PORTLAND, Ore. -- March 29 is National Vietnam War Veterans Day, a day to remember and honor the service and sacrifice of our Vietnam War veterans. March 29, 1973 was when the last 2,500 US troops were withdrawn from South Vietnam and when the last of our servicemen held prisoner in North Vietnam arrived back on U.S. soil. At the time it was America’s longest war.
One of the Oregon Air National Guard’s veteran pilots, Col. Scott Powell, USAF (Retired) flew combat in Southeast Asia during that war, in back-to-back combat tours. He flew the F-4 Phantom II in-theater during 1971 and 1972. These were transitional years in the Vietnam War, as the U.S. sought to implement its policy of Vietnamization while concurrently fighting back against a large-scale North Vietnamese invasion of South Vietnam in the Easter Offensive of 1972, as the Paris Peace Talks which had started in 1968 dragged on.
Col. Scott Powell, USAF started out in combat flying the F-4D and F-4E in February, 1971 with the 366th Tactical Fighter Wing (TFW) at Da Nang Air Base (AB) in the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam). When he completed his one-year combat tour “in-country” he volunteered for another combat tour in February, 1972, and shifted over to Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base (RTAFB), Thailand and flew the F-4E in the 388th TFW until September that year. Col. Powell flew a combined total 301 combat missions and garnered 650 combat hours during his 20 months in Southeast Asia.
Getting to Southeast Asia
When those peace talks in Paris started in 1968, Scott Powell was an engineering student looking forward to graduating the next year at Oregon State University (OSU) in Corvallis, Oregon. An Air Force brat, he considered a career as an industrial engineer, but with the war in Vietnam going on, a desire for adventure appealed to him over engineering work in an office, as well as a sense of patriotism and citizenship. He joined the two-year commissioning program in the AF Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) in Detachment 685 at Oregon State. When he graduated from OSU in 1969 with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Air Force.
Lt. Powell performed well in Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT), and graduated with high marks as “Top Flyer” in Class 70-07 at Sheppard AFB, Texas. At first, it appeared there were few opportunities for a follow-on assignment in fighter aircraft, which Powell wanted. As the list of aircraft assignments was posted, it appeared there were no fighters available. So even though he was Top Flyer in his class, it looked like an A-37 Dragonfly attack jet was as close as he would get to a combat aircraft. Lt. Powell was pleasantly surprised, however, when two F-4 pilot slots in the next F-4 Replacement Training Unit (RTU) class unexpectedly appeared on an updated assignment list. Fighters it would be!
In pilot training at the time, the USAF placed newly-trained F-4 pilots into the backseat for an initial assignment, with the “carrot” of an upgrade to the front seat offered with another combat assignment; Powell expected this. But the USAF changed that policy, and even more surprising to Powell was that these two openings were front seat pilot slots!
Lt. Powell underwent combat crew training in the F-4C at Davis Monthan AFB, Arizona, in a class which had 30 UPT graduate pilots and five others experienced in other aircraft transitioning into the F-4 from another aircraft type. His pilot training was followed by survival training, water survival training, some stateside leave, and then overseas to jungle survival training at Clark Air Base, Republic of the Philippines. From there it was a flight across the South China Sea to the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam), and Da Nang Air Base. Following are just a few of his many stories of his flying experience in the Vietnam War.
Rocket City – Da Nang Air Base, Republic of Vietnam
With the 390th TFS from February, 1971 to January, 1972
February, 1971. Creedence Clearwater Revival’s ”Have You Ever Seen the Rain” was on its way up the music charts into the Top 10 as 1st Lt. Powell reported in for duty at Da Nang. He was assigned to 390th Tactical Fighter Squadron (TFS), the “Wild Boars,” which was and remains today part of the 366th TFW, known as the “Gunfighters.” Some two months out of the cockpit meant a couple of Instructor Pilot accompanied rides in order to learn the local area and get back into the cockpit smartly.
The 390th TFS was one of three USAF Phantom squadrons assigned to the wing. It was equipped with the F-4D Phantom II, while the other two squadrons assigned at the time, the 4th TFS and the 421st TFS, had the F-4E, the version built with an internal 20mm cannon. Lt. Powell flew both variants at Da Nang as aircraft maintenance pooled assets and provided the best jets available for the wing’s assigned missions. Operations went on around the clock, day and night at the busy air base.
