n40 th FLIGHT TEST SQUADRON

Transcription

1 n40 th FLIGHT TEST SQUADRON LINEAGE 40 th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) constituted, 22 Dec 1939 Activated, 1 Feb 1940 Redesignated 40 th Fighter Squadron, 15 May 1942 Redesignated 40 th Fighter Squadron, Single Engine, 20 Aug 1943 Redesignated 40 th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 20 Jan 1950 Redesignated 40 th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 20 Jun 1965 Inactivated, 15 Oct 1970 Activated, 1 Oct 1971 Inactivated, 30 Apr th Test Squadron designated and activated, 25 Jun th Tactical Fighter Squadron and 3247 th Test Squadron consolidated,1 Oct 1992 Redesignated 40 th Test Squadron, 1 Oct 1992 Redesignated 40 th Flight Test Squadron, 15 Mar 1994 STATIONS, 1 Feb 1940 Baer Field, IN, 6 Dec 1941 Port Angeles, WA, 16 Dec 1941 c. 22 Jan 1942 Brisbane, Australia, 25 Feb 1942 Ballarat, Australia, 9 Mar 1942 Mount Gambier, Australia, 16 Mar 1942 Townsville, Australia, Apr 1942 Port Moresby, New Guinea, 2 Jun 1942 Townsville, Australia, 30 Jul 1942 Port Moresby, New Guinea, c. 25 Nov 1942 Tsili Tsili, New Guinea, 11 Aug 1943 Nadzab, New Guinea, Oct 1943 Gusap, New Guinea, 5 Feb 1944 Nadzab, New Guinea, 9 Jun 1944 Noemfoor, 4 Aug 1944 Owi, Schouten Islands, 14 Sep 1944

2 Morotai, 17 Oct 1944 Mangaldan, Luzon, 21 Jan 1945 Lingayen, Luzon, 11 Apr 1945 Clark Field, Luzon, 19 Apr 1945 Okinawa, 30 Jun 1945 Irumagawa, Japan, 10 Oct 1945 Yokota AB, Japan, 13 Mar 1950 Ashiya AB, Japan, 7 Jul 1950 Pohang, South Korea, 17 Jul 1950 Tsuiki, Japan, 13 Aug 1950 Pohang, South Korea, 7 Oct 1950 Yonpo, South Korea, 18 Nov 1950 Pusan AB, South Korea, 3 Dec 1950 Misawa AB, Japan, 25 May 1951 AB, Japan, 1 Jul 1951 (detachment stationed at Komaki AB, Japan, 13 Jul Feb 1955) Yokota AB, Japan, 13 Aug Jun 1965 Eglin AFB, FL, 20 Jun Oct 1970 Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ, 1 Oct 1971 George AFB, CA, 1 Jun Apr 1982 Eglin AFB, FL, 25 Jun 1982 ASSIGNMENTS 31 st Pursuit Group, 1 Feb th Pursuit (later, 35 th Fighter; 35 th Fighter-Interceptor) Group, 15 Jan st Air Division, 1 Oct 1957 Tactical Air Command, c. 17 Jun rd Tactical Fighter Wing, 20 Jun Oct th Tactical Fighter Wing, 1 Oct th Tactical Fighter Wing, 1 Jun Apr th Test Wing, 25 Jun th Test Wing, 1 Oct th Operations Group, 8 Sep 1993 ATTACHMENTS 35 th Fighter-Interceptor Wing, 15 Jan 14 Jul 1954 and 8 Oct Jul rd Bombardment Wing, 1 Dec May 1962 WEAPON SYSTEMS P 39, P 47, P(later F) 51, , F 80, 1950, F 86, F 102A, F 4,

3 A 7, Conducted test and evaluation missions, using the following aircraft, 1982 A 10 F 4 F 15 F 16 F 111 T 38 T 39 C 130 UH 1 F-16A F-16B F-16C F-16D ASSIGNED AIRCRAFT SERIAL NUMBERS F F ASSIGNED AIRCRAFT TAIL/BASE CODES F-111: ET UNIT COLORS White with red diamonds COMMANDERS HONORS Service Streamers None Campaign Streamers World War II East Indies

4 Air Offensive, Japan China Defensive Papua New Guinea Bismarck Archipelago Western Pacific Letye Luzon Ryukyus China Offensive Korea UN Defensive UN Offensive CCF Intervention First UN Counteroffensive CCF Spring Offensive Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamers None Decorations Distinguished Unit Citations Papua, 23 Jul Jan 1943 New Guinea, 6 Feb 1943 Borneo, 10 and 14 Oct 1944 Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards [1 Dec 1961] 31 Mar Jan Jun Jul 1968 [10 May 1969] 1 Oct May Jun Dec Jan Dec Jan Dec 1992 Philippine Presidential Unit Citation (WWII) Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation 7 Sep Feb 1951 EMBLEM On a Blue disc within a narrow Yellow border a shield quartered Red and White with a narrow Yellow border charged with an eagle in flight bend sinisterwise, body Brown detailed Black, head White, beak and talons Yellow detailed Gold Brown grasping a warhead quartered White and Black. (Approved, 27 Jul 1983; replaced emblems approved, 9 Jul 1959 and 19 Jun 1941)

5 EMBLEM SIGNIFICANCE MOTTO OPERATIONS Combat in Southwest and Western Pacific, 2 Jun Aug Served in the occupation force in Japan, Combat in Korea, 8 Jul May Air defense in Japan and Korea, Jun 1951 Jun Trained cadres for transfer to Southeast Asia, Not manned, 10 May Oct 1970 and 1 Jun Apr FIGHTER INTERCEPTOR SQUADRONS OF 35 FIGHTER INTERCEPTOR WING (ASSIGNED TO 41 AIR DIVISION) BECAME FULLY OPERATIONAL WITH F-86E INTERCEPTOR AIRCRAFT REPLACING F-80C AIRCRAFT. 40 FIGHTER INTERCEPTOR SQUADRON (F-102A AIRCRAFT) 1964 AND 40 FIGHTER INTERCEPTOR SQUADRON RELIEVED OF ASSIGNMENT TO 3 BOMBARDMENT WING AND ASSIGNED DIRECTLY TO 41 AIR DIVISION. 40 FIGHTER INTERCEPTER SQUDRON AND 4 FIGHTER INTERCEPTOR SQUADRON (ASSIGNED TO 39 AIR DIVISION, MISAWA AIR BASE, JAPAN) WERE INACTIVATED AND UNITED STATES AIR FORCE F-102 FIGHTER INTERCEPTOR AIRCRAFT WERE WITHDRWN FROM JAPAN The 40th Pursuit Squadron was activated at on 22 December 1939 as part of the 31st Pursuit Group with the 39th and 41st Squadrons. In the Fall of 1941 the squadron was flying P-39s and the Red Devil was emblazoned on the doors of the aircraft. On 7 December 1941 the squadron was based at Baer Field, Fort Wayne, IN and, three days later, they were headed to Port Angeles, WA. The 31st Group was recalled to and took half of the 40th to become the 308th Squadron. The remaining 40th cadre shipped from San Francisco for Australia and landed there on 25 February The Squadron, now designated the 40th Fighter Squadron of the 35th Fighter Group under 5th Air Force, was ordered on 2 June 1942 to Papua and began flying missions over New Guinea. Late in July the squadron rotated back to Australia to recoup and re-arm. In November they returned to Port Moresby, Papua and later received the Presidential Unit Citation for their role in aerial support of the Papuan Campaign. They received their second unit citation for their work on 6 February 1943 while covering C-47s supplying troops at Wau. A flight of eight 40th P-39s ran into a large group of Japanese aircraft and shot down 12 with no losses to themselves. From April to June 1943 the 40th handled routine patrol, air support for bombers, and escort for transports. They then moved to Tsili Tsili, a secret, landlocked airstrip 200 miles north of Port

