Oyster 01 Bravo Rescue SAR with Ron Smith

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Oyster 01 Bravo Rescue SAR with Ron Smith

Рет қаралды 22,181

Күн бұрын

Recently, Roger Locher gave a presentation speaking about his shootdown and rescue, GREAT Story - • Roger Locher Col. USAF...
Ron Smith Sandy 1 "More than anything else, the success of this mission depended on one thing -- the extraordinary courage of Roger Locher. "
On the morning of May 10, 1972, Operation Linebacker commenced. Oyster 1, with pilot Maj. Robert Lodge and Weapon Systems Officer (WSO) Capt. Roger Locher, was the lead Phantom in Oyster Flight. In the ensuing dog fight, Oyster 01 shot down a MIG, and as fate would have it was later shot down as well.
This interview is with Sandy 1 pilot Ron Smith and is his first-hand testimony of finding and leading the Search And Rescue of Roger Locher.
Roger had been shot down roughly 60 miles north of Hanoi North Vietnam. Roger had been evading capture for 22 days when his distress call was heard. Ron Smith a fellow Sandy and 2 Jolly Green Helicopters were nearby and received word of Roger's possible location.
Ron magnificently details the entire 2 day SAR mission that would be one for the books. Roger Locher, Oyster 01 Bravo was the northernmost Search and Rescue of the Vietnam war.
In trying to keep this presentation as authentic as possible, the opening reel is the actual mission audio provided by King -24 David Peterson
We hope you enjoy this amazing interview

Пікірлер: 55

@TravelRN910 10 ай бұрын

Thanks for finding and bringing back Roger. I was his crew chief of F4D 65-0784. Thanks again, Sgt. Joey Hill

@militarytales 10 ай бұрын

Hello Joey, Thank you for your very kind words. We passed them on to Ron, he appreciated your comments and said to thank you.

@rivercat6662 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the great interview. My dad is Buck Buchanan, Sandy 2. Funny story. Last year a customer of mine and I were talking and found out he had been an F-16 pilot. I told him my dad flew A-1's. He knew a lot about special ops and his good friend was a jolly green pilot. He said his friend was awarded the Air Force Cross for a particular mission. I smiled and asked if his friends name was Dale Stovall. His mouth dropped open and he was speechless. He nodded yes and I told him my dad was Sandy 2 on the Locher rescue. Small world. PS. We visited in July of '72 when I was 6 and I remember watching Charlene eating the baby chicks.

@TheViet75 Жыл бұрын

I was a student pilot at Webb AFB in the 70's saw Buck there (he wore an A1 Skyraider patch). Later I heard a friend said Buck told him he wanted to start a crop dusting business.

@jcheck6 Жыл бұрын

Just discovered this wonderful channel. The rest of the story: Roger Locher being a WSO was asked what he would like to do after his rescue and stated he wanted to go to UPT. He was in my UPT class and of course graduated #1. Years later at my high school reunion found out my classmate was married to Dale Stovall the helo rescue pilot who later made General! Small world.

@militarytales Жыл бұрын

What an interesting twist, the Military community is a very tight nit group of dedicated people.

@cheriemosher2584 6 ай бұрын

My brother,Ken Cakebread was one of the PJ’s on this rescue

@Whitesp44 3 жыл бұрын

My God, I could listen to these amazing stories all day! What all these pilots did defies the imagination. Insane. Make 'em longer! More! Thank you sir.

@militarytales 3 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it! We are going back this fall to the Skyraider Reunion to film more interviews. I am really hoping to get a couple guys to tell me about Bat 21 SAR

@Whitesp44 3 жыл бұрын

@@militarytales that would be great! Looking forward to it

@nataliemeenakshithegreat7780 2 жыл бұрын

These were fearless men. I'm glad to watch hero stories it helps me to face life thank you

@thomasfx3190 2 жыл бұрын

God bless you sir for your commitment to your fellow airmen.

@hckyplyr9285 3 жыл бұрын

Roger Lochers story is amazing. I first read about it about 30 years ago in Jeffrey Ethel's book May 10 1972 a day I'm the Air War over Vietnam. Of course that wax no ordinary day ot was the start of Linebacker I. Thanks very much for your uploads!

@russ1046 3 жыл бұрын

I love watching these videos. Incredible stories, and all really well told. I could listen to these guys all day long Thank you for taking the time to record the stories and to all the people for sharing them - it is so worthwhile recording this stuff. My dad was a soldier in the Irish army in the Congo in the 60s - I really wish I had captured his stories in this way. Keep up the great work 👍

@militarytales 3 жыл бұрын

Russ 104, thank you for the very kind words. You are 100 % correct, we all should be recording these precious stories.

@chrisptachik9246 3 жыл бұрын

For the record and to provide perspective, I understand that Roger Locher and Ron Smith were each nominated for the Congressional Medal of Honor for this mission. Both were ultimately awarded the Air Force Cross.

@AnthonySejda 6 ай бұрын

The pilot stayed on topic and was very intresting.

@frankhinkle5772 11 ай бұрын

Welcome home Mr. Smith. Job well done. Thanks to the production crew, another great interview.

@Taylor-w6s 13 күн бұрын

Does Mr. Locher give interviews? I have interviewed quite a few military pilots since high school and I admire the courage and determination each had. I would love to interview Mr. Locher. Although, who am I to ask someone who has interviews requested of him from something he might want to forget. I'll just dream and be inspired. I love working with veterans and it's always amazing that I just listen and sit amazed at their strengths. Thank you for your service and God bless you Mr. Locher.

