2.  How come the personnel rosters for the network are not more accurate?

One of the biggest problems has been the personnel rosters that are included with each AF  unit history. For AFTN, there were no personnel rosters included in any quarterly unit history from July l968 until January 10, l971. A list of key network personnel was usually included in each of those reports, so they were quickly identified and inserted into the master rosters here on the website.

For others, we’ve had to rely on AFTN newsletters, which occasionally highlighted those broadcasters who were leaving (DEROS), and those coming into Thailand. 

In two instances, we had access to two group photos from Takhli and NKP, which identified most all the broadcasters from those stations during l969.  And then Doc Ball provided a list of Korat personnel who were literally rolled over to the new 6001^st Support Squadron in September, l970.  So all Korat personnel have been accounted for from September l969 through January 10, l971. Others, such as network newsmen, have been identified since their voices are on personal air checks.

Still yet, there are part-timers who provided necessary relief to some guys working long shifts. We have identified a number of them, but there are still others for which we have no record. AFVN has had the same problem in identifying all of the part-timers who worked for them in Vietnam. And on May 19, 2003, the TDY personnel who were sent from Clark to help man U-Tapao and Ramasun in l976 were identified by AFHRA.

3. How large was the AFTN broadcast network?

Of the seven original primary stations designated for AFTN, only six were built and operated. A primary station for Camp Vayama was never built, but was added as a satellite facility from U-Tapao. At last count, there were almost 30 additional sites in Thailand that had an AFTN signal, whether over the air, carrier current, or closed circuit. Many of these stations and/or locations in Thailand could never be mentioned on the air or referenced in any official way.

In addition, AFTN signals were clandestinely transmitted to other locations outside of Thailand. One confirmed location was the U.S. embassy compound in Vientiane, Laos.

Other unconfirmed locations included: the U.S. embassies in Cambodia and Burma, the AFVN network during the withdrawal from Vietnam, other locations in Laos, and, at times, as far away as remote locations in Alaska. There could be more! Jon Morgan (Korat, l973), told us that the Korat station, alone, fed signals to almost 17 locations, many never officially acknowledged.

updated 12/24/17

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