As a 25-year-old pilot newly arrived in the combat zone, there was a lot to learn to meet the exacting standards of the fighter community. In addition to the training to gain proficiency in operating the aircraft, there were many lessons which only combat experience could yield. Much corporate knowledge was passed along between squadron members in bar sessions in the squadron lounge. When asked how to do various tasks by a fresh new guy, experienced aircrew would begin their response with “It depends” as myriad possibilities emerged in the conduct of combat operations.
The In-Country Air War
Close Air Support was one of the many mission types flown from Da Nang, and a “troops in contact” situation was urgent and important - a successful mission was most rewarding for aircrew. It involved a takeoff in two-ship or four-ship formations, mostly two-ships. They headed to an assigned area by command and control authorities, usually to the north, to contact an airborne Forward Air Controller (FAC). Once the F-4s arrived on station and checked in, the FAC would mark their target with a White Phosphorous rocket. Multiple CAS missions could be flown in a day by an F-4 crew.
Lt. Powell arrived at Da Nang just as Operation Lam Son 719 kicked off. This operation was an incursion by South Vietnamese forces supported by US forces into southern Laos to interdict the Ho Chi Minh Trail which was the lifeline of North Vietnamese communist forces in South Vietnam. It took place from February 8 to March 25, 1971.
Rocket Serenade
“Whump” signaled the arrival of a North Vietnamese rocket at Da Nang Air Base. Because of this regular threat, newly arrived personnel were issued a flak vest and helmet and encouraged to keep it close and wear it as needed, even while sleeping.
Awaiting a permanent room, Lt. Powell and another aircrew were in a temporary room with two bunk beds in it when a “whump” was heard. After the siren sounded the all clear, another pair of louder “whumps” signaled closer hits, as the aircrew dived to the floor from their respective bunks and crawled under the bottom bed. Welcome to Da Nang!
Recon Escort
Although a bombing halt of North Vietnam was in effect at the time, USAF aircraft did fly tactical reconnaissance missions with aircraft such as the RF-4C, missions which were flown with fighter escort. If the enemy attacked these unarmed recon aircraft, the rules of engagement allowed for a protective reaction. Lt. Powell flew north across the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) a couple of times on recon escort. A pair of F-4s were assigned to escort a sole RF-4C and the three aircraft flew in an ECM pod formation as a precaution against the SA-2 Guideline Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) batteries which had moved south in North Vietnam.
On Lt. Powell’s Radar Homing and Warning (RHAW, now termed Radar Warning Receiver (RWR) sensor display, an indication of an enemy air surveillance radar operating was displayed. Not a surprise when venturing into enemy territory. As the aircraft flew over southern North Vietnam from east to west in an area with an undercast, Powell’s RHAW display showed some initial SA-2 Fan Song fire control radar activity on his right flank, but no indication of an actual missile launch. But suddenly and very quickly, the Fan Song activity indicator stepped from low to high followed by a red lamp indicating a launch. His combat-experienced Weapon System Operator (WSO) in the back seat called out “Missile, missile!” and activated their ECM pod.
Looking to his right, Lt. Powell spotted a swirl in the undercast clouds below indicating a point of origin for the missile. He subsequently left the pod formation to attack the SAM site with Mk-82 500-lb bombs, which he delivered to that point in the undercast the missile appeared to emerge from. After this incident, which he described as the first SA-2 firing since 1968, SAM engagements against US aircraft became more frequent. The enemy was protecting something.
By late 1971 these recon aircraft took images which disclosed a buildup of enemy forces in southern North Vietnam across the DMZ as well as along the Ho Chi Minh trail going through Laos and Cambodia. Lt. Powell would deal with these more in the coming year.
