Good evening everyone,

[AverageOldGuy]

14. Before you go, try this

Collect the names of some places you served. Write them down.

Get on Google Earth and add Google Earth to your desktop.

Then, open Google Earth and in the search box, enter the name of one of the places you served. Get ready for a surprise.

For example, I was in and out of the Bu Dop Special Forces camp near the Cambodian border. Had a small airstrip that would handle a C123. It was exciting for a 123 to land, turn around, drop the ramp, gun the engines, and race back down the strip for take-off with pallets rolling out of the rear and mortar rounds following the 123 down the strip!!! I operated in and out of Bu Dop for a few months, mostly toward the border.

My battalion's base camp was in Phu Loi, NW of Saigon.

I searched for Bu Dop on Google Earth. In 1969-70, it was surrounded by single canopy jungle, some small agriculture, and at least an NVA regiment. Now, there's an interstate highway with huge what appears to be warehouses and industrial installation. No jungle in sight.

Phu Loi airstrip would handle C130s. There were several companies of Hueys, Chinooks, and Cobras there. Today, there's an 18-hole golf course and another interstate highway.