Russell Henry ‘Russ' Bartlett was born December 2, 1936 in Bellows Falls, Vermont, the son of Pauline Fiorey and Henry Bartlett.
On February 14 1957, Russ became a United States Air Force Aviation Cadet in Navigator Training Class 58-08C. He first attended pre-flight at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, Texas. After three months, he went to Harlingen ABF, Texas for flight training. At Harlingen Russ flew training missions in the T-29C ‘Flying Classroom'. Russ graduated with Class 58-08C on May 6, 1958 at which time he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and received his Navigator Wings.
After Radar Intercept Officer training at James Connally AFB, TX he was assigned to Hamilton AFB, CA where he flew the F-89J and later upgraded to the F-101B. While stationed at Hamilton, Russ went TDY to Florida and became a member of the ‘Caterpillar Club' after ejecting from his F-101B into the Gulf of Mexico along with pilot Ronald J. Layton. He then served a tour in Iceland which was cut short when he was selected to attend pilot training.
On March 31, 1962, Russ and Jane Ufford were married in Hanover, NH. They were blessed with a daughter, Elizabeth, and a son, Major Russell Henry Bartlett, Jr. (Karen).
After graduating as a Distinguished Graduate, from pilot training at Moody AFB, GA, in class 63-G he was assigned to the 557th TFS at MacDill AFB, FL where he flew the F-4C and quickly upgraded to the front cockpit. In November 1965, his squadron deployed with the 12th TFW to Cam Rahn AB, South Vietnam for about six months before being reassigned to the 555th TFS, 8th TFW at Ubon RTAFB, Thailand. Russ then served as the Chief of Stan-Eval at Homestead AFB, FL before being selected for Air Command and Staff. He then attended F-105D training at McConnell AFB, KS before being assigned to the 355th TFS at Tahkli, Thailand in June 1970. When the F-105's were withdrawn from combat, he was assigned to the 8th TFW at Ubon RTAFB, Thailand as the Wing Weapons and Tactics Officer. While at Ubon, Russ was awarded his fifth Distinguished Flying Cross. He was then assigned as Special Assistant for Operations, Logistics and Personnel at Headquarters TAC and from there to Air War College at Maxwell AFB, AL. In September 1976, after getting his B.A. from Troy State University, he became the Squadron Commander of the 563rd TFS at George AFB, CA, which trained all of the F-105G ‘Wild Weasel' crews. After bringing the F-4G on-line, he was promoted to Colonel and became the Assistant Director of Operations for the F-4 training squadrons at George AFB. After a tour as Group and Air Base Commander at Tyndall AFB, FL, he was assigned to Langley AFB, VA as the Director of Assignments. His last duty assignment was Vice Commander of the 49th TFW at Holloman AFB, NM where he flew the F-15A/B.
After retirement in 1984, Russ was General Manager for a video editing equipment manufacturing company in El Paso, TX for two years and then moved briefly to Washington, DC and finally to New Hampshire. In 1986, he was hired as a logistic planner to assist in the move of the Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital from Hanover NH to its new campus in Lebanon NH. He continued to work for the new Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Food & Nutrition Services and Computer Services until his final retirement.
Russ was an avid fisherman and hunter and enjoyed the beauty of New England. He was also a voracious reader with a particular interest in biographies, politics, and Civil War history.
Russ was a charter and life member of the Red River Valley Fighter Pilots Association, aka 'Red River Rats'.
Russ and Jane were divorced in 1995. In 2010 Russ and Mary Harnett Abbott were married.
Following a gathering in celebration of his life on September 29, 2012, in Hanover, New Hampshire, his ashes were scattered the next afternoon on Blood Mountain in New Hampshire, one of his favorite hunting grounds. Everyone in attendance threw a nickel on the grass for a great fighter pilot and friend.
Many thanks to Russ' first wife, Jane, who provided many of the details for the above biography along with numerous photos.
In late 2007, Russ provided the following biography in preparation for the 50th reunion of Aviation Cadet Class 58-08C.
