Joined the United States Air Force under the Delayed Enlistment Program in the fall of 1966 while still a full time college student. Went active duty St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, 1967.
At one point during Basic Training at Lackland Air Force Base (AFB), Texas one other airman and I from my squadron were called out to be marched off for some kind of testing. We later learned that Air Force screeners were looking linguists and scanned personnel records. In addition to native English speaking abilities, there was a family history of Lithuanian language, two years of high school Latin, two years of high school French and a year of college level German language instruction in the files. I was considered a prime candidate for language school. We were marched off in the rain to a testing center.
We were given the first three days instructions in Mandarin Chinese, considered to be one of the languages with the highest degree of difficulty in learning, and the highest wash-out rate. Not interested in being a Chinese language over-achiever, I scored just below the cutoff for Chinese but sufficiently high to get my first choice in any European language of my choosing. European languages sounded like a tour of duty far from the Viet Nam conflict.
Just prior to completing Basic Training at Lackland AFB, TX all airmen were scheduled to complete an Air Force "dream sheet" for career selection. Prior to enlistment I had achieved perfect scores in the aptitude test for General, Electronic, Mechanical sections and missed two questions in Administrative. It was considered good enough to ensure first choice selection in many career fields. I was in the process of selecting Inflight Refueling Systems Maintenance, Fireman, and other non-combat sounding career fields when it was announced that "Anyone with a penciled-in score at the upper right hand corner of your paper has qualified for Language School. If you want to consider Language School please check the appropriate box." I did so.
I later learned that anyone qualifying for Language School, and who checked the Language School box, was automatically selected for Language School and any other career selection was ignored. Thus, but some unguided twist of fate, I had stumbled into a unique career field.
Since Language School classes were quite long (10 months on average) there was often a wait for a class starting date. Language School candidates awaiting orders for school starting dates were suspended in their final day of Basic Training indefinitely. This period was known as "Casual". We filled manpower positions at Lackland AFB during this time. I my case, it was 2 1/2 months. At the end of one of those days, our barracks chief, who was the son of the Air Force Paymaster for the Pacific, and who had been working in some sort of a computer processing section, came back and announced that IBM punch cards has been mis-sorted in some kind of an accident and people awaiting Russian language instruction were getting North Vietnamese and vice versa. We thought it was bunk.
In a second twist of fate I was assigned North Vietnamese language instruction. Me who wanted to be in a non-combatant position. Me who had scored high enough to get my preferred and chosen careers and/or language.
What sounded at first like a death sentence was soon transformed into something quite the opposite. We were assigned to the Defense Language Institute at the Presidio Of Monterey, California. An idyllic setting right above John Steinbeck's famed Cannery Row. It was an historic and physically beautiful setting. Then I met the native Vietnamese instructors. Suddenly, the bumper sticker that proclaimed, "Learn another language, open another world" took on a whole new meaning. I committed to learn the North Vietnamese language.
I very much enjoyed the Vietnamese language instruction, the instructors and my time in California where my horizons were expanded. After completing my basic 37 weeks of North Vietnamese language courses I was assigned to Goodfellow AFB, Texas. By then I had undergone a transformation from one undecided on a specific career field to one dedicated to excelling in the program I was enrolled in.
At Goodfellow AFB we entered specific language training in North Vietnamese as it related to a "Voice Intercept Processing Specialist" career field. Read "snoop". Read "spy". Now motivated, and excelling in training, it was followed by "Airborne Voice Intercept Processing Specialist". This was getting interesting.
The next stop was physiological training at Perrin AFB, TX. Here we learned about the risks of working in an oxygen-deprived setting on pressurized aircraft, especially as it related to a combat setting. We learned the basics of evacuating the aircraft and parachuting down, including how to land properly. We were scheduled to be qualified in an ejection seat but the equipment was out of service (and I never got to hop a ride on fighters, unfortunately). Finally we underwent training in the high altitude pressure chamber to understand the affects of oxygen deprivation and how to survive when that happens. This training had a special interest for me because my uncle Joe Ruseckas, with David Clark Company, was instrumental in developing pressure suits and related equipment for high-flying test pilots, high altitude spy plane pilots and astronauts. Later, in combat, it was to take on another meaning completely.
