In response to the challenges of the Cold War, defense policy makers established a national program of reconnaissance, carried out by the U.S Air Force and the U.S. Navy. The U.S. Army also engaged in aerial reconnaissance in support of tactical objectives, as in the Vietnam War. The existence of the program was kept classified for decades. The decision to keep the program secret, though necessary, had unfortunate implications; it prevented public recognition for the veterans of the program as well as public honors for those who has lost their lives while conducting aerial reconnaissance.
The RU-8 "Seminole" was first introduced into the Army’s inventory during the Korean War. The twin-engine aircraft was used for transportation of commanders and staff officers.
The Army Security Agency (ASA) first used the plane as an airborne direction-finding platform in the Vietnam in January 1963. For the first time, the 3rd Radio Research Unit had an "all-weather" capability. With its ability to carry five passengers, the plane had enough room for navigational equipment. Unlike in the U-6, a crew would no longer be dependent upon visual landmarks to conduct operations.
The RU-8 was one of the most flexible and efficient aircraft in the ASA’s inventory. Because it could operate in mountainous regions, obtain greater altitudes, and offer increased speeds, the RU-8 quickly became the workhorse in ASA’s airborne direction-finding effort in Vietnam. They were among the last platforms to leave Vietnam and continued operating until the cease-fire on January 28, 1973.
In 1968, 44 systems were scattered among three companies; 138th Radio Research Company (Avn), 144th Radio Research Company (Avn.), and the 146th Radio Research Company (Avn.).
Three U.S. Army crews made the ultimate
sacrifice while flying signals intelligence aerial reconnaissance
missions under enemy fire. Thirteen U.S. Army personnel were lost
in southeast Asia; seven were U.S. Army Security Agency intercept operator
and six were flight crew personnel.
The first ASA mission aircraft was
lost in Vietnam on 26 November 1969 near Landing Zone Buttons in Phuoc
Long Province. The crew’s mission was direction-finding of enemy
transmitters. The aircraft was shot down by ground fire and the crew
killed on impact. The aircraft was later destroyed by tactical airstrike
to prevent compromise of mission equipment on board.
A second similar mission was lost
on 1 March 1971 near Dambe, Cambodia. These two aircraft were assigned
to the 371st Radio Research Company, which was formed by the U.S. Army
Security Agency in 1962 and attached to the 1st Cavalry Division. The mission
of the 371st was to provide combat information to the Division Commander
in pursuit of his missions. The company earned two Presidential Citations,
four Meritorious Unit Commendations, and one Valorous Unit Award. It was
redeployed to Fort Hood with the division in 1971 where it served with
pride until deactivation in 1981. It’s lineage and colors are now
perpetuated by Company A, 312th MI Battalion, Fort Hood, Texas.
The last ASA aircraft was lost to
hostile fire on 4 March 1971. A U.S. Army JU-21A LEFT JAB assigned
to the 138th Radio Research Company based at Phu Bai, near the DMZ, took
off on an intelligence-gathering mission. The aircraft turned and
headed northwest toward the DMZ that departed North and South Vietnam.
Reportedly, the aircraft’s mission was to collect intelligence regarding
the Surface-to-Air Missile sites, within the DMZ or just north of it.
Shortly after departure, it was
shot down. The crew was declared missing in action. Reportedly,
a search effort to locate the aircraft along its known flight path produced
no findings.
CPT
Michael W. Marker from Wichita Falls, TX
KIA/BNR
WO1
Harold L. Algaard from Fosston, MN
KIA/BNR
SP6
John T. Strawn from Salem, OR
KIA/BNR
SP5
Richard J. Hentz from Oshkosh, WI
KIA/BNR
SP5
Rodney D. Osborne from Kent, WA
KIA/BNR
The thirteen U.S. Army personnel
lost were the only ASA crews lost to hostile fire during the Cold War.
They were all performing sensitive airborne signals intelligence collection
missions.
It is a very special day for us
at the National Security Agency/Central Security Service, as we dedicate
the RU-8 aircraft, the U.S. Army’s contribution to the National Vigilance
Park
The dedication ceremony today honors the sacrifices of those soldiers who lost their lives and of those who served our country performing airborne signals intelligence missions.
All of us here today are part of
one all-important and continuing mission—preserving peace and security
for this great nation.
Taken at dedication ceremony on May 12, 1998.
Also taken at the dedication. Sadly, that day, it rained about
all day. The next few days were clear & sunny. It did "dampen"
the ceremony somewhat, but it was great to be a part of it and also to
meet some new friends there!
I stopped by for Veterans Day (1998) on my way down to Washington, D.C.
One of the plaques that are around the plane, dedicating it to "soldiers,
past and present who have risked and lost their lives performing aerial
reconnaissance".
Another one of the plaques (this one for the RU-8).
This plaque in memory of our fallen brothers (signals inteligence professionals
and their air crews).
This plaque is "I Am Military Intelligence".
