Forum: F-16 News

Sad day. I was in Kuwait for Desert Fox.

Thursday, July 15, 2010 - 7:14am

A local fighter squadron with an extremely rich and far-reaching history
will inactivate this week due to the Combat Air Forces restructuring plan
(CAF Redux). In a move to fund a smaller and more capable force, as well as
redistribute people for higher priority missions, the CAF Redux
restructuring plan will accelerate the retirement of 250 aircraft, which
includes 112 F-15 Eagles, 134 F-16 Fighting Falcons and three A-10
Thunderbolts IIs. On July 16, the 34th Fighter Squadron "Rams," assigned to
the 388th Fighter Wing, will inactivate in keeping with this global plan.
Throughout military history, numerical information has always played a large
role in the culture and the measurement of success pertaining to a variety
of events. This being the case, the 34th FS has quite the collection of
numbers to boast of its successful and long life in serving this country.
Activating for the first time on Oct. 15, 1944, at Seymour Johnson Field,
N.C., the 34th began a life that would span the next 65 years. This
beginning would ultimately include 3 activations, 3 redesignations, 6
aircraft, 10 stations, 11 Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards, 1 Meritorious
Unit Award, 1 Presidential Unit Citation, 22 Campaign Streamers, 56
commanders, and its participation in 3 wars.

The 34th began as the 34th Fighter Squadron, Single Engine, flying the P-47
Thunderbolt in combat operations over the Western Pacific from May 1945 to
August 1946. In this short amount of time, the unit served from five
different stations and was able to obtain five combat streamers that
included Air Offensive Japan, Eastern Mandates, Western Pacific, Ryukyus and
the China Offensive.
After World War II, the 34th inactivated on Oct. 15, 1946, but it was not
gone for long. On Nov. 11, 1954, the 34th activated and was then known as
the 34th Fighter-Day Squadron, assigned to the 413th Fighter-Day Wing at
George Air Force Base, Calif. In California, the 34th flew the F-86 Sabre
Jet and transitioned into the F-100 Super Sabre before its inactivation on
March 15, 1959. During this period on July 1, 1958, the 34th was
redesignated as the 34th Tactical Fighter Squadron (TFS). This was a
relatively quiet period for the squadron, but Vietnam was right around the
corner and the 34th would prove its worth in that war many times over.

Downing a MiG north of Hanoi
In May 1966, the 34th TFS activated under Pacific Air Forces and was
attached to the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing (TFW) at Korat RTAFB, Thailand.
At the beginning of its participation in Vietnam, the 34th utilized the
F-105 Thunderchief and did so in great fashion. Right off the bat, Maj.
Kenneth T. Blank, 34th TFS, became the first pilot to shoot down a MiG-17
north of Hanoi. This was the second aerial victory by an F-105 in the
Vietnam War up to this point. The 34th aerial contributions to the war took
off after that MiG kill as the Rams began their strategic bombing campaign
to weaken the enemy. On March 10, 1967, they struck the crucial Thai Ngyen
Iron and Steel Complex for the first time with a four-flight strike force.
By March 28, 1967, the 34th TFS had already logged in 10,000 combat hours
after a variety of strikes on multiple targets in the Dong Hoi area, North
Vietnam.

The 34th TFS combat involvement from March 10, 1967, through May 1, 1967,
made such an impact on the war, that the unit received the distinguished
Presidential Unit Citation for its actions in Southeast Asia during this
time. This award was only the beginning of the many honors the squadron
would receive for its efforts in the war because it would continue to
contribute much more.
With the F-105, the 34th TFS was able to inflict monumental damage on the
enemy in Vietnam, but on May 11, 1969, this unit began using the F-4E
Phantom II with the same, if not more effectiveness as the Thunderchief. The
first major operation the Rams participated in with their new aircraft was
Operation Prize Bull on Sept. 21, 1971. Prize Bull was a massive attack on
POL Storage Facilities Southwest of Bat Lake, North Vietnam. This was the
first time U.S. Forces bombed North Vietnam using all-weather capability.
Seventh Air Force stated that the 388th TFW bombing efforts were far more
accurate than other units that participated.

