After Action Report 61

SECTION III - MISSION

The mission of the 510th Tactical Fighter Squadron during the period 1 October 1968 through 31 December 1968 has been to supply combat ready aircrews to the 3rd Tactical Fighter Wing. The latest mission of the 510th Tactical Fighter Squadron in support of the 3rd Tactical Fighter Wing has been to conduct combat operations against the Communist Viet Cong and/or Democratic Republic of Vietnam insurgents as directed by Headquarters 7th Air Force, and to assist and cooperate with the VNAF units assigned at Bien Hoa Air Base toward this end.

SECTION V - EQUIPMENT
A. AIRCRAFT 21 F-100's Assigned 18 F-100's Possessed 3 IRAN	B. WEAPONS (INCLUDING MISSILES) N/A
C. ELECTRONICS N/A	D. OTHER N/A Group 4 - Downgrade at 3 year Intervals: Declassified after 12 years

(U) "Buzzards of Bien Hoa", a proud call sign and well known among forward air controllers for target area professionalism, flew 1791 combat sorties against the Communist Viet Cong and those insurgents presently engaged in aggressive actions in the Democratic Republic of Vietnam during the period 1 October 1968 to 31 December 1968. The *** counts were high which encouraged high levels of morale and achievements among operations and maintenance personnel. The attachments contain a summary contain a summary of sorties flown, ordinance delivered, battle damage assessments, and awards.

(C) Viet Cong activity throughout III and IV Corps was characterized by surges in intensity. During this quarter Bien Hoa Air Base came under 2 separate rocket and mortar attacks. On the night of October 26th, a metal shelter covering a 510th revetment took a direct hit from a 107 mm rocket. Shrapnel was scattered over a wide area of the "Buzzard" ramp with negative damage to personnel or aircraft.

(U) Buzzard Operations staff reached new highs in providing the 3rd Tactical Fighter Wing with dedicated, operationally ready fighter pilots. In addition to the normal influx of young, less experienced pilots, the Operations Section was given the task of checking out two senior attached pilots, who had never dropped ordnance from the F-100. The quickness and skill with which these checkouts and all normal theater upgrading were completed reflect great credit upon the Operations Section and the entire squadron. As of 31 December 1968 all squadron pilots are operationally ready and only four recent arrivals are not day and night alert qualified.

(U) The pilot turnover continued this quarter with five new pilots assigned and eight departing for a net loss of three pilots. Buzzard pilots presently average 670 hours in the F-100. This increase from the 640 hour average of the third quarter is due primarily to the loss of many young experienced wingmen and does not truly reflect an increase in combat experience. With the advent of the *** directive dated 4 December 1968, on limited element lead qualification, the squadron found itself with an excellent ration of 19 lead qualified pilots to seven wingmen. The immediate benefit of this status has been the flexibility that it gives our scheduling officer and the boost in the morale of the previously "hard core" wingmen.

(U) The aggressiveness of the Buzzards was exemplified by the way squadron commitments were accomplished. Although enemy activity during this period was generally light, the Buzzards were most capable and willing to strike under any circumstances. Their aggressiveness in combat continued to be recorded through a large number of awards and decorations for both assigned and attached pilots. A summary of all awards and decorations submitted and received during the quarter may be found in attachment 9.

(C) Continued accuracy of enemy ground-fire, combined with the Buzzards extraordinary aggressiveness resulted in the 510th Tactical Fighter Squadron achieving the dubious distinction of receiving more battle damage than any other squadron in the Wing. On the 1794 combat missions flown, 21 aircraft sustained significant battle damage, but with no aircraft losses. In all cases, the damage was a result of hostile fire and the efforts to reduce these figures***

(C) With the advent of the dry season, 7th Air Force directed that when feasible, lead aircraft on III and IV Corps missions would carry low drag bombs in place of high drags. The objective was to reduce the exposure to the enemy ground fire envelope. The program was ret with mixed emotions by the pilots since most felt it would degrade their ability to support troops in contact. However, the idea sees to be very sound since there has actually been very little reduction in flexibility and statistics have shown that the vast majority of battle damage is being sustained by the wingmen delivering napalm in the high exposure envelope close to the ground.

