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Support Troops: Behind the scenes of the air war in Vietnam
This story is a chronicle of the year 1968 as seen through the eyes of the author while serving at Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base in Thailand, supporting the air war in Vietnam. It was an odd juxtaposition, repairing the fire-control systems on F-105s that were making twice-daily bombing runs over North Vietnam, while living in relative comfort and safety.
For every combatant in a time of war, there are thousands of men and women serving in support roles. These soldiers, marines, sailors, and airmen are doing their jobs every day to support the overall effort. They are cooks and clerks, logistics experts, truck drivers and administrators, mechanics and technicians, doctors, nurses, dentists, and chaplains of every faith. They may not be getting shot at or shelled, but they are vital to the mission in every sense.
They serve on bases at home as well as overseas in nearly every corner of the globe. They deploy and leave their families and loved ones. They miss birthdays, graduations, anniversaries, school plays, football games, weddings, and funerals. They, too, serve their country honorably. This story is dedicated to support personnel serving everywhere, past, and present.
For every combatant in a time of war, there are thousands of men and women serving in support roles. These soldiers, marines, sailors, and airmen are doing their jobs every day to support the overall effort. They are cooks and clerks, logistics experts, truck drivers and administrators, mechanics and technicians, doctors, nurses, dentists, and chaplains of every faith. They may not be getting shot at or shelled, but they are vital to the mission in every sense.
They serve on bases at home as well as overseas in nearly every corner of the globe. They deploy and leave their families and loved ones. They miss birthdays, graduations, anniversaries, school plays, football games, weddings, and funerals. They, too, serve their country honorably. This story is dedicated to support personnel serving everywhere, past, and present.
294 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 5, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 3, 2021
Day by day at War
A welcome change from most stories from Nam. Lost many of my UPT classmates flying 105 and F-4 warplanes. I was in CONUS AIR DEFENSE so I did not go in harms way. I’ll always respect those who did
A welcome change from most stories from Nam. Lost many of my UPT classmates flying 105 and F-4 warplanes. I was in CONUS AIR DEFENSE so I did not go in harms way. I’ll always respect those who did
February 5, 2021
This Book brought back many memories.
Some Were wonderful and some were not. I thank the writer for giving back things that otherwise been lost and comrades whose faces had faded through time. For me it wasn't Thailand or the Air Force but my experiences were just as formative and deep as the authors. The late sixties popped back into clear focus.
It was very rewarding to read a work that is as well crafted as this one is. Thank you Sgt. Monger.
Some Were wonderful and some were not. I thank the writer for giving back things that otherwise been lost and comrades whose faces had faded through time. For me it wasn't Thailand or the Air Force but my experiences were just as formative and deep as the authors. The late sixties popped back into clear focus.
It was very rewarding to read a work that is as well crafted as this one is. Thank you Sgt. Monger.
June 9, 2021
Great read
I also am a veteran. I served a tour in Guam from 1969-1971. Your experience was very similar to mine at Andersen AFB, Guam. Our facilities were similar as I did film developing and the reel taping at the hobby shops. I supported the B 52s that bombed Vietnam. Your book brought back many fond memories, especially getting on that freedom bird on 21 September 1971. Thanks for giving us support troops credit.
I also am a veteran. I served a tour in Guam from 1969-1971. Your experience was very similar to mine at Andersen AFB, Guam. Our facilities were similar as I did film developing and the reel taping at the hobby shops. I supported the B 52s that bombed Vietnam. Your book brought back many fond memories, especially getting on that freedom bird on 21 September 1971. Thanks for giving us support troops credit.
October 28, 2020
Thailand Memories
This book brought back a lot of memories. I spend almost two and a half years in Thailand. I was at Talki, NIP and Korat. Married a Thai woman and spend 25 yrs together. Yea this book brought back memories. Highly recommended.
This book brought back a lot of memories. I spend almost two and a half years in Thailand. I was at Talki, NIP and Korat. Married a Thai woman and spend 25 yrs together. Yea this book brought back memories. Highly recommended.
November 26, 2020
Good read
Easy to follow. Well written. I loved how he expressed himself with even the most mundane tasks. Felt like I was on the flight line with him.
Easy to follow. Well written. I loved how he expressed himself with even the most mundane tasks. Felt like I was on the flight line with him.
