4 March 2010
Click here: YouTube - Thank You Soldiers - Veteran's Day/Memorial Day Song
From Ed & Swanee
25 Feb 2010
CSAR 2010 ANNOUNCEMENT:
The Society of CSAR is holding their 12th annual Symposium at Nellis AF
Base, NV on 12-14 May 2010 (arrive 11 May, leave 15 May). The event will be
hosted by the 23rd Wing , 563rd Rescue Group and associated unites.
Involved will also be the That Others May Live organization with unique
activities. Events will include demonstrations, base tours, and briefings
given Navy and Air Force veterans and current participants of the CSAR
community. The legendary Sandy Box and CSAR banquet will all be key
features; all are invited with a CSAR interest. For updates, agenda and
registration, go to "www.combatsar.org
<http://www.combatsar.org/>
" For
direct questions, contact Gene McCormack, work: 850-283-2071/DSN 523-2071;
e-mail
genemac@knology.net
22 Feb 2010
Written by Jan Sanborn:
Jerry was
memorialized at the Air Park at Hurlburt on Friday. It was a warm, beautiful
day. His family, daughter Jen Seay and Randy, son-in-law and both grandchildren,
his son Jay and his wife and his sister, Jan, were among the attendees. Also the
sheriff's office was represented by a large contingent. Both Air Commandos and
Ravens came to pay their respects. Among the Ravens were Craig Duehring who read
the Raven poem, Briggs Diuguid, Will Platt, Jim Hix, Jerry Klingaman, Darrel
Whitcomb and Robert Downs. Tributes were given by several of the sheriff's
office friends who had worked with Jerry for over 20 years. Dick Secord spoke
affectionately with remembrances of their years together. General Manor also
spoke of the early days and Jerry's role as pilot for the Son Tay raid. Heinie
Aderholt attended. Jerry would have appreciated the ceremony.
Afterwards, we went to "The Warehouse" on base to tip a few and exchange
memories of days gone by. Will Platt has computerized his Laos photos and has
the capability of zooming and enlarging pictures. Jerry would have enjoyed being
there. Jerry was good and loyal friend. He will be missed.
Jerry Rhein went to be with the Lord on Feb 15, 2010, at the age of 76.
He was born on March 20, 1933 in Vineland, NJ to Edwin and Mildred Rhein. Jerry
knew from a young age he was destined to soar with the eagles. At the age of 16
he performed his first solo and received his private pilot’s license. After he
attended 2 years at Miami University, Oxford, Ohio he decided to enlist in the
Air Force as a Cadet. He graduated with his wings and received his commission as
a 2nd Lieutenant in March1955. While he was at Miami University he
met and married Jeanne Graham Rhein.
During his 20 year career in the Air Force he received many awards
and commendations; most notably the Silver Star for his role in the Son Tay
Raid, a raid on a POW camp just south of Hanoi, North Vietnam to free American
POW’s. He was the last plane out!
He was a member of several military affiliations including the Air Commando
Association, the Raven's and Quiet Birdman (QB's). In 1997 he was selected to
the Air Commando’s Hall of Fame. Upon retirement he continued his quest of
flight by flying as a civilian pilot for Bird Air, Britt Airways and as a
corporate pilot.
In December 1989 he began volunteering with the Okaloosa County Sheriff's
Department Posse and worked closely with the Traffic unit. This past December he
was recognized for 20 years of service and contributing more than 12,000
volunteer hours to the department.
He is survived by his son Paul J Rhein and wife Marilou, his daughter Jennifer
Seay and husband Randal, and two grandchildren, Jessica and Bobby. He is also
survived by his sister Janet Spring and two nieces.
Jerry has completed his final mission. Peach One out.
A Memorial Service will be held at the Hurlburt Memorial Air Park on Friday, February 19, 2010 at 1pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Special Operations Warrior Foundation or the charity of your choice. Emerald Coast Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. The family would like to thank Covenant Hospice for their care during his final days and the Air Commando Association for their help in planning the Memorial Service.
