Viewing page 77 of 86

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

[[image - formation of C-119 airplanes flying over the Monument to Democracy]]

Framed by the Monument to Democracy at Bangkok, a formation of C119's perform at "Firm Link"

War II he commanded the 36th Troop Carrier Squadron, which phased in the Fairchild C-82, and he and his staff made recommendations for modification of the aircraft which was to develop into the C-119.

Operations of the "Can Do" 315th are many and varied, and include everything from running a regular passenger-mail-cargo schedule and an all-cargo schedule to para-dropping men and equipment of the Far East and UN commands in training exercises, delivery of fresh meat and vegetables to troops in remote areas of Korea and elsewhere, airlift of entire units whose assignments are changed by the exigencies of the moment, and DDT spraying operations. Planes and air crews of the 315th are familiar sights at air bases large and small from the Aleutians to Indochina.

The Cargo Only airlift has been especially effective in reducing the AOCP rate in the Far East, according to Gen. Waldron. C-119's employed in this activity carry only AOCP and high value items on the outbound flights, and pick up reparables at all major airfields on their return trips. Virtually all of the air evacuation of war casualties from Korea was performed by aircraft of the division. Planes were flown to Korea fully loaded with armament or supplies and then quickly converted to the evacuation mission. The 315th also participated in the prisoner repatriation flights in Korea and in the evacuation of French troops from Indochina during the fighting there.

Early in the Korean conflict the 315th air-dropped an entire regimental combat team and all its vehicles, supplies, field artillery, weapons and ammunition near Munsan to cut off a Red retreat. Other spectacular air drops and the supplying of food and equipment to ground and air force units were part of the day's work for the 315th.

More recently, the division airlifted units of the 18th Fighter-Bomber Wing to Taiwan (Formosa) when that island refuge of the Chinese Nationalists appeared in danger of invasion by Communist Chinese forces, and last October the 8th Fighter-Bomber Wing was transported from its home station at Itazuki, Japan, to Kunsan, near Seoul, where they picked up the personnel and equipment of the 5th Communications Group and moved it to Komaki, Japan.

Early this year nine C-124's and 49 C-119's of the 315th participated in Operation Firm Link at Bangkok, Thailand-an operation designed to demonstrate the mobility and efficiency of force of the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization-and raised the level of respect for the US by executing a perfect drop of paratroops and heavy equipment before an audience of 400,000 Thais.

After living with the men and officers of the 315th at Tachikawa and Ashiya for a few days, it is easy to see why they have excelled in their airlift mission. Morale and enthusiasm are high all the way down the line. Men and officers know both the "how" and "why" of their assignments-and this applies whether they be cooks or air crew members.

At Ashiya, for example, Col. Stanton makes it practice to regularly appear before units under his command to report personally on the current situation and to explain how the unit and the individuals involved fit into the complex Far East picture.

[[image - Pegasus]]

Page 9