My final training in the United States was at Fairchild AFB, Washington. Here we attended the Air Force Survival School. It was a winter setting in a remote National Park, seven feet of snow on the ground, and we learned combat survival techniques. I embraced this training and excelled. The next phase was an eye-opener. It was training on how best to survive as a Prisoner Of War. We underwent the stress of capture and confinement, interrogations, camp life in both European and Asian prison settings. It was a sobering experience.
In March of 1969, after two solid years of training I was assigned to the 6990th Security Squadron at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan (before Okinawa was reverted to the Japanese). I was the first in my class and the fastest to be awarded Aeronautical Orders. I began participating in combat missions on RC-135-M aircraft. Soon designated a Combat Crewmember I was in on-the-job training for different career fields on those missions, eventually achieving the status of the operator on the most technically difficult position on the aircraft.
In a unique position to actually eavesdrop on North Vietnamese military conversations I eventually came to three conclusions: 1) The military men I was eavesdropping on were every bit as gung ho as I was but they were fighting for national liberation and we were winning no friends by bombing them; 2) That I had decided I was not going to re-enlist in the Air Force, and; 3) That I was going to refuse promotion in rank since it would not benefit me, resist being turned into an instructor and taken out of the missions I was excelling in, fly as many combat missions as I could until I got out and do the best job for the Air Force that I could until separation.
In my nearly two years of flying combat missions I distinguished myself in several ways. I flew more combat flying hours than anyone else in my unit during that period, approximately 2,500 hours in just under 2 years, sometimes exceeding 160 combat hours in a single month. I achieved 100 Combat Apple missions (then the longest combat missions in history with a range of over 18-23 hours non-stop) without extending in service, nor re-enlisting, and in the fastest time, while still having several Temporary Duty (TDY) assignments to Viet Nam to fly combat missions on C-130's there. In total, there were 101 Combat Apple missions and 49 C-130 missions out of Cam Ranh Bay, Viet Nam.
On one C-130 mission over the "Plain of Jars" in northern Laos, prior to takeoff, we had noted that the aircraft primary oxygen system was not working and that "walk around (oxygen) bottles" should be available in case of any unexpected de-pressurization. Late into what was usually about a 10 hour mission, we experienced a sudden, explosive decompression. The tailgate of the aircraft had somehow opened and we lost air pressure at once. The compartment filled with a fog from condensation. It sucked the air out of our lungs like punch to the gut. I remember the pilot trying to get from 28,500' down to breathable 9,000' altitude before the walk around bottle oxygen supply ran out. There was a mountain in the area that we were briefed on that was about 9,200'. We were headed into a dive for 9,000'. The pilot called out, "Nav (navigator) where's that 9,200' mountain?” The navigator replied, "The map is up on the ceiling with my cup of coffee."
Our mission controller was radioing the U.S. Viet Nam battle commander that we were going off station due to an emergency. Because of the extreme altitude he was soon oxygen starved. I put on my walk around bottle of oxygen and went to the mission controller. He was about to pass out (but didn't know it due to oxygen deprivation) and I tried to put his oxygen mask on him. He resisted so fiercely that the strap of his watch band broke as I forced his hand and mask on. As I finally got him on oxygen I took over the supervisory mission control. We still had hundreds of miles to go, traveling un-pressurized, at minimum altitude, minimum flight speed, over mountainous terrain, over the Ho Chi Minh Trail, until we got "feet wet" over the ocean east of Da Nang. We felt that any troops with regularly issued AK-47's could have brought us down. I then thought back to the Perrin AFB high altitude chamber testing. Most people had a "masks off exercise at 25,000'. I got to do the higher altitude test at the radically higher 35,000'. I believe the earlier training helped me to understand what was going on and to assume effective control of the mission.
Additionally, I received a "Letter of Appreciation" from Colonel James S. Navy, Commander, Headquarters Pacific Security Region (USAFSS - United States Air Force Security Service) for my "stalwart effort" while "participating in the special mission" to rescue U.S. Prisoners Of War in North Vietnam, the raid at Son Tay, 20 November 1970 and for my special intelligence mission the following day to determine what the North Vietnamese knew of the mission and their side of the results. It stated, "You contributed directly to the successful completion of a highly sensitive mission. The results were invaluable to the highest level Washington authorities and interest." The details are classified but it was of direct Presidential level interest. This letter was endorsed with "appreciation and gratitude" for "The effort which you put forth, combined with your dedication and positive attitude toward mission accomplishment, are more than noteworthy.", by Robert W. Throckmorton, Lt. Col. USAF, Commander 6990th Security Squadron. This was sent to me some months after my separation from the USAF.
