Air Force Forward Air Controller in Vietnam Shares His Story
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- Опубліковано 30 чер 2024
- Keith Luchtel is a veteran of the Vietnam War a native of Spencer, Iowa. He served as a C-130 pilot as well as a Forward Air Controller. Courtesy: Iowa Gold Star Military Museum on Camp Dodge in Johnston, Iowa.
Keith, I was also a Fac. I flew as Tonto 04 with the 173rd AB, and then as Mike 58 in VERY deep Special Ops operating over Cambodia. It has recently been determined that the Vietnam FAC mission (and there were many varieties of those) was the single most difficult, highest responsibility mission ever flown. It was true that every decision we made resulted in a life or death: enemy, friendlies - or us. We had a 1 in 10 fatality rate. Crisp salute, my brother.
You guys had more guts than brains. Incredible work.
My grandfather was Covey 87 in spring/summer of 1972!
My grandfather was a FAC and a B-52 pilot in Vietnam and then later was a SAC bomber pilot for many years. I still love listening to his stories or his technical info from his flying days although he’s gotten older he still remembers quite a bit.
What TASS was he with?? Could you ask if he knew Captain Steven L Bennett? My grandfather. He was also a Buff and FAC pilot.
Enjoyed your story. I was a O-2 mechanic with the 23rd TASS at NKP in '69.
My grandfather was with the 20th TASS in Da Nang in ‘72
Me too Paullee...I was O-2 pilot, Nail13, 23 TASS....must have seen you on the flight line...God bless you bro.
@@yankeeairpirate1799 my grandfather was a Covey FAC from April to June 29, 1972! Small world. He was Covey 87
Great story Keith, enjoyed it. I was Nail FAC ( Nail 13) out of NKP and UBON flying into Laos and N Vietnam 68-69..best mission was stopping 11 trucks one morn near Mu Gia..put in 37 fighters in under 2 hrs...killed all of the trucks plus some personnel....had KC-135 next, then C-7’s..best to you bro and GOD bless.
Hello, Keith Luchte
I'm moved by a war account extremely humane from you.
There was a risk of being court-martialed but you were firm against a worng order. You insisted on what you saw and pursued what you believed. Although obedience is a solider's duty, an order sould not contradict the truth table. If an order is not logic, a soldier has a right not to accept it.
Although under tremendous pressure, you kept sober and stand firm on the code of ethics. I respect that.
Thank you for your service Mr. Luchtel. My father was a Forward Air Controller and also flew the O-1
from 1968-'69. He would have been a Major then. Major James Nelson. It would be a long-shot if
you two knew each other. Thank you again for sharing your experience. Best wishes!
Welcome home! God bless you!
A GREAT MAN: wonder how many american lives he saved
My grandfather was 2nd dasf Vietnam 64. Romads. Recon observe Mark and destroy
Guys on the ground knew about these guys, others not so much!
I wonder if the pilot ever flew out of LaVang airstrip in n. I Corps.? I ask bc I was an ATC guy at that location.
...from 4-1-1968 --10-30 1968.
Glad interviewer is muted.