Warbird Information Exchange

A little more on 62-1818 for those that are interested......

EC-130E 62-1818 "Republic 6" In Operation EAGLE CLAW

This aircraft was one of three EC-130’s (62-1809, 62-1818, & 62-1857) borrowed from the 7th ACCS at Keesler AFB, MS in 1980 for use in Operation Eagle Claw, the attempted rescue of American hostages being held in the embassy in Iran. The role of the EC-130’s was to carry fuel to a remote landing spot in the Iranian Desert code named Desert One. Large fuel bladders would be loaded into the back of the EC-130’s along with fuel pumps and hoses. These aircraft would be known as “bladder birds” and would be responsible for ground refueling the 8 RH-53D helicopters that would carry Delta Force to the embassy.
Aircraft 1818 was taken to Hurlburt Field (actually Eglin due to runway repairs at Hurlburt). The undersides were painted black and the aircraft was prepped for the mission.
The six mission aircraft – 3 MC-130E’s and 3 EC-130E’s were flown to Masirah Island, Oman where they were to stage for the long flight to Desert One.
1818 was flown to Desert One by Jerry Uttaro using the radio call sign “Republic 6”.
The following is from“The Praetorian Starship, The Untold Story of The Combat Talon” by Jerry Thigpen:
1818’s near collision on take-off: Uttaro (1818) began his back taxi down the active runway at Masirah Island to the hammerhead position. With his exterior lights illuminated, Uttaro met Lewis (1809) head-on on the runway as Lewis was on his take-off roll. To avoid collision Uttaro departed the runway on to the hard packed sand, and Lewis stopped 1809 on the runway. After the flight engineers quickly inspected the two aircraft, both Uttaro and Lewis taxied back to the approach end of the runway and took off without further incident. At the time of take-off, aircraft 1818 weighed over 200,000 pounds, one of the heaviest C-130 take-offs on record.
1818’s landing at Desert One: …There were now three aircraft at Desert One, with Uttaro (1818) orbiting near the Landing Zone. The Iranian fuel truck (previously stopped by Delta with a rocket propelled grenade) was still burning as Uttaro passed over it on his approach, and he was forced to go around. After a second attempt to land that resulted in a second go around, 1818 touched down uneventfully on its third approach and was marshaled to its refueling position next to aircraft Republic 4 62-1809.
1818 after the helicopter collision with aircraft 62-1809: Uttaro in aircraft 62-1818, was parked next to the now burning and exploding wreckage that only moments before had been aircraft 1809. With missiles, bullets, and grenades exploding around him, Uttaro powered up his engines and began taxiing away from the burning wreckage, dragging the still connected fuel hoses behind his aircraft.
62-1818 (now the command aircraft) was last aircraft to depart Desert One. Lt Col James Kyle (the on scene commander), Major John Carney, and Delta Force commander Charles Beckwith were the last people to board 1818 after a thorough search had been made of the area for any survivors. So many people were on the aircraft (Delta Force, Helicopter crewmen, etc.) that the aircraft ramp would not lock into position. Cargo chains had to be used to ensure it would not accidentally open in-flight. Uttaro made a perfect take-off, circled the devastating scene and headed back to Masirah Island. On board were numerous burn victims from the collision.

True, a fascinating chapter in military history, as was Bernie Fisher's unplanned rescue. Personally, I think the most daring rescue mission attempted would have to be the Son Tay Raid during the Vietnam war. Jolly Green Giants full of SF guys and MC-130s covered by Skyraiders, Wild Weasel 105s for SAM supression, F-4 CAP, and a variety of tankers along the way all in the middle of the night. Ballsy stuff.

http://www.sontayraider.com/history.htm

That whole op was a classic fiasco. They screwed the whole thing with the attack on the tanker sending a calling card up for miles. CIA intel called for more choppers but were over ruled by Charging Charlie and the Air Force who could not see the horizon with a telescope.

APG85,

Do you know if any one got the plaque out of 1818?

Gary

The last AMARG Inventory I saw posted dated 6/29/2011 still listed 62-1818 as being at DM. It would be nice to see this one preserved due to its history.

Dave in NJ

There is another C-130 from that mission, Republic 5, that is still flying, it stopped in at Goodyear, (ex Litchfield NAS), a couple of months ago.
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=39666&hilit=Historic%2C+Goodyear

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We tried voting with the Ballot box, When do we start voting from the Ammo box, and am I allowed only one vote ?
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As a career C-130 pilot, I'd love to see 1818 saved, but, as a realist, I don't see it happening. The suggestion of saving the nose section might be the best compromise to see part of the airplane more easily shipped and brought indoors. In line with the sage quote, "Those who don't know history are doomed to repeat it", Eagle Claw represents the milestone that led to the creation of Special Operations Command and improved joint warfare. Bad memory, good results.