15 Feb 2010
Gentlemen:
It is my sad duty to inform you that Jerry Rhein passed away today, 15 Feb, 2010 at his home in Ft Walton Beach, FL. Jerry was in Laos from '70-'73 and was the AOC at 20A. He was also the A-1 Flight Lead on the Son Tay raid.
Further details will be on the web site as they become available.
Ed Gunter,
Raven President
14 Feb 2010
Norm Munsey, Raven 70/10, Nov 69- Jun 70. South Charleston, WV.
Norm flew West on Feb 12, 2010. Norm was ill the day prior, and a neighbor wanted to take him to a hospital. Norm refused. On the morning of the 12th, the neighbor found Norm collapsed in his kitchen. Dehydration was diagnosed, and Norm passed peacefully shortly after.
Next of kin has been contacted. There will be no services. Norm's ashes will be spread in the trout stream by his home. Information on donations will be posted on the Ravens web site. Contact me for further information.
Ed Gunter,
Raven President.
14 Feb 2010
Norm and I go back to pilot training and Lake Charles AFB, La. He was my best man at my wedding in 1957 and I will miss him terribly.
God rest his soul,
Colonel Tom Walker (USAF Ret)
602-622-2119
PS I flew the C-123 Provider for the year I was in Viet Nam with the 309th Air Commando Squadron.
12 Feb 2010
I am the neighbor of Major Norman Douglas Munsey US Air Force Retired of South Charleston,WV. He passed away this morning Friday 12, 2010. I am not sure is he is a member of the organization, but I have heard him talk many times about being a Forward Air Observer in Laos. The license plate on his pickup is RAVEN10 so I am assuming that may have been his call sign. I am not sure what and when his posts were, but I have the following dates and some pictures
Harvey Sponaugle
Honorably Discharged April 30, 1973
Air Force Commendation Medal: 1962-1966
Air Medal: September 5 1966 to October 14, 1966
October 15, 1966 to January 4, 1968
Bronze Star: May 1,1970 to July 15,1970
May 7, 1971 to October 24, 1971
Distinguished Flying Cross: June 25, 1967
January 14, 1970
13 Jan 2010
My Friends: I'm pissed. Take action as you see fit.
Today's SA Express-News had an article about a trip to Viet Nam sponsored by the Viet Nam Veterans Memorial Fund. A well-written article. However, the last paragraph had a quote by Peter Holt, CEO of the largest Caterpillar dealership in the US & chairman, CEO, and owner of Spurs Sports & Entertainment, which owns the 4-time NBA champion San Antonio Spurs, the WNBA's San Antonio Silver Stars, the AHL's San Antonio Rampage, and the NBA Development League's Austin Toros. (courtesy Wiki)
Here is Mr Holt's quote from the SA Express-News:
<<“We think about the suffering of John McCain in prison for seven years, but what were we doing to their country? Bombing their babies.”>>
I found this repulsive. Here is my letter to the editor of the SA-EN.
<<
Sir:
This morning, I scanned the front page of the Express-News & set it aside,
planning to read it in detail when I got home this evening. As a Viet Nam vet, I
was very interested in the journey back to Viet Nam that was featured on the
front page & sponsored by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund. Before I got back
to the paper, I had an email from a friend who directed my attention to the last
paragraph.
Before I read that, I had a lot of respect for Mr Peter Holt. He was an accomplished businessman & the Spurs chairman. I found he was also a decorated combat veteran. However, his remarks put him in a category lower than Jane Fonda in my eyes. He should know better. Ms Fonda was a glory seeking immature kid who didn't realize the stupidity of her actions & words. Mr Holt doesn’t have that excuse.
