand made, Unused.......inquire
"Cricket" Daytime Callsign for Laos, Thai made, UnUsed....inquire
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"ALLEYCAT" Orbit Callsign
"Cricket" was Day Callsign - "Alley Cat" was Night Callsign for Laos
Rare Japan made ALLEYCAT
  ALLEY CAT, Laotian Night Orbit Callsign, Japan made, RFU flight suit, Used.......inquire
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  7th ACCS, partially subdued, UnUsed......inquire
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Bits of History
Formed in 1965 at Tan Son Nhut; then moved to Danang;
Later relocated to Udorn, Thailand; still later to Korat RTAFB, Thailand
In May 1974 Squadron relocated to Clark AFB, PI
Then moved to the land-of-the-round-door-knobs: Keesler and then to Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ
Flew: RC-47s, C-119s, then EC-130Es Hercules which were configured to allow for insertion of an airconditioned
Command and Control Capsule containing: Communication Equipment, Operator Stations, and Display Boards.
Functioned during major operations as an Airborne Battlefield Command and Control Center (ABCCC);
the 7th ACCS flew on a round-the-clock basis by always having a minimum of 2 x Aircraft on Station.
Carrying a Battle Staff of 12 crewmembers consisting of a Director known as an Airborne Mission Commander (AMC)
and 3 x Sections: a five-man Operations Section, a two-man Intelligence Team,
and a four-man Communications Unit (who operated 20 air-to-air and air-to-ground radios)
The 7th ACCS flew 3 well-known Operations in 1975:
Eagle Pull...Embassy extraction in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on April 12 1975
Frequent Wind...Embassy extraction in Saigon, late April - early May 1975
SS Mayaquez Rescue (May of 1975)
Flew "TRUMP" Intelligence Missions in SEA after their Combat role ended
see this link for definitive verbage http://abtriplec dot com/history/history_project_checo_report.html
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8th Special Operations Squadron
"BLACK BIRDS"
flew A-37s in the late 1960s to early 1970s
 8th SOS "BLACK BIRD", older ME, UnUsed.......inquire
older ME, UnUsed........inquire
 - - - -
circa 1974 - 1990s
Koreans started this style of manufacture circa mid-1970s?
 Subdued 8th SOS, Korean made, scrapbook residue on back, UnUsed.........inquire
8th Special Operations Squadron "BLACKBIRDS", Korean made, UnUsed.........inquire
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partial History
Organized as 8 Aero Squadron on 21 Jun 1917. Redesignated: 8 Squadron (Surveillance) c. Jun 1921;
8 Squadron (Attack) c. Nov 1921; 8 Attack Squadron on 25 Jan 1923; 8 Bombardment Squadron (Light) on 15 Sep 1939;
8 Bombardment Squadron (Dive) on 28 Sep 1942; 8 Bombardment Squadron (Light) on 25 May 1943;
8 Bombardment Squadron, Light, c. Apr 1944; 8 Bombardment Squadron, Light, Night Intruder, on 25 Jun 1951;
8 Bombardment Squadron, Tactical, on 1 Oct 1955; 8 Attack Squadron on 18 Nov 1969;
8 Special Operations Squadron on 30 Sep 1970; 8 Fighter Squadron on 1 Jul 1973;
8 Special Operations Squadron on 1 Mar 1974
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| 9th Air Commando Squadron 9th Special Operations Squadron
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9th Air Commandos "BLUE BARONS"
Older Beercan DI
scanned at 300dpi
 From their early times in Vietnam, Used.....inquire
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9th ACS
"Nha Trang"
  9th ACS "NHA TRANG", Vietnam made, UnUsed.......inquire
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3509GU - 9th ACS Japan made Engraved Lighter
5501AQ - 9th ACS early-dated Blood Chit
Both items from a Pilot's Grouping
  3509GU - Lighter Commemorates the 14th ACW's one year of service at Nha Trang, Vietnam, bottom stamped "Made in Japan", very-minor usage, Used.......inquire
5501AQ - XM-61-1, dated April 1963, “Southeast Asia – West Central Pacific”, Serial Number 27150S, was Folded for stuffing in a pocket on missions, Very-Clean Condition, Early-Date, Used....inquire
( also on Flight Gear page )
( stored in a 3509 box )
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"B" Flight, 9th Air Commando Squadron
  9th ACS-FLT B, Vietnam made, Unused.......inquire
FLT B, Vietnam made, Unused........inquire
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"C" Flight, 9th Air Commando Squadron Grouping
"Charlie Flight"
 Vietnam made "AIR COMMANDO" Tab, scrapbook residue on back, UnUsed.......inquire
( Items came from same veteran )
"The Dog" on a Loudspeaker & Leaflet mission, 4.5" Asian made, scrapbook residue on back, UnUsed........inquire
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"A" Flight, 9th SOS Beercan DI
shows "The DOG" on a "loudspeaker" and "leaflet" mission, winning the hearts and minds
scanned at 300dpi
 "A Flight" "Chieu Hoi", Vietnam made, Used..........(sold)
made in Vietnam, Used......(sold)
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9th SOS "CHIEU HOI"
"The DOG" on a "megaphone" and "leaflet" mission, winning the hearts and minds, insignia in Excellent Condition
scanned at 300dpi
 made in Vietnam, Used......inquire
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9th SOS Navigator's Grouping, circa 1969
 made in Vietnam, harness rub on the left-side of the Wing, RFU K-2B, Used....inquire
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circa 1988 - 1990s
 9th SOS "NIGHT WINGS", UnUsed.........inquire