(C) During the second week in December the Buzzards began a test program dropping their external fuel tanks and carrying six stores of ordnance. Presently we are the only F-100 squadron in SEA to be configured in this manner. Initial tests have been very satisfactory with enthusiasm from the forward air controllers very high, although our effective operating area has been reduced to about a 100 nautical mile radius. Some experimentation with daily refueling has been done and the possibility of striking deep into IV corps with a tanker hook-up looks promising. As a result of the refueling tests, we are the only squadron in the wing whose pilots are current in air to air refueling.

(C) During the first two months of the quarter the Buzzards made every effort to support the new RAFCOM by making *** recoveries when at all possible. With the dust and haze problem that normally accompanies the dry season, the Wing benefited in two ways. First, the *** approach is safer and provides a *** traffic flow for the tower. Secondly, the extra approach helps increase the proficiency of the *** and the pilots. Also, Ten Son Nhut does not get unexpected F-100's on their runway in the middle of the night. Rumor has it that this happened to a highly experienced, slightly embarrassed Buzzard. After the beginning of the six store test in December, the 510th utilization of RAFCON dropped off due to fuel considerations.

(C) This quarter saw an increase in the support and suppression missions flown in conjunction with the Ranch *** C-123's. These missions are the most enjoyable day frag sorties flown. On several occasions formations of eight or more Buzzard aircraft suppressed extremely hot targets. The only hit the Ranch received while being supported by the Buzzards was a long CBU-2 pellet that hit *** Alpha Load on a 22 November mission. The Buzzards presented the Ranch crew a bottle of Champagne as a peace offering during the flight debriefing.

(C) During this quarter the squadron flew an increased number of Sky Spot missions and after the start of the six store test the number of ME-117 bombs dropped on each mission increased from eight to twelve significant increase but the pilots still do not feel we warrant any SAC silver stars.

(U) It was extremely gratifying to see the cooperation and diligence displayed by the operations and maintenance staffs during this period. It can be truly said that the maintenance and munitions staff under the direction of Major James C. McCoin, FR***, Captain Leslee ***, FR61851, and Captain Ben D. Booker, FV3135475, reached a new plateau of effectiveness during the period. Squadron commitments were met easier with smoothness and skill previously unknown.

(U) The Maintenance Section directed by Major McCoin was reorganized into three flights instead of the previous two. With a influx of more experienced NCO's and the benefits of our aggressive OJT program the quality of service rendered Buzzard pilots has never been higher. The new men soon became aware of the fact that they were Buzzards and they take pride in the association. On numerous occasions, Buzzard aircraft were flown by pilots over other fighter squadrons in the Wing because our aircraft were available and theirs were not.

(U) At the end of the quarter that 510th Tactical Fighter Squadron has 21 aircraft assigned with 18 possessed. All aircraft have completed the Center Wing Box (MOD 1028) modification. Two aircraft completed IRAN at Tainan, Taiwan during the quarter.

(U) The Buzzard Phase Docks performed 45 phase inspections during this period. Each aircraft was lost from the flying schedule for an average of 40 hours while in phase. TSgt Wimsett, AF17384209, the Dock Chief was faced with a backlog of aircraft when he took over in October, but through a program worked out with line chiefs, the Buzzard aircraft phase inspections have reached a smooth flow allowing for better utilization of Dock time and facilities.

(U) The OJT program continued to be the number one among the operational units. Major Eugene F. Mill, FR65146, was put in charge of the OJT program in October when Captain Corl*** was sent TDY and subsequently *** to 7th AF. Of the 36 men on OJT, 18 were tested and upgraded. It is only through *** and emphasis paced on this program by the Commander through all echelons that the Buzzards can maintain their top rating.

