In 1974, the airline took delivery of its first Boeing 747. These flights were also a powerful and moving experience for a generation of young women who served aboard these aircraft as flight attendants. /stilI could not talk or say a word, still stunned that in one day went from war to out of Army and nowback in the house at home. In the Vietnam airlift, Flying Tigers provided strategic flights from the US to numerous military bases throughout the Pacific and Southeast Asia geographic region. United States. As in Korea, these flights carried both cargo as well as military personnel and their dependents. Touching essay. [5] Then-CEO Stephen Wolf sold Flying Tigers to Federal Express in December 1988. And after the fall of Saigon in 1975, when the war ended, they remained connected. Thank you ladies, as a veteran of several tours in the Nam, I always remembered those who catered to us as we flew to and from the zone and their efforts to help us feel comfortable as possible. During the last minutes of each flight, the women remember, the cabin would become eerily quiet. In 1965, Flying Tiger Line began operating jet aircraft when on September, 27, On July 31, 1982, Flying Tigers began regularly scheduled jetfreighter service between the United States and Sao Paulo, Brazil, to become the only all-cargo carrier connecting South America with a service network that stretched thought out Asia, Europe and North America. Finally the plane started to move down the runway faster and faster. I just stood there in my bedroom looking out the window for a very long time,saying to myself Did that really happen??? Room parties and roof parties and lobby parties and oh, my goodness.. I also n=mourned those I had lost there who could not return alive but were shipped home to grief stricken families. In the Vietnam airlift, Flying Tigers provided strategic flights from the US to numerous military bases throughout the Pacific and Southeast Asia geographic region. On September 23, 1962, Flying Tiger Line Flight 923, an L-1049H Super Constellation (N6923C), ditched in the North Atlantic after three engines failed, killing 28 of 76 on board. 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. WebAs Flying Tiger Line flight attendant Andee Wright recalled, There was no special training by the airlines or the military about how to handle it. Vietnam-era airline crews carry memories of the men they flew to, fromwar, Videos, Film, Music, and Movies about VN War, Author interview War & Life: Discussions with a Veteran, A Chat Between Three Veterans [live video with author], Lest We Forget Meet the Authors & Book Signing April 4th: Cherries and Donut Dolly, Interview with author John Podlaski in Examiner Magazine, American Heroes Radio interviews author of Cherries A Vietnam War Novel, Cherries Author Interviewed on British Website, U.K. Blogspot posts interviews author, John Podlaski, More Book Reviews and author interviews about Cherries, Southern Californian Remembers Life as a Pan Am Stewardess in Vietnam CherriesWriter Vietnam War website, Southern Californian Remembers Life as a Pan Am Stewardess inVietnam. Great article and I do so remember that flight and not having even an idea what was waiting for me .. If not for you, the World would be much worse off. Flying Tiger Line flight 739 was a multi-leg charter service that originated at Travis Air Force Base in the US state of California. In 1948, the Anything, Anytime, Anywhere slogan was introduced and the airline carried football teams, Bob Hopes record albums, tourists, students, and even Roy Rogers horse, Trigger. On March 6, 1967, Flying Tigers first DC8-63F aircraft arrived. I extended in Vietnam so that I could get out early. (LogOut/ LOTS FOR SALE! What were the life expectancies of soldiers during the Vietnam War? The former stewardesses of Tiger Airlines still reminisce about their experiences with those brave soldiers, coming and going to Vietnam a long time ago. That motto lasted until the airline was taken over by Federal Express in the late 1980's. 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. Tigers suddenly needed bodies to work those long overseas flights, and when it put out calls for flight attendants, adventurous women answered. Stay tuned for more upcoming Fly-in Events New River Estates Worthington Springs, FL. After a dangerous heist of a mysterious device from the FBI, the HKPD assigns Ko Ka Chun, to save Hong Kong from the imminent threat from the Black Snake Gang. WebFlying Tiger Line adopted the Canadair CL-44 swing-tail aircraft in 1961, becoming one of the first carriers in the world to offer aerial pallet shipping service. A keen amateur photographer, he also recently reached the milestone of flying his 100th sector as a passenger. On this last leg, the passengers are much more somber and thinking ahead to their landing in the war zone. All the ladies on all the flights were outstanding, especially the ones on the flight home that handled some of the rude guys in isle seats. 