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  • The Thunderbuzzards

    From 1971-1972, the 469th TFS and 34th TFS at Korat RTAFB escorted end of tour aircraft with the humorous 5-man team called the "Thunderbuzzards." Mimicking the famous Air Force Thunderbirds, they had special suits and rode motorscooters in various formations as they led returning aircraft to the

  • 20th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron Honor Roll

    Maj. Roger McLain, a pilot in the 20th TRS at Udorn, Thailand, had this honor roll made in 1967 to recognize the squadron's pilots who had completed their tours. He presented the honor roll to the squadron when he completed his 100 missions. After the war, McLain added the names of those who were

  • 34th Tactical Fighter Squadron Honor Roll and 100 Mission Scarf

    The 34th TFS flew F-105 bombing missions over North Vietnam during OPERATION ROLLING THUNDER. This name board was started in 1968 by Capt. William Thomas of the 34th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 388th Tactical Fighter Wing as a tribute to the pilots in the unit. The unit also put the pilots' names on

  • 100 Mission Traditions

    In addition to a special patch and elaborate celebrations, there were other aspects of the 100 mission tradition. Some aircrews grew large "bullet-proof" mustaches to "protect" themselves and shaved them off after completing their tours. Nearly all had a "boonie hat" (also known as a "go-to-hell" or

  • Lt. Col. Jerald Ransom: First 100 North Vietnam A-1 Missions

    In November 1966, Lt. Col. Jerald Ransom became the first A-1E Skyraider pilot to complete 100 missions over North Vietnam. Ransom was a veteran of World War II, flying 35 missions over Europe as a B-17 navigator. In 1966, as commander of the 602nd Fighter Squadron (Commando), Ransom flew 366 hours

  • B-66 Flight Engineers

    Few enlisted personnel had the opportunity to fly over North Vietnam during ROLLING THUNDER, but a small group of enlisted flight engineers completed 100-mission tours over North Vietnam in B-66 electronic warfare aircraft in 1966. Later, enlisted flight engineers were taken off B-66 crews.Click

  • Maj. James Harding: 101 North Vietnam O-1 FAC Missions

    Maj. James Harding had the remarkable and unique achievement of flying 101 missions over North Vietnam in the O-1, a light, single-engine forward air control aircraft. Harding flew a total of 596 combat missions in Southeast Asia, and he was awarded the Air Force Cross while flying an A-1 Skyraider

  • ROLLING THUNDER Missions over the North

    In addition to the F-105 "Thud," a variety of Air Force aircraft flew over the North during ROLLING THUNDER. F-4 Phantoms provided air cover against enemy MiG fighters and occasionally conducted bombing missions too. RF-101s and RF-4s took reconnaissance photographs of the North. B-66s conducted

  • 1st Lt. Karl Richter: Consecutive 100-mission tours

    First Lt. Karl Richter's story is one of remarkable courage and perseverance. An Air Force Academy graduate, Richter flew F-105Ds in the 421st TFS, 388th TFW, Korat RTAFB. He flew aggressively and volunteered for the most hazardous missions. In September 1966, he shot down a MiG-17. As he neared the

  • 1st Lt. David Williams: F-105 Wild Weasel EWO

    Lt. David Williams flew 100 missions as a Wild Weasel electronic warfare officer (EWO) between June and December 1967. During an October 1967 mission near Hanoi, Williams showed extraordinary courage by guiding his pilot in an attack on a SAM site while his aircraft was hit and burning. With his