Enemy activity on the PDJ was light on 15 and 16 December. On the 17th, smoke covered the area, which cut the resupply flights to the Thai positions. “At 1835 hours that evening, all hell broke loose.” The NVA hit all Thai positions simultaneously with Soviet-made 130-mm guns. This was the first time the long-range guns were used in Laos. Enemy tanks and infantry broke through the defensive perimeter” By the next morning, the northern-most position had fallen, and the other bases were under heavy pressure.” Thai artillery had a range of nine miles and the Thais were no match for the 16 mile range of the 130-mm guns. The enemy attack continued on the 18th and 19th – TACAIR was noticeably absent. Ambassador Godley contacted 7AF headquarters in Saigon and he was told that all available U.S. aircraft were involved in search and rescue operations.
Falcon 66 took off at Udorn, without his wingman Falcon 67, due to a mechanical problem, on 18 December. The Falcons were fragged to provide MiG CAP coverage for the helicopter extraction of a CAS team that inserted several days earlier. Falcon 66 and 67 were scheduled to relieve Falcon 94 and 95 at 1430 hours. When Falcon 66 checks in with Cricket, he does not mention that he is solo. Cricket clears Falcon 66 to the assigned target. Falcon 67 was soon on the way to rendezvous with Falcon 66. As Falcon 67 approached the orbit, he heard a MiG warning at 200 degrees (southwest) and 80 miles from Bullseye (Hanoi). Falcon 67 heard Falcon 66 on his survival radio, who reported two good chutes. Falcon 66 was declared missing at 1501 hours – a MiG was the suspected cause.
Falcon 74/75 departed Udorn at 1514 hours for a Barrel Roll strike. Motel requested that the two Falcons join in the SAR for Falcon 66. The F-4s diverted, refueled and jettisoned their 12 MK-82 bombs on a target. As Falcon 74/75 entered the Fish’s Mouth, Red Crown advised that two MiGs were at 12 o’clock at 75 and 35 miles. Both F-4s jettisoned tanks and lit the afterburners to pursue the MiGs. Falcon 74 decided to RTB since he only had 7,500 lbs of fuel. Red Crown then advised Falcon 74 that four bandits were closing on his 6 o’clock position (from behind).
Falcon 74 broke left and made two 360-degree turns – the MiGs disengaged. While turning south, Falcon 74 saw three to four SAMs. The crew evaded the SAMs and then noticed 85-mm and 37-mm AAA fire. Falcon 74 continued south at low level because of the SAM threat. The crew of Falcon 74 ejected and they were recovered at 1745 hours on 19 December - the crew of Falcon 74 reported that Falcon 75 had gone “feet wet”.
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