American Rifleman Article
This month's edition carries an article about MACV-SOG and the CAR-15. That was the unit I worked with and the gun we carried in the cockpit with us, just in case. (It would have been futile, but we'd have gone out in a blaze of muzzle blast!) We had the original version, with the shorter barrel and forward assist, not the Air Force version - even though we were AF. But we were so cloak and dagger that we were armed by Army Green Berets, not the AF.
By the time I was "volunteered" for that mission, we were no longer putting US guys on the ground in Cambodia. I worked with indigenous and mercenary teams, but the mission was the same: to put a small team down where they could monitor enemy actions along the Ho Chi Minh Trail, then (hopefully) pick them up again.
The article brings back a lot of memories. Both kinds.
By the time I was "volunteered" for that mission, we were no longer putting US guys on the ground in Cambodia. I worked with indigenous and mercenary teams, but the mission was the same: to put a small team down where they could monitor enemy actions along the Ho Chi Minh Trail, then (hopefully) pick them up again.
The article brings back a lot of memories. Both kinds.
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I bought and read your books. You are APPRECIATED for your service to this nation in time of war and civil turmoil. 0 -
That was a great article. Some of those guys looked like they should still be in high school. 0 -
Noisy 0 -
quote:Originally posted by bpost
I bought and read your books. You are APPRECIATED for your service to this nation in time of war and civil turmoil.
I too have your books, plus I have caught my local library environmental also
Very informative and interesting books...
Someday when I'm in your neck of the woods, I would very much like to buy you lunch or dinner...0 -
Dine together, you bet. You buy, not a chance. 0 -
Thanks Rocky R. Glad you made it back... 0 -
If you read the books, allow me to introduce the real-life characters... 
L-R are Sandy, Flip, "Richard" real name Mike, and "Rusty" yours truly.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Rocky Raab
This month's edition carries an article about MACV-SOG and the CAR-15. That was the unit I worked with and the gun we carried in the cockpit with us, just in case. (It would have been futile, but we'd have gone out in a blaze of muzzle blast!) We had the original version, with the shorter barrel and forward assist, not the Air Force version - even though we were AF. But we were so cloak and dagger that we were armed by Army Green Berets, not the AF.
By the time I was "volunteered" for that mission, we were no longer putting US guys on the ground in Cambodia. I worked with indigenous and mercenary teams, but the mission was the same: to put a small team down where they could monitor enemy actions along the Ho Chi Minh Trail, then (hopefully) pick them up again.
The article brings back a lot of memories. Both kinds.
Thuds, Phantoms?0 -
quote:Originally posted by Rocky Raab
If you read the books, allow me to introduce the real-life characters...
L-R are Sandy, Flip, "Richard" real name Mike, and "Rusty" yours truly.
So are they all still alive?0 -
quote:Originally posted by chiefr
quote:Originally posted by Rocky Raab
This month's edition carries an article about MACV-SOG and the CAR-15. That was the unit I worked with and the gun we carried in the cockpit with us, just in case. (It would have been futile, but we'd have gone out in a blaze of muzzle blast!) We had the original version, with the shorter barrel and forward assist, not the Air Force version - even though we were AF. But we were so cloak and dagger that we were armed by Army Green Berets, not the AF.
By the time I was "volunteered" for that mission, we were no longer putting US guys on the ground in Cambodia. I worked with indigenous and mercenary teams, but the mission was the same: to put a small team down where they could monitor enemy actions along the Ho Chi Minh Trail, then (hopefully) pick them up again.
The article brings back a lot of memories. Both kinds.
Thuds, Phantoms?
I believe he was neither but rather flew in the small light weight (read ZERO armour) FAC type planes...you know, the ones that that had props and flew low and relatively slow that would assist with recon, light air/fire support and the like.
I could be wrong though.0 -
One of these: O-2A, also known as the Oscar Deuce, Oscar Duck, Ruptured Duck, Push Me Pull You, or Pilot Sandwich (If you crashed, you were the meat between two hot engines)
Forgot to add: As far as I know, those three guys are still alive. We've lost one or two others in the years since.0 -
quote:Originally posted by kidthatsirish
quote:Originally posted by chiefr
quote:Originally posted by Rocky Raab
This month's edition carries an article about MACV-SOG and the CAR-15. That was the unit I worked with and the gun we carried in the cockpit with us, just in case. (It would have been futile, but we'd have gone out in a blaze of muzzle blast!) We had the original version, with the shorter barrel and forward assist, not the Air Force version - even though we were AF. But we were so cloak and dagger that we were armed by Army Green Berets, not the AF.
By the time I was "volunteered" for that mission, we were no longer putting US guys on the ground in Cambodia. I worked with indigenous and mercenary teams, but the mission was the same: to put a small team down where they could monitor enemy actions along the Ho Chi Minh Trail, then (hopefully) pick them up again.
The article brings back a lot of memories. Both kinds.
Thuds, Phantoms?
I believe he was neither but rather flew in the small light weight (read ZERO armour) FAC type planes...you know, the ones that that had props and flew low and relatively slow that would assist with recon, light air/fire support and the like.
I could be wrong though.
He flew low and slow in an under-powered Cessna 337 trying to see tracers coming at him along with other bullets and direct fire on the enemy.0 -
Our only "armor plate" was a 12"x12" sheet of Kevlar under the pilot's seat. I took a .30-cal round in that plate once, right under "the boys." Felt like I'd been kicked good. Other times, came home with enough holes that the plane whistled. Once, came back with a green airplane because I'd flown through a tree -- climbing. Never shed a drop of blood. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Rocky Raab
One of these: O-2A, also known as the Oscar Deuce, Oscar Duck, Ruptured Duck, Push Me Pull You, or Pilot Sandwich (If you crashed, you were the meat between two hot engines)
Forgot to add: As far as I know, those three guys are still alive. We've lost one or two others in the years since.
