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An Urgent Request for Assistance/Help (Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Vietnam – 1968)
1. B52 Bomber Crews/Pilots -Home Base, Anderson Air Base, Guam (1968) 2. All Vietnam Veterans (1968) 3.Tactical Air Control Center (TACC) - Senior Controllers/Weapon Controllers/Charters (1968)
4. Members of the Air Force Investigation Team (1968) – B52 Bombers “Do Not Drop” Incident.
5. Lieutenant Charles R. Hope, Air Traffic Control Officer – Air Traffic Control Regulation Center (1968)
Please Contact Thomas J. Pope, Jr, Major, USAF, Ret. at popetj@comcast.net, (If You Have Any Information/Knowledge of This B52 Bombing Incident As Defined Below – This Incident In Now De-Classified!
I was an Air Traffic Control Controller/Supervisor in Vietnam (Tet Offensive) and was involved in an incident where I was forced into a situation (only a sergeant at the time) in turning around a B52 Flight bombing run involving multiple planes at the very last minute after learning the coordinates were those of our forces, and where the Australian officer in charge threatened me after the fact but was ultimately sent home following the incident, verified by a review of AF/FAA Tape Recordings of the incident and a corroborating Air Force Investigation. I have been unable to prove my story as all the military men I knew have passed – I am still looking for LIEUTENANT CHARLES R. HOPE.
The radio transmissions on Air Traffic Control Emergency Frequencies, 121.5 or 243.0 MHz communications are as follows:
Me: “B52 Arc-Light flight (Call Sign), this is Paris Control, if you drop on x-ray, tango (coordinates from the Top Secret message)…, you will drop on America’s Marines, Soldiers, and friendly military forces. Please do not drop, Sir, over!”
Me: Repeated Transmission(s): On all Air Traffic Control radio and ground radio frequencies: “B52 Arc-Light flight (Call Sign), this is Paris Control, if you drop on x-ray, tango (coordinates from the Top Secret message)…, you will drop on America Marines, Soldiers, and friendly military forces. Please do not drop, Sir, over!”
B52 Flight Commander: “One minute from (drop) targets” …pilot directing B52 Bomber Crews.
Me: Reactivated Emergency Frequencies and broadcast: “I am transmitting on Air Traffic Control Emergency Frequencies, 243.0 MHz and 121.5 MHz, B52 Arc-Light flight (Call Sign), this is Paris Control, if you drop on x-ray, tango (coordinates from the Top Secret message)…, Sir, you will drop on America’s Marines, Soldiers, and friendly military forces. Please do not drop, Sir, over!
B52 Flight Commander: “Paris Control! Are you directing me to cancel the weapons’ drop on x-ray, tango (coordinates from the Top Secret message)…, is that an Affirmative, Authenticate, please, over?”
Me: “This is Paris Control, That’s an Affirmative, Sir, if you drop on x-ray, tango (coordinates from the Top Secret message)…, you will DEFINITELY drop on America’s Marines, Soldier, and friendly military forces. Please do not drop, Sir. Authenticating: Thomas J. Pope, Jr., USAF, Technical Sergeant, Supervisor, Air Traffic Regulation Center. Over?”
B52 Flight Commander: “Roger, Paris Control, Thank you, returning to Base.”
B52 Flight Commander: “Transmitting on emergency frequencies 243.0 MHz and 121.5 MHz, B52 Arc-Light flight (Call Sign), do not drop! Return to Base” – (Anderson Air Base, Guam).
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