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partial History
Operating Locations circa 1970-71:
Da Nang = A Flight
Bien Hoa = B Flight
Phan Rang = C Flight
Lineage
Redesignated 39th Bombardment Squadron, Medium, on 20 Dec 1950; Activated on 2 Jan 1951
Redesignated 39th BS(H) 16 Jun 1952; Discontinued & DeActivated 15 Sep 1963
Consolidated (19 Sep 1985) with 9th Air Commando Squadron (Psychological Operations),
which was constituted, and activated 9 Jan 1967; Organized 25 Jan 1967
Redesignated 9th SOS 1 Aug 1968; Inactivated 29 Feb 1972; Activated 1 Mar 1988
Assignments
6th Bombardment Group, 2 Jan 1951; 6th Bombardment (later, 6th Strategic Aerospace) Wing, 16 Jun 1952–15 Sep 1963 Pacific Air Forces, 9 Jan 1967;
14th Air Commando (later, 14th Special Operations) Wing, 25 Jan 1967;
315th Tactical Airlift Wing, 30 Sep 1971–29 Feb 1972. 39th Special Operations Wing, 1 Mar 1988;
1st Special Operations Wing, 18 Apr 1989; 1st Special Operations (later, 16th Operations) Group, 22 Sep 1992–
Stations
Walker AFB, NM, 2 Jan 1951–15 Sep 1963. Pleiku AB, South Vietnam, 25 Jan 1967; Nha Trang AB, South Vietnam, 1 Sep 1967; Tuy Hoa AB, South Vietnam, 5 Sep 1969;
Phan Rang AB, South Vietnam, 15 Aug 1970–29 Feb 1972. Eglin AFB, FL, 1 Mar 1988–
Aircraft
B–29, 1951–1952; B–36, 1952–1957; B–52, 1957–1963. C–47, 1967–1972; U–10, 1967; O–2, 1967–1972. HC–130, 1988–
Operations
While retaining combat capability, trained B–52 crews for Strategic Air Command 15 Jul 1959–Sep 1963.
Combat in Southeast Asia, Mar 1967–Jan 1972. Trained for special operations, refueling and resupply missions using modified C–130 aircraft, 1988–. Combat in Panama, 20 Dec 1989–14 Jan 1990 and Southwest Asia, 16 Jan–5 Apr 1991.
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9th Airborne Command and Control Squadron
Pacific Command - Operation Blue Eagle
EC-135J Airborne Command Post flying from Hickham AFB, HI
Blue Eagle maintained an Airborne Communications Network in case of a Nuclear response
 "SENTINEL FOR SURVIVAL", Okinawa made, RFU, Used.......inquire
( Both patches from the same Veteran )
( ID'd from Mr. Polder's Supplement Book #1, page 139 )
"1" "Blue Eagle", showing a: Mule, Billy Goat, and an Eagle(?), Okinawa made, RFU, Used....(sold)
( the "1" probably is for Team 1 )
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partial History
Operated in 1966 - 68 era, probably additional years but data is hard to find
Blue Eagle was the CINCPAC portion of the Strategic Air Command PACCS (Primary Aiborne Command Control System) network; one of these aircraft was always on alert at March AFB. It was meant to establish and maintain an airborne communications network in support of SIOP (Single Integrated Operations Plan) nuclear response. The main link in this network was the Looking Glass EC-135C aircraft out of SAC Headquarters at Offutt AFB; it maintained a 24-7 airborne alert. Also, CINCUSAFE had its equivalent PACCS system called Silk Purse; which operated out of RAF Mildenhall. They all were meant to link to the President's aircraft, the E-4 NEACP.
( Thanks to a viewer for this information )
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| 10th Fighter Squadron (Commando) also referred to as the 10th Air Commando Squadron (Fighter) or 10th Fighter (Commando) Squadron
  10th FTR SQ made in Japan, UnUsed.....inquire
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partial History
The 4503rd TFS (Provisional) was formed July 29, 1965 for operational service trials under the "Skoshi Tiger" Program.
In October 1965, 12 x Northrop F-5A Freedom Fighters were sent to the 4503rd TFW at Williams AFB, AZ.
USAF personnel were trained and Factory technicians modified the F-5s.
The F-5As were redesignated F-5Cs departing Williams AFB October 20, 1965 for Southeast Asia; arriving at Bien Hoa on October 23, 1965.
On March 8, 1966 the assets of the 4503rd TFS(P) were redesignated 10th FS(CMDO) and attached to the 3rd TFW.
Unit flew from Bien Hoa and Danang Air Bases.
In October 1966 the 10th FS(C) began training VNAF personnel to fly and maintain the F-5s; assets were turned-over to the VNAF in June 1967
( see 4503rd TFS(P) for more information and an Original patch )
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12th Air Commando Squadron
motto = "Purple"
The Chinese character means "Purple" which indicated the color of the Agent Orange chemical.
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"RANCH HAND VIET NAM" Beercan DI
scanned at 300dpi
 Beercan made in Vietnam, Used......inquire
- - - -
 Thailand made Operation "RANCH HAND VIET NAM", UnUsed......inquire
12th ACS, Viet made, Velvet panel, UnUsed......inquire
( this patch is attributed to a S/SGT of the 12th ACS - his name will accompany the patch )
Participant of the Southeast Asian War Games, from a Ranch Hand Grouping, made in Thailand, RFU (was hand-sewn to a Shirt/jacket), Used....inquire
 - - - -
UnCut 12th Air Commando Squadron
  12th ACS "RANCH HAND VIET - NAM", UnCut "Velvet" panel patch made in Vietnam, Unused.....inquire
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12th ACS(SOS), "Silver Bug Bird" for Insecticide Missions
I know that UC-123K Serial Number 55-4577 (construction number 20238) was a "Silver Bug Bird"(aka "Bug Bird" and etc.) from the color of the aircraft on the patch.
However, I could not find out when it entered the Operation FLYSWATTER mission so I don't know if it is an ACS or SOS or both timeframes.
