1 - The Black Vault

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COMBAT SPEAR f -fpadc khi ai b6 phreu . YSu cau eong bdd |0 bi^ Iruyen dm iiy litt kO) cd MS-feit THONG CJ«0 C5A GHfNH PHA Dif kip thai phi tan nhung ^fji mtru cua bcjn phan. C(Lch ni^ng tiane Ian r^ng trong nin5c, Ho Chii Tich as. k^u giji toan quSn, toan
PRAETORIAN STARSHIP cargo and personnel from one location to another. Cargo was manifested by code word, and crew members did not always know what they were airlifting. Emphasis was placed on proper cargo manifesting, including weights and cubes. Most Special Forces camps that Combat Talon supported were serviced by austere dirt strips, thus demanding a high degree of proficiency by the aircrew for short-field landings. 10 The 11-man Combat Talon crew formed the baseline for crew manning for tasked missions. Crew members would be added or deleted, depending on the mission being flown. For in-country logistics support missions, usually two pilots and one navigator would fly, along with one flight engineer, the radio operator, and two loadmasters, for a total of seven. For PSYOPS/leaflet-drop combat missions, additional Army or Air Force personnel would sometimes fly as kickers (in WW II they were called dispatchers) and would assist in deploying leaflets from the ramp of the aircraft. A crew could expect to fly just over 400 hours during a 12-month tour in SEA. 11 All cross-border missions flown in Laos, North Vietnam, or the southwestern portion of South Vietnam were flown radio silent except for HF radio. The crew monitored a pre-established HF signal and would abort the mission at the direction of the controlling agency. The crew also would transmit short preplanned Morse code messages at critical phases of flight (i.e., penetration of hostile airspace, completion of airdrop, mission abort, inflight emergency, etc.). 12 A typical PSYOPS combat mission entailed dropping leaflets from an altitude of 18,000 to 30,000 feet. A Combat Talon aircraft would penetrate North Vietnam by way of low-altitude, terrain-following flight, at approximately 1,000 feet AGL. At a precomputed point on the low-level route, the aircrew would accelerate to maximum indicated airspeed with throttles at full power. The pilot would then raise the nose of the aircraft and perform a maximum effort climb to drop altitude. The aircraft would climb to the computed drop altitude or until the predeparture, computed wind vector was reached, whichever came first. The computed wind vector was sometimes found at an altitude below tha t planned for the drop. Wind vector was more important to a successful leaflet drop than the altitude from which the leaflet left the aircraft because drift of the leaflet determined where it would reach the ground. Once the drop was complete, the aircraft descended swiftly back into low-level Photo courtesy of Richard H. Sell Combat Spear C-130s were ideally suited for hauling large, heavy loads. A huge load of ammunition is offloaded from aircraft 64-0561 at Hue-Phu Bai in 1967. terrain-following flight to minimize exposure to enemy threats. If a threat were encountered during the pop-up maneuver that had the potential to destroy the aircraft, the aircrew would execute an escape maneuver. The escape maneuver was performed by reducing power to flight idle on all four engines, retracting the flaps, closing the ramp and door if open, lowering the nose, and banking up to 60 degrees left or right. Maximum descent would occur at approximately 320 KIAS when descending from 20,000 feet. The critical part of the maximum effort descent was keeping the aircraft’s relative position established with the ground. The navigator determined where the aircraft was positioned in relation to the terrain beneath the aircraft, and the pilot flying the aircraft would maneuver left and right up to the 60 degree limit of bank to break radar lock during the descent. The aircraft would descend to emergency safe altitude and, once cleared by the navigator, would descend further to minimum safe altitude (MSA), where the aircraft would then pick up its low-level route and descend to 1,000-feet terrainfollowing altitude on the preplanned escape route. 13 Combat Spear versus Heavy Hook Capabilities The C-123 was a proven combat veteran by 1965, whereas the C-130E was the newest transport aircraft in the Air Force inventory. There had never been a comparison of the two aircraft with emphasis on their UW capabilities. In 1965 MACV commissioned a comparative analysis of the two weapons systems in a study titled the “C-130E Sky Hook Study.” 82
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i\1 -■-'^^.■■--y^lEil^peD
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The Praetorian STARShip The Untold
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This book is dedicated to all Speci
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Contents Chapter Page DISCLAIMER .