AAA Plinking on the Trail
Night Gunship escort for AC-119 Stinger and AC-130 Spectre gunships operating over the Ho Chi Minh Trail involved three F-4s, with one of the three always on station with the gunship to drop ordnance on any anti-aircraft artillery (AAA) which might fire at the gunship. It took three Phantoms to cover the gunship as F-4 station time was 45 minutes before having to leave station to conduct an aerial refueling. In a continuous relay, one fighter was always leaving to refuel, another coming back from refueling to relieve the on-station F-4 to provide continuous coverage of the gunship.
One night over Laos and the Trail, Lt. Powell flew cover for an AC-119 Stinger gunship. The ceiling was 11,000 feet, and mountains in the area rose to some 7,000 feet. Rain limited visibility and despite the misery of the night, a lone “gung-ho” gun crew decided to try and hit Lt. Powell’s aircraft with a ZU-23 mm anti-aircraft gun, firing a volley of yellow tracers into the night sky with unusual accuracy.
Lt Powell caught sight of the point of origin, kept an eye on it and selected a cluster bomb (CBU, cluster bomb unit) to respond with. He rolled in, his pipper dimmed to a low setting so as not to destroy his night vision, and pickled his CBU off, banking to the right as he came off the target. Jinking to the left, he saw another string of tracers rise from the ground just before his CBU showered the immediate area with bomblets which silenced that gun and crew.
With the Navy
Lt. Powell served a brief exchange tour with the US Navy and flew four missions late in his Da Nang tour in the backseats of Navy Air Wing Nine F-4J Phantoms aboard the aircraft carrier USS Constellation (CVA-64). These included an escort for a speedy RA-5C Vigilante reconnaissance aircraft and a couple of bombing missions over Laos.
R&R in Hong Kong
US military personnel were authorized a five to seven day leave for Rest and Recreation during their year-long tour of duty in South Vietnam. Lt. Powell elected to go to Hong Kong and see the sights. This included the US Navy Exchange there, renowned as “THE” place to find all the cameras, sound systems and electronic gadgets of the day. He was prepared too, having studied the exchange catalog and written a list of what he wished to order. His roommate, WSO 1st Lt. Ron Bond made a list too and asked Scott to order him some stereo equipment.
An Unpleasant Surprise
Upon Lt. Powell’s return to Da Nang, however, he found a strange silence, during the ride from the air terminal, checking in at the squadron and then back in his quarters. There he found another squadron member who told him that earlier that day, September 30, 1971, Lt. Ronald Leslie Bond failed to return from a Fast FAC mission over southern Laos. The early portion of the mission went as planned, then he checked in before starting another portion, flying low and fast searching for enemy activity. But he never returned to Da Nang. According to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, Ronald L. Bond remains missing and unaccounted for to this day.
While at Da Nang, Lt. Powell progressed steadily in assignments and duties of increased responsibility. He started out as a wingman, then became a two-ship flight lead, then a four-ship flight lead, an Instructor Pilot and Functional Check Flight pilot. And this all the while sharpening his combat skills.
Don McLean’s “American Pie” was number 1 on the pop charts as Lt. Powell left Da Nang for continuation of overseas tour leave Down Under in late January, 1972. After 20 days in Australia and ten more in New Zealand, it was time to go back to the war for his second combat tour.
Sierra Hot, Korat – Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand
With the 34th TFS from February to September, 1972
Carly Simon’s “Anticipation” neared the top 10 as Lt. Powell reported in after his R&R in Australia and New Zealand. He was assigned to the 34th TFS, the “Rams,” at Korat RTAFB, Kingdom of Thailand, one of two F-4E squadrons in the 388th TFW.
As an experienced fighter pilot, and now promoted to Captain, Powell found himself in a unit tasked as a jack of all trades, whether escort for a strike force, CAS over in South Vietnam, the core of a strike package headed for North Vietnam, Fast FAC over Laos, interdiction against the Ho Chi Minh Trail in Laos and Cambodia and Hunter-Killer missions against SAM sites in North Vietnam with Korat’s F-105G Thunderchief Wild Weasels. A 1990 book written by Jerry Scutts about the 388th TFW in the Vietnam War titled “Wrecking Crew,” perhaps inspired by the counter-agent Matt Helm action novels and movies, but in reality, an apt description for the Korat-based wing.
