Episode 18 of Military Tales introduces us to Gordon “Gordy” Fornell, an A-1 pilot whose year in Southeast Asia (August 1968 – August 1969) placed him right in the thick of the air war over Laos and the Ho Chi Minh Trail. Gordy’s journey to flying the A-1 Skyraider (“Spad”) was unique, starting with Air Force ROTC, F-86 fighters, five years in B-52s (including the Cuban Missile Crisis), and even graduating from the Air Force Flight Test Pilot School at Edwards AFB. Despite this diverse background, he was assigned to A-1s at Nakhon Phanom (NKP), Thailand, reporting there on August 25th, 1968.

Hobos, Swoop Flights, and the Birth of the Zorros

Gordy was assigned to the 1st Special Operations Squadron (SOS), known as the Hobos, alongside friends Sam Flowers, Bob Keith, and Rich Rose (the latter two joining the 602nd Sandys). After getting checked out, the Hobos were heavily involved in “swoop flights,” which primarily involved the aerial delivery of gravel to mine the Ho Chi Minh Trail. Detectors along the trail would pick up vehicle movement over the gravel, relaying the information back to NKP and Task Force Alpha for targeted attacks.

However, a new directive significantly changed Gordy’s focus. At the request of Ambassador Sullivan, a small squadron was formed at NKP specifically to assist General Vang Pao in northern Laos against the attacking Pathet Lao. This group became known as the Zorros. Originally just four pilots (Gordy, Sam Flowers, Rich Rose, Bob Keith) plus their commander, Lt. Col. Bob Casey, they started operating out of a modified refrigerator truck. The name “Zorros” carried lineage from earlier T-28 pilots, particularly a pilot named Jack, who was considered the original Zorro.

The Demanding Zorro Mission

The Zorros’ mission was incredibly demanding. They primarily flew at night, often using napalm and marking devices to find their targets. They flew a full schedule from 5:30 PM until the last airplane landed around 5:30 AM, just before dawn. Their main operational areas were the Barrel Roll region in northern Laos and the Steel Tiger area along the Ho Chi Minh Trail.

The Zorro pilots frequently acted as their own Forward Air Controllers (FACs), directing fast movers like F-4s and F-105s, or they worked with other FACs like O-2s or C-123 “candlesticks” to locate trucks on the trail. They carried a range of munitions, including napalm, CBUs (Cluster Bomb Units), rockets, and bombs, suitable for various targets like troops, fixed positions, or trucks. This steady diet of night missions kept Gordy very busy; he flew 200 missions and over 800 combat hours in his year.

Over time, the Zorro squadron grew to full size, getting their own building and hooch, even sharing a courtyard with the 602nd Sandy pilots. They famously scrounged materials (and a stolen ice machine) to build a comfortable facility.

Camaraderie and Party Suits

The interview highlights the crucial role of camaraderie and brotherhood in the stressful combat environment. Gordy found this sense of connection special and difficult to replicate in civilian life, comparing the closest feeling to being on a cohesive, physical athletic team.

A visible manifestation of this unit identity and a way to cope with stress was the use of “party suits.” These distinctive colored flight suits were worn for squadron gatherings and events. The Hobos had green suits, the Zorros yellowish-orange, the Sandys blue, and the Jolly Greens green. These celebrations and the wearing of party suits were a way of normalizing life, allowing pilots to unwind, and identifying with other units.

Flying the “Spad”

Gordy describes the A-1 Skyraider as a “wonderful, wonderful airplane to fly,” despite its lack of modern pilot assistance or navigation. He had flown over 70 different aircraft, but the A-1 was unique, being his first taildragger, which required mastering directional control on the runway. He notes the landing techniques differed significantly between training at Hurlburt and flying in Thailand.

He acknowledges the challenges, particularly for new pilots fresh out of training who were sometimes lost taking off into the monsoon weather with fully loaded aircraft. However, for its specific mission, Gordy considered the A-1 “absolutely terrific, superior”.

The Ultimate High: Successful Rescue

One of the most powerful emotions discussed is the feeling of a successful rescue mission. Gordy calls it the “highlight” – being able to save a life or contribute to bringing someone back. He states, “it didn’t get any better than that,” describing it as a moment where you could even cry. He also found great satisfaction in helping guys on the ground who were in desperate situations, often “screaming and howlering how terrific [they] saved their lives”. While he hasn’t met the ground personnel he supported, he has met some of their spouses and children at reunions.

Gordy also flew Prairie Fire missions with the Hobos, supporting SOG (Special Operations Group) teams, acknowledging the incredible bravery of those operators. The connection between the A-1 pilots flying overhead and the SOG teams on the ground highlights the mutual reliance and shared risk.

The interview concludes with Gordy expressing his gratitude for his Air Force career and the enduring bonds formed with his fellow veterans.