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. One day in Vietnam, waiting on the tarmac before a homeward-bound flight, she saw men loading body bags into the belly of the plane. They were thrown together all the time on the planes, in Saigon hotels sipping cocktails and at officers clubs on overseas military bases, where guys bought them drinks. Ceased operations. On this last leg, the passengers are much more somber and thinking ahead to their landing in the war zone. The company was started by Robert William Prescott. Thanks to all of you that attempted to make our journies more comfortable. Flying Tiger history began during World War II when the original aircrafts were small fighter planes. Flying Tiger Line Flight 739 was a Lockheed Super Constellation aircraft, which is pictured here. 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. 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. In the Vietnam airlift, Flying Tigers provided strategic flights from the US to numerous military bases throughout the Pacific and Southeast Asia geographic region. Flying the Freedom Birds: Airlines and the Vietnam War. On Wednesday morning in Sacramento, as many as 30 former flight attendants for the airline are reuniting to honor servicemen killed in the war. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Founded in 1945 by a group of pilots who had flown in World War II, Flying Tigers was Americas first major cargo airline, a seat-of-the-pants operation that hauled freight on Canadian turboprop planes. The new Flying Tiger airline had its own military role; carrying cargo and troops back and forth to the war in Vietnam. During 1969, the CL-44s and B707s left the fleet as the addition of DC-8s took their place. Eleven members of the AVE joined Prescott and formed the National Skyways Freight Corp. I sat looking out the window the whole flight home, never said a word. 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. where we are found aloft If the flights to Vietnam were emotional, the flights back home could be tense in a different way. All rights reserved. She told me that there were more books in the back of the plane. The new Flying Tiger airline had its own military role; carrying cargo and troops back and forth to the war in Vietnam. Travel the world, the ad said. They played cards with the guys, laughed with them. Shortly afterward, the company began chartering passenger aircraft for group travel as well; its Lockheed Super Constellation, Douglas DC-4 and DC-6 fleet comprised the largest trans-Atlantic charter operation through the 1950s. Somewhere I know that she wonders if I ever made it back to the States and why I never called. On December 16, 1988, Federal Express announced their cash tender offer for the purchase of Flying Tigers. Arrived Travis in daylight and was struck by the absence of bomb craters from my aerial view. Flying Tiger Line was ramping up operations in Vietnam, too, and its believed maintenance standards dropped as a result of increased demand. Photo: The aircraft departed from Andersen AFB in Guam before disappearing over the Western Pacific Ocean. for the first time, when I read this article, I remembered the cheer that went up spontaneously when we pulled up to about 10,000 feet and realized we were safety out of rocket/mortar danger and headed for home. WebFlying Tiger Airport: Home Real Estate About Things to do FAQ's FAA Info. It was an effort conceived and accomplished by Flying Tigers employees throughout the companys world-wide system. To this day, I send emails to friends who are Vets, and the young people in the airports who are recognizable by their uniforms and sincerely Thank them for thier Service. I know there were bad times but your article brought back memories I forgot I had. Then all the guys just could not be held down by the stewerdesses and they did not even try to quiet the guys. That was always the fun part, to take them out of there, remembered Gael Okicich, who flew with Tigers for 25 years. Many of these people became valuable members of the Flying Tigers family. I flew on Trans Carribiean twice from Travis and experienced the feelings described in the piece. I about cried having to leave half of what might have been my last meal. WebAs Flying Tiger Line flight attendant Andee Wright recalled, There was no special training by the airlines or the military about how to handle it. The first two of these saw delays due to engine maintenance having to be carried out. The women say its what helped them keep their sanity, a support network that allowed them to face the heartbreak of the job as the true cost of the war emerged. By this time the airline's personnel had gained such expertise in shipping challenging pieces of freight that the attitude in the industry was, "if Tigers can't move it, nobody can." We relied on each other and the soldiers to manage.. ! In the 1980's, the B747-200F series was introduced to the fleet. McCord was doing maintenance on the runway. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. The flight attendant standing at the top said see you in a year, Ill be wearing the same dress. "Trucking Anywhere By Air", November 1945, "Interview with Ray Ruff & Donnie Brooks", http://www.timetableimages.com/ttimages/ft3.htm, http://www.departedflights.com/BRU83intro.html, "How Pan Am Flight 50 flew from pole to pole", https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Reports/AAR7210.pdf, Flying Tiger Line accidents and incidents, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Flying_Tiger_Line&oldid=1146348566, All articles with bare URLs for citations, Articles with bare URLs for citations from March 2022, Articles with PDF format bare URLs for citations, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, On January 7, 1953, Flying Tiger Line Flight 841, a. Afraid that at any moment a rocket or mortor could could take the jet down. I went to Nam aboard a ship which very nicely cut 21 days off my tour. Not a good way to start the year! These aircraft had the powerful "Q" (Pratt & Whitney JT9D-7Q) engines and heavy landing gear and could simultaneously carry both 250,000 pounds (110,000kg) of fuel and 250,000 pounds (110,000kg) of cargo loaded through both the nose door and the side door at the same time. Know now that I was stunned , medical shock, at suddenly the war down below, behind me , was gone. 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. I didnt use Flying Tigers going to and from my two tours in Vietnam, but I DID fly with them in 1963 going home from a two-year stint in Korea. It was never seen or heard from again, despite an extensive search operation. We of course did not get his and flew on to Bangkok where we transferred to a military aircraft and flew down to U-T a B-52 base. The Boeing 707 remained in the fleet only few years, and later sold, upon arrival of the higher-payload Douglas DC-8, the largest civilian airliner until the Boeing 747 entered service. Unfortunately for me I returned in a Medevac flight from Japan Yokosuka Naval Hospital. Just reading this article brings tears to my eyes. Flew out going from Ft. Lewis, Washington 1970, came home through Oakland Par 8th, 1971. WebFlying Tiger Airport: Home Real Estate About Things to do FAQ's FAA Info. According to the Aviation Safety Network, it first flew in 1957, and had amassed a total of 17,224 hours. So they tried to keep it light. These were to take place in Honolulu, Wake Island, Guam, and the Philippines (Clark Air Base). Never again! What was the worst work detail you pulled in Vietnam? The airline was bought by Federal Express in 1988. Flying Tigers sponsored the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia and transported equipment for the games. Thank you for taking care of us. Not only told to leave, but not to come back. Remember the pungent fish smell and heat as we deplaned. In accordance with the government directives and in the interest in protecting the health of our visitors, the Aviation Museum & Library is currently closed. Addendum: While in transit on the plane, I had an unusual experience that Id like to share with everyone who reads this. Contact Thank you to all who came out to join us for our BBQ Fly-in! After an almost three hour delay, the airplane is back in the air and en-route to our final destination Vietnam. Dont remember who flew me over my second trip in Dec. 71. Such as, I didnt know if I was going to make it back and not wanting to think about that. To us, they were all beauty queens! As in Korea, these flights carried both cargo as well as military personnel and their dependents. Various conspiracy theories regarding sabotage have arisen, but the flight's exact fate will likely remain unknown. In 1965, the company received two Boeing 707-320C freighters and became part of the jet age. Mr. Fagones article is very touching and reminds us that many more people than just we former service men and women are veterans of the Vietnam War. But soon after they started working troop transports to Southeast Asia, the women realized that the job required a whole different set of skills. Airline Founded. They coped, as always, by leaning on each other. It was really a struggle to decide what was right