Takhli RTAFB- The Early Days

Posted by Dick Stanland on 2/5/2019, 9:27:47

Re: Takhli RTAFB- The Early Days

Posted by Gerald Warren on 2/5/2019, 15:46:46, in reply to "Takhli RTAFB- The Early Days"

So YOU are the one that started all this!! HAHAHA Can't imagine what it was like before late 1968 when I arrived but sure am glad guys like you went before and got things lined up. Takhli was really a pretty good place to be assigned and the time passed pretty quick. I enjoyed my assignment. Thanks again, Oh, and the only time I made it to Clark was on the Braniff flight over there. Some problem with crew or plane and the let us go to the NCO club. Had an area there an many of us filled our pockets or whatever we had with little airline bottles of booze. The cocktails were great but man when you got off the air conditioned plane into the steaming heat it sure made your realize where you were. Previous Message I was privileged to serve as the OIC of the 1400 acre munitions storage site at Clark AFB Philippines from 1961 to 1963. As such, I was in and out of Takhli many times TDY to inspect munitions already stored there. There was NOTHING there except the 12000 ft. runway, three quonsett huts, a sort of fire station and two A-26 aircraft painted black.You had to have a diplomatic clearance to even go there and,oh, I forgot the two earthen jars full of dead cobras next to the personnel area. I later experienced getting acquainted with pilots and their F100d aircraft both from the 510th TFS at Clark as well as flights of four 100Ds deployed TDY from Cannon AFB periodically.It was just an inkling of things to come but well worth remembering and has given me the deepest admiration and respect for everyone who served our country at Takhli as well as all of SEA during Vietnam.

Re: Takhli RTAFB- The Early Days

Posted by Rich on 2/5/2019, 17:18:53, in reply to "Takhli RTAFB- The Early Days"

Dick, Thanks for sharing your experiences with us and for paving the way for those of us who arrived there after you. There was not much there when I got there in 1965, and I thought it was bare bones then. (I can only imagine how it was when you got there). In fact, the Air Force contracted hotels for us in Bangkok and bused us in to Takhli on a 4 on, 3 off basis. As I understood it the reason for this was that there was not enough quarters constructed yet to accommodate all of us to stay there at the same time. I also spent some time at Clark as well as Andersen, Guam. Thank you for your service Dick. Previous Message I was privileged to serve as the OIC of the 1400 acre munitions storage site at Clark AFB Philippines from 1961 to 1963. As such, I was in and out of Takhli many times TDY to inspect munitions already stored there. There was NOTHING there except the 12000 ft. runway, three quonsett huts, a sort of fire station and two A-26 aircraft painted black.You had to have a diplomatic clearance to even go there and,oh, I forgot the two earthen jars full of dead cobras next to the personnel area. I later experienced getting acquainted with pilots and their F100d aircraft both from the 510th TFS at Clark as well as flights of four 100Ds deployed TDY from Cannon AFB periodically.It was just an inkling of things to come but well worth remembering and has given me the deepest admiration and respect for everyone who served our country at Takhli as well as all of SEA during Vietnam.

Re: Takhli RTAFB- The Early Days

Posted by Bob Wiley on 2/21/2019, 10:23:44, in reply to "Re: Takhli RTAFB- The Early Days"

Rich---when did you get to Takhli? I was there from Jul 65--Jul 66. Sure changed during my year there! I was 354th TFS life support. Bob Previous Message Dick, Thanks for sharing your experiences with us and for paving the way for those of us who arrived there after you. There was not much there when I got there in 1965, and I thought it was bare bones then. (I can only imagine how it was when you got there). In fact, the Air Force contracted hotels for us in Bangkok and bused us in to Takhli on a 4 on, 3 off basis. As I understood it the reason for this was that there was not enough quarters constructed yet to accommodate all of us to stay there at the same time. I also spent some time at Clark as well as Andersen, Guam. Thank you for your service Dick. Previous Message I was privileged to serve as the OIC of the 1400 acre munitions storage site at Clark AFB Philippines from 1961 to 1963. As such, I was in and out of Takhli many times TDY to inspect munitions already stored there. There was NOTHING there except the 12000 ft. runway, three quonsett huts, a sort of fire station and two A-26 aircraft painted black.You had to have a diplomatic clearance to even go there and,oh, I forgot the two earthen jars full of dead cobras next to the personnel area. I later experienced getting acquainted with pilots and their F100d aircraft both from the 510th TFS at Clark as well as flights of four 100Ds deployed TDY from Cannon AFB periodically.It was just an inkling of things to come but well worth remembering and has given me the deepest admiration and respect for everyone who served our country at Takhli as well as all of SEA during Vietnam.

