That flight SUCKED., but at least I got out of that chit hole. It was a time when the U.S. was quietly increasing its presence in Vietnam, sending advisers and equipment, such as those on Flight 739, to bolster the government of the Republic of Vietnam against the VietCong insurgency. Sweet Jesus, I was back in the USA ; Really hurt thinking about that after I was out in the field for a couple of weeks on c-rations. From 1979 to 1980 the Flying Tiger Line passed Pan Am to become the world's number one air cargo carrier. Top Rated Seller. It wasnt delivered, Kirk said. The Army did pay out life insurance for Donald, but it was only $264. Opens in a new window or tab. Thank you all. Thank you Flying Tiger! Arrived Travis in daylight and was struck by the absence of bomb craters from my aerial view. I just stood there in my bedroom looking out the window for a very long time,saying to myself Did that really happen??? Not only told to leave, but not to come back. Flying Tiger aircraft were getting old and worn, but their flight attendants were still top notch. between heaven and hell. During the last minutes of each flight, the women remember, the cabin would become eerily quiet. Breen wanted to travel and supported the war she believed then that it was about fighting communism and after she saw a Flying Tigers want ad in The Chronicle, she soon found herself in flight attendant school, wearing the Tigers uniform of a grayish-blue skirt suit with black pumps and white gloves. Now going to the USA which I had forgotten about. Some say it was sabotage, she said. Sixty years ago, as the U.S. was becoming more involved in the opening salvo of the Vietnam War, a Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation was making its way west. $375.00. Gotoff the jet and was greated by relatives. I know that I should have written to her while I was in Vietnam, but like things go I had more important thoughts on my mind such as surviving and looking out for my men. For some the experience changed their political beliefs, although they tried to keep politics off the plane. I was so wrapped up in my own personal trauma that I thought they were being so nice because they were paid to, not because they wanted to. 15 March 1962: Flying Tiger Line Flight 7815/13 was a chartered flight for the Military Air Transport Service (M.A.T.S. Adding their names to the Vietnam wall alongside their 58,318 brothers and sisters who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Vietnam War is a fitting tribute to these men and a reminder to all of us that our freedom is oftentimes secured by men and women who serve in silence, said Joe Reagan, director of military and veteran outreach for Wreaths Across America. Onboard were 107 people, all of whom remain missing as the aircraft was never found after its disappearance. It would be the first of a list of expected things that wouldnt materialize for the family, according to Kirk. The flight attendants, although very young themselves, couldnt believe how young the troops were just 17 and 18 in some cases. A little over an hour later, it was expected to reach the coordinates of 140N 1350E. This was a very good and interesting article. Joe Namath, Jim Otto, and, Marv Fleming on our returning flight after spending time visiting the wounded Vietnam soldiers at several hospitals. Opens in a new window or tab. The airline also played a major role in the construction of the Distant Early Warning Line, flying equipment to remote outposts in northern Canada and Alaska. To kill time many of us went to the Officers Club, with the flight attendants in tow, and proceeded to party. Travel the world, the ad said. Flying Tiger Line was ramping up operations in Vietnam, too, and it's believed maintenance standards dropped as a result of increased demand. Because they were young and energetic, they could work a 5-hour flight from Japan to Vietnam, spend an hour on the ground, turn around and fly 5 hours back to Japan, then take a quick shower and then go out dancing at a go-go club. . It began on Christmas Day, 1950, with Operation STEM, America's Special Technical & Economic Mission, the cover for . AU $196.32 20% off + AU $5.80 postage. Opens in a new window or tab. With the Boeing 707s supplemented by Canadair CL-44s, Flying Tigers supplied U.S. military forces and became the largest carrier of cargo in the Pacific. changed me for the better many moons ago. I know there were bad times but your article brought back memories I forgot I had. The aircraft was lost and no part was found in spite of one of the most extensive searches ever conducted in the history of aviation, ICAO said. Prices and availability are subject to change. Breen went from being gung ho about the war to suspecting the government was lying and thinking the war was a mistake. He was pulled back in on a special mission, handpicked by [President] John F. Kennedy, Kirk said. a light greenish blue ATDB.aero shows that it spent most of its career at Flying Tiger Line, but did also serve Lufthansa on a leased basis. On board the Constellation were 11 crew members and 96 passengers, 93 of whom were U.S. Army soldiers specialized in electronics, communications, and sharpshooting. With four Rolls Royce engines that developed 5,700 horsepower, it cruised at 375 miles per hour, carrying up to 60,000 pounds of cargo over a range of 3,000 miles. Operated primarily on transpacific military contract routes, the planes carried 73,000 pounds of freight at 550 miles per hour over a 3,000 range. Flying the Freedom Birds Airlines and the Vietnam War Freedom Bird. Until