OLAA Operating Date 11-Sep-1970

Roster

ROSTER… 13 Men

Lt. Col. Melvin G. Swanson (Mel)
Maj. Albro L Lundy Jr. (Al)
Capt. John J. Wolcott (Jack)
Capt. Robert N. Senko (Bob)
Capt. Richard P. Kent III (Dick)
Capt. Edwin A. Gullion (Ed)
Capt. John V. Williams, Jr.
Capt. Levy M. Rentz, Jr. …Might have been on Leave or R&R?
1st Lt. Richard L Engel (Rich)
1st Lt. Larry R. Warren
1st Lt. Charles I Kasbeer (Chuck)
1st Lt. Thomas K. Stump (Tom)
1st Lt. Chris M. Tateishi … WHEN DOES CHRIS ARRIVE????

Question… Tom Stump has described flying with Chris Tateishi on Tailwind, but he does not show on the previous orders from 10Sep??????? He is on orders for Letter of Appointment duties on 18Sep70.

On This Date in OLAA History

This is the day that Operation Tailwind began and OLAA was called upon to muster its essential “moxie” from every man in the unit.  I would submit that this was the shining moment when OLAA clearly demonstrated the very fabric of the best of what the unit was.  From the humble silent beginnings of OLAA in Nov69 until the reality driven demise that would leave only faded memories some 13 months later, was Tailwind the highlight of our existence?  I think so.

On this date, a reluctant USMC command allowed HMH-463 to launch 4 of their shiny Sea Stallion, Marble Mountain Air Facility, based CH-53 helicopters and 12 Cobra gunships towards Dak To to refuel and begin Tailwind.  This was a “Prairie Fire Emergency” mission from start to end, as the final destination into the heart of the Bolaven’s Plateau would be the deepest ever Laotian penetration for a SOG force.  This was not just a SOG team but a Hatchet Force of some 136 men.  Interestingly, further info from FAC Gary Green revealed that the Marine RAG commander intentionally requested no Spad escort on day one “because they did this all the time at Leghorn”.  Leghorn was not 40 miles into the middle of Laos and their Stallions were filled with holes.  3 men were injured and returned to

1970 – September 11; UH-1P gunships of the 20th SOS “Green Hornets”, crew’s unkn, except it is known that Capt. Charles D. Svoboda (P) was on one of the gunships, supported, in extremely hazardous weather conditions, the rescue of a MACV SOG from deep in enemy held territory in RVN. The “Green Hornet” gunships were supporting VNAF H-34 “King Bee” slick helicopters during this extraction. No other details are known at this time. “Secret Green Beret Commandos In Cambodia” by Lt. Col. Fred S. Lindsey, USA (Ret.)

OLAA-ID: 306-1      
Flight Date: 11 Sep 70
Pilot: Richard Engel
Mission ID:
Tail # 780-H
Location:
Team Name:
Hours Flown: (1.00)
  
Remarks: Positioned to Bein Hoa for Alert Form 5 Confirmed w/Rich
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