Re: Takhli RTAFB- The Early Days

Posted by Rich on 2/21/2019, 16:05:10, in reply to "Re: Takhli RTAFB- The Early Days"

Hi Bob, I got there summer 65, KC-135 tankers, SAC. We probably bumped into each other over there. Yes, Takhli was undergoing rapid changes, that's for sure. Previous Message Rich---when did you get to Takhli? I was there from Jul 65--Jul 66. Sure changed during my year there! I was 354th TFS life support. Bob Previous Message Dick, Thanks for sharing your experiences with us and for paving the way for those of us who arrived there after you. There was not much there when I got there in 1965, and I thought it was bare bones then. (I can only imagine how it was when you got there). In fact, the Air Force contracted hotels for us in Bangkok and bused us in to Takhli on a 4 on, 3 off basis. As I understood it the reason for this was that there was not enough quarters constructed yet to accommodate all of us to stay there at the same time. I also spent some time at Clark as well as Andersen, Guam. Thank you for your service Dick. Previous Message I was privileged to serve as the OIC of the 1400 acre munitions storage site at Clark AFB Philippines from 1961 to 1963. As such, I was in and out of Takhli many times TDY to inspect munitions already stored there. There was NOTHING there except the 12000 ft. runway, three quonsett huts, a sort of fire station and two A-26 aircraft painted black.You had to have a diplomatic clearance to even go there and,oh, I forgot the two earthen jars full of dead cobras next to the personnel area. I later experienced getting acquainted with pilots and their F100d aircraft both from the 510th TFS at Clark as well as flights of four 100Ds deployed TDY from Cannon AFB periodically.It was just an inkling of things to come but well worth remembering and has given me the deepest admiration and respect for everyone who served our country at Takhli as well as all of SEA during Vietnam.

Re: Takhli RTAFB- The Early Days

Posted by Larry Leonard on 2/27/2019, 19:15:45, in reply to "Re: Takhli RTAFB- The Early Days"

Re: Takhli RTAFB- The Early Days

Posted by olson on 3/7/2019, 16:49:50, in reply to "Re: Takhli RTAFB- The Early Days"

Previous Message Again, thanks to the EARLY guys. I got to Takhli in mid June 1966 (Operation Limelight) via Yokota, Japan. Worked in Aero Repair on both the 105s and 66s. Awesome experiance and proud to be part of the 355th TFW and Takhli family.God Bless the pilots and those who never returned.

Re: Takhli RTAFB- The Early Days

Posted by olson Huff on 3/7/2019, 16:57:14, in reply to "Re: Takhli RTAFB- The Early Days"

Re: Takhli RTAFB- The Early Days

Posted by John Powers on 3/25/2019, 2:48:05, in reply to "Re: Takhli RTAFB- The Early Days"

Re: Takhli RTAFB- The Early Days

Posted by John Guilbert on 3/27/2019, 11:00:08, in reply to "Re: Takhli RTAFB- The Early Days"

Hey Rich, I was with the KC-135 unit in 67 & 68 as an aircraft electrician. Came from Westover. We moved the tankers to CCK in Taiwan the summer of 68. Got to go to Utapao for a few weeks and worked on the B52's (my favorite aircraft). Previous Message Hi Bob, I got there summer 65, KC-135 tankers, SAC. We probably bumped into each other over there. Yes, Takhli was undergoing rapid changes, that's for sure. Previous Message Rich---when did you get to Takhli? I was there from Jul 65--Jul 66. Sure changed during my year there! I was 354th TFS life support. Bob Previous Message Dick, Thanks for sharing your experiences with us and for paving the way for those of us who arrived there after you. There was not much there when I got there in 1965, and I thought it was bare bones then. (I can only imagine how it was when you got there). In fact, the Air Force contracted hotels for us in Bangkok and bused us in to Takhli on a 4 on, 3 off basis. As I understood it the reason for this was that there was not enough quarters constructed yet to accommodate all of us to stay there at the same time. I also spent some time at Clark as well as Andersen, Guam. Thank you for your service Dick. Previous Message I was privileged to serve as the OIC of the 1400 acre munitions storage site at Clark AFB Philippines from 1961 to 1963. As such, I was in and out of Takhli many times TDY to inspect munitions already stored there. There was NOTHING there except the 12000 ft. runway, three quonsett huts, a sort of fire station and two A-26 aircraft painted black.You had to have a diplomatic clearance to even go there and,oh, I forgot the two earthen jars full of dead cobras next to the personnel area. I later experienced getting acquainted with pilots and their F100d aircraft both from the 510th TFS at Clark as well as flights of four 100Ds deployed TDY from Cannon AFB periodically.It was just an inkling of things to come but well worth remembering and has given me the deepest admiration and respect for everyone who served our country at Takhli as well as all of SEA during Vietnam.

