Re: the early days
Posted by Bob Wiley on 2/16/2011, 21:25:01, in reply to "
the early days"
Jim is right:the first "permanent" 105's arrived in Nov 1965. I arrived at Takhli in Jul 65 among the first big group of PCS troops. I was a Life Support troop and didn't have a real job. So, i worked in Supply and would go to the rotational 105/66 squadrons and work to keep up my skills. In Nov the 354th TFS arrived and they had no Life Support troops. I was at the right place at the right time. Takhli was a FAR different place when I left in Jul 66 versus Jul 65. There were 3 bars downtown in Jul 65 and 38 in Jul 66! I retired as a SMSgt after 20 years and I still regard Takhli as my MOST rewarding tour. Many happy and sad memories. I saw far too many outstanding aircrew members never return. It was always rewarding when they returned after being shot down and saying THANKS for their equipment working as advertised. Biggest disappointment was knowing many were lost bombing insignificant targets. I heard and saw things the average troops at takhli wasn't privy to. The pilots were VERY appeciative of the maintenace troops efforts. Their lives were truly in our hands. Bob
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