AN/TPQ-10, MASS-2, and MASS-3

Comments: You guys may want to get in touch with my father, he's not far from you guys, and lives in Bridgeport.

He was known as GySgt. Bryant at the time he retired while at MASS-3 under Col. Phalen, and was the Sr. Marine AN/TPQ-10 Technician at the time of his retirement. He went in with his set from MASS-2 in the main landing at Da Nang in 1965, and severed multiple tours with both MASS-2 and MASS-3 over his 20.

He retired in 1983 from MASS-3.

I wouldn't be surprised if the AN/TPQ-10 on static display at MASS-3 HQ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:ANTPQ-10_Radar_at_MASS-3.jpg is one that had my dad's name in the logbook.

If you can get in touch with him, I'm sure he'd have a lot of information to share with you on the history of the radar set, and MASS-2 and MASS-3.

I believe he's a member of the Bridgeport VFW.

My impression of the AN/TPQ-10 was that it was an amazing machine, given what it did, and the level of accuracy with which it did it, and the relative ease of obtaining a lock.

He's not a Korean War veteran, but given the direction of the topic thread here, I'm sure he'd be glad to help out on the history aspects of the radar and the Squadrons.

Keywords: AN/TPQ-10, Fire-Control Radar, MASS-2, MASS-3, USMC, Vietnam

MASS-2 DASC/ASRT 1980-1981

Comments: I worked on both the DASC & the ASRT for MASS-2 in 1980-1981. We were still using the AN/TPQ-10 Radar Set with the same analog computer well into 80's. We had canvas web gear, steel pot helmets and the old heavy as hell flak jackets. I believe the AN/TPQ-10 was the last ground directed bombing radar ever fielded. It was made obsolete by the LTD and GPS guided bombs.

I was initially MOS 2851, Aviation Radio Mechanic. They renumbered the MOS to 5937 while I was in. I maintained the HF and UHF radio rigs for the MASS-2 unit.

Keywords: USMC 1978-1984, MASS-2, MACG-18

Bomb Drop Equation

Comments: We are certainly a rare breed. I'm looking for the bomb drop equation for the TPQ-10. I have a search radar puke on the hook who needs a lesson a "control" radar. Any help?

Keywords: ASRT, MASS-3, MASS-2, MCRD

Devastate Charlie, Phu Bai

Comments: Good to see this list of ASRT veterans. I was a MOS5961 (Fire Control Radar Repairman). I served with MASS-3 in San Diego. Went to Okinawa on the USS Jennings County. Served with MASS-2 at Phu Bai. Served with MASS-4 at South Weymouth,Massachusetts (training reservists). Was in the USMC from Valentine's Day 1964 to Valentine's Day 1970. If anyone has questions or comments concerning ASRT service during this time frame or in these places, I would be glad to respond.

Keywords: ASRT, MASS-2, MASS-3, MASS-4, TPQ-10, Devastate Charlie, Phu Bai, Jennings County, 5961

Looking to consolidate the History of the DASC

Comments: Gentlemen, I am a Marine currently serving with a MASS unit. What we are looking to do is consolidate the history of the DASC or any of the units that were a precursor to today's MASS units. I feel the best way to do this is with an on-line collaboration by those who were there. How do we do this? There is a website called www.wikipedia.com It is an on-line encyclopedia that is regulated by everyone. That means that anyone can add or subtract any info that they like. Sounds like chaos but it isn't. People care that the info is accurate and non biased and the self policing works much better. I have created a link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dasc that will take you to a DASC page. I just started it and it is pretty barren but I am now trying to get word out to the active duty units and veterans so that we as a community can write our own history. Please give it a go and get the word out to anyone you might know.

Semper Fidelis

Mark Murphy

Keywords: DASC, ASRT, MASS, MACG, Air Support

I was with Devastate Charlie and MACS3

Comments: I was the only Officer to intercept a destroyer at 4000 feet! (Clouds were reflecting ships' image, looked like "Bedcheck Charlie," a bi-wing plane which dropped hand grenades). Remember buddies: John Parmenter, ___Christianson, Larry Weisser, Pierce Law, Noel Highfill, Capt Kreuger, Maj Nichols, Maj Jose Cuetara, and many more.

