One of the best documentaries of the Viet Nam war is out. But you will probably never see it.

[DemoTex]

It is a 4-DVD, 8-hour tome (produced in Thailand) on my very unique SP-2E (Lockheed P-2V-5) Army unit in Viet Nam: The 1st Radio Research Company (AVN) Crazy Cats (Callsign "Cats-Paw"), part of the Army Security Agency (ASA). It is, to me, fascinating. Many of my photos, pirated from an ASA website, show up on this documentary. I'm OK with that.

It is so detailed that it might glaze some viewers' eyes over. But the history is 99.9% on spot. Including Viet Nam war protests (USA and RVN). Much formerly classified stuff (Top-Secrete Code-Word) is here! I am learning things I never knew about that whole cluster-fuck. Important things.

For example, I did not know that the ASA's Saigon "Davis Station" was named for PFC Tom Davis (ASA), who for a long time was considered the first US KIA in the Viet Nam war.

Many more details are coming out. I'll try to re-post and resurrect this thread as I learn over the next couple of days.


One of the pictures from the documentary. DemoTex and a Lockheed SP-2E Neptune (ca 1971).

[TomInTib]

1. What dinged up the cowling?

In the pic, it looks as if the cowling is kinda boogered up.

But of course, I don't know much about planes.

[DemoTex]

2. Small rounds from from the South China Sea on that last approach ..

Prop and wing leading edge above my head. The VC were shooting from a Sampan. I saw the tracers on short final the night before (1000' agl), on my one and only landing to the SSW at Cam Rahn (the hundreds of others were to the NNE over the safe Cam Rahn Bay).

BTW: The VC had just recently launched a withering attach on the Army's 93rd (?) EVAC hospital at Cam Rahn Bay from sampans on the South China Sea side.

[TomInTib]

3. I would love to get my hands on that DVD.

Guaranteed my eyes would not glaze over.

[DemoTex]

6. Tom, it even tells how to rent a sailboat at Tiger Lake at Cam Rahn.

And a whore-to-go with it. Seriously .. WHORE-TO-GO Army films from the old Cam Rahn village (B-4 the 1969 ban and after the 1972 ban-lift). All sorts of ABC/NBC/CBS reports. Really great stuff!

I'll copy it freely, if I can. I've counted at least 25 of my photos on that site. Once I get it copied, I'll contact you.

Here is my site with the best Army ASA pics in existance (click and be amazed!):

http://www.cswayne.com/mac-main.html

[TomInTib]

14. Goddammit, Mac...

You were flying right over me!

I just woke up, had a cup of coffee and turned on my computer.

Saw your reply and clicked on your site.

My heart is hitting on probably 120 right now.

Jesus Christ.

I will bet a dollar to your dime that I saw your plane at some point. I used to be so envious of you guys up there in the Blue. We would say all kinds of bad shit about y'all.

Tom

[DemoTex]

18. Where were you, Tom?

Lam Son 719?

[NMLobo]

4. So

Why will we probably never see it?

[DemoTex]

9. ASA

AKA "XYZ" in Viet Nam. The ultimate secrete that was not in Viet Nam.

[BrotherBuzz]

11. Nakhon Phanom?

[DemoTex]

12. A unit there .. yes. We over-lapped the Thai guys in Laos and extreme north Viet Nam.

We overlapped our Thai units in Laos and extreme north Viet Nam. I was based at Nha Trang (20%) and Cam Rahn (80%). Then there was the damn deployment of a few of us to Phu Bai for Lam Son 719. Look that MoFo up!
But I flew as far north as Dien Bien Phu. Mainly up through Laos, PDJ, then a duck-in.
The Thai-Guys (two bases) covered Laos and upper North Viet Nam (Dien Bien Phu to the Chinese border).
We lived in the mouth of the cat of death.

[BrotherBuzz]

16. My section intel officer was there in the late sixties and told me some interesting stuff...

I initially thought he was pulling my leg with his whoppers, but I was the unit's document clerk and had a substantial library of classified field manuals at my disposal; what he was talking about bore out. Crazy ass stuff like McNamara's White Igloo, and other projects that spawned from the original concept made for some interesting reading.