'Russ Bartlett's Long Journey from Texas to New Hampshire'
If any of you were sober enough to remember, Walt and I went to Waco for Radar Intercept Training. We both did quite well and again ended up together at Hamilton Field.
I flew the F-89J (that's the one with the atomic weapon) for awhile, then transitioned to the F-101 which was somewhat of a step up (it could get off the ground before an F-89 could release the brakes). By this time, I had my eyes on either going to pilot training or joining the National Guard as an RIO (I'd had offers of almost full time employment and educational opportunities from several states). I volunteered for a tour in Iceland with the idea that I would either be accepted for pilot training when I returned or I could separate and follow the NG route.
Fortunately, I guess, I was selected for pilot training and with a new wife went to pilot training at Moody. Again, I did very well, but my class was the first pilot training class that received direct assignments (no more choosing off the blackboard). All the RIOs were given back seat assignments to the F-4 at MacDill. It was a kick in the butt at the time, but the AF was so short on pilots that my class upgraded to the front seat within a year.
Then it was off to Southeast Asia. I spent about six months in-country, and then was asked to take over a flight commander's job at Ubon in the 555th Tactical Fighter Squadron. From there it was to Homestead, which was supposed to be an operational assignment, but was changed to a training wing shortly after I signed in. I wasn't happy about being in a training wing, but because I had about as much F-4 time as anyone in the AF, I was made chief of Stan-Eval as a relatively young captain.
Then, I was selected to attend Command and Staff. (all staff; no command). Again, I was tempted to leave active duty, but with a wife, son and daughter and a regular commission, I decided that would not be a good decision. In August 1969, after Montgomery, I went to McConnell to fly the F-105, and then to Tahkli in the 355th Tactical Fighter Squadron. The Thuds left Thailand about six months into my tour, and I was reassigned again to the 8th TFW at Ubon. The place was a mess, and I just wanted to have my own flight, but I was "forced" into becoming the wing Weapons and Tactics Officer. I like to think that I played a big role in bringing the wing back to its former position as one of the best in Southeast Asia.
Well, Personnel caught up with me and I went kicking and screaming to TAC Hdqs. It was more fun than I imagined it would be because I ended up as Gen. Gabriel's special assistant for Operations, Logistics and Personnel matters – a good education. From there it was the War College, then in September 1976 to George AFB, Victorville, California for command of the 563 TFTS, the old 66 FWS, which was training all the F-105G Wild Weasel crews. We brought the F-4G on-line which was very satisfying work. Then, I was promoted to 0-6 and became ADO of the F-4 training squadrons in the wing.
Having been promised the next DO job to open up in 12th AF, I was very disappointed to be assigned as the Group and Air Base Commander at Tyndall (my air defense background had finally caught up with me).
I went from Tyndall back to Langley as the Director of Assignments, which was going to be my last assignment. However, I was offered the opportunity to become Vice Commander of the 49th at Holloman, and I selfishly couldn't pass up the opportunity to fly the F-15.
After retirement, I ran a computer manufacturing company in El Paso, then moved to Washington for my wife's new opportunities. Finally, I moved back to NH to do the logistics planning for the move of a 400 patient hospital.
On February 14 1957, Russ became a United States Air Force Aviation Cadet in Navigator Training Class 58-08C. He first attended pre-flight at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, Texas. After three months, he went to Harlingen ABF, Texas for flight training. At Harlingen Russ flew training missions in the T-29C ‘Flying Classroom'. Russ graduated with Class 58-08C on May 6, 1958 at which time he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and received his Navigator Wings.
After Radar Intercept Officer training at James Connally AFB, TX he was assigned to Hamilton AFB, CA where he flew the F-89J and later upgraded to the F-101B. While stationed at Hamilton, Russ went TDY to Florida and became a member of the ‘Caterpillar Club' after ejecting from his F-101B into the Gulf of Mexico along with pilot Ronald J. Layton. He then served a tour in Iceland which was cut short when he was selected to attend pilot training.
On March 31, 1962, Russ and Jane Ufford were married in Hanover, NH. They were blessed with a daughter, Elizabeth, and a son, Major Russell Henry Bartlett, Jr. (Karen).
