A website dedicated to the Ashiya and Tachikawa, Japan members of the 815th TCS /TAS
Flyingjennies.com is a website dedicated to the men who flew for the Japan based 815th Troop Carrier (later Tactical Airlift) Squadron, those maintainers and support folks that kept us in the air, and our wives and families who supported us and took care of the old homestead while we were off meandering around the Far East. We were Jennies during the Cold War and Viet Nam eras, and were based first at Ashiya, and later on Tachikawa, Japan We maintained and flew two aircraft. Early on it was the Fairchild C-119C and G Flying Boxcar which was replaced by the Lockheed C-130A Hercules during the late 1950s. Both were loved by those who flew them, and not so much by those who didn't. Those associated with the C-119, thought of it as a reliable, no-nonsense workhorse. Those who were not, thought of it as an ugly duckling that was heavy on the controls, underpowered, and a handful on one engine - downright dangerous if an engine failed of takeoff. To those of us who flew the C-130A it was a sports car with a surplus of power, feather light controls, and capable of operating from almost anywhere while hauling almost anything. Detractors were quick to cite the old adage , "Never fly the A model of anything!"; and they had a point. Thanks largely to its massive propeller, the "A model" was incredibly loud. It was also difficult to maintain, and so close to a prototype that few were exactly alike. But, once our dedicated maintainers were able to patch one together and the crew able to coax it into the air, god was it fun to fly! As webmaster, it is my hope that you find the site interesting and informative and to this end I solicit and will welcome any and all suggestions my fellow Jennies care to offer. Enjoy!