In Memory of ......... Capt. Robert Arthur Gomez.
*** Captain Gomez was a member of the 497th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Ubon Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand. On April 23, 1970, he was the pilot of a McDonnell Douglas Phantom II Fighter (F-4D) on a mission near Ban Karai Pass, Laos, when his aircraft was shot down by hostile fire. His remains were not recovered. His name is inscribed on the Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial.
You may be gone, no longer living on this earth; but you will live on - in the memories of your family and friends. There will always be a part of you living in those who knew you. You will live on because we remember you! ***
ROBERT ARTHUR GOMEZ - Air Force - CAPT - O3
Age: 33
Race: Caucasian
Date of Birth Mar 20, 1944
From: JACKSONVILLE, FL
Religion: CHRISTIAN SCIENCE
Marital Status: Single - Parents: Father, and Mother, . Brother, Richard J. Gomez, Born Jan. 10, 1947, living in Jacksonville, Florida.
* Brothers: Richard J. Gomez and Bob's youngest brother, James Gomez. I live in Layton, Utah and am retired from AT&T.
** Possible Relatives: Carlie M A Gomez (Born Dec. 7, 1948), Carlie D Abersold, Carrie Gomez, Mary Suzanne (Susan) Gomez, Michael Todd Gomez (Born Oct. 12, 1970), Suzanne M Collier, Holly Rachael Gomez, Born 1971.
***** My fellow Wolf FAC, you are long gone from our lives but will never be forgotten. You will always live in the hearts of those of us who served with you and of your loved ones. God bless you and may you rest in peace.
Lee A. Hillard
Added: Mar. 26, 2014
***** Richard Gomez, Bob’s brother, shared with us Bob’s path after June 1962: Bob attended the University of Florida and graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering. During that time he’d joined and completed Air Force ROTC courses. He always wanted to be a pilot.
Bob took flight training at the Air Force base in Lubbock, Texas. He continued his training and became a pilot for the F-4 fighter jet. He would be assigned to a group called Wolf-FAC that was assigned to attacking enemy targets along the Mekong River in Laos. Apparently, that is where the Viet Cong would transport their supplies and ground weapons to arsenals at strategic locations.
Bob’s plane went down on 23 April 1970. The Air Force did not know if Bob, and the other pilot with him, were able to get out of the aircraft. There was no beeper signal, which normally goes off when pilots eject. Bob was flying low, marking the target for his fellow pilots. This low flight profile worked against the probability that Bob would be able to eject successfully.
Bob was listed as Missing in Action for 7 years. His status was changed to Killed in Action following this 7 year period. That was a difficult time for the Gomez family. That was hard to imagine for Bob’s family and friends. Bob was so full of life. A tribute to Bobby could not be better said, than these quotes from Richard Gomez, his brother: “He was a great guy, great brother that I have missed dearly through the years”, and “ I can still visualize his energy for life and his spirit that seemed to never fear the unknown”.
Jackie and I feel very fortunate and blessed to have had Bobby Gomez in our lives.
(Tim and Jackie Earle)
His tour began on Apr 22, 1970
Casualty was on Apr 6, 1977
MILITARY DATA:
Service: United States Air Force
Grade at loss: O2
Rank/Rate: Captain
Note: Promoted while in MIA status
ID No: xxxxx4421
MOS/RATING: 1115R: Pilot, Tactical Fighter
Length Service: **
Unit: 433RD TAC FTR SQDN, 8TH TAC FTR WING, 7TH AF
CASUALTY DATA:
Start Tour: 10/16/1969
Incident Date: 04/23/1970
Casualty Date: 04/06/1977
Age at Loss: 33 (based on date declared dead)
Location: , Laos
Remains: Body not recovered
Casualty Type: Hostile, died while missing
Casualty Reason: Fixed Wing - Crew
Casualty Detail: Air loss or crash over land
In LZ, LAOS
Hostile, died while missing, FIXED WING - CREW
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was not recovered
Panel 11W - Line 40
Other Personnel in Incident: Albin E. Lucki (missing)
On 23, April 1970, Capt., Al Lucki, pilot and then 1st, Lt., Robert Gomez, weapons, systems officer, comprised, the crew of an F4D, call sign "Wolf 02," that departed Ubon, Airfield, as the lead aircraft, in a flight of three.