In my 526 combat missions and over 1,000 flying hours in the skies of North & South Viet Nam and Laos, not once did I “bomb babies” as alleged by Mr Holt. I directed thousands of airstrikes and not once did we “bomb babies.” Many airstrikes, in fact, were to save the bacon of the ground troops like Sgt Holt & his platoon. I lost 24 friends in South East Asia and none of them died “bombing babies.”
Maybe he killed babies, but the rest of us didn’t. Maybe he succumbed to his emotions & the propaganda of the North Viet Namese. In any case, he owes an apology to all US Viet Nam veterans, especially the fliers who braved the intense air defenses of North Viet Nam & Laos while carrying out the orders of the Commander(s)-in-Chief during a very unpopular war.
Ed
Gunter
Viet Nam vet>>
Thought that you might be interested in this.
Doc Thomas, X-ray 01
From:
techconsultserv@juno.com [mailto:techconsultserv@juno.com]
Sent: Thursday, December 31, 2009 7:11 AM
To: shialary@msn.com
Subject: CIA Air Operations in Laos, 1955-1974
Thought this might be of interest
https://www.cia.gov/library/center-for-the-study-of-intelligence/kent-csi/docs/v43i3a07p.htm
CIA
CIA Air Operations in Laos, 1955-1974
FYI:
Subj: Fwd: VP to Thailand & Laos
http://www.sacbee.com/ourregion/story/2416075.html
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Stephen Magagnini, 1 week, 5 days ago
Vang Pao says he's returning to Laos
EX-GENERAL IS AIMING FOR RECONCILIATION
By Stephen Magagnini
Published: Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2009 - 12:00 am | Page 1A
Last Modified: Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2009 - 10:13 am
FRESNO – In a passionate 30-minute speech Tuesday night, Gen. Vang Pao said that he plans to return to Laos after 35 years in virtual exile.
The general, who celebrates his 80th birthday this week, made the announcement at a dinner for about 1,000 people, about a third of them from Sacramento, at the Big Fresno Fairgrounds.
Vang Pao said now is the time for reconciliation with Laos to liberate thousands of Hmong trapped in the jungles and stuck in a Thai refugee camp.
"We have to make a change right now," Vang Pao said. "The government of Laos has tried to open the door. We should put something on the table and sit down in peace."
On Jan. 10, Vang will take part in a reconciliation event at the Freedom Bridge between Nong Khai, Thailand, and Vientiane, Laos, said one of his 18 sons, 44-year-old Chai Vang.
The news Tuesday night at the dinner to honor Vang Pao stunned many Hmong. The U.S. government in September dropped charges against him for allegedly plotting the violent overthrow of communist Laos. A dozen other defendants have pleaded not guilty but still are facing charges of trying to overthrow the Laotian government.
"Many Hmong people think he's crazy," said Atari Xiong, a Sacramento Hmong producer for Crossing TV. "All the charges and legal issues here, and now he goes back to Laos?"
Vang Pao is the former leader of a CIA-sponsored guerrilla army of Hmong and Iu Mien soldiers that fought Southeast Asian communists for 14 years.
An American citizen, he is free to go to Laos and return to the United States.
Xiong said the Hmong had been hearing that the general is going to Laos in January "on an official trip because of the refugees in Thailand, and people fighting from the jungle."
Chai Vang said Tuesday that his father and his representatives are working through the Thai and Lao governments to resolve these issues.
During his speech Tuesday night, Vang Pao urged his people "to forget about the past so we can bring those back to live a normal life. Right now the government of Laos thinks it's time to live together peacefully with equal rights and equal opportunities."
Vang Pao did not offer a timetable for the liberation of those in the jungle, but he promised "that shall be coming soon, and I will be the one to be there. … I was the one in the beginning, and I will be the one to finish it in the end. I'm not going to give up. I will carry my people on my back no matter how heavy they are.
"For those Hmong trapped in the jungle and the refugee camp, I will be the one responsible for solving the problem."
