The Misty Pilots (For an elite group of Vietnam War fliers)

US NEWS ^ | 3/6/06 | Don Shepperd and Rick Newman

[Dubya]

For an elite group of Vietnam War fliers, the risky work was made a bit easier by knowing that a lot of people were looking out for them

Nearly 40 years ago, the Air Force headquarters in Saigon formed a top-secret unit called Commando Sabre--radio call sign "Misty"--that flew risky, often terrifying missions over North Vietnam's Ho Chi Minh Trail in two-man F-100 jet fighters, scouring the terrain for targets. The Misty pilots had no laser targeting pods or smart bombs or night vision goggles, yet they developed many of the tactics the Air Force still uses today over Iraq, Afghanistan, and other hot spots. For their contribution to aerial warfare, the Mistys paid a price--of 157 pilots who served in the unit, 34 were shot down, some twice. Many were saved in spectacular rescues. Four were captured and imprisoned in Hanoi. Seven were lost and listed as missing, then ultimately declared KIA: killed in action. This is the story of one.

During his first few missions over North Vietnam, Brian Williams experienced more fear, excitement, and frustration than he had during dozens of bombing runs in the South. When Misty pilots flew into the sights of North Vietnamese antiaircraft artillery--scarce in the South--the supersonic shock waves from the shells would beat against the fuselage like a demon hammering madly at the metal. There was the constant frustration of bad weather, the best camouflage the North Vietnamese could wish for. And the drivers of the trucks and construction vehicles down on the trail were remarkably brazen. Often they would race right along even as bombs came flying down upon them.

[Marine_Uncle]

And big John Hanoi Kerry and Hanoi Jane sold these brave and honorable men out.

[indcons]

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[A.A. Cunningham]

[Admin Moderator]

Corbis not allowed, per complaint.

[GOP_Party_Animal]

What's "corbis"? Can you explain what was not allowed?

[Fiddlstix]

BTTT

[Admin Moderator]

Image hosting stuff, check the original link. They've requested their stuff not to be linked here.

[Last Dakotan]

Telling anybody outside the reclusive intelligence community, however, was out of the question. If they were to report what they knew, questions would inevitably arise about how they knew it. That could lead to speculation about U.S. eavesdropping capabilities, which might somehow get back to the North Vietnamese, who might become more circumspect about their radio communications, which might jeopardize the whole effort.

Tell that to the New York Times.

Fascinating story.

[Last Dakotan]

Corbis not allowed, per complaint.

I don't think a more terse, simple, yet vague phrase has ever been uttered in 10,000 years of human linguistics.

[Rembrandt]

Jack,

You'll appreciate the story.

[BIGLOOK]

Thanks G L.

Passing it on to cohorts.

[BIGLOOK]

History ping

Run this off to USAFSS tools on the list.
Thanks to Rembrandt, NSG

[ASOC]

Misty - hope they get some more recognition.

Another group that gets little press - OV10 CAS pilots that flew in and out of Laos

[ASOC]

hit the button too early - fudge

Another group that gets little press - OV10 CAS pilots that flew in and out of Laos. 20 TASS - Covey missions supported a lot of cross border work.

http://chancefac.net/FAC_CS/fac_call_signs_0327FMT.htm has a list of units/callsigns - gotta love the 'net.

[Triggerhippie]

Peccavi

[Daaave]

North American F-100F "Hun"

MISTY FAC Book

[Daaave]

POW Network bio of Howard Keith Williams.

[Marine_Uncle]

So many that got little recognition for their honorable service. I salute them all. And will not forget all their sacrifices.