They were on, a strike mission near the Ban Karai Pass, approximatel, 13, miles west-southwest of Ban Lobey and 14 miles southwest, of the Lao/North, Vietnamese border, Khammouan, Province, Laos. At the direction, of the on site, Forward, Air Controller, (FAC.) Capt. Lucki then descended to begin to reconnoiter the area while the rest of the flight orbited at a high altitude.
As a result, of the altitude difference, the reduced visibility, due, to the twilight conditions, at this time of day and existing haze, in the target area, the other aircrews lost sight, of the flight leader. However, they heard Capt., Lucki report, "I'm in to mark," the target, which was an enemy truck, traveling, along Route, 9125. Approximately, 30, seconds, after this transmission, a large fireball was observed, on the ground, by the other flight members as well, as by the FAC..
The alternate flight leader, tried to establish radio contact with Al Lucki and Robert Gomez, but without success.
When that failed, the FAC., conducted, a low level examination, of the area, of the fireball. He observed wreckage, generally grouped and numerous, secondary explosions. The crash, site location, consisted, of high karsts, between 1500 and 1850, meters, north, of Ban Topen and 300, meters, west, of Route 9125.
Search and rescue (SAR.) efforts, were immediately initiated, but when no beepers, were heard and no contact, could be established, it was discontinued, on 24, April.
No ground SAR., was possible, due, to enemy activity, in the area, of loss.
At the time, formal SAR., operations, were terminated, both Al Lucki and Robert Gomez, were listed, Missing in Action.
*************************************************
I was flying cover (F4D, 497 TFS, Ubon RTAFB) in an armed recce mission behind Albin Lucki and Bob Gomez, both MIA. I watched their F4 drill into the ground between the roadway and the river just south of Tchepone.
I saw no ground fire, but it was daytime and tracers were
hard to see in the bright light. I saw no parachutes and heard no radio transmissions. The last radio call from them was that they had spotted some trucks along the highway and were "up to mark", meaning that they had pulled up, rolled inverted, and pulled over into a dive attack.
and Gomez
I had breakfast with Bob Gomez before the mission and had been to a squadron party with him the night before. I am convinced that he had a premonition of this being his final mission. Bob was quite gregarious, but these last 24 hours he was very quiet and reflective. We met in the 497th pe shop (where the helmets, G-suits, etc. were kept) to suit up.
When I walked in, Bob was sitting in the floor with his back against the wall. He was wearing flowered bell bottom pants and he had waxed and rolled his normally bushy mustache. He looked like he had just gotten a
"Dear John" letter.
I stopped by Bob and asked him if he was ok. His reply was that he was. I asked him about his mustache, as I had never seen him that way- he said something about today being a special day. A few hours later, I watched his F4 fireball into a Laotian field. I am convinced that Bob knew.
Burt E. Ballentine, Lt. Col., USAF, Retired.
WOLF FAC, 497 TFS, Ubon RTAFB 1969-70
**************************
.
*** Captain Gomez was a member of the 497th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Ubon Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand. On April 23, 1970, he was the pilot of a McDonnell Douglas Phantom II Fighter (F-4D) on a mission near Ban Karai Pass, Laos, when his aircraft was shot down by hostile fire. His remains were not recovered. His name is inscribed on the Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial.
You may be gone, no longer living on this earth; but you will live on - in the memories of your family and friends. There will always be a part of you living in those who knew you. You will live on because we remember you! ***
ROBERT ARTHUR GOMEZ - Air Force - CAPT - O3
Age: 33
Race: Caucasian
Date of Birth Mar 20, 1944
From: JACKSONVILLE, FL
Religion: CHRISTIAN SCIENCE
Marital Status: Single - Parents: Father, and Mother, . Brother, Richard J. Gomez, Born Jan. 10, 1947, living in Jacksonville, Florida.
* Brothers: Richard J. Gomez and Bob's youngest brother, James Gomez. I live in Layton, Utah and am retired from AT&T.
** Possible Relatives: Carlie M A Gomez (Born Dec. 7, 1948), Carlie D Abersold, Carrie Gomez, Mary Suzanne (Susan) Gomez, Michael Todd Gomez (Born Oct. 12, 1970), Suzanne M Collier, Holly Rachael Gomez, Born 1971.
***** My fellow Wolf FAC, you are long gone from our lives but will never be forgotten. You will always live in the hearts of those of us who served with you and of your loved ones. God bless you and may you rest in peace.
Lee A. Hillard
Added: Mar. 26, 2014
***** Richard Gomez, Bob’s brother, shared with us Bob’s path after June 1962: Bob attended the University of Florida and graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering. During that time he’d joined and completed Air Force ROTC courses. He always wanted to be a pilot.
Bob took flight training at the Air Force base in Lubbock, Texas. He continued his training and became a pilot for the F-4 fighter jet. He would be assigned to a group called Wolf-FAC that was assigned to attacking enemy targets along the Mekong River in Laos. Apparently, that is where the Viet Cong would transport their supplies and ground weapons to arsenals at strategic locations.
Bob’s plane went down on 23 April 1970. The Air Force did not know if Bob, and the other pilot with him, were able to get out of the aircraft. There was no beeper signal, which normally goes off when pilots eject. Bob was flying low, marking the target for his fellow pilots. This low flight profile worked against the probability that Bob would be able to eject successfully.
Bob was listed as Missing in Action for 7 years. His status was changed to Killed in Action following this 7 year period. That was a difficult time for the Gomez family. That was hard to imagine for Bob’s family and friends. Bob was so full of life. A tribute to Bobby could not be better said, than these quotes from Richard Gomez, his brother: “He was a great guy, great brother that I have missed dearly through the years”, and “ I can still visualize his energy for life and his spirit that seemed to never fear the unknown”.
Jackie and I feel very fortunate and blessed to have had Bobby Gomez in our lives.
(Tim and Jackie Earle)
His tour began on Apr 22, 1970
Casualty was on Apr 6, 1977
MILITARY DATA:
Service: United States Air Force
Grade at loss: O2
Rank/Rate: Captain
Note: Promoted while in MIA status
ID No: xxxxx4421
MOS/RATING: 1115R: Pilot, Tactical Fighter
Length Service: **
Unit: 433RD TAC FTR SQDN, 8TH TAC FTR WING, 7TH AF
CASUALTY DATA:
Start Tour: 10/16/1969
Incident Date: 04/23/1970
Casualty Date: 04/06/1977
Age at Loss: 33 (based on date declared dead)
Location: , Laos
Remains: Body not recovered
Casualty Type: Hostile, died while missing
Casualty Reason: Fixed Wing - Crew
Casualty Detail: Air loss or crash over land
In LZ, LAOS
Hostile, died while missing, FIXED WING - CREW
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was not recovered
Panel 11W - Line 40
Other Personnel in Incident: Albin E. Lucki (missing)
On 23, April 1970, Capt., Al Lucki, pilot and then 1st, Lt., Robert Gomez, weapons, systems officer, comprised, the crew of an F4D, call sign "Wolf 02," that departed Ubon, Airfield, as the lead aircraft, in a flight of three.
They were on, a strike mission near the Ban Karai Pass, approximatel, 13, miles west-southwest of Ban Lobey and 14 miles southwest, of the Lao/North, Vietnamese border, Khammouan, Province, Laos. At the direction, of the on site, Forward, Air Controller, (FAC.) Capt. Lucki then descended to begin to reconnoiter the area while the rest of the flight orbited at a high altitude.
As a result, of the altitude difference, the reduced visibility, due, to the twilight conditions, at this time of day and existing haze, in the target area, the other aircrews lost sight, of the flight leader. However, they heard Capt., Lucki report, "I'm in to mark," the target, which was an enemy truck, traveling, along Route, 9125. Approximately, 30, seconds, after this transmission, a large fireball was observed, on the ground, by the other flight members as well, as by the FAC..
The alternate flight leader, tried to establish radio contact with Al Lucki and Robert Gomez, but without success.
When that failed, the FAC., conducted, a low level examination, of the area, of the fireball. He observed wreckage, generally grouped and numerous, secondary explosions. The crash, site location, consisted, of high karsts, between 1500 and 1850, meters, north, of Ban Topen and 300, meters, west, of Route 9125.
Search and rescue (SAR.) efforts, were immediately initiated, but when no beepers, were heard and no contact, could be established, it was discontinued, on 24, April.
No ground SAR., was possible, due, to enemy activity, in the area, of loss.
At the time, formal SAR., operations, were terminated, both Al Lucki and Robert Gomez, were listed, Missing in Action.
*************************************************
I was flying cover (F4D, 497 TFS, Ubon RTAFB) in an armed recce mission behind Albin Lucki and Bob Gomez, both MIA. I watched their F4 drill into the ground between the roadway and the river just south of Tchepone.
I saw no ground fire, but it was daytime and tracers were
hard to see in the bright light. I saw no parachutes and heard no radio transmissions. The last radio call from them was that they had spotted some trucks along the highway and were "up to mark", meaning that they had pulled up, rolled inverted, and pulled over into a dive attack.
and Gomez
I had breakfast with Bob Gomez before the mission and had been to a squadron party with him the night before. I am convinced that he had a premonition of this being his final mission. Bob was quite gregarious, but these last 24 hours he was very quiet and reflective. We met in the 497th pe shop (where the helmets, G-suits, etc. were kept) to suit up.
When I walked in, Bob was sitting in the floor with his back against the wall. He was wearing flowered bell bottom pants and he had waxed and rolled his normally bushy mustache. He looked like he had just gotten a
"Dear John" letter.
I stopped by Bob and asked him if he was ok. His reply was that he was. I asked him about his mustache, as I had never seen him that way- he said something about today being a special day. A few hours later, I watched his F4 fireball into a Laotian field. I am convinced that Bob knew.
Burt E. Ballentine, Lt. Col., USAF, Retired.
WOLF FAC, 497 TFS, Ubon RTAFB 1969-70
**************************
.
In Memory of ......... Capt. Robert Arthur Gomez.
*** Captain Gomez was a member of the 497th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Ubon Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand. On April 23, 1970, he was the pilot of a McDonnell Douglas Phantom II Fighter (F-4D) on a mission near Ban Karai Pass, Laos, when his aircraft was shot down by hostile fire. His remains were not recovered. His name is inscribed on the Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial.
You may be gone, no longer living on this earth; but you will live on - in the memories of your family and friends. There will always be a part of you living in those who knew you. You will live on because we remember you! ***
ROBERT ARTHUR GOMEZ - Air Force - CAPT - O3
Age: 33
Race: Caucasian
Date of Birth Mar 20, 1944
From: JACKSONVILLE, FL
Religion: CHRISTIAN SCIENCE
Marital Status: Single - Parents: Father, and Mother, . Brother, Richard J. Gomez, Born Jan. 10, 1947, living in Jacksonville, Florida.
* Brothers: Richard J. Gomez and Bob's youngest brother, James Gomez. I live in Layton, Utah and am retired from AT&T.
** Possible Relatives: Carlie M A Gomez (Born Dec. 7, 1948), Carlie D Abersold, Carrie Gomez, Mary Suzanne (Susan) Gomez, Michael Todd Gomez (Born Oct. 12, 1970), Suzanne M Collier, Holly Rachael Gomez, Born 1971.
***** My fellow Wolf FAC, you are long gone from our lives but will never be forgotten. You will always live in the hearts of those of us who served with you and of your loved ones. God bless you and may you rest in peace.
Lee A. Hillard
Added: Mar. 26, 2014
***** Richard Gomez, Bob’s brother, shared with us Bob’s path after June 1962: Bob attended the University of Florida and graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering. During that time he’d joined and completed Air Force ROTC courses. He always wanted to be a pilot.
Bob took flight training at the Air Force base in Lubbock, Texas. He continued his training and became a pilot for the F-4 fighter jet. He would be assigned to a group called Wolf-FAC that was assigned to attacking enemy targets along the Mekong River in Laos. Apparently, that is where the Viet Cong would transport their supplies and ground weapons to arsenals at strategic locations.
