I was stationed at Clark AB during the Vietnam War. The Philippine government would not allow bombers or fighter jets to land at Clark AB so we had mostly C5A’s, C-141’s and C-130’s. We also had numerous KC135 refuels which refueled aircraft on the way to Vietnam, especially B52’s that were positioned on Guam.
I served in the PI from 1/6/72 until 1/26/73. In May of 72 I went TDY (temporary duty) to Takhli, Thailand to help reopen the air base that had been abandoned two or three years earlier. The C5A that took us there had the run way lights on board plus numerous other equipment and trucks. They told us the airlift into Takhli was bigger than the Berlin airlift. We not only received round the clock transports but also 44 Swing Wing F-111 came in from Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico. I spent ten days there and then returned to the PI.
I was on standby twice to go to Da Nang but we never went. Finally on 1/26/73 my day had arrived to head for home. I’ll never forget the first time I saw the California coast from the window of the aircraft. After stopping at Japan and Alaska it sure was good to be home.
I had nine months to go on my four year commitment and put in for the east coast in hopes of being close to home. Of course they assigned me Fairchild AFB in Spokane, Wa. None the less it turned out to be a nice tour getting to explore the Great Northwest whenever I could. I returned home and went back to work at the HB Reese Candy factory in Hershey, Pa. which is where I retired in Dec. of 2009.
Just thought you might want to hear from someone that was not in Vietnam but was certainly affected by the war.
Joe P.