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Point of the Spear
COVEY Forward Air Controllers in Vietnam

by Cal Anderson, Paul Curs, Jim McClellan, John "Al" Messerly, and Dan Skutack

316 pages; quality trade paperback (softcover); catalogue #03-0415; ISBN 1-4120-0052-1; US$29.00, C$34.00, EUR24.00, £17.00

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About the Book      About the Authors and Editors      Excerpts      Catalogue Information

About the Book

The unparalleled true story of the "Covey" Forward Air Controllers (FACs) will unfold before your eyes as you absorb their personal stories about the Covey mission in the undeclared war over Laos, North Vietnam, South Vietnam, and Cambodia. The Covey acquired an unprecedented "out-country" mission, in contrast to the "in-country" FAC mission in Southeast Asia. The Covey FAC sometimes carried a partner to assist in the complex Covey mission. The FAN (Forward Air Navigator) and the Covey "Rider" (a U.S. Army SOG team leader) both helped carry out the Covey mission.

The out-country Covey mission was considerably different from the in-country FAC mission. In-country FACs acted as aerial observers, collected intelligence, and, where needed, controlled tactical air power in support of friendly ground forces. Coveys operated as part of a larger-scale quasi-strategic effort to interdict the flow of North Vietnamese battle supplies down the Ho Chi Minh Trail. Covey FACs, on a daily and nightly basis, flew in the sights of hundreds of anti-aircraft guns bent on knocking them from the sky. Covey's fought to destroy enemy units and their logistic support moving south through Laos and North Vietnam, into Cambodia and South Vietnam. Coveys also provided air cover for U.S. Army Special Forces "SOG" teams as they infiltrated behind enemy lines into the Trail network. Often, the Covey was the sole link between life and death for an out-numbered SOG team under attack.

You will enjoy this book of personal accounts of combat action in Vietnam by the men themselves. Each story brings to life a by-gone era of personal sacrifice, honor, excitement, and life-and-death decisions. Covey FACs were decorated with every medal for bravery possible, including the Medal of Honor, the Air Force Cross, the Silver Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Air Medal. Coveys flew low, slow, and extraordinarily vulnerable in antiquated aircraft ill-suited to survive the hazard laden, anti-aircraft filled skies over Laos and the border areas.

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About the Authors and Editors

The "authors" of the Covey Book are many. At the time of the combat action, the Covey FACs in these stories were mostly young officers in their early twenties to early thirties. Most volunteered to fly as FACs in order to contribute to the war effort in Vietnam. Coveys fought in the skies over the Ho Chi Minh Trail to "stem the tide" and help bring the conflict to an early end, with a minimum loss of life.

The following individuals originated, compiled, edited, and published the POINT OF THE SPEAR.

Calvin "Cal" Anderson: Born in Tarboro, North Carolina. Graduated from North Carolina State University with a Bachelors of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering and a Masters degree in Political Science. Rose to TAC Wing Commander, and retired from Air Force with 28 years of service. Currently involved in local politics as a County Commissioner.

Paul Curs: Born in Miami, Florida. Graduated from the Virginia Military Institute with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and from Arizona State University with an MBA degree. Flew the O-2A, T-38, and the OA-37. After 30 years of combined Regular Air Force, Air National Guard, and Reserve service he retired as a colonel. Currently a B737 Captain and Check Airman with Continental Airlines.

Jim McClellan: Born in Horton, Kansas. Graduated from Baker University with a Bachelors degree in Business Administration. TAC IG A-10 fighter operations inspector. Flew the O-2A, T-38, F-5, F-4 and A-10 during 20 years of active duty service. Currently a B757/767 First Officer for Continental Airlines.

John "Al" Messerly: Born in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Graduated from the United States Air Force Academy with a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering, with an International Affairs major. Holds Masters degrees in Management and Public Administration from Webster University. Flew the O-2A, C-119, C-123 and C-5. Retired after 20 years, and is currently a Boeing C-17 Pilot Instructor at Altus, AFB, Oklahoma.

Dan E. Skutack: From Old Forge, PA. Graduated from the University of Scranton with a BS, from Troy State University with an MS, and from Auburn University with a Doctorate in Education. Post-Air Force he has been involved in all phases of corporate and international training from his home in Auburn, Alabama.

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At all times, the FAC was the final authority on whether or not the strike would continue. He was, in fact, the local commander for the conduct of air operations, and his authority was recognized by the ground force commander and flight leader alike.

- Air Power In Three Wars by General William Momeyer

...Suddenly a line of fire streaked out below us lighting up the night. It was a 105 firing at the compound. We had to do something now to stop the ensuing carnage. Do we take a chance and go down below the overcast and maybe hit high terrain or stay up above and wait for the weather to break? Another 105 round went off. Then I heard something that made my decision easy. It was not what the SF grunt said, but how he said it and the tone in his voice. He knew he was going to die if the guns were not immediately silenced and he let us know it by the resolve in his voice. It was almost as if he was saying goodbye to us. As if he was saying, "Thanks for trying to save us and we know you can not do anything because of the weather." That was all it took...

- Point of the Spear from a story written by Joe Personett

"Covey! Covey! Prairie Fire! Prairie Fire!" Those harrowing words, radioed by Special Forces Green Berets requiring air support lest they be overrun, are all too familiar to the USAF Covey pilots in this book, who flew top secret missions in support of SOG, the Studies and Observations Group.

- Retired Army Major John L. Plaster

Epitome of the COVEY FAC - Captain Dan Packard - Lost in Air Battle

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Catalogue Information