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Operations becoming what they were in Laos, a requirement for new
navaids developed. After I had done a topographical survey in the area
of it was determined that an NDB (Non Directional Beacon) would be
installed in Chaing Rai or Lom Sak.
Site surveys had to be conducted at both locations to make the best
choice. Yeah! they dropped me and a second troop off on a hill in the
middle of no where. There were no people, goats monkeys or any thing.
After the chopper left the area, with a pre arranged time to coma back
for us, we tracked off up along a winding ridge, not much under growth,
and wound up on the hill we had in mind. Meanwhile an overcast started
coming in, it was actually a cloud, moving over the mountain ridges.
Shit we were in for it now, couldn't follow the ridge back to our pick
up point, would have to take a compass heading. All the protection we
had was two thirty eight revolvers, worthless unless you met some one
that was unarmed. Cuts, scrapes and bruises later, after cutting through
Bamboo thickets, we climbed back up to the ridge pickup point still
socked in.
But just as fast as it came in the cloud cleared up, Pony Express was as
usual on time.
Next stop was the Airport at Lam Sak, met with the commanding Officer of
the Thai Border Guards, they showed us around. But a restriction was to
be placed on the deployment regardless where the site was to be would be
a discrete deployment. They thought it would be easier to provide
security support if none of the locals knew we were there. We considered
this was the most advantageous for the Beacon and it would additionally
provide Lom Sak Airport with navigation support. In addition we would be
able to get additional support, if needed, from Pitsoniluk, where their
was a large Team on another assignment.
Some time later after all equipment spare parts kits, Jamesway living
quarters and personnel were identified and assembled, and transported to
Udorn.
The equipment and personnel were to be air lifted in to Lam Sak by C-130s,
The chief pilot wanted to make a dry run the day prior to the
deployment, have a look around the airport see the compatibility for his
aircraft, every thing went off good we returned to Udorn for the night.
Little did we know but it rained like hell that night.
http://1stmob.com/op346.htm?
Needless to say, discrete deployment went out the window of better to
say went to town. Because that's what we did the Thai Officials decided
we could go down town and be put up at the local hotel and eat on the
local economy, HURAH! "C" rations stay in Udorn, thank you.
The whole developing situation was that the first aircraft had all the
personnel and vehicle, no support items and the C-130 was blocking the
runway where the other aircraft could not land.
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Posted by HOPPIE, 30 Years Active Duty ,13 Campaigns Vietnam, Life
Member; Am.Lgn,DAV,VFW,AFSA