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NEW PRAB GUESTBOOK ENTRIES
FROM 1-8-15
Date of Posting Entry: 1/26/19
Name: Sanders (Sandy) Avery
E-Mail Address: sandaver7@yahoo.com
City/State: Now > Fayetteville, Ga ( 30 mi. S of Atlanta )
Were You At PRAB: yes
...If So...What Outfit: 615 TFS - 1/ Lt. Pilot F-100
Tour: 70/71
Comments: When the 35 TFW closed we flew the airplanes home (July - Sept 1971)
and handed them over to various Guard units. As I am writing this email
(Jan. 26, 2019) a group of five 615 TFS pilots and one 352 TFS pilot is
completing a 9 day trip back to Vietnam, including a visit to our former
base, Phan Rang. It has been a bittersweet trip as two of our 615 TFS
comrades, First Lieutenants Jon M. King and Elmon C. ( Mike) Caudill
were among those killed on the C-123 flight Bookie 540 which crashed
on Nov. 29, 1970. Jon was my roommate and having had his assignment
curtailed, was on his way home to see his infant daughter who he had
never seen. It came as a complete surprise to learn there were two
survivors, as all of our pilots had believed there were no survivors. I am
trying to get in touch with Vincent Fairbrother who was one of the
survivors and posted his account on this website. If he can get in touch
with me at: sandaver7@yahoo.com, I would be greatly appreciative.
Regards to you all.---Sandy Avery
Date of Posting Entry: 9-24-18
Name: Alberto A. Pena
E-Mail Address: aa.pena@hotmail.com
City/State: Now > Houston, Texas, Then > NYC, NY
Were You At PRAB: yes
...If So...What Outfit: 315 CAMS-Jet Engine Specialist
Tour: Oct 68 thru Oct 69
Comments: I worked on the C-123 Bookie Bird and did several TDY
tours to Da Nang AB (RATS & Operation Ranch Hand). Hit several
bases north of Saigon to up to the DMZ. My biggest regret is having
lost contact with all but one of my friends while there. Prior to PRAB.
I was stationed at Takhli AB in Thailand for 1 year (Oct 67 thru Oct 68).
I am grateful for the opportunity serving in the AF and for all the friends I made.
Date of Posting Entry: 11-25-17
Name: Mike Steele
E-Mail Address: steele_mike@ymail.com
City/State: Visalia, CA
Were You At PRAB: yes
...If So...What Outfit: Assigned: Tan Son Nhut AB,
reassigned Phan Rang AB, 309th ACS/SOS, September 1967-August 1968
Comments: I was a Flight Line Assistant Crew Chief on the C-123 Providers.
It was my first assignment out of Tech School and first time overseas,
learned a lot while there. Celebrated 21st birth day in Airman's Club
and saw Bob Hope Christmas Show in Happy Valley Drive In. Next morning
helped to block out 123 air craft with Barbra McNair and other members
of shows cast....one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen.
One year to the day that I DEROSed I returned to RVN as an
O-1 Birddog Crew Chief at Binh Thuy AB in the Delta......
Date of Posting Entry: 8-18-17
Name: John J Zela
E-Mail Address: jzela@eastex.net
City/State: Coldspring, TX 77331
Were You At PRAB: yes
...If So...What Outfit: 35th AMS
...If So...What Tour Date: 1970-1971
Comments: A few individual's names that I remember while stationed at PRAB:
LT Col Charles Bailey
William Scott
Ray Ingersoll
Phil Sommerlot
Gary Bryant
David Morstad
After leaving PRAB as a SSGT in Sep 1971, I received an early out
and went home. But, that was a year that I will never forget.
Thank you, John J Zela
Date of Posting Entry: 5-6-17
Name: Thomas Kirkpatrick
E-Mail Address: tckirk@auxmail.iup.edu
City/State: Thailand
Were You At PRAB: yes
...If So...What Outfit: 14 FMS - Avionics Comm Shop
...If So...What Tour Date: 1971
Comments: I worked on the AC119 Gun Ships (Stinger and Shadow)
and the Cessna O2Bs. Our NCOIC was MSgt Einest Boatman. Our
Mascott was a Dog named AJAX. Everybody called me KP. I am
now retired and living with my Thai wife in Thailand.
Date of Posting Entry: 2-11-17
Name: Dave Marks
E-Mail Address: jadam@hcgexpress.net
City/State: Highlands, NC
Were You At PRAB: yes
...If So...What Outfit: 35th Air Police Panther Flt Sqd
...If So...What Tour Date: 1966-1967
Comments: I was in the 35th Air Police Panther Flt Squadron in 1966 and 1967.
I didn't work on the flight line but I do remember F-4s, F-105s, and 100s
flying in and out during my tour. I do remember the Australians arriving on
base and bringing their Canberra Bomber. I remember the Koreans arriving also.
I returned to Vietnam in 2016 but did not get to Phan Rang. I got as close as
Da Lat and our guide asked me if I wanted to drive down to Phan Rang. I asked
if we would be able to get on base and he said he doubted it. Time was an issue
so I said no thanks. Id like to hear from anyone who remembers me from my tour.
Date of Posting Entry: 9-25-16
Name: Albert A. Pjosek
E-Mail Address: allynpj@gmail.com
City/State: Moses Lake, WA
Were You At PRAB: yes
...If So...What Outfit: 310th Air Commando SQDN/310th Special OPS SQDN
...If So...What Tour Date: June 1968 to July 1969
Comments: I was a SSGT Loadmaster with the 310th SGDN during my tour
at PRAB. The country is a very beautiful place, imagine beaches
all the way from the north to the very south. I enjoyed your site
very much. Brought back a lot of memories a lot. Anyway thanks for
your site and take care. God Bless Albert A. Pjosek (PJ) TSG Ret USAF
Date of Posting Entry: 7-9-16
Name: Harvey Lucore
E-Mail Address: hluc544@suddenlink.net
City/State: Bossier City, Louisiana
Were You At PRAB: yes
...If So...What Outfit: 309th Air Commando Squadron
...If So...What Tour Date: September 1967 through August 1968
Comments: I was a Staff Sergeant at Phan Rang AFB and fulfilled several
roles during my tour. First I was a Flight Chief for about 6 months
working in Job Control for about 2 months, then took over Plans &
Scheduling since I held dual AFSCs as both an aircraft Maintenance
technician and as a Scheduler. My new stateside assignment was to
England AFB Louisiana. I arrived just in time for the C-123 to be
deactivated and sent to the bone-yard. I was assigned as a Crew Chief
on an A-26 until it was discovered I was also qualified as a 7-level
Scheduler. For the rest of my career, I stayed in scheduling and
eventually was assigned to the Strategic Air Command, 17th Bombardment
Wing at Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio. When the wing was closed, I was
sent to Ellsworth AFB, SD, Okinawa, Japan, Seymour Johnson AFB, NC,
and 8thAF HQ where I was the Maintenance Management Superintendent for
the eastern half of the U.S. and Europe. I retired as a Senior Master
Sergeant January 31, 1986. In retirement, I worked for Boeing in Riyadh,
Saudi Arabia, arriving just in time for Desert Shield and Desert Storm.
We trained the RSAF on AWACCS E-3A and KE-3A aircraft. There is more,
but probably not applicable for this site. I was glad to have discovered
it when ruminating about the good old days. Best Regards
Date of Posting Entry: 6-6-16
Name: Adam Cyr (on behalf of my father 'Richard (Rick) Cyr')
E-Mail Address: adam.t.cyr@gmail.com
City/State: Adam: North Port, FL / Rick: Endicott, NY
Were You At PRAB: no, but my father Rick Cyr was there
...If So...What Outfit: 310th ACS
...If So...What Tour Date: 70-71
Comments: My father has been trying to track down his old flight crew.
My father served as Loadmaster and his pilot and co-pilot were, Dennis
Cortwright (possible misspelling of the last name) and Rick Steiner.
Didnt get the Flight Engineer name. They operated under call sign
Bookie 512. Getting in touch with the old flight crew and/or anyone who
was working in concert with them would be greatly appreciated. Adam Cyr
Date of Posting Entry: 6-4-16
Name: Richard K Leonard (Rick)
E-Mail Address: Lrick001@comcast.net
City/State: Millersburg, Pa
Were You At PRAB: yes
...If So...What Outfit: USAF Crash Rescue Fire Dept
...If So...What Tour Date: Jan 1966 to Sept 30 1966
Comments: I guess after all these years I want to get in
touch with others who were there in 1966 in the fire dept
and others too. Thank you for all your help. Rick Leonard
Date of Posting Entry: 6-2-16
Name: Kevin Coker
E-Mail Address: kevin.coker@hpe.com
City/State:
Were You At PRAB: no, but my father was.
...If So...What Outfit:
...If So...What Tour Date:
Comments: My dad was SMSgt. Charles Ray Coker.
He passed away in 1987 (age 57) from cancer.
recall he was stationed at Phan Rang AFB for about
2-3 years. If you know of him, or have any memories
of my dad, I would love to hear about them, or if you
could forward this message to someone who might
had known him that would be great. Thank you! Kevin.