Easter Offensive
Hanoi was determined to unify all of Vietnam under communist rule. With the Viet Cong guerilla insurgency seriously damaged in the Tet Offensive of 1968, North Vietnam decided to try a conventional invasion of the south with its own army including tanks and artillery in early 1972 in what became known as the Easter Offensive. Although the buildup was noted in 1971 and in early 1972 before the invasion began on March 30, the breadth and the depth of the communist assault severely tested the Vietnamization Program and the Republic of Vietnam. It gave newly-minted Captain Powell the opportunity to put his Da Nang combat experience to work, with effect. This was especially important, and also stressful, as a high percentage of Korat’s F-4 aircrew were new lieutenants such as he had been a year before.
Shuttle bombing
Due to the drawdown of US airpower in SE Asia, and especially in South Vietnam, the 388th TFW at Korat flew a number of missions in support of hard-pressed South Vietnamese defenders fighting in three different geographic areas. Capt. Powell flew a number of double or triple credit combat sorties from Korat over South Vietnam. These were usually two or four-ships of Phantoms which would launch from Korat and head east to make contact with a FAC over South Vietnam and deliver their ordnance. The jets then continued on to an air base in South Vietnam to refuel, rearm and reattack enemy forces in-country.
Capt. Powell flew to Da Nang AB to hinder the enemy forces attacking across the DMZ toward Quang Tri, or to Bien Hoa AB in support of repelling the siege of An Loc. His F-4E was refueled and rearmed within 30 minutes for another sortie over South Vietnam. Then back to Da Nang or Bien Hoa for another quick turn and one final combat mission before returning to Korat in a long, 12-hour triple sortie workday.
Going North
As the Easter Offensive developed, US political leadership decided to resume air attacks on military targets throughout North Vietnam. This developed into Operation Linebacker, an air interdiction campaign to impede Hanoi’s ability to supply and sustain its invasion of the South.
For a mission in the area designated as “Route Pack Six,” in the enemy heartland of Hanoi and surrounding environs which was considered the highest threat area of all of SE Asia, there was a certain routine. It was up at 0200 to shower and shave. Off to breakfast at the Officers Club at 0300. After that it was a bicycle ride over to Fort Apache, the name given for a quad of operations-related buildings near the Korat flightline where the wing command center was, with wing intelligence and the operations buildings for the fighter squadrons assigned to Korat, including Capt. Powell’s 34th, the similar F-4E equipped 469th TFS and the F-105G Thunderchief-equipped 17th Wild Weasel Squadron (later joined by the F-105Gs of the 561st TFS from the States).
There at Ft. Apache the aircrew dissected the fragmentary order for the day’s mission taskings for the 388th TFW, received from Seventh Air Force. They found the details of the mission, including routes, radio call signs for the flights, air refueling tracks with call signs for the tankers, time over target, etc. “All very dramatic,” as Col. Powell recalled.
There was then a mass briefing of all participating in the mission which lasted for an hour, after which individual flights, including a spare crew, would cover the mission in a flight briefing lasting a similar time. The wing’s longtime canine mascot “Roscoe” even attended these mass briefings – it was said if he slept during the briefing that the mission would be a smooth one and everyone would come home.
This was followed by an individual aircrew brief with the pilot and WSO reviewing how they would operate as a crew to accomplish their part of the mission. Col. Powell recalls that “the hairier the mission, the more feet would be showing in the bathroom stalls” before the pilots finished their preps and stepped outside to go to their aircraft.
All prepared, the crews would step from their squadron building for transport by “step-vans,” the bread truck-like vehicles which drove them out to the flightline and deposited them by their assigned aircraft.
Due to the monsoon seasons in Southeast Asia, weather was a frequent factor in allowing or frustrating a given mission. If unfavorable, it could prevent aircraft using traditional visual weapons delivery from accurately hitting a target, and even the precision bomb droppers over in the 8th TFW at Ubon RTAFB had issues with weather for employment of their laser-guided and electro-optical guided bombs route.
