How two A-1 Skyraiders provided top cover for a CSAR mission to save a downed OH-6 crew

‘Sandy 07’ assumed on-scene command, directing ‘Sandy 08’ to stay high and be alert for SA-7 missile launches while he entered the area to search for possible survivors…

The Douglas A-1 Skyraider was crucial during the Southeast Asia War. Its capability to carry a wide array of weapons and remain on the battlefield for long durations rendered it a formidable asset. This aircraft delivered close air support to ground troops, targeted enemy supply routes, and safeguarded helicopters involved in rescuing pilots stranded in hostile territory.

The US Air Force (USAF) Skyraiders in Southeast Asia are mainly recalled for their role in search and air rescue operations. With the call sign Sandy, the A-1’s capability to loiter over a downed Airman for long periods paired well with its significant firepower. Whereas jet aircraft often had to leave an area for refueling or rearming, the Sandies provided nearly continuous suppressing fire until helicopters could extract downed Airmen.

On June 12, 1972, 1Lt. Byron Hukee and his wingman, Capt. Gene Bardal, who were part of the 1st Special Operations Squadron (SOS), were dispatched from search and rescue (SAR) ground alert stationed at Da Nang Air Base (AB) in South Vietnam, serving as ‘Sandy 07’ and ‘Sandy 08.’ A pair of HH-53 rescue helicopters, known as ‘Jolly Green 65’ and ‘21’, took off alongside the ‘Sandys.’ According to Byron E. Hukee in his book USAF and VNAF A-1 Skyraider Units of the Vietnam War, the SAR units were informed that a US Army OH-6, designated ‘Blue Ghost 10’, had gone down approximately 18 nautical miles west-southwest of Hue. A ‘Covey’ Forward Air Controller (FAC) in the SAR region had not established contact with any possible survivors and mentioned that two other helicopters had been lost in that same area the day before.

‘Sandy 08’ directed the Jolly Greens to hold ‘feet wet’ east of Hue while leading his flight into the SAR area. ‘Covey’ reported seeing mirror flashes close to a smoking crash site near the Song Ba River. ‘Sandy 07’ assumed on-scene command, directing ‘Sandy 08’ to stay high and be alert for SA-7 missile launches while he entered the area to search for possible survivors.

Hukee, in A-1J 142028, assessed the threats in the area and returned enemy ground fire with a portion of his ordnance. During this period, he also noticed mirror flashes coming from close to the crash site. Multiple efforts to establish radio communication were unsuccessful. Could it be a trap, or were there Americans in need of rescue down there?

Bardal, in A-1H 139791, was sent to bring the Jolly Greens closer to the SAR area, after which ‘Sandy 07’ briefed the team on his SAR plan. His instincts told him that there were survivors to be rescued, but if it were a trap, the ‘Sandys’ would position themselves to immediately suppress enemy fire while directing the Jolly Greens to abort the pickup. Both ‘Sandys’ would lay down a smoke screen to shield the Jolly Greens from possible threats. The Jolly Greens were directed to proceed inbound as fast as possible to minimize the effectiveness of threats en route to the survivor.

The SAR team executed the plan flawlessly. A Jolly Green pararescue jumper (PJ) was lowered to assist a badly injured crewmember into the helicopter—the other crewmember had been killed when the OH-6 crashed. ‘Jolly Green 65’ egressed the area, escorted by Hukee and Bardal, and flew the survivor to Da Nang AB.

USAF and VNAF A-1 Skyraider Units of the Vietnam War is published by Osprey Publishing and is available to order here.

Top Image: Iron Mike Magazine; Photo by U.S. Air Force