When a "silver bird" was selected for the Insecticide Mission to eradicate mosquitos(malaria) the camo paint was stripped-off of the airplane and it was buffed so it would look different than the Herbicide Mission planes. Theory was it would not be shot-at, as much, if it did not look-like an Agent Orange(Herbicide) aircraft.
The 12th conducted the Herbicide mission for MACV from March 1967 to July 1970 when the squadron was Deactivated.
The remaining assets of the 12th SOS were given to "A" Flight, 310th TAS and based at Phan Rang; last mission was in December 1971.
The first Bug Bird was "Little Devil"(sn 56-4396), the 2nd was "Patches"(sn 56-4362). Patches is currently on display at the WP Air Museum in Ohio.
Provider Serial Number 55-4577
Both patches from the same Collection
scanned at 300dpi
 12th Air Commando Squadron and/or Special Operations Squadron patch hand-embroidered in Vietnam, UnUsed......inquire
Machine embroidered in Vietnam, thin paper backing, dead mosquito below the spray streams, tailors chaulk marks still visible, UnUsed.....inquire
 - - - -
partrial History
"Ranch Hand" Defoliation/Insecticide Operation in Southeast Asia(SEA) started in 1962;
stationed at Bien Hoa flying C-123s (UC-123s & UC-123Ks)
designated 12th ACS from October 1966 - August 1968, then Redesignated 12th SOS
12th SOS Stood-down in July 1970 and remaining assets were given to "A" Flight, 310th TAS at Phan Rang
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14th Air Commando Squadron Arc
"When You Hurt Enough to Want the Very Best"  14th ACS Tab, Thailand made, probably rare, the 14th was active for 3 1/2 months, UnUsed........inquire
partial History
o/a January 15, 1968, a second AC-47 unit, the 14th ACS was formed at Bien Hoa AFB as part of the 14th ACW;
Redesignated 3rd ACS May 1, 1968
A1C John Levitow was assigned to this Unit when he received the Medal of Honor.
( The aircraft nickname changed from "Puff the Magic Dragon" to "Spooky" around January 1968 )
( anyone with more info on the History of these 2 ACS units contact Jack@LJMilitaria.com )
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| 14th Air Commando Wing 14th Special Operations Wing
"DAY AND NIGHT PEACE AND WAR"
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14th Air Commando Wing Beercan DI
pre-August 1968 Beercan made in Vietnam
scanned at 300dpi
 14th ACW, Used.......inquire
- - - -
 metal plate removed from a wooden plaque...(sold)
(1969 - 1970 era at Phan Rang AFB, South Vietnam)
- - - -
Bringback from a 14th SOW Pilot
 ( for details go to Vietnamese page, VNAF section )
- - - -
14th ACW Re-Union Patch?
  14th Air Commando Wing "DAY AND NIGHT PEACE AND WAR", modern Korean made patch, probably a reunion patch, UnUsed.....inquire
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14th APS
 ( see on Air Police page )
- - - -
partial History
Redesignated 14th Air Commando Wing and Activated, on February 28 1966; Organized on March 8 1966;
Redesignated 14th Special Operations Wing on 1 Aug 1968; Inactivated 30 Sep 1971
Assignments: Pacific Air Forces, 28 Feb 1966; 2nd AD March 8 1966; 7th AF April 1 1966 - September 30 1971
Components
1st ACS March 8 1966 - December 20 1967
3rd ACS (later 3rd SOS) May 1 1968 - September 15 1969
5th Air Commando (later, 5th SOS): 8 Mar 1966 - 15 Oct 1969
6th ACS 29 Feb - 15 Jul 1968
9th ACS (later 9th SOS) 25 Jan 1967 - 30 Sep 1971
14th ACS October 25 1967 - 1 May 1968
15 ACS (later 15th SOS) March 15 1968 - October 31 1970
17th SOS June 1 1969 - 30 Sep 1971
18th SOS 1 Oct 1969 -25 Aug 1971
71st ACS (later 71st SOS) December 20 1968 - June 10 1969
90th SOS 31 Oct 1970 - 1 Sep 1971
602nd ACS March 8 1966 - April 8 1967
604th ACS (later 604th SOS) 15 Nov 1967 - 1 Mar 1970 (detached)
Stations
Nha Trang AB, RVN March 8 1966; Phan Rang AB, RVN October 15 1969 - 30 Sep 1971
Commanders
Col Robert J. Jones, 8 Mar 1966; Col Gordon F. Bradburn, 17 Apr 1966; Col Forrest L. Rauscher, 10 Apr 1967;
Col John M. Patton, 21 Nov 1967; Col Conrad S. Allman, 3 Jun 1968; Col William K. Bush, 5 Mar 1969;
Col Clyde S. Cherry, 2 Sep 1969; Col William H. Fairbrother, 3 Apr 1970; Col Alfred F. Eaton, 13 Sep 1970;
Col Mark W. Magnan, 14 Mar 1971; Col Malcolm L. Nurnburg, 13-30 Sep 1971.
Aircraft
A-1, 1966-1967, 1968; AC-47, 1966-1969; C-47, 1966-1971; HC-47, 1966-1969; U-10, 1966-1969; CH-3, 1966-1969; O-2, 1967-1971; UH-1, 1967-1971; C-130, 1968-1971; C-123, 1968-1971; AC-130, 1968; AC-119, 1968-1971
Operations
Combat in SEA March 1966 to September 1971, operating from numerous locations in South Vietnam and Thailand.
Operations included close and direct air support, interdiction, combat airlift, aerial resupply, visual and photographic reconnaissance, unconventional warfare, counterinsurgency operations, psychological warfare (including leaflet dropping and aerial broadcasting), forward air control (FAC) operations and escort, search and rescue, escort for convoy and defoliation operations, flare drops, civic actions, and humanitarian actions. The wing also operated Nha Trang AB, South Vietnam, Mar 1966-Oct 1969, and provided maintenance support for a number of tenants. Trained South Vietnamese Air Force (VNAF) personnel in AC-119 operations and maintenance, Feb-Aug 1971, and transferred
some of its AC-119s to the VNAF, Aug-Sep 1971 as part of a phase-down for inactivation.