6 Moresby, with flying made hazardous by cloud buildup over the mountains. They escorted their first C-47s there on 14 August. When the first Japanese raid came in the next day, Lts. Dick Schmalz and Bob Yaeger downed one and two Japanese planes, respectively. When the 40th moved to Nadzab in October 1943, they were able to cover Allied landings at Finschafen. On 27 October 40th planes intercepted Japanese bombers over Finschafen and downed two. Other Japanese planes fell in other raids over the area. The 40th began its transition to P-47 Thunderbolts in December 1943, a big change from the P- 39s. They moved in February 1944 to a base near the Ramu River which put them in striking range of the Japanese around Wewak. In April and May the 40th flew support for the Hollandia battle, then moved back to the Nadzab for recuperation. They flew their longest dive bombing mission in September, carrying 500 lb. bombs from Noemfoor Island to the Halmahera Islands. Then in October they flew two missions from Morotai to Balikpapan - a round trip of 1600 miles and the longest ever for the 5th Fighter Command at that time - to support heavy bombers raiding the oil refineries. For these two missions they won their third Presidential Unit Citation. The 40th was active in the Philippines in late 1944, where they conducted many escort missions over open water. On 21 November the squadron came upon a Japanese bomber flight and shot down six enemy planes. On 14 December they shot down another 14 enemy bombers over Negros. The squadron headed for the Lingayen Gulf and landed on Luzon 18 January Despite shooting down several enemy planes over Formosa, the 40th had a bad month. Five pilots were shot down by ground fire on bombing and strafing missions. On 21 March the 40th flew its last P-47 mission from Mangaldan strip. They received new P-51Ds and moved to Clark Field where flying mainly consisted of close support for U.S. Army troops on Luzon. In July 1945 the 40th flew into Yontan airstrip on Okinawa, setting up camp on the beach near Machinato. They took 16 aircraft in their first sweep over Kyushu, Japan the next day while flying high cover for the 35th Group, with no enemy contact. However, on 5 July the 40th shot down four Japanese George-type fighters south of Sasebo - ending the air-to-air combat in World War II. In all, the 40th destroyed 113 Japanese planes; 51 shot down by P-39s, 55 by P-47s, and seven by P-51s. Five aces led the way: Captain Bill Strand with seven, Lt. Ellis Baker with six, and Major Bill McDonough and Captains Al Hunter and Robert Yaeger, Jr. with five each. In October 1945, the 40th flew their P-51s from Machinato AB to Irumagawa, a small base on Honshu near Tokyo. This became AB during the post-war years. At Yokota AB in April 1950 the 40th Fighter Squadron converted to jets, the P-80 Shooting Star. When the Korean War broke out on 27 June 1950, the 40th moved to Ashiya AB. Part of the squadron was sent to Itazuke AB to set up a P-51 unit (called Bout One) to train ROK fliers. They flew their first training mission on 28 June, and the next day the first combat mission was flown from Taegu (K-2), Korea, in ROK P-51s.

7 Due to lack of loiter time in the P-80s for close air support, the 40th FS was reassigned P-51s and relocated to Pohang on 16 July This base was evacuated in August, and the squadron operated out of Tsuiki AB, Japan until Pohang became available again. There the 40th flew close air support missions alongside the 39th FS in some of the most daring and devastating bombing and strafing actions on record. When the 40th FS moved up to Yonpo in November 1950, they had to retreat two weeks later when the Chinese Communist forces broke through the defenses. The 40th continued to support United Nations ground forces in Korea until it was transferred without personnel and equipment to Misawa AB, Japan in May Soon thereafter, new people and P-51s were in operation out of AB and the designation was changed to Fighter Interceptor Squadron. Later in 1954, the 40th converted to F-86D interceptors and moved to Yokota AB. The last interceptor aircraft was the F-102, which the 40th flew until 1965 when the squadron was deactivated and returned to the United States. "Another version of the 40th Fighter Squadron" This version accounts for all the 40th air-to-air victories in WW II ACTIVATION The 40th Pursuit Squadron was activated at on 22 Dec 1939 as part of the 31st Pursuit Group with the 39th and 41st Squadrons. One of the early Commanders, Captain (now Lt General,ret) Albert P. Clark, designed the first Red Devil insignia to fit on the anticipated P-40s. Later in 1941 when the squadron was under 1st Lt. (now Lt General, ret) Fred M. Dean, the Red Devil was re-designed to fit on the cockpit doors of the new P-39s which were flown on the Summer-Fall maneuvers in the southeastern USA. The squadron was at Baer Field, Fort Wayne, IN 7 Dec On 10 Dec the ground echelon headed for Port Angeles, WA and the pilots and crews took the P-39s via the southern route to avoid the winter weather enroute to Paine Field at Everett, WA. The 31st Group was recalled to Field and took half of the 40th to become the 308th Squadron. The remaining 40th cadre of 14 officers and 76 enlisted men along with 39th and 41st cadres shipped from San Francisco aboard the USAT ANCON on 31 Jan 1942 for Australia. They disembarked at Brisbane 25 Feb st Lt. Stephen M. Smith was the 40th Commander during this period. WW II - S W P A The squadron settled at Mt. Gambier, SA by 16 March and were then ordered to a new air strip 16 miles from Townsville, QLD called Antil Plains. After six weeks of training new people and securing P-400s and P-39s, the 40th was ordered to Port Moresby, Papua on 2 June 1942 as the 40th Fighter Squadron. Lt. Harvey J. Scandrett had scored the first victory for the 40th while on TDY with another unit on 17 May. Lt. B. J. Oliver scored the 2nd victory on an intercept over Salamaua on 16 June but Lts. William L. Hutcheson, Stanley F. Rice, and P. J. Magre were MIA. Lts. Robert S. and Stephen M. Smith were wounded. Capt Hubert I. Egenes, a Java veteran, took over the command.

