Opening scene shows a C-130 aircraft on final approach, and about to land on an airfield, at dusk. Next, a MAC Lockheed C-141 Starlifter aircraft is seen flying over a body of water. Its tail number is 63-8075. (Nicknamed "Petunia Pig," it was flown in accelerated operations beginning in 1964, and eventually logging about 15 hours a day in regular service, to provide the Air Force advance information about the operational capabilities of this type aircraft.) The next airplane shown is a MAC Lockheed C-5 Galaxy, about to land. Its unique 28-wheel landing gear is clearly visible as it approaches and touches down. Scene shifts to the MAC Command and Control Center, at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, where Air Force controllers are monitoring MAC worldwide operations. The wall in the background is covered by a map of the world showing numerous MAC air routes. A civilian narrator speaks about the Military Airlift Command. Camera pans over the Command Center wall map, showing North and South America and associated MAC routes and then across the Atlantic to Europe and Africa. Bucolic scenes of farmland and fields in the vicinity of Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. Next, three large jet transport aircraft are seen on an airfield ramp. Suddenly, one explodes and is destroyed in fire and smoke. Rescuers carry and injured person on a stretcher. Another scene shows a bus and cars consumed in flames.
U.S. Army Air Forces plans an attack at Munda Point on New Georgia group of Islands, Solomon Islands during World War II. An animated map highlights locations from where the attack is to be launched and the Japanese locations to be attacked including Munda, Ballale Island, Vila, Kahili, Buka and Rabaul. Aerial views of various U.S. air bases on the Solomon Islands. U.S. aircraft in flight. An animation depicts the air cover for U.S. convoy moving between New Georgia and Guadalcanal and the need for fighter patrol. An animated map depicts air attack on Japanese land positions to neutralize air bases and disrupt shipping. The map also depicts direct cooperation of tactical group without ground forces to attack concentrated Japanese troops.
United States 9th Infantry Division redeployment in Vietnam. Sign reads 'Motorpool, 9th Signal Battalion'. Truck on wooden washing platform. Soldiers inspect jeep and note information on paper. Soldier inspects water tank and other parts of engine. He checks air in tire of jeep. He cleans the tire with jet. A soldier sprays insecticides on conex containers. (Vietnam War period).
Major General John Norton, of U.S. 1st Cavalry talks, standing beside UH-1D helicopter at An Khe Airbase in Vietnam. UH-1D helicopter in field. Uh-1D lifts off from the field. Sign board reads 'WELCOME TO CAMP RADCLIFF - NAMED IN HONOR OF MAJOR DONALD G. RADCLIFF, KIA 18 AUGUST 65-FIRST AIR CAVALRY VIETNAM CASUALTY.'
Weapons captured by American troops during Vietnam War. RPG-7 a Soviet anti tank rocket propelled grenade weapon mounted on a launcher on a beach in Vietnam. RPG-7 being fired and the rocket takes off from the launcher. Flak bursts over the water in mid air.
A United States Air Force HH-53 helicopter during simulated rescue operations in Vietnam. Crew boards the HH-53 helicopter and it lifts off. Radar screen on the control panel in the cockpit of the helicopter. A man hangs below the helicopter with the help of a cable and is being pulled up during a simulated rescue operation. The man comes near the door of the helicopter. (Vietnam War period).
CRITICALPAST.COM: About Us | Contact Us | FAQs - How to Order | License Agreement | My Account | My Lightboxes | Shopping Cart | Advanced Search | Featured Collections | Website Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy ©2026 CriticalPast LLC.
License Agreement |
Terms & Conditions |
Privacy Policy
©2026 CriticalPast LLC.