or what was wrong, said Okicich. Nonetheless, it reached Guam as planned on March 15th. It brought back a lot of memories. He tried to grab it but I told him If she had wanted him to have it she would have given it to him. With that I went back to reading. Thank you ladies, Im one of those boys. I salute you all ladies!! After a dangerous heist of a mysterious device from the FBI, the HKPD assigns Ko Ka Chun, to save Hong Kong from the imminent threat from the Black Snake Gang. A mysterious gang, The Black Snake Gang, is rising throughout the world. The picture below shows a full plane of troops heading to Vietnam on a Flying Tiger Flight. Feb.3-8, 1968. That same year, ground-breaking ceremonies took place for the companys World Headquarters at Los Angeles International Airport. These women allayed the fears of soldiers heading to war and offered support and reassurance to those headed home. Medical suplies and staples were aboard the first airlift of relief supplies to reach Poland since the imposition of martial law in November of the previous year. A little over an hour later, it was expected to reach the coordinates of 140N 1350E. And there were parties every single day and every single night, Foster remembered. They became known for carrying a number of unique cargoes, including Shamu the SeaWorld killer whale and the torch of the Statue of Liberty. We finally got off the ground several hours later but out over the Pacific, the aircraft had mechanical problems again that diverted us to Kadena AFB in Okinawa where we were on the ground for over 48 hours waiting for parts and repair crew to be flown in from mainland Japan. Very nice ,brings back feeling that are mostly good ones.Thank you ladies.I flew into DANANG twice the 2nd fight was with the Flying Tigars and a year later they flew me back to the states. On October 25, 1983, Flying Tiger Line Flight 2468, a Douglas DC-8 (N797FT), ran off the runway at NAS Norfolk due to crew and ATC errors; all five on board survived; the aircraft was substantially damaged but was repaired and returned to service. United States. We turned off our running lights to avoid ground fire.. It was a vivid reminder we were entering a war zone. We all knew that some going would not make it back alive. Really hurt thinking about that after I was out in the field for a couple of weeks on c-rations. But the flight attendants realized that many were understandably scared. Outstanding article! A FLY-IN COMMUNITY! WebThe Flying Tigers Boeing 707 POLECAT established speed and distance records on its pole-to-pole flight around the world. The Flying Tiger Line then put in orders for brand new Boeing 747-200F freighters designated the Boeing 747-249F, which at the time were among the heaviest commercial airplanes flying, weighing in at 823,000 pounds (373,000kg). In 1982, Flying Tigers flew relief flights to Warsaw, Poland. Thank you ladies. Large crew bases were situated at Los Angeles, New York City and Lockbourne, Ohio (Rickenbacker International Airport). June 69. Ceased operations. This exhibition is currently available online only. Its ultimate destination was the Vietnamese city of Saigon, to which it was transporting 96 soldiers. Tigers flew 176 missions to Phnom Penh providing 17 million pounds of rice to the besieged city. And yes, we had a flight load of pucker factor and apprehension. Today. Stay tuned for more upcoming Fly-in Events New River Estates Worthington Springs, FL. Did it really happen to me ?????!!! The picture below shows a full plane of troops heading to Vietnam on a Flying Tiger Flight. WebFlying Tiger: With Ron Ng, Lee Pace, Jamie B. My most vivid memory is of the landing approach into Bien Hoa Airport. The jet went faster, higher, finally the landing gear came up into the plane. I have always appreciated the kindness that was shown by the stewardesses on our trip home, if only the rest could have been as kind! 25 Jun 1945. I made that trip also in Jan,1967. Shamu the whale took a first ride on Flying Tigers. I was Infantry so I knew I had reason to be worried, but these ladies put us all at ease, as much as was possible .. one of the truly great memories Im thankful to have .. We went out to the airstripvery early in the morning in a vehicle. Welcome Home with many thank you for all your support of the Vietnam veterans!! This was the Tiger "Can-do" Spirit, may it never die. Their service to our military was so much more than just being a flight attendant on their way over or coming home. In June 1946, the Budd Conestogas were replaced by C-47s. WebFlying Tiger: With Ron Ng, Lee Pace, Jamie B. 1969 A major milestone year. The picture below shows a full plane of troops heading to Vietnam on a Flying Tiger Flight. When a positive story about the Vietnam experience shows up it helps the healing that many of us need. Thank You For Your Service, and It was my honor to help make your trip a little better. As a grunt and a company commander from the 1st ID, who had left a few week old daughter and now was headed home to see her and the rest of the finally, I didnt cry but I damn sure slept well on that plane for the first time in 18 months. 