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| 15th Air Commando Squadron 15th Special Operations Squadron
- - - -
15th ACS - did agent recovery for SOG (Combat Spear Missions)
Formerly designated DET-1, 314th TCW(PACAF)
( see an Original "Maynard the Muscovy Duck" patch on this link )
 ID'd on reverse, made in Thailand, UnUsed.......inquire
 - - - -
MC-130H Combat Talon II Lockheed insignia
see Aircraft page, C-130 section for details
- - - -
DET-1, 314th TCW(PACAF) S & D Beercan
Flew the Fulton 'Skyhook' Recovery System pickups for SEA - later Redesignated 15th ACS(see patch above), then 15th SOS, and later 90th SOS, and then the 1st SOS
( for details see at top of this page with the Fulton System patch )
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| 16th Special Operations Squadron - - - -
Rare Thai made "West Vietnam" Spectre Patch
partial Hand-embroidery on both patches
 Laos Cambodia Viet Nam "100 + MISSIONS" "AC-130 GUNSHIP", Thai made, glue residue on back, UnUsed......(sold)
West Viet Nam "100 + MISSIONS" "AC-130 GUNSHIP", Thai made, Unused....(RARE).....(sold)
- - - -
'100+ MISSIONS' over 'WEST VIETNAM' in an 'AC-130 GUNSHIP'
made in Thailand
  UnUsed.......inquire
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UnUsual 16th SOS SPECTRE
I have never seen this color combination - not on USAF.com or Air CMDO Association sites
  embroidered on a Black Twill with a Black Border = UnUsual combo, scrapbook residue on back, UnUsed.....inquire
- - - -
16th Special Operations Squadron
"GHOST RIDERS" - Crew 11
AC-130A USAF 54-1623 (c/n 3010) named "Ghost Rider", modified to AC-130A configuration by Ling-Temco-Vought in March 1968, operations in SEA, then with the 711th SOS, 1975-1997. Retired to Dobbins AFB, Georgia April 1997 as a Gate Guard with three-blade props reinstalled. Later sent to the Lockheed Museum at Marietta, Georgia.
 16th SOS made in Thailand, UnUsed.......inquire
 - - - -
16th SOS "LAOTIAN HIGHWAY PATROL"
  Sheriff's Star insignia, Japan made, UnUsed.......inquire
- - - -
9553F - Overdyed Aircrewman's Flight SUIT
patch has sold - depicted together as a display
 9553F - Black K-2B Flyer's SUIT, large size ( chest = 46, inseam = 27 ), Used....(suit only)......(sold)
( patch is NOT included in this offer - it has sold )
( also on Clothing page )
- - - -
8th TAC FTR WG Lighter
"The Fabulous Four Engine Fighters of the Wolfpack"
   AC-130 SPECTRE Gunship Vulcan Cigarette Lighter, made in Japan with a U. S. address, Used.....(sold)
( stored in "site done" drawer)
- - - -
16th SOS Lapel ReUnion Pen with 5 x Attendance Bars
Very high-quality for this era - the bars hang straight when worn vertical
300dpi
  hallmarked by Walliams(Williams?) Jewelry & Manufacturing Company, Chicago, ILL., 1975 must have been a very early reunion, Used.......inquire
- - - -
16th SOS Novelty patch
"Saigon Security Patrol"
"SPECTRE"
"ARTY"
"CMD"
  16th SOS Novelty patch, made in Thailand ( the words mean something to someone? ), UnUsed....inquire
( probably a TDY trip to Saigon - of course everyone was sober when they got the idea for the patch )
- - - -
Palace Lightning
USAF Withdrawal Plan for leaving Thailand
  "SIRVIVOR" Palace Lightning Ubon, Thai made, Unused......inquire
( Does "Sirvivor" mean he survived the Officers at Ubon or is it a misspelling? )
Palace Lightning
With the fall of Cambodia and South Vietnam in the spring of 1975, the political climate between Washington and Bangkok had soured ( I think we had stopped giving the "Thai stickup artists" money and equipment by then ). Palace Lightning was the plan for the widthdrawal of the USAF Thailand.
