If you receive any pictures, would you mind sharing. I am looking for that same time frame, when my husband Ray "Woody" Wood was at Takhli. Thanks much, Linda
CHECK WITH BRYAN LEIF 12/5/11 ALSO HAROLD WOOD 10/9/11 HE KNOWS HOW TO GET TO THE MAPS OF THE BASE IF THAT WILL HELP. WHICH PLANE DID YOUR HUSBAND WORK ON.
Sorry to be so long answering, time gets away. From notes Ray left behind when in Takhli he crewed 60-522 til she went to Iran and then 62-8384. He loved the Thud. Hope you are well and keeping on with keeping on. Linda
Hi Dan, I too worked at the TRIM PAD - running up our THUDs to 100% + A/Burner... doing my Electrical Tests, etc. commonly on Night shift - Foliage was thick and grew rapidly enough that Tankers were seen Spraying nearly every few Nights. It most especially annoying to me due to several reasons > 1. You could Smell it and Taste it continuously as it permeated the Air, Skin, Clothes 2. It left my Skin OILY.. able to rub it in using my fingers like sun lotion, but tasting it was the same flavor as Smell in the Air. 3. F-105 Pilots would gripe about this "Oily mist" on Canopy windshields, asking me to try and wash it away (Crew Chiefs Job), but more than soapy H20 was reqr'd, Heavy Oily residue that severely impeded Taxiing at night. 4. This same Spray was also seen Sprayed around my Barracks (Hooches), that same Odor & Taste remaining densely present especially especially on non-Windy Nights. 5. I recall still Tasting it on my tongue days later while Off-Base. 6. Headaches & even Nausea was common after Spray trucks saturated the Bushes 50 Ft from my A/C.
Have you acquired any Pix of the TRIM PAD ... ?
I took many Pix of FlightLine, Landings, T/O's, but with only Jungle at the TRIM PAD, never took any Pix there. Too bad I didn't have my CANON FTQL out there the day a EB-66 Crashed as I watched. As others have said, the Pilot ordered his Crew to Eject (after he Inverted) because EB-66 is Downward Ejection ! Pilot died >> DUFFIN, Rey L., EB-66C, 17 Nov 1967, # 54-0473 / Takhli Crash Landing Capt, DOB 23 Apr 1931, Tooele, UT http://members4.boardhost.com/TakhliRTAFB/msg/1348679766.html
Though (3) other Crew were also said perished, I recalled they had survived.... as I remember no Fire... ANY Photo's of TRIM TAB found.... please Forward them to > Vikingsss@aol.com Thanks Dan, Good Health to you, and hopefully Winning your Case. MC 42350
I don't remember too much about it (age/memory relationship lol). The drop off was about a foot and a half and the s**t fer brains tug driver tried to pull it back onto the pad and managed to snatch the nose gear right out from under it. The FMS guys were not happy campers.
Sorry been so long to Reply... Very occupied and lost track of this LINK.. Back OnLine, but please Reply to my Email with TAKHLI in the Subject Line.. I Remember you're last Name !! Where was your TECH SCHOOL and Year ? And which A/C were you Spark Chasing ? Keep in touch MC
Sorry been so long to Reply... Very occupied and lost track of this LINK.. Back OnLine, but please Reply to my Email with TAKHLI in the Subject Line.. Keep in touch MC
MC, I have not been into this board for a long time also. Tech School was in Illinois and I was there in 64. I was trained on 102's and was sent to Portland Ore. Then went to Florida and then to N.Carolina to train on 105's, then to Takhli all of 67. Send me a email direct and I will get it and get right back to you. Francis
I was at Takhli May67-May68. I was a jet engine mechanic that worked the flight line 2nd shift. That EB66C that crashed at the south of runway was tail # 54-0473. I worked that plane the day before it crashed. It was supposed to go on a mission but was aborted. I had to change the # 1 engine hydraulic pump. After the change I ran the engine and everything checked out ok. The next day it took off around 1300hrs and crashed around 1445hrs.Capt Duffin, Capt Hezel,1st Lt Johnson,Maj Mcdonald and Maj Nichols died on landing. !st LT Krzynowek and Capt Moore Survived. Two days later a few us had to recover the engines. I thought it was my fault 0473 473 crashed. It haunted me for weeks, couldn't sleep and did tons of drinking. I had to go to a crash investigation inquiry. It turned out to be a rag left in fuel cell that got stuck in the fuel line to the fuel pump. The engine shut down and pilot couldn't dump enough fuel before crashing. I was vindicated of any wrong doings for the crash The names of the crew I wrote in my green parts book for quick reference on engine parts. I go to my Vietnam memorial in my down and saluted 5 times for the crews members that died on Nov. 17 1967. That crash has been in my mine for the last 47 years. Welcome home all you VETERANS.