After graduating as a Distinguished Graduate, from pilot training at Moody AFB, GA, in class 63-G he was assigned to the 557th TFS at MacDill AFB, FL where he flew the F-4C and quickly upgraded to the front cockpit. In November 1965, his squadron deployed with the 12th TFW to Cam Rahn AB, South Vietnam for about six months before being reassigned to the 555th TFS, 8th TFW at Ubon RTAFB, Thailand. Russ then served as the Chief of Stan-Eval at Homestead AFB, FL before being selected for Air Command and Staff. He then attended F-105D training at McConnell AFB, KS before being assigned to the 355th TFS at Tahkli, Thailand in June 1970. When the F-105's were withdrawn from combat, he was assigned to the 8th TFW at Ubon RTAFB, Thailand as the Wing Weapons and Tactics Officer. While at Ubon, Russ was awarded his fifth Distinguished Flying Cross. He was then assigned as Special Assistant for Operations, Logistics and Personnel at Headquarters TAC and from there to Air War College at Maxwell AFB, AL. In September 1976, after getting his B.A. from Troy State University, he became the Squadron Commander of the 563rd TFS at George AFB, CA, which trained all of the F-105G ‘Wild Weasel' crews. After bringing the F-4G on-line, he was promoted to Colonel and became the Assistant Director of Operations for the F-4 training squadrons at George AFB. After a tour as Group and Air Base Commander at Tyndall AFB, FL, he was assigned to Langley AFB, VA as the Director of Assignments. His last duty assignment was Vice Commander of the 49th TFW at Holloman AFB, NM where he flew the F-15A/B.
After retirement in 1984, Russ was General Manager for a video editing equipment manufacturing company in El Paso, TX for two years and then moved briefly to Washington, DC and finally to New Hampshire. In 1986, he was hired as a logistic planner to assist in the move of the Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital from Hanover NH to its new campus in Lebanon NH. He continued to work for the new Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Food & Nutrition Services and Computer Services until his final retirement.
Russ was an avid fisherman and hunter and enjoyed the beauty of New England. He was also a voracious reader with a particular interest in biographies, politics, and Civil War history.
Russ was a charter and life member of the Red River Valley Fighter Pilots Association, aka 'Red River Rats'.
Russ and Jane were divorced in 1995. In 2010 Russ and Mary Harnett Abbott were married.
Following a gathering in celebration of his life on September 29, 2012, in Hanover, New Hampshire, his ashes were scattered the next afternoon on Blood Mountain in New Hampshire, one of his favorite hunting grounds. Everyone in attendance threw a nickel on the grass for a great fighter pilot and friend.
Many thanks to Russ' first wife, Jane, who provided many of the details for the above biography along with numerous photos.
In late 2007, Russ provided the following biography in preparation for the 50th reunion of Aviation Cadet Class 58-08C.
'Russ Bartlett's Long Journey from Texas to New Hampshire'
If any of you were sober enough to remember, Walt and I went to Waco for Radar Intercept Training. We both did quite well and again ended up together at Hamilton Field.
I flew the F-89J (that's the one with the atomic weapon) for awhile, then transitioned to the F-101 which was somewhat of a step up (it could get off the ground before an F-89 could release the brakes). By this time, I had my eyes on either going to pilot training or joining the National Guard as an RIO (I'd had offers of almost full time employment and educational opportunities from several states). I volunteered for a tour in Iceland with the idea that I would either be accepted for pilot training when I returned or I could separate and follow the NG route.
Fortunately, I guess, I was selected for pilot training and with a new wife went to pilot training at Moody. Again, I did very well, but my class was the first pilot training class that received direct assignments (no more choosing off the blackboard). All the RIOs were given back seat assignments to the F-4 at MacDill. It was a kick in the butt at the time, but the AF was so short on pilots that my class upgraded to the front seat within a year.
