BLAKE, Charles R (Lt. Colonel)

Call No.: K239.0512-227
 
IRIS No.: 00904109
 
IRIS Tape No.: 00904110/00904111
 
Accessibility: OPEN
 
Pages/Time: 45pp/1:11
 
Class: U
 
Date/Location: 7 May 1970/Unknown
 
Interviewers: Lt. Col. Ray L. Bowers
 
Source: Project CORONA HARVEST Collection
 
Topics: 

(1962) Oral history interview with Lt. Colonel Charles Blake, navigator with the 2nd Air Division and air operations staff officer. TDY deployment from Pope AFB SC. Discusses living conditions on early Vietnam airbases- Da Nang and Tan Son Nhut, need for navigators stateside and excessive number in Vietnam. Topics also include coordination with the Army Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) in paratroop operations, duties of lead navigator in drop missions, development of cargo drop methods, employment of Decca and use of C-123 for napalm strikes and night flare missions. Also flying safety, lack of US/Vietnam Air Force coordination for unified airlift system and Ranch Hand under unit in 1962.