- - - -
Found with a 16th SOS grouping
  Thailand "If you haven't been there shut the Hell-Up", 4.5" Thai made, UnUsed........inquire
- - - -
Crew Patch for the 16th Special Operations Squadron, 1972
 16th SOS " SPECTRE VASPERS VULTURES", named for the Aircraft Commander, Captain Vasper, Crew II flew out of Ubon RTAFB in 1972, 4.75" Thai made, scrapbook residue and "Ubon" written on the back, UnUsed...(Sold)
Symbols on the Patch Represent the following:
Vulture = Aircraft Commander
"H" on the Vulture's Chest = Aircraft Commander's first name started with an "H"
Compass = Navigator
TV = Sensor Operator
Guns Firing = Aerial Gunners
Lightning Bolts = Electronic Warfare Officer
Indicator at bottom = Co-Pilot
pink face character = Illuminator Operator (IO) scanning the ground for SAMs and AAA
Indicator with broken mast(at 4 oclock) = unknown
(if anyone knows the meaning of the "unknown" symbol, e-mail Jack@LJMilitaria.com )
- - - -
Made in Thailand
'Footprint of the American Chicken'
  found with a 16th SOS Grouping, still has the tailor's chaulk marks, UnUsed....inquire
( also on htm and Novelty pages )
- - - -
Over the Hill Gang, Thai made
  "DIRTY DICK'S OVER THE HILL GANG" AC-130 Gunship Hurlburt 73-74, Used...inquire
- - - -
"One more drink Bartender, I'm ready to fly"
  16th SOS Novelty Patch, "Clear the Bar!" "PACAF Alert Force", Thai made, Unused.....inquire
- - - -
Rescue of the S. S. MAYAGUEZ
  patch for the action in Cambodia around Kontang Island in May of 1975, Thai made, UnUsed.....inquire
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16th Special Operations Squadron "GUNNER" Patch
  16th SOS"SPECTRE SHOVEL QUALIFIED GUNNER AC130 GUNSHIPS", Thai Hand-Embroidered (HE), scrapbook residue on back, Excellent Detail, UnUsed.......inquire
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UnUsual Red-on-Black Spectre
both Hand-embroidered with machine-made border
 Spectre "AC-130 GUNSHIP", Thailand made, Unused..........inquire
"AC-130 GUNSHIP", Thailand made, Unused........inquire
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 Let There Be Light "AC-130 ILLUMINATOR OPERATOR", Thai made, UnUsed..........inquire
Spectre "PATIENCE MY ASS GONNA KILL SOMETHING", Thai made, UnUsed.......inquire
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 Spectre "Super - Chicken AC-130", Thai made, Excellent Detail, UnUsed......(sold)
Airspeed Control Officer "104 Knots" "AC-130", Thai made.......Unused......inquire
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LAOS CAMBODIA VIET NAM, 100 + MISSIONS in an AC-130 GUNSHIP
patch made in Thailand
  UnUsed.......(sold)
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16th SOS - 9 patch Grouping
made in Thailand
 Laos Cambodia Vietnam "140+ Missions" AC-130 Gunship.....(sold)
Shovel Qualified Specte 16th SOS AC 130 Gunship, 4.75", Near-New.......inquire
U. S. Flag, Near-New...........inquire
Thailand Flag Shield, Near-New........inquire
  Laotian Highway Patrol, Near-New......(sold)
Spectre Battle Damage Qualified, Near-New......inquire
F Jane Fonda, Near-New......(sold)
  Spectre Patience my Ass I'm Gonna Kill Something, Near-New...(sold)
AC-130 Airspeed Control Officer "100 Knots" "AC-130", Near-New.......inquire
( The Co-Pilot is the "Airspeed Control Officer"(?) )
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Hand Embroidered
  Thai made, HE, RFU K-2B, Used.....(sold)
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"PATIENCE MY ASS I'M GONNA KILL SOMETHING"
patch made in Thailand
  16th Special Operations Squadron, 'SPECTRE', scrapbook residue on back, UnUsed.......inquire
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"SECOND TO NONE"
  Crew 34 (or 31) of the 16th SOS, "AC-130H GUNSHIP" , Thai made, UnUsed........inquire
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"FABULOUS FOUR ENGINE FIGHTERS"
  16th Special Operations Squadron "AC-130H", Thai made, UnUsed......inquire
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  16th SOS, AC-130 Spectre Pilot's Name Tag, Thai made, UnUsed.......inquire
16th SOS, AC-130 Spectre Aircrew Name Tag, Thai made, UnUsed.....inquire
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  16th SOS(?), AC-130A Spectre Gunship, ("A" Model) older ME with cheesecloth backing, UnUsed..(sold)
16th SOS, AC-130 Spectre Gunship, Thai Hand Embroidered(HE), UnUsed........(sold)
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16th Special Operations Squadron, AC-130A "SPECTRE" GUNSHIP
First "A" Models arrived in SEA circa November 1970 - if this is wrong let me know
  older 16th SOS with pigtail, gauze backing with the old plastic film over it, UnUsed......(sold)
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UnCommon face on this Gunner
  scrapbook residue on back, UnUsed......inquire
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 16th SOS, AC-130H Spectre Gunship, Older ME, soiling, Used.........inquire
16th SOS, AC-130H Spectre Gunship, older ME, UnUsed............inquire
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 older plastic-back Cut-edge AC-130 Spectre Gunship, not a common find, UnUsed....inquire
AC-130H Spectre Gunship, 4", plastic/gauze backing, UnUsed........inquire
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3509CH - Neck-Bib
  3509CH - made in Thailand, soiled on neck from wear, 1-adjustment snap missing, Used....inquire
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RARE Bent Nail Qualified
  AC-130 Gunship "BENT NAIL QUALIFIED", Thailand made, UnUsed.......inquire
( minor damage to the left of the "G", black spot is underlying thread, done at the tailor shop )
partial History of "BENT NAIL" Missions
"Bent Nail" was the designation of a mission to destroy sensitive material to preserve its classification or to prevent it from falling into enemy hands. For instance, if an F-4 aircraft were to belly in on a beach in hostile territory, a Bent Nail mission would be called in to destroy the aircraft in-place. Given the accuracy of the AC-130 gunship, it was the platform of choice for this task.
( Thanks to the Viewer who provided this explanation )
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"SAM Qualified" 2nd Award
One Veteran said the "2" denotes it was a "SAM-2" Missile, not the 2nd Award...anyone have a comment?
 AC 130 Flight Examiner, Thai made, UnUsed.....(sold)
Spectre "AAA QUALIFIED", Thai made, UnUsed.......(sold)
Spectre "SAM QUALIFIED", made in Thailand, UnUsed.......inquire
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16th SOS “Black Spot” ( If you have an extra patch, contact: Jack@LJMilitaria.com )
( also on 1 - 43rd SQ page in "wanted" section )
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Black Spot Project, NC-123K Night Bombers
Jewett's Jewels, "Gems of the Sky"
2 x C-123s were modified with a RADOME on the nose; below that was a Turret housing a FLIR, LLLTV, and a LASER Illuminator/Rangefinder
  "E-59" "We deliver where it counts", RFU, Used.......inquire
Parachute depicted is one-of-twelve "dispenser chutes" used to drop a 3-cluster bomb unit ( CBU ) from the B-52 Hayes Dispenser through Bomb-Doors in the floor of the aircraft.