Then it was off to Southeast Asia. I spent about six months in-country, and then was asked to take over a flight commander's job at Ubon in the 555th Tactical Fighter Squadron. From there it was to Homestead, which was supposed to be an operational assignment, but was changed to a training wing shortly after I signed in. I wasn't happy about being in a training wing, but because I had about as much F-4 time as anyone in the AF, I was made chief of Stan-Eval as a relatively young captain.
Then, I was selected to attend Command and Staff. (all staff; no command). Again, I was tempted to leave active duty, but with a wife, son and daughter and a regular commission, I decided that would not be a good decision. In August 1969, after Montgomery, I went to McConnell to fly the F-105, and then to Tahkli in the 355th Tactical Fighter Squadron. The Thuds left Thailand about six months into my tour, and I was reassigned again to the 8th TFW at Ubon. The place was a mess, and I just wanted to have my own flight, but I was "forced" into becoming the wing Weapons and Tactics Officer. I like to think that I played a big role in bringing the wing back to its former position as one of the best in Southeast Asia.
Well, Personnel caught up with me and I went kicking and screaming to TAC Hdqs. It was more fun than I imagined it would be because I ended up as Gen. Gabriel's special assistant for Operations, Logistics and Personnel matters – a good education. From there it was the War College, then in September 1976 to George AFB, Victorville, California for command of the 563 TFTS, the old 66 FWS, which was training all the F-105G Wild Weasel crews. We brought the F-4G on-line which was very satisfying work. Then, I was promoted to 0-6 and became ADO of the F-4 training squadrons in the wing.
Having been promised the next DO job to open up in 12th AF, I was very disappointed to be assigned as the Group and Air Base Commander at Tyndall (my air defense background had finally caught up with me).
I went from Tyndall back to Langley as the Director of Assignments, which was going to be my last assignment. However, I was offered the opportunity to become Vice Commander of the 49th at Holloman, and I selfishly couldn't pass up the opportunity to fly the F-15.
After retirement, I ran a computer manufacturing company in El Paso, then moved to Washington for my wife's new opportunities. Finally, I moved back to NH to do the logistics planning for the move of a 400 patient hospital.
Russell Henry ‘Russ' Bartlett was born December 2, 1936 in Bellows Falls, Vermont, the son of Pauline Fiorey and Henry Bartlett.
On February 14 1957, Russ became a United States Air Force Aviation Cadet in Navigator Training Class 58-08C. He first attended pre-flight at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, Texas. After three months, he went to Harlingen ABF, Texas for flight training. At Harlingen Russ flew training missions in the T-29C ‘Flying Classroom'. Russ graduated with Class 58-08C on May 6, 1958 at which time he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and received his Navigator Wings.
After Radar Intercept Officer training at James Connally AFB, TX he was assigned to Hamilton AFB, CA where he flew the F-89J and later upgraded to the F-101B. While stationed at Hamilton, Russ went TDY to Florida and became a member of the ‘Caterpillar Club' after ejecting from his F-101B into the Gulf of Mexico along with pilot Ronald J. Layton. He then served a tour in Iceland which was cut short when he was selected to attend pilot training.
On March 31, 1962, Russ and Jane Ufford were married in Hanover, NH. They were blessed with a daughter, Elizabeth, and a son, Major Russell Henry Bartlett, Jr. (Karen).
After graduating as a Distinguished Graduate, from pilot training at Moody AFB, GA, in class 63-G he was assigned to the 557th TFS at MacDill AFB, FL where he flew the F-4C and quickly upgraded to the front cockpit. In November 1965, his squadron deployed with the 12th TFW to Cam Rahn AB, South Vietnam for about six months before being reassigned to the 555th TFS, 8th TFW at Ubon RTAFB, Thailand. Russ then served as the Chief of Stan-Eval at Homestead AFB, FL before being selected for Air Command and Staff. He then attended F-105D training at McConnell AFB, KS before being assigned to the 355th TFS at Tahkli, Thailand in June 1970. When the F-105's were withdrawn from combat, he was assigned to the 8th TFW at Ubon RTAFB, Thailand as the Wing Weapons and Tactics Officer. While at Ubon, Russ was awarded his fifth Distinguished Flying Cross. He was then assigned as Special Assistant for Operations, Logistics and Personnel at Headquarters TAC and from there to Air War College at Maxwell AFB, AL. In September 1976, after getting his B.A. from Troy State University, he became the Squadron Commander of the 563rd TFS at George AFB, CA, which trained all of the F-105G ‘Wild Weasel' crews. After bringing the F-4G on-line, he was promoted to Colonel and became the Assistant Director of Operations for the F-4 training squadrons at George AFB. After a tour as Group and Air Base Commander at Tyndall AFB, FL, he was assigned to Langley AFB, VA as the Director of Assignments. His last duty assignment was Vice Commander of the 49th TFW at Holloman AFB, NM where he flew the F-15A/B.