It's unclear what Vang's return to Laos could mean for 4,600 Hmong refugees at Hoi Nam Kao in north-central Thailand and an estimated 5,000 to 8,000 Hmong reportedly still trapped in the jungles of Laos, where they've been running from the communists since the Vietnam War.
Many in the jungles have reportedly been waiting for Vang Pao's return for decades. If he were to ask them to lay down their muskets and come out of the jungles, said Sacramento Hmong activist T.T. Vang, they might do so.
But how they would be treated by Lao authorities is an open question. The Lao government has accused the jungle Hmong of terrorist acts but denies human rights violations against them. Amnesty International and other human rights groups say the jungle Hmong have been tortured and killed.
"A lot in the Hmong community are very concerned and very frustrated with his plan," T.T. Vang said. "There's a lot of mistrust of communist Laos."
Thai and Lao officials want the Hmong refugees in Thailand returned to Laos, he said.
"The point is, all Hmong are waiting for (Vang Pao) to return, and the enemies know that (he) is the only one who will make the Hmong to stop the fight," T.T. Vang said.
"The Hmong crisis will keep going unless V.P. says 'I've returned, I've come back home.' "
Thousands of Hmong turned out for emotional rallies in Sacramento and St. Paul, Minn., after the federal case against Vang Pao and his co-defendants was filed, chanting "Free Vang Pao!" and calling for the United States to recognize the Hmong for 14 years of service in the guerrilla forces Vang Pao once led. From the early '60s to 1975, Vang's jungle army of Hmong and Iu Mien warriors helped the United States wage war on Lao and Vietnamese communists.
"There's no doubt they took this case personally," his eldest son, Chao Vang, told The Bee. "It woke up the Hmong people – a lot of people we never knew came out to support us."
28 Nov 2009
Mary and I want to wish everyone a great Thanksgiving. I know we are late but what can you expect from senior citizens.
Tom and Mary Shera
From: mactbkk@gmail.com
To: Edgunter@aol.com
Sent: 12/19/2009 6:28:20 A.M. Central Standard Time
Subj: Fwd: Book: A Peoples History of the Hmong by Paul Hillmer
Ed
It's a good one, I just received my copy.
Mac
There's a new book coming out shortly on the Hmong of Laos, should be a good one. Paul Hillmer, the author, traveled to Thailand and to Laos to do on-site interviews plus hundreds of interviews in the U.S. of a whole range of Hmong and Americans. Good guy, we've sipped Singha on Sukumvit.
Attached is a copy of the dust jacket. Some folks will remember Her Chai there on the cover, former SGU guy at Long Tieng and in Vientiane. Also a good guy, now lives in Texas.
Pre-publication orders of the book may be made at Amazon, discounted price, too: http://tinyurl.com/yze8krc
Paul is a professor of history at Concordia University's. He's also involved with Concordia's "Center for Hmong Studies" ttp://www.csp.edu/hmongcenter/
Lee Pao Xiong, the director of the Center is also a friend, he's been to Bangkok a couple of times and I just missed him in Vientiane this past July.
Anyway, take a look at Lee Pao's letter below and consider buying the book, I'm going to.
Mac Thompson
Army, Korat, '64-'65; IVS & USAID/Laos, '66-'75; Thailand, Indochinese Refugee Program, '75-'83; back to Thailand in '89, and retired in place 1992.
30 Oct
Ravens, go to the guestbook page for some new pictures of L20A
22 Oct 2009
Donations
At the last reunion, some one suggested that we post the charities we contribute to on our web site. Recently, the ExCom wanted to contribute to a charity working with our troops.
Over the last couple of months, I've done some research into organizations providing support to our current generation of wounded warriors. Needless to say, there are many of them. I have found two that I feel are especially deserving of our donations. And, truth of the matter, there are many others out there.
