Re: Takhli in the News - from 1963
I aarived a t Takhli in Jul 65 as part of the 1st "big" contingent of PCS troops. I think there were 700-800 that arrived that July. The "dreaded" jet lag hit me about a week after I arrived andf day was night and night was day regarding sleeping. I remember being wide awake one morning around 3:00-3:30 so I got up and started walking around. I was down near the a/c parking ramp and started walking adjacent to the parking ramp when I heard a jet engine--I knew it wasn't an F-105 or RB-66. Real soon I realized it was a U2 taxing out. All black and silhouetted against the ramp light. I was standing there in amazement when flashing lights and from 2 vehicles came out of nowhwere. Of course it startled me and then they "challenged me" with their weapons. I know they were'nt dressed in old fatigues--I think they were dressed in some type of coveralls. I got the 3rd degree--what are you doing here--where did you come from etc. I told them I just arrived PCS and my sleeping habits were all messed up. They "flashed"--and Imean FLASHED sone ID and got info from me. They told me to FORGET what I saw and go back to quarters. Later that day I was called to the squadron CO's office and he asked me what I saw. Just like I was told--I SAW NOTHING I told him. There was some real "official" looking guy dressed in a suit also in the office. The CO said he "knew" what I'd seen and NEVER to repweat it again. Funny thing, I know of at least a dozen or more guys who said they'd seen the U2. They asked me if I'd seen it--I told them in my BEST Sgt Shultz from Hogan's Heros--I see nothing & I know nothing! I remember them telling us before we left the Phillipines after being briefed on Takhli that we WERE NOT in Thailand. In the Pax Terminal I saw the latest TIME magazine and on the front covder--an F-105 with the caption below the picture--F-105's from Takhli supporting the war effort!! Bob
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