Top Secret Veteran Stories

[Seabeescotty]

Okay, nobody took the hint, so I'll start it! I was a Spook before I was a Seabee. I learned North Vietnamese at DLIWC, Monterey, Ca. I spent more time on Army and Air Force bases than anything else my first four years in the Navy. I got orders to NSA, Ft. Meade, and thought I was going to miss the war, but after I got there, they needed volunteers for flight duty. I raised my hand again, and got picked to go on an all expense paid, southeast Asian vacation. I qualified on EP3B Orion's, EC121 Super Connie's, and my favorite, the EA3B Skywarrior. I was an intercept operator, chased SAM coms. I flew with Faireconron 1, also known as VQ1. We traded off with Air force units to keep 24 hour surveillence on the north. I flew recon during Arclight II, and it was pretty much a nightmare. The Navy finally decided to carrier qualify our A3's, so they could keep us on track longer. Now that was something different! Our aircraft weighed close to 80 grand for launch, and it took a helluva catshot to put us in the air. I trapped on the Enterprise, the Constellation, the Coral Sea, The Ranger, and we even made an emergency landing on the Hancock. We were about out of fuel, no tankers available, and went on in. When they launched us, they only gave us enough gas to get home, couldn't get us into the air with a full load. They told us, "Don't ever come back!" We had to fold wings to get past the island. They didn't like having such a big bird on their deck. Anyway, that's the story, and I'm stickin' to it! The Seabees is a whole other story. Alright, next! Scotty

[Big Dog]

I had a TS clearance and worked on UHF Crypto gear - but I was just a mechanic . . .

The Secret Squirrels on board during deployment locked themselves in a compartment we couldn't enter - each had his own pet Marine - to shoot him if we were boarded. Glad I wasn't a Spook.

[snuffysmith]

I was in the ASA (Army Security Agency) from '62-'65. Interesting times to say the least. I held a Top Secert Cyrpto clearance and dealt with intercept intel. I was stationed in N. Japan just a few minutes missile flight time from Russia for two years. At times got a pretty high pucker factor, there.

Snuffy

[Seabeescotty]

We weren't allowed firearms onboard the aircraft, only the pilot, navigator, and seval at the rear of the plane. One navigator told me that the spooks wouldn't be getting out, if we got hit. It always made me wonder if they had specific orders. And it was my job to blow the bottom hatch if we had to bail out. Big dog, I met some of your rate, and they were great people. All our aircraft had crypto gear onboard, and it was also my job to load the days code and insert the gun in the machine. Never screwed up on that, as it seemed awful important. And Snuffy, some of your guys were in my language class! Seems like we all used that school. Oh yeah, on one night mission, we lost both radio-compasses, and accidently invaded Red China. They launched Mig-19's to come and get us, but our pilot firewalled the jets, kicked the nose over, and put us on the deck over the gulf in very short time. He asked pos-5 where the migs were, and pos-5 came back with "still climbing to our operating altitude." They were ground controlled, lucky for us. Scotty

[Big Dog]

A buddy and I did get stuck inthe "War Room" during the Grenada action. We were tasked with installing a SatComm unit for extra comms - we had NO idea what was in the works . . .
So we drive over in the van - I was stationed at NAVCAMSLANT - the biggest Eastcoast USN comm facility. We carried the shipping boxes in to the building - man, lots of brass here today!!
We got the antenna on the roof, than had it tested and working. Just getting ready to leave - suddenly, sirens sound, and the lights drop down low - then, I kid y'all NOT! The big wall screen scrolls down and the map is displayed. Looked like the scene out of Wargames, the movie!
The doors were locked, and a BIG Marine told us two young squids to sit and stay put! We was kidnapped . . .
So, we got a front row seat at the Big Game. Saw what the Big Brass saw. COOL!!

Finally, the Marines saved the day, freedom was restored and the Big Game was in the bag. Time to UA the AO. We got the main gear back int he van, then were bringing the big drum antenna down from the roof. A sea of brass all over the hallways . . . what to do . . .? Sudden inspiration hit me!
I told my buddy, "Hang on and follow me!"
I rushed right into the crowd of big brass, shouting, "Make a hole! Energised antenna! Make a hole!"
Brass was scurrying everywhere . . .
We got to the van, and hustled out of there before anybody figured out the trick . . .