Bob’s plane went down on 23 April 1970. The Air Force did not know if Bob, and the other pilot with him, were able to get out of the aircraft. There was no beeper signal, which normally goes off when pilots eject. Bob was flying low, marking the target for his fellow pilots. This low flight profile worked against the probability that Bob would be able to eject successfully.
Bob was listed as Missing in Action for 7 years. His status was changed to Killed in Action following this 7 year period. That was a difficult time for the Gomez family. That was hard to imagine for Bob’s family and friends. Bob was so full of life. A tribute to Bobby could not be better said, than these quotes from Richard Gomez, his brother: “He was a great guy, great brother that I have missed dearly through the years”, and “ I can still visualize his energy for life and his spirit that seemed to never fear the unknown”.
Jackie and I feel very fortunate and blessed to have had Bobby Gomez in our lives.
(Tim and Jackie Earle)
His tour began on Apr 22, 1970
Casualty was on Apr 6, 1977
MILITARY DATA:
Service: United States Air Force
Grade at loss: O2
Rank/Rate: Captain
Note: Promoted while in MIA status
ID No: xxxxx4421
MOS/RATING: 1115R: Pilot, Tactical Fighter
Length Service: **
Unit: 433RD TAC FTR SQDN, 8TH TAC FTR WING, 7TH AF
CASUALTY DATA:
Start Tour: 10/16/1969
Incident Date: 04/23/1970
Casualty Date: 04/06/1977
Age at Loss: 33 (based on date declared dead)
Location: , Laos
Remains: Body not recovered
Casualty Type: Hostile, died while missing
Casualty Reason: Fixed Wing - Crew
Casualty Detail: Air loss or crash over land
In LZ, LAOS
Hostile, died while missing, FIXED WING - CREW
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was not recovered
Panel 11W - Line 40
Other Personnel in Incident: Albin E. Lucki (missing)
On 23, April 1970, Capt., Al Lucki, pilot and then 1st, Lt., Robert Gomez, weapons, systems officer, comprised, the crew of an F4D, call sign "Wolf 02," that departed Ubon, Airfield, as the lead aircraft, in a flight of three.
They were on, a strike mission near the Ban Karai Pass, approximatel, 13, miles west-southwest of Ban Lobey and 14 miles southwest, of the Lao/North, Vietnamese border, Khammouan, Province, Laos. At the direction, of the on site, Forward, Air Controller, (FAC.) Capt. Lucki then descended to begin to reconnoiter the area while the rest of the flight orbited at a high altitude.
As a result, of the altitude difference, the reduced visibility, due, to the twilight conditions, at this time of day and existing haze, in the target area, the other aircrews lost sight, of the flight leader. However, they heard Capt., Lucki report, "I'm in to mark," the target, which was an enemy truck, traveling, along Route, 9125. Approximately, 30, seconds, after this transmission, a large fireball was observed, on the ground, by the other flight members as well, as by the FAC..
The alternate flight leader, tried to establish radio contact with Al Lucki and Robert Gomez, but without success.
When that failed, the FAC., conducted, a low level examination, of the area, of the fireball. He observed wreckage, generally grouped and numerous, secondary explosions. The crash, site location, consisted, of high karsts, between 1500 and 1850, meters, north, of Ban Topen and 300, meters, west, of Route 9125.
Search and rescue (SAR.) efforts, were immediately initiated, but when no beepers, were heard and no contact, could be established, it was discontinued, on 24, April.
No ground SAR., was possible, due, to enemy activity, in the area, of loss.
At the time, formal SAR., operations, were terminated, both Al Lucki and Robert Gomez, were listed, Missing in Action.
*************************************************
I was flying cover (F4D, 497 TFS, Ubon RTAFB) in an armed recce mission behind Albin Lucki and Bob Gomez, both MIA. I watched their F4 drill into the ground between the roadway and the river just south of Tchepone.
