Ferrari Mailing List: Re: A real low level

[Les Thompson (les21]

I spent my IndoChina time at NKP with Invert, the TAC Control Squadron there. Our controllers were tied in with Bromo which I learned much later was essentially the same as the Combat Skyspot program up at LS85. We were the guys responsible for tanker hookups, plus tracking everything in the air over the northern half of Laos and North Vietnam. 

We were also linked with TFA (Task Force Alpha) where Igloo White was worked. Only went over there once, had to wait outside while my boss met up with one of their maintenance troops to borrow a piece of test equipment. On the sensors, I got there after the VO-67 guys left, they put them in low and slow. Those guys had cajones big time. 

Someone brought one of the sensors to a reunion several years ago, still in its shipping container, the guy that won it at our auction still has it. Hoping he will donate it back one of these years.

Listened to a QU-22 pilot on Guard one afternoon, all his instruments had gone out and he was still east of the river. Getting nervous and we were vectoring him to Savanakhet, he wasn't happy about having to put down on that side of the river. Then about 10 klicks out everything came back on and he came on home to NKP. Needless to say the tone of his voice changed when that happened.

Interesting times!

Les T.

-----Original Message----- 

From: Luke Graves 

Sent: Apr 10, 2018 5:27 PM 

To: Les Thompson 

Cc: 'The FerrariList' 

Subject: Re: [Ferrari] A real low level 

Six hundred knots on the deck is approaching the speed of sound; we called it the speed of heat.  The vortices, called wing vortices, ie, the white condensation coming off the wing tips, will start coming up the fuselage as one approaches the mach.  You may recall seeing pictures of Navy F-14s doing this while buzzing Carriers.

 

My Squadron, the 25th Tac Fighter Squadron at Ubon Thailand, had a special low level mission, putting in tactical ground sensors in the high threat areas.  So, we were "running in the weeds" most of the time.  We were fairly safe running in at 575-625 knots at 200 ft (from AAA). The problem there, is bird strikes or sneezing.  We had to slow down to 500 and pull up to 500 ft to drop the sensors!  It was really exciting to watch yourself or your wingman being engulfed by the vortices.  Remind me later to tell you guys about the time we were doing this and my wingman hit a tree!

 

Luke