FROM THE FRIENDS OF COMBAT CONTROL Mr.Phillips: President and Editor for the CCA Jan. 31, 1996 I am not a member of your association but recently an old friend made me aware that you were looking for memorabilia of Combat Control. I thought you might be interested in the enclosed. Gidget was a good girl and I sincerely feel that she deserves recognition. The enclosed was published in 1960 in the 315th Air Division's newspaper, The Airlifter (Tachikawa Air Base, Japan). Gidget's parachute was constructed especially to her specifications by members of the 549th Quartermaster Corps (Airborne). Gidget's introductory (Cherry) jump was made at Patton Field and she accompanied, then SSgt, George McLean who carried her all the way to the ground attached to his harness. Gidget hated straight legs. Anyone whose boots were not bloused was not a friend of hers. The enclosed copy was provided to me by Mr. George McLean who now resides in Hope Mills, NC. He was kind enough to send me his well-worn copy from the original paper from which I had the enclosed made. If you consider using the enclosed I hope you will also excerpt from this letter. Also, if you feel you should list the contributor, please make it "Anonymous". I do not authorize my address to be given to anyone, for any purpose!! I have a copy of the 1990 CCA member directory and also a copy of the one you issued sometime last year. I feel a bit sad when I note that there are so many names missing---names of persons who made up the nucleus during Combat Control's formative years---names such as: Ernie Padilla, Paul Roberts, Marion Williams, Louis Martinez, etc., etc. The reasons for this are unknown to me and is really a moot point. Mr. Phillips, thank you for your indulgence. Hopefully, you will provide Gidget the recognition she deserves. Respectfully, "Anonymous" Combat Control Canine Cavorts in 'Chute" Story by; A2C Arnold J. Butler Photos by; Capt Noel Moore "Gidget, the 15 month old mongrel-mascot of 7th Aerial Port Squadron's Combat Control Team, doesn't lead a dog's life. "She lives the life of a paratrooper. "Gidget, complete with serial number and a forthcoming rank, makes parachute jumps right along side Combat Controllers. "Wearing a miniature T-10 parachute with a 12 foot in diameter canopy made especially for her, the female pooch has a record of 12 jumps from a C-130 Hercules aircraft. "The 25 pound Gidget stands 18 inches high, two feet long, with doe-brown eyes and a rusty-brown colored coat. She made her first jump in May, 1960. "Gidget was carried in a bag to the aircraft and once over the jump area, her escort, A1C Kennety C. Young, hooked up his static line to the plane and Gidget's line to his person. "When Young bailed out and his chute opened, he threw the dog into space. "Her static line opened the chute and she floated safely down to earth. Her rate of descend was the same as the airman. "When she lands, Gidget always goes to her jumping partner to have the parachute removed. Whenever the canine hits the silk, there is always someone on the ground to make sure she isn't dragged away by the parachute. "Gidget's serial number is AK 1245602. These numbers were picked for a special reason. The "1" marks Gidget as the 1st Combat Control mascot. Two is for the Second Airborne Dog mascot in Japan. Four is the day, five the month and 60 the year that she arrived in the hands of Combat Control members. The remaining "2" represents Gidget's age upon her adoption, two months old. "Combat Control airmen bought her as a puppy for 2,000 yen at a Tachikawa City pet show. "Although not officially a part of the Air Force, orders are now being cut promoting Gidget to A3C, by Capt Noel Moore, OIC of the Combat Control Team. "A regular personnel record file is kept on her, complete with promotion orders, aeronautical rating, shot records and a physical profile. She is assigned to the barracks of the 7th Aerial Port Squadron. "Life is full of its ups and downs, even when Gidget isn't flying. "On July 7, 1960, the Air Force Parachutist badge was presented to her by Capt Moore, along with a pair of shiny new wings. When she completes 25 jumps, Gidget will wear the senior wings. "However, last February, the mixed-breed lady lost here chance for promotion because of DNIF--Duty Not Involving Flying. But for a good reason….. Gidget became the mother of seven puppies. "The new offsprings given away, she is back to the jump areas at Patton Field, Camp Drew, north of Mito City, about 112 miles northeast of Tachikawa. "'The moment the tail gate of the C-130 opens, she is ready and eager to go,' said her favorite escort, Young. "She doesn't mind flying," he said, then added, "But, Gidget gets car sick!" Editor's Note: The article was accompanied by several photographs which were of too poor quality to include with this article. I will send 'Anonymous" a copy of this newsletter, then destroy all records of his name and address to comply with his wishes for anonymity. Mac's Note; Thanks to Skip Arnold I do have some pictures of Gidget and her Combat Control Team as shown above. Skip, thanks for helping preserve our history and sharing your pictures, You Da Man!!!!!!!!!!. ******************************************** From Gene Adcock; Gidget - the Airborne Pooch was one of my team mates on the Combat Control Team at the 7th Aerial Port Squadron, Tachikawa, Japan. I was at Tachi from mid-63 to mid-66 and she was on the team most of my tour. In fact, I provided "quarters and rations" for about a year. The only time she "jumped", during my tour - was for an Armed Forced Day, Open House - I think was 1964. THE STORY OF THAT JUMP: If I recall correctly, we had a 6-man plus-Gidget demo jump scheduled for the Open House. It was a C-130 ramp jump and the ramp was opened at the six-minute warning. As we were preparing to rig Gidget, she broke her lease and ran toward the open ramp. Seeing the error of her ways, she quickly turned and ran back to us - her tail tucked tightly between her legs. We continued the demo without further incident. On this demo, she jumped with a specially designed parachute. At exit, she was cradled in the arms of TSgt Stanley P. Williams - resting on his reserve. After Stan opened, he dropped Gidget - her static line attached to a D-Ring on his harness. All went well, and she survived the jump without further incident. The Open House spectators were duly impressed with GIDGET - THE AIRBORNE POOCH.....................
Mr.Phillips: President and Editor for the CCA Jan. 31, 1996
I am not a member of your association but recently an old friend made me aware that you were looking for memorabilia of Combat Control. I thought you might be interested in the enclosed.
Gidget was a good girl and I sincerely feel that she deserves recognition. The enclosed was published in 1960 in the 315th Air Division's newspaper, The Airlifter (Tachikawa Air Base, Japan). Gidget's parachute was constructed especially to her specifications by members of the 549th Quartermaster Corps (Airborne).
Gidget's introductory (Cherry) jump was made at Patton Field and she accompanied, then SSgt, George McLean who carried her all the way to the ground attached to his harness. Gidget hated straight legs. Anyone whose boots were not bloused was not a friend of hers.
The enclosed copy was provided to me by Mr. George McLean who now resides in Hope Mills, NC. He was kind enough to send me his well-worn copy from the original paper from which I had the enclosed made.
If you consider using the enclosed I hope you will also excerpt from this letter. Also, if you feel you should list the contributor, please make it "Anonymous". I do not authorize my address to be given to anyone, for any purpose!!
I have a copy of the 1990 CCA member directory and also a copy of the one you issued sometime last year. I feel a bit sad when I note that there are so many names missing---names of persons who made up the nucleus during Combat Control's formative years---names such as: Ernie Padilla, Paul Roberts, Marion Williams, Louis Martinez, etc., etc. The reasons for this are unknown to me and is really a moot point.
Mr. Phillips, thank you for your indulgence. Hopefully, you will provide Gidget the recognition she deserves. Respectfully, "Anonymous"
Story by; A2C Arnold J. Butler Photos by; Capt Noel Moore
"Gidget, the 15 month old mongrel-mascot of 7th Aerial Port Squadron's Combat Control Team, doesn't lead a dog's life.
"She lives the life of a paratrooper.
"Gidget, complete with serial number and a forthcoming rank, makes parachute jumps right along side Combat Controllers.