In your opinion, did your project measure up to its expectations? I ask, because I find accounts to be a mixed bag and it's hard to ferret out what was actually achieved. Would today's advances in remote sensing make your work back then all but obsolete?

[DemoTex]

17. The ASA airborne COMINT/SIGINT product went straight to W-H/Pentagon/MACV J-2.

The SP2Es, RU8Ds, RU21s, and RU-6s harvested intel that was qualitatively and quantitatively unprecedented. However, in 1971 three new RU21s equipped with state-of-the-art LeftJab packages were brought into Viet Nam and flown by pilots of the ASA's 138th Aviation Company (Radio Research) at Phu Bai (where I spent my TDY flying in support of Lam Son 719).

The LeftJab RU21s eclipsed the capabilities of the SP-2s, fast making the SP-2s obsolete for the ASA mission over the Ho Chi Minh Trail. While only one SP-2E was "fragged" (dispatched) over the trail in Laos every day (from Cam Ranh Bay, two flight hours away with two turnin' and two burnin'), all three LeftJab RU-21s could frag out of Phu Bai for multiple missions over the trail (<15 minutes from Phu Bai) several times a day. Unfortunately, one of our LeftJab RU-21s was hit by a SAM over Laos in early 1971 (just before Lam Son 719, IIRC) killing all aboard and destroying the aircraft.

The ASA is flying COMINT/SIGINT missions today over Iraq and Afghanistan (and who-knows-where-else .. Dallas? Atlanta? LA?). The game today is quantum leaps, technologically, beyond what we did. For example, I am told that a single ASA airborne platform can monitor and locate every cell phone call in Baghdad at any given time.

[BrotherBuzz]

20. To keep NSA , ASA , and the rest of the alphabet boys on their toes, I often include this list

of Buzzwords in my correspondences with the feeble dream that the concrete tombs holding the supercomputers fill with smoke:

Waihopai, INFOSEC, Information Security, Information Warfare, IW, IS, Priavacy, Information Terrorism, Terrorism Defensive Information, Defense Information Warfare, Offensive Information, Offensive Information Warfare, National Information Infrastructure, InfoSec, Reno, Compsec, Computer Terrorism, Firewalls, Secure Internet Connections, ISS, Passwords, DefCon V, Hackers, Encryption, Espionage, USDOJ, NSA, CIA, S/Key, SSL, FBI, Secert Service, USSS, Defcon, Military, White House, Undercover, NCCS, Mayfly, PGP, PEM, RSA, Perl-RSA, MSNBC, bet, AOL, AOL TOS, CIS, CBOT, AIMSX, STARLAN, 3B2, BITNET, COSMOS, DATTA, E911, FCIC, HTCIA, IACIS, UT/RUS, JANET, JICC, ReMOB, LEETAC, UTU, VNET, BRLO, BZ, CANSLO, CBNRC, CIDA, JAVA, Active X, Compsec 97, LLC, DERA, Mavricks, Meta-hackers, ^?, Steve Case, Tools, Telex, Military Intelligence, Scully, Flame, Infowar, Bubba, Freeh, Archives, Sundevil, jack, Investigation, ISACA, NCSA, spook words, Verisign, Secure, ASIO, Lebed, ICE, NRO, Lexis-Nexis, NSCT, SCIF, FLiR, Lacrosse, Flashbangs, HRT, DIA, USCOI, CID, BOP, FINCEN, FLETC, NIJ, ACC, AFSPC, BMDO, NAVWAN, NRL, RL, NAVWCWPNS, NSWC, USAFA, AHPCRC, ARPA, LABLINK, USACIL, USCG, NRC, ~, CDC, DOE, FMS, HPCC, NTIS, SEL, USCODE, CISE, SIRC, CIM, ISN, DJC, SGC, UNCPCJ, CFC, DREO, CDA, DRA, SHAPE, SACLANT, BECCA, DCJFTF, HALO, HAHO, FKS, 868, GCHQ, DITSA, SORT, AMEMB, NSG, HIC, EDI, SAS, SBS, UDT, GOE, DOE, GEO, Masuda, Forte, AT, GIGN, Exon Shell, CQB, CONUS, CTU, RCMP, GRU, SASR, GSG-9, 22nd SAS, GEOS, EADA, BBE, STEP, Echelon, Dictionary, MD2, MD4, MDA, MYK, 747,777, 767, MI5, 737, MI6, 757, Kh-11, Shayet-13, SADMS, Spetznaz, Recce, 707, CIO, NOCS, Halcon, Duress, RAID, Psyops, grom, D-11, SERT, VIP, ARC, S.E.T. Team, MP5k, DREC, DEVGRP, DF, DSD, FDM, GRU, LRTS, SIGDEV, NACSI, PSAC, PTT, RFI, SIGDASYS, TDM. SUKLO, SUSLO, TELINT, TEXTA. ELF, LF, MF, VHF, UHF, SHF, SASP, WANK, Colonel, domestic disruption, smuggle, 15kg, nitrate, Pretoria, M-14, enigma, Bletchley Park, Clandestine, nkvd, argus, afsatcom, CQB, NVD, Counter Terrorism Security, Rapid Reaction, Corporate Security, Police, sniper, PPS, ASIS, ASLET, TSCM, Security Consulting, High Security, Security Evaluation, ElectronicSurveillance, MI-17, Counterterrorism, spies, eavesdropping, debugging, interception, COCOT, rhost, rhosts, SETA, Amherst, Broadside, Capricorn, Gamma, Gorizont, Guppy, Ionosphere, Mole, Keyhole, Kilderkin, Artichoke, Badger, Cornflower, Daisy, Egret, Iris, Hollyhock, Jasmine, Juile, Vinnell, B.D.M.,Sphinx, Stephanie, Reflection, Spoke, Talent, Trump, FX, FXR, IMF, POCSAG, Covert Video,Intiso, r00t, lock picking, Beyond Hope, csystems, passwd, 2600 Magazine, Competitor, EO, Chan, Alouette, executive, Event Security, Mace, Cap-Stun, stakeout, ninja, ASIS, ISA, EOD, Oscor, Merlin, NTT, SL-1, Rolm, TIE, Tie-fighter, PBX, SLI, NTT, MSCJ, MIT, 69, RIT, Time, MSEE, Cable & Wireless, CSE, Embassy, ETA, Porno, Fax, finks, Fax encryption, white noise, pink noise, CRA, M.P.R.I., top secret, Mossberg, 50BMG, Macintosh Security, Macintosh Internet Security, Macintosh Firewalls, Unix Security, VIP Protection, SIG, sweep, Medco, TRD, TDR, sweeping, TELINT, Audiotel, Harvard, 1080H, SWS, Asset, Satellite imagery, force, Cypherpunks, Coderpunks, TRW, remailers, replay, redheads, RX-7, explicit, FLAME, Pornstars, AVN, Playboy, Anonymous, Sex, chaining, codes, Nuclear, 20, subversives, SLIP, toad, fish, data havens, unix, c, a, b, d, the, Elvis, quiche, DES, 1*, NATIA, NATOA, sneakers, counterintelligence, industrial espionage, PI, TSCI, industrial