"Central Security Control (CSC) to all posted sentries and mobile patrols. Be advised, we have an in-flight emergency with an ordinance drop. Clear the drop zone." 

That little announcement was enough to get the adrenaline flowing in the veins of all who heard it.

A portion of our base in Alpha and Bravo sectors was a designated drop zone. This was an area where returning aircraft could drop unexpended ordinance. Aircraft that had to make an emergency landing were often diverted to NKP. However prior to landing they had to drop all bombs and missiles in the drop zone to prevent damage to the runway when they landed in case of detonation.

Because the drop zone was within the base perimeter we had to provide security for it with bunkers, towers, mobile patrols and of course K9. When the announcement was made we were supposed to get to the perimeter road and either wait for pickup or start running out of the area. Any vehicle with a radio that monitored the call was supposed to divert to the perimeter and start hauling people out of the area. Try mixing Thai Guards scared to death of our dogs and other fools who did not appreciate the finer points of mans best friend all trying to climb in the back of the same deuce and a half.

In theory the aircraft radioed ahead to flight ops that it had a problem. Flight Ops called CSC and told them how many minutes prior to the aircraft being overhead. CSC made the announcement. Two towers at the extreme end of the drop zone fired off slap flares to alert sentries in the area. Vehicles came out and picked us up. Some of us strolled out.

Now that was the theory, sounds good on paper. Rarely did it work that way. F-4s travel one hell of a lot faster than Deuce's (2 1/2 ton trucks). Understandably Pilots in a burning aircraft are noted for making notoriously bad time estimates. Radio's sometimes don't work. It always happened at night. Warning was usually only a matter of minutes, often five or less, in advance of the aircraft.

One night I was fortunate to be in Delta sector during one of these episodes. I heard the call go out over the security net that a flight of F-4s was on its way. They would be here in five minutes. As I heard the call both F-4s flew over my post, Night Fighter ___, as we were called. Anyone familiar with NKP knows that an F-4 will go from Delta sector to the drop zone faster than it takes to read this sentence. I made a call over my radio that the aircraft were overhead and to take cover. A friend, Mark, was in the drop zone that night. He had a heck of a story.

Photo Above: Philip Carroll with Tina 

 

 

Phil Carroll and Tina (Right), with Tom Tolbert and his dog at the NKP kennels.

 

 

Photos Courtesy of Philip Carroll

Return To Nakhon Phanom Air Base