Escorting Barbara.

Air Force, Army,

Story by USAF Sgt Ken Ruud from Pope AFB, NC.

I was in Detachment 2 of the 1st Special Operations Wing at Pope AFB when I was assigned to deliver “Barbara” to Eglin AFB from Pope. I was an E-4, so when I bumped a Colonel from his flight, I knew I was a courier for something very special…but I had no idea what was in that box!

(Sgt Ruud arrived at Aux Field #3 with “Barbara” at 11am on Tuesday September 8th, 1970. It was used in the Tactical Operations Center at Aux Field #3 for the handful of planners. It was finally revealed to the Green Berets on Monday October 19th.)

The Defense Intelligence Agency (at “Arlington Hall” in Arlington, VA) coordinated intelligence production during the planning stages of the operation and provided finished intelligence analysis to the Joint Chiefs of Staff. They constructed this model for the Raiders based upon photos from Buffalo Hunter drones andSR-71 reconnaissance flights.

You can see a full color “pin up” of Barbara in Who Will Go.

Click Here:  The book.