Commendation to Alaskan Air Command Crew of Aircraft
No. 70488 Assigned TDY to Turnkey Project Support
Alaskan Air Command (C)
1. As you are aware, Project "Turnkey"
is one of the most important undertakings of the U. S. Air Force
to date in the field of Civil Engineering. It represents a potential
breakthrough which could materially affect future procedures in
the Air Force and has been the focus of direct attention by the
Chief of Staff and Office of the Secretary of Air Force.
2. During the period 1 August through 30 November
1966, C-130 No. 70488 was assigned to support this project with
crews from your command. The mission consisted of transporting
passengers and all types of cargo, including heavy equipment,
construction materials, and perishable foods. The mission required
flying full crew days, RON at unexpected times, changes in schedule,
and landing of a 3500' unlighted strip at Tuy Hoa under possible
hostile conditions. Your crews assisted in manually loading much
of the material to help insure timely departure and maximum utilization
of the aircraft. Monthly operations averaged 400,000 pounds of
payload and over 194 hours of flying time. In essence your personnel
became imbued with the spirit of "Turnkey" and, in effect,
were considered by all of us as part of the team.
3. The services performed for this command by all
crew members of C-130 No. 70488 were truly outstanding and contributed
substantially to our ability to operate a fighter squadron from
Tuy Hoa Air Base on 15 November 1966. Please convey to all concerned
our compliments for a job well done. Attached is a personnel list
for the period 1 August through 30 November 1966.
(Signed)
William W. Momyer, Lt. General, USAF
Commander
1 Atch
Personnel List
GRADE ---------------------------- NAME
Captain -------------------- Richard L. Tinney
Captain -------------------- Ronald E. Hebert
Captain -------------------- Albert E. Benson, Jr.
Captain -------------------- Harold R. Martin
Captain -------------------- Thomas L. Sutton
Captain -------------------- Donavon G. Wilkerson
Captain -------------------- Ray D. Reaves
Captain -------------------- Densel K. Acheson
Captain -------------------- Robert D. Morrissey
Captain -------------------- James W. Bell, Jr.
Captain -------------------- Gerald M. Harris
1st Lt. ---------------------- Alan C. Anderson
MSgt. --------------------- Jess Hopson, Jr.
TSgt. ---------------------- Samuel L. Arnold
TSgt. ---------------------- Richard L. Burr
SSgt. ---------------------- Marion W. Hendrix
TSgt. ---------------------- Harold G. Lee
SSgt. ---------------------- Charles E. Dorman
SSgt. ---------------------- Hubert G. Smiley, Jr.
SSgt. ---------------------- Flem D. Hacker
TSgt. --------------------- Billy J. Aaron
A1C ---------------------- Calvin Dischner
Commendation provided by:
Richard L. Tinney
Aircraft Commander
17th Troop Carrier Squadron