( also on UI#78 page )
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16th SOS Eagle Pull, 388th TFW   "EAGLE PULL" operation to extract U. S. Embassy personnel from Phenom Penh, Cambodia, Unused...inquire
( for another Eagle Pull patch see 21st SOS )
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3509EV - Missing-in-Action Bracelet 3509EV - For a missing 16th SOS Aircrewman, in package, UnUsed........inquire
( also on USAF Gear page )
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partial History:
16th SOS constituted October 11 1968; Activated October 30, 1968
Assigned 8th TFW October 30, 1968 at Ubon RTAFB
ReAssigned 388th TFW July 19, 1974 at Korat RTAFB
ReLocated to Eglin AFB (Hurlburt Field), Florida December 12, 1975
Aircraft:
AC–130 in 1968
NC-123K(AC-123K) Night Bombers (Black Spot) in 1969-70
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17th Special Operations Squadrron
"A" Flight, circa 1969 - 1971
"Shadow" = an early AC-119 Gunship configuration
  17th SOS "DENY HIM THE DARK SHADOW", based at Tuy Hoa, Thai made, UnUsed.....inquire
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17th SOS, AC-119G GroupingI believe this is a 17th SOS Grouping vice a 71st SOS Grouping as it has a "CAMBODIA" patch.
prefer to sell as a Group - but will break-up
 "SHADOW LEFT TURN CLUB AC-119G", made in Vietnam, puckered at the tailor shop, Unused......(sold)
"CAMBODIA 150 MISSIONS AC119", made in Thailand, UnUsed.......(sold)
"SHADOW 150 MISSIONS AC-119G", made in Vietnam, UnUsed.....(sold)
( newsprint on the reverse is talking about RF/PF soldiers in Black PJs defending their villages/hamlets/etc. )
 partial History of the AC-119G known as "Project Gunship III"
In 1968 Project Gunship III was started using the Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar transport
Two Models were created and designated AC-119G "Shadow" and the AC-119K "Stinger"
26 x C-119G models were converted by the Fairchild-Hiller Corporation by installing 4 x six-barrel 7.62mm SUU-11A/1A Gatling Miniguns and flare launchers
The first Operational "Shadow" mission was flown January 5, 1969; AC-119Gs were stationed at: Tan Son Nhut, Phan Rang, & Nha Trang Air Bases
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Japan made, white backing cloth
( circa 1989 - 1990s while stationed at Kadena AB, Japan )
 17th Special Operations Squadron, Unused.......inquire
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partial History
17th Reconnaissance Squadron (Bombardment) (constituted 17th Observation Squadron [Light] on 5 Feb 1942;
activated on 2 Mar 1942; redesignated: 17th Observation Squadron on 4 Jul 1942, 17th Reconnaissance Squadron [Bombardment] on 2 Apr 1943; inactivated on 27 Apr 1946) consolidated (19 Sep 1985) with the 17th Liaison Squadron (constituted on 19 Sep 1952; activated on 20 Oct 1952; inactivated on 25 Sep 1953);
17th SOS constituted April 11, 1969; Activated June 1, 1969; Inactivated September 30, 1971; Activated August 1, 1989
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18th Special Operations Squadron
"Stinger"
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Japan made 18th SOS Insignia
scanned at 200dpi
  "STINGER" patch made in Japan, UnUsed......(sold)
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"VENGEANCE BY NIGHT"
  18th SOS, small Thai made "party patch", UnUsed......inquire
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Nakhon Phanom (NKP) era patches
 Thai made, RFU, minor bleeding on border, Used........inquire
made in Thailand, RFU, Used........inquire
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 Black AC-119K "STINGER", Thai made, UnUsed.........inquire
Blue AC-119K "STINGER" "VENGEANCE BY NIGHT", Thai made, maker's residue on back, UnUsed.........inquire
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18th SOS AC-119K Patches
made in Thailand
 AC-119K "THE EYE THE MIND THE HEART OF THE STINGER" "Fire Control", UnUsed.........inquire
AC-119K "VENGEANCE BY NIGHT STINGER GUNSHIP" "Sensor", UnUsed........inquire
 minor History
18th SOS Activated January 25 1969; Inactivated December 31 1972
Assignments
1st SOW January 25, 1969
4410th Combat Crew Training Wing July 15, 1969
14th Special Operations Wing October 1, 1969
56th SOW August 25, 1971 - December 31, 1972
Stations
Lockbourne AFB, OH January 25 - October 1, 1969
Phan Rang AB, South Vietnam October 1, 1969
Nakhon Phanom RTAFB, Thailand August 25, 1971 to December 31, 1972
Aircraft
AC–119(K) 1969 to 1972
Operations
Combat in Southeast Asia November 13, 1969 - November 2, 1972
Honors
Vietnam: Vietnam Summer-Fall, 1969; Vietnam Winter-Spring, 1970; Sanctuary Counteroffensive;
Southwest Monsoon; Commando Hunt V; Commando Hunt VI; Commando Hunt VII; Vietnam Ceasefire.
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19th Air Commando Squadron
19th Special Operations Squadron
"DEEDS, NOT WORDS"
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19th Air Commando Squadron Beercan DI
See verbage below from a Squadron "start-up" Veteran, circa 1964-65
scanned at 300dpi
 older 19th ACS beercan made in Vietnam, Duck is weating a Green Bush hat like the squadron members wore, Used......inquire
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Yellow center is the original patch design (see below)
 19th SOS, Thai made, scrapbook residue on back, also some maker's glue has bled-through, UnUsed......inquire
older style "Yellow center" 19th SOS, Thai made, UnUsed......inquire
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19th Air Commando Squadron "Punctured Provider" plaque
Presented to Aircrew members if their C-123A was hit by ground fire
 While flying at 400 feet on an Air Drop for a Special Forces Camp Major Foster's Provider was hit by ground fire.