"Wearing a miniature T-10 parachute with a 12 foot in diameter canopy made especially for her, the female pooch has a record of 12 jumps from a C-130 Hercules aircraft.
"The 25 pound Gidget stands 18 inches high, two feet long, with doe-brown eyes and a rusty-brown colored coat. She made her first jump in May, 1960.
"Gidget was carried in a bag to the aircraft and once over the jump area, her escort, A1C Kennety C. Young, hooked up his static line to the plane and Gidget's line to his person.
"When Young bailed out and his chute opened, he threw the dog into space.
"Her static line opened the chute and she floated safely down to earth. Her rate of descend was the same as the airman.
"When she lands, Gidget always goes to her jumping partner to have the parachute removed. Whenever the canine hits the silk, there is always someone on the ground to make sure she isn't dragged away by the parachute.
"Gidget's serial number is AK 1245602. These numbers were picked for a special reason. The "1" marks Gidget as the 1st Combat Control mascot. Two is for the Second Airborne Dog mascot in Japan. Four is the day, five the month and 60 the year that she arrived in the hands of Combat Control members. The remaining "2" represents Gidget's age upon her adoption, two months old.
"Combat Control airmen bought her as a puppy for 2,000 yen at a Tachikawa City pet show.
"Although not officially a part of the Air Force, orders are now being cut promoting Gidget to A3C, by Capt Noel Moore, OIC of the Combat Control Team.
"A regular personnel record file is kept on her, complete with promotion orders, aeronautical rating, shot records and a physical profile. She is assigned to the barracks of the 7th Aerial Port Squadron.
"Life is full of its ups and downs, even when Gidget isn't flying.
"On July 7, 1960, the Air Force Parachutist badge was presented to her by Capt Moore, along with a pair of shiny new wings. When she completes 25 jumps, Gidget will wear the senior wings.
"However, last February, the mixed-breed lady lost here chance for promotion because of DNIF--Duty Not Involving Flying. But for a good reason….. Gidget became the mother of seven puppies.
"The new offsprings given away, she is back to the jump areas at Patton Field, Camp Drew, north of Mito City, about 112 miles northeast of Tachikawa.
"'The moment the tail gate of the C-130 opens, she is ready and eager to go,' said her favorite escort, Young. "She doesn't mind flying," he said, then added, "But, Gidget gets car sick!"
Editor's Note: The article was accompanied by several photographs which were of too poor quality to include with this article. I will send 'Anonymous" a copy of this newsletter, then destroy all records of his name and address to comply with his wishes for anonymity.
Mac's Note; Thanks to Skip Arnold I do have some pictures of Gidget and her Combat Control Team as shown above. Skip, thanks for helping preserve our history and sharing your pictures, You Da Man!!!!!!!!!!.
********************************************
From Gene Adcock; Gidget - the Airborne Pooch was one of my team mates on the Combat Control Team at the 7th Aerial Port Squadron, Tachikawa, Japan. I was at Tachi from mid-63 to mid-66 and she was on the team most of my tour. In fact, I provided "quarters and rations" for about a year. The only time she "jumped", during my tour - was for an Armed Forced Day, Open House - I think was 1964.
THE STORY OF THAT JUMP: If I recall correctly, we had a 6-man plus-Gidget demo jump scheduled for the Open House. It was a C-130 ramp jump and the ramp was opened at the six-minute warning. As we were preparing to rig Gidget, she broke her lease and ran toward the open ramp. Seeing the error of her ways, she quickly turned and ran back to us - her tail tucked tightly between her legs. We continued the demo without further incident.
On this demo, she jumped with a specially designed parachute. At exit, she was cradled in the arms of TSgt Stanley P. Williams - resting on his reserve. After Stan opened, he dropped Gidget - her static line attached to a D-Ring on his harness. All went well, and she survived the jump without further incident. The Open House spectators were duly impressed with GIDGET - THE AIRBORNE POOCH.....................