My name is James Hundstad. I am writing this as an explanation of my concern over agent orange exposure while on deployment to Thailand during the Vietnam war. I am struggling with Ischemia Heart disease. And am working with our county VSO who sent me on this quest with the computer. I loaded the bombs that you may have delivered to me on the flight line
I was assigned to Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base (RTAFB), Thailand in March 1967. I returned home in March of 1968. I was assigned to the 333rd Tactical Fighter Squadron (TFS) which was assigned to the 355th Tactical Fighter Wing (TFW) at Takhli. The Aircraft at the time was the Republic F-105D/F Thunderchief (Thud) fighter-bombers of the U.S. Air Force (Tail Code: RK).
My Air Force Specialty Code was 462x0 Weapons Maintenance. My career included electrical checks of the weapons control systems loading and, if necessary, unloading weapons from the aircraft. The M-61 (20MM) Gatling gun was also our responsibility which included servicing and loading ammunition.
The career also required weapons personnel to be assigned to, end of the runway duty. This duty had us stationed at the end of the runway (near the perimeter fences) before and during takeoff as well as meeting returning combat aircraft. The job was to remove the (remove before flight) safety pins. These safety pins were to insure that weapons could not accidentally be released during taxi. The pylons and fuel tanks as well as the gun also had these type of safeties in place. Upon returning from missions the Weapons Maintenance Technicians would proceed to safe all of the systems before the aircraft could return to the parking locations.
This duty was generally carried on by only a single weapons maintenance team. I was a crew chief on a weapons maintenance team. This duty was rotated to a different team for each morning and afternoon mission. It should be noted that the perimeter fences as well as that area at the end of the runway, were kept clear of any vegetation so they would be difficult to approach unseen. As you can see from Google Earth pictures there is still no vegetation growing in the overrun area or for that matter only 160 feet East runway just across the perimeter fence.
Well there is no reason for me to prove that I spent time at that location in this e-mail. In fact though this is where my claim is stalled as someone wants me to present a work schedule or some other proof that I served near the perimeter.
I got your information from a post on a question on the Takhli RTAFB message board.
Any and all help will be appreciated.
Jim Hundstad
ratrace@nrctv.com
605-225-3093
13755 395th Ave.
Bath, SD 57427
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