22nd SOS 'Zorros'

Nahkon Phanom

The history of this squadron spans but two years of combat operations in the A-1 Skyraider, 1968-1970. The 22nd SOS was stationed at Nahkon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand. Its parent unit was the 56th Special Operations Wing also at NKP.

(All images on this page thoughtfully contributed by Rob Mignard)


A 22nd SOS A-1H 139-639 with a mixed load of hard and soft ordnance.
The five tan stripes on the aft fuselage mark this as the wing commander's bird

K 38066, A-1H, Miss Noreen, NKP, 1970


An A-1H from the Zorros, Balls a Fire taxis for takeoff

KE 39837, A-1H, NKP, 23 April 1970


Two Fireflys hang on the wing of three Zorros

K 38066 (KKE 38066) Side view of U.S. Air Force A-1E's and A-1 H's in staggered flight formation, on a mission over Southeast Asia. 1 April 1970.


A Zorro 'night fighter' waits for darkness

The black underside of this Skyraider identifies it as a Zorro

The specialized ordnance for night interdiction along the Ho Chi Minh Trail includes:

Flares to illuminate the target.
CBU-25, BLU-32 napalm, CBU-52 and 20mm to kill it

K 38285, NKP, A-1H, 1970

Return to Official Photo Collection Page