8 On 11 July 1942 on an intercept over Port Moresby Lts. Robert W. Shick, Chester E. Trout, Garth B. Cottam, Clarence M. Wilmarth, and Philip K. Shriver scored victories. Lt. O. A. Kirtland was MIA and Lt. Ed J. Gignac was injured in a forced landing. Late in July the squadron rotated back to Antil Plains to re-coup and re-arm. On 21 Nov the 40th moved to Port Moresby and based at Berry Field (12 mile). Capt. Malcolm A. Moore was the commander. The 40th received the Presidential Unit Citation for its role in aerial support for the Papuan Campaign. On 7 Dec 1942 in an air battle over Buna, Capt. Moore and Lts. Wilmarth and Charles A. Klein each downed a Zeke. On 6 Feb 1943 while covering C-47s supplying troops at Wau, a flight of eight 40th P-39s ran into a large group of Japanese aircraft and shot down twelve with no losses to themselves. Victors were Lt. Gene De Boer (1), Lt. Bill McDonough (2), Lt. Lewis Raines (1), Lt. Bill Shick (2), Lt. Lee Taylor (1), Capt. Tom Winburn (2), and Lt. Ed Schneider (3). This feat earned the 40th a second Presidential Unit Citation. On 12 April 1943 on an intercept over Port Moresby Lts. Klein, Lou Nagy, Hauser Wilson, and Gene Heinz scored one victory each, while Capt. Bill Davitt got two. For the next three months the missions were routine patrol, air support for bombers, and escort for transports. Then came the move to Tsili-Tsili, a higly-secret, landlocked strip 200 miles north of Port Moresby. The first escort of C-47s began on 14 August. On the 15th, Lts. Dick Schamlz and Bob Yaeger tacked onto a 41st flight which got to the Tsili-Tsili area just as the first Japanese raid came in. Lt. Schmalz got one victory and Lt. Yaeger got two. The 40th moved to Tsili-Tsili on 25 Aug 1943 for some of the most rugged and severe flying and living conditions. Fuel, food and munitions supply could only come in by C-47. Mud and heat prevailed in the extremes, and cloud build-up over the surrounding mountains made every flight hazardous. The 40th covered the Lae landings of Allied troops and also participated in the airborne assault of the Nadzab area. The 40th moved to Nadzab in October 1943 and were able to cover Allied landings at Finschhafen. Major Thomas H. Winburn (now Lt Col, ret) was commander during this period. On 27 Oct planes led by Capt. John Clapper intercepted Japanese bombers over Finschhafen. He and Lts. Carl E. Nelson, Nathan Smith, Schneider, Phil Wolf, and Robert G. Allison each downed a bomber. However, the Japanese also raided Nadzab at random and on 7 Nov 1943 Lts. John E. Doordan, Ben J. Ewers, Nelson, Walter S. Thayer, and William H. Strand each scored. Again on 9 Nov Capt. Clapper got 2 victories, Lts. Jack A. Grimm and John M. Davis got one each. In late November over Saidor Lts. Francis J. Vetort, Grimm, and Nelson got single victories, and Lt. Alvaro J. Hunter got two. P-47 ERA In late December 1943 with Capt. Joseph E. Lamphere as commander the 40th began transition into P-47 Thunderbolts, a big change from P-39s. In January 1944 the 40th flight line was bombed and strafed several times, but no big damage was done. Then in Feb 1944 the 40th moved up the Markham river to the Ramu river valley base called Gusap. It had cool air and cold water and put the squadron within the range of the Japanese bases around Wewak. Major Bill McDonough got two P-47 victories over Wewak on 15 Feb and another over Gusap on 4 March as Japanese Tony's followed our flights back from Wewak. On 11 Mar 1944 Capt. Robert Yaeger, Jr. got 3 scores over Wewak. Later he was the 40th Commander from 21 April to 5 May

9 1944. The 40th continued to fly support missions for the Hollandia battle during April and May. They moved back to Nadzab June 1st for training and recuperation. The ground echelon loaded twice for Biak. Delays prevailed. Finally on 4 Aug the air echelon moved to Noemfoor Island. The squadron covered the Sansapor area during August and in September flew their longest dive bombing mission with 500 lb. bombs to Halmahera Island. Capt. John R. Young was commander during this period. On 10 Oct flying out of Morotai he led the 40th on the first Balikpapan mission - a 1600 mile round trip - the longest ever for 5th Ftr Cmnd at that time. Capt. Young led ten others flying P-47D28s (bubble canopied) aircraft. He scored two victories, Capt. Bill Strand got 3, Capts.Thomas F. Powell, Linsfield W. Poteet, and Charles D. Clark got 2 each, and Lt. Hilton S. Kessel got 1. On 14 Oct with Capt. Young leading eight P-47s he scored one more victory, Capts. Strand, Hunter, and Lt. Henry G. Wilkes got two each. Capt. D. J. Laird, Phil Thomas and Lt. Jack E. Simonini each got one victory. For this feat the 40th Fighter Squadron was awarded its third Presidential Unit Citation. On 8 Nov 1944 Capt. John Young transferred to 35th Group Operations and was replaced by Capt. Al Hunter. Capt. Daniel Cherry replaced Hunter on 8 Dec. THE PHILIPPINES AREA In November and December 1944 there were many escort missions requiring a lot of open water flying to targets over Negros Island. On 5 Nov Lt. Robert Powers got a victory over Bacolod and on 6 Nov Lt. Wilkes and Lt. Jack L. Marvin each got victories at the same place. On 21 Nov Capt. Strand got a victory there. Then on 24 Nov over Alicante the squadron came upon a Japanese bomber flight and shot down six. Victors were Warren Wycoff (2), Bob Steffy, Ellis Baker, Graydon Franklin, Alvaro Hunter and Jack Gautreaux each (1). Bill Colsh had a victory over Mindanao on 6 Dec. Then on 14 Dec the 40th had another big day, 14 Japanese bombers shot down. The victors were Harold Vaughn (1), Warren Wycoff, Ellis Baker, James Meeks, and Bill Colsh (2) each, Roger Howe and Robert Haigh (1) each, and Bob Steffy (3). The 40th headed for the Lingayen Gulf and landed on Luzon 18 January On 30 Jan Ellis Baker destroyed a Zeke over Formosa. On 27 Feb 1945 Capt. Darrel Laird (now Lt Col, ret) leading a 4 plane fighter sweep over Formosa destroyed three enemy "Frank" fighters. It was a bad month for the squadron though, since five pilots were shot down by ground fire on bombing and strafing missions. On 21 March the 40th flew its last P-47 mission from Mangaldan strip. On 3 April 1945 Capt. Tony Faikus lead a four-plane P-51 flight over Formosa when they sighted two Zekes and one Nick. The victors were Capt. Faikus, Lt. William L. Colsh, and Lt. Irving C. Pine. On the 19th the 40th moved to Clark Field where they occupied a camp originally set up by the 475th Group. Living at Clark Field was great compared to all the other places in the past. Flying consisted mainly of close support for U S Army troops on Luzon with a few strafing missions to Formosa. In May Capt. Daniel Cherry returned to the USA and he was replaced by Capt. Carlos Dannacher (now Col, ret) who had a previous tour with the 40th in New Guinea. OKINAWA On 1 July 1945 the 40th staged 27 P-51Ds through Laog and the next day flew into Yontan airstrip on Okinawa. Camp was set up on the beach near Machinato. On 3 July the 40th took 16

