<< I think maybe the dinks had the drill figured out by 1969 >>

They must have, 'cuz I don't recall ever doing that, at least not after we returned to An Khe.

We did the flare thing, but only when we received incoming from the east or north; or when "intelligence" thought it prudent. Not too often, maybe a couple of nights a week. It must have been really really boring, 'cuz I don't remember flying a flare mission a single time.

Of course, we also had Spooky cruisin' around. Talk about lightin' up the night!
If the light didn't scare 'em, the sound would; and if the sound didn't scare 'em; why, they wuz daid, so why worry?

Pickett