The 3rd Decade: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By 1960 the 50th Tactical Fighter Wing was back home, and for the next six years the wing concentrated on training and being the best in the United States Air Forces in Europe. The 50th TFW Maintenance & Materiel Sections received an award for superb maintenance and inspection practices on a J57-21 engine that attained 1,011 operating hours at peak performance. This was an Air Force wide record for length of service on an installed aircraft engine. Operating Location #1 Area of the 50th TFW was completed and occupied on February 13,1960, it was the first in USAFE to be built specifically to house the Victor Alert capability. Also, during 1960, an asphalt overlay of 4.7 inches was added to the existing runway at Hahn. In 1961, Hahn command organizations were directed by 17th Air Force to implement the Dual - Deputy type of organizational structure prior to May 1962. That system was initiated by USAFE to standardize its tactical units, by relieving the Base Wing Commander of many of its administrative details and insuring that the Deputy Commander for Operations and the Deputy Commander for Material were given more control over their specific functions. Sixteen aircraft participated in live fire demonstrations of 500 pound bombs, napalm, and rockets. between February 2-8, 1961, during Exercise Winter Sheld II. The exercise tested flying units' capabilities to provide close air support to Army units. Other similar exercises included Pacemaker, Autumn Shield and Brandywine. Later in the year, members of the 417th Fighter Interceptor Squadron took first place at the 17th Air Force Lodeo competition, scoring 1,746 points out of 2,000 in September 1961. On April 9,1962, the Tactical Air Command rotational squadron, the 476th Tactical Fighter Squadron, arrived at Hahn and returned to George AFB, California, its home base, on August 8, 1962. In what would become a common occurrence throughout the Sixties, the 50th hosted flying squadron exchanges with other NATO units, beginning with the 435th Tactical Fighter Squadron from Moron AB, Spain, as part of a massive military buildup iin West Germany triggered by the Cuban Missile Crisis, which began in October 22, 1962. Although the crisis officially ended November 26, 1962, the 435th TFS did not return to Moron until December 11, 1962. In 1963, the 50th TFW weapons loading team garnered first place for the third year in a row at the 17th Air Force Loadeo competition, which began August 25. In September, a new twist arrived at Hahn in the form of three "Huskies," not dogs, but rescue helicopters. With their arrival, another first went to the 50th TFW. It became the first unit in Europe to have a fully operational Atlantic Air Rescue Unit assigned. Forging forward, the 50th TFW underwent an organizational change, along with the rest of USAFE on July 1, 1964. The primary focus of this change was on reorganization with the Consolidated Air Maintenance Squadron and establishing a wing headquarters squadron to support the wing staff. Between 1965 and 1966 Hahn witnessed the phaseout of the local detachment of the 38th Tactical Missile Wing. The Wing started preparations for conversion from F-100 to F-4D aircraft. As a result of the aircraft conversion, Hahn and the 50th TFW found its three tactical squadrons relieved of their Victor Alert commitments for the first time since 1959. On October 8, 1966, the wing's three assigned tactical squadrons began receiving McDonnel Douglas F-4 "Phantom II" fighters. At this point in time, the wing had the 10th and 81st Tactical Fighter Squadrons assigned and located at Hahn, the 417th TFS assigned but located at Ramstein AB, and the 496th Fighter Interceptor Squadron not assigned, but located at Hahn. On January 1, 1967, Detachment 31, 7232nd Munitions Maintenance Squadron was assigned to the 50th Tactical Fighter Wing. Continuing to maintain its "first" image, the wing was the first USAFE unit to exercise radiation fallout procedures during an exercise in December 1967. On July 15, 1968, the wing's 417th TFS was transferred to Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, and subsequently reassigned from the 50th TFW. The squadron was returned to the United States as part of Project Crested Cap, which provided for the redeployment of specified US Air Force units from stateside bases on a semi permanent basis. The 417th TFS made such a deployment to Hahn in January 1969, proving the dual base concept and marking the second time a 50th unit deployed en masse from the U.S. Note: Since 1969, Hahn Air Base hosted Project Crested Cap Exercises in 1970, 1971, and 1973 thru 1976 (a total of seven times). Then, on November 25, 1968, the 496th FIS was assigned to the 50th TFW from the 86th Air Division, located at Ramstein AB. In 1970, the 496th exchanged its F-102s for F-4E Phantoms and was redesignated a tactical fighter squadron. During the period July through December 1969, the 8lst Tactical Fighter Squadron began training for its newly assigned mission as the first "Wild Weasel" unit in USAFE. The 81st later deployed to Zweibrücken AB, Germany, on a permanent basis in June 1971. |