10 airplanes on the first sweep over Kyushu, flying highcover for the 35th Group force of 48 airplanes. There was no enemy contact by the 40th. On 5 July on another sweep, with Capt. Henry P. Rettinger (now Col, ret) leading, four Japanese George type fighters were sighted just south of Sasebo. Capt. Rettinger got two victories and Lt. Ellis Baker got the other two. This ended the air-to-air combat in WW II. In all the 40th destroyed 113 Japanese planes. Of these 51 were shot down by P-39s, 55 by P-47s, and 7 by P-51s. Five aces led the way - Capt. Bill Strand with 7, Lt. Ellis Baker with 6, and Major Bill McDonough with 5, and Capts. Al Hunter and Robert Yaeger, Jr. with 5 each. At this writing only Strand and Yaeger survive. JAPANESE OCCUPATION & KOREA In October 1945 the 40th flew their P-51s from Machinato AB to Irumagawa, a small base on Honshu near Tokyo. This was to become AB during the post-war period. At Yokota AB in April 1950 the 40th FS converted to jets, the P-80 Shooting Star. Major James Kirkendall (later Maj General) was the 40th C.O. then. When the Korean War broke out on 27 June 1950 the 40th FS moved quickly to Ashiya AB. Captains William K. Hook and Lts. Walter Bryan, Aleck Holet, George Edwards, A. L. Helseth, and David Grisham were sent to Itazuke AB to set up a P-51 unit (called Bout One) to train ROK fliers. The first training mission was flown on 28 June, and the next day the first combat mission was flown from Taegu (K-2) Korea in ROK P-51s. The first 40th FS air-to-air victory, a YAK-9, was scored by Lt. Edwards on his twenty-first mission from K-2. Lt. Bryan was the first Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) in Korea and he was assigned to Lt Gen William Dean, 24th Division Commander. While operating around Taejon 22 July 1950, a U.S. Army Captain reported to Lt. Bryan the kill made by Lt. Edwards. Unfortunately, this feat never made the official claims list. Due to lack of loiter time in the P-80s for close air support, the 40th FS at Ashiya AB was reassigned P-51s and re-located to Pohang on 16 July This base was evacuated in August and the squadron operated out of Tsuiki AB in Japan. When Allied advances made Pohang available again the 40th moved up on 7 Oct There the 40th flew close air support missions alongside the 39th Squadron in some of the most daring and devastating bombing and strafing actions on record. In Nov 1950 the 40th moved up to Yonpo, nearer the front lines, only to retreat two weeks later to Pusan AB when the Chinese Communist forces broke through the defenses. The 40th continued to support United Nations ground forces in Korea until it was transferred without personnel and equipment to Misawa AB, Japan in May Soon thereafter new people and P-51s were in operation out of AB where it provided air defense for the central part of the Japanese Islands and the designation became Fighter Interceptor Squadron. Major J. C. Van Bloom (now Col, ret), Maj. Thomas F. Bailey(now Col, ret) and Lt Col. William D. Chalek (now Col, ret) were three of the Commanders during this period. Later in 1954 the 40th converted to F-86D interceptors and moved to Yokota AB. Lt. Colonel Lindell P. Tate, who had a combat tour with the 41st Squadron in WW II, was the C.O. at this time. The last interceptor aircraft was the F-102 which they flew until 1965 when the squadron was deactivated and returned to the USA. Thus ended 23 years of dedicated service in war and in peace on the ramparts in the Pacific basin. A salute to those airmen who did not return and to the many others who passed through

11 the squadron rolls and gave a part of their lives to insure the success of the 40th missions. Addition to the 40th Fighter Squadron Beginning in July, 1965 The last commander of the 40th Fighter interceptor Squadron at Yokota AB Japan was Lt. Col. Wesley D. Kimball. The squadron deactivated June 15, The 40th Tactical Fighter Squadron was reactivated at Eglin AFB, FL in July 1965 under the 33rd Tactical Fighter Wing. They were equipped with F-4s. Three times during the period up to May 10, 1969 they deployed to Southeast Asia leaving planes and aircrews and returning to Eglin AFB without people or equipment. In May 25-29, 1967 flying F - 4Cs the 40th Fighter Squadron deployed to Udorn, Thailand to the 55th Tactical Fighter Squadron under Lt. Col. Edward Hilding. The 40th reorganized again at Eglin AFB and PCSd to Korat RTAFB, Thailand November 13-17, 1968 with F-4Es and aircrews to the 469th Tactical Fighter Squadron commanded by Lt. Col. Aubery C. Edinburgh. Aviation artist Keith Ferris flew with the 40th to Korat and immortalized the flight with the painting "Operation 47 Buck 9." Again the 40th reconstituted at Eglin AFB, built up to fighting strength and on May 7-10, 1969 turned its aircrews and F-4Es over to the 34th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Korat, RTAFB. The squadron had a new commander, Lt. Col. Joseph M. Potts. Twice during these years at Eglin AFB under the 33rd Tactical Fighter Wing, the 40th TFS shared the Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards. After the return to Eglin AFB on May 11, 1969 the 40th TFS existed as a paper unit until its inactivation on October 15, The 40th was activated again on October 1, 1971 as part of the 355th Tactical Fighter Wing at Davis - Monthan AFB, AZ. They were never brought up to strength, but at one time did have 4 A-7Ds. On June 1, 1972 the 40th moved WOPE to George AFB, CA to become part of the 35th Tactical Fighter Wing. The 40th was attached to paper to the 35th Wing, and on April 30, 1982 was inactivated. On June 25, 1950 the 40th Fighter Interceptor Squadron was stationed at Yokota Air Base, Japan and had just completed the transition from P-51D Mustangs to F-80C Shooting Stars. Their mission was to provide for the air defense of the Kanto Plains. The Squadron had 25 new airplanes manned by twenty-five officers and one hundred airmen. On July 4, 1950 the Squadron heard hints that all this might change, and on July 7 they received orders to move to Ashiya Air Base and to begin flying combat missions into Korea. Sixteen aircraft flew into the new base that evening with crew chiefs and essential equipment followed during the night in C-47s and C-54s. The first combat mission was flown on July 8, On July 10 the Squadron learned that it was to be the first jet fighter squadron to be converted back to P-51Ds in order to provide loiter time in the target areas in support of our ground forces. The first P-51D was received on July 11, and the conversion was completed on July 16. During that period the 40th FIS flew combat missions in both F-80Cs and F-51Ds. Then the Squadron was alerted for a move from Ashiya AB to Korea, and on July 17 moved to Po Hang (K-3), the first Fifth Air Force Squadron to be based in Korea. This resulted in quite a scramble since the 40th had only eleven assigned armorers. Other skills including crew chiefs, sheet metal, and

