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Thailand
Udorn RTAFB Attacks!
Photos by Raymond
Conboy
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I was a Security Policeman and served in the Air Force 10 May 1968 to 9 May 1972. I was at Udorn RTAFB, 1969-1970. I get ragged on by some Marines (in good spirit). My response is to remind them that whenever Đà Nàng was hit, it would be the Marine or ARVN perimeters, and not ours. I always believed that it was because we were more interested in doing our jobs instead of doing dope, beer and prostitutes some of our brothers in other branches liked to do on base security. Reading about SSgt Johnson and other air cops I can see the bravery shown by my brothers. I got to Udorn RTAFB in Aug of 1969. Udorn was hit by sappers approximately 6 to 10 months before my arrival. The story I was told was that a C-141 had evacuated some wounded. They landed at Udorn for fuel or some necessary repair. A sapper team had placed satchel charges on or around the wheel wells. A security policeman was posted on the aircraft after the satchel's were placed. There was a problem with the satchels and they did not explode. The sappers went to check on their explosives and the security policeman discovered them and a firefight ensued. He blew his assigned rounds off right fairly fast. A SAT team responded and a QRT responded. They killed five of the sappers. During the firefight, fire units responded and were hosing down the aircraft IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FIREFIGHT. The original SP got a Silver Star and the responding security policemen and firemen got 16 bronze stars w/V. All of the security policemen were PCS when I got there and the story was told me by a basic and tech school friend, Gordon Burris. Gordon also told me that one of the weapons recovered from the sappers was neutered, barrel plugged and put on a plaque. It was then given to the Silver Star recipient. When he got to Don Maung (when returning CONUS), the award was seized. Knowing our beloved Air Force, that part of the story rings true. Hopefully the account is accurate of the attack, response and awards but I'm not sure because it is a second person account. I just started browsing the site and look forward to doing some more reading. Ray Conboy |
