Top Secret - OLAA - Operating Location Alpha Alpha
OLAA is a complicated subject matter and there are many misconceptions about its very existence. That seems to be the case for most all in-country A-1 operations centered on basing at Pleiku and Da Nang. I have no desire to wade into the controversies and rivalries that may or may not have existed between concurrent 56th SOW/Nakhon Phanom (NKP) Wing oversight with our in-country operations. Clearly, our OLAA operations were thrust on a Wing that was not prepared for such a situation. While our support in the beginning was well intended, the longer we existed the more we were misunderstood/mistreated and became a perceived burden. Anyone who understands USAF command structure will understand that the Wing rules with the final say and determinations of assigned risks. Fairness matters not, but OLAA was not to be taken lightly regarding anything MACVSOG (Military Assistance Command, Vietnam – Studies and Observations Group) required. Forget the Hawaiian MACV Command and remember that essentially SOG reported to the JCS (Joint Chiefs of Staff), so OLAA SOG missions came first and foremost. Even, that transitioned in the latter months of 1970 much to the detriment of the AO (Area of Operations) as OLAA was disbanded.
MACV-SOG Testimonial, Green Beret (John "TILT" Stryker Meyer)
John “TILT” Stryker Meyer (RT- Idaho ONE-Zero) “The one SOG air asset most feared by communist soldiers was the A-1 Skyraider, and quite rightly. They remained on station longer, carried more ordinance than any conventional asset, and the seats had to be specially designed to hold the big brass balls of SPAD pilots. The epitome of SPAD CAS was during Operation Tailwind when the NVA were massed and preparing to overrun the SOG Hatchet Force led by then-Capt. Gene McCarley. SPAD pilots Tom Stump and Chris Tateishi, managed to descend through clouds, found McCarley’s marker, and single-handedly broke the back of that massive wave attack. There are hundreds of SOG warriors – including indigenous troops, who lived through perils combat thanks to the verve and aviation skills of our fearless A-1 Skyraider pilots. I owe my life to them and will forever salute them.”John Stryker Meyer