12 clerks filled in temporarily to get the job done. Po Hang (K-3) came under increasing pressure from enemy ground forces, and on Aug 13 the Squadron was ordered to move to Tsuiki Air Base in Japan. The 40th FIS operated from Tsuiki AB until October 7 when our advancing Ground Forces made possible a return to K-3. The sortiesa" party moved up on October 3 and 4 with the F-51Ds following on October 7. The sortiesb" party of remaining personnel and equipment followed on October 8 and 9. Operations were easier now since the Squadron had been augmented by some fifty airmen and fifteen officers, and all the Wing support units were operational except the Maintenance Squadron. The 40th FIS remained at Po Hang (K-3) until October 31, Other Actions Involving 40th FIS Personnel While the above basic Squadron movements were taking place, 40th personnel and equipment were committed to other actions which do not show up in the 40th FIS official history. The first requirement from Fifth Air Force was to establish Bout One at Itazuke Air Base, Japan to provide for the training of ROKAF in P-51D combat operations. This occurred on June 30, The 40th FIS provided Capt. William Hook, Lts. Holet, Bryan, Edwards, and Helseth. Capt. Mike Smith, a GCI Controller assigned to the 40th for flying purposes, volunteered. Also, Capt. Grisham and Lt. Gordon served as weather officers. (Both of these officers flew P-51Ds on combat missions). Major Dean Hess commanded the Bout One detachment, and others from the 8th Fighter Group were in the detachment. Walter Bryan tells of his personnel record which shows him attached Detachment #1, 36 Fighter Bomber Squadron at Itazuke AB. On 30 June 1950 Capt. William Hook and Lt. Walter Bryan the first mission from Itazuke AB, Japan. On 1 July 1950 the Bout One volunteers got in a C-47 and rode to K-2, while the ROKAF trainees prepared to fly the 10 P-51Ds. The volunteers watched the ROK pilots in the landing pattern. All but one made it o. k., and that one made a go-around pattern, putting on full throttle without advancing the prop control. The landing was successful, but the engine was ruined. The first missions from K-2 were on 2 July and Capt. Hook, Lt. Bryan, Capt. Mike Smith, and Lt. Alan Helseth were in the first flight. When the Dallas Project brought thirty P-51Ds with pilots and ground crews from the 18th Fighter Bomber Group, the 40th FIS personnel stayed in place at K-2 and transferred to the 51st FBS (Provisional). Walter Bryan was designated a Tactical Air Controller (TACP) and joined Maj. Gen. William Dean and the U. S. Army 24th Division in the Taejon area on 13 July. He was Gen. Dean's personal TACP. Sometime in August the 40th FIS pilots were directed to AB where they were to begin the check-out of the replacement P-51 pilots who came over on the USS Boxer. By 1 Sept 1950 all were again in the 40th at Tsuiki AB. The Other Actions above are cited because the Operational Reporting of the 40th Personnel are not shown in the official 40th history. Lt. George Edwards shot down a YAK-9 while on his 21st mission out of K-2. Lt. Walter Bryan was on the ground at the time, and an Army Captain reported the kill to Walter. Unfortunately, this victory never made its way into the official claims records. Communications were particularly poor during these early days and the compilation of aircraft and equipment destroyed, aswell as MIA and KIA reporting, all suffered, and many cases have not been settled.

13 Special comments by the Commander: Napalm proves to be the best weapon for attacking tanks, vehicles, and troops. Rockets are not accurate enough to be a dependable weapon. 50 cal. guns were effective against all targets except medium and heavy tanks. Strafing of defended targets while carrying external fuel tanks is deemed not advisable. Also, the Joint Operations Control (JOC) had the responsibility to coordinate activities between air, ground and naval units as well as close support missions. One heartening result for this squadron was the fact that several missions flown which were thought to be failures were later verified by ground forces as having been extremely successful in the annihilation of hundreds of enemy troops and large amounts of equipment. s/ James F. Kirkendal l Lt. Colonel USAF Commanding Editor's note: 1st Lt William J. Levi was not credited with any sorties during the month even though he was KIA. This is because Lt. Levi was lost in weather on a take-off from Tsuiki AB. It is not known how many combat sorties Lt. Levi had flown at the time he went down. He is cited as the wingman for Lt. William R. Tubbs on July 17, 1950 when Tubbs was shot down and rescued at sea. See the ROA magazine, July 2000 issue, p. 21. October 1950 The first day of Oct 1950 found the 40th Fighter Interceptor Squadron still at Tsuiki Air Base, Japan. From there combat missions were flown in support of the all-out offensive of the United Nations forces in Korea. On 7 Oct 1950 the long anticipated move finally took place. The 40th FIS returned to Po Hang Dong, its original site of operations in the present conflict. Fortunately, the ground fighting which caused the 40th to evacuate in August 1950 left the airfield virtually intact, so that it was possible to fly combat missions from K-3 before the last elements of the squadron had ever completed the move. Facilities and accommodations were a bit primitive at the beginning, but Tsuiki had conditioned members of the 40th. So even in this respect the move was not for the worse. Efforts were made from the start to improve the air strip and various facilities with highly gratifying results. A Group Mess Hall was set up in close proximity to the flight line and was in operation by 15 Oct In addition to hot food thusly provided, cold drinks were made available in the recently established Non-Commissioned Officers and Officers clubs. After completion of a shower house, the winterization of the tents was begun and is rapidly progressing. The reopening of K-3 has made it possible for this organization to intensify its efforts to support the advancing United Nations forces. All these factors combined have kept the morale of the members of this organization on a high scale and, as victory moves rapidly into sight, the men of this organization look forward to the return to a permanent base in Japan.