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Figure Page 13 Template Shift Due t
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Page Col Don Britton, First Command
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Page Aircraft 74-1683 Crashes onto
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Foreword As a young lieutenant flyi
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About the Author USAF Photo Col Jer
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The third factor driving approval o
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A Word from the Commander We in Air
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was changed forever. The US Army Wa
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Introduction Welcome to the world o
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system, the following three chapter
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move was partially driven by the Ai
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Chapter 1 Establishment of Combat T
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ESTABLISHMENT OF COMBAT TALON coloc
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ESTABLISHMENT OF COMBAT TALON Two d
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ESTABLISHMENT OF COMBAT TALON immed
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ESTABLISHMENT OF COMBAT TALON Life
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ESTABLISHMENT OF COMBAT TALON condu
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ESTABLISHMENT OF COMBAT TALON Precu
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ESTABLISHMENT OF COMBAT TALON were
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ESTABLISHMENT OF COMBAT TALON SOG h
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Chapter 2 The Combat Talon Weapons
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although the early Fulton modificat
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THE COMBAT TALON WEAPONS SYSTEM tri
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THE COMBAT TALON WEAPONS SYSTEM Lt
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THE COMBAT TALON WEAPONS SYSTEM as
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Page 62 and 63: THE COMBAT TALON WEAPONS SYSTEM F^C
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Page 70 and 71: equipment malfunctioned, the more t
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Page 76 and 77: THE COMBAT TALON WEAPONS SYSTEM TEP
Page 78 and 79: THE COMBAT TALON WEAPONS SYSTEM CRu
Page 80 and 81: Yank aircraft operating in the Paci
Page 82 and 83: THE COMBAT TALON WEAPONS SYSTEM Fig
Page 84 and 85: THE COMBAT TALON WEAPONS SYSTEM ly
Page 86 and 87: TYPICAl TANKER ORBIT PATTERN THE CO
Page 88 and 89: THE COMBAT TALON WEAPONS SYSTEM Not
Page 90 and 91: PRAETORIAN STARSHIP Once the Stray
Page 92 and 93: PRAETORIAN STARSHIP 1968: The Estab
Page 94 and 95: PRAETORIAN STARSHIP ridgeline. John
Page 96 and 97: PRAETORIAN STARSHIP that it was a t
Page 98 and 99: PRAETORIAN STARSHIP terrain followi
Page 100 and 101: PRAETORIAN STARSHIP to intercept th
Page 102 and 103: PRAETORIAN STARSHIP assigned to the
Page 104 and 105: PRAETORIAN STARSHIP making multiple
Page 106 and 107: Chapter 4 Combat Spear (The Vietnam
Page 108 and 109: COMBAT SPEAR quarters and were prov
Page 112 and 113: COMBAT SPEAR The study cited the fo
Page 114 and 115: COMBAT SPEAR rn nilMirif Piti.r,,!
Page 116 and 117: COMBAT SPEAR proper crew rest could
Page 118 and 119: COMBAT SPEAR proper people. Moreove
Page 120 and 121: COMBAT SPEAR we never intended to e
Page 122 and 123: COMBAT SPEAR Christmas spirit and j
Page 124 and 125: COMBAT SPEAR ■ IBDCITI |«'4llH^
Page 126 and 127: COMBAT SPEAR with good radar target
Page 128 and 129: COMBAT SPEAR two loadmasters, and t
Page 130 and 131: COMBAT SPEAR was given up. The crew
Page 132 and 133: COMBAT SPEAR killed, and 187 were w
Page 134 and 135: COMBAT SPEAR volunteers shortly aft
Page 136 and 137: COMBAT SPEAR were provided to SOG b
Page 138 and 139: COMBAT SPEAR early as January 1970.
Page 140 and 141: COMBAT SPEAR r esources resulted. A
Page 142 and 143: COMBAT SPEAR live surface-to-air pi
Page 144 and 145: served as the squadron’s administ
Page 146 and 147: COMBAT SPEAR Korean government. 139
Page 148 and 149: COMBAT SPEAR marked the beginning o
Page 150 and 151: COMBAT SPEAR 76. History, 14th Spec
Page 152 and 153: PRAETORIAN STARSHIP Sembach AB to R
Page 154 and 155: PRAETORIAN STARSHIP Combat Talon de
Page 156 and 157: PRAETORIAN STARSHIP June also saw t
Page 158 and 159: PRAETORIAN STARSHIP prisoners of wa
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PRAETORIAN STARSHIP and presenting
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PRAETORIAN STARSHIP 1973: Combat Ta
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PRAETORIAN STARSHIP experienced wit
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Chapter 6 The Son Tay Prisoner of W
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THE SON TAY PRISONER OF WAR RAID On
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THE SON TAY PRISONER OF WAR RAID cr
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THE SON TAY PRISONER OF WAR RAID Tr
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THE SON TAY PRISONER OF WAR RAID al
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THE SON TAY PRISONER OF WAR RAID th
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THE SON TAY PRISONER OF WAR RAID RT
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THE SON TAY PRISONER OF WAR RAID se
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THE SON TAY PRISONER OF WAR RAID ob
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THE SON TAY PRISONER OF WAR RAID se
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Chapter 7 Between the Wars (1975-79
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BETWEEN THE WARS Tentatively, the p
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BETWEEN THE WARS be undertaken in M
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BETWEEN THE WARS was established as
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BETWEEN THE WARS From 28 March to 1
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BETWEEN THE WARS The 7575th OG exer
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BETWEEN THE WARS The last half of t
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BETWEEN THE WARS during 1978 the sq
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BETWEEN THE WARS Italy for the firs
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BETWEEN THE WARS SOW CCT member lin
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Chapter 8 The Iranian Rescue Missio
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THE IRANIAN RESCUE MISSION shah had
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THE IRANIAN RESCUE MISSION were oth
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The 1st SOW maintained the four gun
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THE IRANIAN RESCUE MISSION Crew 1 C
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THE IRANIAN RESCUE MISSION large ru
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THE IRANIAN RESCUE MISSION helicopt
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THE IRANIAN RESCUE MISSION or barra
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THE IRANIAN RESCUE MISSION Since th
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executing the mission. Kyle had jus
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THE IRANIAN RESCUE MISSION addition
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THE IRANIAN RESCUE MISSION where he
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THE IRANIAN RESCUE MISSION the resc
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equired eight and one-half hours of
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The prototype Benson tank was opera
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NVG landings. Because of the short
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THE IRANIAN RESCUE MISSION the 1st
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THE IRANIAN RESCUE MISSION of the C
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THE IRANIAN RESCUE MISSION transmis
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THE IRANIAN RESCUE MISSION Photo co
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THE IRANIAN RESCUE MISSION Photo co
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THE IRANIAN RESCUE MISSION Fleming
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THE IRANIAN RESCUE MISSION had land
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THE IRANIAN RESCUE MISSION outside
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THE IRANIAN RESCUE MISSION ^f5
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THE IRANIAN RESCUE MISSION vertical
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THE IRANIAN RESCUE MISSION a decisi
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THE IRANIAN RESCUE MISSION Notes 1.