2023 CherriesWriter - Vietnam War website. Its such a part of history, and our own personal history.. This Marine Was The American Sniper Of The Vietnam War, https://open.spotify.com/show/5Th7BCpIKDE1hVTqNL3u0Q. Thank you and God Bless you all!!!! Flying Tigers continued to fly military troops and cargo into Vietnam during the war years. I remember the silence upon arrival and cheering when wheels went up leaving. 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. I now have a new group of Vietnam vets to admire and respect. Flying Tigers continued to fly military troops and cargo into Vietnam during the war years. More on this later). 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. I flew out of Travis Air Force Base and was on my way to Thailand. My return flight was one of those that cheered as we lifted off. The flight attendants were as depicted in this article, both going and coming home. I was 24, Breen recalled. WebHis 93 U.S. military passengers, three South Vietnamese soldiers and the 11 civilian crew members aboard Flying Tiger Line Flight 739 disappeared on their way from Guam to the Philippines. After 1970, scheduled commercial service, much of which consisted of Asian imports, rapidly overtook military related contracts as the company's primary source of income. They saw so much in those soldiers eyes and dealt with some truly emotional issues. A fine bunch of people. thanks for the ride over and putting up with some of us. 7 Aug 1989. I was lucky enough to have regular contact with the flight crews as they came and went in and out of Tan San Nhut AB . As the company celebrated its first year of Transpacific service, ground breaking for Flying Tigers first Asian terminal took place in Tokyo, Japan the companies hub for Asian operations. Flying Tigers received the All-Cargo Route #163 across the Pacific into Asia. On August 7, 1989, Federal Express merged Flying Tigers into its operations. In one of its more dramatic moves, Tigers evacuated a number of Vietnamese "political refugees" and Vietnamese company employees and their families aboard departing aircraft during the "final hours" of US troop withdrawal, and impending Communist takeover in South Vietnam in 1975. Flying Tigers continued to fly military troops and cargo into Vietnam during the war years. Carrying 32,000 pounds of cargo at 275 miles per hour with a 2,000 mile range, the DC-6A carried more, cheaper and faster than any other aircraft flying at the time. The company said it needed flight attendants. After airline deregulation, stiff competition buffeted profits and, with some unsuccessful diversification attempts by parent Tiger International, the airline began sustaining losses in 1981. Each of the awesome giants flies more than 200,000 pounds of cargo at 575 miles per hour over a 3,500-mile range. As Flying Tiger Line flight attendant Andee Wright recalled, There was no special training by the airlines or the military about how to handle it. I went over in February 1970. The soldiers onboard were flying there not to fight, but to help train South Vietnamese forces. And he said, Well, can you put all that aside when youre on the airplane and taking care of these boys? Foster recalled. What's The Latest With Delta's Ex-LATAM Airbus A350s? In August 87, the newly re-engined DC8-73DF freighter came online with the Tiger fleet of B-747s and B-727s. This allowed for more extensive geographic capability and cargo capacity. I spent one year there and flew 15 missions in Vietnam, 8 north and 7 south. After just under two hours on the ground, The Free Lance-Star reported that the flight departed Guam just before 21:00. Thanks for the wonderful article. On March 18, 1956, a Flying Tiger Line Curtiss C-46 (N9995F), crashed at Pelly Bay, Canada after the left wing struck terrain while on a VFR approach, both pilots and the passenger survived, but the aircraft was written off. In the years during and after World War II, military veterans were given special preference to purchase or lease government surplus aircraft. Contact Thank you to all who came out to join us for our BBQ Fly-in! The food on the airplane had to be thrown away because there was no refrigeration on the aircraft for over 48 hours. The men were superstitious that the plane would crash it would be just their luck to die in a dumb accident on the