by George Plunkett  (Copyright 2009)

   I was TDY to Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Saigon, Vietnam, with the 1961st Communications Group, as a Ground
   Radio Operator, from July 1962 to January 1962.  Also from February 1963 to July 1963.

   Our radio station was outside the old chow hall.  My home unit was the 1st Mobile Communications Group based at Clark AB, PI.  I was PCS to Tan Son Nhut again from October 1966 to January 1967, moving to Cam Rahn Bay, in January 1967.  The 1962 - 1963 time period was the best, no curfews, no MPC's and minimal danger.

Spent the rest of 1963 and all of 1964 until November, with various TDY assignments, in Thailand, Don Muang AB, in Bangkok, Pittsanuluk, Ubon and Udorn.  I was a member of the Udorn team that opened up that base for the USAF.

The Air Commandos and Air America, has been operating from there for a while.  The flight line was filled with T-28’s, H-34’s and C-46’s, all shiny metal with no markings.

  1st Mob Team that opened Udorn for USAF operations:

  1.  SSgt John Fatheree is in front, wearing the hat and holding a bottle of bourbon, if I remember correctly.
  2.  George Plunkett is standing to his left, wearing a tee shirt and holding a cigarette.  (Udorn, Thailand - September 1964)
  3.  Don Pearson of Cheyenne, Wyoming, "Another E-3" is behind John wearing a baseball cap, looking to the right of the picture.
  4.  The guy to Don's left is a ground power guy.

  I don't remember any other names.

  The photograph was made around Sept, 1964.

  Udorn was still the headquarters of the Royal Laotian Air Force then.