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Chapter 9 Project Honey Badger and
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PROJECT HONEY BADGER AND CREDIBLE S
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adar system similar to the Combat T
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0428 local, made its tactical landi
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Chapter 10 From Desert One to Point
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Talon community. 8 The IFR modifica
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FROM DESERT ONE TO POINT SALINES an
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FROM DESERT ONE TO POINT SALINES sq
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exercise aircraft on the ground wer
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standard operating procedures for c
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FROM DESERT ONE TO POINT SALINES un
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to MAC’s newly formed Twenty-Thir
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FROM DESERT ONE TO POINT SALINES se
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FROM DESERT ONE TO POINT SALINES an
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plan, Colonel Hudspeth arrived in t
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FROM DESERT ONE TO POINT SALINES At
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FROM DESERT ONE TO POINT SALINES MA
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for five Combat Talons, Hobson and
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FROM DESERT ONE TO POINT SALINES US
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FROM DESERT ONE TO POINT SALINES de
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FROM DESERT ONE TO POINT SALINES as
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il-u Grenada Firlih Hunlfe^ Fiuil
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FROM DESERT ONE TO POINT SALINES th
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FROM DESERT ONE TO POINT SALINES 10
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PRAETORIAN STARSHIP five-light syst
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PRAETORIAN STARSHIP the total force
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PRAETORIAN STARSHIP interest the co
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PRAETORIAN STARSHIP operations exer
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PRAETORIAN STARSHIP forces in being
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PRAETORIAN STARSHIP 1986: The Goldw
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PRAETORIAN STARSHIP With rumors swi
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PRAETORIAN STARSHIP Photo courtesy
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PRAETORIAN STARSHIP all on-aircraft
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PRAETORIAN STARSHIP Dur ing the fol
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PRAETORIAN STARSHIP the ORI overwhe
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PRAETORIAN STARSHIP H ■ BB a FT-
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PRAETORIAN STARSHIP 28. History, 2d
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PRAETORIAN STARSHIP ranks to become
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PRAETORIAN STARSHIP continued to ve
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PRAETORIAN STARSHIP process. Events
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PRAETORIAN STARSHIP launch. By 1730
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PRAETORIAN STARSHIP USAF Photo Crew
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PRAETORIAN STARSHIP spacing between
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PRAETORIAN STARSHIP vegetation grow
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PRAETORIAN STARSHIP Task Force Blac
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PRAETORIAN STARSHIP JTF-South force
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PRAETORIAN STARSHIP 21. Ibid. 22. I
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PRAETORIAN STARSHIP Cope Thunder Wi
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PRAETORIAN STARSHIP the first night
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PRAETORIAN STARSHIP Within days of
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PRAETORIAN STARSHIP SOW forces lean
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PRAETORIAN STARSHIP was “not bad.
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PRAETORIAN STARSHIP --7^*—1^, ■
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PRAETORIAN STARSHIP ready for testi
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PRAETORIAN STARSHIP start of the ai
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PRAETORIAN STARSHIP Orrell had depl
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PRAETORIAN STARSHIP 16 January the
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PRAETORIAN STARSHIP Saudi Arabia. H
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PRAETORIAN STARSHIP experts destroy
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Chapter 14 Mount Pinatubo to Operat
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MOUNT PINATUBO TO OPERATION JOINT E
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major eruption occurred. Seismograp
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headquarters. For AFSOC McPeak’s
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culmination of years of hard work b
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flew a SOCEUR assessment team into
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Early in the spring of 1993, all th
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Chapter 15 Operation Assured Respon
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OPERATION ASSURED RESPONSE TO THE N
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fuel available at the new location
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Epilogue 2000 and Beyond: A Combat
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surface will be covered by layers o
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Live Fulton STARS Made by Combat Ta
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Person Date Location Recovery Pilot
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Partial Summary of Upgrades, MOD-90
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—X Band Receiver/Transmitter: On
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Glossary AAA AAF ABCCC ABW ACS AD A
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CTJTF CTMR CTW CV DCS DCSO DIA DMZ
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MATS MC MCAS MCM MEU MFF MFP MIA MO
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SKE SLOG SMM SOAR SOCCENT SOCCT SOC
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Index Aircraft B-17: 2-4, 15, 17, 2
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Far East Command (FECOM): 5-8 Fulto
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1 - The Black Vault

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