U-Tapao, Air Base (June 1972-1973) -
I
was Sgt Larry Miller, in the 635th SPS, Law Enforcement
(June 1972-1973), and remember well the B52 crash HL Hartford talks about in his
Homing Bird, B-52 Battle Damage
story. Although I wasn't on duty that night, one person I knew was and he said
it appeared to him that the crew switched off all power to the aircraft (probably
to lessen the chance of fire after the crash).
Photo
Left: "G" model '52 (short tail) and was probably from Kadena or Guam. The Buffs
at U-Tapao were all "F" models (tall tails).
As I remember it, the BUFF (Big Ugly Fat Fellow) couldn't get down on the
runway and overflew the base, landing in the banana groves across the highway
outside the base. The tail gunner and co-pilot survived (the tail broke off, and
the co-pilot was saved by an officer who commandeered a bhat-bus to the scene).
I learned later that he was awarded the "Airman's Medal." The citation reads that
he braved "exploding ammo and fire" to rescue him. I've always though he should
have gotten a higher award since he climbed up on the aircraft while it was burning.
Steve Hughes' account is the only one of the incident that I've seen so far.
Usually, the after-action report only says, "destroyed," "crashed on landing,"
etc. I enjoyed reading Steve's account.
Photo
Right: Bomb Dump. Tight security too. The guard was asleep when I approached his
post.
I'll always remember the aircrews
and planes at U-Tapao RTAFB. By the way, my Dad was a tail gunner on B52's, retiring
in 1964, so never saw action there.
One night
while working the main gate, I saw two drunken senior NCO's (tail gunners) approaching
and asked for their ID cards. I recognized them from Minot AFB, ND, where my Dad
last served, and asked them if they knew AP Miller. They said sure, and I told
them I was his son. Not impressed, they gave a laugh and were on their way.
I also saw a B52 pilot come through the gate that I had partied
with in Las Vegas in 1969. He didn't remember me, but I sure remembered him. He
tried to steal my girl friend! It was all a
long time ago!