Re: Takhli RTAFB- The Early Days

Posted by Rich on 3/28/2019, 4:44:41, in reply to "Re: Takhli RTAFB- The Early Days"

Hey John, I worked the B52 'G' model while stationed at Travis AFB, CA back in 63. Great aircraft! But my fav was the water injected KC-135 tanker. I worked the tankers at Travis, Eielson, Clark, Anderson, Kadena, Yokota, and of course, Takhli. I was a Pneumatics Specialists or the long term "Ground Environmental Control System Specialist. I maintained the Air-conditioning, Pressurization and lox systems. Thank you for your service John. Previous Message Hey Rich, I was with the KC-135 unit in 67 & 68 as an aircraft electrician. Came from Westover. We moved the tankers to CCK in Taiwan the summer of 68. Got to go to Utapao for a few weeks and worked on the B52's (my favorite aircraft). Previous Message Hi Bob, I got there summer 65, KC-135 tankers, SAC. We probably bumped into each other over there. Yes, Takhli was undergoing rapid changes, that's for sure. Previous Message Rich---when did you get to Takhli? I was there from Jul 65--Jul 66. Sure changed during my year there! I was 354th TFS life support. Bob Previous Message Dick, Thanks for sharing your experiences with us and for paving the way for those of us who arrived there after you. There was not much there when I got there in 1965, and I thought it was bare bones then. (I can only imagine how it was when you got there). In fact, the Air Force contracted hotels for us in Bangkok and bused us in to Takhli on a 4 on, 3 off basis. As I understood it the reason for this was that there was not enough quarters constructed yet to accommodate all of us to stay there at the same time. I also spent some time at Clark as well as Andersen, Guam. Thank you for your service Dick. Previous Message I was privileged to serve as the OIC of the 1400 acre munitions storage site at Clark AFB Philippines from 1961 to 1963. As such, I was in and out of Takhli many times TDY to inspect munitions already stored there. There was NOTHING there except the 12000 ft. runway, three quonsett huts, a sort of fire station and two A-26 aircraft painted black.You had to have a diplomatic clearance to even go there and,oh, I forgot the two earthen jars full of dead cobras next to the personnel area. I later experienced getting acquainted with pilots and their F100d aircraft both from the 510th TFS at Clark as well as flights of four 100Ds deployed TDY from Cannon AFB periodically.It was just an inkling of things to come but well worth remembering and has given me the deepest admiration and respect for everyone who served our country at Takhli as well as all of SEA during Vietnam.

Re: Takhli RTAFB- The Early Days

Posted by John Guilbert on 3/28/2019, 5:31:33, in reply to "Re: Takhli RTAFB- The Early Days"

Rich, so nice to hear from a Takhli SAC alumni! I haven't seen any other of them on this site. I just hope all my old friends are OK. Good to hear from you as well! Previous Message Hey John, I worked the B52 'G' model while stationed at Travis AFB, CA back in 63. Great aircraft! But my fav was the water injected KC-135 tanker. I worked the tankers at Travis, Eielson, Clark, Anderson, Kadena, Yokota, and of course, Takhli. I was a Pneumatics Specialists or the long term "Ground Environmental Control System Specialist. I maintained the Air-conditioning, Pressurization and lox systems. Thank you for your service John. Previous Message Hey Rich, I was with the KC-135 unit in 67 & 68 as an aircraft electrician. Came from Westover. We moved the tankers to CCK in Taiwan the summer of 68. Got to go to Utapao for a few weeks and worked on the B52's (my favorite aircraft). Previous Message Hi Bob, I got there summer 65, KC-135 tankers, SAC. We probably bumped into each other over there. Yes, Takhli was undergoing rapid changes, that's for sure. Previous Message Rich---when did you get to Takhli? I was there from Jul 65--Jul 66. Sure changed during my year there! I was 354th TFS life support. Bob Previous Message Dick, Thanks for sharing your experiences with us and for paving the way for those of us who arrived there after you. There was not much there when I got there in 1965, and I thought it was bare bones then. (I can only imagine how it was when you got there). In fact, the Air Force contracted hotels for us in Bangkok and bused us in to Takhli on a 4 on, 3 off basis. As I understood it the reason for this was that there was not enough quarters constructed yet to accommodate all of us to stay there at the same time. I also spent some time at Clark as well as Andersen, Guam. Thank you for your service Dick. Previous Message I was privileged to serve as the OIC of the 1400 acre munitions storage site at Clark AFB Philippines from 1961 to 1963. As such, I was in and out of Takhli many times TDY to inspect munitions already stored there. There was NOTHING there except the 12000 ft. runway, three quonsett huts, a sort of fire station and two A-26 aircraft painted black.You had to have a diplomatic clearance to even go there and,oh, I forgot the two earthen jars full of dead cobras next to the personnel area. I later experienced getting acquainted with pilots and their F100d aircraft both from the 510th TFS at Clark as well as flights of four 100Ds deployed TDY from Cannon AFB periodically.It was just an inkling of things to come but well worth remembering and has given me the deepest admiration and respect for everyone who served our country at Takhli as well as all of SEA during Vietnam.

Re: Takhli RTAFB- The Early Days

Posted by Don Doneghue on 5/8/2019, 15:48:04, in reply to "Re: Takhli RTAFB- The Early Days"

Re: Takhli RTAFB- The Early Days

Posted by Don Doneghue on 5/8/2019, 16:03:48, in reply to "Re: Takhli RTAFB- The Early Days"

Re: Takhli RTAFB- The Early Days

Posted by olson huff on 5/9/2019, 7:53:22, in reply to "Re: Takhli RTAFB- The Early Days"

Previous Message I am not much of an expert at message boards. Hope the note gets to you about Christmas 63, cough med, and Karma. I joined you after flying the last TWA out of Saigon during the Diem coup. The snakes were better than that!

Re: Takhli RTAFB- The Early Days

Posted by John Hol on 7/25/2019, 22:47:57, in reply to "Takhli RTAFB- The Early Days"

Arrived with the second TDY unit from Cannon in late 1962. Pulled three TDY rotations in 1963, then came back through during the Gulf of Tonkin mess. Some great memories of swiping the Chaplin's jeep and going down town. I was one of the idiots that built the bar for the airman's club, burned up a whole bunch of high speed drill bits trying to make nail holes in that teak wood. Previous Message I was privileged to serve as the OIC of the 1400 acre munitions storage site at Clark AFB Philippines from 1961 to 1963. As such, I was in and out of Takhli many times TDY to inspect munitions already stored there. There was NOTHING there except the 12000 ft. runway, three quonsett huts, a sort of fire station and two A-26 aircraft painted black.You had to have a diplomatic clearance to even go there and,oh, I forgot the two earthen jars full of dead cobras next to the personnel area. I later experienced getting acquainted with pilots and their F100d aircraft both from the 510th TFS at Clark as well as flights of four 100Ds deployed TDY from Cannon AFB periodically.It was just an inkling of things to come but well worth remembering and has given me the deepest admiration and respect for everyone who served our country at Takhli as well as all of SEA during Vietnam.

Re: Takhli RTAFB- The Early Days

Posted by David HITCH on 7/31/2019, 17:54:50, in reply to "Re: Takhli RTAFB- The Early Days"

Previous Message Again, thanks to the EARLY guys. I got to Takhli in mid June 1966 (Operation Limelight) via Yokota, Japan. Worked in Aero Repair on both the 105s and 66s. Awesome experiance and proud to be part of the 355th TFW and Takhli family.God Bless the pilots and those who never returned.