After retirement in 1984, Russ was General Manager for a video editing equipment manufacturing company in El Paso, TX for two years and then moved briefly to Washington, DC and finally to New Hampshire. In 1986, he was hired as a logistic planner to assist in the move of the Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital from Hanover NH to its new campus in Lebanon NH. He continued to work for the new Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Food & Nutrition Services and Computer Services until his final retirement.
Russ was an avid fisherman and hunter and enjoyed the beauty of New England. He was also a voracious reader with a particular interest in biographies, politics, and Civil War history.
Russ was a charter and life member of the Red River Valley Fighter Pilots Association, aka 'Red River Rats'.
Russ and Jane were divorced in 1995. In 2010 Russ and Mary Harnett Abbott were married.
Following a gathering in celebration of his life on September 29, 2012, in Hanover, New Hampshire, his ashes were scattered the next afternoon on Blood Mountain in New Hampshire, one of his favorite hunting grounds. Everyone in attendance threw a nickel on the grass for a great fighter pilot and friend.
Many thanks to Russ' first wife, Jane, who provided many of the details for the above biography along with numerous photos.
In late 2007, Russ provided the following biography in preparation for the 50th reunion of Aviation Cadet Class 58-08C.
'Russ Bartlett's Long Journey from Texas to New Hampshire'
If any of you were sober enough to remember, Walt and I went to Waco for Radar Intercept Training. We both did quite well and again ended up together at Hamilton Field.
I flew the F-89J (that's the one with the atomic weapon) for awhile, then transitioned to the F-101 which was somewhat of a step up (it could get off the ground before an F-89 could release the brakes). By this time, I had my eyes on either going to pilot training or joining the National Guard as an RIO (I'd had offers of almost full time employment and educational opportunities from several states). I volunteered for a tour in Iceland with the idea that I would either be accepted for pilot training when I returned or I could separate and follow the NG route.
Fortunately, I guess, I was selected for pilot training and with a new wife went to pilot training at Moody. Again, I did very well, but my class was the first pilot training class that received direct assignments (no more choosing off the blackboard). All the RIOs were given back seat assignments to the F-4 at MacDill. It was a kick in the butt at the time, but the AF was so short on pilots that my class upgraded to the front seat within a year.
Then it was off to Southeast Asia. I spent about six months in-country, and then was asked to take over a flight commander's job at Ubon in the 555th Tactical Fighter Squadron. From there it was to Homestead, which was supposed to be an operational assignment, but was changed to a training wing shortly after I signed in. I wasn't happy about being in a training wing, but because I had about as much F-4 time as anyone in the AF, I was made chief of Stan-Eval as a relatively young captain.
Then, I was selected to attend Command and Staff. (all staff; no command). Again, I was tempted to leave active duty, but with a wife, son and daughter and a regular commission, I decided that would not be a good decision. In August 1969, after Montgomery, I went to McConnell to fly the F-105, and then to Tahkli in the 355th Tactical Fighter Squadron. The Thuds left Thailand about six months into my tour, and I was reassigned again to the 8th TFW at Ubon. The place was a mess, and I just wanted to have my own flight, but I was "forced" into becoming the wing Weapons and Tactics Officer. I like to think that I played a big role in bringing the wing back to its former position as one of the best in Southeast Asia.
