Thailand 1968 - 1969

Notice: I did not have the foresight to take many photographs while I was in S.E.A. (Or, maybe we were told that cameras were not allowed) For that reason, some of these U-Tapao photos I brought back with me, some I copied from the Internet. None of them were copyrighted or restricted. My thanks to the guys who took photos while over there. If anyone does not want me to use a specific photo on this web page, just let me know.

One source that I know for sure deserves credit is Bill Miller's site at: > http://www.geocities.com/wmiller685/utapao.html

1968 - Assigned to the 4258 AEMS, U-Tapao Royal Thai Airfield in Thailand. When I arrived there, we were housed in those lovely wooden hooches that South East Asia was famous for. I think those incredible Red Horse guys could build a hooch city, anywhere, over night. While I was there, we moved into the new concrete barracks. They were great! Hot and cold running water and toilets in the same building! We had housegirls who kept the barracks and our rooms clean. They also did our laundry, and kept our boots shined. We each paid them $5 per month....... Best deal ever! I had great respect for the housegirls. They chose this hard work over the prostitution option. Below are photos of the hooches, the new barracks, and some of those shoe shinin' housegirls.

We were working out of Quonset huts when I first got there. Soon, though, we were moved into the new shops. They were brand new, air conditioned, and beautiful. As on Guam, the spare parts support and personnel support were fantastic. It was fun to work on systems when you knew that you had the parts that you needed to get the job done. Below are photos of me repairing a Doppler antenna in the old Quonset hut, and then a pic of the new shops.

I worked on B-52s (That magnificent BUFF), and the KC-135s. Everyone knew what a great job the BUFFs were doing over there, but the Tankers and Tanker crews seldom got the recognition that they deserved. I also got to make some interesting side-trips as while I was on Guam. This kept me on my toes.... The photo on the left below shows a BUFF crew returning after their 100th mission over Vietnam. The photo on the right is famous among U-Tapao vets. It pretty well tells the story: A Tanker on the hammerhead waiting for a BUFF to land and clear the runway so that the Tanker can take off.

Off duty time was wonderful. A few of us had access to a bungalow at Pattaya beach. On most of my two day breaks, I made the trip to Pattaya to unwind and to rest up. It was paradise there compared to the base. Of course, there was lots to do in Pattaya. The girls waving out the windows below were Buddhist nuns. They wanted our guys to come up and meditate with them. Some of my young guys would meditate 5 or 6 times in a single weekend. Sometimes it made them sick and they had to go on sick call and get special shots...... Meditation medication.......

It was also kind of nice to get away from the constant jet engine noise at the base. There was a Euro-style hotel in Pattaya called the Nipa Lodge. It was beautiful. I stayed there a couple of times for $4 per night. I would avoid the high priced eateries and "eat where the Thais eat" for 3- 4 baht per meal. A baht was about 5 cents. Below are photos of our Pattaya bungalow and the Doppler guys, a shot of the beach, and a secret activity patch that a few of us were awarded....