Vietnan Security Police Association Story When F-4s Collide!- F-4 Phantoms, Mid-Air Collision

On September 17, 1966, three F-4C Phantom aircraft took off from Cam Ranh Bay AB Air Base, responding to a call for air support during a night-recovery rescue of a downed helicopter. After a successful mission, the three Phantoms landed at Đà Nàng Air Base for service and refueling. The F-4s of the 558th TAC Fighter Wing then took off from Đà Nàng AB for the flight home to Cam Ranh Bay AB.

As the lead two F-4s prepared for a formation landing flying side by side, at Cam Ranh Bay AB Air Base, the third F-4 trailed behind a few miles and maintained visual on the lead air crafts. Suddenly, everything seemed to go wrong: in seconds the two lead F-4 Phantoms slammed together and a hung-bomb from one exploded killing Captains Rocky and Surwald in one F-4, and Captain Rocky in the second F-4. Captain D. W. Browning, who flew with Captain Rocky, instantly ejected and from his parachute helplessly watched the two burning F-4s plummeting in balls of fire toward the South China Sea. The trailing F-4 Phantom pilot saw the brilliant explosion only seconds ahead of his flight, reacted to possible shrapnel and debris took evasive action, then immediately called for search and rescue efforts from Cam Ranh AB. Captain Browning then overflew the explosive falling debris, and the the Air Base, before looping back to maintain surveillance over the crash site.

A massive response effort launched from Cam Ranh Bay AB Air Base, including helicopters, emergency rescue boats, flare aircraft, divers, and Security Police armed boat patrols, all searching under high-powered flares and lights throughout the night. Captain Browning, having parachuted from his fatally wounded F-4 was soon discovered and pulled from the South China Sea, alive.

Over the next few days, partial remains of Captains Rocky and Surwald were recovered. They would later be buried together in one plot at Arlington. Captain Edward Mc Cann was also recovered and is buried at Lake Wales, Florida.

In the early years of the war, families of those Killed In Action or Line Of Duty were notified of the tragedy and updates, as in WWII, by telegrams.

The following is the Western Union Telegram from Robert W. Beers, Colonel, USAF, sent to the family of Robert Rocky:

Gravestone for both Robert Edward Rocky and Michael Edward Surwald, captains, LOD 09-17-1966. I sincerely regret to inform you that remains subsequently recovered from the crash in which your son lost his life cannot be individually identified. The remains were thoroughly examined by identification specialists, using every method and type of equipment known to modern science. Even with these exhaustive efforts, the remains could not be identified and must be buried together as a group. We realize that relatives receive much comfort from selecting the cemetery for burial of their loved ones. I deeply regret that this privilege is denied because it is impossible to identify the remains of your son. The group will be buried in Camp Nelson National Cemetery, Nicholsville, Kentucky. This cemetery was selected because it is centrally located for the families involved. The Superintendent of the cemetery will arrange for the funeral service. He will notify you of the date and the time as soon as possible so that relatives and friends can attend. My continued sympathy is extended to you in the loss of your loved one.

Through a twist of tragic irony, Rocky was killed three weeks before his tour in Vietnam was over. Rocky was due to return home in three weeks for a month's leave before reassignment to Germany. He wrote letters home saying how he and his wife were going to adopt a child when he returned. He believed he was going to be stationed somewhere in Europe for the second half of his tour. Rocky was so looking forward to coming home and seeing his wife, brother and parents again. In honor of her late husband, Sylvia Rocky established a scholarship fund for children of Air Force personnel. When asked why she chose to do this, she said that her husband had always loved children and he had been a great man. He had written her almost everyday, and he never once complained about the hard times he was facing in combat. Captain Rocky believed the war was a just cause for freedom, and was willing to do whatever it took to win.

Sources: Rocky Family, Bryan Kreher (Monmouth University Student) and NJVVMF.
May the three Captains who perished rest in peace, and may those who witnessed the mid-air collision or participated in recovery efforts, find peace of mind for surely they will never forget.