He even stood a better chance going to Vietnam if he was a SPAD pilot (A-1E/H)
Notice on his discharge papers his AFSC (or MOS for you Army/Marine guys) is 1125D - Pilot, Fighter Interceptor. in AF terminology, that's a whole lot different than, Pilot, Tactical Fighter or Pilot, Multi-Engine Jet. At least it was back then.
The Duece (F-102) had a extremely limited role in Vietnam. The Duece is a interceptor, not a multi-mission aircraft. Limited fuel capacity and limited weapons. I believe they carried 4 nuclear tipped Genie's or 4 crappy AIM-4 Falcon AAM's with a provision that some shmoe rigged up for 2 AIM-9's on improvised inboard wing racks, but I'm not sure about that. No bombs, napalm, SUU-20 gun pods, laser designators or none of that stuff. The weapons were carried in a weapons bay beneath the fuselage and had the fastest opening hydraulic doors you've ever seen (except for the F-106). The Duece was supposed to protect US air bases from incoming MiG's, which of course never happened. I'm not exactly sure, but the Duece spent about a year or so in country, at DaNang, Bien Hoa and Tahn Son Nhut and were later withdrawn and the remaining serviceable planes were converted to QF-102 target drones.
The F-104 and F-106 also had very, very limited roles. I don't even think the Dart (106) even went to Vietnam. Even the F-101's role was limited to recee, as the single seat RF-101C until the AF was able to fit all the camera's in the F-4. Then those birds were retired to Guard and AF Reseve outfits.
I was unfortunate enough to be on the crash recovery team in 1974 when the CO of the 189th Tactical Recon Group, Arkansas ANG, bought the farm a half-mile from the outer marker, Little Rock AFB, on his retirement flight. He was flying a warhorse RF-101C and the group was to stand the 101 down and become the 189th Air Refueling Wing.
Do SOMETHING ABOUT IT!
Do what Reagan did - GO AROUND THEM AND GO DIRECTLY TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE!
Get your own "EXPOSE KERRY'S FRAUD SWIFT BOAT VETERANS FOR TRUTH" STICKER!
I put this sticker on my truck the other day. I get lots of honks and 'thumbs up'!
The sticker serves 3 purposes:
1 - Shows visible support for "Swift Boat Veterans For Truth" to passing motorists, (encourages our side discourages the libs).
2 - Gets the swiftvets.com website visible to the public, so they can and find out more about 'Hanoi John' Kerry.
3 - Circumvents the lamestream media BIAS filter!
Made by fellow FReeper disabled vet who has a bone to pick with Kerry, like we all do!
Large (24" Wide 12" Tall) $20 (like mine above)
Small (12" Wide 6" Tall) $10
Profits go to SwiftVets.com
Ping your FRiends, let 'em know about this!
FReep mail / private reply for details on how you can get one for your vehicle!