1 - The Black Vault

PRAETORIAN STARSHIP
assigned to the USAF Tactical Air Warfare Center
at Eglin AFB, Florida, was the project director. The
318th project officer was Maj J. J. Clary. Project
loadmasters assigned to validate rigging and airdrop
procedures for the new system were CMSgt
Jesse R. Goddard and TSgt Charles E. Glentz, both
assigned to the TAWC at Eglin AFB along with
Franklin. The HSLLADS test was conducted under
TAC Project Order 73A-079T. The remainder of the
aircrew and the test aircraft was sourced from the
318th SOS (see chap. 2 for test results). 67
As the HSLLADS test continued at Eglin
AFB, the 318th continued its heavy exercise and
formal school schedule. From 10 to 23 August,
the squadron deployed one aircraft and support
personnel to Alaska to participate in Exercise
Ember Dawn V/Punch Bowl XIX. Squadron participation
in the exercise was a follow-on to the
briefings and demonstrations given by unit personnel
the previous November at Elmendorf
AFB. The primary objective of the deployment
was to provide initial orientation and training
for the Alaskan Command in the employment of
the Combat Talon weapons system. Before this
exercise the Alaskan Command had no experience
with Combat Talon and had no knowledge
of the proper employment of the weapons system
during a contingency. The aircraft actually
supported aggressor forces during the exercise,
but its tactical application in a combat scenario
was highlighted to the Alaskan Command staff.
The deployment was the first in an annual series
to Alaska. 68 One systemic problem identified
during the Alaskan deployment was the
need for a ground-based radio station to support
aircraft operations. The Combat Talon had an
extensive radio package on board and a highly
trained airborne radio operator; yet, there was
no way to communicate back to the controlling
agency responsible for the mission. The aircraft
could communicate with air traffic control facilities
and to personnel on the drop zone but not
back to its higher headquarters. In SEA Combat
Spear maintained a small ground-based radio
station at Nha Trang AB, but SOG was respon -
sible for providing communications links during
operational missions. Combat Spear aircraft
usually operated from its home base; therefore,
deployable communications equipment was
rarely required. The 7th SOS, on the other hand,
spent a large amount of its time deployed and was
the pioneer in developing a deployable aircr aft war
reserve spares kit (WRSK) and a communications
package for support while on the road. Because of
the Alaskan deployment, the 318th recommended
that TAC commission a study to determine the
feasibility of adding ground radio equipment to
the mobility package for the squadron. 69
From 25 August to 23 September, the 318th
deployed an aircrew to Flintlock VI and flew
with the 7th SOS during the course of the exercise.
As in the previous year, personnel were
challenged with realistic mission scenarios that
included the special operations mission planning
process and a realistic near-wartime foot -
ing of participants. 70 To help offset the many
flying requirements placed on the unit, on 27
August the 318th was assigned Combat Talon
64-0566 as a nonoperational training asset. The
aircraft had been stationed in the Pacific Combat
Spear unit after a brief stay with the 7th
SOS in Europe. The assignment of aircraft 64-
0566 increased the number of 318th Combat
Talons to four, with one committed to the
TAWC HSLLADS test through October. 71
On 1 December 1973 Colonel Bagnani relin -
quished command of the 318th to Lt Col Peter
K. Nikonovich. 72 Colonel Nikonovich would have
his hands full during 1974 with the move of his
squadron from Pope AFB to Hurlburt Field,
Florida. The HSLLADS test had been completed
in October, and actions were under way to
source materials needed to assemble the SEDS
and associated HSLLADS equipment. The
squadron was back to having four aircraft assigned,
closing out the year with Combat Talons
64-0559, 64-0562, 64-0566, and 64-0568. The
year 1973 had been a good one for the Popebased
Combat Knife unit after the loss of aircraft
64-0558 the previous year.
USAF Photo
Combat Talon aircraft on the Hurlburt Field ramp,
circa 1973. Note the black and green camouflage paint
that masks the aircraft identification numbers.
72