This Plaque is NOT for Sale
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19th SOS Commando Tab (?)attributed to the 19th SOS by a Veteran of the Unit
If you know more, or different, information about this arc email Jack@LJMilitaria.com
 UnUsed......inquire
( also on UI/Mystery page UI#121 )
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partial History
Organized 19th Bombardment Squadron (Medium) December 22, 1939; Activated Feb. 3, 1940 at Langley Field, VA
Redesignated 19th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) in January 1944
Redesignated 19th BS (Very Heavy) April 30, 1946
Consolidated with the 19th Tactical Airlift Squadron (constituted 19th Air Commando Squadron, Troop Carrier, and activated, Sept. 14, 1964), the 19th Air Commando Squadron was organized October 8, 1964, at Tan Son Nhut Airfield, RVN
Redesignated 19th Air Commando Squadron (Tactical Airlift) August 1, 1967
Redesignated 19th Special Operations Squadron August 1, 1968
Redesignated 19th Tactical Airlift Squadron January 1, 1970
Inactivated June 10, 1971
On September 19, 1985, the unit was redesignated and combined with the 19th Tactical Intelligence Squadron.
The 19th SOS was Reactivated May 24, 1996, at Hurlburt Field with the 16th OSS Central Training Flight becoming the core of the new unit.
from a Veteran of the 19th ACS who served in-country 1964-65
( see email 100926 )
"......I ARRIVED IN VIETNAM IN LATE SEP-64, ASSIGNED TO THE 19TH AIR COMMANDO SQDN AS OPERATIONS NCOIC. WE WERE JUST FORMING UP, AND THE 19TH HAD JUST BEEN RE-ACTIVATED. IT HAD A VARIED HISTORY DATING BACK TO WW-2. OUR AIRCREWS AND AIRCRAFT, THE C-123-B PROVIDER, ARRIVED ABOUT 3 MONTHS LATER, AS I REMEMBER. IN ADDITION TO MY DAILY JOB IN SQUADRON OPERATIONS, I VOLUNTEERED AS AN ADDITIONAL CREW MEMBER "FLARE KICKER" AND FLEW EVERY THIRD NIGHT ON FLARE MISSIONS, PLUS SIGNED ON A FEW DAY TRIPS TO HELP THE LOADMASTER ON RE-SUPPLY RUNS. ON ONE LOW-LEVEL FLIGHT, WE WERE HIT BY A COUPLE OF ROUNDS OF GROUNDFIRE, AND EACH CREW MEMBER RECEIVED A PAPER CERTIFICATE ATTESTING TO THE FACT, AND TO THE TYPE OF AMMO WHICH HIT THE AIRCRAFT. THIS PLAQUE(the shown above) MUST HAVE BEEN INSTITUTED AFTER I LEFT IN SEP-65.
ALSO, I AM PRETTY SURE OUR SQUADRON FIRST SERGEANT, MSGT FRANK KINNE(spelling?) WAS THE ONE WHO CAME UP WITH THE DESIGN FOR THE SQUADRON PATCH. I BELIEVE THE GOLD COLORED CENTER WAS PATTERNED AFTER THE GOLDEN DRAGONS WE HAD SEEN SO MANY OF ON VIETNAMESE TAPESTRIES AND DECORATIONS, ETC. BUT I CAN'T SWEAR TO THAT. I KNOW THAT SGT KINNE LOOKED UP SOME HISTORY ON THE SQUADRON, AND ALSO AT SOME VARIOUS OTHER UNIT PATCHES IN SIMILAR OPERATIONS. IN GENERAL, THE PATCH DENOTED OUR PRIMARY MISSION OF BEING READY TO HAUL "ANYTHING, ANY TIME, ANY PLACE", PLUS OUR MISSION TO PROVIDE PARACHUTE FLARE ILLUMINATION FOR SMALL ARMY OUTPOSTS UNDER ATTACK AT NIGHT. THE AIR COMMANDOS WORE THE BUSH HAT LIKE THE DUCK ON THE PATCH HAS ON. JUST THOUGHT YOU WOULD LIKE TO KNOW, THAT'S THE STORY AS I KNEW IT BEHIND THE DESIGN OF THAT FUNNY PATCH.
CARL H. MCKENZIE, MSGT, USAF (RET)
TAN SON NHUT AIR BASE, VIETNAM, 1964-65
HONOLULU, HAWAII
PS. WE ALSO HAD WITHIN OUR GROUP, A COUPLE OF OTHER C-123 SQUADRONS, BASED AT NHA TRANG AND DANANG, THE 310TH AND 311TH AIR COMMANDO SQUADRONS, PLUS THE "RANCH HANDS" DEFOLIANT SPRAYERS. THE OLD C-123 PROVIDERS WERE PERFECTLY SUITED TO USE ON THE SHORT TRIPS IN VIETNAM, AND SAW EXTENSIVE USE THERE. WE HAULED EVERYTHING: FOOD, AMMO, PROPANE TANKS, VIETNAMESE ARMY PARATROOPERS, WOUNDED, BODIES, AND THEN SOME.
More information from the same Veteran on the patch design: "......THE 19TH ACS 'BEER CAN' PATCH COLORING IS CORRECT, (like) THE ORIGINAL PATCH WE WORE. I CAN SEE BY YOUR LIST THERE WAS SOME VARIATIONS SUBSEQUENT TO MY TOUR. WE ORIGINALLY HAD THEM HAND MADE BY MAMA-SANS IN A LITTLE TAILORING SHOP ON BASE, SO THE EMBROIDERY WAS A LITTLE ROUGH, AS YOU CAN SEE. I LATER SAW A COUPLE MACHINE MADE, BIG IMPROVEMENT."