Keywords: Hill 215, Munsan-ni; "Wildfire" on the point, Pohang-dong

USMC ASRT

Comments: Worked with the ASRT from 1977 to its fall in/about 1984. Worked on the Q-10 and also the 1D. For the guy looking for the MIA's in Nam: Contact me and I may be able to dig up some old ASRTers who were in Nam at the time, they may remember where the radars were set up at the time. Also, remember the bombs were dropped long before the aircraft was directly over the target, distance would depend on the aircraft speed and type of ordenance being deployed. These radars also took in account the weather conditions, humidity, barametic pressure, rotation of the earth.....

Keywords: ASRT, MASS, MACG

Air Force had 'em too

Comments: Air Force had ASRT too, matter of fact we converted from the MSQ-77 to the TPB series (I worked with the TPB-1C and did a bit of eval on the 1D). The USAF units were usually a bit smaller from what I remember, due to the way jobs were broken up (USAF technicians were trained as ops/maint as opposed to maint only). The AFSC was 303X3, Automatic Tracking Radar.

DDM

Keywords:

I also served with Devastate Charlie, i.e. 1st Marine Air Support Radar Team, in 1951 & 1952 in Kore

Comments:

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DEGREE OF ACCURACY OF MSQ-77 AND TPQ-10 RADAR

Comments: Hello Folks,

Looks like I may have found a lead regarding the USAF MSQ-77 (Skyspot) and USMC TPQ-10 ground-controlled radar systems.

Am looking for information re the degree of accuracy of these beasts in connection with sonme research that I am doing on the loss of an Aussie Canberra Bomber (B57) south west of Da Nang in Nov 1970. (We have two airmen whose bodies were not recovered. See details at my site http://austmia.com)

Am also looking for details of the location of MSQ-77 and TPQ-10 radars etc in Vietnam as of Nov 1970 so if you know any radar tech from those days, please pass on my details.

Take care,

Regards,

Jim B.

Keywords: MSQ-77, Skyspot, USMC TPQ-10, ground-controlled radar, VIETNAN, CRP, CRC, MILKY RADAR

jimmy l jones

Comments: would like to locate

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Air Support Radar Team

Comments: I am a USMC veteran of Vietnam, and served in what we called the AS-RAT (Air Support RAdar Team). I was MOS 5961, Aviataion Fire Control Technician, and worked on the AN/TPQ10.. I have a good friednd who is a former POW of Korea (ARMY).

I have been looking for Marines who worked with the Marine Air Support Squadrons, and stumbled into this.

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Great site

Comments: Looking for anyone who served with MGCIS-1 in 50/51

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MASRT Dev Charlie

Comments: Between the summer of 1951 and the summer of 1952 I was in Korea with a relatively unknown USMC close air support group that provided radar and computer controlled guidance of appropriately equipted USMC fighter bombers in conducting bombing missions.

We called ourselves Dev Charlie which was taken from our radio call sign. Major Marion Dalby (Dirty) whom I understand eventually was promoted to General was our Commanding Officer. The group consisted of about 8 Officers and 30 Enlisted. I would like to hear from any of them or learn their present address.

I'm not sure of the organizations official name, we referred to ourselves sometimes as MASRT as I recall meaning Marine Air Support Radar Team. In any event the system we took to Korea was a prototype developed at Point Mugu, Ca. We went to Korea for combat evaluation of the system and after about 6 months were declared operationally essential. I believe we belonged organizationally to the 1st Air Wing and that Major Dalby reported, at least in parrallel to someone in Washington.

I know the organization is identified in Marine Corp archives since I went to Marine Corp Headquarters in Washington sometime in early 1953 to apply for combat pay and they were able to identify the organization and establish the number of months that I qualified.

Anyone with any information relative to this please contact Jim Johnson (JL) at 343 Main St, S.Dennis Ma 02660.

Keywords: In the Winter I am in Florida, email contact works. Cell Ph: 508-776-2365