“Days at Long Tieng” 
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Air America, from what I understand, was now to be responsible by contract or by direction from the ambassador for the maintenance of the 0-1 aircraft in Laos.  We found many issues with each aircraft that more than likely were induced by improper maintenance.  Some items such as Carburetors being dirty, air filters and fuel filters replaced, engine timing reset, spark plugs replaced, wheel bearings and brake pads replaced, and repairing avionics wiring and radios when necessary.  The trigger switch to fire the rockets seemed to be a problem also.  This work was done on the dusty unpaved, noisy ramp past the control tower.  The ramp was later paved when the T-28’s moved in.  There was a long sheltered building that was a motor pool building that we could use to get the nose of the aircraft into for engine changes. 

The routine maintenance and things such as pre-and-post flights were carried out on a daily basis.  We were also responsible for loading the rocket tubes in each aircraft.  Sometimes this would be done four or five times a day.  Battle damaged aircraft were repaired as fast and safely as possible.  A sapper team blew up an aircraft at night so we used what parts we could to support the others. 

(Photo courtesy Dan Williams)