(U) In our Civic Action program, the squadron blessed Christmas cheer on 40 Vietnamese orphans with gifts and ice cream. The squadron also distributed 12,500 lbs of gifts donated by Eastern Airlines to the VNAF. These gifts were for a Christmas party for some 4000 Vietnamese children. The 510th has for some time supported four high school students in the Bien Hoa area.

(U) Aside from mission achievements, the 510th personnel have accomplished another almost impossible feat. We have come as close as possible in making our squadron and crew quarters a nice home away from home. Our squadron building has wall to wall carpeting, soft leather chairs, beautiful mahogany paneled walls and complete stereo system, all paid for with private funds.

(U) We invite all historical date readers to visit the 510th Tactical Fighter Squadron and witness the many prized accomplishments of the "Buzzards of Bien Hoa." Last, but the "Most" important to all "Buzzards" is that we bring to a close a very historical year with the statement, "We have completed one year of accident free flying."

Ordnance Expended
Weapon	Oct	Nov	Dec	Total	Duds	Tons	Cost
MK82 (HD)	584	208	462	1,254	35	346.1	480,595.72
MK82 (LD)	119	350	559	1,028	18	272.4	298,171.40
M-117 (HD)	208	168	180	556	8	244.6	348,973.40
M-117 (LD)	402	833	1,004	2,239	33	929.2	901,421.49
BLU-27 (NAP)	604	766	1,005	2,375	78	1,033.1	643,268.75
CBU-2	6	28	14	48	0	19.9	115,968.00
CBU-12	2	14	10	26	0	10.7	45,760.00
CBU-24	14	36	32	82	7	34.0	248,624.00
LAU-3 (RK-PD)	58	8	97	161	0	42.4	178,710.00
20MM HEI	143,100	115,410	118,600	377,110		188.6	923,919.50

Mission Results
	October		November		December
Target	Destryd	Damgd	Destryd	Damgd	Destryd	Damgd
Structures	491	383	448	431	405	295
Sampans	129	57	134	30	77	35
Bunkers	397	118	457	174	571	184
Bridges	4	0	0	8	4	2
Automatic Weapons Positions	0	0	12	0	1	0
Rocket Launch Sites	0	0	0	0	0	0
KBA	37	42	64	39	73	127
Secondary Explosions	17	0	37	0	72	0
Secondary Fires	25	0	103	0	29	0
Meters of Trenches	1,150	128	1,1912	270	565	0
Tunnels/Caves	6	0	32	16	8	21
Foxholes/ Fighting Positions	4,037	0	34	0	0	0
Road Cuts	0	0	4	0	0	0
Supply Caches	2	0	1	0	0	1
Spider Holes	0	0	0	0	0	0
US Helicopters	0	0	0	0	0	0
Trunks	0	0	0	0	0	0

SECTION III - MISSION

The mission of the 510th Tactical Fighter Squadron during the period 1 January 1969 through 31 March 1969 has been to supply combat ready aircrews to the 3rd Tactical Fighter Wing. The latest mission of the 510th Tactical Fighter Squadron in support of the 3rd Tactical Fighter Wing has been to conduct combat operations against the Communist Viet Cong and/or Democratic Republic of Vietnam insurgents as directed by Headquarters 7th Air Force, and to assist and cooperate with the VNAF units assigned at Bien Hoa Air Base toward this end.

SECTION V - EQUIPMENT
A. AIRCRAFT 21 F-100's Assigned 19 F-100's Possessed 3 IRAN	B. WEAPONS (INCLUDING MISSILES) N/A
C. ELECTRONICS N/A	D. OTHER N/A Group 4 - Downgrade at 3 year Intervals: Declassified after 12 years

(U) "Buzzards of Bien Hoa", the gold-plated squadron for the United States Air Force, flew 1817 combat sorties against the Communist Viet Cong and those insurgents presently engaged in aggressive actions in the Democratic Republic of Vietnam during the period 1 January 1969 to 31 March 1969. Squadron achievements indicated continued high levels of morale and teamwork among operations and maintenance personnel. The attachments to this report contain a summary of sorties flown, ordinance delivered, battle damage assessments, awards received, and personnel turnover.