|
|
|
THE 496th |
|
|
|
1949 - 1991 |
|
|
|
The 496th TFS was activated on June 1, 1949 at Mitchel AFB, NY, part of the reserve forces, and assigned to the 86th Fighter Group. Transferred without personnel or equipment to McGuire AFB, NJ, on 10 October 1949 and began remanning. During the Korea Conflict, it was ordered to active service on June 1, 1951, and ordered to bring its personnel into the regular Air Force, but it was inactivated on the following day. On March 20, 1953, it was activated again as a fighter interceptor squadron at Hamilton AFB, CA., part of the west coast air defense forces. The squadron was partially equipped at first with six F-51s, but it soon transitioned to F-86D aircraft and prepared to move to Europe. The squadron moved by military water transport in two segments, arriving at Landstuhl AB, Germany on July 4, 1954, where it was reassigned to air defense organizations within the United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE). In 1955, the 496th won the Hughes Trophy as the best fighter interceptor squadron in the entire United States Air Force. It stood alert and deployed regularly to Wheelus AFB, Libya, for rocketry practice. Later added other European bases as weapons training deployments. Reassigned to the 86th Fighter Interceptor Group in January 1956, it moved to Hahn AB, Germany in November of that year. On March 8, 1958 the 86th Fighter Interceptor Group was inactivated, leaving the 496th assigned directly to the 86th Fighter Interceptor Wing, Ramstein. The 496th lost its last F-86D in August 1959 and began receiving the new F-102A aircraft in December 1959. On November 1, 1968, the 496th was reassigned to the 50th TFW, with air defense remaining the squadron´s primary mission. On January 1, 1970, it was redesignated a tactical fighter squadron, but retained an air defense mission. Transitioned from F-102s to the F-4E aircraft in February 1970. On October 1, 1977 the squadron´s primary mission changed to a strike / attack role with air defense as a secondary mission. Transitioned to F-16 A/B aircraft by mid 1982 and to the F-16 C/D aircraft in Feb- May 1986. With the end of the Cold War, the 496th squadron was inactivated on September 30, 1991 at Hahn Air Base, West Germany. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
In September 1963, Detachment 5 of the Atlantic Air Rescue Center moved to Hahn with 3 H-43B helicopters to conduct rescue operations within a 75 mile radus of the base. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
On March 10, 1966, Maj. Bernard A. Fisher, piloting an A-1E Skyraider, was providing close air support to an Army special forces camp at A Shau Valley near the Loasian border. The camp was under attack by 2,000 North Vietnamese Army regulators. The North Vietnamese had surrounded the camp and were continuously raking with automatic weapons fire from the surrounding hills. The tops of the 1,500-foot hills were obscured by an 800 foot ceiling, limiting aircraft maneuverability and forcing pilots to operate within range of hostile gun positions, which often were able to fire down on the attacking aircraft. During the battle, Fisher observed a fellow airman crash land on the battle-torn airstrip. In the belief that the downed pilot was seriously injured and in imminent danger of capture, Fisher announced his intention to land on the airstrip to effect a rescue. Although aware of the extreme danger and likely failure of such an attempt, he elected to continue. Directing his own air cover, he landed his aircraft and taxied almost the full length of the runway, which was littered with battle debris and parts of an exploded aircraft. As the downed pilot raced toward his aircraft, Fisher throttled back the engines to reduce the propeller backwash. The injured pilot fell head first into the Skyraider's cockpit as Fisher jammed the throttle to the stops. While effecting successful rescue of the downed pilot, heavy ground fire was observed, with 19 bullets striking his aircraft. In the face of the withering ground fire, he held the plane down until the last possible moment and gained enough speed to lift-off at the overrun of the airstrip. Fisher's profound concern for his fellow airman, and at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty are in the highest traditions of the U.S. Air Force and reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of this country. Fisher, who retired from the Air Force as a colonel, was presented the Medal of Honor by President Lyndon B. Johnson, March 19, 1967. |
|
|
|
|
