TDY Memories...

War Stories of the F-106... "In Your Own Words"

Photo by Mark Allen, Goose Bay Labrador,1983, submitted 16 Aug 99. " I think this TDY was a Checkered Flag for about 2 weeks.  As the picture shows we Hot-Pit refueled the jets and the hose would not reach so we manually pushed them all nose to nose.  I was a Red Bull from Jan 80 until Closure.  Worked Comm-Nav and had a blast.  I am Now a MSgt stationed at Minot and drive by a "six" on a stick everyday.  Even though it's one of those dreaded "Spitten Kitten's" it sure brings back memories.  I think the guy with t his hands in his pants by the pit cart is Randy Tweed".. Mark Allen

Photo of TSgt Erv Smalley (left) and SSgt Earl Blontz, TDY with the 49th FIS to Tyndal, June 1970

 Taken during TDY to Mirmar NAS, Calif. about 1977.  We pulled the engine from aircraft 0776 for maintenance, but I don't remember why.  Our TDY departure from Mirmor NAS, CA back to the 318 FIS at McChord AFB,WA was delayed.  The delayed was caused by US Marine jeeps blocking our C-130 aircraft on the taxi-way.  It appeared that the US Marines Detachment sign turned up missing that morning.  As we were the only TDY Air Force unit on the NAS at that time, it was determined by the Marines that we had the sign after someone in the tower observed it being loaded into aircraft. The C-130 pilot was advised that if their sign was not turned over to them,  then the Marines were going to board our  aircraft and search for the sign.  The C-130 pilot ordered that the loadmaster open the back troop door and whoever knew where the sign was to pass it down to the loadmaster and he would give it to the Marines.  We then would be cleared for take-off.  The pilot also said that if the sign was given up quickly then no questions would be asked.  The sign quickly appeared and was passed down to the loadmaster who surrendered it to the United States Marines.  I never learned who took the Marines Detachment Sign, but it was a great prank!  Gary H. Price, MSgt, USAF Retired

"The Stunts We Pull"
    I remember when we (5th FIS, Spitten Kittens) went to the load comp. in I think 73 and 74.  During the first trip we somehow removed a sword fish from the wall at the NCO Club and we made it off base, the next day was a very long day as we were asked (ordered) to return the fish unhurt and it would be erased from the memories of those in charge.  As it turned out, we had used the car that was given us for the time there, only one problem though, ours was the only blue car leased all the rest were white.  I still remember running through the fields and into water holes, we just made it back as the SP's arrived to the dorm, we were in bed with our pants on and shoes beside the bed still wet, when the SP shinned his light in my face I thought I was going to go to jail that night, somehow we pulled it off at least that night.
     The next year we attended the load comp. we received a message that advised "5th FIS" would obey all the rules and regs, and that we would not get into any trouble, this was made clear to us by our OIC.  Well when we landed, there was this great sign that was near ops and it read something like "without the integrity of load crews pilots would be of no military significance"  It took only one look for us to know that sign would make it back to North Dakota with us.  I remember one night around 3am removing the sign along with the whole load crew, and we made it back with the sign.  In early 75 we had some inspectors in and when they seen the sign they went straight to the phones, well I was on my way out heading to Udorn Thailand, so I never found out what happened, and I don't think I really care to know... A loyal Six Shooter, Jim

TDY Stories by Dave Oct 2003

I'm just going to list just a few things that happened to the 95th FIS while we were in Korea. I won't name names. But I'm sure the guys will remember.  I won't bring up any after hours stories, some of you might still be married to the same mate.

1. Doing a tail hook check. Two guys holding a bar under the tail hook another one getting ready to drop the hook. but instead he blows the FULL  tip tanks. A lot of guys with wet plants and not from fuel.

2. A pilot takes off for a Bear encounter. Young pilot first time up after a Bear. Pilot forgets to lock the canopy. Now what do you thinks happens when your canopy comes off. You windshield fogs up right? Well that is what happened and do you know what this young pilot did doing 300 miles an hour? He couldn't see so he tries to put his head out to see around the windshield.  Taking about seeing stars. Messed up the helmet big time.

3. Now this one is for the books. This pilot had some problems in the past and I'm not sure if he flew anymore after this landing.  We all know how the dart comes in for a landing. Well he came in a little low, so low that when he taxied up to the crew chief he couldn't understand why so many people were standing around to meet him. Well when he got out of the bird and saw that the tail hook had hooked the outer fence and gift wrapped the tail of the aircraft with about 50 yards fence and poles he understood.

4. We hadn't been in Korea very long when a Star & Strips reporter wanted to do a story about the 106 Dart. One of the things he wanted some pictures of the plane landing, because of the looks of the bird and the way it landed. Now you all know were this is going.  Well he was taken to a safe area of the runway for pictures. He didn't stay in that safe area. He looked like tumble weed going down the runway. He was OK, can't say the same for the camera.

5. Have to tell this one, but it didn't happen in Korea. We had a flight surgeon that was always asking questions. He would come in to my shop (Life Support) wanting to know what that was for, why did the pilot need that and so on. A great guy. Well one day he is in the back seat of a B model going south. Well this is way the story was told to me.  We are flying along talking back and forth. The Doc is asking what is this for, what does this do and so no. Then he asks what does this do? I asked him to describe what he is looking at, after he describes the item I'm about to say do not touch, about that time the canopy left the aircraft.

The years I was with the 95th FIS were the best. Thanks guys for some get times. Also a Big thanks for whoever broke all the aircraft in Hawaii on our way back from Korea.