I realize this thread started in 06, how's 1818 doing?

On a related note, I too would like to see some Herks saved. There is another thread on this, but I did have an email exchange with the Curator of NMUSAF around 2008. I was made aware that a slick C-130E "Patches" was still flying in Iraq and was soon scheduled for AMARC. The airplane had served in every major conflict since the 1960's and earned her name through battle damage. I pointed out to the Curator that, although the gunships and other Special Ops airplanes garner the most public attention, the combat delivery slicks were the most numerous, unsung, and had touched more lives throughout their USAF histories (crews, passengers, paratroopers, patients, etc).

I asked him if it wouldn't make good fiscal sense to snag Patches while still flyable and complete where she could be ushered indoors and preserved as-is. He replied that he wasn't previously aware of Patches but that he would look into it, thought it was a good idea, and would welcome any future tail number suggestions I might have.

Recently read where Patches went to AMARC. I empathize with your unhappiness with the fate of 1818.

Ken

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"Take care of the little things and the big things will take care of themselves."

I just read on facebook that C-130E 62-1787 "Spare 617" was going to the NMUSAF.

Dave in NJ

"C-130E 62-1787"

Got my IFE Check on this bird. APG85, any word on the whereabouts of 1818's plaque?

Gary

I wonder if any of the birds from the Son Tay Raid are still around...

bump

All the surviving MC-130E' Combat Talons are assigned to the 711th SOS/919th SOW at Duke Field Florida, 3 of the airframes have been placed in storage, and one on display at the Air Commando Air Park at Hurlburt Field Florida.

http://www.warbirdinformationexchange.o ... 83#p365483

The surviving MC-130E tail numbers are as follows, don't know if more of them have gone to AMARC yet.

62-1843 (Which is actually AC 64-0506) (Spare for Iran Hostage Rescue Attempt)
63-7785 (Which is actually AC 64-0507) (Used for Iran Hostage Rescue Attempt) (AMARC)
64-0523 (Used in the Son Tai Raid)
64-0547 (Lost Dec 1967 Lai Chau Province)
64-0551
64-0555 (AMARC)
64-0559
64-0561
64-0562
64-0563 (Destroyed Nov 67 Nha Trang AB)
64-0565 (Used for and damaged during Iran Hostage Rescue Attempt)
64-0566
64-0567 (Static display at Commando Park)
64-0568
64-0571
64-0572 (AMARC)

_________________
Mike in Florida
TSgt USAF Retired
Jan 86 - Sept 08
Aircrew Life Support
"Your Life Is Our Business"
(122X0, 1T1X1, 1P0X1)
NRA Life Member

Hi... just stumbled across this board while looking up my old acft, 62-1809. I'm sorry to hear about 1818, or "Arnold" as I knew her. I was a new airman at my first assignment in 77 when I was assigned to 1809 under SSgt. Tommy T. Timler. I remember Mike Bober was also assigned. SSgt. Tom Vette was 1818s CC. Bill McKinstry was new about then too and was on 1818. our birds were the hot rods of the fleet with 57 as they had recently visited LAS Ontario and been fitted with -15s and UARRSI. I'm given to understand that was why they were chosen for the Eagle Claw mission. I was later assigned to 0523 and 0561 while in Germany at the 7th and 69-6576 while at Hurbie. I was on Guam crewing 861 when I learned of 09s fate from a friend. I am sorry to see 1818 go out... but at least she is having a wake of sorts here. ...and, yes, I know the crews are the heros, unsung at times, but the metal that took them into harms way and brought them out is a focus for so much hope, pain, and joy that we who cared for it and made sure it could do what was asked of it tend to imbue it with human characteristics too. It becomes the physical focus of all those emotions, so forgive us if we feel sadness at the passing of what now feels like a friend. I trusted more than one airframe to perform it's duty under the command of a crew and bring us all home safely as if it were a being of mythology given powers like that of Excalibur.

Thank you Arnold, for a life well spent, one of your humble attendants, Crew Chief SSgt. Michael R. Trumble.

Not all of us have the resources you have!

You are blessed!

Thank you and keep'em post positive, please!

Well said Mr. Trumble, thanks for your service.

Gary