Well, Personnel caught up with me and I went kicking and screaming to TAC Hdqs. It was more fun than I imagined it would be because I ended up as Gen. Gabriel's special assistant for Operations, Logistics and Personnel matters – a good education. From there it was the War College, then in September 1976 to George AFB, Victorville, California for command of the 563 TFTS, the old 66 FWS, which was training all the F-105G Wild Weasel crews. We brought the F-4G on-line which was very satisfying work. Then, I was promoted to 0-6 and became ADO of the F-4 training squadrons in the wing.
Having been promised the next DO job to open up in 12th AF, I was very disappointed to be assigned as the Group and Air Base Commander at Tyndall (my air defense background had finally caught up with me).
I went from Tyndall back to Langley as the Director of Assignments, which was going to be my last assignment. However, I was offered the opportunity to become Vice Commander of the 49th at Holloman, and I selfishly couldn't pass up the opportunity to fly the F-15.
After retirement, I ran a computer manufacturing company in El Paso, then moved to Washington for my wife's new opportunities. Finally, I moved back to NH to do the logistics planning for the move of a 400 patient hospital.
On February 14 1957, Russ became a United States Air Force Aviation Cadet in Navigator Training Class 58-08C. He first attended pre-flight at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, Texas. After three months, he went to Harlingen ABF, Texas for flight training. At Harlingen Russ flew training missions in the T-29C ‘Flying Classroom'. Russ graduated with Class 58-08C on May 6, 1958 at which time he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and received his Navigator Wings.
After Radar Intercept Officer training at James Connally AFB, TX he was assigned to Hamilton AFB, CA where he flew the F-89J and later upgraded to the F-101B. While stationed at Hamilton, Russ went TDY to Florida and became a member of the ‘Caterpillar Club' after ejecting from his F-101B into the Gulf of Mexico along with pilot Ronald J. Layton. He then served a tour in Iceland which was cut short when he was selected to attend pilot training.
On March 31, 1962, Russ and Jane Ufford were married in Hanover, NH. They were blessed with a daughter, Elizabeth, and a son, Major Russell Henry Bartlett, Jr. (Karen).
After graduating as a Distinguished Graduate, from pilot training at Moody AFB, GA, in class 63-G he was assigned to the 557th TFS at MacDill AFB, FL where he flew the F-4C and quickly upgraded to the front cockpit. In November 1965, his squadron deployed with the 12th TFW to Cam Rahn AB, South Vietnam for about six months before being reassigned to the 555th TFS, 8th TFW at Ubon RTAFB, Thailand. Russ then served as the Chief of Stan-Eval at Homestead AFB, FL before being selected for Air Command and Staff. He then attended F-105D training at McConnell AFB, KS before being assigned to the 355th TFS at Tahkli, Thailand in June 1970. When the F-105's were withdrawn from combat, he was assigned to the 8th TFW at Ubon RTAFB, Thailand as the Wing Weapons and Tactics Officer. While at Ubon, Russ was awarded his fifth Distinguished Flying Cross. He was then assigned as Special Assistant for Operations, Logistics and Personnel at Headquarters TAC and from there to Air War College at Maxwell AFB, AL. In September 1976, after getting his B.A. from Troy State University, he became the Squadron Commander of the 563rd TFS at George AFB, CA, which trained all of the F-105G ‘Wild Weasel' crews. After bringing the F-4G on-line, he was promoted to Colonel and became the Assistant Director of Operations for the F-4 training squadrons at George AFB. After a tour as Group and Air Base Commander at Tyndall AFB, FL, he was assigned to Langley AFB, VA as the Director of Assignments. His last duty assignment was Vice Commander of the 49th TFW at Holloman AFB, NM where he flew the F-15A/B.
After retirement in 1984, Russ was General Manager for a video editing equipment manufacturing company in El Paso, TX for two years and then moved briefly to Washington, DC and finally to New Hampshire. In 1986, he was hired as a logistic planner to assist in the move of the Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital from Hanover NH to its new campus in Lebanon NH. He continued to work for the new Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Food & Nutrition Services and Computer Services until his final retirement.
