( with helmet- plume) on door

In February 1966 the 4080th SRW became the 100th SRW and the 4025th SRS was renumbered the 350th SRS (Red Falcons)

The operation at Danang was the recovery center after the flight, and was the home of the ground-based command guidance trailer as well as the two CH-3 mid-air recovery helicopters. The drones were brought into Danang after recovery, post-flighted and rehung on the DC-130 for return to Bien Hoa. After several rocket hits on DaNang the DC-130s and the U-2s, the 100th moved the main operating base to U Tapao AB, Thailand in July of 1970. 

Not long afterward, the recovery operation moved from DaNang (OL-10) to Nakon Phanom (NKP OL-NB) Thailand. On the move to U-Tapao AB the operation from Bien Hoa/DaNang gained full Squadron status as the 99th SRS.

First Photos of SA-2 Missiles , Mig 21-D's and E's,  intercepts of SA-2 arming and proximity fusing signals.

The Drones also accurately launched Maverick and other smart bombs long before the present day Predator/ Reaper came on the scene.  Also drop leaflets, these were nicknamed the "Bullshit Bombers"

In the cargo bay were two LCOs (Launch Control Officers) seated where they could see the AQM outside through the window in the paratrooper doors.  They had a launch control panel in front of them.  The panel could swing out of the way if you needed to exit out the paratrooper door.  In the forward cargo bay was an ARCO (Airborne Control Officer) and ART - an NCO Technician. They had a vertical plotting board in front of the ARCO onto which he taped a map with the mission track.  An ink pen marked the progress of the AQM during its mission.

  DC-130's 496 and 497 were the first conversions. They were DC-130As with 4 pylons used for testing.  Later As and the Es originally had only an inboard pylon.  The 154 / AQM-91 had a longer wing and used a special outboard pylon.  When the DC-130Es were converted, they were rewired for this pylon location only and the standard C-130E external tank fitted inboard.  In the cargo compartment a cabin was built for the plotting board and control equipment used by the ARCO.    I believe all the DC-130E aircraft were upgraded to this standard.  For the 147 / AQM-34 there was a shorter pylon which hung in the same outboard location as the 154 / AQM-91 pylon.  
 

MARS

"LIGHTNING BUG" DRONE

A crane then lifted the AQM from the bladder and placed in on a standard engine dolly with AQM adapters.  If the recovery site was not the main base, the AQM was then loaded back on the DC-130 pylon for the trip home.  One procedural change was the result of an AQM falling off the pylon on the trip to the main OL base.  The film was removed at the recovery base and carried inside the DC-130 back to the main base..

There was a ground version of the MCGS with on site generators to insure no power failures. it was the prime control for the MARS recovery portion of the flight.  Being fixed on the ground its location never changed and that insured the AQM if controllable would always come down in the same area.  Its operators lived with the CH-E pilots and could review each mission and discuss any problems with each other.

    During one test mission, the DC 130 took off with two AQM-91s on DC-130 power and landed for a second takeoff with the AQM-91 engines also running.  I don't remember which was the first takeoff, but the extra jet power shortened the DC-130 runway used.  The AQM-91 was much heavier than the 147s, and there may have been one or more H-53 equipped with MARS.  It was a very heavy load for the smaller CH-3.