Veteran for Life:
Phillip Provan

U.S. Air Force
1966-1970
Weapons Mechanic

I am the third generation of four generations of family serving in the military (grandfather, WWI; father, WWII; myself, Vietnam; son-in-law, Iraq).
I am proud of the opportunity to serve and protect my country in time of war.

I am the third generation of four generations of family serving in the military (grandfather, WWI; father, WWII; myself, Vietnam; son-in-law, Iraq).

I served in the Air Force during the Vietnam War from 1966-1970. I understood our mission. It was to provide protection for our ground troops in Vietnam. I was stationed at Thailand’s U-Tapao Airfield where I loaded 500 to 700 pound bombs on B-52s. Each B52 could carry 108—or 500 pounds of—bombs.

We worked 12-hour shifts, seven days a week. Can you imagine a 20-plane mission carrying 108 bombs each? I received the Air Force Commendation Medal for my service. This was stated in the commendation: Airman Provan’s “initiative and devotion to duty contributed immeasurably to the Strategic Air Command’s mission in Southeast Asia.”

In the United States, we were part of the nation’s nuclear commitment. We loaded nuclear weapons on B52 aircraft. What I am proud of is the opportunity to serve and protect my country in time of war.