(C) Viet Cong activity throughout III and IV Corps was once again characterized by surges in intensity. The Viet Cong's erratic offensives were primarily caused by large losses in supplies and crucial cuts in communication lines, which were apparent in this year's TET offensives. During this period Bien Hoa Air Base came under 4 separate rocket and mortar attacks plus a few small enemy ground assaults. The largest enemy ballistic attack occurred on 23 February 1969, when Bien Hoa was hit by 54 rockets and mortars. Fortunately, 510th TFS personnel only suffered common bunker bruises and most of our equipment was spared any damage except for our expeditor truck. It now has a couple of busted windows from small arms ricochets.

(U) Buzzard Operations continued to prove they are the best organized staff in the 3rd Tactical Fighter Wing. It is getting to be a common occurrence that new pilots are operationally ready fourteen days after arrival. As of 31 March 1969, all squadron pilots are operationally ready and only two recent arrivals are not day and night alert qualified.

(U) The professionalism of the Buzzard Operations staff, both past and present, is exemplified by the excellent flying supervision over the last two years. The 510th TFS have been recommended for an flying safety award for the period 1 January 1967 to 31 December 1968 where over 18,000 combat hours and over 14,000 sorties were flown without an accident.

(U) The pilot turnover for this quarter has shown five new pilots assigned and ten departing for a net loss of five pilots. Only five pilots departed for assignments outside Vietnam as shown in attachment 9. Of those five, 1lt Andrew R. Fornal, FV3195040, left suddenly with a shattered knee cap caused by his motorcycle sliding in loose gravel. Of the other five, two are presently Misty FAC's at Phy Cat, two are assigned to 7th Air Force at Tan Son Nhut Air Base and Major Arthur E. Huhn, FR53227, was reassigned to the 90th TFS as Squadron Commander.

(U) There were notable staff changes in the 510th TFS this quarter. Lt Col David P. Proctor Jr., FR45168, assumed command of the 510th TFS from Lt Col Robert H. McIntosh, FR22267, 1 February 1969. Lt Col McIntosh departed for an assignment as Assistant Deputy of Operations at Wheelus AFB, Libyia. Major Harrell M. Moore, FR3025760, replaced Major Huhn as Operations Officer; Major Craig E. Humphrey, FR3004696, replaced Major Moore as Assistant Operations Officer and Captain Leonard H. Moon, FR75694, replaced Captain Leslie R. Drane Jr., FR61851, as Flight Line Maintenance Officer.

(U) Operations and Maintenance continued their excellent teamwork. Maintenance presented Operations with an average of ten operational ready birds each day and Operations was flexible with an excellent ration of 14 qualified lead pilots and seven wingman. This resulted in a high level of morale among pilots who averaged 23 missions per man per month.

(U) The excellent morale of the Buzzards and their traditional aggressiveness was apparent by the way squadron commitments were accomplished. Although enemy activity during this period was generally light, the weather was not. Quite often haze and smoke was a greater problem than enemy groundfire, but the Buzzards were most capable and willing to strike under any circumstances. As a result, BDA counts were high and it was only appropriate that a Buzzard should win the first "Top Gun" award in the 3rd TFW. When the envelope was opened, SFDD, Captain Lawrence K. Irving, FR71824, was a Top Gun. Other Buzzards also showed their aggressiveness in combat with a large number of awards and decorations being recorded for both assigned and attached pilots. A summary of all awards submitted and received during the quarter may be found in attachment 10.

(C) There were no aircraft lost to enemy groundfire, but 7 aircraft sustained significant battle damage for the lowest percentage in the Wing. In all cases, the damage was a result of hostile fire and supervisors are continually trying to reduce the number of hits with emphasis on proper tactics. Emphasis is on using ten degree deliveries rather than level in all cases other than CBU runs.

