Ian from Sydney

Did we make it? Are you on page 5 Ian?

Yep, thanks Greg.

Greg, I didn't realise so much effort was involved in turning the page. Thanks, thanks, I always wanted to be on page 5. But now to breakfast.

Hello Ian just popped by to see how things are going, seems like I haven't been here for an age, as ever wonderful piccy it almost looks like it has been painted. Leaving you a nice bottle of wine, chilled... after all that pushing to page 5 you and Greg must be exhausted

Hi Ian can I ask what is your avatar, I have been trying to work out what it is, forgive me getting a little vision blur.. h'mm I guess I will need those glasses soon.. sigh!!

Well Ian... so what your wife said is true!!

Just the three then?? (Oh boy now I can expect a slap!!) only kidding

Hey Ian! Popped in to say hello. How are you and Anne (is she back from England)? Cheers!

She's back!!! Woo Hoo

Hi Ian. Don't know if you saw my comment on the 20 Mar Tough Sudoku; I was an EWO with almost 12 years in the MC-130E (Combat Talon). I found info on 36 Squadron at http://www.spectrumwd.com/c130. Lots of good stuff on that site.

Hi HalT, thank you for your comment. I was a simple 'Trash Hauler' and enjoyed every minute of it. Obviously we did a fair bit of tactical work as well, but Trash Hauling was the name of the game. The C130 Hercules was one of the best aircraft ever built. It was a delight to fly, responsive, rugged and comfortable - particularly in the front left seat.
I looked up the site you quoted and it contains some really interesting information. Thank you for the tip.
Your job as an EWO must have been fascinating. We didn't use them in our C130 squadrons at the time I was there but I know your role.
I presume you have retired now and are enjoying your golf/fishing/touring or whatever.
Thanks for making contact.
Cheers, Ian

G'day Ian, (I hope I pronounced g'day correctly) (^_-)
I couldn't agree more, the Herk is a classic, up there with the Gooney Bird. I had the privilege of sitting in the right seat for a total of maybe thirty minutes in my 3000+ hours in the bird and it was great. And that was before I got my private license.
Being an EWO on an aircraft that does normally call for one has to be one of the best jobs in the world. I was lucky to be selected to join the first 130 unit to use EWOs (Heavy Chain) in 1965. When Combat Talon started in 1966, I went to Pope AFB as an instructor. A year in Nam and four in Germany, then five years flying a desk in Tac Air Control, retired in 1981. The Pope unit contributed to the Son Tay POW camp raid in 1971. If you are interested in more info, the web page I mentioned has a page called 'Articles' where you can find BG LeRoy Manor's article on the mission.
Yep, retired and mostly traveling. Totally enjoyed a 30-day trip to NZ/AU in March/April 2002. We would love to spend a year in Australia but that will probably never be.
BTW, there's not such thing as a 'simple' Trash Hauler.' Without the trash haulers, the best of the fighters and bombers would lose in the long run. ;>)
Keep in touch.
HalT

G'day HalT (yes you got it right). There are some fascinating articles on your site. Were you involved in the Son Tay mission?

I noticed in among the articles a piece on the Australian involvement in Vietnam and it covers the period when I served in the squadron - I was the Operational Flight Commander at the time and as well as regular missions into Nam, I also flew to Ubon in Thailand and throughout Malaysia in support of the Malaysian Government. At the eleventh (?) paragraph is a reference to Operation Winter Grip, a troop changeover between Darwin and Vung Tau. I was responsible for the planning of the mission and commanded the Detachment to ensure it was carried out efficiently. They were good years.

Hi Ian. No, unfortunately I wasn't eligible for the Son Tay mission. You had to have flown past missions into North VN and I didn't get to VN until Feb '69. That was after we stopped flying missions into NVN. Our squadron (then at Pope AFB) sent one crew/aircraft and some support personal. Our sister squadron in Germany did the same.
For an explanation of what we did in Nam, see the article 'The Last Mission of Combat Talon S-10' by John Gargus. It's on the same web page.
Something you may find interesting: Before 130s, I flew in the RB-66C, an electronic recce aircraft. We had two exchange officers, Commander Kingsbury, US Navy, and Squadron Leader Kilsby, RAAF (I'm pretty sure that was his name). Due to the departure of both the squadron Commander and Ops Officer, Kingsbury and Kilsby moved into those positions. I think we were the only USAF squadron ever to have a Navy commander and Aussie Ops Officer!