Date of Posting Entry: 4-8-16
Name: Louis Davis
E-Mail Address: lmd.1946@att.net
City/State: Bartlesville, Oklahoma
Were You At PRAB: yes
...If So...What Outfit: 311 ACS (C-123K Loadmaster)
...If So...What Tour Date: 07/67 to 07/68
Comments: Enjoyed visiting your site. Brought back a
bunch of old memories. Would love to hear from anyone
who remembers me or who served during my time there.
Date of Posting Entry: 2-5-16
Name: Jay Decker
E-Mail Address: jmdeck3110@att.net
City/State: Austin, TX
Were You At PRAB: yes
...If So...What Outfit: 315 CAMS - Pneudraulics Shop
...If So...What Tour Date: 09/68 to 09/69
Comments: My previous comments are in the archives.
We moved changing address & email. I think we
were in Phan Rang at the same time but I was on
nights the first part of my tour. I worked with Shea,
Shank & Cann, then later switched to days to help
on the PM docks at the request of TSGT Roy Thomas.
Date of Posting Entry: 6-24-15
Name: SSgt Anton J Demboski
E-Mail Address: ARdemboski@charter.net
City/State: Iron Mountain, Michigan
Were You At PRAB: yes
...If So...What Outfit: 35 Security Police Squadron
...If So...What Tour Date: 1967-1968
Date of Posting Entry: 6-6-15
Name: (Chaplain) Col Scott Adams
E-Mail Address: walter.adams@us.af.mil
City/State:
Were You At PRAB: no
...If So...What Outfit:
...If So...What Tour Date:
Comments: I am an AF chaplain and colonel. I spent 11 years
on active duty and now finishing my career in the reserves.
I am on duty as the AFSOC Command chaplain for a couple of
weeks and was scanning the sites from Phan Rang. My father
was something like the deputy base commander at PRAB for
about 8 months I believe in 1970. I believe he was a
pinned-on Lt Col by then, Reginald W. Adams, Jr. I am trying
to find some record of him from those years. At one point,
they asked around for guys willing to train into the C-123s,
and I believe he did fly some missions. He was an F-86 pilot
in Korea and then a KC-135 pilot the rest of his career.
Thanks
Ch, Col Scott Adams
Date of Posting Entry: 1-8-15
Name: Ronald (Ronny) Shadix (Shad)
E-Mail Address: shadix_r@bellsouth.net
City/State: Douglasville, Georgia
Were You At PRAB: yes
...If So...What Outfit: 311th Air Commando Sq
...If So...What Tour Date: August 1966 to August 1967
Comments: Joined 311th ACS at DaNang about October '66,
after spending about a month in Phillipines for orientation.
Sometime in '67 our unit headquarters was transferred to
Phan Rang and we stayed at DaNang on TDY. Worked as aircraft
engine recip mechanic (43151a)(?). Worked both day and night
shift's on flight line. Day shifts were sorties all over
Northern South VM. Would hitch ride whenever OIC would allow.
Flew into some mighty small strip's. DongHa and Khe Sanh are a
couple I recall names of, but there were a lot more. A couple
of LZ's were in mountain's and the bird never came to a stop.
As bird came to end of strip we would have cargo unlashed and
open cargo door, pilot would turn and we pushed and or slung
cargo out rear, close door and full power for take off roll.
One sound caught everyone's attention, it was a metallic ping.
That's when you started looking for any damage.DaNang was
attacked with rockets and it tore the place up. Several of our
bird's were severely damaged. The AC I was assigned had numerous
hole's but inspection seemed to be airworthy. The 'ole man'
wanted to go to PhanRang so we started out and radio went out.
Made several attempt's but something always caused abort. Finally
the 'ole man' said get this dam thing good enough to get off the
ground and we are out of here. We flew from DaNang to Phan Rang
with no radio as it went out soon after takeoff. The day after
arrival I started pulling cowling and cover plate's off for a
good inspection. Found a hole in lower wing to fuselage skin cover.
Pulled panel and found the aileron cable had been hit with shrapnel
and was cut almost through. Called squad Sgt over and pointed it
out to him. He called the 'ole man' and he came down and looked at
the cable and said we were lucky as hell we made it. While there
we had the first K model assigned to 311th arrive. I assisted in
inspecting and preparing for combat flight. I made several trips
to and from DaNang. Also made several trips into town with some
of the guy's. Some names I remember, most I do not, Robby
Robertson, Tom paschal(lived in Ft Walton, Fl) Tom Hicks (form
Texas), Jack Evonka(?)(from Pa). Wish I could recall more names.
Have lot's more memories but this is getting long so I will close.
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