I saw no ground fire, but it was daytime and tracers were
hard to see in the bright light. I saw no parachutes and heard no radio transmissions. The last radio call from them was that they had spotted some trucks along the highway and were "up to mark", meaning that they had pulled up, rolled inverted, and pulled over into a dive attack.
and Gomez
I had breakfast with Bob Gomez before the mission and had been to a squadron party with him the night before. I am convinced that he had a premonition of this being his final mission. Bob was quite gregarious, but these last 24 hours he was very quiet and reflective. We met in the 497th pe shop (where the helmets, G-suits, etc. were kept) to suit up.
When I walked in, Bob was sitting in the floor with his back against the wall. He was wearing flowered bell bottom pants and he had waxed and rolled his normally bushy mustache. He looked like he had just gotten a
"Dear John" letter.
I stopped by Bob and asked him if he was ok. His reply was that he was. I asked him about his mustache, as I had never seen him that way- he said something about today being a special day. A few hours later, I watched his F4 fireball into a Laotian field. I am convinced that Bob knew.
Burt E. Ballentine, Lt. Col., USAF, Retired.
WOLF FAC, 497 TFS, Ubon RTAFB 1969-70
**************************
.
*** Captain Gomez was a member of the 497th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Ubon Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand. On April 23, 1970, he was the pilot of a McDonnell Douglas Phantom II Fighter (F-4D) on a mission near Ban Karai Pass, Laos, when his aircraft was shot down by hostile fire. His remains were not recovered. His name is inscribed on the Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial.
You may be gone, no longer living on this earth; but you will live on - in the memories of your family and friends. There will always be a part of you living in those who knew you. You will live on because we remember you! ***
ROBERT ARTHUR GOMEZ - Air Force - CAPT - O3
Age: 33
Race: Caucasian
Date of Birth Mar 20, 1944
From: JACKSONVILLE, FL
Religion: CHRISTIAN SCIENCE
Marital Status: Single - Parents: Father, and Mother, . Brother, Richard J. Gomez, Born Jan. 10, 1947, living in Jacksonville, Florida.
* Brothers: Richard J. Gomez and Bob's youngest brother, James Gomez. I live in Layton, Utah and am retired from AT&T.
** Possible Relatives: Carlie M A Gomez (Born Dec. 7, 1948), Carlie D Abersold, Carrie Gomez, Mary Suzanne (Susan) Gomez, Michael Todd Gomez (Born Oct. 12, 1970), Suzanne M Collier, Holly Rachael Gomez, Born 1971.
***** My fellow Wolf FAC, you are long gone from our lives but will never be forgotten. You will always live in the hearts of those of us who served with you and of your loved ones. God bless you and may you rest in peace.
Lee A. Hillard
Added: Mar. 26, 2014
***** Richard Gomez, Bob’s brother, shared with us Bob’s path after June 1962: Bob attended the University of Florida and graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering. During that time he’d joined and completed Air Force ROTC courses. He always wanted to be a pilot.
Bob took flight training at the Air Force base in Lubbock, Texas. He continued his training and became a pilot for the F-4 fighter jet. He would be assigned to a group called Wolf-FAC that was assigned to attacking enemy targets along the Mekong River in Laos. Apparently, that is where the Viet Cong would transport their supplies and ground weapons to arsenals at strategic locations.
Bob’s plane went down on 23 April 1970. The Air Force did not know if Bob, and the other pilot with him, were able to get out of the aircraft. There was no beeper signal, which normally goes off when pilots eject. Bob was flying low, marking the target for his fellow pilots. This low flight profile worked against the probability that Bob would be able to eject successfully.
Bob was listed as Missing in Action for 7 years. His status was changed to Killed in Action following this 7 year period. That was a difficult time for the Gomez family. That was hard to imagine for Bob’s family and friends. Bob was so full of life. A tribute to Bobby could not be better said, than these quotes from Richard Gomez, his brother: “He was a great guy, great brother that I have missed dearly through the years”, and “ I can still visualize his energy for life and his spirit that seemed to never fear the unknown”.
Jackie and I feel very fortunate and blessed to have had Bobby Gomez in our lives.
