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My profile
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Name |
SMSgt. Thomas Wharton (Ret.)
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| Country |
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| Unit |
USAF - Air Demonstration Squadron
"Thunderbirds"
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| Crewing F-16s |
from 1981
until 1991
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| Contact Meathook
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Send me a private message
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| Website
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F-16.net interview with SMSgt. Thomas Wharton |
Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York in a Catholic Home for Boys (Saint Vincents). I was "drafted" into the US Army (1969) but never served a day there because I joined the USAF instead (the best thing I ever did). Was trained as a "Crew Chief" starting out with an assignment to the Phillippine Islands (F4's), Vietnam (F4's and UH1B Helicopters - Door Gunner), RAF Lakenheath (UK), Edwards AFB flying F4 Phantoms - Tow Target Operator, RAF Bentwaters (UK - A-10's), Nellis AFB (F4's and F-16s, Hahn Air Base (Germany F-16's), Luke AFB - 12th AF F-16 Demo Team, Nellis AFB - USAF Thunderbirds (F-16's) and Blue Angels (F-18's) Tour included, RAF Lakenheath - F-111 and F-15C / D and E) (UK).
Also had my time with several different types of maintenance related jobs. Worked in AGE for six months, was a member of the BPO Team at RAF lakenheath back in 1975 for six months. Some Command and Control positions, Maintenance Operations, Board Controller and Senior Controller. Work in Quality Assurance as Superintendent twice (two different locations - USAF Thunderbirds 1990 and 48th FW - RAF Lakenheath 1995).
I flew in so many aircraft types over the twenty six years that I sometimes find it hard to believe it was really me but loved them all. See my F-16.net interview for more details...
Worked as a Civilian Pilot and Salesman for Cessna (type aircraft 172's, 340's and 414's). Worked as a Program Manager for Northrop Grumman IT, USAF Landing Gear (heavyweight) Overhaul and support issues then selected as Program Manager to regenerated numerous (78 total) F-16s for the countries of Thailand, Italy and Jordan. Worked as a Depot Mechanic and Quality Assurance Inspector (F16's, A-10's and C-130's) for a few years (Hill AFB) then became a USAF Foreign Disclosure Officer (Civil Service type). Seems I must be around "fighters" to live my life right or fill useful.
Current or Favourite assignment
The global exposure and travel, very hard but rewarding work.
Deployments
Sorry far too many to remember without me drinking to get my mind going again...countless travels but I did like my tour in Chile (1988)...very nice country I thought.
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My Jets & Assignments
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Unit |
429th Tactical Fighter Squadron
"Black Falcons"
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[History] |
| Period |
1980 - 1982 |
| Nellis AFB. Las Vegas, Nevada - F-4s and F-16s |
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Unit |
10th Tactical Fighter Squadron
"Fighting Tenth"
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[History] |
| Period |
1982 - 1985 |
| "Blue Zoo" F-16s then Senior Controller for Maintenance Operations |
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Unit |
310th Fighter Squadron
"Tophats"
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[History] |
| Period |
1985 - 1988 |
| "B" Flight Chief F-16s, then NCOIC of the 12th AF F-16 Demo Team (314th AMU). Traveled all over the USA. Canada and South America. |
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Unit |
USAF - Air Demonstration Squadron
"Thunderbirds"
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[History] |
| Period |
1988 - 1991 |
| Pro - Super (made USAF History, it was the first time ever that the team never left an aircraft behind at any show site), NCOIC of Quality Assurance and then Line Chief - F-16s |
| Other aircraft/assignments |
1969 to 1971, Clark Air Base, Philippines - 1st Test Squadron, 405th Fighter Wing (F-4's)
1971 to 1972, Danang Air Base, Vietnam - 366th Fighter Wing (523rd FS Deployed) (F-4's and UH1B's - Door Gunner)
1972 to 1975 - RAF Lakenheath, United Kingdom, Suffolk, England, 492nd Fighter Squadron (F-4's)
1975 to 1977 - Edwards Air Force Base, California, In-flight Tow Target Operator / Program / Test Pilot School (F-4 - Flying Status)
1977 to 1980 - RAF Bentwaters, United Kingdom, Suffolk, England, F4's (78th FS) and A-10 (91st FS) Aircraft) and then Job Control, Board Controller.
1980 to 1991 - F-16 years see above
1991 to 1996 - RAF Lakenheath, United Kingdom, Suffolk, England 492nd Fighter Squadron - F-111F's - Pro - Super, then assigned to build the soon to be formed 492nd Fighter Squadron first European F-15E Strike Eagle Squadron, then assigned to build the soon to be newly formed F-15C/D 493rd Fighter Squadron and NATO ACMI Theater in the UK.
Also selected as the Maintenance Superintendent of the 493rd FS (once the squadron was completed and operational) then later tasked to lead (Maintenance Superintendent) the 492nd FS deployed to Operation Deny Flight (NATO UN Resolution in Bosnia operations).
Over twenty six years I incurred countless TDY's to over sixty countries globally....loved it all, go Air Force. Five of the six members of my family have all been in or are in the USAF now, oldest son (Sgt) was a Medic (he is out now and manages a hospital in S.C., my oldest daughter was a Finance Captain (she is out now with a new baby).
My wife was a "weapons loader" in the Gulf war, she is out now and is a F-22 Program Manager at Hill AFB. Youngest son (SSgt selectee) is in CE, on his second tour to Iraq. My Son in law (Ex Security policeman) now a Finance Officer is a (Major selectee) on his first tour to Iraq...we are an Air Force family for sure.
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Visitor Comments
work with you at luke
farm77,
Nov 14, 2007 - 10:39 PM
tom,my name is ron fryhover and i crewed at the 314th when you were running the demo team...been to your home drinking beer and you showed me that video of the gambit win......brent ambuel was my best friend......trying to find him,do you have a clue where to contact him??
F-4Es
Jake Jacobssen,
Feb 12, 2008 - 04:33 PM
Tom, Curious about your comment about leaving a plane behind at a show site. We left one of our F-4Es behind in South America in 1973. It caught up with us days later after the 2-3 guys left behind changed a leaking #7 fuel bladder. jake F-4E Crew Chief 66-0289 (#6), 1973.
I was your navigator on the road
dale sullivan,
Aug 17, 2008 - 07:39 PM
Hey Tom, How's everything going these days. Remember me, I was your navi when we were on the Thunderbirds together (88-91). Drop me a line... Dale engines/acc tb#6
vinnies
Ed Cuthbert,
Jun 20, 2011 - 04:55 PM
Hey Tom I was in Vinnies with you in Bayside and Corona Damn dude you REALLY made good Congrats on your career
vinnies
Meathook,
Nov 22, 2011 - 12:34 AM
Ed Cuthbert - dude, my god, contact me, damn it has been over forty years. My email is below tom@whartonfamily.net
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