Roger Nelson
I was born in Ainsworth Nebraska, enlisted in the Air Force in 1967. My first duty station was in northern California as a Security Policeman. After a year I was transferred to Fort Campbell Kentucky to be part of a new Air Force project called “Safeside”. I was trained as a Fire Direction Controller for the 81MM mortar and assigned to the 823rd Combat Security Police Squadron, 82nd Combat Security Police Wing. This project was for air base security outside the perimeter up to two miles out.
The Safeside concept was for three separate units, one unit deployed, the other two units to be in constant training. The deployments were for six months each. After four months of intense training, we were transferred to Phan Rang Air Base in Vietnam. I was the only Safeside member from Nebraska to be assigned to this new Safeside operation. I provided close in fire support for base perimeter security as well as for the Australian Army. My Aussie brothers were great, due to the close support for their ambush teams we formed a close bond that still exists today.
After my deployment in September 1969, we were sent to England AFB in Louisiana, and due to funding Safeside was disbanded in December of 1969. Eight months later I was sent back to Vietnam because of my training, this time stationed at Cam Ranh Bay RVN to set up their FDC section. For six months I was in a mortar position overlooking the only bridge connecting the base to the mainland, a constant target for the enemy. During several encounters with the other guys our position was hit with rockets and sappers. On many occasions I watched the rockets walk in on us, with each round closer I found the ground to be the best place to hide. Once the shelling was done, we got back into the fray and returned fire but mostly disturbed dirt and air with explosives and flares.
Operation Safeside was the most exciting and bewildering time during my service in the Air Force. A combination of old and new Safeside members have set up a web site, safeassociation.org, for members to stay in touch. My primary career field was a member of the Security Forces, they also have a web site called the Vietnam Security Police Association, VSPA.com.
Through both organizations I have been able to keep in touch with a lot of old as well as new friends. They have yearly reunions at different locations in the United States mainland. Each reunion is around four days long, I don’t go every year but have been to quite a few.
Safeside was reformed in 1997 as a separate branch of the Security Police service and is deployed around the world today. The new Safeside is a refined organization with new methods and both men and women in their ranks. Our motto is “Joined to Fight.”
