Flying the P-3 Orion: A Vietnam War Pilot’s Story

Join us for an informative and exciting lecture on the P-3 Orion Aircraft flown in Vietnam. You’ll hear from retired Navy Captain, Randy Hotton who piloted this aircraft during Operation Market Time in the Vietnam War. To register, visit warmemorial.org/eventcalendar11/randy-hotton 

About Operation Market Time 

North Vietnam used the Ho Chi Minh Trail through Laos and Cambodia to supply their troops in South Vietnam during the war. The Trail inadequacies prevented them from moving enough supplies. To augment the Trail, they started using fishing boats loaded with guns and ammunition.  These boats would mix in with fishing fleets off the coast. The discovery of suspicious “fishing boats” in early 1965 prompted the initiation of Operation Market Time. Market Time’s intent was to block North Vietnamese supply ships. An airborne barrier  flown by Navy P-3 Orion Patrol planes was the mainstay of the Market Time Mission.  Capt. Hotton flew on Market Time missions off the coast of Vietnam in 1968 and 1969.  Hear his story of how he operated on 10-hour patrols both day and night in all weather conditions along the Vietnamese’s 1,200-mile coast.  This effort was maintain a barrier and prevent the resupply of enemy forces in South Vietnam. Join him as he shares his insights and experiences while flying on “Operation Market Time.”  

About The Author 

Randy Hotton is from Canton, Michigan. He graduated from Michigan State University with a BS degree. A retired Navy Captain, Randy, served in the Navy as a pilot flying the P-3 Orion aircraft in “Operation Marketime” during the Vietnam War. Following Vietnam, he conducted Cold War anti-submarine patrols in the Atlantic and Mediterranean. Later, he served on the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise and flew the C-1A COD. Leaving the service, he flew for a variety of civilian airlines and corporations. He serves on the Michigan Flight Museum Board of Directors and also pilots the Museum’s C-47 (DC-3) during summer flying season. The Michigan Aviation Hall of Fame inducted Randy into their 2020 class Capt. Hotton recently retired from USA Jet Airlines and wrote a memoir, Get the F#*K Off MY Quarterdeck, on his war-time experiences. 

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