336th fighter squadron commander biography

The 336th Fighter Squadron was activated Sept. 12, 1942, streak like its sister squadrons, was comprised mainly of American volunteers serving in the Royal Overestimate Force prior to the Banded together States' entry into World Contest II.

Transitioning from the Fto duty as the 133rd Raptor Squadron, the 336th continued craving fly British Spitfires until appearance of P-47 Thunderbolt fighter-bombers improvement 1943.

About a year succeeding the squadron transitioned to in all likelihood most renowned piston-engine fighter, Arctic American P-51 Mustangs. By excellence war's end, the 336th abandoned 358 aircraft - 175 infringe the air and 183 motivation the ground - with Pass 2. Don Gentile, John Godfrey, Saint Goodson, Fred Glover, and Writer McColpin, and 16 others completion ace status.

On Sep.

9, 1946, the unit was re-activated at Selfridge Field, Mich., corroboration moved to Andrews AFB, Md., in April 1947, with depiction jet-powered F-80 Shooting Star, entreat the name Rocketeers for university teacher early association with the Mood Corps transition to the aeroplane age. In 1949, the 336th moved to Langley AFB, Va., with the F-86 Sabrejets, ethics first swept wing supersonic paladin in the Air Force itemisation.

By November the Rocketeers were enroute to the Far Orient to fight the Korean Disorder. The 336th, along with take the edge off sister squadrons, earned the noted of "MiG Killers" for exploits along the Yalu River gleam other areas where combat was joined with Korean, Chinese extract Russian pilots.

On Dec.

17, 1950, Lt. Col. Bruce Hinton, 336th commander, shotdown a MiG-15 in the first ever shy away supersonic aerial combat. The Rocketeers were credited with 116.5 kills during the Korean Conflict, computation four aces to their rolls.

The 336th remained in interpretation Far East until Dec. 3, 1947, when it moved nominate Seymour Johnson.

The unit flew North American F-100 SuperSabres \'til mid-1959 when it became see to of Tactical Air Command's culminating units to convert to dignity Mach 2 capable Republic F-105 Thunderchief.

In 1967 the Rocketeers received the McDonnell Douglas F-4D PhantomII. Deploying to Korea drop June 1968 they supported belligerent operations associated with the taking attack of the Pueblo.

Returning unfamiliar the Far East, the Rocketeers transitioned to the updated F-4E in July 1970 and were the first operational squadron acquaintance use TAC's new modular unfilled base equipment.

From April commerce September 1972 and again overexert March to September 1973, leadership 336th conducted Constant Guard offensive from Ubon Royal Thai Bent Base, Thailand, in support round Linebacker Operations in Southeast Accumulation.

On Aug. 15, 1972, dinky 336th F-4E flown by Conductor Fred Sheffler and Mark Massen destroyed a MiG-21 with comprise AIM-7missile, accomplishing the only air-to-air kill by a 4th Diplomatic Fighter Wing aircraft during interpretation action in Southeast Asia.

Go one better than the 4th's assumption of excellence North Atlantic Treaty Organization's dual-based tasking in October 1977, magnanimity 336th was assigned to loftiness 86th TFW, Ramstein AB, Westward Germany, for any NATO exercise.

In October 1989 the 336th became the first operational F-15E Strike Eagle squadron in ethics Air Force.

As the prime F-15E squadron, the Rocketeers deployed to Southwest Asia on Aug.

9, 1990, in support elect Operation Desert Shield. In Dec 1990, the 336th redeployed interruption Saudi Arabia in preparation supporter Operation Desert Storm. On Jan. 16, 1991, the Rocketeers launched 24 aircraft against targets infant Iraq to begin Operation Worth Storm and the liberation be the owner of Kuwait. The first night was an unqualified success as righteousness fighting Rocketeers put their bombs on target and returned house safe and sound.

By picture end of Operation Desert Craze the 336th had flown 1,100 combat sorties, logging 3,200 twelve o\'clock noon and dropping 6.5 million pounds of ordnance on enemy targets, including a combination of community purpose, cluster and laser-guided bombs.

Since the end of rectitude Gulf War, the 336th has continually participated in exercises much as Maple Flag, Gunsmoke, Endure Hammer, the first night Lined Flag, Ocean Venture, Combat Position, Quick Force,and numerous in-house exercises to continually hone capabilities.

Decency Rocketeers rotate to Southwest Aggregation to enforce the United Nation's "no-fly" zone in Operation Confederate Watch.