December 14, 2021
My experience with Takhli was after the period in this book. My first duty after tech school was at Nellis in 71. I served with a number of the personnel who took part in that early deployment of F-111s. I would eventually go TDY to Takhli from Nellis with F-111s for 4 months before being assigned to a new F-111 wing at Takhli remaing until we closed the base and moved to Korat. At Korat for 1 month as a short timer. 3 of my 4 legs to and from Thailand were via C-141s. The first leg was commercial charter. I spent a total of 15 months at Takhli and 1 month at Korat. I returned to the states arriving at Travis where I processed out of the Air Force the next day a month early.
I returned home briefly between my TDY and my PCS back at Takhli. Back home to take a leave but was required to process out of Nellis. My Thailand time came to 16 months leaving at home a fairly new wife.
An enjoyable quick read.
I returned home briefly between my TDY and my PCS back at Takhli. Back home to take a leave but was required to process out of Nellis. My Thailand time came to 16 months leaving at home a fairly new wife.
An enjoyable quick read.
Read
May 20, 2022Great read and reminiscence of many our past experinces
Great read. Reminiscent of many experiences shared by all airmen in theater during those fateful years. It mirrors in lockstep with so many experiences. All one needs to do is to substitute the date, base, and airframe assigned. My case, UDORN RTAB 72-73, F4s 432nd FMS, AR SHOP / Heavy MX., second SEA Tour. The first being Kadena AB, Okinawa / Kwang-Ju AB Korea 69-70.
Well done Bill
Smsgt Dean Kuns, USAF RET
Great read. Reminiscent of many experiences shared by all airmen in theater during those fateful years. It mirrors in lockstep with so many experiences. All one needs to do is to substitute the date, base, and airframe assigned. My case, UDORN RTAB 72-73, F4s 432nd FMS, AR SHOP / Heavy MX., second SEA Tour. The first being Kadena AB, Okinawa / Kwang-Ju AB Korea 69-70.
Well done Bill
Smsgt Dean Kuns, USAF RET
April 27, 2022
A Good Read
This brought back many memories of the 1972 deployment to, and reopening of, Takhli by the 49th TFW of Holloman AFB, NM; as well as a one year tour to 432nd at Udorn 1973-4. I marveled at his detailed memory, then the author gave up his source ;).
T. Lowe
USAF 1970-1981
Review posted under my wife’s name.
This brought back many memories of the 1972 deployment to, and reopening of, Takhli by the 49th TFW of Holloman AFB, NM; as well as a one year tour to 432nd at Udorn 1973-4. I marveled at his detailed memory, then the author gave up his source ;).
T. Lowe
USAF 1970-1981
Review posted under my wife’s name.
February 15, 2024
Quick read.
Hoped the author would give some insights into the logistics of the air war in SE Asia. Many this book is about the social life of an airman in Thailand. The two star rating is based on the authors own objective is to highlight the work of thousands of servicemen supporting the fighting arms. The author failed this objective with little to no descriptions of the 24hr year round bombing campaigns and how they were sustained.
Hoped the author would give some insights into the logistics of the air war in SE Asia. Many this book is about the social life of an airman in Thailand. The two star rating is based on the authors own objective is to highlight the work of thousands of servicemen supporting the fighting arms. The author failed this objective with little to no descriptions of the 24hr year round bombing campaigns and how they were sustained.
August 22, 2020
Very mundane description of what thousands of support troop experienced in one way or another. Author failed to provide any interesting stories of fellow troops, local people, or incidents that would make this book worth reading.
September 20, 2021
An autobiography of a support personnel
The book was good. It gave me a perspective of life in the rear areas. Yeah, there was no glory or guts but men doing their job to support the pilots flying in Vietnam.
The book was good. It gave me a perspective of life in the rear areas. Yeah, there was no glory or guts but men doing their job to support the pilots flying in Vietnam.
April 16, 2023
A good account of the Vietnam War... from Thailand.
I've read several accounts of the Vietnam War, written by servicemen stationed in Laos & Thailand, and each has its own unique flavor. It was an enjoyable book and a fast read, almost over too soon.
I've read several accounts of the Vietnam War, written by servicemen stationed in Laos & Thailand, and each has its own unique flavor. It was an enjoyable book and a fast read, almost over too soon.
February 2, 2021
This book tells the story.
This book tells the story of how is was for the thousand of us who served on the flight lines in Thailand.
This book tells the story of how is was for the thousand of us who served on the flight lines in Thailand.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews