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  MSgt. Louis " Bubba" Cardenas (Ret.)

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USAF-PACAF-80-FS
 Name MSgt. Louis Cardenas (Ret.)
Country
Unit 80th Fighter Squadron "Juvats"
Crewing F-16s from 1979 until 1999
Contact louie99 Send me a private message
Website
I started out at Hill AFB, Utah 388th TFW 16th TFTS Golden Tomahawks 9/79--12/81. First active duty training squadron, MOT&E everywhere. A lot of General dynamic's personnel assisting. 78-0009 was my first aircraft. LTC Cloud was my first pilot. Volunteered to go to Kunsan AB, ROK. Had 80-0534 enjoyed being part of the WOLF PACK 8th TFW 80th TFS 12/81--12/82. By volunteering for the ROK, got MacDill AFB as my third assignment. 56th TTW, 62th TFTS 12/82--6/87. 80-0493 kept it clean and got alot of code "1" out of it. Wanted overseas again got Misawa AB, 432th TFW 14th TFS 6/87--6/92 got 85-1566 with @25 hours on it. Had a great time on this jet, a lot of engine work!!! Due to its good stats (my work Ha Ha) got to go to Cope Thunder/Combat Sage alot and Cobra Gold 88, final TDY was to Singapore Commando Sling92. Went on to Holloman AFB from there to the F-117A. 6/92--9/96. Final F-16 assignment was Osan AB, 51FW 36th FS 9/96--9/97, as A Section Flightchief. Did not like the desk job!!! launched my last F-16 @ july/97. Returned to Holloman until 4/99. retired from the USAF 20years. currently at Dallas/Fort Worth airport "DFW". Avionics Dept for American Airlines. Retired from American Airlines 22 October 2015. After 36 years in aircraft maintenance. Will miss the team work and joy of putting JETS in the AIR.

My Jets & Assignments

USAF F-16A block 1 #78-0009 of the 184th TFG is evidently alone on a huge tarmac. It crashed in collission with another viper on January 24th, 1991 killing the pilot. [Photo by Mike Kopack]
 		78009 [Detailed history of this F-16]
Unit N/A
Period 1979 - 1981
Current: 78009   USAF 127 TFTS F-16A Block 1 [ w/o]
It was great to start at Hill AFB because the f-16 was brand new and we all learned from General.Dynamics personnel. my first jet 78-009. also worked on 78-119 a Belgian jet for a few months.
Three ship formation of IDFAF F-16A block 10's #702, #777 and #714 from the "Phoenix Squadron". [Photo by Antony Hershko]
 		80534 [Detailed history of this F-16]
Unit 80th Fighter Squadron "Juvats" [Unit History]
Period 1981 - 1982
Current: 777   F-16A Block 10 [ sto]
An air-to-air left side view of two F-16A block 10's #80-0493 & #80-0505 both from the 19th TFS en route to Fort Irwin for a live fire exercise during Exercise Air Warrior on March 16th, 1984. [USAF photo by SSgt Bob Simons]
 		80493 [Detailed history of this F-16]
Unit 62nd Fighter Squadron "Spikes" [Unit History]
Period 1983 - 1987
Current:   F-16A Block 10 [ scr]
USAF F-16C block 30 #85-1566 of the 174th FS will be towed to a hangar ones the ladder is removed. [Photo by Mike Kopack]
 		85566 [Detailed history of this F-16]
Unit 14th Fighter Squadron "Samurais" [Unit History]
Period 1987 - 1992
Current: QF-100   USAF 82 ATRS QF-16C Block 30 [ act]
became an expeditor
NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- An F-117 Nighthawk flies over the Nevada desert. The unique design of the single-seat F-117 provides exceptional combat capabilities. The fighter can employ a variety of weapons and is equipped with sophisticated navigation and attack systems integrated into a digital avionics suite that increases mission effectiveness and reduces pilot workload. Detailed planning for missions into highly defended target areas is accomplished by an automated mission planning system developed, specifically, to take advantage of the unique capabilities of the Nighthawk. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Aaron D. Allmon II)
 F-117 Nighthawk
Unit 49th FW 416th FS which became 8th FS Blacksheep
Period 1992 - 1996
became a pro super
USAF-PACAF-36-FS
 Unit 36th Fighter Squadron "Flying Fiends" [History]
Period 1996 - 1997
A Flt Flightchief for the 51 FW/ 36 FS 9/96--9/97
NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- An F-117 Nighthawk flies over the Nevada desert. The unique design of the single-seat F-117 provides exceptional combat capabilities. The fighter can employ a variety of weapons and is equipped with sophisticated navigation and attack systems integrated into a digital avionics suite that increases mission effectiveness and reduces pilot workload. Detailed planning for missions into highly defended target areas is accomplished by an automated mission planning system developed, specifically, to take advantage of the unique capabilities of the Nighthawk. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Aaron D. Allmon II)
 F-117 Nighthawk
Unit
Period 1997 - 1999
returned to being a pro super retired@ 20 years
Visitor Comments
Hey Louis..
Msgt Corey Wade, Jan 06, 2012 - 05:41 PM

Hi Louis, I remember you from the 14th, I was there '90-'93. I'm still crewin 16s in the Guard. Had a good time at Misawa, good base to be stationed and enjoyed the tdys from there.

F- 16 Gurus
G String Hill AFB, Jan 11, 2014 - 05:37 AM

I can not believe how fast times have gone by. I heard your with the Airlines, retire AF got my knees replaced moving on, will be sixty 1 year crazy.







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