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War Stories

Ferrying Aircraft from Sanford Field to Da Nang

F Troop moves North from Sanford Field (Long Binh) to Da Nang ares
Carl Betsill, Ken Mick, Frank Dillon, Lloyd Goldsmith, Ken Hundt

This would have been a flight of over 450 miles. We are asking for Crewmembers that made this flight to describe the mission. How many stops were made? Where did they stop? How did they navigate? Was ADF used? What route did they take? Did they follow QL-1 highway? How long did it take? Were there mechanical problems? Weather issues? 

This just seems to me, to be a major event that I have heard nothing about. Not being a pilot myself, perhaps it was not a big deal to those participating, but it seems to me ferrying that many aircraft for that distance would be a major undertaking, yet I’ve heard no one mention it. I’ve gone through all of the videos and most of the war stories from that period and have seen nothing but brief mentions that “we moved to Phu Bai in April 72”. Carl

Ken Mick: tells the story in detail in his War Story Essay The Easter Offensive - Mick 72.

Frank Dillon: remembers: Me and 20? or so others flew up in a C130 loaded with Troop equipment a few days after the flyable birds left. Bob Schenck escorted Troop property aboard a Korean? ship to Da Nang. A trip that took several days. I’m guessing he wasn’t the only one aboard, but I don’t know. John Spencer and Dan Miller flew to Phu Bai the afternoon before the main departure the next morning. They got to Phu Bai after dark and had to search for a place to bunk, or something like that. I’ve forgotten exactly what Dan told me a few years ago. 
When I derosed Oct 72 I rode in an F Troop Slick from Tan My to Tan Son Nhut. The best I remember is that we pretty much followed the coast line south. I find it interesting that just recently I thought about that flight and wondered if we landed to refuel or anything. I remember it to be non stop, but it happened awhile back.

Lloyd Goldsmith: I have pictures of the C-130 that landed at Lai Kai to move F Troop to I Corps. The runway would not support the weight of the empty C-130 so the move north was cancelled. Anyone else remember that? Date?

Ken Hundt: CW2 (16 Jan 2020): I remember the move to I Corp. It happened I believe on 4-1-72. That’s when we started the move. If I remember correctly we ended up at Tan My. Stop over at Da Nang on the way. I don’t remember a C-130 though. When I rotated out- I went to Hawaii and was assigned to C troop 3/4 Cav. That was 1973-76. I don’t remember a D troop.