First is the TEENS-IN-FLIGHT organization. ( http://www.teens-in-flight.com/ )
Executive summary: They provide flight/maintenance training to the teenage children of veterans killed or disabled in the GWOT. The program has started in Florida and is working to set up programs in Texas (Fort Hood area) and Colorado (Fort Carson area). Here's what the CEO said about fund-raising expenses: "I would estimate that 30-40% of my personal income augments this program. Nobody in our organization receives a salary. All funds raised is spent on the kids."
Next is OPERATION COMFORT. (http://www.operationcomfort.org/index.html ) Provides support to service members wounded in Iraq/Afghanistan and receiving treatment at Brooke Army Medical Center. They get the troops involved in a variety of other activities such as ice hockey, skiing, rafting, surfing, biking, auto repair, etc. They also provide assistance loans to help the guys/gals out during the transition from AD to VA. They have just partnered with the U of Phoenix to award 5 x 4-year scholarships to severely injured veterans. According to the CEO, fund raising expenses are about 12%. Well within my limits.
I feel comfortable recommending either of these to fellow Ravens.
Ed Gunter,
Raven President
21 Oct 2009
I ordered and just finished reading the book "Cash on
Delivery". The author was a junior case officer at Pakse from 1970 to 1972 - he
primarily ran the road watch teams and that is the major thrust of the book.
Little mention of the Ravens, other than in passing, until his chapter titled
"Raven 42 is down". His story jives with that in "The Ravens" book but is a
much more complete chronicle (and he references it also). The major players are
Dunc Duncan (42), Pepsi Ratts (41), and Jim Hix (44) and he is very
complimentary of them and the Ravens in general. He just happened to be on the
Air America H-34 that picked up Duncan and his backseater.
Not a spine tingler except for this chapter.
Jack Drummond
From:
info@rosebankpress.com
To:
laos@redpeach.net
Sent: 10/11/2009 11:31:42 A.M. Central Daylight Time
Subj: Tom Briggs - Publication Announcement
Please help me out and forward this email to anyone you think might be interested in my book.
My book, “Cash on
Delivery: CIA Special Operations During the Secret War in Laos,” is now
available for sale in paperback format at www.rosebankpress.com.
A hardcover version can be pre-ordered and should be ready to ship about 25
October.
By the end of October, or the beginning of November, it will also be available
for sale from amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com.
There is more information about my book on the web site-
www.rosebankpress.com.
Here is a brief summary and also what the cover looks like.
If you have any questions or comments about the book you can ask me directly at
the email address:
info@rosebankpress.com
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash on Delivery: CIA Special Operations During the Secret War in Laos is a
detailed accounting of a CIA program directed by a CIA operations officer that
sent small teams of irregulars behind enemy lines in Laos to find, fix and
destroy North Vietnamese Army units, capture NVA soldiers or encourage them to
defect, intercept NVA radio communications, and recruit NVA soldiers to spy and
report on their comrades.
It is a unique contribution to the history of the Vietnam War describing useful
experiences using surrogates to conduct intelligence and combat operations that
have little or no adverse impact on the United States government’s relations
with the peoples and governments of other nations. An important lesson in the
post 9/11 world of countering terrorism all over the globe where we do not have
enough American troops to get the job done without political consequences.
The book also describes the daring and dangerous rescue of Raven 42, a U.S. Air
Force forward air controller shot down while supporting Lao irregular surrogate
forces fighting NVA main force units in Laos, attempts to infiltrate Cambodia to
collect intelligence on the North Vietnamese in early 1970, the effort to
uncover information about a missing Air America crewman captured in 1963, the
tragic fatal crash of an aircraft carrying four of the author’s best Thai
operational assistants, and the uncovering of a mole hidden in a Royal Lao
government military headquarters.
Learn in intimate detail, as has never before appeared in print, the planning
and execution of a variety of special operations, conceived and carried out
behind enemy lines by the CIA using only Lao irregular surrogates.
