In this episode, former Air Force pilot Cliff Groves shares his journey from watching T33 jet trainers fly over his hometown in Mississippi to flying the legendary A1 Skyraider in combat during the Vietnam War. Assigned to the 1st Special Operations Squadron out of Nakhon Phanom (NKP) Royal Thai Air Force Base in 1971, Groves flew 110 combat missions spanning close air support (“Hobo” call sign) and critical search and rescue (“Sandy” call sign) operations over Laos and North Vietnam.
Groves details harrowing combat encounters, including an engine failure during a dive bombing pass over the Plain of Jars, surviving a 12.7mm anti aircraft hit, and leading the December 31, 1971 rescue of the down “Charlie Horse 26” helicopter crew near Khe Sanh. He also shares the story of dropping white phosphorus on a surrounded recon team member who requested a strike on his own position to evade torture—and who miraculously survived. Decades later, Groves reflects on his post war career in T38 instruction, military space program management, and a emotional return journey to the Ho Chi Minh Trail alongside fellow Sandy pilots.
Key Topics Covered:
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Air Force ROTC, pilot training, and selecting the A1 Skyraider at Hurlburt Field
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Arrival at Nakhon Phanom (NKP) and combat operations with the 1st Special Operations Squadron
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Engine power loss and surviving anti aircraft hits during “Hobo” bombing passes over Laos
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The New Year’s Eve 1971 search and rescue (SAR) mission for “Charlie Horse 26” near Khe Sanh
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Laying smoke screens to protect survivors from advancing NVA regulars
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Dropping white phosphorus to save an encircled recon team member
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Post war career in T38 instruction, space launch vehicle engineering, and a recent return trip to Laos and the Ho Chi Minh Trail