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By the time of the Vietnam War, the U.S. military had transitioned to jet aircraft. Yet leaders soon learned prop-driven planes could still play a role in counterinsurgency warfare. World War II-era Douglas B-26 light bombers proved effective in close air support and interdiction, beginning with Operation Farm Gate in 1961. Forty B-26s were remanufactured as improved A-26 attack aircraft, which destroyed hundreds of North Vietnamese supply vehicles on the Ho Chi Minh Trail in 1966-1969. The personal recollections of 37 pilots, navigators, maintenance and armament personnel, and family members, tell the harrowing story of B-26 and A-26 Air Commando Wing combat operations in Vietnam and Laos.
List of contents
Table of ContentsAcknowledgments
Introduction
Chapter 1. Operation Farm Gate
Farm Gate
Maury Bourne
Vietnam Memories: The B-26 Invader
Bruce Kramer
1st Air Commando Group: Vietnam 1963
Jack Williams
Night Scramble Mission
Andrew "Andi" Biancur
Captain Miles T. Tanimoto: A Hawaiian Hero's Tale
Kenneth J. Alnwick
Recollections of an Old Man: Photography from RB-26s and T-28s
Jimmy Phillis
Charley's Foot: One .30-Cal Bullet
Charles H. "Chuck" Holden
Mission with "Jumping Joe" Kittinger
George Rose
B-26-Bien Hoa, South Vietnam-1963-64
Joe Kittinger
War Story
Andrew "Andi" Biancur
A-26/B-26 Historical Notes
Tom Smith
On Mark Engineering: History
Robert B. Denny
B-26 to A-26: How Could We Not Love
John Sodergren
Chapter 2. Big Eagle
On Mark A-26-Nakhon Phanom, Thailand-1966-67
Joe Kittinger
The Loss of Nimrod
Harlan "Gene" Albee
Three Stories: 1st Air Commando Wing, 603rd Maintenance Sq. England AFB, Louisiana, 1966-1967
Ed Parker
Project Big Eagle
Randy Ryman
Setting Up Shop at
Randy Ryman
Back to Yesteryear
Lindsey Jackson
Chapter 3. Nimrod Combat Operations Out of NKP
NIMROD-King of the Trail
Capt. Michael J.C. Roth, USAF
Forward Air Controller Perspective: NKP Combat Operations
Jimmie Butler
Memorable Flight of Nimrod
Jimmie Butler
February 1967: A Sad Month for
Jimmie Butler
Trouble Over the Trail
James "Lee" McCleskey
Every Pilot's Nightmare
James "Lee" McCleskey
A Dangerous Hunt and a Close Call
James "Lee" McCleskey
A-26s-How We Kept Them Flying
Jim Galluzzi
Just Another Day at
Jim Galluzzi
"Maintenance Meanies"-12, "Flight Crews"-6
Mike Packard
A Night Flight with Saint Elmo
Jack Krause
Ferrying an A-26 to Nakhon Phanom RTAFB, Thailand
Bob "Pappy" Sears
Loss of Carlos, Bill, and Paul
Roger D. Graham
Loss of "Bo" Hertlein-Spirit of the Nimrods
Roger D. Graham
The Lima Site 85 Mission with Colonel Learmonth
Roger D. Graham
Friends for Life
Roger D. Graham
A-26 Flight Across the Pacific
Frank Nelson
Khe Sanh Day Mission
Frank Nelson
Joining the Air Commandos by Volunteering for Graduate School
William "Bill" Cohen
The Mysterious Silence of Zorro
William "Bill" Cohen
A Short Visit to an Enemy Gunnery School
William "Bill" Cohen
Batman and Robin Attack a Cave
Al "Batman" Shortt
Almost Toast-B-52 Attack
Al "Batman" Shortt
My A-26 Time at
Leon "Crazy" Poteet
Unforgettable Nimrod Missions
Tim Black and Bruce "Gus" Gustafson
Last A-26 Flight Out of
Jim Blanchard
"Ode to a Nimrod"
Anonymous
Chapter 4. Rosters and Squadron History Documents
Chapter 5. A/B-26 Memorial
Chapter 6. Lasting Impact and Legacy
Wife's Story
Dianne Graham
The Air Force Academy Plaque Ceremony
Roger D. Graham
A Daughter's Journey to Know Her Father
Carla Cruz-Curtis
Yes, Dear Lady, I Knew Your
Harry J. Bright
Letter to My
Major James Sizemore
"Operation Final Flight"-My Epiphany
Donald Vogler
A Special Day for "Special Kay"
Roger D. Graham
"From Liberty's View"
Kristine "Kristi" Graham Visage
Restoration of the A-26A "Special Kay" AF 17679
Jim Reynolds
Epilogue
About the Contributors
Index
About the author
Roger D. Graham is a 1963 graduate of the Air Force Academy, attorney, navigator-bombardier, retired Air Force colonel, retired Lockheed Martin attorney and author. He lives in Acworth, Georgia.