14 JAMES F. KIRKENDALL Lt. Col. USAF Commanding November 1950 During the first part of November the 40th Fighter Interceptor Squadron continued to operate from Po Hang Dong. Combat missions were flown from there in support of advancing United Nations Forces steadily moving north. As had been the case at Tsuiki, Japan the scene of hostilities had moved so far from our base that the move had to be undertaken in order to maintain full effectiveness of the squadron. The move took place on 10 November 1950 and the 40th Fighter Interceptor Squadron was part of the 35th Fighter Interceptor Group conducting operations at Yon Po Base, Hamhung. The base itself did not interfere with the mission of the Squadron and combat missions were flown without interruption. In general, the move to Hamhung proved to be a benefit to the morale of the squadron personnel. Although the climate at Hamhung was less agreeable than that at Po Hang, facilities included several buildings which were far more adequate than before. Also, Hamhung would probably be the last stop before returning to Japan. Due to the proximity to the front lines, our squadron could more effectively carry out its mission of close support for advancing United Nations ground forces. The 40th Fighter Interceptor Squadron continued to be based at K-9 (Pusan) Korea during the month of March However, a detachment was stationed at K-13 (Suwon) during the month. This detachment consisted of from two to four aircraft each from the 39th and 40th Squadrons and necessary pilots and ground crews to fly, maintain, and re-arm and refuel the aircraft. This detachment proved to be very effective since it moved aircraft nearly two hundred miles closer to the front lines and enabled them to fly as many as seven sorties per aircraft in one day. During the latter part of the month this detachment was stabilized at four aircraft each from the 39th and 40th Squadrons with a sortie rate of four per day for each aircraft. This squadron rotated planes and pilots every three days and ground crews weekly. All personnel were enthusiastic about the K-13 detachment. it increased our sorties considerably and was welcomed by the ground forces since in several instances the planes from K-13 were the only ones flying due to weather in the rear areas. Pilots flying four missions per day became very familiar with with the terrain covered and could readily locate targets. Missions for the squadron during March continued to place emphasis on armed reconnaisance with close support, interdiction, and escort missions also being flown. To everyone's surprise the weather remained good for the month of March contributing to the fact that the squadron had its second largest sortie month since entering the Korean conflict in July The flow of replacement pilots fell off during March with the result that the squadron was very low on pilots as the month ended. g. No new tactics were used during March, although added emphasis was placed on the moving of vehicles on the main roads, and hunting in ravines and secondary roads for camouflaged vehicles and supplies. The enemy moved in a large number of automatic weapons for use as antiaircraft guns necessitating careful flying, and increased speed and altitude on recce in some cases. Recces were tried at 2500 feet or above but were found to be less effective at this altitude,

15 since camouflaged objects are hard to spot at this altitude. Greater attention was paid to plotted flak, and pilots attempted to avoid low flying over heavy flak areas. Increased commitments required that 30 hour inspections be running inspections again. Maintenance personnel believe this does not hanper aircraft operation. During the month Captain Vanderyerk crash landed behind enemy lines and was rescued by helicopter. He was given air cover throughout. The helicopter was alerted through K-13 tower, and rescue was effected in 57 minutes. April The month of April found the 40th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron still at the sortiesold" home base at K-9, Pusan, Korea. However, the detachment which had been stationed at K-13, Suwon, Korea, lost no time in following the advance of the United Nations ground forces. As soon as the dust had settled on Seoul, the K-13 detachment was in place and operating at K-16, Seoul. The initial detachment consisted of approximately ten to fifteen men from the Squadron but was steadily increased during the month in order to cope with the stepped up sortie rate of the organization, which was maintained in spite of the fact that adverse weather precluded flying for several days. The new location of the detachment was found to be of incalculable value when the enemy began his long expected spring offensive, and friendly ground forces were hard pressed for firepower. Thanks to the close proximity to the battle scene and untiring efforts frequently involving round-the-clock shifts by all personnel, the Squadron together with the 39th Fighter- Interceptor Squadron was able to fly over four-hundred (400) sorties within a four day period, which more than made up for the time lost due to inclement weather. The flow of replacement pilots continued to fall off during the month of April, and pilots who were eligible for rotation after completing 100 missions were compelled to continue flying combat missions. Among those leaving the Squadron during April was Lieutenant Colonel James F. Kirkendall, who commanded the 40th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron since the beginning of the Korean conflict and completed 104 combat missions. Lieutenant Colonel Kirkendall was replaced by Major Frank C. Malone, who prior to assignment in the 40th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron last month, was a member of the 36th Fighter Bomber Squadron and had completed over 50 F-80 missions in Korea. Tactics remained generally the same throughout the month of April as in previous months. During this period it was found that the enemy has steadily increased his anti-aircraft defenses, utilizing innumerable automatic weapons positions and creating veritable sortiesflak alleys", which in quality as well as quantity surpassed anything the enemy has offered up to that point. In addition, the enemy has apparently intensified his camouflage program, making it increasingly difficult to locate targets in obvious places. In many instances pilots found that previously destroyed villages had been rebuilt over and around supply and POL dumps. Once the offensive began, however, Chinese and North Koreans once more moved by day and in the open, which in turn resulted in very effective close support missions. The road and railroad interdiction program was continued with increasing success. Although many damaged roads were made passable within hours, reconnaisance revealed many bomb craters containing trucks, indicating that traffic to the front lines from the north was successfully being slowed down. The close proximity of K- 16 to enemy territory facilitated more effective armed reconnaisance missions, allowing more time over the recce area and decreasing actual flying time and pilot fatigue.