From September to October 1972, aerial combat really heated up for the Rams
in Southeast Asia as "the skies over North Vietnam were filled with hot
flying lead." During this period, the pilots of the 34th were able to carry
out an amazing seven Mi-G kills; all were done in the F-4Es. For the
remainder of the Vietnam War, the Rams continued to contribute selflessly by
participating in Operation Frequent Wind, and their strike missions in
support of a recovery operation for the U.S.S. Mayaguez, a merchant
freighter captured by Cambodian Khmer Rouge guerrillas in May 1975.
The contributions that the Rams made in Vietnam were exemplary by any means,
and this was evident in the honors they acquired during this period in
history. Not only did the 34th walk away with a Presidential Unit Citation,
but it also received 15 campaign streamers, 8 of its 11 Air Force
Outstanding Unit Awards, and the Republic Of Vietnam Gallantry with Palm.
After the Vietnam War, the Rams were quickly relocated on Dec. 8, 1975, to
the Air Force base they now call home, Hill.

Arriving at Hill AFB
Shortly after its arrival on Hill, it was announced that the 34th TFS would
have the privilege of being the first fighter squadron to receive the
upcoming F-16 Fighting Falcon to take the place of its F-4s. On Sept. 27,
1979, the Rams received the first combat F-16 from General Dynamics. From
that point on, the 34th, through selflessness and skill, helped create the
legacy, which this aircraft has achieved.
The 80s were a relatively quiet time for the 34th during this part of the
Cold War era, but the Rams still conducted valuable initial qualification
training for F-16 pilots from around the world, including those from
Belgium, Denmark, Netherlands, Israel and Norway. With Iraq's invasion of
Kuwait in August 1990, things picked right back up again for the Rams.

In December 1991, the Rams became the first 388th FW squadron to deploy in
support of Operation Southern Watch. The purpose of this operation was to
enforce the no-fly zone in Iraq after the Gulf War. Over the next few years,
the 34th would deploy five times for this operation. During the Rams 1996
Southern Watch deployment, all 34th personnel were in the Khobar Towers
Compound, except the swing shift, when a terrorist's bomb went off. Some
34th personnel were wounded, but all members amazingly survived. During the
Rams last Southern Watch deployment, they flew combat missions during
Operation Desert Fox in a move to strike Iraqi targets which contributed to
its ability to produce and deliver weapons of mass destruction. The 34th's
actions in Southwest Asia earned them two campaign streamers, Defense of
Saudi Arabia and Liberation/Defense of Kuwait, but there was still plenty
for the Rams to do in the coming years.
In June 2000, the 34th became the first active duty squadron to deploy to
Curacao N.A., in support of Coronet Nighthawk. For this operation,
participating units flew drug interdiction missions in Latin America in an
effort to intercept, shadow and identify suspected narco-traffickers'
aircraft. Into the next year and after the Sept. 11 attacks on the World
Trade Center towers, the 34th FS would begin a more active and aggressive
role in military deployments and exercises around the globe.

Since Sept. 11, the Rams have played a crucial role in Operation Noble Eagle
(ONE), Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF).
The 34th's participation in ONE has provided homeland defense flights across
our nation over the past eight years. The most significant being their
contribution to the defense of the 2002 Winter Olympics. The Rams also have
two OIF deployments and one OEF deployment tucked under their belts in
support of the most pressing issue facing our military today, the Global War
on Terrorism. Even with this busy combat schedule since the attacks, the
Rams have plugged in more than 20 exercises around the globe to better
prepare for the war in Iraq and Afghanistan.
This article is a brief glimpse concerning the extraordinary contributions
that the 34th has done for the country and the world as a whole when it
comes to defending liberty for all members of the human race. The Rams have
played a pivotal role in the Air Force's history.

Commander gives his views
Lt. Col. David Lyons will be the last commander of the Rams after their
inactivation this week. It is only fitting to end this story of their
history with some of his remarks. When asked what is has meant to him being
a Ram and the 34th FS Commander upon their inactivation, he stated:
"The Rams have a tremendous history of service to our nation and will
continue this proud tradition ... Serving as the 34th Fighter Squadron
commander has been the highlight of my career, and regardless of anything
else I do, leading these men and women to war will remain my most
significant accomplishment.
"I am immensely proud of what the Rams have accomplished, both at home and
abroad. The entire team worked together to ensure mission success, and the
'can do' attitude is what I will remember most about my Airmen. The Rams
represent the best America has to offer, and we will continue to defend our
nation long into the future."

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Where are the jets going?

