Air Transport Prior to The KC130

[Nick352]

Greetings Marines,

My name is Tom Nickols, and I am the webmaster for www.kc130.com. I am currently collecting information on the 130's, the crews, the stations, and all I can get on the Transport Groups prior to the 130 arrival in 1961.

Anyone with any information, photographs, or stories in connection with the 130's, or prior, please contact me at Nick@kc130.com or call me at 417-793-5520.

Thanks Guys,
Thomas Nickols
Webmaster for www.kc130.com
Nick@kc130.com
417-793-5520

[greensideout]

Tom, I can tell you that the C-130 that I saw for the first time in Vietnam in 1962 was amasing to me at the time! I'm watching as this big bird drops itself onto the runway at Soc Trang. I thought, oh chit! How will it ever get off of this short runway let alone how did it land? I later watched as it took off, (my bet was that it wouldn't make it). There were trees at the end of the runway that I didn't think that it would clear. It did and later I went out on R&R in it. What a ride! What an outstanding aircraft for so many years!

[Nick352]

Hi Guy,

Thanks for your post. Can I use your story on the site. Soc Trang, beleive it or not, still has the trees in the area in which you speek. I was just over there in Sept-Oct. of this year doing research for the site.

Let me know - I could also use any stories you have from you R&R trip.
Be Safe and Have Fun !!!
Nick
Nick@kc130.Com

[greensideout]

Sure, use the story. I will dig and try to find a pic that I took as well.

[greensideout]

When the Marines were there, Soc Trang wasn't much. It became improved big time when the Army moved in. It may have looked very different when you viewed it. I am surprised that any of the trees still stand!

[Nick352]

Hey, thanks for the help. I tried to find a name on your public profile for the credit in the story. you can email your name to me to keep is confidential if you wish.

Nick@kc130.com

[greensideout]

I just took a look at the site. OUTSTANDING! I recommend it to anyone who has flown in or been around the C-130. The photos of the trip to Vietnam would be of interest to anyone that served there as well. Thanks for your fine work and for what it shares.