16 The F-4D finally arrived in Southeast Asia in May 1967 when the 40th TFS ferried 22 aircraft to re-equip the hard-fighting 555th TFS which by then had already claimed 13 victories over North Vietnamese MiGs. Its new aircraft were not only expected to obtain better success in air combat but were considered more capable in the strike role as they were fitted to launch AGM-62A TVguided Walleye missiles. The next unit converting to F-4D's was the 435th TFS which, also flying from Ubon, exchanged Lockheed F-104C's for Phantom II's in July th Pursuit Squadron (31st Pursuit Group) HQ-Not organized ;, ; Baer Field, IN, 1941 Constituted in the Regular Army on 22 December 1939, assigned to the 31st Pursuit Group, and allotted to the Fourth Corps Area. Activated on 1 February 1940 at. Transferred on 6 December 1941 to Baer Field, IN. Location 7 December 1941 Baer Field, IN. Status: Active in the U. S. Air Force as the 40th Flight Test Squadron at Eglin A.F.B., FL. Commanders, 40th Pursuit Squadron Maj. John F. Egan 1 Feb 40-Dec 40 Capt. Albert P. Clark Dec 40-ao Feb 41 1st Lt. Fred M. Dean ao Sep 41-ao Oct 41 Officials with the 40th Flight Test Squadron at Eglin AFB, Fla., this month wrapped up developmental flight testing of a wireless router destined for the Air Force's Litening and Sniper targeting pods, said unit officials. The router is a software upgrade for the two pods, which B-1 bombers and legacy fighters carry; it is called Net-T for network tactical. With it, ground forces equipped with the Remotely Operated Video Enhanced Receiver-5, a small-sized touchscreen device, can communicate with each other and with the aircraft. Until now, ROVER-5 could only send and receive data from aircraft. "This is a new capability the Air Force does not currently deploy with and it has not been tested until now," said Capt. Joseph Rojas of the 40th FLTS and the Net-T project test engineer, in Eglin's Jan. 18 release. The router provides real-time information and images without relying on satellites, radio, or other traditional communications, states the release. Squadron officials said they are still compiling the data from the 23 test missions, which began in October. Air Force officials anticipate that the router could be operational by 2014 following operational testing EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION F-15C, S/N th FLIGHT TEST SQUADRON (40 FTS), 46TH TEST WING (46 TW) AIR ARMAMENT CENTER (AAC) EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE (AFB), FL 30 APRIL 2002 On 30 April, 2002 at 0915 local time, the mishap aircraft (MA), an F-15C, S/N , crashed in the Gulf of Mexico about 127 nautical miles southeast of Eglin AFB, FL. The F-15C was conducting a standard Compatibility Flight Profile test mission to support store certification of the AIM-9X Captive Air Training Missile (CATM) for the F-15 aircraft. The mishap pilot (MP), assigned to the 40th Flight Test Squadron, Eglin AFB, was fatally injured in the mishap. Shortly before the beginning of the mishap sequence, the MA began a high-speed dive from 46,300 feet, and accelerated to 1.97 Mach Number and 780 knots. At about 24,000 feet, the MA experienced a structural failure of the leading edge (front) of the left vertical stabilizer (tail). This caused a large section of the leading edge, approximately 6 feet by 3 feet, to break off from the aircraft

17 The remaining left tail structure severely increased drag, which caused the MA to yaw to the left at a high rate and depart controlled flight. The departure created further severe structural overloads which caused the MA to break up. The right boom, right tail, and right horizontal stabilizer, departed the MA, followed by the right (#2) engine. The forward fuselage and cockpit area separated from the remainder of the MA, which liberated fuel from the #1 fuel cell and caused a fire. The MP likely initiated ejection at an unknown altitude, airspeed, and attitude of the MA, but likely very shortly after the beginning of the departure from controlled flight and during the break-up of the MA. During high-speed ejection at over 600 knots, serious injury can and in most cases does occur. Analysis of the recovered ejection seat, MP helmet, and other associated life support equipment, indicated that safe ejection under the prevailing conditions was not possible. The 40th Flight Test Squadron at Eglin AFB, Fla., completed developmental flight testing of BAE Systems' fixed-wing Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II on the A-10 groundattack aircraft, according to a base release. The first of three shots of the 2.75-inch diameter, 35- pound, laser-guided rocket occurred in February, with the weapon impacting inches away from the target, according to the April 3 release. The Air Force is performing this testing under an Office of the Secretary of Defense-sponsored joint concept technology demonstration that aims to take the combat-proven APKWS, which Marine Corps helicopters have used in Afghanistan, and modify it for use on fixed-wing platforms. The lightweight rocket is designed to minimize collateral damage. "We don't have a precision weapon out there now that can do that," said Joe Stromsness, project manager. Operational testing on the A-10 and F-16 is slated to start in May at China Lake Test Range in California. The Navy in March tested this variant of APKWS on the AV-8B. This weapon could be ready for operational use by 2015, according to the release A-10's External Fuel Tank Tested for Combat Environments The 40th Flight Test Squadron at Eglin AFB, Fla., is testing whether the A-10 can safely carry its 600-gallon external fuel tank into combat, according to a base release. "Currently, the A-10 doesn't carry an external fuel store into combat," said Maj. Olivia Elliott, test pilot for this evaluation. "The present flight limitations on the Sargent Fletcher tank restrict it from being flown in a combat environment," she said. So far, in more than 30 test flights, there have been no anomalies, states Eglin's Aug. 26 release. Once the testing is complete, and the data are reviewed, the Air Force will decide whether to clear the fuel tank in this role. If approved, the A-10's loiter time would expand by 45 minutes to an hour, states the release. "This will allow the aircraft to remain in flight during a combat situation longer, provide lengthier periods of armed overwatch for ground missions, as well as limit the amount of time spent air-to-air refueling during a combat sortie," said Elliott F-51D FBS 35FBG Pusan- East AB LACSSP, Neil K K-2, Taegu AB F-51D FIS 35FIG Tsuiki AB, JPN LAC Guernsey, Arthur B. Tsuiki AB

18 F-51D FIS 35FIG Pusan- East AB TOAMF Lay, James L. Pusan-East AB F-51D FIS 35FIG K-9, Pusan- East AB TOA Hundley, Everett K-9, Pusan- East AB F-51D FIS 35FIG F-51D FIS 35FIG K-9 Pusan- East AB, KOR K-9 Pusan- East AB, KOR KBOEF KBOEFF Hook, William K. Hannon, James D. 3 Mi W K-9 Pusan-East AB 3 Mi W K-9 Pusan-East AB F-51D FIS 35FIG Pusan East AB, KOR LACC Travers, Medford J. Pusan East AB F-51D FIS 35FIG Pusan East AB, KOR LACC Siple, Ralph E. Pusan East AB F-51D FIS 35FIG K-9 Pusan East AB, KOR SF Nelson, Howard W. KOREA F-51D FIS 35FIG BOEF Titus, Robert F. 8 Mi NE AB F-51D FIS 35FIG MACT Kersting, Roland W. Mito Gunnery Range F-51D FIS 35FIG TOAEF Conine, Melvin E. 1 Mi SE AB P-39D FS 35FG KCRL Taylor, Lee R Wau P-39D FS 35FG KCRL Taylor, Lee R Wau P-39K FS 35FG LAC Raines, Lewis D Berry Fld P-400 BW110 40FS 35FG TAC Donla, Thomas C Berry Fld P-39N FS 35FG TAC Morton, John R Berry Fld {APO 929} P-39K FS 35FG TOAEF Heinz, Eugene M Berry Fld P-39K FS 35FG FLEF Dannacher, Carlos E Wau AD