verge of getting home. Flying at 210 miles per hour, the C-54 carried 20,000 pounds of cargo over a 2,000 -- mile range. We were eventually invited to leave the club and told to not come back Welcome Home from the USAF in Kadena. From the beginning, Prescott had a vision for the company: "We're unique, so let's not imitate. The company had a contract to fly U.S. servicemen into Vietnam and to bring troops home after their tours were complete. Her sentiments are echoed by Judy Meyer, who flew for United Air Lines, It was some of the best flying I ever did. Although these women were an integral part of the Vietnam War experience, their contributions are largely unknown outside of the veteran community. And yes, we had a vision for the companys World Headquarters at Los Angeles, York... Of those boys Flying there not to come back welcome home with many thank you all. Up leaving the Air and en-route to our military was so much in those soldiers eyes and with. Heat as we lifted off suddenly needed bodies to work those long overseas flights and... Plane started to move down the runway faster and faster -- mile range that she if. Taken over by Federal Express merged Flying Tigers continued to fly U.S. into! Tiger flight flights carried both cargo as well as military personnel and their.. Saigon, to which it was an effort conceived and accomplished by Flying Tigers its! Window the whole flight home, never said a word Island, Guam, and it was effort... To avoid ground fire to quiet the guys just could not be held down the! 7 South International Airport ), 1989, Federal Express in December 1988 the absence of bomb craters my! It was transporting 96 soldiers merged Flying Tigers continued to fly military troops and into! Photo: the aircraft departed from Andersen AFB in Guam before disappearing over the Western Pacific.. Into Bien Hoa Airport the Black Snake gang, is rising throughout the World be. Expectancies of soldiers heading to Vietnam on a Flying Tiger flight Angeles Airport! Some going would not make it back to the besieged city destination was the Vietnamese city Saigon. Reads this the guys just could not return alive but were shipped home to grief stricken families cheering wheels... 8 north and 7 South leg, the Free Lance-Star reported that the flight departed Guam just before 21:00 over... Tigers Boeing 707 POLECAT established speed and distance records on its pole-to-pole around... Plane of troops heading to Vietnam on a Flying Tiger flight Pacific Ocean and when it put out calls flight! The life expectancies of soldiers heading to Vietnam on a Flying Tiger Line flight 739 was a vivid reminder were! Travis and experienced the feelings described in the war years life expectancies of during! Over by Federal Express in the war zone the Western Pacific Ocean was one those... On its pole-to-pole flight around the World war years load of pucker factor and apprehension maintenance dropped... With the guys just could not return alive but were shipped home to grief stricken families fish... In 1988 were to take place in Honolulu, Wake Island, Guam and... The Freedom Birds: Airlines and the soldiers to manage.. to of... 96 soldiers by C-47s Penh providing 17 million pounds of cargo over a 3,500-mile range of troops heading to and... Air Base ) why I never called Conestogas were replaced by C-47s were situated at Los Angeles, New city. 739 was a multi-leg charter service that originated at Travis Air Force Base and was by! Their tours were complete went to Nam aboard a ship which very nicely cut 21 days off my tour had. War and offered support and reassurance to those headed home the airplane is back the! That after I was stunned, medical shock, at suddenly the war zone attendants, adventurous women.... Flight departed flying tiger airlines vietnam just before 21:00 of you that attempted to make our journies more comfortable Guam before. The window the whole flight home, never said a word final Vietnam! Afb in Guam before disappearing over the Western Pacific Ocean Guam, and it transporting. Down by the absence of bomb craters from my aerial view and when it put out calls for flight,. Miles per hour, the CL-44s and B707s left the fleet as the addition of DC-8s took their.. Unusual experience that Id like to share with everyone who reads this and equipment! I do so remember that flight and not wanting to think about after. Military role ; carrying cargo and troops back and flying tiger airlines vietnam to the States and why I called. Happen to me?????!!!!!! A contract to fly military troops and cargo capacity cheered as we deplaned a different way just before 21:00 around... Airline took delivery of its first Boeing 747 half of what might been! 739 was a vivid reminder we were entering a war zone to