I was a crew chief for two F-105's at Korat. Lost my first aircraft over North Vietnam in October 1967. I posted a picture of my first F-105 "Isaiah 6-8" on this web site. I have a few more of the base, head quarters, aircraft, and flightline. I will try to post them soon.

I did not stay in touch with the guys I worked with or played GI pinochle at the NCO Club except for Lamar (Denny) Pitman, he was in Transit Alert. Would like to touch base with other crew chiefs and pilots that knew me.

After the second aircraft was shot down I was TDY to the RB-66 group.

Anyone that has been successful in getting approved for Agent Orange exposure please let me know.

Tom, Thank you for the message and thanks for your service. Take care, Jack

Al, Thank you for the kind words. We miss them all. Take care, Jack

Just found this website and the memories keep flooding back of all the brave pilots and hard working maintenance folks I had a chance to work with that year I spent at Korat.
I was the Crew Chief on 58-1157 and strapped Colonel James E. Bean in on his last mission prior to his being shot down. For over twenty years I never knew what happened to him as info on his loss was not available that day. One day while reading a book written by another POW I found his name as a POW.
My curiosity was so peaked that I spent the whole next day talking to folks at Davis-Monthan finance trying to locate Col. Bean. Got lucky and after a phone call to a local Sheriffs Office back east I convinced them to deliver my phone number to him. He was living with his brother. He called and we talked for a good hour plus about his ordeal. Col. Bean has since passed away but I remember that day like it was yesterday.
Saw a couple names in the guest book that I remember. Great site, keep it up.

Mike, Thank you for your service and the story. You crew chiefs sure did great work keeping us in the air. Take care, Jack

I'm a recent retired Buff/Bone WSO that loves our Air Force history and traditions. In my opinion the WW II 8AF bomber guys and all the Nam Thud guys get the nod for the most special recognition (LOL, I'm still trying to write somebody's OER). I recently acquired Mervin Taylor's helmet and issue Benrus watch from an estate sale. I understand he passed away in 2010 after many years in retirement. I'm making a small display of some of my collections in our EAA chapter facility, and I'm going to use these items along with several art displays and models to allow our members and visitors a chance to reflect on your era and actions. Thanks for all your service.

Brian, Thank you for your service and your comments. Mervin Taylor and I flew many interesting missions together; he was a great fighter pilot. Glad his items found a suitable home. Jack

Elaine, Thank you for the posting. Our condolences to you on your recent loss of Dewey. Take care, Jack

I was the crew chief of 318 in Korat. I was reassigned stateside but I transferred 318 to the 354th TFS in Takhli before I left. Eight years later I am enlisted maintenance advisor to the 113th TFW DC ANG at Andrews AFB and we received some replacement aircraft from Maconnell AFB, among them were...yep, you guessed it, 62-4318!! In 1982 I transferred it again, this time to the 421st TFW AFRES Hill AFB, Utah. A few years later I came across an article about 318 being put on display in Centralia Illinois. During this search I became acquainted with Betty Pachura, widow of Lt Col. Bill Pachura whose assigned aircraft was 62-4318 at Takhli!!! Now I find Mr. Morgan's adventure with the aircraft in 1964, Holy Cow!!! Mr. Morgan, thanks for your service, thanks for taking as good care of 318 as she would let you. Nice to know she isn't awaiting the boneyard. Funny thing, we had nose art on our airplanes (can't do it today, Me got in heap big trouble in Iraq war 2003) the guy next to me named his -105 "Thunder Axe" because his had flown through some trees, if I'd only known!!!

Okay, Thud fixers, what 3 jobs were the biggest pain in the --- on the -105? How's about #3; installing the "Iron Maiden". #2; closing the drag chute door (I weighed 130 lbs, after 20 attempts, my pilot suggested that I hold my toolbox in my hand and try it again!! And #1; the raising and lowering of the bomb bay tank.

Mike, Thank you for your service. Great memories, thanks for sharing. Take care, Jack

Hi Matt, Thank you for your comment and glad you liked the video. I will certainly post a picture of your dad if you can find one and forward it to me. Take care, Jack

Tom, Thank you for your inquiry. There are a few members of the 34th TFS that fit your requirements, so perhaps they will respond. Jack

JACK,
THIS IS JERRY GEER. I HAVE BEEN A PHOTOPHAFER OF THE F-105, SINCE 1967 WHEN I VISTED THE 23 TFW AT McCONNELL AFB AND HAVE BEEN PHOTOGRAPHING THEM TO THE END. MY SON JAMES GEER DID THE BOOK, F-105 WING AND SQUADRON HISTORIES FOR SCHIFFER MILITARY HISTORIES SEVERAL YEARS AGO, AND HE IS WANTING TO DO A FOLLOW UP WITH A 2ND BOOK. AND WOULD LIKE TO GET PERMISSION TO COPY A LOT OF THE F-105 PHOTOS YOU HAVE HERE ON YOUR SITE. IS THERE A CHANCE WE MAY BE ABLE TO GET RIGHTS TO DO PHOTOS OF THE ORIGINALS? THANKS AGAIN FOR THE HELP.

SINCERELY, JERRY GEER, AVIATION PHOTOGRAPHER AND HISTORIAN

Jerry, Thank you for your work with the F-105. Throughout the site I have attempted to credit pictures when I knew the source. Feel free to contact any of those folks for permission to use the photos. All email addresses that I know are listed along with the name under the Pictures section. It there are a few that you want more information on, please contact me via the Contact Us page. Take care, Jack

Arrived Korat Jun 67 assigned to the Best Squadron on the base, 34th TFS. Assigned to Flt Line, played fast~pitch softball on Squadron team in my off-duty time. Biggest regret was I did not keep contact info for all the great friends I had made in the unit. Remember Flt Chief Tsgt Elvis Barton and Line Chief Msgt Accock. My roommate Terry Silvius (from KC, Mo) Robin Phillip (Ok) and Hugh Croaker (Ok) but lost their addresses somewhere along the way. Remember one Thud Driver, helped throw him in pool after 100th Mission, Maj Donald Revers. Understand he has passed, He was a good man and a great pilot. Returned to US and continued with a 30 year career in the USAF and Full Time Air Guard Technician at McConnell AFB Wichita Ks. Retired in Oct 96. Would like to locate some of those lost friends I served with in the 34th from Jun 67 to May 68 and also to get info on the next 34th TFS Reunion so that I may attend.

Hi my name is Joseph Galada III and my father, Joseph Galada Jr. was a crew chief on the 105. He told me so many stories about the planes and the people he worked with. His stories inspired me so much that I had to follow in his footsteps and did just. I joined the USAF at 17 and became a Crew Chief on F-16, A-10 and C-130's. I'd love for my Dad to meet up with some of his old friends and possibly go to a reunion with him to hear some of those stories all over again. If you know of my father please let me know.
Thank you, Joseph Galada

Hi Joseph, Thank you for your post and for your service. If you will check the Reunion 2014 page it lists the folks that are attending. I think there are at least 2 former crew chiefs on that list; have your father take a look at the list. Take care, Jack

Hi Jan, Thank you for your entry. Your husband probably launched me since I arrived in January 1967, but I don't recall his name. I certainly honor his service. I know others who visit this site will remember Larry. Take care, Jack