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Runway Visions: An American C-130 Pilot's Memoir of Combat Airlift Operations in Southeast Asia, 1967-1968
In February 1967, Air Force Lieutenant Vaughan arrived at Ching Chuan Kang Air Base in Taiwan to begin 14 months as a C-130 Hercules pilot, airlifting supplies and troops throughout southeast Asia. Feeling well suited, Vaughan had volunteered for the duty, but little had he realized the pressure associated with flying the heavy cargo plane under combat conditions and taking off and landing on the short runways that dotted the Vietnamese countryside. Among his most harrowing duties was the aerial resupply of the Marine base at Khe Sanh during the most intense action of the Tet Offensive. This is the story of an Air Force pilot's progression from inexperienced flyer to veteran crew member and how he came of age under combat conditions.
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First published July 1, 1998
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
March 11, 2020
Compelling, well written.
I really enjoyed this book. There were times when it read like a list of airports which probably didn’t do justice to the reality of how intense flying into those strips was. But there were plenty of hair raising moments. Perhaps most compelling was the brief but somehow intense romances the author experienced. By the end I felt quite moved and can understand how he has spent his life since trying to understand that whole episode. Well worth the read.
I really enjoyed this book. There were times when it read like a list of airports which probably didn’t do justice to the reality of how intense flying into those strips was. But there were plenty of hair raising moments. Perhaps most compelling was the brief but somehow intense romances the author experienced. By the end I felt quite moved and can understand how he has spent his life since trying to understand that whole episode. Well worth the read.
March 22, 2023
Having read various memoirs from fast jet & heli pilots in Vietnam, I was interested in the airlift perspective.
This is not edge of your seat stuff like some other books but an interesting look at a transport pilots experience in a war zone and flying shuttle missions between various Asian bases. It is by no means boring, and I learned much about the C-130 operation.
The authors' downtime is covered visiting bars in Taiwan where the squadron is based and Bangkok with the associated female company encountered, but this is a small part, and the book is really about flying. Recommended to anyone with an interest in aerial operations in Vietnam or the C-130.
This is not edge of your seat stuff like some other books but an interesting look at a transport pilots experience in a war zone and flying shuttle missions between various Asian bases. It is by no means boring, and I learned much about the C-130 operation.
The authors' downtime is covered visiting bars in Taiwan where the squadron is based and Bangkok with the associated female company encountered, but this is a small part, and the book is really about flying. Recommended to anyone with an interest in aerial operations in Vietnam or the C-130.
February 25, 2019
Good book
Good read about vietnam trash haulers. Description on bases before build up as the war realistic. Liked the inject of the local Thai & Chinese talent.
C130s... Taking us into shit hole for over 50 years.
Good read about vietnam trash haulers. Description on bases before build up as the war realistic. Liked the inject of the local Thai & Chinese talent.
C130s... Taking us into shit hole for over 50 years.
October 17, 2016
Vaughan, a '62 grad from Michigan flew Hercs with Dave Risher before Risher was killed trying to land in bad weather. He also flew with a check pilot named Hennessey.
April 18, 2013
Review #1
In February 1967, Air Force Lieutenant Vaughan arrived at Ching Chuan Kang Air Base (the “CCK” I had always hear about) in Taiwan to begin 14 months as a C-130 Hercules pilot, airlifting supplies and troops throughout southeast Asia. Feeling well suited, Vaughan had volunteered for the duty, but little had he realized the pressure associated with flying the heavy cargo plane under combat conditions and taking off and landing on the short runways that dotted the Vietnamese countryside. Among his most harrowing duties was the aerial resupply of the Marine base at Khe Sanh during the most intense action of the Tet Offensive. This is the story of an Air Force pilot's progression from inexperienced flyer to veteran crew member and how he came of age under combat conditions.
Review #2
Runway Visions is the appropriately titled story of Captain Vaughan's experiences and "bringing up" as a C-130 aviator in Southeast Asia from February 1967 to April 1968, from a newly ordained aircraft commander (AC) at Dyess AFB to "new guy" novitiate in the right seat, progressing to the left seat as AC with a crew, and both seats as an instructor pilot, to check out the "new guys". Early in his fifteen-month tour, he is introduced to the harrowing landing required of An Khe Golf Course, relieved by the construction of a new runway nearby (An Khe Main), then back to the dread of the Golf Course when the new runway is closed for further improvement. Missions to Khe Sanh during his tour are described, the crew's Christmas dinner at the chow hall providing signs of the future siege.
Airlift operations during this time in that part of the world have been little documented, so this journal of a C-130 pilot is a welcome addition to the literature of military aviation for the period. Most pilots seem to have the most vivid impressions of their landing strips, regardless of time, place, or aircraft flown, and this book would be welcomed by many, especially those who know that runways are not always straight and level, or paved and lighted. Perhaps it would prove an awakening for those who don't, and should, as well.
My Take
I couldn’t stop thinking of Jim Bjork and how he must have gone through much of the same things as this author – I wonder if he knew him?
In February 1967, Air Force Lieutenant Vaughan arrived at Ching Chuan Kang Air Base (the “CCK” I had always hear about) in Taiwan to begin 14 months as a C-130 Hercules pilot, airlifting supplies and troops throughout southeast Asia. Feeling well suited, Vaughan had volunteered for the duty, but little had he realized the pressure associated with flying the heavy cargo plane under combat conditions and taking off and landing on the short runways that dotted the Vietnamese countryside. Among his most harrowing duties was the aerial resupply of the Marine base at Khe Sanh during the most intense action of the Tet Offensive. This is the story of an Air Force pilot's progression from inexperienced flyer to veteran crew member and how he came of age under combat conditions.
Review #2
Runway Visions is the appropriately titled story of Captain Vaughan's experiences and "bringing up" as a C-130 aviator in Southeast Asia from February 1967 to April 1968, from a newly ordained aircraft commander (AC) at Dyess AFB to "new guy" novitiate in the right seat, progressing to the left seat as AC with a crew, and both seats as an instructor pilot, to check out the "new guys". Early in his fifteen-month tour, he is introduced to the harrowing landing required of An Khe Golf Course, relieved by the construction of a new runway nearby (An Khe Main), then back to the dread of the Golf Course when the new runway is closed for further improvement. Missions to Khe Sanh during his tour are described, the crew's Christmas dinner at the chow hall providing signs of the future siege.
Airlift operations during this time in that part of the world have been little documented, so this journal of a C-130 pilot is a welcome addition to the literature of military aviation for the period. Most pilots seem to have the most vivid impressions of their landing strips, regardless of time, place, or aircraft flown, and this book would be welcomed by many, especially those who know that runways are not always straight and level, or paved and lighted. Perhaps it would prove an awakening for those who don't, and should, as well.
My Take
I couldn’t stop thinking of Jim Bjork and how he must have gone through much of the same things as this author – I wonder if he knew him?
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews