“ I had no idea what my altitude, airspeed, or attitude was since nothing worked except the Whiskey Compass. I learned that I was at 24,000 feet (7,315 m) , 270 knots (310 mph, 500 km/h) and entering an inverted spin, BUT I was over the Red River. Being over the river was wonderful since the Rescue Jolly Green Giants were not allowed to cross the Red River for a rescue.
I fell about a week subjective time waiting for the ‘chute to open at 10,000 feet (3,050 m) and remembered that the last time I had ejected I had caught the risers under my chin and really put a raspberry on my neck. ”

“ This means that lead thinks his flight has not been properly watching the fuel gauges. "Bingo" is the level of remaing fuel judged in preflight planing to allow return to base, without a tanker, with agreed safety minimums. Bingo less 1,500 is risking everything on finding an emergency air-refueling-tanker. #4 usually runs out of fuel first. It is not unusual for Weasels to seek an emergency tanker, sometimes twice, returning to the combat area to CAP a downed airman. Weasels are the first aircraft in and the last aircraft out of the mission area. ”

“ Taxi, Takeoff, Join-up, Refueling, Pod Formation, and all of the other aspects of an RP-6 mission were as routine as it is possible to be. The Strike Force held a good Pod Position as we made our way through Laos and North Vietnam to the Red River crossing point about 10 miles downstream from Yen Bai. From there toward Phuc Yen the Strike Force flew at about 6,000 feet (1,830 m) and 540 knots (620 mph; 1,000 km/h) until we neared the MiG base and started our afterburner climb to roll-in altitude. ”

“ Not exactly the best spot for a sight seeing trip.
The briefing for Marlin flight was a bit different on that day because I was checking out Major Frank Billingsley as an element lead. Frank was over 40, had come to the F-105 from C-141s, and had never flown any single- (seat) aircraft since he went through pilot training. Frank had been one of our students at McConnell and I had given him a couple of check flights before I went to Weasel School. He asked me to cover Rescue Procedures (RESCAP) during the mission briefing at the squadron. ”

“ Wing vortex (wake turbulence) spirals behind every airplane can be severe. 05:25 Harpoon flight roll out, temporarily.
Now seven minutes into the the attack most of our strike airplanes are climbing out and attempting to visually reform for return to base. Dive bombing attacks are performed single-file, sequentially, breaking up flight cohesiveness. 05:36 We've got some 37s
37 mm (1.5 in) automatic anti-aircraft cannons are not radar directed but at these low altitudes (below 10,000 ft (3,000 m) ) the muzzle flashes can be clearly seen in daylight. ”

“ I broke out of the canopy at top speed for the Jolly as the winch hauled me up. The door gunner was firing his mini gun at something; so, I whipped out my 38 and shot the jungle. I figured I could get off six rounds and make everything lighter.
I was pulled in the door and hugged by the crew. I thought I would be the happiest man in the world, but the crew of Harry Walker’s HH-3E were happier than I was. The whole crew was laughing like mad, so I asked what was funny and was told that Harry had just said,” Tell the SOB not to die until we get him to a hospital. We need a live one for a change. ”

“ I pulled out my primary survival radio and found that the radios were very weak. Not to worry, I had two survival radios, three sets of batteries, the ‘chute beeper and a partridge in a pear tree. I drank from one of my 6 baby bottles, contacted Frank Billingsley who was running the RESCAP in an exemplary fashion, and started to move down the hill and find a place I could see the sky.
If you have never been in bamboo, don’t go. It is not a nice place. I would end up several feet in the air trying to squeeze through the bamboo and have to break my way back down. ”

“ Strafing was only used in RP-6 when absolutely necessary during a rescue or some other emergency.
While we were all in planning, the flightline people were busting their butts downloading bombs from 10 Thuds (8 primaries and 2 spares) . ”

“ He was the first director to have ever flown in the North and that, along with his excellent other qualifications, made him the best man for the job. All of us who flew in North Vietnam really needed someone who could walk and chew gum without gagging in that shop. ”

“ It is essential to spot early all aircraft within visual range to avoid being surprised by MiGs. F-4 Phantom air-superiority fighters, typically at higher altitudes, are "tasked" to defend the strike force from MiGs. 10:52 Barracuda #1 go manual
For a private talk on a frequency selected just for Barracuda flight, getting off of mission primary which is used by, perhaps, 48 aircraft. 11:29 I've sent the rest of my force out, I'm by myself
This is not unusual for a Wild Weasel, emphasis on "wild," where he is risking all for the protection of the mission against SAM attack. ”

“ This would make me one of the first guys to get 200 missions in North Vietnam in an F-105, since I had flown 63 missions in ’65 when the 563 TFS had been at Takhli for 4 months. In fact it would make me one of the first to get 200 in anything, since Karl Richter at Korat would be the first to finish 200 in September. ”

“ Those watching Marlin see a sight that is fearfully astonishing, a fighter engulfed in flames, still in flight. We know from the narrative that Sparky will not eject until either he, himself is on fire, or has lost total control of the airplane. It is porpoising, gyrating, and threatening spin, but STILL proceeding to the SW. 09:15 Have three chutes in sight
The drag chute that slows the aircraft on landing has inflated in the air. ”

“ Buick 1 (Lead) says he has about 2,500 pounds of fuel remaining, and he has not been long in afterburner; Buick 2 reports 500 pounds (78 gallons) . It is not necessary to shoot down your enemy — running him out of fuel resulting in the loss of the aircraft and possibly the pilot is sufficient. THIS CONCLUDES THE BUICK SEQUENCE ---BEGINS RED DOG & MARLIN SEQUENCE
02:23 You want to go up the east side of the Ridge, Dick. ”

