Unclassified (Formerly CONFIDENTIAL)
S T A T E M E N T
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20 JUNE 1972
SUBJECT: Sandy 01 and 02 Statement SAR NICKEL 102/ SANDY 07
On 20 June 1972 at 1000L (NKP time)[0300Z] , Sandys 01/02 were notified of the downing of Nickel 102, a Navy F-8 pilot (one SOB). Nickel 102 was down North of Ashau Valley and Sandys -7/08 out of Da Nang were going to need escort help from the NKP Sandys. Sandy 01/02 launched at 1100L (NKP) [0400Z] with Nail 10 as navigational escort, and they headed direct to the area. Upon reaching the SAR area, Sandy 07 directed Sandy 01/02 to go to Hue and pick up the Jolly Greens. Sandy 07/08 were talking to the survivor at this time and were preparing for a pickup. Sandy 01/02 found the Jollys and herded them toward the holding point. Bad weather was a factor and a large thunderstorm was building just south of the survivor. Upon reaching the holding point, the Jollys and escort Sandys descended down to 1000 feet AGL and awaited the execution words. Meanwhile, Sandy 07/08 were briefing the survivor and at approximately 1300L [0500Z] the execution was given. Upon the first attempt to pick up, the Jollys began receiving ground fire just as it was going into the hover. The Jolly Green began to pull out immediately, as the flight engineer had been seriously wounded. Then Sandys 01/02 and 07/08 all put down ordnance on the spot the ground fire had come from. The first Jolly began climbing and going home. At this time the second Jolly stated that he was preparing to make an attempt. We executed just as before and again the Jolly took small arms fire, forcing him to pull out. It was thought that he had taken battle damage, but he actually hadn't. At this time, Sandy 07/08 were bingo fuel, so they elected to follow the Jollys back to Da Nang. Sandy 01/02 stayed on scene and attempted to find the ground fire and silence it. Then as Sandy 07/08 were following the Jollys back to Da Nang, they had to divert around the thunderstorm. Almost immediately after this he called out AAA fire and directed a break. Almost immediately after this he called that he had been hit and gave his position as 280/35/69. Very soon after this he said he had to get out, and he extracted immediately after the call. Sandy 01/02 headed out for the area as quickly as possible and soon found Sandy 08 who was searching for his lead. Sandy 08 witnessed the extraction and reported a good chute, however he hadn't been able to establish radio contact yet. The three Sandys continued to search with two Nails that were in the area. Soon Sandy 08 was forced to leave due to lack of fuel. At this time, Sandy 03/04 could be heard on the radio. They were 15 minutes from the area. They had two more Jolly Greens in tow with them. Next radio contact was established with Sandy 07, the survivor, but a pinpoint position could not be made. When the Jollys arrived with Sandy 03/04, Jolly 30 reported having an ELF (electronic location finder) lock-on on Sandy 07's radio, however we didn't commit the Jolly to the run in due to the high threat area. Sandy 01/02 were below bingo fuel by this time, so they had to RTB to Da Nang. On scene command was passed to Nail 18 and then on to Sandy 03. Sandy 01/02 RTB'd uneventfully, landing at 1500L [0700Z] for 4.0 hours of flying time (each).
Sandy 01/02/08 launched for a second time at 1645L (NKP). Sandy 08 was directed by King to join up with Sandy 04 in the SAR area. Sandy 04 had lost his leader who had to RTB due to a rough running engine. Sandy 04 and 08 were to make up a flight. Sandy 01/02 were directed to find the NKP Jollys and hold at Hue with them. Sandy 01/02 did so and awaited further instructions. It was soon apparent that the afternoon's efforts were wasted as there seemed to be no control or organization to the rescue effort.
Sandy 04 had RTB'd for fuel, while Sandy 08 was still searching in vain for him. Finally, Sandy 09/10 arrived and took on scene command. Immediately Sandys 01/02 were moved to a closer holding point. As the Sandys and Jollys moved in, a 23mm came up on them, but the air bursts were well short. Nightfall was rapidly becoming a factor. Sandys 01/02 attempted to follow a ridge line and move into the SAR area in hope of a pickup; however, they began taking ground fire. For the next 15 minutes, the Sandys and Jollys took continuous ground fire from at least 10 different positions, estimating 200-250 rounds of AAA. The fire varied from 23mm up to radar controlled 57mm. With darkness on them, the Sandys took the Jolly Greens back to the coast line and RTB'd them to Da Nang. Sandy 01/02 also RTB'd to Da Nang, landing at 1915 (NKP time) for a 2.5 flight. Sandy 01 had minor battle damage. A coordinated effort was planned for the next day.
Signed
JAMES D. CLEVENGER, Capt, USAF
Sandy 01
Signed
RICHARD E. BROWN III, 1Lt, USAF
Sandy 02