There was an A1E that went down on the ramp IFE. I watched it skid straight down the RW and stop. The pilot got out running like hell to a safe area ( it was full of unspent ordinance) (I think the piolet made it not sure, F..ing hope he did ) When the plane blew into a fireball we all hit the dirt. The amo and rockets had ignited. This was in 1970 or early 1971.
Paul Austin
31-Jul-2017 18:45
Paul Austin ; I was up on top of the Pilot Balloon tower next to the flight line, taking readings when this happen. I heard gun fire just before the plane burst into flames and then explosion. It seem to happen so fast. My unit was Det. 25 10th Wea. Sq. Dec. 1969 to Dec. 1970 email; paustin.sr67@gmail.com
C'mon man. We didn't drop anything on Xieng Kouang and the Plain of Jars was for sightseeing, not bombing. Ask the Hobo's. They risked their lives daily to preserve historically significant areas while taking out the godless Pathet Lao.
Guest
29-Apr-2008 11:40
Great pictures. Do ANY of you know how many or which bombs were destined for Xieng Khouang and the airfield and Plain of Jars. I am doing my PhD at the Defence Academy in the UK and am looking for ANY information on the sorties over Northern Laos, BUT specifically WHAT was DROPPED over Xieng Khouang Province, ANY HELP greatly appreciated THANKS in advance please email a.kemp@cranfield.a.c.uk
Guest
04-Mar-2007 22:18
Was this an A-1E in 1970? If so, I believe the pilot was a yound Lt who wanted to taxi the aircraft to the end of the run way to try to safe it. However, I don't think he made it before the 500 pounders went off. If this was the incident, I was hearing all the traffic from the tower telling him to just get out. I was working that swift at the 23 TASS radio shack. Juse as I went out the door to see what was happ'in, the bombs went off. I was schocked and will the moment will forever stay with me.
Jose A Escobar
23 TASS
Radio Operator
USAF
Sacramento, CA.
Was in NKP June 69-June 70
Guest
10-Feb-2007 03:50
As I best recall the aircraft crashed on the runway as the pilot was taking off with a full load of munitions. The plane crashed about 2200 or 2300 hours. Am I correct in recollection of the event?