I Swear you were a Tall Skinny guy... easy going but we were all too Busy to visit much. I went home beat after Swing Shift, and after a couple pulls (and Many WINS)at the SLOTs... but not much else. Don't recall Roger Clark. My 5 months at Chanute Tech. School was Winter 1965 - Graduated '66, then to McChord for C-124's and C-141's for 1.5 Yr., then PCS to TAKHLI... We had to know each other. A Staff Sgt. and A1C and I would go CAVE Hunting in MTs. a few Miles East of Town, with many Photo's of these on 35mm SLIDEs if anyone interested. Did U ever stake / Win a Claim ? Hope you're still around.. Email > Vikingsss@aol.com with CAP Letters > TAKHLI !!!
Mike C. I am still here, don't look at this site often. Do you look at some of the other Takhli forem's? I have joined several and still don't join in on all of the miscellaneous chatter. I would like to talk back channel, my email address is (fe.landry@hotmail.com). Hope to talk to you soon. Francis Landry
Takhli Message Board: Re: TRIM PAD TAKHLI AIR BASE 1967/68
Hi there, just became aware of your blog through Google, and found that it's really informative. I'm gonna watch out for brussels. I'll be grateful if you continue this in future. Lots of people will be benefited from your writing. Cheers!
all Takhli VETs... all Thailand VETs ...every affected VETs and Families... essentially.. all concerned American's, given your Country's Military Defenders have and are not only being Offended by the Government most had Volunteered for, but as well your NAVY has been dwindled to but 36% of what it was when considered Invincible
All Services being intertwined, WE must Guard each of it's 5 Uniquely related Divisions.. Though for now.. this refers solely to USAF ...
While rarely writing on this Board, perhaps a few times annually, this novel-length writing should be accepted as it substitutes the 10 Pages I may have written each of the past 5 Yrs. Also hopefully provide some insight and facts not seen discussed enough, nor much at all....
Thanking Admin. and all active contributors to this Mssge Brd.
Regarding that 105 towed over the threshold > She Lived to Fly, we've all witnessed far worse. Heard about that 105 Snafu, then soon forgot, though also aware a few 105's jumping wheel chocks & cables, running @ 100% + A/B. One fellow speaking of a B-66 Crash at TAKHLI South-end, tho I witnessed another B-66 slide on her back at the North End. Story was Crew ejected from the then (Intentionally Inverted) doomed A/Craft thru the Downward Ejection seats rising upward. This Pilot apparently sacrificing himself, saving his Crew. Any updates on topic welcomed.
TWO Crucial Points may help restore stagnant Cases for TAKHLI Herbicide CLAIMs >>> --------------
1. (4) TRIM PADS Existed Years 1967-1968 (also prior Yrs & still exist today -GoogleEarth). All (4) T-PADs well INSIDE 500 Meter (CHETCO) Eastern "PERIMETER" (just East & parallel to TAKHLI's (N-S) RUNWAY. While these (2) Northern TRIM PADS also well-within 500M of Northern BASE Security "PERIMETER" primarily used by Pilots running final CHECKLISTs, fully ARMED, preparing for Take-Off. When Pilots detected Problems, they would Call-In a "RED-BALL" requesting Urgent Assist, commonly our Electric Shop Trouble-Shoot /Remedy, preventing Canceling that BIRDs flight. Typical Month, Electric Shop would be Dispatched covering "RED-BALLs" a few times per week, hence we worked within 800 Ft of EASTERN SECURITY PERIMETER, and within 1200 Ft. of NORTHERN SECURITY PERIMETER. As well take Coffee Breaks in the AIR Conditioned Facility North of the "RED-BALL" PAD, even closer to NORTHERN PERIMETER Jungle, conversing with patrolling AIR POLICE having Smoke Breaks next to the freshly Sprayed shrubs. Supervisors stated the "Spray" was "Mosquito Repellant", yet Mosquito's were no less plentiful, while grass, brush, and Tree leaves turned brown and died after near nightly Spraying. This Fog of War on Plants and Airman leaving it's pungent, bitter-sweet scent in the Air, and leaving Oily film on Arms & Uniforms.
