Episode 38 of “Military Tales” features Warren “Doc” Blanchard, an A-1 Skyraider pilot during the Vietnam War. Doc details his experience with the 6th Special Operations Squadron and the unique, short-lived Operating Location Alpha (OLA) at Da Nang. Learn how OLA’s eight A-1s were established by Pentagon directive to provide critical close air support for highly secretive Army Studies and Observations Group (SOG) teams operating deep inside Laos. Doc recounts the challenges of supporting these “Prairie Fire” emergency missions, which often required flying at extremely low altitudes and dropping ordnance dangerously close to friendly forces to push back overwhelming enemy waves. Hear about the constant “Alpha alert” readiness, participation in Search and Rescue (SAR) missions where Doc’s A-1 was hit by enemy fire, and the close bonds formed with rescue crews at the “Doom Club”. Doc shares his reflections on the dedication of the pilots, the “no hesitation” to save lives, and the mixed feelings about the political outcomes, ultimately emphasizing the core mission of saving American lives.
“Military Tales” Episode 38 welcomes Warren Blanchard, better known as “Doc”. His nickname stems from sharing a last name with the famous West Point football player. Doc’s journey through the Air Force, beginning in 1968, took him from pilot training at Laughlin to flying the iconic A-1 Skyraider. His first assignment landed him in the thick of it โ Pleiku in the central highlands of Vietnam, attached to the 6th Special Operations Squadron.
Doc describes developing his “pinpoint bombing technique” at Pleiku before the squadron was abruptly shut down and moved to Udorn, Thailand. However, the move created a critical coverage gap in the tri-border area. This led to requests for volunteers to return to Pleiku on temporary duty (TDY). Doc volunteered, finding Pleiku a “great place” despite the circumstances. This temporary arrangement, however, proved too expensive. To circumvent the costs of per diem, a more permanent solution was created: an Operating Location (OLAA) established at Da Nang.
OLAA was not just another squadron; its existence was a direct result of a Pentagon directive. Its primary purpose was to provide essential close air support for the Army’s highly secretive Studies and Observations Group (SOG) teams. These teams, composed of two Americans and indigenous troops, conducted clandestine missions deep inside Laos, primarily along the Ho Chi Minh Trail, to gather intelligence and conduct sabotage. OLA’s eight A-1 Skyraiders were kept “on call at all times” at Da Nang specifically to support these SOG missions, especially during insertions, extractions, or emergencies.
These emergency support missions were code-named “Prairie Fire”. Doc highlights the incredibly low altitudes required during these missions, dictated solely by the need to accurately place ordnance on a mark. Sometimes, SOG teams in dire trouble requested drops perilously close to their own positions. The North Vietnamese tactic was to try and get extremely close to American forces, “grab the American by the belt buckle”, hoping to neutralize air power and artillery. The A-1s were the crucial “curtain of steel” that kept the enemy at bay, pushing them back even if it meant dropping ordinance frighteningly close to friendly troops. Doc recounts a mission where his wingman’s drop landed almost directly on a team, causing injuries but ultimately pushing the enemy away and allowing the team to get out.
The relationship between the OLA pilots and the SOG ground teams developed over time, though initially, they didn’t know each other personally. Doc mentions how the Green Berets felt much bolder knowing a Skyraider was nearby. The danger was immense for both groups; Doc humorously notes the SOG guys couldn’t believe the pilots flew low, while the pilots were astonished the SOG teams operated almost literally under the feet of the NVA on the trail.
Due to the critical nature of their mission, OLA maintained a constant state of readiness. They had at least two armed A-1s and two pilots on “Alpha alert” standby on the ground at Da Nang, sleeping in their clothes ready to scramble instantly. Others were on “Bravo alert,” ready to step up if the Alpha crews launched. Up to four A-1s could be involved in trying to extract a team.
Beyond SOG support, OLA also participated in Search and Rescue (SAR) missions when possible. Doc describes a typical SAR operation involving locating survivors, establishing a “daisy chain” of A-1s around them, and unloading ordnance or laying smoke to suppress ground fire and create a safe corridor for the rescue helicopter (the “Jolly Green”). He recounts a specific SAR mission over the Vietnamese-Laos border where his A-1 took a 12.7 machine gun round. The hit knocked out a cylinder coil, causing the engine to run very rough and feel like the plane was coming apart. Doc peeled off, dove into the smoke, and was escorted back to Da Nang by his leader. Despite the damage, at least one survivor was successfully rescued.
When asked about the emotional aspect of helping troops on the ground, Doc states it wasn’t a hard decision; it was simply their job, and they didn’t hesitate. While they had to be smart and careful, there was “no hesitation at all”. Bringing back a survivor or team was a cause for celebration and a morale boost. At Da Nang, they partied at the “Doom Club” (the officers’ mess) and shared living quarters with the Jolly Green crews, forming close bonds. Rescued airmen were often met with a large gathering on the flight line, but the SOG teams, being Army, were taken back to their own camps, and the pilots often didn’t meet them until decades later at reunions like SORD.
Reflecting on his time in Southeast Asia, Doc describes mixed feelings. While he and his colleagues felt good about what they did, there was also significant frustration and disappointment due to the political decisions. He felt nothing had changed from the day he arrived to the day he left, which was disheartening. Ultimately, however, he emphasizes that the true mission was saving American lives.