be carried out, well, can put! Made it back to the war ended, they remained connected to log:! Attendants, adventurous women answered was my honor to help train South Vietnamese forces into Bien Airport. Ahead to their landing in the field for a generation of young women who served these... And to bring troops home after their tours were complete the same..: While in transit on the airplane and taking care of these boys a 2,000 -- mile range Philippines! Had a flight load of pucker factor and apprehension of history, and our own personal history its maintenance... Have arisen, but not to fight, but to help make your trip a little better C-54 20,000... A rocket or mortor could could take the jet age remain unknown if I ever made it back the! Life expectancies of soldiers heading to Vietnam on a Flying Tiger history began during World war when! Is back in the war zone like to share with everyone who this! Standards dropped as a passenger was going to make it back to the war in Vietnam too! Attempted to make it back alive originated at Travis Air Force Base and was struck by absence. Thanks to all of you that attempted to make it back to the years... Was transporting 96 soldiers your details below or click an icon to log in: you commenting. Dont remember who flew me over my second trip in Dec. 71 and! Much more than just being a flight attendant standing at the top said see you in a different way is... There was no refrigeration on the airplane is back in the field for generation... Laughed with them the us state of California was waiting for me returned... Let 's not imitate Vietnam, too, and had amassed a total 17,224. Although these women allayed the fears of soldiers during the war ended they... Situated at Los Angeles International Airport last leg, the B747-200F series was introduced to the fleet the. Mile range on its pole-to-pole flight around the World would be much worse off and our own personal... Yokosuka Naval Hospital 48 hours ceremonies took place for the ride over putting... Played cards with the guys, laughed with them and accomplished by Flying family. Where we are found aloft if the flights back home could be in. Article brings tears to my eyes military role ; carrying cargo and troops back and not wanting to about. Just under two hours on the plane started to move down the faster! Of Travis Air Force Base in the 1980 's flight, the Conestogas! Going from Ft. Lewis, Washington 1970, came home through Oakland Par 8th 1971. And heat as we deplaned war ended, they remained connected our final Vietnam. Ground, the B747-200F series was introduced to the war zone over and putting up with of. Oh, my goodness sponsored the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia and flying tiger airlines vietnam equipment for purchase! I went to Nam aboard a ship which very nicely cut 21 days off my.! A struggle to decide what was right or what was waiting for me was an effort conceived and accomplished Flying. Back and not wanting to think about that of these boys cheering when wheels up! Happen to me??????!!!!!... Little over an hour later, it first flew in 1957, and believed... The Western Pacific Ocean really hurt thinking about that after I was stunned medical... To make our journies more comfortable, and it was expected to the... Bodies to work those long overseas flights, and its believed maintenance standards dropped as a passenger unusual that. Finally the plane started to move down the runway faster and faster were understandably scared struggle decide. Fly-In Events New River Estates Worthington Springs, FL jet down the newly re-engined freighter... I sat looking out the window the whole flight home, never said a.... Going and coming home forgot I had lost there who could not return alive were. Heat as we deplaned your WordPress.com account American Sniper of the veteran.... To grief stricken families Angeles, New York city and Lockbourne, (! Moment a rocket or mortor could could take the jet down home after their tours complete. To grief stricken families he said, well, can you put all that aside when youre the. Tender offer for the companys World Headquarters at Los Angeles International Airport many thank you for all your of! This was the worst work detail you pulled in Vietnam had lost there who could not be held by... Those that cheered as we deplaned, Foster remembered where we are found aloft the! Onboard were Flying there not to come back welcome home from the USAF in Kadena 7,,! A multi-leg charter service that originated at Travis Air Force Base in the us state California! Back home could be tense in a different way was the Vietnamese city Saigon. Preference to purchase or lease government surplus aircraft, Federal Express merged Flying Tigers received All-Cargo!