The wing did not seem to be quite sure what to do with their classified gaggle of what was trimmed to this flight of 22 enlisted and 8 officers.

The Base Daddy Warrior solved the confusion with his 2 stars, said yea verily on 2 Dec 1964, via his 6313th ABWg issued Special Order A-3609 and established on paper, in Okinawa, the 3rd and 4th Direct Air Support Flights. At that moment, I was the ranking NCO.

The Commander Maj. Louis A. Tester assured me that even though on paper I was assigned to the 4th which would be moving to Korea soon, not to worry, that he wanted me there with him at the 3rd DASF.

Personnel assigned per the order to the 3 Direct Air Support Flt, 18 Tac Ftr Wg, PACAF, APO 239. EDSCA: 7 Dec 64 , with no travel involved, were:

MAJ. LOUIS A. TESTER
CAPT. ROLAND T. BOONE
CAPT. EDGAR L. HAWKINS(KIA)
SSGT. LYMAN H. CASS 30454
A1C HAROLD GEE 29350
A1C WILEY L. HOLDER, JR (Administrative Action Discharge 70250)
A2C MERIL O. LOCKHART 30454
A1C DEWEY I. RAPPE 29350
A2C JOHN E. ROBINSON 30454
A1C ERNEST J. STRANDBERG 29350
A1C FREDERICK R. STRANDINGER 29350
A2C WAYNE H. SWISLOSKY 293

The following named airmen were also relieved from the 18 TFW and assigned to the 4 Dir Air Spt Flt, PCA with no travel involved:

A1C ROGER W. AUNE 30454
A1C KENNETH W. DOVER 29350
SSGT Bumphus 30454
A2C LARRY A. KELLY 30454
A2C JERRY R. MIXON 30454
A1C JERRY T. NEWSON 29350
A1C CARLTON R. SMITH 29350
A1C LYNDON D. STEARNS 30454
A2C HERBERT B. STRICKLAND, JR 30454
A2C STUART A. VOSK. (Later went to Korea and the 4th DASF Osan AB - Robin)

We kept wondering how the final selection would be made on the people to be shipped to Korea. Major Tester had his own method for solving that problem. He knew where each of his troops slept at night. 'When the klaxon went off in the wee hours of the morning, the troops sealed their own fates, so to speak.

I do recall that A2C DOVER was very upset that he had opted to respond after finishing some research with his long haired dictionary. If I remember correctly, Stuart Vosk volunteered to go to Korea..

I do remember after the dust settled we received some Air Liaison Officers:

Maj. Sparks
Maj. Solomon Harp
Maj. Jack N. M. Dale

TSgt Serbando J. Torres came aboard and we ended up in the PI attending Jungle Survival School Nov 65 (after I had spent from April 65-Sep 65 with the 173rd Airborne Brigade (SEP) in country (Vietnam).

If my memory serves me correctly, initially we were to be the school cadre and provide training for the operations personnel to be gleaned from the 18 TFW personnel, and to train with and provide support to the 173rd. Actually, what is the purpose stated that I see for the PI unit was the actual mission of the 3rd when I was there.

The Bay of Tonkin kicked the school house set in the butt.  While we were trying to get set up with the school bit etc. our training exercises were directed by a Col. Jones @ 5th Air Force. There were exercises with some of the on island USMC units. The 173rd Jump Trained 5 of my Radio Maint. Troops. I forget who and don't recall about the operators.  When we deployed with the 173rd, after the balloon went up for the Bay of Tonkin, we knew we could be going either to Taiwan for a large exercise or in-country (Vietnam). When our bird landed and I saw BG Williams hollering MOVE IT. I knew we were in Nam.

Some additional names that I remember:

A2C ROBERT M. HUEBLEIN, Jr 30454
SSG OLIVER WATT, SUPPLY
SSGT C. C. COX, Jr 70250
TSGT Robert Lee
A1C BURPEE,  Power Production
Capt JACOBS (KIA) were in the 3rd DASF DURING MY TIME THERE

A2C Hueblein was jump qualified and was assigned to the Tiger (ROK) unit in Nam. I recall that we were demonstrating for some wheels back on Okinawa the AN/PRC-47 radio and made contact with deployed A2C Hueblein who broke off contact as he was headed back to their base camp. He been shot at with a cross-bow. The quarrel was lodged into the side of his AN/MRC-107/8

By the way, I had the first 26 AN/MRC-107/108's at the 3rd.

While in NAM, I was the NCOIC of the TACP's assigned to the 173rd and the Australians.  Airman Donaldson, the Sky Diving Champ of SC and a Jump Master was also in the 3rd DASF.  Don't recall his rank at that time.

SSgt. Donald G. Schweichler 30454 was also in the 3rd DASF. Last but not least did I mention my No .2 guy, a 30454 by the name of Mike Bosevitch.

We lost 2 FAC's : Hawkins & Jacobs.

When PACAF decided to deploy us with the 173rd, we received a message saying we would be receiving 2 FAC's and 1500 lbs of radios, good-bye and good luck.

I saw Donaldson at Langley AFB years later in the NCO club. I also saw at LAFB Col. Dale and Col Harp.

Oh back then our Tac Air Control Party = 1 FAC + 1 29350 or 1 FAC + 1 30454.

The name ROMAD, I believe came into being about Feb 1977.  (This term ROMAD was being used in the summer of 1965 in Korea at the 4th DASF ~ Robin)

I know that I was attending the AGOS NCO Class 77-03 at Hurlburt Fld, Fl, when they combined the folk to create the new AFSC,  I escaped the cut by virtue of my SMSGT rank and HQ TAC assignment.

Will forward more as I remember it.

SSgt Labon T. Bumphus

A comment:

Just read the new post by Ssgt Bumphus and he either has a great memory or has some paperwork in fron of him because all the names he mentioned I do remember.

Funny story concerning him, when he first showed up in Korea, I remember addressing him as Sgt Bumpus. He said "the name is Bumphus...Bumphus". Well, you know what happened after that night. Every time I addressed him I said "Sgt Bumphus...Bumphus". He acted like he was mad when I said it but there was always a little smirk on his face! Though he tried to act like a hardass, he was truly a very nice guy and a pleasure to serve with.