“ Buick 1 (the leader) has seen that the threatening MiG-21 is at the six o'clock position (directly behind) and is commanding a maximum "G" turn to the right with the possibility of evading a homing missile (but not the MiG) . 00:12 Ugg...Ugg...
Throughout these recordings you will hear heavy breathing and groaning as crews attempt to function under gravity loads (G's) on their bodies four to six times their normal body weight. Air combat is a physical challenge requiring aerobic stamina and upper body strength. ”

“ The flights in this area (north end of the Ridge) are not being illiminated by SAM signals; ARE being illuminated by radar controlled AAA. 05:09 Better alert SAR now, I don't think he will make it all the way?
Search and Rescue 05:18 I'd leave the AB off, Dick, just put the nose down and try to get the speed up, try to burn it out
It is sometimes possible to "blow out" a fire — too little fuel, too much air 05:25 277 (magnetic) is the heading
Telling us that Red Dog Lead, is in fact trailing the action, still headed due West. ”

“ Bear is analyzing the situation, some flight management talk. 03:30 You're doing good Sparky
03:32 Red Dog 3 and 4, you going down the Ridge now?
The context shows that "down" means flight to the northwest, exiting the target area. 03:35 Take it down. Anybody at the north end of the ridge, there's a SAM coming at you.
SAM rides a bright flame liquid fueled sustainer engine, now mistaken for Marlin 1 "torching" to the NW to clear the heavily defended valley, shortly to turn to the SW in order to cross the Red River. 03:40 Thats an airplane on fire. ”

“ Sandy's is looking skyward. There is no contest in a turning dog fight between a flight of MiG-17s and and a flight of unarmed F-105s, however all of the Thunderchiefs escape after rescuing Sandy One.) 13:54 Panda Lead has been hit
14:12 You got Udorn in
(Johnson has set the nearest US base in the navagation system because little fuel remains and there is a possibility of not finding a tanker in time.) ”

“ Lead wants to assure maximum power, therefore maximum velocity, which at 15 C temperature is perhaps 750 knots (860 mph, 1,390 km/h) or 1.13 times the speed of sound. 00:55 OK Buick, I think they are breaking off the to right; are you in burner?
It is the judgement of Lead that the MiGs have given up the chase. 01:03 I thought I saw somethin' go past this xxxxx canopy!
Likely an Atoll; probably not a cannon shell. 01:15 What's your heading Buick 2? Whats your altitude Buick 2? I don't have you in sight. Buick 2, you on the deck? ”

“ Harold Johnson, the "Bear", has passed suffient information to his pilot for the pilot, Major Leo Thorsness, to act) 00:06 Valid launch at 5:30
{Telemetry signal combined with high-PRF and main-beam location satisfies the WSO that his flight is targeted by airborne SA-2 Guideline missiles.) 00:09 Keep it down Kingfish, valid launch
(Missile guidance is defeated by terrain masking the aircraft at the cost of placing the flight in severe danger from the invisible 37 mm anti-aircraft artillery (AAA) .) ”

“ We hear ALL transmissions from aircraft in the strike package, perhaps 48 aircraft. In this case Mongol 4 has announced that he has passed the Intitial Point in this bombing attack of the assigned strike target, perhaps the air field. 01:28 UGG UGG Heavy breathing
Throughout the threat area all aircraft are generating 3 to 4 Gravities or "Gs" to make aimed shooting at them difficult. It is extremely tiring, an athletic event. 01:43 xxxx I'm right over Hoa Loc
01:48 Great bombing there Kaiser
Dive Bombing is visual where others can see the results. ”

“ Instructions to Red Dog 4 04:42 You are doing good Sparky
We now know that Marlin Lead cannot hear this encouragement. 04:45 Lead's got you in sight, 3 and 4 go ahead and head for the River.
Lead wants 3 and 4 to waste no time attempting to form on him — get it out, turn SW. 04:54 I'm going burner
In loss of control a professional learned response is to seek safety in speed and altitude. ”

“ Marlin 4 is transmitting to the SAR coordinator the location of Marlin 1 via reference to the Channel 97 TACAN radio navigation aid located in Laos. 13:17 I've just crossed the Red, heading 240
Red Dog 1 with the tape recorder is trailing the home-bound flight, only now just crossing the Red. 14:24 Marlin 6 circling Marlin Lead 2,3,4,5 This is a puzzling flight of five (?) aircraft flying CAP on Marlin 1
14:47 Marlin 4 is at 17
1,700 lbs of fuel remaining. Aircraft burns 14,000 pounds of fuel in about 120 minutes. This suggests 14 minutes of flight remain. ”

“ Helicopters at Hoa Loc Lt Col USAF (Ret) Bill Sparks and his EWO Charles A. Lombardo flew this Wild Weasel mission around 1 October 1967 as the Barracuda Lead. The following is the Lt Col Sparks' account of the events.
In late September or very early October '67, Takhli was given a pop-up mission to strafe helicopters near Hoa Loc airfield in Route Pack Six (RP-6) . We had prepared to attack a railroad marshalling yard at Phu Tho about 25 miles northwest of Hanoi. It was considered a fairly easy target since it was outside the main Hanoi coverage of SAM sites. Col. ”

“ See also Wild Weasel mission teamwork Wild Weasel mission 1 October 1967 Wild Weasel mission 5 November 1967 Wild Weasel mission transcript part 3 References ↑ Frisbee, JL. Wild, Wild Weasel. External links Frisbee, John. "Valor: Wild, Wild Weasel". ”