This episode of Military Tales delves into the experiences of three ground crew veterans, Paul Ederling, Ernie Harmon, and Barry Roland, who served as weapons loaders (462s) at the remote Nakhon Phanom (NKP) Royal Thai Air Base, described as a “secret” place “carved out of nothing” and “the end of the world”. They recount their demanding jobs, working 12-hour shifts, often seven days a week, loading and maintaining a variety of aircraft, primarily the A-1 Skyraider, with everything from hand-loaded smaller ordnance to 2000lb bombs. The veterans share harrowing stories of dangerous incidents including accidental gun firings, a flare detonation that nearly ignited napalm, and the constant threat of sapper or rocket attacks. They also reflect on the sadness of losing pilots, whom they supported directly, and the difficult, often hostile reception they faced upon returning home to the US. Despite the challenges and lingering regrets like not keeping journals, they emphasize the unique camaraderie among veterans and the importance of reconnecting and sharing their crucial, albeit often unseen, role in the air war.
Episode 41 – A Secret Airbase, Nakhon Phanom Thailand – The End of the World, Carved Out of Nothing
Episode 41 of Military Tales shifts focus to the often-unsung heroes of the Vietnam War: the ground crews. This episode features a conversation with three veterans who served at Nakhon Phanom (NKP) Royal Thai Air Base: Paul Ederling, who was with the 6th SOS squadron at Pleiku and later at NKP for SAR; Ernie Harmon, a 462 (weapons load team) stationed at NKP from June 1968 to June 1969 with the 62nd Air Commando/Special Operations Squadron; and Barry Roland, also a 462 specializing in guns on A-1s, who was at NKP from June 1970 to June 1971 before being extended to Danang. They share their experiences at the remote base, the challenges of their jobs, dangerous incidents, and their difficult return home.
Arrival at NKP: A “Secret Base” at the End of the Earth
The veterans recount the mystique and confusion surrounding NKP. Barry was told after enlisting it was a secret Air Base. Ernie was told by a tech sergeant it was a secret base, possibly in Vietnam, despite his orders saying Thailand. Their arrival was a shock; Ernie described getting off the C-130 and thinking, “Where in the hell am I? I mean, this is World War II,” noting the PSP (Perforated Steel Plating) taxiways and metal runway. They saw no jets, only T-28s, A-1s, and Spooky gunships initially. The base felt “carved out of nothing” and was referred to as “the end of the world”. Pilots transferred from Udorn were reportedly very disappointed. The environment was challenging, with intense humidity and strange smells upon arrival in Bangkok (“toe jam”), and later, mud, sticks, and bugs during monsoon season.
Life and Work as 462s (Weapons Loaders)
Ernie and Barry were designated as 462s, also known as weapons mechanics or weapons loaders โ essentially skilled labor. Paul, expecting electronics training based on his recruiter’s promise, was sent to weapons school instead. They typically worked 12-hour shifts, six or seven days a week. Ernie recalled working 73 consecutive days without a day off. The pace was especially demanding during SAR (Search and Rescue) missions, which could last for over 24 hours, requiring constant aircraft turnarounds. During intense SARs, they would sometimes eat meals delivered by pickup truck or catch brief naps under the wing of a plane.
Their primary job was arming and maintaining the aircraft, primarily A-1 Skyraiders, but also other planes like the U6 and T28s at NKP. Barry worked specifically on the A-1’s guns, including mini guns and wind guns. They loaded a vast array of ordnance, from rockets and gun ammunition to 500lb, 750lb, 250lb, and even 2000lb bombs on the centerline. Lighter ordnance (under 250lbs), frag bombs, cluster bombs (20lb bombs in triangular clusters), tubular CBUs, rocket pods, white phosphorus, and green bombs were often hand-loaded, especially during rapid turnarounds for SAR missions when bomb lifts were set aside. White phosphorus often came in clay pots screwed into the nose or tail. They learned their jobs largely through on-the-job training from experienced teammates who were often rotating home within weeks.
Pilots received “frag orders” during their briefings detailing their loadout, and the veterans noted that pilots often understood the weapons and their capabilities better than the weapons crews initially. Frag orders could change mid-load, requiring the crew to unload and reload aircraft with different munitions, adding to the pressure. Swapping out a gun took about five minutes.
Dangers and Incidents on Base
Working with volatile munitions and tired crews in difficult conditions led to numerous dangerous incidents. Barry recalled the risk of working on A-1 wings during monsoon rain, where the wing could slip on the wet PSP. The “hell hole,” a cramped 18×18 inch access panel on the A-1, was notoriously difficult and messy to work in. Ernie recounted a story from Rich Hall about an A-1 taking off at night with the hell hole door left off, causing the pilot to be “hosed” with wind and realizing his light was on.
Munitions handling was inherently risky. Ernie described an instance where a flare pod detonated on the ground during unloading, injuring a crew chief’s knee and narrowly avoiding igniting a nearby trailer of napalm, which was quickly moved by a brave sergeant. He also shared a terrifying moment in the cockpit accidentally firing a gun while parked because the bolt wasn’t home, sending a round across the runway. Barry had a similar incident at night, tapping a trigger as instructed and firing four rounds over a plane in a revetment, leading to immediate decertification. Recertification after such incidents was described as mostly paperwork and a supervised load, highlighting the constant need for crews. The veterans admitted that as young, inquisitive 19-year-old kids working with dangerous weapons, they sometimes did “stupid things,” like taking napalm out of a trailer panel to see if it would ignite.
Beyond handling munitions, the bases were under threat. Paul witnessed a sapper attack testing the perimeter at NKP. Barry experienced a rocket attack at Danang, recalling rockets hitting tar barrels and knocking him and another airman into a staircase, injuring his arm. He also recounted a severe rocket attack at Danang on July 5th, where 74 rockets hit, killing eight guys, hitting a C-130 and a fuel truck. Dodging rockets involved getting low against retaining walls.
They also faced the constant possibility of losing pilots. Ernie shared the deep sadness felt by the ground crews when a pilot was lost, particularly if it was a plane they had loaded. He recounted witnessing the fatal crash of Wayne Warner during takeoff at NKP, seeing the plane nose in, the fireball, and the desperate rescue attempt by a Jolly Green helicopter and ground personnel. After losing Colonel Ford and Major John’s, Barry stopped wanting to learn the names of pilots because “it hurts”.
Returning Home and Finding Connection
Their return to the United States was often difficult. Paul flew into Travis AFB and immediately faced protestors yelling, jeering, and one person spitting on him as he walked through the terminal. He had been told some guys weren’t wearing their uniforms, but he wore his. This experience was deeply negative and left him with a “huge sour taste”, leading him to get rid of all his military belongings and put the experience behind him for a long time. Barry also mentioned his uniform being ripped after gaining weight and having to buy a new one upon return. While Barry did experience an act of kindness from a stewardess who gave him a first-class seat on a connecting flight, both spoke of a cold reception. Barry noted the coldness from the rest of the college campus in Kansas towards veterans, making them reluctant to admit their service.
Like many veterans of their era, they kept their experiences to themselves for years. Ernie began reconnecting about 10 years ago after his wife found the NKP Facebook page. He regrets not keeping a daily log or journal and getting rid of his uniforms and memorabilia. Attending reunions, like the Skyraider reunion, has been important for reconnecting with other veterans, including pilots they supported. They emphasized the unique bond and camaraderie shared among veterans, something they feel is rare outside of military life. The veterans appreciate the opportunity to share their stories, highlighting the crucial role of the ground crews and the intense, dangerous work required to keep the aircraft flying. They reflect on how NKP, despite being perceived as remote, fostered a sense of family due to its small size.