(Tim and Jackie Earle)
His tour began on Apr 22, 1970
Casualty was on Apr 6, 1977
MILITARY DATA:
Service: United States Air Force
Grade at loss: O2
Rank/Rate: Captain
Note: Promoted while in MIA status
ID No: xxxxx4421
MOS/RATING: 1115R: Pilot, Tactical Fighter
Length Service: **
Unit: 433RD TAC FTR SQDN, 8TH TAC FTR WING, 7TH AF
CASUALTY DATA:
Start Tour: 10/16/1969
Incident Date: 04/23/1970
Casualty Date: 04/06/1977
Age at Loss: 33 (based on date declared dead)
Location: , Laos
Remains: Body not recovered
Casualty Type: Hostile, died while missing
Casualty Reason: Fixed Wing - Crew
Casualty Detail: Air loss or crash over land
In LZ, LAOS
Hostile, died while missing, FIXED WING - CREW
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was not recovered
Panel 11W - Line 40
Other Personnel in Incident: Albin E. Lucki (missing)
On 23, April 1970, Capt., Al Lucki, pilot and then 1st, Lt., Robert Gomez, weapons, systems officer, comprised, the crew of an F4D, call sign "Wolf 02," that departed Ubon, Airfield, as the lead aircraft, in a flight of three.
They were on, a strike mission near the Ban Karai Pass, approximatel, 13, miles west-southwest of Ban Lobey and 14 miles southwest, of the Lao/North, Vietnamese border, Khammouan, Province, Laos. At the direction, of the on site, Forward, Air Controller, (FAC.) Capt. Lucki then descended to begin to reconnoiter the area while the rest of the flight orbited at a high altitude.
As a result, of the altitude difference, the reduced visibility, due, to the twilight conditions, at this time of day and existing haze, in the target area, the other aircrews lost sight, of the flight leader. However, they heard Capt., Lucki report, "I'm in to mark," the target, which was an enemy truck, traveling, along Route, 9125. Approximately, 30, seconds, after this transmission, a large fireball was observed, on the ground, by the other flight members as well, as by the FAC..
The alternate flight leader, tried to establish radio contact with Al Lucki and Robert Gomez, but without success.
When that failed, the FAC., conducted, a low level examination, of the area, of the fireball. He observed wreckage, generally grouped and numerous, secondary explosions. The crash, site location, consisted, of high karsts, between 1500 and 1850, meters, north, of Ban Topen and 300, meters, west, of Route 9125.
Search and rescue (SAR.) efforts, were immediately initiated, but when no beepers, were heard and no contact, could be established, it was discontinued, on 24, April.
No ground SAR., was possible, due, to enemy activity, in the area, of loss.
At the time, formal SAR., operations, were terminated, both Al Lucki and Robert Gomez, were listed, Missing in Action.
*************************************************
I was flying cover (F4D, 497 TFS, Ubon RTAFB) in an armed recce mission behind Albin Lucki and Bob Gomez, both MIA. I watched their F4 drill into the ground between the roadway and the river just south of Tchepone.
I saw no ground fire, but it was daytime and tracers were
hard to see in the bright light. I saw no parachutes and heard no radio transmissions. The last radio call from them was that they had spotted some trucks along the highway and were "up to mark", meaning that they had pulled up, rolled inverted, and pulled over into a dive attack.
and Gomez
I had breakfast with Bob Gomez before the mission and had been to a squadron party with him the night before. I am convinced that he had a premonition of this being his final mission. Bob was quite gregarious, but these last 24 hours he was very quiet and reflective. We met in the 497th pe shop (where the helmets, G-suits, etc. were kept) to suit up.
When I walked in, Bob was sitting in the floor with his back against the wall. He was wearing flowered bell bottom pants and he had waxed and rolled his normally bushy mustache. He looked like he had just gotten a
"Dear John" letter.
I stopped by Bob and asked him if he was ok. His reply was that he was. I asked him about his mustache, as I had never seen him that way- he said something about today being a special day. A few hours later, I watched his F4 fireball into a Laotian field. I am convinced that Bob knew.
Burt E. Ballentine, Lt. Col., USAF, Retired.
WOLF FAC, 497 TFS, Ubon RTAFB 1969-70
**************************
.
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