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Old July 9th 19, 02:47 AM posted to alt.binaries.pictures.aviation
joet5[_2_]
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Default US 1949-0186 C-119C to FrenchAF MartinBestColl.jpg

Thanks, Joe.

On Mon, 08 Jul 2019 12:17:18 +0200, DAN wrote:

Hi Joe,

Those C-119C were never transferred to the French Air Force.
They were painted in French markings, but were flow by US pilots in a CIA secret
operation, under the cover of the CAT company (the future Air America). They
remained US property. The Armee de l'Air never had C-199s in its inventory.


They flew resupply missions during the siege at Dien Bien Phu. One was shot down
in June 1954 with the loss of pilots James B. McGovern, Jr. and Wallace A.
Buford, along with a French crew member. RIP to the brave men.