True story, I swear!

[Seabeescotty]

It's hard to salute with your hands full! But they don't care, just want that bit of blind obedience. I got yelled at by two Marine Captains for crossing the street to keep from saluting. I finally convinced them that it was a shortcut to my barracks, which was up the road, on their side. Sneaky little squid I was! ScottyP.S. It sure is funny how all these little things started coming to mind when I opened this thread!!!

[littlejoe872]

Highest clearance for Navy Nukes is Confidential/Noforn, so unfortunately, no hot Russian babes were trying to seduce me for information, like they showed in those training films.

[DWARREN123]

I can't say, I forget! Getting old I guess.
Just a grunt with a gun.

[Dan22]

While stationed at Travis AFB in California, I was sent out to repair an instrument problem on a C-124 parked way out in a remote area of the base.

There were several Air Police trucks positioned around the aircraft and armed Air Police officers guarding the plane.

For those not familiar with a C-124 it was a large double-decked transport aircraft with a nose that opened to load large cargo. We called it the "Flying Dumbo."

The load was what peaked my interest. There were several flat-bottom, fairly large black fiberglass boats and a whole bunch of Husky sled dogs.

It was my impression that the dogs would pull the boats across snow and then could be loaded into the boat to cross water.

Does anyone know what this mission might have been? It was around 1959-1960.

[LiveToShoot]

That's a needful EEFI's caution...thanks, from a former (retired) USAF Unit Security Manager!

[Seabeescotty]

I hate to say it, but I'm at the age where any info I had(North Vietnam), and any equipment I used has long ago gone to the scrap heap. The form I signed expired before some of you youngsters quit crappin' your diapers. The A3's I flew were scrapped a quarter century ago. So I'm pretty sure anything I might say is just old, wore out history. And there's some other fellas from my generation on here who are in the same boat. We're just a buncha milsurps, like theold guns we love to shoot. I just thought it would be interesting to shake the rust out, and get to know each other as former comrades in arms. No security leaks intended! Scotty

[Seabeescotty]

Hopefully them youngsters will get the hint! I meant this story-telling for us oldtimers! Any of you children out there who read this, heed the warning! If you are current active duty, or only been out for a few years, don't tell stories out of school, it could get you sent to the place where they make little rocks outa big ones! Us oldtimers, on the other hand, kept our word and kept our mouths shut for the duration of our agreements. Does that help any? Scotty

[LiveToShoot]

Thanks again Jerry...

Also...I enjoyed reading these posts of stories from years gone by. Last week I had lunch with a man who was an officer on a Naval ship during the Bay of Pigs fiasco, on the ship that went out to intercept the Russian ship transporting toys in. A very interesting story, where some aboard ship probably had to clean their shorts afterwards.

It would be great to be in a forum, less likely to be viewed by so many and secure, where we could discuss these events and our participation in detail. Too bad this forum doesn't afford such.

Thanks to all of you who served, and those who are still serving.

[mym1a]

My hats off to you guys and im sincere with this statement! my only claim to fame is being a dirt bag tanker and cannon cocker in the ARNG.1977 to 1983 and 14+ years as a CO in the prison system!seen more lunacy baby sitting convicts then i ever did with ARNG!

[GDawg]

Originally Posted by Big Dog

I had a TS clearance and worked on UHF Crypto gear - but I was just a mechanic . . .

The Secret Squirrels on board during deployment locked themselves in a compartment we couldn't enter - each had his own pet Marine - to shoot him if we were boarded. Glad I wasn't a Spook.

31M20 in the late '70s. Worked for 71st ADA in (NATO) Germany. Nuke capable Nike/Hercs. We locked ourselves in nightly to change codes on our crypto.

Old technology by today's standards but I can tell you about almost shooting a Warrent Officer for security violations of "need to know".

That's all I can say. I don't need anymore B.S.

[neophyte]

Some of you may remember:
sent out with a squad; rattling banging chatting and me challenging my britches to stay empty.

Had a small setup depot that needed back up consequence.

We moved out and I checked out.
These finest was gonna get me killed.

Those that remember the terrain, much like SC, except I liked SC better,

I moved like a mouse on high. Met back up with the posse; called me some names; headed back to Phuket;

with a squad of rattling bangin chatting and me with a little whiff in the britches.

