Friday, April 29, 2005
Today In Aviation History
APRIL 29, 1975
Operation Frequent Wind begins. The North Vietnamese were on the outskirts of Saigon, so US Ambassador Graham Martin ordered the start of Frequent Wind. In 19 hours, 81 helicopters carried more than 1000 US nationals and almost 6000 Vietnamese to aircraft carriers offshore. The cue to evacuate was a radio announcement that the temperature in Saigon was "105 degrees and rising," which was followed by Bing Crosby's "White Christmas." At 07:53 AM the next day, the last helicopter lifted off of the roof of the American Embassy and headed out to sea. Later that morning, North Vietnamese tanks crashed through the gates of the Presidential Palace. The Vietnam War was over.
(speakers on!)
VIDEO! -Fall of Saigon! Final Hours!
VIDEO! -Evacuation!
VIDEO! -The Fate of many post-evacuation choppers!
Operation Frequent Wind begins. The North Vietnamese were on the outskirts of Saigon, so US Ambassador Graham Martin ordered the start of Frequent Wind. In 19 hours, 81 helicopters carried more than 1000 US nationals and almost 6000 Vietnamese to aircraft carriers offshore. The cue to evacuate was a radio announcement that the temperature in Saigon was "105 degrees and rising," which was followed by Bing Crosby's "White Christmas." At 07:53 AM the next day, the last helicopter lifted off of the roof of the American Embassy and headed out to sea. Later that morning, North Vietnamese tanks crashed through the gates of the Presidential Palace. The Vietnam War was over.
(speakers on!)
VIDEO! -Fall of Saigon! Final Hours!
VIDEO! -Evacuation!
VIDEO! -The Fate of many post-evacuation choppers!
