B-52 Tail-gunner Recalls MiG Downing (Vietnam)

Office of the Secretary of Defense Public Affairs ^ | 12.27.2010 | Air Force Staff Sgt. Don Branum

[Balata]

Thanks, ExTexasRedhead for the video! I actually played a part in the rescue of the POW’s out of Hanoi and haven’t seen that video. I was a C-141 jock. Thanks again.

I could tell you a lot of stories about our flights on the C-141. One was to Kiev USSR with a presidential support mission. Nixon had just gone to China as the first modern day President to do so and turned around and went to USSR to tell them they were still our friends. We flew out of Tehran, Iran to Kiev then back with the White House communication people. I have tie tacks, pins etc with Nixon’s signature on them. Perhaps some day they will be worth something.

If you are interested in details from that trip let me know, some are very funny.

Thanks

[KeyLargo]

AVIATION PING

[KeyLargo]

AVIATION PING

[KeyLargo]

As a little diversion video:

Putting a 737 together

This is some video to watch. Enjoy.

The paint job is interesting;

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=zKnsyYbfC60&feature=popular

[Northern Yankee]

Thank you for a touching video and comments.

I served out at Shemya, AFB, Aleutian Islands in 1977. (Still trying to figure out who I ticked off! ; ))

We were there to observe the Russians. Escort them home when they came into our airspace.

C-141 was an amazing aircraft. While at Mather AFB I'd watch the jets take off, almost defying the odds. They looked jut too darn big to fly.

Appreciate your service to our country.

Smart salute!