I tried to stay on with the PCS guys for a consecutive tour but couldn't organize it. Went back to McConnell and when my CIA gig got lost in the mail, I joined TWA along with 18 (I think it was 18) other pilots who left USAF to go to various airlines.

The incoming guys were aghast that we were not filing DD175 flight plans when we bombed Hanoi. We just took on off, flew on up there, and went ahead and dropped our bombs. Didn't occur to any of us dunderheads to file a flight plan.

I wrote a couple a articles a few years back that have been published in some magazines. One about bailing out just before the aircraft blew up during refueling and another about a SAM Hunter Killer mission before the Wild Weasels came into being. Eight F105 were led to a SAM sight by a Navy A4 with a magical black box. Unfortunately Navy Lt. Comd. Powers was shot down over the target after doing a fantastic job of getting us to the target under very difficult circumstances.

Send me an email if you would like to see the articles.

garybarnhill@sbcglobal.net

Don't know if you remember me but I was the A/2c Fuel System Spec. who held down the Fuel Systems Tent with the 562nd, Aug.-Dec. 65. My tent was down the hill from the pilots equipment hooch and below the FMS hooch by the South Forty Sign.

Thought you might be interested in the fact that I took and have a picture of you leaving your Thud after your last mission with the 562nd.

Hope your in good health these days.

Jim Mack