In cases where the weather wasn’t favorable, the crews could complete their mission preparations, step to their jets, prepare to launch and then be placed on a weather hold for a period of time, or indefinite period of time, awaiting an update. They might go back to the squadron’s lounge and await an update, with all kinds of thoughts on their minds. It could be quite stressful as the tension built, wondering if the mission would be a go or not. At a certain point in the day, given the length of the mission and how much daylight was left to conduct it, a mission might be scrubbed, weather cancelled. Such a situation happened for ten days in a row during the monsoon season in his time at Korat; “very stressful” as Col. Powell recalled.
The Protestor’s Protector
“One of the pilots had a shortwave radio which we sometimes used to listen to Radio Hanoi and their childish propaganda,” he recalled. One day in July, Powell and some of the aircrew were relaxing outside their hooches, three or four of them sitting around shooting the breeze when this pilot came running out of his hootch to tell them Radio Hanoi was on. The men were appalled to hear American actress Jane Fonda speaking, asking them not to fly tomorrow, that they were baby killers, war criminals. It was shocking and “It didn’t go over well,” Powell said.
“On the mission up north the next day, everything was tight-jawed silence. We took the land route, went south of town and made a left hand turn about 40 miles out of Hanoi. Usually by this time, radio chatter would pick up as the Wild Weasels began working, a cacophony of noise with warnings, calls and such. But it was total silence.” As they approached Hanoi, someone in the strike package broke the silence with a “Foxtrot Yankee, Jane” (actual F-Y words used were different) after which the normal radio activity commenced as the mission continued. The men were mad, not demoralized by these propaganda broadcasts by Fonda. Her actions on behalf of North Vietnam rankles Vietnam veterans to this day. Of note, Col. Powell recalled how music was helpful to a flyer in wartime, both on the ground and in the air. He remembers “While flying toward Hanoi to ease nervousness I would hum or softly sing American Pie, songs from Carole King’s Tapestry album, or Santana (faking the lyrics…Black Magic Woman, for instance). I had all those albums and played them in my hooch.”
A Short R&R
With the war heated up again, Capt. Powell elected to forego a full R&R and instead spent three relaxing days to unwind from the stress and tension of war at Pattaya Beach in Thailand. There he hired a boat to take him out to a small, largely unpopulated island and look at the azure water with a cold Singha beer without all the pressure of his military responsibilities.
MiG Encounter
For a fighter pilot, the chance to engage in aerial combat is a sought-after opportunity, though few of the many actually have the chance to do so. On a combat mission near Hanoi in July or August of 1972, Capt. Powell was No. 4 in a flight of F-4Es configured for air-to-air combat which sought to emulate a flight of chaff-dropping F-4s, flying at the altitude, airspeed, formation and using the call signs of the chaff droppers who laid aerial corridors of the material to scramble the enemy’s radar screens. Kind of a small-scale version of the famous Operation Bolo led by Col. Robin Olds in January of 1967.
After ingress from the west toward Hanoi, the flight turned south. Capt. Powell found himself a little too far out from his element leader in No. 3, and turned left to get closer. As he did, he looked back to check his six o’clock position and spotted a MiG-21 Fishbed fighter closing in on the flight.
He immediately called out over the UHF radio to warn his fellow flight members, and rolled up and over No.3 and then brought his nose around to the right as the MiG pressed closer and launched an AA-2 Atoll air-to-air heat-seeking missile at No. 3. Fortunately, the missile streaked past the left wing of No. 3 and missed, even as Powell continued to call out over the radio about the blue bandit attacking the flight. But the other aircrews of his flight didn’t hear his radio calls, even though the strike force 40 miles away could hear him warn about the MiG.
Capt. Powell quickly assessed the situation and decided to fire an AIM-9 Sidewinder AAM in the general direction of the MiG as quickly as he could, taking a shot outside of the missile’s shooting parameters in an urgent effort to make the MiG break off his attack. As he brought the nose of his F-4 around to the right, as the pipper came across the flight path ahead of the MiG he squeezed the trigger and 1.5 seconds later an AIM-9 Sidewinder heat-seeking missile left the launch rail and flew straight ahead, across the nose of the Mig as the MiG fired a second Atoll at No. 3.
