In the 1960s and 1970s Austin had a major Air Force base to the south and east of it. F-4 Phantoms howled screamed and were part of the brawn that defended the USA. Austin was home to RF-4s. Due the differences in winds at Robert Mueller and Bergstrom departures from either airport would be at collision courses and things had to be timed. You had a wing of RF-4s. Add to this weather and procedures you could have a mess.

The weather was poor and a mass of RF-4s wanted to land. One of those had a two man crew running out of fuel and options as the rain fell and things continued to get nasty. Finally with fuel at minimum fuel a decision is made I gotta land at Mueller.

Robert Mueller began life as another airport another part of the great air base of Texas during WWII. Much of Texas during the time period of WWII was a massive Army Air Forces, Navy and Marine Corps base. After WWII it quickly morphed into a civilian airport. Its size was limited and correspondingly the concrete and asphalt that was poured to withstand lighter weights.

For those in the Control tower they were aware of the fact that where the F-4 could go was limited.  Research had to be done quickly to find out the way to either tow or have him taxi to bed down for the night.  They err this airplane literally sinks into the ground.  The engines died and the airplane was towed to be parked.  It would have an interesting departure with very little fuel in it the following day to get to its home the following day.