now, I mostly ignored the efforts of these people (especially the attendants they saw, heard & felt all of it). I remember the silence upon arrival and cheering when wheels went up leaving. Top 50 best listed companies in Vietnam. An aspect of nowhere, As the war worsened, and the airline continued hauling scared young men into Vietnam and bringing broken men out, the Flying Tigers crews found themselves wrestling with anger, confusion and sadness. I spent one year there and flew 15 missions in Vietnam, 8 north and 7 south. I for one of many of us flew Tiger Airlines going and coming. Based in Norwich, UK. Despite her personal beliefs, Foster reasoned that nobody needed better care than men heading to a war or coming back from one, and she decided to sign on. US Army CNN The families of soldiers lost while taking part in a secret US mission during. Pre-Owned. Also those that returned with ptsd, most of us. Margi has been a Member of the Flying Tigers Club Board of Directors, and served as Club Secretary since May 2007. There was more to this exciting excursion. But the flight attendants realized that many were understandably scared. Others slept for hours, exhausted and often traumatized from their experiences in Vietnam. Never again! These men and their flight crew perished in what would become one of the biggest aviation. Landed in Saigon. This Is Your Captain by Reyne OShaughnessy, Flying Tiger Memories by Guy Van Herbruggen & Charles Kennedy, Tiger 747 by Guy Van Herbruggen/Charles Kennedy, DC-8 & The Flying Tiger Line by Guy Van Herbruggen & Charles Kennedy. That was not us, recalled Andee Reingold Wright, a San Francisco native who was 21 when she started with Flying Tigers in 1967. It was the first time I was truly surrounded around military men, and I was overwhelmed by their commitment and belief in their mission. I think it is great! Many airlines operated the flights, the most obvious being the Braniff, Continental, Pan Am, United, Seabord World etc 707s and DC-8s, as well as the smaller charter airlines like Universal I also understand the approaches into the airport there could at times be comparable to emergency descents - very rapid! From Singapore, there are three daily direct flights that arrive in Ho Chi Minh City. The plane very quiet, I only just sat there, silently , the flight home to Fort Lewis. I had read everything in sight that was in the pocket of the seat in front of me. Perhaps, I dont remember them because they were doing such a great job of quietly supporting each of us, letting us deal with our personal feelings in our own way. It was never seen or heard from again, despite an extensive search operation. The flight went missing while en route to Vietnam. Thank you for writing this story, it was way overdue. The aircraft operating the flight was a Lockheed L-1049H Super Constellation registered as N6921C. Flying Tiger Line flight 739 was a multi-leg charter service that originated at Travis Air Force Base in the US state of California. During the Korean War, Tigers planes provided air transport services for personnel and cargo from the west coast of the US to various military bases throughout the Pacific area. You have my deepest sympathy during this trying time. It was signed by Maj. Gen. J.C. Lambert, The Adjutant General of the U.S. Army. Over 20 families gathered in May to witness the unveiling of a new memorial in Columbia Falls, Maine, dedicated to the victims of Flying Tiger Line Flight 739. or Best Offer. Nothing about lithium batteries in here, but tigers did fly about every type of ammunition and explosives back in the day and it never caused an accident. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for FLYING TIGER AIRLINES - Patch - MAAG - 45th Transport - Early Vietnam War, #.561 at the best online prices at eBay! All deals. From Tokyo we flew to Anchorage where we were grounded another 18 to 20 hours due to a snow storm and for some reason, Anchorage did not have deicing capability. Journalist - A graduate in German, Jake has a passion for aviation history, and enjoys sampling new carriers and aircraft even if doing so demands an unorthodox itinerary. A keen amateur photographer, he also recently reached the milestone of flying his 100th sector as a passenger. I only wish that I could stand before these wonderful ladies. Sargent had already separated once from the service when he was coaxed back in to join the special unit. where we are found aloft Budd Conestoga Gen. -- Flying Tiger Line's first aircraft was the Budd Conestoga, an all -- stainless steel, rear--loading, twin--engine aircraft. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. The other airlines that that had the contracts to take service men to that war zone in South East Asia was Seaboard World Air lines it was rumored to be own by lady bird Johnson as she was on the Board of directors of Braniff International air ways and that they and Tiger Airlines got those troop movement contracts back in the day; The old boy network was in bed with the men sitting in the white house: Flying Tiger 707 (March 68) from Travis to Anchorage (refuel), on to Okinawa (refuel), and finally to Bien Hoa. Thank you and God Bless you all!!!! My return flight in 72 was on Flying Tigers that started out with engine problems on the ramp in Tan Son Nhut. And many didnt know what to think, caught between respect for the military and horror over the fates of the boys on their flights. Reply 29th Aug 2010, 11:32 Great article, spot on! The aircraft that disappeared was around five years old. I flew on Trans Carribiean twice from