Alley Cat – Cricket – Hillsboro
108310 USAF - WHERE: Republic of Vietnam
WHAT: C-130 ABCCC
WHEN: 1968
U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO
The early years of the war brought the successful
implementation of effective on-scene command and control of tactical aircraft.
Housed in modified C-130s (EC-130s), the battle staffs of the airborne
battlefield command and control centers (ABCCCs) provided 24-hour-a-day
coverage of air operations over Steel Tiger.
Of all the air combat experience gained during the Vietnam War, the
development of the ABCCC concept was one of the major advances in the
effective employment of tactical air forces.
And,
of course, the basic C-130s were a workhorse in throughout the War in
Southeast Asia. Much of the airlift to smaller bases throughout South
Vietnam was flown by C-130s, C-123s, and C-7s, depending on the conditions and
the capabilities of the runways. The Army and Marines shuttled quite a
bit around in heavy lift helicopters. C-130 air-lifters often came under
heavy fire, especially in trying to support bases under siege. I heard a
story that one of my classmates landed a C-130 with all four engines shot out
at some base like maybe Kam Duc.
