Last Combat Mission of a Thud driver in Viet Nam

Capt Seid Waddell — Sat, 11 Jul 2015 02:17:42 -0400

The account of his last combat mission in Viet Nam by by Lt Col USAF (Ret) Bill Sparks. It is worth the read.

http://www.burrusspta.org/Sparks_last_combat_mission.pdf

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made Jul 11 at 2015 5:12 AM

GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad — Sat, 11 Jul 2015 05:12:45 -0400

Excellent story ... thanks for sharing Capt Seid Waddell!

Response by TSgt David L. made Jul 11 at 2015 9:38 AM

TSgt David L. — Sat, 11 Jul 2015 09:38:18 -0400

A bit long but a very interesting story of a motivated Airman. It would have been a nice bit of history to hit the 200 mark though.

Response by CMSgt John Momaney made Jul 11 at 2015 10:32 PM

CMSgt John Momaney — Sat, 11 Jul 2015 22:32:52 -0400

I was stationed at NKP 68/69/70 with 602nd SOS as a young A2C and Sgt. I had the pleasure of working squadron operations with some of the finest and bravest pilots in the Air Force. The Jolly Greens and Sandys never wanted to RTB with a man still on the ground. Your mission brought back many memories and I saw faces of those who did not return. Thank you for posting your rescue.

CMSgt John Momaney, Ret 1992.

Was at George AFB when F105's arrived from McConnell.

Response by SMSgt Dan Powell made Aug 5 at 2015 5:03 PM

SMSgt Dan Powell — Wed, 05 Aug 2015 17:03:45 -0400

Captain Waddell, thanks for sharing this story. I supported A-1 "Sandys" from Pleiku AB and I knew several fellow airmen who were stationed at Tahkli RTAB. The "Thud" had a very distinctive sound as it came around for landing. I got to see them at seveal bases, stateside and overseas. Doggone things were BIG!