Spaf

QRQ 30 · 06-26-2004, 10:45

I just had an entry in my guestbook from a pilot who's callsign was SPAF 2 while I was at FOB-2 in '68. SPAF stood for Sneaky Pete Air Force. Prior to Plaster's time the O-1 was our primary spotter aircraft. The SPAF, unlike other air support, belonged to the FOB and the crews lived and partied right in the FOB with the rest of us. Along with the back seat observer they made a valuable support team. They were known to provide their own brand of air support with anything available: marking rounds, sub-machine gun, m-79, hand grenades and anything else they could throw out the window. They were true members of the SOG community.

I haven't got there yet but I understand Plaster gave a more subdued impression. This is probably because of the transition to O-2s and OV-10s which didn't reside with us.

QRQ 30 · 06-26-2004, 11:39

Kontum 1968.

**Team Sergeant** · 06-26-2004, 14:14

Quote:

Originally posted by QRQ 30
I just had an entry in my guestbook from a pilot who's callsign was SPAF 2 while I was at FOB-2 in '68. SPAF stood for Sneaky Pete Air Force.

Great thread Terry! I learn something new every day. I've never heard of SPAF. Thanks.

QRQ 30 · 06-26-2004, 14:40

I thought I'd pass this on. It is indeed a small world and the Internet makes it even smaller:

Quote:

Terry -
I'm pretty sure we were at FOB2 the same time. I was a member of the "Sneaky Pete Air Force," call sign SPAF2 (Army Aviator flying O-1's for radio relay and support during insertions and extractions.) Arrived at FOB2 about 10 Jan 68 (and was more than a little surprised when I found out where I'd be flying!);..... Needless to say, I got a lot of hours watching over you guys, and I have nothing but the greatest admiration and respect for the job you did. It was always a relief to fly past Leghorn going EAST! .....I was over the action the day SGT Z earned the Medal. The photos are great; my wife couldn't believe that I remembered where my "hooch" was.

BMT (RIP) · 06-26-2004, 14:51

Terry, I'm not trying to HJ your thread!!

The 195th AHC flew for CCS South Launch Site. They also lived with us at Quan Loi. One day the CO and 1SG showed up.
ISG asked me why he couldn't get his men to return to Long Binh.

My answer. 1SG we try and feed them 2 hot meals a day and give them something to shoot at everyday!! No formations,inspections and no Ash and Trash flights.

CO was getting the same answer from the few O's not flying that day.

BMT
Jr. FOG

**Ambush Master** · 06-26-2004, 15:50

Plaster and I were at CCC during the same time frame, and we did use the O-1s for our Overflights and Photo Recce for the Pre-Mission Brief. We flew in 2 B1rd formation with a Low and a High B1rd. High vectoring the low to probable LZs and taking pics when they Bingoed to have a reference for the sizing of the LZ.
Usually the Low woke them up then they HOSED the shit out of the High !!!! LOL

QRQ 30 · 06-26-2004, 16:59

Folks and AM you will find this read interesting and it may clear up some things. The SPAF to which I and Johnston refer was actually a detached section of the 4th PLT assigned to Kontum AAF and they were assigned directly OPCON to FOB-2. Later they were reunited with their parent unit and billeted at the MACV quarters in Kontum.

http://www.specialoperations.com/MAC...CC/Default.htm