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  SSgt. Jim Blanchard

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 Name SSgt. Jim Blanchard
Country
Unit 311th Fighter Squadron "Sidewinders"
Crewing F-16s from 1988 until 1997
Contact sclawofficer Send me a private message
Website
1986 enlisted USAF
Reese AFB, Texas T-38
Cut my teeth on the T-38, great airplane to learn on for new crew chiefs. Was in Hotel Flight, but probably launched and recovered every tail no. in blue section at one time or another. Big tornadoes in West Texas

Grand Forks AFB, North Dakota F-15A/B 78-0017
Crewed the 'bus' for the DET 'C' of the 1FW. We were actually an ADC unit but did little of it, spent most of the time flying proficiency flight with tanker and bomber crews from the Bomb Wing. Had some T-38's there doing the same thing. Unit disbanded and I was off to Luke.

Luke AFB, Arizona F-15,F-16 77-0105, 78-0096(F-16)
This was my favorite assignment, had a blast here. Started out in the 555TFTS 'Triple Nickel", but was moved over to the F-16 side about a year later, first to the 311 TFTS, then to the 314 TFTS. Crewed 78-0096 in the 311. Was the leakiest jet I have ever seen, and I don't think it ever flew 'code 1'. Acft was restricted to ceneterline and stations 2 and 8 only because of this, great group of guys that I had the pleasure of working with in the 311, would like to know where some are now.

Kunsan AB, ROK F-16D 86-0046
Was the only 'bus' for the 8 FW while I was there. This is by far the best F-16 I ever crewed. It was a 'code 1' machine. Rite before I left it became 7th AF flagship. Glad I missed that, But they got a good one.

Moody AFB, Georgia F-16 89-0036
This sucked. Was only there for about four weeks when I got orders to Shaw. Flight Chief and Squadron CO tried everything to orders recinded but failed, only remember launching and recovering about four maybe five times before I outprocessed. Seems like one of those jets was 036. really can't remember. Anyway got 30 day vacation for free and some move time. USAF really screwed the pooch on this one, I mean Moody is no resort but about eight weeks in state, c'mon.

Shaw AFB, South Carolina F-16DG/CJ 90-0781, 91-0395
Started out in the 19FS crewing one of about 15 'D's. Good airplane though, remember allot of night flying in the CG/DG models. Somewhere in there transitioned from 363 FW to 20 FW and block 50's. 19FS became the 78FS and I got my first brand spanking new airplane right from the factory, 91-0395, she was a good one and I crewed her until I left the USAF in 1997

Current or Favourite assignment

311 TFTS, Those were some of the best guys to be around and work with. Had some great times working on the viper with them and at Luke

Deployments

Red Flag, Green Flag, Maple Flag, OSW, ONW, and ones I long ago forgot.

My Jets & Assignments

 		78096 [Detailed history of this F-16]
Unit 311th Fighter Squadron "Sidewinders" [Unit History]
Period -
Current: 78096   F-16B Block 1 [ i/a]
leakiest airplane I have ever been around, was severly flight restricted because of it. Cut my teeth on the F-16 with the 311
86046 [Detailed history of this F-16]
Unit 80th Fighter Squadron "Juvats" [Unit History]
Period -
Current: 86046   USAF 195 FS F-16D Block 30 [ act]
Best F-16 I ever crewed, wish they were al like this
89036 [Detailed history of this F-16]
Unit 70th Fighter Squadron "White Knights" [Unit History]
Period -
Current: 89036   USAF 510 FS F-16C Block 40 [ w/o]
Seems like I remember this tail for some reason, but maybe wrong. In any account wasn't really here long enough to know. crap
90781 [Detailed history of this F-16]
Unit 19th Fighter Squadron "Gamecocks" [Unit History]
Period -
Current: 90781   USAF 314 FS F-16D Block 42 [ act]
Just one of many 'Buses' in the 19th, but I rmember she was pretty good. Damn lantrin and targeting pods were a pain in the ass though
91395 [Detailed history of this F-16]
Unit 78th Fighter Squadron "Bushmasters" [Unit History]
Period -
Current: 91395   USAF 55 FS F-16C Block 50 [ act]
Damn, they do exist, my first brand spanking new jet straight from the factory. She was good one, but the edge still went to 86-0046(D). Crewed her until I seperated in Jan 97
Visitor Comments
law enforcement
Bartman77, Feb 12, 2008 - 08:00 AM

Hey Jim

did you stay with the law enforcement thing

when i retired i joined the p/d here in Clovis NM thought i would do the fire fighting business when i retired but the police dept came up instead been a cop here since 2000. i know you were a reserve state police or something when you were at shaw. still remember the times we'd go shooting under the rail road bridges near wedgefield

Hey Bartman
Jim Blanchard, Feb 13, 2008 - 01:30 AM

Hey Buddy,

Good to hear from you. How are things out in New Mexico these days. I can't believe how long it's been since those old days.

Yea, did the SCHP thing for awhile, but when I finished school in 2001, I got recruited by the US Gov and having been working for them ever since. Still in SC though and wish I could get out of here, would like to go to Florida, Tampa maybe. Not complaining though. Looking at transferring from this field office to maybe somewhere else,even talked about Arizona again. Wife has the issues with elderly parents in WV(by God), but we'll see. Hope life finds you well and take care

Jim







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