A final notable accomplishment, was the saving of our RC-135-M aircraft from a direct intercept by North Vietnamese MIG-21 fighter attack. The incident, although details of which are still classified, can be attested to by unit members who later benefited by procedures set in place to prevent a repeat of this incident. I had been previously aware and monitoring North Vietnamese fighter deployments to southern (north Viet Nam) airfields which were considered dangerous, as they could strike out at U.S. operations from there quite quickly. While refueling over Cambodia on a Laos-based Combat Apple mission the primary mission responsibility was supposed to have been transferred to a Gulf Of Tonkin Combat Apple bird and we were usually allowed to relax during refueling. I, however, had an experience-based feeling something was about to happen. Without giving away operational secrets, suffice it to say I discovered that two MIG-21 jet fighter aircraft had been scrambled and sent to intercept us while at our most vulnerable position = refueling from a KC-135 tanker. To cut the story short and leave out classified details, I warned both Combat Apple aircraft, as well as the tanker, and we took necessary evasive action while U.S. strip alert fighters from Thailand were dispatched to intercept the North Vietnamese MIGs. The mission, and my own butt and all other crew, was saved.
The above mission took place shortly before I got out of the Air Force. Our unit instituted new procedures to increase awareness and methods to thwart future similar situations. With new defensive procedures in place, the North Vietnamese did try again, in vain, a couple of times after that but soon gave up the chase. To my knowledge, there was not again another such dangerous and hostile event after an RC-135 aircraft until a North Korean interception in February 2003.
In all, for my participation in the above-referenced combat missions I was awarded seven Air Medals, in addition to the more normal decorations.
A footnote to the USAF history above is that it forever, positively, influenced my life. I went on to study the Japanese language - reading, writing and spoken -through university level. Until February 2001 I had my own company in Japan. I studied two years of university level Chinese Mandarin (ironic, seeing how this story unfolded) and developed a separate business man's Chinese Mandarin language course. I traveled to China on business 1-3 times a year for 15 years, starting at the beginning of 1980. I have studied other languages formally as well. In business I have used all languages and it has enhanced my performance and accomplishments in my professional and personal life. In fact, for the position I now hold, I was recruited while still working in Tokyo, Japan to come to California and open a west coast branch of an international company. I was the first non-family member, and first non-Korean to open such a location for this international corporation anywhere in the world.
My original 6990th Commander, Doyle E. Larson, went on to a brilliant career in the USAF and retired a Major General. He was recently the head of the Air Force Association (AFA) and we have corresponded often and met twice at 5 year intervals (as recently as September, 2002) for 6990lh/Combat Apple unit reunions.
NOTE: For further information please see website:
- Combat Crewmember designation, Commander (Doyle E. Larson), 6990 Security Squadron, 02 May 1969.
- Citation To Accompany The Award Of The Air Medal And First And Second Oak Leaf Cluster, 29 March 1969 to 4 December 1969.
- The United States Of America, The President Of The United States Of America, Authorized By Executive Order, May 11, 1942, has awarded The Air Medal and First and Second Oak Leaf Cluster, for Meritorious Achievement While Participating In Aerial Flight 29 March 1969 - 4 December 1969, issued 21st Day Of January 1970.
- Same as above, The Air Medal, (third & fourth Oak Leaf Clusters), period 07 December 1969-18 June 1970, issued 5th Day of August 1970.
- Department Of The Air Force, 6990th Security Squadron (USAFSS), Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal (RVCM) Certification, covering the period 29 March 1969 to 29 September 1969, issued 2 March 1971.
- Note: Additional oak leaf clusters were authorized for the subsequent periods of continuous flight in this theatre.
- Department Of The Air Force, 6990th Security Squadron (USAFSS), Vietnam Service Medal and Campaign Credit Certification, covering the period 29 March 1969 to 2 March 1971.
- Photo of mission RC-135-M aircraft, signed with "Sgt. R.J. Ruseckas -Congratulations on "100" Combat Apple Missions - Robert W. Throckmorton, Lt. Col., USAF (Commander) 6990 Scty. Sq.
- Security Termination Statement. A most interesting document. 5 Mar 71. It reads: