“AIRLIFTER’S BACK-UP TEAM” 1960s U.S. AIR FORCE RESERVE PROMO MILITARY AIR TRANSPORT SERVICE 33784

This 1960s color film produced by Ray Jewell and Adam Ooms for the United States Air Force promotes the Military Airlift Command’s Reserve Associate Program, showing how civilians with day jobs might join defense efforts via the piloting program. Designed to drive enlistment, this propaganda film emphasizes good eats, vocational training, and sightseeing opportunities over the risks and consequences of military action during the Vietnam War era (TRT: 23:13).

The seal of the “United States of America Department of the Air Force” (0:08). Host Don Robin introduces himself at an office desk. “In civilian life, I sell life insurance, but… I frequently pilot a cargo and troop-carrying jet.” A scale model of a Lockheed C-141 Starlifter is indicated (0:26). Inside the cockpit of an Air Force carrier. Opening titles: “Airlifter’s Back-Up Team, the Military Airlift Command’s Reserve Associate Program” (0:42). The interview with Robin resumes, focusing on the C-141 Starlifter, an airlift that served with the Military Air Transport Service and the Air Mobility Command of the United States Air Force (1:09). The tail of a real CF-141, numbered “67949” with “Military Airlift Group” insignias (1:16). A commercial airline pilot in uniform before a Continental Airlines Boeing 707 jet airliner, another reservist (1:30). Reservists “from all walks of life” performing maintenance (1:53). A student working on his master’s degree at San Diego State University is also a loadmaster. A man and his family of young baseball fans says that when kids are playing at the base, his wife gets a “seventh inning stretch” (2:01). An engineer examines a blueprint and speaks (2:25). Autopilot is engaged on an instrument panel (2:56). A man on a boat talks about his reserve group having users' airplanes “taken away” and attached to a C-141 wing (3:03). A reserve crew receives a mission. The group rides a bus. An interview with two loadmasters from the 944th airlift group. Troops load for West Germany and fly in comfort (3:25). A German airfield. “Welcome Rhein-Main Airbase.” In flight over the Atlantic (4:31). Dover, Delaware’s “Sambo’s Tavern: Steamed Crabs, Clams, Shrimp.” The men eat crabs wearing lobster bibs (4:53). Another man discusses maintenance and the ability of reservists to work with commercial airlines. An isochronal inspection (5:52). A Southern California reservist discusses Southeast Asia (6:37). Combat airlift qualifications are discussed over the loading of trucks. Air drops in the Salton Sea (7:24). Inside a C-141 with a pilot, navigator, and loadmaster. Engineers watch instrument panel indicators (7:56). A shameless shot of women in bikinis on a sandy Hawaiian beach. Reservists gawk at them as they pass (8:56). Plotting a course and taking assignments (9:11). A C-141 loading. Navigator Yamamoto’s mother gives him a lei. Aerial photography over the islands (10:06). Preparing to travel the next leg to Okinawa (11:04). In the cockpit (11:44). Next stop Danang. An intelligence briefing on Vietnam. “Cleared for takeoff” from Kadena Air Base (12:38). Landing in Danang (13:40). Arriving at an “Airlift Command Post” (#617) and unloading cargo while the pilot and navigator make plans for the next leg of the trip (14:05). Taking off for Cam Ranh Bay. Receiving orders, reminiscing (15:41). In flight, reservists discuss their careers (17:43). A traditional Japanese meal in Okinawa. “I don’t know what this is, but it’s good” (18:46). Visiting a market. Buying a tape recorder (19:39). Looking through a periscope. In an interview, a man expresses his preference for the reserves over commercial airlines. A pig roast in Hawaii. A show with music and dancing (20:31). Returning home (21:41). A case of moonrocks, labeled “NASA” (22:15). Closing credits. “Produced by Aerospace Audiovisual Service, SFP 1866” (22:44).

The Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) was established in 1948 as the Air Reserve Component (ARC) of the U.S. Air Force, consisting of commissioned officers and enlisted airmen.


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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com