Episode 054 - SGT. Randolph Nagy, Security Police, Top Secret Air Force Base, NKP - Thailand, 1972-1973.

Episode 054 – SGT. Randolph Nagy, Security Police, Top Secret Air Force Base, NKP – Thailand, 1972-1973.

Episode 54 of Military Tales features Sergeant Randolph Nagy, U.S. Air Force retired, who served as a Security Policeman and mortar Gunner at Nakhon Phanom (NKP), Thailand, from July 1972 to August 1973. He recounts his immediate impression of the monstrous, muggy heat upon arrival and the Passenger Terminal sign welcoming him to “the end of the world”. Nagy shares experiences working the base perimeter, dealing with black market activity, and locals attempting to penetrate the fences, including a tense incident involving a law enforcement specialist and a local firing a gun. A central part of his account is the verified story of a B-52 tail Gunner who crashed south of base during Linebacker II, landed on the highway, and walked through the main gate asking for a drink, a crash Nagy heard and saw. He also describes watching the war across the Mekong River, seeing fighter planes drop napalm and bombs on Takhli and witnessing gunships’ “Rains of Fire” at night from base, sights that occasionally haunted him. Decades later, Nagy found significant closure by returning to NKP, finding much of the base reclaimed by jungle but the town transformed into a nice city with the infamous “Ho Chi Minh clock” still present. Based on his experience, he strongly recommends military service for young people needing structure and a path.

More information on Episode 054 – SGT. Randolph Nagy, Security Police, Top Secret Air Force Base, NKP – Thailand, 1972-1973.

From NKP’s Perimeter to Closure: Sergeant Randolph Nagy’s Military Tales

Episode 54 of Military Tales features Sergeant Randolph Nagy, U.S. Air Force retired, sharing vivid memories from his time as a Security Policeman at Nakhon Phanom (NKP), Thailand, from July 1972 to August 1973. Sergeant Nagy’s duties involved working the base perimeter and serving in heavy weapons as a mortar Gunner.

His arrival at NKP offered an immediate, unforgettable impression. Stepping off the C-141 aircraft, the monstrous, muggy heat hit him instantly, something he felt totally unprepared for. The Passenger Terminal welcomed him with a sign that starkly declared, “Welcome to NKP the end of the world hahaha”.

Life on base wasn’t without its challenges. Nagy confirms there was a significant amount of black market activity going on. Security forces also dealt with locals who would try to penetrate the fences to get whatever they could find. He recounted one incident where a law enforcement specialist encountered a local breaking into supply warehouses; the local fired a gun, the policeman returned fire, but the local was quickly moved out of the country the very next day, apparently due to local displeasure with Americans shooting at Thais.

Sergeant Nagy also shared an incredible story that occurred during Linebacker II, which he states is a very true story that has been documented and verified. A B-52 bomber crashed south of the base, and the crew bailed out. Astonishingly, the tail Gunner landed right on the highway that led to the base. Parachute dragging behind him, he walked through the main gate. The security policeman on duty at the gate, adhering to procedure, asked for ID. Nagy recalls the tail Gunner’s memorable response, wanting to get a drink with some blunt language. Nagy himself heard the aircraft hit the ground and crash, noting the ground shook and it made a big fireball. He mentions that crews on both crashes (presumably two B-52 crashes) survived, which he found pretty spectacular.

From the riverbank in town, Nagy and others would watch the conflict across the Mekong River in Laos. He recounts seeing fighter planes come in and drop napalm and bombs on the town of Takhli, as well as strafing the area, which reportedly had a significant amount of North Vietnamese Army regulars. At night, from the base, they would look towards Laos and see gunships with “Rains of Fire” coming down, describing it as a very busy and active, spectacular sight. Nagy admits these sights occasionally resurface and haunted him.

Decades later, Sergeant Nagy returned to NKP with his wife, a trip he undertook seeking closure. He found the experience provided significant closure and strongly recommends it. His return revealed a dramatically changed landscape: the jungle has reclaimed the majority of the base, with the old control tower barely visible. The same runway they used has been given to the Thai government and is now a civilian airport with four flights daily. The town, once a small place, is now a nice city of about 40,000 people with immaculate hotels, including a five-star one on the Mekong River, and is noticeably clean. While much of the old city is gone, the infamous “Ho Chi Minh clock is still there”.

Reflecting on his time in service and looking at young people today, Sergeant Nagy states he would strongly recommend military service. He believes many young people are lost and aimless, and the military can provide them with structure and a path to discover what they want to do in life.