CHRISTMASES |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TSgt Bill Turner was an excellent Crew Chief (Airplane-general mechanic), who had spent many years crewing an SR-71 at Beale AFB before coming to Hahn, where his superior talents on the F-4 landed him in the Wing's Maintenance Quality Control Shop. But Bill had an even larger heart - and a talent for using it very effectively. Bill held a little Christmas Party for the folks in QC - there would be lots to eat and drink (especially the fine, "adult" beverages) - but he demanded that the whole family come! Kids, teens, even infants were not only welcomed, but expressly requested! There were two conditions: you had to bring a small present for each child you brought with you, and you had to tell Bill about the gift each kid desired most for Christmas that year. (In most cases, these had already been purchased - Bill had to know that, too). It was all very mysterious. On the evening of the party, the guests ranged in age from a few months old to the mid-40s, and every age was represented. It worked well; the kids automatically clumped together in same-age ranges, and the adults could take it easy. About 2100 hours, Bill requested quiet from everyone; he had heard some strange sounds on the roof, and wanted to know if anyone else heard the noises. In the quiet, it wasn't long before some of the kids had identified the "sounds": it must be reindeer! Bill went off to investigate... Then it happened - Santa Claus tapped on the window and climbed in! Inviting some small kids to give their names, he pulled out a large, calligraphic scroll from his pack... "Nancy ? Oh yes - here's your name..." (And it was there on the scroll, along with some notations and check marks...) - "You want a Cabbage Patch Baby, don't you? Hmm... I think so, but you'll have to stop being mean to your little brother, Ben." (Little Nancy, in pure shock that Santa really DOES know she's been a bit naughty, pleads her case...oh no - she'll NEVER do that again)! Then it's little Ben's turn...then Kirsten, then Michael...and through every child at the party. Each was in awe of THE REAL SANTA CLAUS! This wasn't a department-store "helper"; this was REALLY HIM!!! - he knew all about them. The next day at school, twenty kids told a wonderful story to their friends, happily relating their once in a lifetime encounter. Thanks Bill, wherever you are - and may all your Christmases be as Merry as the one you gave us! It's a long drive from Stuttgart's Robinson Barracks Housing area to Bitburg - and our family had been visiting their "US Army" cousins for the two days before Christmas. Gifts were exchanged, and my sister-in-law gave us the word: we may be staying over the holiday, since snow was expected in the German state of Rheinland-Pfalz, Bitburg's home. Driving the back roads could well be treacherous... The Paris-bound Autobahn ends at Ramstein - Landstuhl; from there to Bitburg is 50+ miles of two-lane country roads winding through the picturesque Mosel/Saar River valleys to Germany's Eiffel region. We left the morning of December 24th, and made good time on the North-bound Autobahn. Turning West, the skies thickened; by Kaiserslautern, the fluffy white stuff had slowed traffic considerably. When we left the Autobahn for B-50, it was dark overcast, snowing, and only 30 minutes or so to official sundown. I turned on the Plymouth's radio, since I was now in range of RTL - Radio Luxembourg, the clear favorite of GIs in the area. They were already into one of those long pre-taped programs of nothing but Christmas Carols. I looked around in the car - the wife and kids were fast asleep - lulled by the gathering darkness, the slowed motions of the car in the lightly-packed snow, and soft music. That part of Germany hasn't changed much in hundreds of years; predominantly Catholic, every little village church had its bell ringing, calling the parishioners to the early-evening Christmas Mass. As the snow drifted slowly down, we wound almost silently through one village after another, each one a perfect picture from a Christmas card: the bright, simple stained glass of the town chapel contrasting with the snow and the live, illuminated Christmas tree out front. I woke them all when the thrilling sound of Nat King Cole came on the radio - singing "Oh Tannenbaum". We sat in total silence the rest of the trip, awed by the beauty of a very special White Christmas in Germany. It was like being transported into a real-life Christmas Card. Santa has appointments to keep, even early in December - and it wasn't looking like he'd be keeping this one. (There was an Arctic storm over Norway that day, and Rudolph had the flu. Rather than disappoint all the kids who had gathered to greet him in the small hangar used as an aircraft wash rack - we sent an all-weather F-4E to the North Pole to pick him up...) Since most of the kids were from families in the aircraft maintenance squadrons, it was no big deal when the F-4 taxiied right up to the hangar and shut down the engines in front of them - but a very big deal when someone noticed who was in the back seat! I'm sure we made a great impression on the old gent; he was sure to remember the route to Hahn Air Base when Christmas Eve rolled around. Besides - the comm squadron was operating a MARS station down at the BX on weekends, with a direct short-wave radio connection to Santa's home for any kid who wanted to contact him directly. I guess the poor civilian kids just have a harder time competing with the MILBRATS; sometimes, the best a civilian kid can do is a fire engine for transport, and maybe a slow letter to the North Pole... |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|