Attitude not a Specialty Code

You've heard me say "Fighter Pilot is an attitude, not an AFSC".  AFSC stands for Air Force Specialty Code,  it's called MOS in the Army and I'm sure the Navy and Marines have their own acronyms.  They all accomplish the same function, it allows the Shoe Clerks the ability to account for all the people in that branch of the service by what they're trained and qualified to do.  I was an 11F, Fighter Pilot.

However, there are Fighter Pilots and there are Pilots who fly fighters.  There is a difference.  There is an accompanying saying.  "The Air Force is composed of Fighter Pilots and Shoe Clerks.  Fighter Pilots know that the Mission of the Air Force is to Fly and Fight.  Shoe Clerks are in direct opposition to that Mission."

Much like Fighter Pilot is an attitude not an AFSC, so also is Shoe Clerk.  My wife is definitely a Fighter Pilot even though she worked in Personnel.  I also believe Sarge to be a Fighter Pilot even as a Radar Fixer Upper.

Which brings me round to my story today.

Col Joe M. Jackson received the Medal of Honor for actions taken on May 12th 1968 when he successfully rescued 3 members of an Air Force Combat Control Team from the airstrip at Kham Duc South Vietnam.

He is one of the men on the Monument at Lackland whom I didn't recognize their name. Researching this post, impressed me.  Col Jackson is not only a Fighter Pilot, but also a warrior.

So, a little background, because reading about him brought forth a few interesting details that I'd like to sit down with him and discuss over a beer.

Yes, he is still with us at 94.

Col Jackson started out his Air Force Career as a crew chief on B-25s before being accepted to flight school commissioned and checked out in the B-24.  During the Korean War, he flew 107 combat sorties in the F-84 earning the Distinguished Flying Cross.  After which, he was one of the first pilots to fly the U-2.

Now, in his third war, he's in South Vietnam flying the C-123 Provider where he flew 298 combat sorties.  The C-123K is a 2 engine prop transport outfitted with 2 auxilliary jet engines to enhance it's short field capability. Which will come in handy as our story unfolds.

Col Jackson is airborne on a routine sortie, so routine, that it is being used as a Check Ride.  Check Rides were semi-annual events where you had to go and prove your skills to a Check Pilot from the Standardization and Evaluation section.  (Stan-Eval, semi-formally, Stanley Evil behind their backs.)

Check rides were a general pain in the lower posterior anatomy.  Basically the best that could happen was you'd pass.  Everything else was worse, up to and including losing your wings.

So the Colonel is getting a check ride when he gets diverted to a Special Forces Camp near the Laotian Border.  The camp has been under attack for a couple of days and is being evacuated.  The evacuation had been thought completed with the loss of a C-130 on the ground and another one shot down on takeoff with the loss of all on board.

However, as the last C-130 lifts off with what was believed to be the final troops on board, the Crew Chief sees 3 Americans running for the aircraft as it begins its takeoff roll.  Not wishing to leave anyone behind, the aircraft circles around to make a landing and pick them up but is hit by AAA and badly damaged.

Colonel Jackson, having been diverted, has arrived overhead and hears the story as it unfolds.  He tells the controllers that he will attempt to land as he has seen where the survivors are located on the airfield.

Aaron, do NOT attempt this on YOUR checkride.

He sets up 9000' above the field.  Configures the aircraft for landing and starts a maximum descent 270^o degree swooping dive, arriving at the overrun exactly on speed and touches down.  He reverses thrust and gets the aircraft stopped exactly beside the survivors.

Copied from an Air Force Magazine Article I used a s a source, I couldn't find this picture big enough to be useful.  As it's caption says, this is believed to be the only picture of a Medal of Honor event taken while it was happening.

Leaving the jets running to minimize time on the ground, he lowers the back door as the survivors sprint for the aircraft.

As he's waiting for the word that they are on board,. his co-pilot (the check pilot) exclaims "Oh, my God!"  He turns and sees a rocket headed straight for him.  Fortunately, it breaks apart in mid air and comes to rest under the nose of the C-123 and fails to explode.

Hearing that the survivors are on board, he cobs the power and takes off from midfield.  Everybody and their brother is firing at them as they lift off, however, they successfully take off and recover back at Danang AB.

He had been on the ground at Kham Duc for 50 seconds.

I'd bet it felt like an eternity. Major John Gallager, TSgt Mort Freedman and Sgt Jim Lundie were glad he dropped in for a visit.  (The team he rescued.)

Later, at Danang, he does his post flight inspection of the aircraft and finds that the aircraft sustained no damage whatsoever, not one bullet hole.

At the ceremony where he was presented with the Medal of Honor were 3 other recipients.  The Marine recipient happened be well known to Col Jackson as they were both from Newnan Georgia a small town on the outskirts of Atlanta.  (I love those little coincidences.)

He currently works for a local church providing meals to the hungry.

This is truly a Fighter Pilot, and more than that, a Warrior!

Here he is telling his story.

Col Jackson's Citation:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Lt. Col. Jackson distinguished himself as pilot of a C-123 aircraft. Lt. Col. Jackson volunteered to attempt the rescue of a 3-man USAF Combat Control Team from the special forces camp at Kham Duc. Hostile forces had overrun the forward outpost and established gun positions on the airstrip. They were raking the camp with small arms, mortars, light and heavy automatic weapons, and recoilless rifle fire. The camp was engulfed in flames and ammunition dumps were continuously exploding and littering the runway with debris. In addition, 8 aircraft had been destroyed by the intense enemy fire and 1 aircraft remained on the runway reducing its usable length to only 2,200 feet. To further complicate the landing, the weather was deteriorating rapidly, thereby permitting only 1 air strike prior to his landing. Although fully aware of the extreme danger and likely failure of such an attempt. Lt. Col. Jackson elected to land his aircraft and attempt to rescue. Displaying superb airmanship and extraordinary heroism, he landed his aircraft near the point where the combat control team was reported to be hiding. While on the ground, his aircraft was the target of intense hostile fire. A rocket landed in front of the nose of the aircraft but failed to explode. Once the combat control team was aboard, Lt. Col. Jackson succeeded in getting airborne despite the hostile fire directed across the runway in front of his aircraft. Lt. Col. Jackson's profound concern for his fellowmen, at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Air Force and reflect great credit upon himself, and the Armed Forces of his country.

Sources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_M._Jackson
http://www.cmohs.org/recipient-detail/3310/jackson-joe-m.php
http://www.homeofheroes.com/wings/jackson.html
http://www.gaaviationhalloffame.com/Hall-of-Fame.48.0.html?avid=57
http://www.airforcemag.com/MagazineArchive/Documents/2005/October%202005/1005khamduc.pdf