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Posted on 06/10/2026 6:00:15 PM PDT by beachn4fun
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Thank you very much and God bless you,
Jim
PING~A~LING
Posting for Kathy.
Come in and check out the Canteen.
Turning it over to Luvie for the evening.
Enjoy!
Good night.
Check ya in the morning.
Hi Everybody!
(((HUGS)))
    ~
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Howdy, beachy.
I hope you were lucky enough to get some of the rain that went through today.
Howdy, luvie.
I guess the day went well enough. Made a store run late afternoon and stayed in to avoid the heat the rest of the day.
Hope your day went well.
Hey Luvie! ((HUGS)) I’m always above them ... LOL
Staying in out of the heat is going to be my main occupation during these upcoming summer months. I just realized that the first day of summer is ONLY 10 DAYS AWAY! 😳😱
My day was fine. I even got home from bible class early enough for a short nap before posting here. That was a good goal! Now it’s shower time. BRB ...after while. Gotta find food, too.
Vietnam Pilot Reveals: The Day We Rescued a 23-Day Survivor
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uF1ExnYwKX0
Check the link below for some additional interesting videos.
https://www.youtube.com/@militarytales
Experience the incredible true story of one of Vietnam’s most remarkable rescue missions, as a veteran A-1 Skyraider pilot reveals how his team saved a fellow airman who survived 23 days in enemy territory. This gripping account takes you deep into North Vietnam, where against overwhelming odds, a determined rescue team braved MiG fighters, anti-aircraft fire, and treacherous terrain to bring their man home.
Former A-1 Skyraider pilot Ron Smith shares his firsthand account of leading the daring rescue mission into the heart of North Vietnam’s Red River Valley. From dodging enemy fire to orchestrating complex aerial maneuvers, this story showcases the extraordinary skill and courage of the Search and Rescue teams who risked everything to save downed pilots.
Learn how the rescue team used innovative tactics, precise coordination, and sheer determination to execute one of the war’s most challenging extractions. This remarkable story of survival, brotherhood, and heroism demonstrates why the A-1 Skyraider crews and their rescue missions became legendary during the Vietnam War.
Comments below the video:
“These were fearless men. I’m glad to watch hero stories it helps me to face life thank you.”
“If anybody ever had doubts about the courage and dedication of USAF aircrew members, this YouTube podcast episode should dispel any delusions you might have had. When I went through Air Force UPT in 1969 as a Marine student, I remember going to a weekly Friday afternoon commander’s call in the base theater. They showed us an official Air Force Chief of Staff film. It contained a lot of motivational footage of USAF TAC Phantoms & F-100s dropping bombs & making strafing runs in Vietnam. At the very end of the rah rah flick, Gen Momyer, who I think at the time, was Commanding General of Tactical Air Command, stood at a podium & delivered his closing message to the film. He didn’t look the part of the four-star commander who was leading all the tactical fighter pilots in the Air Force. With his thick black rimmed glasses, he sort of looked more like an accountant who would have been more comfortable wearing a green eye shade, than a fire breathing leader of men. But he proceeded to look at us thru the camera & belt out one of the most motivational & moving speeches I ever heard from a flag officer in my 32 years wearing the uniform of my country. At the film’s conclusion, the camera zoomed in on Momyer’s face as he firmly said, “So, Gentlemen, the mission of the United States Air Force is to FLY AND FIGHT! Now, let’s go get ‘em!” At that point everyone of us leapt to our feet in an explosion of applause and shouting. I’ll never forget that moment.
The Ron Smith interview was deeply inspirational as he very calmly related the story of rescuing his fellow Airman, Roger Locher, near North Vietnam’s Yen Bay MiG base. Listening to his telling of the story so humbly and unemotionally had me on the edge of my seat. The Air Force guys that flew the Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) missions into North Vietnam in the Jolly Green Giant helos & the A-1 “Spads” had cinder-block gonads! Knowing that if I got shot down, those guys would literally risk their lives to come in through withering ground fire, & slowing to a hover over me while the bullets were popping through the paper thin aluminum sheet metal sides & bottoms of their lumbering helicopters, was incredibly comforting to me. Many quotations came to mind as I contemplated what these Sandy & Jolly Green guys did for their fellow aviators: “Where do we find such men?” James Michener. “This was their finest hour” Winston Churchill. “Into the valley of death rode the six hundred.” Rudyard Kipling. My deepest respects & gratitude go to you CSAR crews, past, present, & future!
“Why has Hollywood not made a movie about this? What a great story!”
It’s a good occupation when you live in the south. LOL I do my best to get out late afternoon, like after most people’s suppertime, to do what needs to be done but sometimes one just has to get out earlier.
Yay for being able to squeeze in a nap.
Too bad it’s not a great night to cool off on the patio with the kitties after your shower. A tad warm for that. It’s still hot here too.
Pic 1:
I hope Sgt Tate isn’t astride a motorbike there - he’s gonna have a time digging out of that snowbank...
Can you even imagine??? Makes me shiver just to consider all that kind of snow! 🥶🥶
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