619th Tactical Control Squadron
Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam
Doung Dong Air Station
The detachments were known as Forward Air Control Posts, FACP's - and used search radar's to control aircraft and give artillery warnings. The sites were manned by the least possible number of airmen. Typically, you would find a Aerial Port Squadron at one of our detachments, as well as Air Force Security Police personal on TDY assignment.
Members of the detachment 1 619th TCS are encouraged to submit via e-mail any recollections, narratives or comments for inclusion on this page to Jim Hale - [email protected]
Detachment 1 "Swiss boy Control"
Phu Quoc Island - Doung Dong Air Station
On the lighter side, we had a Jeep that hit a mine and declared a combat loss, but the mechanics repaired it and painted it hot pink, naming it the "Pink Panther". It was used for trips to recreational trips to town.
Phu Quoc was a very sandy and hot island, and when temperatures got too high we were allowed to go to the beach a short walk away. We didn't have surfboards but body surfing was a popular sport. There were a few who had small disks they skimmed along the beach line. Jellyfish were the main problem, but sharks had been sighted from the air while coming in for a landing.
- Jim Hale ([email protected])
Man i remember body surfing during monsoon, big ass storm, its was GREAT. I never rode such powerful waves be4. took 15min 2 get out 2 the waves, bout 30sec 2 ride back in. WOW. Also member sharks bout 30-50 yards out swimming round. The planes landing could c them in the water, then c us swimming ,thought we were all crazzy, we were!!!! Funny 2 have good mem0ries of Nam when so many others have such bad ones, we were lucky HU jim??? b well (see the beach below)
-charley ([email protected])
Member the time we all went 2 town, all got wasted & came back long after curfu. Boy was he pissed. He was waiting 4 us @ the entrance bunker,started yelling @ us, I yelled back, got in2 a real screaming match.No 1 else got in2 trouble but me, but thats the way it was with me.Member "DOC" the medic who went on a binch when we got orders 2 leave, on the plan back he went in2 dt's & flipped out on the plane.
That must have been a blast 2 travel all round like u did,I would have loved 2 did that. Boy talking bout nam brings back lots of memories, haven't talked bout it 4 25years or more. Member when the green barets attacked us just b4 they pulled out. Fired garnades & all @ us. Was that cool or what. Most people who never experienced what we did would have a hard time understanding what we r talking bout ?????
Well anywho its great having some1 2 talk bout nam wit. It still brings back feelings & all. So if ya got anymore pics,send them. I had some but i lived a pretty nomadic life after nam,moving round & round, not keeping anything or collecting anything. Not till i setteled down.
yur bud
-charley ([email protected])
Charley and I both worked in the generator shack at Doung Dong Air Station. Its been great meeting him again after 30 years. Its only been online via email, but its a wonderfull thing. We hope that others will be so fortunate to find there old friends from Vietnam. So much to catch up on after all these years.
As for myself, I moved from Miami to the Ozarks. My homestead is energy self sufficent, cooled & heated by the Earth, and powered by wind & Sun. Its great to live here in the boonies. Some distance from the power grid.
This all got started in Vietnam. When I was at the remote site (Doung Dong) I was a happy camper. But if I had to go to Saigon's Tan San Nhut AB I was uneasy. As soon as I got back to the site I was comfortable again. This continues today if I have to go to Fayetteville, Ar. (the closest "big city") the same feelings come over me.
Whats up with that!?