@militarytales 13 күн бұрын

I have never met Roger, he stays close with his fiends like Ron Smith. However I encourage ever person who is interested in interviewing vets to do so ASAP. We are loosing so many amazing people. Have no fear when asking them for an interview. You would be surprised how man want to say something. With folks who tell me "I didn't do anything" I say in reply, Everyone has one story, come sit down and tell me anything about your time serving., Allow them to talk and ask them to explain anything you do not understand. Show true interest and you will do fantastic. Invest in a good external mic, Holland Lark mics ae priced well and do a great job. The work with DSLR cameras and cell phones. Good video is really nice, AUDIO has to be 100% or you have nothing Good Luck Best Wishes

@jonwelderbeast.438 Жыл бұрын

Ron Smith, your my hero buddy, keep well fella, from the UK.

@CaoimhinOMaol 3 ай бұрын

My first UPT T-38A instructor at Columbus AFB had flown A-1’s in SEA, Major Jim Maxam. Had some stories.

@tomg6286 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for your determination

@Flingwing24 10 ай бұрын

Many thanks for that, and particularly to Ron and his colleagues. Nothing you can say really other than huge respect, and you have to love a Skyraider.

@RabbitSQN 2 жыл бұрын

Awesome!!! Great interview!

@hammeringhutch9613 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much for sharing this!

@stopthephilosophicalzombie9017 2 жыл бұрын

I listened to Roger Locher's declassified talk about his ordeal and rescue but it cut off at the point of the rescue. My guess is that his version differs significantly from the official record. He did manage to say that the first contact fouled up the rescue on that day because they calculated his position on the wrong side of the river and 30 miles south. The recording cut off after that.

@militarytales 2 жыл бұрын

You are correct, the fast movers had placed Roger in the middle of the valley, whereas he was on the side of the ridge. Ron Smit was able to orbit the area and make a more precise estimate of Roger's location.

@stopthephilosophicalzombie9017 2 жыл бұрын

@@militarytales He also mentioned the pilot using a tall cumulus cloud as a point of reference vs. something on the ground and he figured that was a possible contributor to the confusion.

@cagrangersealninja3720 3 жыл бұрын

Amazing story

@militarytales 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you CAG, we feel fortunate to have been able to capture this interview from the first hand perspective, of Ron Smith.

@user-sj4tv1dp1b Жыл бұрын

This is an awesome channel. Black background and hero’s telling it as it was.

@militarytales Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much Usher!

@BobTex01 3 жыл бұрын

A nuther amazing story, amazing skills and tenacity. SKYRAIDERS

@Flapjackbatter 3 жыл бұрын

Very interesting. Yet another great video.

@militarytales 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks again!

@MillicentSquirrelHole 4 ай бұрын

One of the orginal tough guys: Roger Locher..3 combat tours and 407 missions..an American President once opined..'Speak softly and carry a big stick'.. (in this case a big set of you know whats)..

@1murder99 Жыл бұрын

They should make a movie of this, oh wait!

@edwardhuett7924 3 жыл бұрын

Great sandy pilot. More than just smarts. Directed by god.

@militarytales 3 жыл бұрын

Edward you know more than most, being right there with these guys. God bless you for your service keeping all the aircraft flying.

@edwardhuett7924 3 жыл бұрын

@@militarytales thank you much

@dougstitt1652 3 жыл бұрын

good stuff !

@adventure002006 2 жыл бұрын

Amazing story. SAR must have lifted pilot’s confidence in getting home knowing a whole wing will go in and get them out. Compared to todays Russian Soldier who knows no one will come get them, not even bother to collect their dead body. Saw Ukraine footage showing Russian armoured vehicle taking off leaving 2 soldiers behind. That would not happen in American Military.

@basemanawakens6089 Жыл бұрын

It happens in all militaries...when the bullets are flying not everyone is a hero.

@longemd 2 жыл бұрын

Heroes all

@rogereprest 2 жыл бұрын

I would bet that Ron was at the party that Robin Olds said it was a party that even you would enjoy

@ronrothstein4175 Жыл бұрын

Was his pilot pick up too ?

@militarytales Жыл бұрын

Unfortunately, no his pilot did not make it out of the aircraft. There is a wonderful interview that was just posted where Roger Locher spoke about his experiences - I hope you enjoy his presentation kzfaq.info/get/bejne/q9pji7J-qLavpp8.html

@ronrothstein4175 Жыл бұрын

Thanks but sad for the pilot

@CaoimhinOMaol 3 ай бұрын

Oyster 01 ALPHA, was Major Bob Lodge, two MiGs credited to him. I would like to hear that his remains have been returned.

@jebsails2837 Жыл бұрын

War by bureaucrats. Probably faster to "do it" and get permission / consequences later. Narragansett Bay

@wewi3101 2 жыл бұрын

If they ever make a movie about Ronald Reagan you need to apply for the part.

@militarytales 2 жыл бұрын

He sure would, agree100%

@Flingwing24 10 ай бұрын

I thought that....But Sandy pilots are much smarter right👍

@customfinishcarpentryandmi8053 6 ай бұрын

I can’t tell you how bad ass it is to watch my father in action easy flyer creators the run way fighter 1 helped pull Roger out and had a bottle at the o club