THE HISTORY OF THE 6 TH AIR COMMANDO SQUADRON …

WINGS AND WRENCHES:

THE HISTORY OF THE 6TH AIR COMMANDO SQUADRON

1967 TO 1969

A Thesis

Presented to

The Faculty of the Department of History

East Carolina University

In Partial Fulfillment

Of the Requirements for the Degree

Master of Arts in History

By

Arthur R. Halliday

July 2010

Abstract

WINGS AND WRENCHES:

THE HISTORY OF THE 6TH AIR COMMANDO SQUADRON

1967 TO 1969

By

Arthur R. Halliday

July 2010

This thesis examines the history of a United States Air Force fighter squadron created

during the Vietnam War. It focuses on the circumstances prior to the squadron¡¯s creation, the

selection of what was considered to be an obsolete propeller driven aircraft, the teamwork

established between the men who flew the aircraft into war, and those who provided round-theclock maintenance support seven days a week.

The demands of fighting a counter-insurgency war placed unforeseen pressure and

unexpected calls for close air support for friendly ground forces engaged with a determined

enemy. The study of the 6th Air Commando Squadron during the Vietnam War is an excellent

example of how the American military adapted to a tasking for which it had not planned for. It

brings insight into the success of the American individual and the concept of teamwork. By

understanding the 6th Air Commando Squadron and its accomplishments during the Vietnam

War, an understanding can be gained on how important teamwork is to success.

WINGS AND WRENCHES:

THE HISTORY OF THE 6TH AIR COMMANDO SQUADRON

1967 TO 1969

By

Arthur R. Halliday

July 2010

APPROVED BY:

DIRECTOR OF THESIS:

______________________________________________________

Dr. Michael Palmer

COMMITTEE MEMBER: ______________________________________________________

Dr. John Tilley

COMMITTEE MEMBER: ______________________________________________________

Dr. Gerald J. Prokopowicz

COMMITTEE MEMBER: ______________________________________________________

Dr. Carson Bays

CHAIR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY: ___________________________________

Dr. Gerald J. Prokopowicz

DEAN OF THE GRADUATE SCHOOL: _________________________________________

Dr. Paul Gemperline

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter One: Introduction

1

Chapter Two: The Douglas Skyraider

7

Chapter Three: Transition From Peace to War

22

Chapter Four: Operation Prairie Fire

46

Chapter Five: What Are Your Intentions?

70

Chapter Six: Mayday! . . . Mayday!

91

Chapter Seven: Challenges

109

Chapter Eight: Conclusion

132

Bibliography

139

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

During the 1960s, the Cold War pitted the Soviet Union and Warsaw Pact against the

United States and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. The Soviet Union dominated Eastern

Europe and influenced the United States to maintain a ¡°Europe-First¡± military and political

strategy. The Europe-first theme was held over from World War II and continued against the

threat of Soviet expansion. As the Soviet Union maintained a large military force and developed

improved modern fighters and bombers, the United States faced a possible direct challenge in

Europe. How to counter this threat led to constant reviews, political decisions, and for the

military, improvements of American weapon system capabilities.

Concern over growing Soviet military capabilities resulted in the United States¡¯ decision

to modernize its air forces with technologically advanced jet-powered aircraft. Improvements in

jet propulsion allowed the design and manufacture of more advanced and efficient weapons

systems. The higher speed of jet aircraft was believed to offer better combat performance,

especially in the interceptor role against the growing fleet of Soviet fighters and bombers.

World War II and Korea had dramatically shown the advantages of jet-powered aircraft. The air

arms of the United States military (Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, and Navy) all requested jetpowered aircraft to meet their needs. In most cases each air branch established specifications for

aircraft without consideration of possible needs of the other services. The immediate goal:

replace propeller with jet-powered aircraft. Where the Soviet military had superiority in number

of weapon systems, the United States depended on technology to offset numbers. However,

technology placed an enormous strain on national defense budgets. As new aircraft designs and

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