South Dakota mostly.

I hope the 421st keeps the good ones Smile

Goodbye Goats. One of the many who will not miss you, too bad your crappy jets aren't going with you... I loathe the fact that you will probably get the first F-35s... BAAAAAH!

A disgruntled Black Widow above me... Question

TC wrote:

A disgruntled Black Widow above me... Question

Yup!

Ticks need to be stepped on Very Happy

Bring on the F-35s so the RUDE RAMs can once again lead the way!

Farewell to the Rams. It's a sad day when we lose another fighter squadron. I wasn't a Ram at Hill but it's sad to lose them. I think we'll regret it soon. From a previous Black Widow to a Ram, Schwarma!

I was one of the Rams at Korat in 1972 and was lucky enough to get a MiG Kill. But there were many more who did the same and they are some of the greatest fighter pilots I have, or will, every know. Its going to be hard to know a great squadron with a strong history and superb combat record is being put on the shelf. I sincerely hope that if we are ever faced with another tough one that she is called back into ative service.

Snake

VprWzl wrote:

Farewell to the Rams. It's a sad day when we lose another fighter squadron. I wasn't a Ram at Hill but it's sad to lose them. I think we'll regret it soon. From a previous Black Widow to a Ram, Schwarma!

I second that VprWzl...from another former Black Widow. Tailwinds Rude Dudes.

Great to hear from a Mig killer Ram. Some memorabilia from the Vietnam era was in the bar back at Hill. I've read about the Rams having at least one kill and will have to go back and get the details. I got to meet Robin Olds when he was on base in the 421st briefing room, glass of Jack Daniels in hand of course. The reverence showed by the 388th O-6s in the front row was amazing to see but totally deserved. I remember only this one comment "don't merge with those Migs."

One of the posts said something I'd forgotten about but loved putting on the last slide at a Red Flag mass brief--SCHWARMA !!!

Between Spt 2, 72 and Oct 15, 72 the rams got 5 ( 3 Mig 19's and 2 21's) out of the 8 for the 388th between those dates.

Snake

Salute to the Snortin' Goats!!!!

If you look at my interview, you'll notice that the jet I landed with the leading edge flap failure was a 34th jet. So I have a bond there, as does the Snake. The boss attached me to the 34th the next year, but i still flew with the 16th now and then.

The 34th was first "RTU" Viper squadron, and the 16th TFTS was purely training and had the foreign nationals plus the brown bars troops right outta UPT/FLIT. The 4th was the first pure ops sqd and went thru the IOC readiness inspection all by themselves. The Nellis wing was the first wing to go thru a multi-squadron ORI . Horner was the CO, and I went down as an observer. It was during that trip that we lost Jay Moats, first USAF fatality.

34th was also the outfit that had the first good documentation of g-loc - the video you have seen on several 'educational" channels about the phenomena. Funny, but the IP was the same dude that was flight lead when I had the LEF problem. Hmmmmm....

So that fall ( 1979), the 34th was mainly a training outfit, but had a Checkered Flag slot if war broke out. Also got to fly in Red Flag. It was maybe '82 when the 34th became a pure "operational" outfit and the 421st picked up the RTU mission. It was a funny move by TAC, as we all became Black Widows, and all the 421st folks became Snortin' Goats. Strange.

Sure hope the squadron is resurrected for the F-35.
++++++++++++

Hell, Snake, I thot you bagged that Mig for the Black Widows. For the masses...... day after I landed my Sluf at Korat there was a dude beating up the field in his double-ugly. I asked what was the deal and was told a crew had just got a Mig kill. Turned out to be the Snake hisself!! So we have some connections besides the A-37.

34th CO always picked me for the samlar races we had on holidays because I was a small, skinny runt. Heh heh.

We watched them leave in the fall of 1975, then I had the pleasure to lead the last flight of Slufs outta the whole damned war in December.

Gums sends....

Anyone out there go on the TDY to Norway in '85? Fun TDY and the Fun Bunch who got jacked up by the Police on the island of Filan. Colonel Bubba Jenny led the fun or atleast he was there. He sent a group of jets to Oslo to pick up a load of Beef Steaks for our party. He was the Best Officer I ever knew. The crew Dogs beat the crap outa the pilots in Jungle ball in our little town of BedRock.

Forum: F-16 News

Rude Rams Deactivating