Was there too, but only 4 years, mid 80's. Originally hired for the 'Millennium Vulcan' an 'older' -21 series 8, the only paint was a blue stripe and Southern Air Transport stenciled on the side. Had to open the cockpit window to let the noise out. Herc and 707 too. Good bunch of 'fellas', but then again, most non-skedders are great folks
...... management just never understands how dedicated their crews really are......
In 1985 and 1986 Maastricht Airport in the Netherlands was frequently visited by Southern's 707's and L382's. Not coincidentally, N421AJ, a DC8-21 freighter was "based" at Maastricht and flew several "missions" to Israel and Iran. As time evolved, this aircraft was identified as the DC8 that operated the "Irangate" weapons from Israel to Iran...
I wonder if there is anyone on this forum willing to share more about these flights, they must have been "interesting"...
Here's a reminder of what happened back then...
1984 March 16: William Buckley, C.I.A. station chief in Beirut, is kidnapped and held by Islamic Holy War, pro-Iranian extremists, in Lebanon. May: Duane Clarridge, a C.I.A. officer who has contacts with the Nicaraguan rebels, introduces Lieut. Col. Oliver L. North, a National Security Council aide, to contra leaders in Honduras. Mr. Clarridge tells them, in effect, that if Congress cuts off aid to the contras in light of revelations that the C.I.A. mined Nicaraguan harbors, Colonel North will continue to work with the contras. May 8: The Rev. Benjamin Weir is kidnapped. Aug. 31: President Reagan's national security adviser, Robert C. McFarlane, asks Government agencies to reassess policy toward Iran. Oct. 12: Congress bans direct or indirect military aid to the contras. Dec. 3: Peter Kilburn of the American University of Beirut is kidnapped. 1985 Jan. 8: The Rev. Lawrence M. Jenco is seized. March 16: Another American, Terry A. Anderson of The Associated Press, is kidnapped in Beirut. May 3: Michael A. Ledeen, a consultant to the National Security Council, meets with Prime Minister Shimon Peres of Israel to discuss Iran. He tells Israel that Washington would approve Israeli shipments of artillery or ammunition to Iran. May 28: David P. Jacobsen of the American University Hospital in Beirut is kidnapped. June 3: Mr. Buckley dies, according to Mr. Jacobsen, who is freed in November 1986. June 9: Thomas M. Sutherland of the American University of Beirut is kidnapped. Early July: David Kimche, Director General of the Israeli Foreign Ministry, tells Mr. McFarlane that Iranian officials want to open a ''political discourse'' with the United States. Mid-July: President Reagan authorizes Mr. McFarlane to make contact with Iran. Aug. 6: Mr. McFarlane briefs Mr. Reagan on the Israeli proposal to sale American anti-tank missiles to Iran through Israel. There is dispute on whether the President approved this sale. August: The President approves the shipment of arms by Israel to Iran, according to his initial statement to the Tower Commission. Later he says ''I don't remember'' when asked about approving the shipment. Aug. 20: Israel sends 96 TOW anti-tank missiles to Iran.