intelligence, H.N.P., Juiliett Class Submarine, Locks, loch, Ingram Mac-10, sigvoice, ssa, E.O.D., SEMTEX, penrep, racal, OTP, OSS, Blowpipe, CCS, GSA, Kilo Class, squib, primacord, RSP, Becker, Nerd, fangs, Austin, Comirex, GPMG, Speakeasy, humint, GEODSS, SORO, M5, ANC, zone, SBI, DSS, S.A.I.C., Minox, Keyhole, SAR, Rand Corporation, Wackenhutt, EO, Wackendude, mol, Hillal, GGL, CTU, botux, Virii, CCC, Blacklisted 411, Internet Underground, XS4ALL, Retinal Fetish, Fetish, Yobie, CTP, CATO, Phon-e, Chicago Posse, l0ck, spook keywords, PLA, TDYC, W3, CUD, CdC, Weekly World News, Zen, World Domination, Dead, GRU, M72750, Salsa, 7, Blowfish, Gorelick, Glock, Ft. Meade, press-release, Indigo, wire transfer, e-cash, Bubba the Love Sponge, Digicash, zip, SWAT, Ortega, PPP, crypto-anarchy, AT&T, SGI, SUN, MCI, Blacknet, Middleman, KLM, Blackbird, plutonium, Texas, jihad, SDI, Uzi, Fort Meade, supercomputer, bullion, 3, Blackmednet, Propaganda, ABC, Satellite phones, Planet-1, cryptanalysis, nuclear, FBI, Panama, fissionable, Sears Tower, NORAD, Delta Force, SEAL, virtual, Dolch, secure shell, screws, Black-Ops, Area51, SABC, basement, data-haven, black-bag, TEMPSET, Goodwin, rebels, ID, MD5, IDEA, garbage, market, beef, Stego, unclassified, utopia, orthodox, Alica, SHA, Global, gorilla, Bob, Pseudonyms, MITM, Gray Data, VLSI, mega, Leitrim, Yakima, Sugar Grove, Cowboy, Gist, 8182, Gatt, Platform, 1911, Geraldton, UKUSA, veggie, 3848, Morwenstow, Consul, Oratory, Pine Gap, Menwith, Mantis, DSD, BVD, 1984, Flintlock, cybercash, government, hate, speedbump, illuminati, president, freedom, cocaine, $, Roswell, ESN, COS, E.T., credit card, b9, fraud, assasinate, virus, anarchy, rogue, mailbomb, 888, Chelsea, 1997, Whitewater, MOD, York, plutonium, William Gates, clone, BATF, SGDN, Nike, Atlas, Delta, TWA, Kiwi, PGP 2.6.2., PGP 5.0i, PGP 5.1, siliconpimp, Lynch, 414, Face, Pixar, IRIDF, eternity server, Skytel, Yukon, Templeton, LUK, Cohiba, Soros, Standford, niche, 51, H&K, USP, ^, sardine, bank, EUB, USP, PCS, NRO, Red Cell, Glock 26, snuffle, Patel, package, ISI, INR, INS, IRS, GRU, RUOP, GSS, NSP, SRI, Ronco, Armani, BOSS, Chobetsu, FBIS, BND, SISDE, FSB, BfV, IB, froglegs, JITEM, SADF, advise, TUSA, HoHoCon, SISMI, FIS, MSW, Spyderco, UOP, SSCI, NIMA, MOIS, SVR, SIN, advisors, SAP, OAU, PFS, Aladdin, chameleon man, Hutsul, CESID, Bess, rail gun, Peering, 17, 312, NB, CBM, CTP, Sardine, SBIRS, SGDN, ADIU, DEADBEEF, IDP, IDF, Halibut, SONANGOL, Flu, &, Loin, PGP 5.53, EG&G, AIEWS, AMW, WORM, MP5K-SD, 1071, WINGS, cdi, DynCorp, UXO, Ti, THAAD, package, chosen, PRIME, SURVIAC,UFO.



I haven't been visited by them, nor do I expect a visit, but I do feel better; it cleanses my soul in a most satisfying manner. ;)

[DemoTex]

19. I should have added, a unit in Ubon too.

NKP and Ubon.

[slipslidingaway]

5. K&R and bookmarked, thanks n/t

[Ilsa]

7. Thanks, DemoTex, my husband is an amateur Vietnam War historian

and I bet he'd love to see this one. Will this show up on a history channel or other documentary-style channel?

[DemoTex]

10. Sorry .. no.

It is under license from Thailand.

[Glorfindel]

8. Hey, thanks for posting...I'll try to find the DVD's

I was in Nha Trang from Dec. 66 to Dec. 67 (just missed the Tet Offensive), so I pre-date the facts of the documentary, but I'm sure I'll find it fascinating. :hi:

[DemoTex]

13. Nha Trang plays heavy in ASA history.

If you were with the ASA, look for the Crazy Cat history.

[Supersedeas]

15. yep, seconded and recommended