2. Most ALL VETs Working TAKHLI TRIM-PADs, at least during 1967 -1968 >>> AGE Shop, Mechanics, Crew Chiefs, etc., & We Electricians (Spark-Chasers) were Regularly subject to being Dosed with Over-Spray from "Defoliants" as Spray-Trucks motored behind our Birds (During SWING-SHIFTs 8pm-11pm [Minimizing AO Evaporation during Hot Sun Days] Spraying Lush Brush and Tree's adjacent to each of our (3) TRIM-PADs and (1) PAD (Pilots Final Checks) @ NW End of Runway. Suspended FOG of Oily Residue lingering for Hours settled on bare Arms, Face, and Uniform, permeating it's unforgettable pungent Smell *until* vigorous Shower/Scrub. (Yes I regularly Soaked & Scrubbed my Fatigues & Hat on Shower Floor, then pay Hooch boy to Wash again, Dry, & Press). Only to become Saturated again the next Swing Shift at the TRIM PADs... where 60% of my work occurred during Takhli tour. As well, similar Spraying during short Tours at LS-36, LS-85, & other Thai & VN Bases (also have TRIM PADS), my Specialty trouble-shooting Hot- Birds, Cargo A/C, Helo's, and occasionally TACAN Equip. Assigned Jobs at these TRIM PADs had me Running F-105's up to 100% + A/Burn + Water-Injection, then Idle-back to 50% - 70% for the Remainder of my standard Electrics Checks. Working mostly alone majority of times was a Blessing given the freedom of Decision-making, due to the Trust gained by supervisors knowing there wasn't one System I couldn't Trouble-shoot and Fix alone. Once Crewchief did checks & signing me onto his Bird, he left for another Bird arriving elsewhere. Once Gen-Set arrived and Lights illuminated the Bird, the AGE man left too. Only thing left was Hot Air, Mosquito's, Blister-Bugs, a Jet needing my TLC... and that Pungent , sticky Oil permeating my Skin & Uniform.
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Given that unmistakable Scent (Overpowering even JP-4, Diesel & Gas Exhausts) remained airborne nightly, and unforgetably > the TASTE of IT remained on the tongue seemingly continuously. there can be Zero-doubt, all persons Working the T-PADs not only ingested this Chemical mist, with Skin absorbing it, but those Smoker's (near Perimeters) likely inherently inhaled more. Chemicals had to be entering our Blood-Stream at Different Rates & Quantity, PER individual Dosage durations, and proximity to Source, of course. This would account for both Similar & Dissimilar CANCERs that varies between VETs performing Duties at same or different locations on same Bases (or numerous Bases).
These "VARIABLES" near-Infinite to ever expect anything more than Guestimate Calculations. Heavy Doses could have been ingested from exposing Coffee cups over several nights, or inhaled over several weeks or months interval..
Certainly ANY alleged "Mosquito Repellant" wasn't **quite that Great** at Killing Weeds, thick Brush, and entire stands of Tall Tree's ! Apparently, there existed an abundant supply of Chemical Defoliant Barrels that became the Preferred method of aggressive Foliage abatement and Control. Surely over-growths near Barracks and Flight-Line Area's needed to be Cleared well, if only for COBRA & PIT VIPERs, witnessed often.
BUT NOT while SACRIFICING fellow AIRMAN with your Known TOXINs on a Nightly-Basis subjecting your own AIR FORCE Personnel to horrible Long-Term (Potentially Terminal) Diseases !! Inexcusable! and being premeditated, conspired by many more than One Top Official and more than One Corporation, any Legitimate DOJ, and Supreme Court Judge would, should, and hopefully shall find Criminality of the highest order....
