Air Defense Command - US Air Force - Vietnam War Patch

4650th Combat Support Squadron - C-54 - C-123

US Air Force - Strategic Air Command - 1960's Flight Patch

Measures - 4 x 3.8 inches (10 x 9.5 cms) - USAF

C-123 – Forward Air Control – Truck Killer – CANDLESTICK - Fairchild C-123

Candlestick - Truck Killer

Forward Air Control

The first C-123s to reach South Vietnam were part of the USAF's Special Aerial Spray Flight, as part of Operation Ranch Hand (Spraying of Agent Orange ) tasked with defoliating the jungle in order to deny the Viet Cong their traditional hiding places.

These aircraft began their operations at the end of 1961.

Aircraft fitted with spraying equipment were given the U prefix as a role modifier, with the most common types being the UC-123B and the UC-123K.

Aircraft configured for this use were the last to see military service, in the control of outbreaks of insect-borne disease.

FAC - Candlestick

The "Candlestick" aircraft had an extended life when several UC-123K's were transferred to Nakhon Phanom RTAFB - Thailand . During that period, it was used as a flare ship as well as a (FAC) aircraft.

The flare duties were generally used for troops in contact (TIC) while the FAC mission directed air strikes in Laos over the HCM Trail.

Another NC-123B was used as a radio relay aircraft over the Ho Chi Minh trail, with equipment to read the signals from various sensors on the ground designed to pick up enemy truck activity.

Forward Air Control Unit - Lighting ground for destruction of vehicles and personnel operating along the Ho Chi Minh Trail.

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