Those that spent time on the ground, snooping about have seen the "bugs"
and can tell you about the Montenyards building a fire, cooking eating, taking a bowel moment with crap flying all around;
and them like me;
was and still amazed
just a day in the life of a Uncle Sam adventure

[stikbutter]

Originally Posted by neophyte

Some of you may remember: sent out with a squad; rattling banging chatting and me challenging my britches to stay empty. Had a small setup depot that needed back up consequence.
We moved out and I checked out. These finest was gonna get me killed. Those that remember the terrain, much like SC, except I liked SC better, I moved like a mouse on high. Met back up with the posse; called me some names; headed back to Phuket; with a squad of rattling bangin chatting and me with a little whiff in the britches.
Those that spent time on the ground, snooping about have seen the "bugs" and can tell you about the Montenyards building a fire, cooking eating, taking a bowel moment with crap flying all around; and them like me; was and still amazed

That must be some type of special code, cause I didnt understand any of it. LOL

[Dan22]

Jerry, I noticed you posted your OPSEC link right after my posting so I took that to mean I should keep mum about something that happened 50 years ago.

Normally I wouldn't tell anything I learned in the USAF but I was curious about what kind of mission it might have been.

Nowadays they would just chopper people in and out with all kinds of great sattelite comm and GPS location stuff we didn't have back in the late '50's so I doubt if my posting would be of any current enemy value. We have a whole new set of enemies now.

What does upset me is how CNN and other TV channels will announce when and how many troops will be deployed or withdrawn from a battle zone.

When I watch the military channel they are quick to point out how fast our newest aircraft are, how they are armed and even how many have been ordered. I've seen a show on a new US Army tank that describes it's speed, how many rounds it can fire in a minute and other data that should be of much value to other countries.

National security for our military seems to be at the mercy of TV broadcasters and our little stories from half a century ago pale by comparison.

Look at the TV reporters imbedded with our troops, only too happy to report anything they can that may get their mug on TV for a few seconds.

[troy2000]

Originally Posted by Dan22

Jerry, I noticed you posted your OPSEC link right after my posting so I took that to mean I should keep mum about something that happened 50 years ago.
Normally I wouldn't tell anything I learned in the USAF but I was curious about what kind of mission it might have been.
Nowadays they would just chopper people in and out with all kinds of great sattelite comm and GPS location stuff we didn't have back in the late '50's so I doubt if my posting would be of any current enemy value. We have a whole new set of enemies now.
What does upset me is how CNN and other TV channels will announce when and how many troops will be deployed or withdrawn from a battle zone.
When I watch the military channel they are quick to point out how fast our newest aircraft are, how they are armed and even how many have been ordered. I've seen a show on a new US Army tank that describes it's speed, how many rounds it can fire in a minute and other data that should be of much value to other countries.
National security for our military seems to be at the mercy of TV broadcasters and our little stories from half a century ago pale by comparison.
Look at the TV reporters imbedded with our troops, only too happy to report anything they can that may get their mug on TV for a few seconds.

I seriously doubt anything gets publicized the military doesn't want publicized, Dan. How can superior weaponry act as a deterrent, if the bad guys don't know it's superior?

And as far as the TV reporters go, most of the ones nowadays are spoon-fed weinies. The military keeps them on a short leash, and feeds them what they want them to hear and pass on. It isn't like it used to be, when the reporters went where they wanted and wrote their own stories. Even in 'nam, you could never tell when some unshaven, bleary-eyed, gung-ho reporter would manage to hunt you down in the middle of nowhere looking for a good story or a new angle.

The news these days is so micromanaged by the Pentagon and the White House that it's a miracle we learn anything at all besides the official storyline...

Originally Posted by stikbutter

That must be some type of special code, cause I didnt understand any of it. LOL

I like neophyte's posts. He kind of brings back the crazy feel of things back then...

[Dan22]

Troy,

Yes, I agree the military does release some info for their own purposes.

The things I'm talking about is when local Guard units are being deployed the local TV newspeople are all over the story, announcing how many troops will be going, when they're leaving and how long they are supposed to be gone. The enemey doesn't need to know that.

The government has little control over news people and free speech these days. Back in WW-11 these people would be in jail.

By the way, I did notice I mispelled satellite in my last post.