A 1 Skyraider Pilot Bob Carlsen 

Columbus AFB 1979-80, In UPT, my first T-38A IP was Major James “Jim” Maxam. He flew A-1’s in SEA as a LT. Had a lot of good stories, I remembered him saying his fellow pilots had these long scarves that they would crank the canopy open, throw the scarf out and fly down initial. Under the plexiglas on his desk he had a photo of himself next to a A-1 on the ramp. There was engine oil dripping down onto the centerline fuel tank so I asked him if this was battle damage. He replied, “ Nah, that was normal, if the engine wasn’t dripping oil that that on the ground that was something to worry about.”

In July 72, I was involved in the rescue of USMC CH53, call sign Lady Ace 72. I was the only aircraft in the Quang Tri area having contact on the crews survival radio, so USAF rescue coordinator “king” basically volunteered me to coordinate the rescue. I hooked up,with the Sandy A1s and escorted them to the site where the crew was hiding from the NVA. Long story, but the rescue failed because of heavy small arms, anti aircraft and SA7 missiles and the rescue helicopters couldn’t get into the area. Forty years later I found out that the coordinates I was able to provide guided a recon team to the crew and later, two army helicopter pilots flew through hell to get them out. After forty years, I found information on the rescue and was able to write to the marine pilot who has subsequently traveled across the country on two occasions to meet and visit with me. A quote from him will always stick with me and that was “ no one but us could ever know just how bad that was”.

Welcome home "Sandy" Bob, while I did not know you sir I know very well of the missions you and Hobo" flew. Sir, I was there at NKP "naked phany" from 70 71'

Thank you Mr. Carlsen. I wont forget what you did for Freedom.

Thank you for your service

I did just as Bob said, pick a career that’ll help you when you get out. I was an aircraft mechanic for 21 years from 97-18. Now I’m restoring an O-2A Skymaster, that was in Vietnam from 67-71. Bob might have been on a strike that my plane had called in and requested support. I’m restoring this plane by myself and once she’s back up and flying it’ll add to the less than 40 flying examples left in the world.

Thank you for your service, sir. My dad was stationed at Nakaphanom in 68-69. He speaks with great admiration of the A-1 pilots and the Jolly Greens! Thank you Again!!!

I agree with him that everyone should be required to serve two years in some capacity after high school graduation. Either Military, Amaracorps, peace corps, or something like the old Civilian Conservation Corps rebuilding infrastructure. Graduation from that service should be a prerequisite to college entry. It would teach self-reliance and foster maturity before entering college as well as give people practical experience in life skills.

First let me say THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, this is 1 of my favorite warbirds, I also liked the Corsair, Mustang, P-38, and others, YOU ARE A TRUE PILOTS, PILOT AGAIN THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

Former Army gun driver salutes you Bob!

Did three years with Uncle Sam, trained in aviation maintenance and on my 42nd year in the business.

What a humble gentleman. Welcome home Mr. Carlson.

Thanks for your service BOB.

Welcome Home, Thank you Sir.

Thank you for your great service in South East Asia (South VietNam)

I am proud of You Sir.

Thank you Sandy Bob Carlsen. I could not agree with you more about your comment on universal service. I was at NKP from September 1971 until September 1972. I earned a BS degree in engineering in late 1970 and was very nearsighted which closed any chance of becoming and Officer at that time so I enlisted in the Air Force. Second best thing I ever did, after marrying my late wife. After being sent to Keesler AFB for electronics school I was sent back to Lackland for a direct assignment to NKP - although I was not told that then. The Air Force had a program at that time where some of the enlisted men with a degree in engineering, math, or science would be put in a "special" career field and sent to whatever job that the Air Force thought we were qualified for with little or no training. I did not know that NKP existed until I got off the C-141 and saw the, "Welcome to the End of the World Sign" It was then that I learned that my orders for the 56 Combat Support Group were just a cover for my assignment to Task Force Alpha. I had two weeks with the man I was replacing to learn the ropes then it was up to me. Some of what we were doing, especially in April 1972, was new to everyone and I spent a few weeks around the base riding with and EOD team digging post holes by hand putting in sensors and then setting off explosives in the bomb dump. Even with four years of college, a degree in engineering, and an FCC radio license that first year at NKP was the introduction to the graduate school where I learned things that were never taught in any class. How, to work with people to get the job under any conditions. The non technical skills of how to work as a team with everyone was something I called on more in the rest of my career than 90% of what I learned in college. YES, I wish every American youth could serve in some capacity for at least two or three years between high school and any further education. It would be the best thing that could happen both for them and for our country. Thank you for your service sir. There was no higher calling that Sandy, PJ, and Jolly Green.

Thanks for sharing Bob. You rock. Welcome home!

This man flew a plane with a propeller in place where a jet was shot out of the sky moments before that that’s a level of insanity that’s almost hard to fathom

they were so welcome by us on the rivers!!!!