Travis and experienced the feelings described in the piece. Its such a part of history, and our own personal history.. The company said it needed flight attendants. Curtis Smith served to disbandment and afterward returned to the U.S. Marines. Sixty years later, theres still little trace that the lives of the servicemembers were even lost to the Vietnam War. Its ultimate destination was the Vietnamese city of Saigon, to which it was transporting 96 soldiers. I was old as dirt to them.. Indeed, having begun in November 1955, it wouldn't come to an end until almost two decades later, in April 1975. I know the feelings, having done the flights in 68 & 70. started from veterans of the world war two "flying tiger" fighter wing in china, these pilots saw a need to air deliver cargo in the far east. . Coming home was great while everyone mentions the cheering on wheels up on departure no one mentions the deafening silence as the aircraft started down the runway on departure until wheels up As I was sitting down one of my friends who considered himself a ladies man, smarted off to me Oh, you struck out too, didnt you? I told him that I had not asked for her address that she gave it to me. She has more than 20 years reporting experience, much of it covering aviation and defense issues. I remember the flight over and appreciate this article about those that made the trip over to Vietnam enjoyable despite apprehension and anxiety most of us 19 year olds carried with us. Did it really happen to me ?????!!! But my goal in life is that they will not be forgotten.. While in Alaska stopping and refueling I was only 1/2 way through a mountain of pancakes, sausage and eggs smothered with Maple syrup when they announce for all out bound corpsmen to report immediately for departure. Nearly two hours into the flight, the pilot radioed Guam with the aircrafts position, notifying air traffic control that it was on track to land in the Philippines shortly after 3 a.m. High over the Pacific, The Secretary of the Army has asked me to express his deep regret that your son Specialist Donald A Sargent was a passenger aboard a chartered aircraft that was reported missing while in flight over the Pacific Ocean on 15 March 1962, the telegram read. These men and their flight crew perished in what would become one of the biggest aviation. This presumed death toll made it the worst accident involving the Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation. Click on Links for More information About Each Plane. from Greece On December 22nd, 1968, a man-eating tiger stalked an American team - part of the 3rd Marine Recon Battalion performing a patrol near Quang Tri, Vietnam. Those were the days. I went and returned on a Flying Tiger plane and remember very well the sensitive and kind treatment from the stewardesses both directions. Was processed out of the Army at Fort Lewis, got a military standby flight for$11. Kimberly is managing editor of FLYING digital. She then asked me Why of all the Corpsmen/servicemen on this plane was I the only one that didnt ask for her address and telephone number? I told her that (1. And after the fall of Saigon in 1975, when the war ended, they remained connected. She very quickly wrote down something and gave it to me. Great article with great info, I remember in 1968 when I went. (1947 -- 1957), The acquisition of seven DC-6s represented the largest single purchase the airline industry had ever seen. During the Vietnam years the Flying Tiger Line also worked overtime for the US Postal Service. All rights reserved. Its variants seat 242 to 335 passengers in typical three-class seating configurations. She learned then that the Flying Tiger Line, also known as Flying Tigers, specialized in troop transports. Not a good way to start the year! Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Air Jet Advance Flying Tiger Cargo Airlines 1:200 B747 Freighter Model Airplane at the best online prices at eBay! Having climbed to a cruising altitude of 18,000 feet, the aircraft reported its position as being 1340N 1400E just under an hour and a half into the flight. I about cried having to leave half of what might have been my last meal. In the years during and after World War II, military veterans were given special preference to purchase or lease government surplus aircraft. When you went to school for Pan Am, they showed you how to do your makeup and your hair. The Stewardess came back after about 10-15 minutes and asked me Do you mind if I ask you a personal question? I told her No, not really.. Established at the end of the Second World War, Flying Tiger Line made history as the first US-based scheduled cargo-carrying airline. More on this later). From 1945 to 1989 Flying Tigers management, mechanics, office staff, flight attendants, pilots and crew members worked together to build an airline that became a legend. By 1949, the Flying Tiger Line had won approval for the first commercial all-cargo route in the U.S., according to an organization devoted to its history. In 1969, during the Vietnam War, a 21-year-old Seattle woman saw a job ad for a California cargo airline called the Flying Tiger Line that had a large presence in San Francisco. Daniel Dattpla IIFFV Original Party. Just reading this article brings tears to my eyes. Theyd usually start at Travis Air Force Base outside of San Francisco or McChord Field in Washington, picking up more than 200 fresh-faced, uniformed servicemen from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines. Next stop was Yokota Japan. 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