(C) As of 21 January 1969, the 510th TFS completed a 42 day period for six store configurations with un-astonishing results. BDA counts did not increase as our range was limited to relatively bombed out areas of III and northern IV Corp. The Mango refueling track was tried, for greater distance capability but flights with full onloads got to targets with about the same fuel they would have had without refueling. Nearly all targets were closer to Bien Hoa than to the Mango refueling track.

(C) The FAC's were happy to hear six bombs per aircraft, but the ground commanders and other target controlling agencies did not understand the fuel consumption of an F-100. Thanks to VFR, weather that bingo fuel could be pushed to help out the troops in contact. Anyway the tanks are reinstalled for distant targets and for loiter time in RAPCON was saturated during IFR weather.

(U) Buzzard maintenance and munitions has continued as one of the squadron's finest assets in accomplishing our commitments. Under the direction of Major James C. McCoin, FR71683, Captain Leslie R. Drane Jr., FR61851, and Captain Ben D. Booker, FV3126275, maintenance and munitions teamed up for the highest effective sortie rate in the 3rd TFW. The 510th has the highest reliability rate in Wing history for March 1969. Only two ground aborts and no air aborts.

(U) The 510th TFS has consistently had the best turnaround rate on alert aircraft ever since Major McCoin assumed command of our Maintenance Section. Also the 510th TFS has generated and flown 80 percent of the 3rd TFW's squadron alerts.

(C) Munition loading crews were faced with Munitions Standardization evaluation team visits during this period. From a MSET visit in January, the 3rd TFW was found unsatisfactory, but by February all 510th load crews were recertified for loading operations under new PACAF standards. All following visits and inspections results were satisfactory. In March, 510th TFS munitions had certain individuals certified to arm and dearming transient aircraft.

(C) At the end of the quarter the 510th TFS had 2 1 aircraft assigned with 19 possessed. All aircraft are center Wing Box modified and several are being modified for dropping all bombs singlely (Mod 1032). Presently two aircraft are at IRAN at Tainan, Taiwan.

(U) The OJT program directed by Major Eugene F. Miller, FR65146, has grown from a satisfactory program to one of the best in the Wing. The overall SKT passing rate has risen from 50% to over 80%, which is above the Air Force Standard of 65%. The increased passing rate is largely a result of classroom instruction instituted for our aircraft mechanics (43X career field). Also supervised study periods are used for our weapons mechanics (46X career field).

(U) A total of 22 people have been upgraded to 3 and 5 skill levels during this period compared to 13 last period. Such an increase maybe due to an air conditioned classroom installed in January.

(U) Compared to past history reports, this period was just as productive even though enemy activity has slackened. In some ways this period was kind of dull as we continued to excel in everything as the best of the 3rd Tactical Fighter Wing, the "Buzzards of Bien Hoa".

Ordnance Expended
Weapon	Jan	Feb	Mar	Total	Duds	Tons	Cost
MK82 (HD)	510	448	76	1,034	29	289.5	401,463.22
MK82 (LD)	440	250	364	1,054	10	279.3	299,911.70
M-117 (HD)	316	62	510	888	35	390.7	57,353.20
M-117 (LD)	1,156	726	664	2,546	59	1,056.2	1,024,019.60
BLU-27 (NAP)	818	536	816	1,972	63	857.8	432,440.00
CBU-2	14	38	12	64	4	26.6	154,624.00
CBU-12	0	0	4	4	0	1.7	7,040.00
CBU-24	6	22	20	48	7	2.9	145,536.00
LAU-3 (RK-PD)	10	62	66	138	0	36.4	153,186.00
20MM HEI	119,700	133,200	166,900	419,800	-	209.9	1,028,515.00

Mission Results
	January		February		March
Target	Destryd	Damgd	Destryd	Damgd	Destryd	Damgd
Structures	206	176	241	224	382	329
Sampans	45	22	42	20	71	38
Bunkers	530	226	497	198	591	165
Bridges	0