Noticing Hooch Boys often Sprayed (Same Smell) from Back-Pack Canisters (or Hand-held Cans) with Nozzles around our Open-Air Barracks [All Foliage Died, leaving only Dirt]. Also noticing dead, brown, brush-piles around our Chow-Hall, again only dead Dirt. Never once did I see any Electric-Weed-Eaters, or Brush-cutting / Tree-falling Machines, mowing down Vegetation surrounding Flight Line, PADs, Taxi-Ways, or Living Area's. Besides, such practice would totally disregard SAFETY Protocols, yielding greater potential of "FOD'' (Foreign Object Damage) flying onto TAXI-WAYs, TRIM PADS, and even carried by Winds, Rains onto RUNWAYs... Pilots not wanting to Hear that Sucking Sound upon Landing after Surviving their deadly-risky Missions, Especially NOT on 100th Mission !!
Furthermore, as my MOS Documents my Work on HH-43's commonly outfitted with FIRE-Fighting Equip, but once witnessing a "Special HH-43 MOD" (jury-rigged experiment) with a Spherical Tank & Spray assembly; unknown the Chemical, but Definitely NOT Fire-Fighting suppressant !? Never-the-less, based on personal Observations witnessed during my 1967-68 Tours, I can and do Firmly attest to these Facts, confirming "On-Base Spraying" ( Inside "Perimeters" ) ................ which clearly Refutes your Governments Firm Contention >>> "ONLY Base-Perimeters were Sprayed with Defoliants, Herbicides, AO (or the other (5) Carcinogenic / Toxic Chemical Variants of AO "
Additionally & Notably > the Northmost "PAD" where we were Dispatched to "RED-BALLS" (A/C Armed & Running, awaiting our Elect. Cross-Checks /Repairs prior T/O for Missions), was within the 500 Meter (CHETCO) Zone from the NE PERIMETER. Google-Earth and MEASURE yourselves, doing your Own Due-DIL then Logging FACTs > Best-Bet for CASES. Those working T-PADs at Night recall how Dark the Jungle was (often only One Light Stand illuminated one BIRD there, leaving GI's & BIRDs perfect Sniper targets, again justifying keeping T-PAD Foliage back & minimized). Though be assured, all while most of us Repair / Maint. Crews were concentrating on our Jobs, I can tell you, most your AIR POLICE & GUARDS & DOG Sentry's were "On-the-Job". Having again personally witnessed a CALL come in to AP Office > A 19 Year-old One-Striper taking a Radio-Call > "INFILTRATOR IN the LOX PLANT", this KID in his next Breath > "PURSUE & ANIHILATE IF NECESSARY" - Short & Sweet !! Also LBJ was Scheduled to Land > Celebrating TAKHLI being 1st BASE to receive our F-111's oversea's, but a report of possible MORTAR Attack steered AF-1 & LBJ to some other Base.
Big Question is > How many surviving Takhli VETs (and other Bases) can recall this ever-present Scent/Characteristics of this "Defoliant FOG-of-WAR" upon our countless 1000's of Personnel? Describe your recollection (of any "Oily-Skin", Pungent Odor in the Air, Taste in Mouth) and Spray-Trucks (Describe Truck Color, Size, Barrel Storage & Loading area and OP Areas). ALSO > IF anyone has caught these Vehicles in Photo's or old FILMs (Looking in Far-Ground & Fore-Ground)?! This may be Tough, due to Trucks appearing to be THAI Base Trucks, driven by THAI Military Drivers (Or Contractors). my having observed them crossing Runway heading EAST back to Thai side. Indicating Barrels may also have been Stored on Thai side. Any Bets how Healthy these Thai handlers and Drivers and their offspring are? NO BETTER TIME TO REPORT ANOTHER "NOTABLE EVENT" FINALLY EXPOSING "MONSANTO" CONCEALING THE LEVEL OF DEADLY TOXICITY OF "ROUND-UP" WEED-KILLER, SEE THE 200+ CALIF. LAWSUITS ANNOUNCED LAST WEEK . NOW DO REALIZE > THAT THIS "ROUND-UP" CONTAINS THE SAME TOXIC COMPOUND "G L Y P H O S A T E" THAT AO CONTAINED, YET "ROUND-UP" IS LESS THAN 1/10 AS POTENT AS AGENT ORANGE ! NOW HOW DEADLY DO YOU CONSIDER "AGENT ORANGE" WAS TO YOUR BODY?
