Crew of a U.S. Air Force Strategic Air Command (SAC) aerial refueling KC-135 tanker aircraft stand on a stage. They stand at attention as a Lieutenant Colonel at a podium reads the citation accompanying their award , in recognition of a unique refueling mission they performed during the Vietnam War. The crew members are Major John H. Casteel, Aircraft Commander; Captain Richard L. Trail, Pilot; Captain Dean L. Hoar, Navigator; and Master Sergeant Nathan C. Campbell, Boom Operator. During Operation "Daisy Chain," they performed the first ever three-level aerial refueling operation that saved six carrier-based U.S. Navy aircraft critically low on fuel, over the Gulf of Tonkin. Each crew member is awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross by SAC Commander in Chief. General Joseph J. Nazzaro. Closeup of the medal on Sergeant Campbell.
U.S. Air Force (Strategic Air Command) B-52 bombers land back in the U.S. after 6 months deployment in Southeast Asia, during the Vietnam War. United States 306th Bomb Wing planes and crews return back to McCoy Air Force Base in Florida, and those of the 91st Bomb Wing return to Glasgow Air Force Base, in Montana. Both units had been operating out of Andersen Air Force Base, in Guam. The commander of 306th, Colonel Earl L. Johnson steps from the last B-52 to return to McCoy AFB. He meets his daughter and wife. Men take pictures in the background. Officers stand in the a group. He shakes hand with local officials. Crewmen with their luggage. A KC-135 Stratotanker taxis as it brings home ground crews and other support personnel. Relatives of the crewmen wait to meet them. They step from the plane. A banner reads '306th Bomb Wing Reception Center Happy Day'. The airmen enter a hangar and go through customs. The airmen meet their relatives. The scene changes from Florida, to Montana, where the final U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress of 91st Bomb wing arrives at Glasgow Air Force Base. "McNamara's Band," playing kazoos, pot, and other contrived instruments, greets the arrivals. Colonel George Phieffer Jr., Commander of 91st bomb Wing greets his wife and others. Ground crews and other support personnel also meet their families.
Operations of U.S. Navy A-7A Corsair 2 aircraft aboard USS Ranger underway in the South China Sea during the Vietnam War. A press conference in progress by United States Navy Vice Admiral William F. Bringle. Several newsmen in the foreground. A newsman jots notes. Newsmen sitting at the tables in a wardroom listen to the briefing conference. Vice Admiral Bringle seated at a desk in the background. A news cameraman in the foreground takes movies. Many newsmen in the wardroom during the press conference.
Operations of U.S. Navy A-7A Corsair 2 aircraft aboard USS Ranger underway in the South China Sea during the Vietnam War. An A-7A aircraft parked on the flight deck. Aircraft and personnel on the deck of USS Ranger. A plane captain giving a rev up signal. A CAG (Carrier Air Group) Commander in the cockpit of his A-7A. The plane captain gives a rev up signal to the pilot. Commander Kinnard in the cockpit. He closes the canopy of the aircraft. The plane captain takes a tie-down from a strut, shaking panels alongside the A-7A. The airplane taxis on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier. An officer gives a launch signal. The aircraft being launched and airborne.
Operations of U.S. Navy A-7A Corsair 2 aircraft aboard USS Ranger underway in the South China Sea during the Vietnam War. Scattered clouds in the sky. The ship underway. A destroyer escort trails behind. Aircraft in flight overhead. Two A-7As in formation high above the clouds. Formation flight of the aircraft. The aircraft in flight over the clouds. Formation flight of the two aircraft and they break off. Aerial view of USS Ranger underway at sea. Aircraft in flight over water.
Operations of U.S. Navy A-7A Corsair 2 aboard USS Ranger underway in the South China Sea during the Vietnam War. A man in a yellow shirt gives hand signals. An A-7A aircraft is moved onto a catapult in the mid background. A nose wheel and a bar fitting into place on a catwalk. A cat crewman underneath the A- 7A gives hand signals. A man in a green shirt sitting in the open deck hatch on flight deck in front of several gauges. A man holds up a sign which reads: '490'. A tail hook man waits for an aircraft to land. The aircraft lands. The tail hook man runs back to his normal position. U.S. Navy A-4E Skyhawk aircraft taxi off. An A- 4E lands. A tail hook man in the foreground runs towards the aircraft. The tail hook man up alongside the aircraft gives a signal to the pilot that the wire has been released from the tail hook. He watches for another aircraft to land. The man runs across the deck alongside a U.S. Navy A-6A Intruder. The man gives a winding signal. The A-6A taxis forward after making an arrested landing and folds its wings.
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