Russ was an avid fisherman and hunter and enjoyed the beauty of New England. He was also a voracious reader with a particular interest in biographies, politics, and Civil War history.
Russ was a charter and life member of the Red River Valley Fighter Pilots Association, aka 'Red River Rats'.
Russ and Jane were divorced in 1995. In 2010 Russ and Mary Harnett Abbott were married.
Following a gathering in celebration of his life on September 29, 2012, in Hanover, New Hampshire, his ashes were scattered the next afternoon on Blood Mountain in New Hampshire, one of his favorite hunting grounds. Everyone in attendance threw a nickel on the grass for a great fighter pilot and friend.
Many thanks to Russ' first wife, Jane, who provided many of the details for the above biography along with numerous photos.
In late 2007, Russ provided the following biography in preparation for the 50th reunion of Aviation Cadet Class 58-08C.
'Russ Bartlett's Long Journey from Texas to New Hampshire'
If any of you were sober enough to remember, Walt and I went to Waco for Radar Intercept Training. We both did quite well and again ended up together at Hamilton Field.
I flew the F-89J (that's the one with the atomic weapon) for awhile, then transitioned to the F-101 which was somewhat of a step up (it could get off the ground before an F-89 could release the brakes). By this time, I had my eyes on either going to pilot training or joining the National Guard as an RIO (I'd had offers of almost full time employment and educational opportunities from several states). I volunteered for a tour in Iceland with the idea that I would either be accepted for pilot training when I returned or I could separate and follow the NG route.
Fortunately, I guess, I was selected for pilot training and with a new wife went to pilot training at Moody. Again, I did very well, but my class was the first pilot training class that received direct assignments (no more choosing off the blackboard). All the RIOs were given back seat assignments to the F-4 at MacDill. It was a kick in the butt at the time, but the AF was so short on pilots that my class upgraded to the front seat within a year.
Then it was off to Southeast Asia. I spent about six months in-country, and then was asked to take over a flight commander's job at Ubon in the 555th Tactical Fighter Squadron. From there it was to Homestead, which was supposed to be an operational assignment, but was changed to a training wing shortly after I signed in. I wasn't happy about being in a training wing, but because I had about as much F-4 time as anyone in the AF, I was made chief of Stan-Eval as a relatively young captain.
Then, I was selected to attend Command and Staff. (all staff; no command). Again, I was tempted to leave active duty, but with a wife, son and daughter and a regular commission, I decided that would not be a good decision. In August 1969, after Montgomery, I went to McConnell to fly the F-105, and then to Tahkli in the 355th Tactical Fighter Squadron. The Thuds left Thailand about six months into my tour, and I was reassigned again to the 8th TFW at Ubon. The place was a mess, and I just wanted to have my own flight, but I was "forced" into becoming the wing Weapons and Tactics Officer. I like to think that I played a big role in bringing the wing back to its former position as one of the best in Southeast Asia.
Well, Personnel caught up with me and I went kicking and screaming to TAC Hdqs. It was more fun than I imagined it would be because I ended up as Gen. Gabriel's special assistant for Operations, Logistics and Personnel matters – a good education. From there it was the War College, then in September 1976 to George AFB, Victorville, California for command of the 563 TFTS, the old 66 FWS, which was training all the F-105G Wild Weasel crews. We brought the F-4G on-line which was very satisfying work. Then, I was promoted to 0-6 and became ADO of the F-4 training squadrons in the wing.
Having been promised the next DO job to open up in 12th AF, I was very disappointed to be assigned as the Group and Air Base Commander at Tyndall (my air defense background had finally caught up with me).
I went from Tyndall back to Langley as the Director of Assignments, which was going to be my last assignment. However, I was offered the opportunity to become Vice Commander of the 49th at Holloman, and I selfishly couldn't pass up the opportunity to fly the F-15.
After retirement, I ran a computer manufacturing company in El Paso, then moved to Washington for my wife's new opportunities. Finally, I moved back to NH to do the logistics planning for the move of a 400 patient hospital.
