Roger D. Graham is a 1963 graduate of the Air Force Academy, attorney, navigator-bombardier, retired Air Force colonel, retired Lockheed Martin attorney and author. He lives in Acworth, Georgia.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Chapter 1. Operation Farm Gate

Farm Gate

Maury Bourne

Vietnam Memories: The ­B-26 Invader

Bruce Kramer

1st Air Commando Group: Vietnam 1963

Jack Williams

Night Scramble Mission

Andrew "Andi" Biancur

Captain Miles T. Tanimoto: A Hawaiian Hero's Tale

Kenneth J. Alnwick

Recollections of an Old Man: Photography from ­RB-26s and ­T-28s

Jimmy Phillis

Charley's Foot: One .­30-Cal Bullet

Charles H. "Chuck" Holden

Mission with "Jumping Joe" Kittinger

George Rose

­B-26-Bien Hoa, South Vietnam-1963-64

Joe Kittinger

War Story

Andrew "Andi" Biancur

­A-26/­B-26 Historical Notes

Tom Smith

On Mark Engineering: History

Robert B. Denny

B-26 to ­A-26: How Could We Not Love

John Sodergren

Chapter 2. Big Eagle

On Mark ­A-26-Nakhon Phanom, Thailand-1966-67

Joe Kittinger

The Loss of Nimrod

Harlan "Gene" Albee

Three Stories: 1st Air Commando Wing, 603rd Maintenance Sq. England AFB, Louisiana, 1966-1967

Ed Parker

Project Big Eagle

Randy Ryman

Setting Up Shop at

Randy Ryman

Back to Yesteryear

Lindsey Jackson

Chapter 3. Nimrod Combat Operations Out of NKP

NIMROD-King of the Trail

Capt. Michael J.C. Roth, USAF

Forward Air Controller Perspective: NKP Combat Operations

Jimmie Butler

Memorable Flight of Nimrod

Jimmie Butler

February 1967: A Sad Month for

Jimmie Butler

Trouble Over the Trail

James "Lee" McCleskey

Every Pilot's Nightmare

James "Lee" McCleskey

A Dangerous Hunt and a Close Call

James "Lee" McCleskey

­A-26s-How We Kept Them Flying

Jim Galluzzi

Just Another Day at

Jim Galluzzi

"Maintenance Meanies"-12, "Flight Crews"-6

Mike Packard

A Night Flight with Saint Elmo

Jack Krause

Ferrying an ­A-26 to Nakhon Phanom RTAFB, Thailand

Bob "Pappy" Sears

Loss of Carlos, Bill, and Paul

Roger D. Graham

Loss of "Bo" Hertlein-Spirit of the Nimrods

Roger D. Graham

The Lima Site 85 Mission with Colonel Learmonth

Roger D. Graham

Friends for Life

Roger D. Graham

A-26 Flight Across the Pacific

Frank Nelson

Khe Sanh Day Mission

Frank Nelson

Joining the Air Commandos by Volunteering for Graduate School

William "Bill" Cohen

The Mysterious Silence of Zorro

William "Bill" Cohen

A Short Visit to an Enemy Gunnery School

William "Bill" Cohen

Batman and Robin Attack a Cave

Al "Batman" Shortt

Almost Toast-­B-52 Attack

Al "Batman" Shortt

My ­A-26 Time at

Leon "Crazy" Poteet

Unforgettable Nimrod Missions

Tim Black and Bruce "Gus" Gustafson

Last ­A-26 Flight Out of

Jim Blanchard

"Ode to a Nimrod"

Anonymous

Chapter 4. Rosters and Squadron History Documents

Chapter 5. A/­B-26 Memorial

Chapter 6. Lasting Impact and Legacy

Wife's Story

Dianne Graham

The Air Force Academy Plaque Ceremony

Roger D. Graham

A Daughter's Journey to Know Her Father

Carla Cruz-Curtis

Yes, Dear Lady, I Knew Your

Harry J. Bright

Letter to My

Major James Sizemore

"Operation Final Flight"-My Epiphany

Donald Vogler

A Special Day for "Special Kay"

Roger D. Graham

"From Liberty's View"

Kristine "Kristi" Graham Visage

Restoration of the ­A-26A "Special Kay" AF 17679

Jim Reynolds

Epilogue

About the Contributors

Index