Tom Brand

Security Police in Nam

I left for Vietnam on 31 Dec 1968 from Phoenix Arizona, my home base for the last 30 days before leaving my family and friends. I had volunteered to go to Nam from my last base Keesler AFB, Miss. I was assigned to the 35th SPS (Security Police Squadron). I arrived at Pang Rang AB 2 Jan 1969. I was assigned to security perimeter towers for the first month and a half, then was asked to work in the squadron arms room, where I worked for 10 1/2 months. Working in the arms room was one of the best jobs I've ever had.

In the arms room we did maintenance of M-2's, M-16's, M-12's, M-79's, 38 cal revolvers, M-60's, M-14's, and issuing out weapons to the 3 shifts of SP's on base. When I arrived in country I was an E-3 and was finally promoted to E-4 a month before leaving Phan Rang. I was a shift leader (only because of time in grade) for the midnight shift crew that I worked with.

There were 4 SP's per shift, all of us were E-3, Tom Eginbrode, Jim Carson, Dave Hunter and me. We worked good together. Phan Rang was hit and/or attacked 43 times from Jan - Dec 1969. We used to write the date we were hit on our camo. helmet covers, I still have that cover. After my year was up I went home for 30 days and then on to my next duty assignment. Castle AFB, Calif.