From Maintenance Bay to Missile Silo and Beyond: Major William John Mackey’s Extensive Air Force Career

Episode 55 of Military Tales features the expansive career journey of retired Major William John Mackey, U.S. Air Force. Mackey’s path into the service began through ROTC at Kent State, where he earned a geography degree with minors in biology and geology, knowing that military service was likely post-graduation. Receiving active duty orders just ten days after graduating in 1967, he initially trained as a maintenance officer at Chanute Air Force Base. His early assignments included working with aircraft maintenance on large transport aircraft at Tinker Air Force Base, where he also tackled significant structural problems on B-52 tails.

Despite this diverse start, Mackey received unexpected orders to Nakhon Phanom (NKP), Thailand, in August 1970, at a time when NKP was still classified and top secret. His arrival was marked by the intense, muggy heat and a memorable sign at the Passenger Terminal that read, “Welcome to NKP the end of the world hahaha”. At just 24 years old, he was assigned to the C-123 Candlestick operation, which involved dropping flares at night over the Ho Chi Minh Trail to expose enemy movement. As a maintenance officer, he immediately began inspecting the shops and aircraft. He quickly identified and addressed issues like improperly wired safety bolts on aircraft brakes, emphasizing the need for immediate correction and retraining. This proactive approach quickly earned him a reputation as a thorough inspector.

Mackey describes NKP as unlike any base he expected, featuring a vast array of aircraft types spread out on perforated steel plate (PSP) parking areas. Beyond the C-123s and A-1 Skyraiders, the base hosted HH-3s and HH-53s for rescue, A-26s used as “truck killers,” and specialized aircraft like the small Piper Cub-like QU-22Bs. These QU-22s were part of a highly classified effort called Project Alpha, flying at high altitudes (around 20,000-22,000 feet) to collect data from electronic listening devices disguised as leaves dropped along the trail, with the data analyzed by computers at a guarded facility. Another significant experience at NKP involved receiving used C-123s from the “Ranch Hand” program, which had sprayed Agent Orange. Inspections revealed clouds of dried Agent Orange blowing out when panels were removed, requiring scraping and grinding of the aircraft ribs due to corrosion. This corrosion was attributed to the dried Agent Orange inside the aircraft reacting with Southeast Asia’s humidity.

Mackey also received specialized training in the States on the Yankee extraction system used for the A-1 Skyraider. Since the A-1 lacked an ejection seat, this system used a rocket behind the pilot’s seat to literally pull the pilot out of the aircraft after shattering the canopy. He became certified to perform the final inspections and sign-off on this unique and legendary system before flight. He describes the demanding nature of maintaining aircraft in a busy combat zone, often working long hours and sometimes sleeping near the flight line.

After his tour in Thailand ended in July 1971, Mackey’s career took a significant turn back to the States, moving into the Titan II ICBM missile program. He served as a launch crew Commander, missile trainer operator, and later a sector Commander overseeing three missile silos. Drawing on his electronics background, he significantly enhanced the realism of the Titan II trainer, incorporating actual circuit breaker panels and voltage readings to make training more practical for crews. He notes that this era saw SAC prioritizing bombers and nuclear missiles, a shift from focusing solely on fighter aircraft.

Following his missile assignment, Mackey became the avionics officer for a B-52 bomber and KC-135 tanker Wing in Arkansas. Here, he specialized in the extensive electronic countermeasure (ECM) systems on the B-52. He later served as interim squadron commander before being assigned to a Fighter Wing in Europe in 1981 during the Cold War. As Chief Maintenance Officer there, he dealt with aircraft on alert and maintained his nuclear weapons clearance. He recounts successfully troubleshooting and fixing a notoriously problematic F-4 fighter nicknamed “Arnold the pig,” tracing its intermittent issues to a chafed cable deep within the airframe – an example of the critical thinking and “knack” required in maintenance. He was also involved in the conversion from F-4s to F-16s and the implementation of the Have Quick frequency-hopping radio system, which made aircraft communications nearly jam-proof.

Mackey retired in 1987 but remained in the Ready Reserve, staying updated on technology. His background in chemical warfare, acquired during his time in Europe (where NATO forces prepared for potential chemical attacks), led to orders for reactivation after 9/11, though the orders were later stood down.

Reflecting on his extensive service, Major Mackey strongly recommends the military to young people today, viewing it as a place for structure and a path in life. He highlights the value of continuous learning about potential adversaries and technology. He also emphasizes the positive contributions of women in the military, noting their different analytical skills and physical capabilities (like fitting into tight spaces for maintenance), which create a better-balanced force. Regarding emerging technology, he expresses both excitement and caution about Artificial Intelligence (AI), citing examples like Navy refueling drones but stressing the critical need for “tight reins” and strong security to prevent assets from being hacked and turned into weapons. He concludes by reinforcing the military as a place where you “never stop learning”.