The CIA employed surrogates in southern Laos to force the North Vietnamese Army
to keep combat units there to defend their logistical supply line rather than
send them to fight U.S. and allied forces in South Vietnam. For the duration of
U.S. participation in the Vietnam War the CIA succeeded in that goal.
Read more at www.rosebankpress.com.=
5 Oct 2009
Last Saturday, Terri and I drove to Pennsylvania to visit Yia Kha and his wife Bee (and other Hmong friends/family). He was, I believe, Robin 03 at Long Tieng. He spoke English far better than the others (except Yang Bee). He also had a lot of courage and volunteered to fly with us when the others hid behind "Buddha say no fly today". He went to Thailand and became a Chapakao. He spent a couple of years in a camp in Thailand after the war then relocated to the area around Lancaster, PA. He has 5 kids and even got his private pilot's license here in the U.S. I always thought he was the best back seater I ever knew. I'll be asking the guys to sign a book for him at the reunion. See you then.
Craig Duehring
Sept 2009
Thanks, Larry--
Actually, here are 2 videos-- one with engine sounds, one without that Jack D made up from videos he took up there. fantastic, I think. Thought I had included them in my after-action report that's in the News, but guess I was a little too quick getting that report out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0h_pwJXQsc0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcXN6zhkRwQ
Cheers, my friends.
Ed
In a message dated 9/8/2009 1:13:10 P.M. Central Daylight Time, L H RATTS writes:
You would already have this video, I am sure. But I thought it interesting that the last aircraft that could be identified flying at the end of the clip was a T-28. You or Jack? Don't tell me if it wasn't. I like to see it that way.
Pepsi
Sept 2009
FYI
From Out That Shadow:
The Life and Legacy of Edgar Allan Poe
September 8, 2009 - January 3, 2010
The Harry Ransom Center, a humanities research library and museum at The
University of Texas at Austin, is commemorating the 2009 bicentennial of Edgar
Allan Poe, American poet, critic and inventor of the detective story, with the
exhibition "From Out That Shadow: The Life and Legacy of Edgar Allan Poe."
http://www.hrc.utexas.edu/exhibitions/2009/poe/
Sept 2009
Gentlemen: I
am a USAF Vietnam Vet (1968-69, 126 missions on EC-47) and am researching a new
book. One of the characters is a FAC pilot and I always try to make sure my
fellow vets get presented in the best light with the most accurate facts. I
would like to ask one of your pilots to contact me via email and that I would
like to get some information from him on the day to day operatiions, i.e.,
sounds, smells, etc. The scene for this particular character takes place over
the A shau valley in 1969....I would really appreciate any help you guys could
give me. Our website is ec-47 and our unit was the 6994th....Thank you for your
time and consideration.
Danny Johnson
3740 Hermine ST
Durham, NC 27705
PH— 919-949-3519
Email: wordsofmine01@gmail.com
Aug 2009
Dear Ravens and Friends
New Raven location just across the Mekong from Vientiane, Laos. My Tii rak and I have set up camp in Nong Khai, Thailand to be close to some projects.. (Don't ask.) Cannot make this Oct. re-union due to commitments in Laos that weekend. Come visit. I didn't have a fish or a dead deer for a photo to make the newsletter so this will have to do.
Mike Cavanaugh Raven 48
Princess Wan Co-pilot
4 Aug 2009
Dear Sir,
I would like to send you a photo of Marlin Siegwalt - RAVEN 71 (and a photo of Luang Prabang) taken at Luang Prabang in August 1968. I recently came across them when I finally found my photos from my tour(s) with Det 1.
Mr Siegwalt was one hell of a man and I greatly enjoyed working alongside (and flying with him when possible). When I learned of his untimely death I was not only stunned but deeply saddened.
Arming up (I was pretty skinny back then ... blasted mosquitos!)
Luang Prabang airfield from the back seat ...
NEVER MORE!!
STEVE HERBERTH, MSgt USAF (Ret)