Tell your vet friend that there was NO WAY GWB was ever going to Vietnam as a fighter pilot, unless he joined a F-100, F-105 or F-4 unit.
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exactly sure, but the Duece spent about a year or so in country, at DaNang, Bien Hoa and Tahn Son Nhut and were later withdrawn and the remaining serviceable planes were converted to QF-102 target drones.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.
Tired of the lamestream media and the DemocRATS
'smear the messenger and disrespect the veterans' campaign?
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!