Do Abide our Wise VETs on this Message Board emphasizing sharing BUDDY-Letters, Co-Confirming your mutual observations, collating coinciding accounts, building and supporting your CASES.
For the VA RECORD > If or as my Health turns worse, may THIS WRITING --- from this USAF Honorably Discharged Veteran > Serve as MY Official 'BUDDY LETTER' to all those it may apply, Not merely for TAKHLI VETs, but also for aiding 1000's of our Personnel having worked the TRIM PADs & Perimeters at other AIR BASEs across Thailand, Okinawa, Guam, etc. where AO & other 'Designer Tactical Chem/Weaps' were Stored, Handled, Deployed ..
=============== The following IS NOT my Writing > Christina Sarich wrote this >
This is why countless people continue to rail against Monsanto. It’s why Monsanto and their nefarious crew of poison mongers (the Grocery Manufacturer’s of America) spend millions of dollars illegally to try to defeat GMO labeling Bills.
The truth is that RoundUp, in the form of "glyphosate", is just another product of the military industrial complex, and an evolution of Agent Orange. If we don’t wake up and fight, en masse, then Monsanto and its government connections will completely destroy our food supply and our planet. -------------
DO YOUR HOMEWORK FOLKS...
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Endless Thank You's to ALL whom served ALL Previous Wars, our many AO VETs, and our DU VETs (Depleted Uranium) alike, may we Team together for our mutual Survival today .. just as We were all Team players - "WILLINGLY-Supporting" our Governments every Orders back then. WHEN WE were Ordered to Ramp-up Combat Flights over VN, WE never blinked adding many more Hours to our work shifts, and WE NEVER Told this Govt. > "Sorry You're being Denied SUPPORT", nor DID WE CAUSE THEM to "AWAIT 7 Years more", after already Making them AWAIT 50 Years ! WE PRODUCED RESULTS ON COMMAND, RIGHT ON QUE ! NO DENIALs, NO APPEALS, NO QUESTIONS, MINIMAL DELAYS, Providing Endless SWEAT-EQUITY, earning Below MIN. WAGE, NOR EXCUSES or BS.
WHILE WE SACRIFICED our Lives from our Families, Friends, Loves, Lovers... Ask WHAT has your GOVT., Officials, Bureaucrats, & Agency's truly SACRIFICED ? Unless Public Investigations exposes a GOVT. Employee's Crimes, you can BET such Employee's would Scream to High-Hell IF their OFFICE told them > "To Receive YOUR Pension, YOU must 1st FILE, then APPEAL 3 TIMES, and AWAIT 7 YEARS (or More) to ever begin Collecting what you FEEL you are morally and Lawfully OWED !"Gee whiz, Mrs Lyndon Johnson, your Deceased HUBBY's Pension Check just came thru, too bad HUBBY can't Collect it, and NO.. So Sorry but "OUR REG'S" REQUIRES the Spouse MUST *REFILE* to Collect her Share of his Pension". But Don't Worry Mrs. Johnson, most Applicants Receiving Checks in just 6 YEARs?" !
LONG-OVERDUE (YOU, the PEOPLE) Give the Other HALF of "YOUR Government" a Decade-Long-TASTE of their Own Medicine > SEE HOW THEY LIKE SWEATING OUT 6 - 10 YRS. all while AGING into their 70's, facing Diseases (Not Covered), facing losing their Homes (Not Covered), losing their Family's due to Poverty (Not Covered), after How many Years of Service!?
"Too BAD.. Mr. & Mrs. U.S. GOVERNMENT, if Only Your DEPT of DEFENCE had turned over $30 BILLION to their Sister Agency > the VETS ADMIN. "WE the VETs" wouldn't have LEVIED a MORATORIUM Against the U.S. GOVT., forcing YOU into Extreme Loss, Desperation, Bankruptcy,& far Shorter LIFESpan!"
WE VETs "Remembered You in your TIME of NEED !"
