Opinion : Letter to the Editor: Capt Gary Barnhill - F-105 pilot based in Udorn Thailand

Editor:

I was based at  UpTApao Royal Thai Navy Airfield - ThailandOne of my last refueling flights in Thailand was a cell of two KC-135s and a flight of 4 F-105 out of Udorn Thailand - going not know where.  Wolf Flight had their names on their canopy rails.  All were Majors and above.  On this flight Wolf 3 crashed. 
Not knowing why, but we learned he was on his 99th mission.   One more and he would have returned to "the World" and his family.  On this day he was a smoking hole in Laos.  On this mission, I had accumulated enough missions crossing over the "hostile Fire line" to be awarded the USAF Air Medal. 
Coming to the point of an unsteerable chute we carried a switchblade knife in a pouch on the inside left leg of our flight suit.  I always carried the knife with the curve point open to cut parachute risers if  I ever needed to bail out. 
On a KC-135 only one successful bail out happened that I am aware of.  The SEA command on U-Tapao RTNA was about to celebrate 25,000 accident free hours when on that day an aircraft our crew was to be on crashed, killing all on takeoff.  His aircraft became ours and we made it successfully. 
I still to this day remember that crew who- likely died in my place.  Fate is the Hunter.
Please watch this video - F-105 Thus in Vietnam, going downtown  

Sometimes past memories cause tears to this old aviator and veteran.

Regards and blessingsJohn Stiegelmeyer