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  MSgt. Mike Whitney (Ret.)

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 Name MSgt. Mike Whitney (Ret.)
Country
Unit 522nd Fighter Squadron "Fireballs"
Crewing F-16s from 1988 until 1992
Contact mtw Send me a private message
Website
I joined the AF in 1983 as a cocky engine mechanic. My first assignment was at Mcchord AFB in the engine backshop on TF-33P7A's. I did this for one year and then I moved to the Flightline on C-141B's. I PCS'd to Guam and worked the phase dock on B-52G's (#2 Pod) and then finished up my 27 month tour on the flightline working B-52's, KC-135A,a nd KC-135R's. I PCS'd to Hill and found out I was Rivetized as a Crew Chief on F-16's. I was no longer an engine troop. I was an assist. Crew Chief from April 1988 to Jan 1991. I still mostly did engine work but I occasionally crewed as well. In Jan 1991 I assumed crew chief duties on 88-506. The one and only aircraft that ever had my name on the canopy. I was the crew chief of the 2-time CANN jet during Desert Storm but 88-506 still managed to fly 26 combat missions. I then did a three year stint as an instructor from 92-95. I was then one of the lucky few who moved to Cannon AFB as part of the initial F-16 Cadre team from 95-97. I was an expeditor for two years (this was my best assignment). I then went to Osan AB Korea from 97-98 and Eielson AFB from 98-2004 until I retired.

Deployments

Desert Shield 1990
Desert Storm 1991
Operation Northern Watch 2000.

My Jets & Assignments

 		88506 [Detailed history of this F-16]
Unit 4th Fighter Squadron "Fightin' Fuujins" [Unit History]
Period 1991 - 1992
Current: 88506   USAF 8 FS F-16C Block 40 [ act]
Unit 522nd Fighter Squadron "Fireballs" [History]
Period -
Unit 36th Fighter Squadron "Flying Fiends" [History]
Period -
Unit 18th Aggressor Squadron "Blue Foxes" [History]
Period -
Other aircraft/assignments 62 MAW 1983-1985 (Engine Mechanic)

43 BW 1985-1988 (Engine Mechanic)

4 TFS 1988-1991 (Crew Chief)

388 LSS 1992-1995 (Engine Instructor)

522 FS 1995-1997 (Expeditor)

36 FS 1997-1998 (Phase Section Chief)

18 FS 1998-2001 (Safety Guy, APG Section Chief, and Pro Super)

353 CTS (Cope Thunder) 2001-2004 (First Sgt, Chief of Logistics)
Visitor Comments
Do you remember?
Brenda Decker(Birrenbach), Feb 16, 2010 - 11:40 PM

Mike,

I think you and I might have worked in the 4th together at Hill afb... I was there from 1988-1990 when I finally got to join my old man in Kadena but had to drop my favorite air frame.... I was a brunette short hair and a Crew Chief in Dave's flight. Worked with John Simas, Wayne Helms, Scott Velky to name a few... I'm just curious cause your name sounds REALLY familiar. If you recognize the name give jingle! Love to catch up with old CC's!!

Thanks,

SSgt. Brenda Decker (Birrenbach)

I do remember
Mike, Mar 26, 2010 - 09:14 PM

Brenda, I do remember you. Where are you at these days?

How you doin Mike!!
Lt Col Tom Focareto, May 17, 2010 - 09:42 PM

Mike,

I was TDY in Tucson a few weeks back and checked out the Boneyard at Davis Monthan to see if my jet from Hill was there. Sure enough, 82-0907 was there. The boneyard folks took a ton of pics and I should get them this week. I'm gong to give the AF 2 more years, then I'll hang up the cleats. Tell Jen and the kids I said hello. Betsy, Holly and Connor are doing great.

take care buddy,

tom







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