The second enemy missile miraculously missed! Or was fired too close to arm before it passed by No. 3, or failed to guide on the F-4, perhaps enticed by the sun or even the sun’s effect on clouds; there are many possible reasons. Only then did the flight break away, to the left, as the MiG pilot made a “bat-turn,” reversed to the right and sped away. For a moment Capt. Powell and the MiG driver were canopy to canopy as they roared past each other.
Capt. Powell briefly debated pursuit of the bandit but as he turned back left to follow his flight, lost sight of the diminutive MiG. At the time, the Air Force tactical fighter employment of the “Fluid Four” formation kept the wingmen tightly on the flight or element leader’s wing, charged with making sure flight or element leaders were safe from rear-hemisphere attack. But in this case, it appeared No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 were unaware of the MiG attack, and the fleeting opportunity to engage the MiG was gone just as quick as it had materialized.
On a positive note, The MiG pilot didn’t achieve success – some MiG-21 variants were equipped with either a 30mm or 23mm cannon – if this one was, Capt. Powell’s maneuver and missile may have dissuaded him from a gun attack, not to mention perhaps persuading a wingman in a second MiG from conducting an attack, as they often flew in two-ship formations.
Cambodia
Although overshadowed by the air war going on in the rest of Southeast Asia, the US did conduct air attacks against North Vietnamese forces present in Cambodia, an extension of the Ho Chi Minh Trail used to infiltrate and sustain communist forces in South Vietnam.
At the end of his Korat tour of duty, Capt. Powell was assigned to lead a flight over Cambodia to interdict the enemy efforts there. Intel sources reported the enemy had small arms and automatic weapons up to 14.5mm in the target area. To mitigate that threat, Capt. Powell briefed his four-ship to make a snake-like winding approach to the target, then roll out late in the approach and deliver ordnance, as opposed to a straight in direct approach. A senior pilot with little combat time in the number4 position in the flight questioned the meandering approach and thought that a direct approach would yield better results.
On to the target, and 1, 2 and 3 executed the attack as briefed. Then 4 made a straight-in approach and his aircraft was promptly stitched by gunfire from the ground, forcing him to take his damaged bird with flight leader Powell as escort from Cambodia to the nearest friendly air base, Bien Hoa in South Vietnam, where 04 safely landed. Capt. Powell returned later that day to Korat, leaving the major with his wounded bird behind at Bien Hoa; the aircraft remained at Bien Hoa several weeks for repairs.
SE Asia Wrap-up
In his six months of flying at Korat, Capt. Powell accumulated about as many missions and combat hours as he did in a year at Da Nang. By the end of his two combat tours, Capt. Powell had flown 301 combat missions and accrued 650 combat hours. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, 21 Air Medals and received the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with two Palms. This “Hungry Tiger” had answered the call to duty and performed well. He looked forward to a tour of duty in Europe and somewhere less busy in the States, but alas, the Air Force had other ideas.
Assignment to Kadena Air Base, Okinawa,
Instead of being assigned to Europe or somewhere outside of Asia, Capt. Powell was ordered to Kadena AB on the island of Okinawa, Japan, where he was assigned to the 44th TFS “Vampires” of the 18th TFW, under Fifth Air Force.
Despite being assigned to a command outside SE Asia, the ripple effects of the war reached out and soon touched him at his new base. This happened when the US made a deal with Taiwan for the Republic of China Air Force (ROCAF) to transfer 48 of its F-5 fighter jets under a lease agreement to the Republic of Vietnam Air Force (RVNAF) to expedite the Vietnamization effort in the aftermath of the US military withdrawal from South Vietnam, in accordance with the Paris Peace Accords. In exchange, the US would provide for the air defense of Taiwan for some three or four years until the F-5s could be replaced with new construction aircraft.
And the 18th TFW bore the brunt of that air defense load. One morning at 0200, Capt. Powell received a call for a “bag drag” to bring himself and his mobility bags to the squadron. He had only been there for two weeks and hadn’t yet completed his local area orientation. But away he was sent, aboard a C-130 Hercules transport as Advanced Echelon (ADVON) to Ching-Chuan-Kang (CCK) Air Force Base in Taichung City, Taiwan to begin this air defense mission.