Yep, I am familiar with them and the OV 10s. The latter of which can carry a few SF guys into places like Cambodia & Laos.
Those were some of the most dangerous missions. Slow moving aircraft and small arms fire seen to attract each other. Thanks for your service.0 -
As a regular FAC in 'Nam, we called it "trolling for ground fire." Present yourself as an inviting target and see if Charley accepts the invitation. Then call up an airstrike to return the favor.
We didn't do that in Cambodia because we weren't allowed to run airstrikes there. The point was to stay covert.0 -
quote:Originally posted by chiefr
quote:Originally posted by Rocky Raab
One of these: O-2A, also known as the Oscar Deuce, Oscar Duck, Ruptured Duck, Push Me Pull You, or Pilot Sandwich (If you crashed, you were the meat between two hot engines)
Forgot to add: As far as I know, those three guys are still alive. We've lost one or two others in the years since.
The O-2 was notorious for losing the rear engine due to overheating. Seen a lot come back with #2 feathered.
Yep, I am familiar with them and the OV 10s. The latter of which can carry a few SF guys into places like Cambodia & Laos.
Those were some of the most dangerous missions. Slow moving aircraft and small arms fire seen to attract each other. Thanks for your service.0 -
Slow? They were like watching a picture on the wall! [:D] 0 -
We cruised at 120 knots. Redline speed was supposedly 156, but I never got one going that fast even in a steep dive at full power. Those rocket pods were really "draggy."
The most dangerous time for us was when inserting a team. We'd lead the helicopters in, which meant we couldn't go faster then they could. So we'd amble in five feet off the treetops or ground at 90 knots. After the team was inserted, the helos would trundle off one way and we'd ziggy off, climbing. From ground level to 1,500' AGL was the "kill zone" where we were most vulnerable to small arms - and it seemed to take forever.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Rocky Raab
If you read the books, allow me to introduce the real-life characters...
L-R are Sandy, Flip, "Richard" real name Mike, and "Rusty" yours truly.
Very Kool Camo Fitigues Rocky. Do you still have a set?
What kind of headwear did you use on Base off Base? Boonie, MilCap0 -
Tiger stripes were cool - literally as well as figuratively. But that was 50 pounds ago, and nothing I might have brought home was fit to keep anyway.
You are looking at half the pilots assigned to that "base" and not even our bosses gave a rat's patootie what we wore. No hats that I can recall being worn there. When we had to fly down to REMF heaven, we took a standard flight cap along, unless we forgot. When/if some headquarters ass called us on uniform or mustache, we just shrugged and said we were MACV-SOG and to take it up with them. That usually shut them up pronto.0 -
I would enjoy reading your books would you please share the titles of them. I hadn't seen a Cessna 337 in quite a while, then the other day while visiting my sister in Florida I saw one sitting on a grass strip. Never had the pleasure or lack of pleasure to fly one. Thank you for your service, and your fellow pilots who flew those dangerous missions. 0 -
I don't actively market them any more, and they'd charge you double on Amazon. The direct link to the publisher is http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/rraab You can get print or ebooks.
Baggy is the appetizer, and comes first in sequence. Order both; you will anyway and you'll save shipping.0 -
Rocky- does the name Hardnose have any meaning to you? 0 -
Rocky I was going to mention the mustache but forgot. My uncle was career Military. 50-53 Army Korea 23d RCT 2ID Then to the Air Force 54-78 Crypto, and during his time in Vietnam he had a big handlebar mustache that was cool, but then went to State Department and the mustache was gone. I suppose that growing a stache was ok in Vietnam, he said that it was kind of a sport to see how far you could go.
Thank You for those pictures, reminded me about Chas and that time in my life as a nondirectional teenager. When Chas Ret. from the Service he gave me most of his fatigues but without all the Brass, his patches and service bars.0 -
When I first entered the Army in early 1976, there were still plenty of Vietnam Vets still on active duty. I had the privilege of working with several through my early years that still bore the MACV-SOG combat patch.
I have to say that most were pretty tough, no nonsense, wouldn?t back down for nothing kind of guys. True professionals one & all.
About that same time was when Delta was getting it?s legs wet. A lot of them crossed over there quickly. They were the first true ?quite professional? Operators.
I tip my hat to your past service Rocky, and having known some of them.
Trinity +++0 -
No, Hardnose has no meaning to me.
I was made an honorary Green Beret the night before I left Ban Me Thuot. I still have the plaque, but some miserable a-hole stole the beret out of my duffle during the contraband search just before I boarded the freedom bird. "Honorary" is as close as I could ever have gotten to those guys. They were the real deal, I just drove an airplane around.0 -
Thanks for the link on where to buy your books Rocky, I have two of them on the way. Looking forward to reading about some of what you did for the country. It was a young mans game as such, when young you are just about bullet proof. Once you get older, I guess you have had more time to think about things, that could go wrong. I know I don't do as many crazy things as i used to, other than ride a motorcycle! Maybe some day our paths will cross and I can shake your hand, and thank you in person for your service time. 0 -
My standard caution: Baggy comes first, and don't start it at bedtime. 0 -
https://youtu.be/po715YGEzTY
This hardware might appear familiar...
Mike0 -
Sho nuff do! That's my old "co-pilot". 0
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