Pacific Stars and Stripes - #4 July 1969
Radio, Television Listed Among GI's Pastime
HQ Thirteenth Air Force - Regardless of where the American fighting man is in Southeast Asia, Armed Forces Radio and Television Service reaches him.
Three networks cover the far expanses of three countries within 13th AF areas. They are the American Forces Philippines Network, The Armed Forces Network Taiwan and the Armed Forces Thailand Network.
George Washington once said, "Impress upon the mind of every man from the highest to the lowest, the importance of the cause and what it is they are contending for."
AFRTS within the 13th AF areas in that tradition is serving as an instrument for keeping U.S. military personnel the best informed in the world. Fighting men in the radius of the three networks are hearing today's news and sports at the same time they are broadcast in the United States.
The three networks are said to play a key role in the fight against morale and homesickness problems inherent when men go to battle. There are very few areas in the 13th AF where members of the command cannot hear AFRTS music and news. Those that hear remember why they are fighting.
Armed Forces Thailand Network (AFTN) provides radio service at 21 bases, camps and sites for the listening pleasure of American servicemen in Thailand. Operating 24 hours a day, the network broadcasts a wide variety including news, weather, sports, educational and musical entertainment, and religious programs.
Television service was completed in April 1969 to provide entertainment for personnel at Udorn, Ubon, Takhli, Korat, Nakhon Phanom RTAFBs and U-Tapao Airfield. The radio network operates on an AM band.
Headquarters for AFTN is at Korat RTAFB where hourly news programs are prepared from wire services and Armed Forces News Bureau. Affiliate stations also produce local news and feature programs.
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