Kadena’s F-4 squadrons rotated to CCK on a regular basis for some six weeks at a time. Capt. Powell stayed on and served for a while with an Instructor WSO as CCK home cadre to ensure continuity in mission between the squadron rotations in and out.
Vietnam in Retrospect
Looking back at his experience, Col. Powell thinks that if the US had applied the same level of effort in 1972 against North Vietnam eight years earlier, in 1964-1965, things would have turned out differently, that Hanoi would have been compelled to cease its assistance to the Viet Cong and refrained from committing its own troops to the overthrow of the government in Saigon.
After the war, Capt. Powell contributed to an Air Force study conducted through a series of iterative questionnaires completed by aircrew involved in air combat to critique the Air Force’s mediocre performance against the MiGs in 1972. As a result of the findings in this study, significant changes were implemented in the 1970s in tactics, weapons, aircraft design (e.g. high visibility canopies) and training. The improvements were implemented in both replacement training units and active duty forces, like at the USAF Fighter Weapons School and the establishment of the Red Flag series of large force employment exercises. These changes vastly improved the air-to-air combat capability of the USAF, as seen in conflicts since Vietnam.
After the War
After completing his five-year active duty service commitment, Capt. Powell elected to separate from the Air Force in April, 1974. He eventually returned to military flying and brought that vast combat experience to the Oregon ANG in May, 1975. For the first few years he was a traditional Guardsmen, and then became a full-time member.
In the Oregon ANG, he became one of the core “5 guys” with Vietnam War experience who played a key role in transformation of the unit from the strictly air defense mission and mentality in the F-101B Voodoo era of the 1970s into the dynamic arena of air superiority in the F-4 Phantom II era of the 1980s. He was also a member of the winning Oregon F-4 team in the 1984 William Tell worldwide weapons competition held at Tyndall AFB, Florida. Read more about this William Tell experience in “Redhawks Hit the Mark at William Tell 1984” at: https://www.142wg.ang.af.mil/News/Features/Display/Article/864366/redhawks-hit-the-mark-at-william-tell-1984/
The culture between the former Aerospace Defense Command and the Tactical Air Command which assumed responsibility for the continental air defense mission in 1979 was significantly different in aircraft, tactics and employment. These Vietnam veterans used their SE Asia experience to help the unit operate the F-4C Phantom II to maximize its capabilities and potential. The F-4C arrived at Portland in late 1981, and replaced the F-101B fighter-interceptor. Powell eventually commanded the 123rd Fighter-Interceptor Squadron during the F-4 era, 1985-1988.
He then garnered an opportunity to study at the National War College, at Fort McNair in Washington, D.C. where he was a Distinguished Graduate in 1989. A tour as ANG Advisor to Commander, First Air Force, then at Langley AFB, Virginia followed, 1989-1990. Col. Powell then served as ANG Advisor to the Commander, in Chief at NORAD and US Space Command at Peterson AFB, Colorado, 1991 to 1993. He returned to Oregon to command Kingsley Field and the 114th Fighter Squadron in the F-16 Air Defense Fighter (ADF) era 1993-1995. Read more about this F-16 ADF time in “Oregon’s Viper Years,” at: https://www.142wg.ang.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3663270/oregons-viper-years/
After that, Col. Powell was selected as the first ANG commander of NORAD’s Western Air Defense Sector at McChord AFB, Washington where he served 1996-1997. He retired from military service in 1998.
On this National Vietnam War Veterans Day 2026, we salute the service of Col. Scott Powell in SE Asia at Da Nang and Korat, and in the skies over South Vietnam, Laos, North Vietnam and Cambodia in a hectic transition period during that long war. His experience, expensively developed, boosted the capabilities of the Oregon ANG afterwards and helped shape ANG airpower as part of the Total Force.
Col. Powell will soon record his recollections of Air Force service with his daughter. Vietnam Veterans ought to consider recording their Vietnam War experience with their families and/or friends. The Library of Congress Veterans History Project offers ideas on how one can accomplish this, under the “How to Participate section of the project website, at: https://www.loc.gov/programs/veterans-history-project/about-this-program/
Special thanks to Lt. Col. Rick “Cecil B. de” Williams, USAF (Retired) for his help with the images of this article.