Nice additions to your photo album Ian. You should make the koala bear your avatar. Cheers!

Just passing through.
Keep up the great photos.

Ian and Anne

Please accept my sincerest condolences on the passing of your mother and mother in law. 93 is a great age - however it doesn't make it any easier to accept her passing. I have a 94 yo grandmother and I dread the day. Please hold on to your memories and remember - there are a lot of caring people on this site that are only a mouse click away from you. If we can help you in any way - please do not hesitate to buzz us

Love and thoughts are with you both on the passing of Anne's mum. Warm wishes also on your anniversary.

Thanks for your kind wishes for our anniversary.

Ian and Anne nothing takes the pain away when someone you love dies but your memories of the great times you have shared will always be with you and a comfort when needed as you know. xx
My thoughts as well for your anniversary wishing you may happy years to come xx

Happy anniversary Anne and Ian! It is bittersweet that Anne's mother passed away on the same day. It sounds like she lived a wonderfully long life. Take care. Thank you for your wishes to me, and I like your new arvatar.

Ian, yup, Wombat. I know they're pests, but they can look cute.

I've been fond of Wombats since I was a teen, a long long time ago. Your Frogmouth picture is very cool too. It must be a kind of owl?

Avatar Ian. Sometimes my brain malfunctions!

Ian, Anne; My deepest condolences in the passing of your Mother.

Ian, the way I see it, the more Segovia available on this site, the better. My guess is Billy would feel the same.

Wonderful choice for your video Ian! There is no one who can compare with Segovia!

Ian - go for it! Segovia is not a name that pops up that often - so to have interest shown in someone who has been long dead, in company such as ours, on a site such as this - never fails to amaze me!

Billy, I have been a fan of Segovia for many years now. I still delight at the exquisite control he exercises over what can be a very difficult instrument to play well.

He reminds me very much of an old friend of ours in Port Moresby who was a classical guitarist, but not in the same league as Sergovia. He would come to our place for dinner and after dinner he would entertain us in the warm tropical evenings with beautiful music on his guitar. He was also a fellow pilot and unfortunately he lost his life in a crash at a remote airfield when some children ran across the runway as he was approaching to land. He tried to go around at an airfield where a 'go around' was impossible. Vale 'Sully' , I still miss your cheerful company.

That is a very sad story Ian - this piece of music is so fitting in remembrance to him. I am lingering here listening to it. Beautiful.

Billy, it was one of life's little tragedies. He was a wonderful person, generous, fun-loving and full of life - he was also the chief pilot of the airline he worked for, so he knew the risks. They have named an aviation reporting point off the coast near Port Moresby in his memory.

Greg, as I said I have been a fan of Segovia for years. I bought one of his CD's a year or so ago from one of those on-line sites named after a large river in South America. At the same time, I felt it was my duty to make sure that my children didn't grow up without having heard the golden tones of Spike Jones and his City Slickers, so I bought one of his CD's as well.
Last year I discovered how to convert my old vinyl records onto CD and I have converted about half of my collection. One of my favourites is Lionel Hampton's Carnegie Hall concert but I also like Brubeck, the Firehouse Five plus Two, Clancy Brothers, Miles Davis and Ella Fitzgerald/Louis Armstrong.
I guess I have now exposed my musical soul to the world.

Ian, you have good taste in music. I too have converted many old LPs to CD, and I like almost all kinds of music, including folk, jazz, pop, classicals and show musicals. Grew up playing and singing (influenced heavily by the folk artists and pop groups from the 60's) and my daughter is now a stage actor specializing in musical theatre. As to the cricket thing, it was just a joke post as I'm sure you realized.

Ian, thank you...thank you for your comments, and for such a beautiful video. As I listen I cannot help but remember my dear late Father, sitting in our home in Cuba; lights out; full moon outside which - in a small town in a remote part of our beautiful island - would light up everything; listening to the incomparable Segovia. Us, the children, would fall asleep listening to the most amazing music.
From the bottom if my heart...thank you.

My, Ian, what a handsome young man you were and I'm sure still are. Handsome, that is, I don't think you're still that young!!

Anne, sadly time weathers us all, but I've had fun.

Ian love the photo, I think black and white capture so much don't they. I have converted lots of mine of my children into black and white. I am sure you are still the handsome devil!!

Ian, you do look like a proper young gentleman! Nice photo my friend!

Thanks Greg. Actually I take no credit, blame my parents.