19 P-400 BW176 40FS 35FG BO P-39K FS 35FG TOA Pardy, David A Winburn, Thomas H Btn Mts Yule & Chamberlai Tsili Tsili P-39N FS 35FG TOA Gray, Billy N Berry Fld P-39N FS 35FG LAC Herbert, James F Tsili Tsili P-39N FS 35FG BOW Gray, Billy N Finschafen area P-39N FS 35FG BOW Campbell, Henry L Finschafen area P-39N FS 35FG LAC P-47D FS 35FG TOA Yaeger, Robert R Sobak, Steve (NMI) Old Nadzab Lae P-51D- 20NA FS 35FG LAC Gibson, Ralph D AAB P-51D- 20NA FS 35FG DTC Totten, George C Jr Senami AT-6F FS 35FG LAC Howard, George L Mito AF P-51D- 20NA FS 35FG KCR Boener, John F Noda P-51D- 20NA FS 35FG KMAC Austin, Alan Y Roosevelt Sq (Tokyo) P-51D- 20NA FS 35FG MACCBL DeVries, John A Roosevelt Sq (Tokyo) P-51D- 30NA FS 35FG LACNU Lind, Charles L AAB P-51D- 25NA FS 35FG BO Felkner, Edward M Jr Iwatsuki/ 1mi SE P-51D- 30NA FS 35FG A LAC McCollom, Francis N AAB F-51D FS 35FG Tsuiki AB, JPN KTOA Levi, William J. 1.5 Mi S Tsuiki AB

20 F-51D FS 35FG Tsuiki AB, JPN KTOA Levi, William J. 1.5 Mi S Tsuiki AB F-51D FS 35FG Tsuiki AB, JPN LACF Bartimus, Neil R. Tsuiki AB F-51D FS 35FG K-3, KOR TOAMF Roberts, Howard D. K F-51D FS 35FG K-3, KOR TOA Koen, Albert T. K-3 AB F-51D FS 35FG LACGLW Bartimus, Neil R. Pohang AB F-51D FS 35FG K-27 AB, Yonpo TAC Marlin, Jospeh F. K-27 AB, Yonpo F-51D FS 35FG K-27 AB, Yonpo, KOR TOAGL Duffy, John C. K-27 AB, Yonpo F-51D FS 35FG K-27 AB, Yonpo, KOR MACTO Opalenik, Basil C. K-27 AB, Yonpo F-51D FS 35FG K-27 AB, Yonpo, KOR MACTO Hodges, Kenneth S. K-27 AB, Yonpo F-51D FS 35FIG MAC Hook, William K. 45 Mi NE AB F-51D FS 35FIG BOMAC Travers, Medford J. 45 Mi NE AB F-51D FS 35FIG CRLEF Lamar, James L. 20 Mi S Niigata Airstrip F-51D FS 35FIG GLMF Travers, Medford J. Niigata Airstrip F-80C FS 35FIG FLF Stewart, Raymond R. Yokota AB F-80C FS 35FIG Yokota LACGC Edwards, George M. Jr Yokota AB F-80C FS 35FIG Yokota MACT Edwards, George M. Jr Mito Range F-80C FS 35FIG Yokota MACT Marling, Joseph F. Mito Range F-80C FS 35FIG Yokota KCRGC Duley, Archie N. Mito Range

21 F-80C FS 35FIG Yokota SF Ogiba, Henry S. 50 Mi SW Itami AB P-26A PI 31PI Albrook Field, CZ TOA Taylor, William B Albrook Field, CZ P PI 31PI LAC Criz, Albert P PI 31PI GL Moss, Robert C P PI 31PI TOA Hartbrodt, Frederick A P PI 31PI LAC Criz, Albert Memphis, TN P PI 31PI FLEF Walker, William G. Mount Clemens, MI P PI 31PI BOF Litton, William P. New Haven, MI P PI 31PI FLEF Litton, William P. 6 miles N of Richmond, MI P PI 31PI LCRL Zins, William E Kalaska, MI P PI 31PI GL Van Zant, Claude L Grayling, MI P PI 31PI LAC Walter, William G Utica, MI AT PI 31PI LAC Robertson, John C Camp Skeel, Oscoda, MI P PI 31PI KSSP Van Zant, Claude L. Jr Camp Skeel, Oscoda, MI P-39D PS 31PG TAC Inghram, Robert D.

22 PT PS 31PG TOCMF Smith, Stephen M Plymouth, MI P-39D PS 31PG FLEF Hill, Frank A Jackson AAB, MS P-39D PS 31PG P-39D PS 31PG P-39D PS 31PG P-39D PS 31PG P-39D PS 31PG Beer Field, Fort Wayne, IN Jackson AAB, MS Baer Field, Fort Wayne, IN Baer Field, Fort Wayne, IN Baer Field, Fort Wayne, IN LAC FLW LAC LAC LAC Hover, Charles F Hoyer, Dave H Merrian, William H Stephens, Evans G Smith, Stephen M Zanesville Muni Airport, OH Golf Course, Kingwood, WV Daniel Field, GA Atlanta Airport, Atlanta, GA Atlanta Airport, Atlanta, GA P-39D PS 31PG Pope Field, NC FLEF Cobb, Elmor R Albermarle, NC P-39D PS 31PG Pope Field, NC LACMF English, Robert L Pope Field, NC P-39D PS 31PG Pope Field, NC FLEF Riha, Amos F 3 mi S of McBee, SC P-39D PS 31PG Baer Field, ID TOAEF Hoover, Charles F Inyokern, CA P-39D PS 31PG Baer Field, ID SF Stephens, Evans G Inyokern, CA P-39D PS 31PG Baer Field, Ft Wayne, IN MACO Booth, Robert R Hensley Field, Dallas, TX P-39D PS 31PG Baer Field, Ft Wayne, IN LACMF, Edward Gillis P PS 31PI GL Breche, George J P PS P PS Field, Mt Clemons, MI Field, Mt Clemons, MI FLEFNO FLEF Kearby, Neel E. Kittel, Louis R. ½ mi N of Meade, MI 5 mi W of Richmond, MI

23 Air Force Order of Battle Created: 14 Dec 2010 Updated: 30 Aug 2013 Sources AFHRA