( I have made minor changes to the above account of the early days of the 16th ACS - many Thanks to Carl)
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AC-119 Gunship note:
"Shadow" = Two Reciprocating Engines and Four miniguns (original configuration)
"Stinger" = Two J-85 Jet Engines & Two 20mm Cannons were added
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GO TO:
1st - 19th Special Operations, Air Commando & Special Activities Units
Return To: Home SOS, Air Control, ARRS, & AREFS main page
For Ordering information contact: Jack@LJMilitaria.com
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Viewers disregard this section:
1st Combat Evaluation Group (1st CEG), Vietnam made, "Operation Combat Skyspot", site was operated by
USAF personnel on civilian status (had Air America IDs and etc.), Lima Site 85 was overran by the PAVN/NVA.
18TH SOS "STINGER", (AC-119G/K model Gunships)
22nd SOS "ZORRO"
3509EY - Neck Bib
3509EY - 16th SOS Neck Bib, By Raja's Ubol 'WOLF PACK' Tailor Shop, in Ubon, minor soiling, Used......
 Pilot's 12th ACS "Ranch-Hand" neck-scarf, Vietnam HE, purple has started to fade..(sold)
Head-scarf (25" x 25"), silk(?), 12th Air Commando Squadron Pilot's present for his Wife, UnUsed.....(sold)
UI#183 - "CAMBODIAN GUNRUNNERS"
Possible 16th SOS ?
 Modern 4th Special Operations Squadron
 4th SOS "SPOOKY GUNNER", UnUsed........(sold)
 RFU, Used......(sold)
 ( scanned at 300dpi = all the scrapes and blems are visible )
3rd SOS "SPOOKY" 5/8" Beercan with single-nail on reverse, made in Vietnam, Used.....(sold)
( single post - reverse scan available, in #47 )
DET-3, 4th ACS
Thai made Tab
 4th Air Commando Squadron, Detachment-3, been in 2 x scrapbooks, UnUsed.....(sold)- - - -
 ( scanned at 300dpi = all the scrapes and blems are visible )
4th ACS "SPOOKY" beercan, 5/8" with 1-post, UnUsed......(sold)
Air Commando Arc/Tab
 pre-1968 Shoulder Sleeve Tab, white-on-blue twill, RFU, Used......(sold)
1st ACS in Action - A Shau Valley - 1966
Rescue of fellow Skyraider Pilot "Jump" Myers by Major Fisher in his A-1E while in support of a Special Forces Camp
(see below for conflicting squadron(602nd))
Print titled "Downed, but not Forgotten" by Stan Stokes
1 of 225 "remarqued" prints
 signed by Colonel Bernie Fisher Medal of Honor recipient
comes with the "Certificate of Authenticity" and "Bio" for Colonel Bernard Fisher, New Condition......(sold)
(in Original Package)
  Only 225(of 4,750) prints were Signed by Colonel Fisher and "remarqued" by the Artist
Major "Jump" Myers is listed as a 602nd ACS Pilot on some sites.
 Unknown Special Ops, AC-130U Gunship (marked on back as "4th SOS"), UnUsed......(sold)
5th Special Operations Squadron, Combat Shadow, UnUsed.....(sold)
1st Air Commando Group/Squadron
Project Farm Gate
Time-frame for this patch is April 1962 to April 1964 when the last B-26s were flown out-of-country
Early Vietnam high-quality workmanship; probably from an upscale Indian Tailor shop (the boys that preferred Greenbacks)
 1st Air Commando Group/Squadron, "B-26" "Viet Nam", large 4 5/8" Vietnam made, UnUsed..(sold)
Unit originally established as the 4400th CCTS at Hurlburt AFB, Florida
first B-26s ("RB-26" used as a cover designator) arrived in Vietnam in 1961
Redesignated 4400th Combat Crew Training Group March 1962
Redesignated 1st Air Commando Group (DET 2A) April 1962
Redesignated 1st Air Commando Squadron (Composite) 8 July 1963 under the 34th Tactical Group at Bien Hoa
The last B-26 flew out of Vietnam in April 1964
The 1st ACS later became the 1st SOS and ended the War at NKP RTAFB, Thailand
(There are some mistakes in the above history; the gist is close to the events.
There are many conflicting dates and etc., that it would take a Russian novel to explain all of them)
& "Night Fighter"
 3509GO - 1st ACS Pilot's Airfield/Site "LIMA" List
Aircrew's airfield information booklet for Laos, circa 1967
 3509GO - 1st Air Commando Squadron “AIRFIELD/SITE LIST LAOS” 21 page BOOKLET dated August-September 1967, printed by the Flight Information Center Vientiane, this booklet lists “Lima” sites 1 through 235(all numbers not used), has an “errata” list with 6 changes, shows wear but in Good Condition, Used...(sold)
I don’t think this booklet is common as the “Laotian” web site does not have all the Lima sites listed that are in this booklet.
( also on Laotian page )
3509 - Ranch Hand Shirt and Scarf
 click on picture for details
 Should arrive on April 12, 2010
   Attention 3rd ACS/SOS Veterans:
The 3rd ACS/SOS Squadron Historian would appreciate Vietnam Era Veterans, of the Squadron, contacting him as he is gathering information on their Wartime activities.
Personal accounts of service are needed as well as facts and figures.
Anyone willing to share their story can contact Captain Erik L, Howg, AFSOC 3 SOS/CDXP at howg0001@hotmail.com
He is also looking for Volunteers to visit Cannon AFB, NM and speak to the Squadron personnel about their experiences.
  12th acs (12th SOS) |
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