BEWARE U.S. GOVT. >
"DENYING WE VETs any Help in our TIME of NEED"
IS NOT CONDUCIVE for any Symbiotic Relation
Might consider Reminding these Younger RO's, many of whom never seeing WAR, let alone Sacrificing Four or more Years of their Youth Volunteering to "Support" a GOVT. that Lost that WAR. As most of us have been DENIED Compensations, WE are the VETs Losing this WAR ! ON OUR SHIFT !! While being Held to Represent ourselves for the most part, only to be continuously Impeded, Delayed, and Stalled, you can be assured your Children deciding to Serve this Govt./ Military will also face the same Treatment and Outcome, as well their Kids after them...
Unless all Surviving VETs begin Now > applying substantial Pressure - submitting Formal, Lawful, Constitutional Amendments that can and will Over-Turn this GOVT's Severely Flawed POLICY's covering VETERAN's Lives, Benefits, and Awards already-Earned during their devoted Service, with the Additional MANDATE that ABOLISHES this GOVT. REQUIRING EACH VETERAN TO >> "FEND for THEMSELVES, Fighting for EVERY SINGLE %PERCENT% THEY ARE DUE" causing VETS to PROVIDE AND PROVE EVIDENCE ALREADY GATHERED BY PRIOR VETS, ON THE SAME BASE, DURING THE SAME PERIOD, FULFILLING the SAME OR similar DUTY's !"
THIS TOTALLY BOGUS "REQUIREMENT" SERVES ONLY AS THIS GOVERNMENTS "DELAY TACTICS" BECAUSE THEY HAVE OVER-DRAWN THEIR ACCOUNTS (GOVT. SHUTDOWN THREATS -RINGING ANY BELLS !?), LEAVING VETS / AMERICAN'S "HOLDING THEIR GOVT'S DIRTY BAG OF DEBT", ESSENTIALLY.. DOUBLE-JEOPARDY !
WE VETS, ALL PAID ALL OUR DUES and DEBT to GOVT!
TIMES UP, FOR YOUR GOVT. PAYING OFF THEIR DEBT !
OR THE "U.S. SHARE-HOLDERS" SHALL TAKE ACTION..
JUST AS FAILING "CEO'S & EXECS" ARE OUSTED FOR SIMPLY FAILING ONLY SEVERAL QUARTERS. ASK YOUR-SELVES .. HOW MANY QUARTERS HAVE YOU FORGIVEN THE "CEO'S MANAGING YOUR "FEDERAL RESERVE" WHO KEEP ORDERING YOUR MIS-MANAGED "TREASURY" TO PRINT MORE "FIAT (PHONY) MONEY" FRIVOLOUSLY, LACKING ANY REGARD THAT EACH "PRINTING" FURTHER DEVALUES WHAT LITTLE VALUE REMAINS >>>> ( .04 CENTS IN "REAL $DOLLARS" -2010) NO MATTER HOW "OFFICIALS" SWEAR BY THE VALUE of YOUR BUCK.
Your Joint TEAMs face this WAR together, involving all U.S. MILITARY Units, especially now our US NAVY who have yet again been DENIED AO-Related VET Coverages; WE must Compel this GOVT. to Reply morally, Supporting US Vets as WE Supported this Government, just as TIMELY !
Do vigorously SEEK ALL Truth's and Facts, fast- developing your personal Investigations with vigilant perseverance, revealing your findings and experiences with your surviving Military brothers and sisters... Strength in Numbers ..
Blessings & Prayers for every VET & their Families
Mike here.. Write every so often... not often enough, however just Posted a Big one today.. with lots of pertinent Data on TRIM PADs, each of which were within "Security Perimeter"- (CHETCO).
Q1? >> Please describe your recollection of the particular EB-66 CRASH you witnessed. Making sure we are speaking of the Same BIRD. There were Several Crashes @ TAKHLI... Someone mentioned having PIX of at least One of them. Q2? >> Where was your Location at that Moment?
Do Note my many numerous writing on TRIM PADS. Describe ANY/ALL of your memorable TRIM PAD Experiences.
Different Years for me at TAKHLI.. shy 1 Year. However, send any Memorable experiences at the TRIM PADs > Note my many numerous TRIM PAD Topics, as ALL (4) PADs were within the 500 Meter "SECURITY PERIMETER"...
Note >> 1. Your MOS 2. Shift 3. Birds 4. Recollection of Spray Trucks & Spraying 5. Claims Status & Experience