DOCSLIB.ORG

Leslie Denend 1963

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Leslie Denend 1963 Col. (Ret.) Leslie G. Denend Class of 1963 32 · usafa.org 2019 DISTINGUISHED GRADUATE COL. (RET.) LESLIE DENEND 1963 ad it not been for the miracle of ing the ones who are already H modern medicine, Col. (Ret.) in that group, I felt real hu- Leslie Denend ’63 might have mility.” missed out on many opportunities he’s en- joyed giving back to his community and Unexpected alma mater. Journey In 2008, after his heart began to fail, Born and raised in the San Denend received a transplant at Stanford Francisco area, Denend was in- Hospital that has served him well for more terested in aviation since he was a than a decade. youngster. He built model airplanes “I’d have to go back to my early 40s to and often talked about various air- remember when I’ve had this much energy,” craft with his father. he admits. “I’ve been able to do anything During the 1958 college football I’ve wanted to do. I’ve been very lucky in the bowl season, Denend was watching the sense that this heart seems happy where it is.” Air Force Academy’s first post-season game Sitting in the living room of his Napa Val- on television when an informational film ley home, Denend points to pictures of his about the institution was broadcast. His fa- of the military and airplanes wasn’t a totally grandchildren on the wall and smiles. ther asked if Denend ever considered going foreign idea.” “Just think what has happened in the past to the school. Of all the service academies, decade. My grandchildren have gone from this he told his father, USAFA was the most in- Day One high,” he motions with his hand a couple feet teresting because of its focus on aviation. When he arrived at the Denver airport in the above the floor, “to now they are all in college.” “The next day, my father called our congress- summer of 1959, Denend was anxious to In addition, Denend’s 50th Academy man and asked what needed to happen to ap- get started on his new adventure. He eagerly class reunion occurred since the transplant, ply,” Denend recalls. “The congressman said it hopped on the first bus to Colorado Springs. and that’s when he made a commitment to was very late but to send a letter. So, I did, and “By the end of the day, I had been told become involved with the USAFA Endow- the rest is history.” that they were putting a mark by my name ment and financially support projects to When he accepted his congressional ap- because I wouldn’t be here in six weeks,” benefit the institution and cadets. pointment, Denend admits he had no idea Denend smiles. “I was scared to death. Things “All of these things have been possible be- what he was getting into. had come easy for me, and I had been success- cause of my transplant,” he notes. “My father worked for the telephone ful in most of the things I had done.” Denend also has lived to enjoy the an- company for 46 years,” he says. “But grow- Through perseverance and help from nouncement that he is one of five alumni to ing up in California and San Francisco dur- his roommate Leonard “Lucky” Ekman be honored as 2019 Distinguished Graduate ing World War II, my earliest memory is ’63 — who had attended Georgia Military Award recipients. watching the fire engines race down to the Academy — Denend finished the summer “I was totally taken by surprise,” he shore in San Francisco as I peeked from be- “somewhere in the middle of the pack in says of the honor. “When I found out hind the blackout screens. There wasn’t a terms of avoiding the grief from upper- who the other honorees were, and know- military tradition in my family, but the idea classmen.” Checkpoints · March 2020 · 33 Checkpoints · September 2015 · 33 "I really feel strongly about States, and that’s the president that I what goes on at the Air worked for.” Force Academy. Our service Denend served as an executive assistant to the assistant to the president for interna- academies are really a tional economics. “As an executive assistant, you see every- repository for the values thing,” he says. “You’re not really key on that make our society work any particular issue, but you end up with a wonderful understanding about what the … that make us who we are." issues are and how things come across the president’s desk.” During his year overseas, Denend re- Career Twists searched the recovery of Germany’s economy In 1975, Denend returned to his alma ma- in the years following World War II. He also ter to teach core economics courses and was involved in the study of game theory. econometrics. He also checked out in the Pilot Duty Denend returned to the states and entered pilot training at Williams Air Force Base in Arizona. “I won the academic award, I won the military award, and I won the flying award,” he reports. “I was asked if I would be interested in staying as a T-38 instructor at Williams, as opposed to taking a fighter. My family thought that was a wonderful idea, and so I did.” T-37 and flew with cadets. “Lucky made me a better cadet than I A year later, Denend also became an “One day I’m out over southern Colora- might have been on my own,” he admits. academic instructor, teaching the applied do with a cadet and a radio call says return Once the academic year began and intra- aerodynamics course and other classes. to base and land immediately,” he remem- mural competition started, Denend says he be- Denend then volunteered for duty in bers. “In all my flying experience, I’ve never came more comfortable with his role as a cadet. Vietnam and soon headed overseas. Fol- been told to return to base and land imme- By his second-class year, Denend had dis- lowing check out in the RF-4C Phantom diately … there was a phone call from the tinguished himself academically and was en- II, he completed 196 combat missions in White House.” couraged to get involved in the new gradu- Southeast Asia flying out of Udorn Royal He soon found out that fellow USAFA ate program. He would eventually apply for Thai Air Force Base. graduate Randy Jayne ’66 had recommend- a Fulbright Scholarship and was accepted. “I really enjoyed that time,” Denend ed him for a position on the National Se- “President [John] Kennedy came and recalls. “You suddenly realize that you’re curity Council (NSC) staff with President spoke at our graduation, and I soon fig- doing what you spent all this time learn- Jimmy Carter’s administration. Denend ured out that I was going to get to shake the ing. By then, I had quite a bit of time as a became the special assistant to National Se- president’s hand,” he recalls. “I’m standing in pilot, so I was more confident in mission curity Advisor Zbigniew Brzezinski. line and I’m ninth and I didn’t know exactly accomplishment.” “It was kind of the high point in my life,” what I was going to say.” he says. “You’re very privileged to work at The president asked Denend what his Continuing Education that level.” plans were after graduation. The new second In preparation for a faculty assignment During his time with the NSC, Denend lieutenant said he was headed to Germany. at USAFA, Denend earned a master’s in worked on three key policy issues — nucle- “It took him a little bit by surprise, business administration and a Ph.D. in ar proliferation, conventional arms trans- and he came back and very quickly said ‘I economics at Stanford University. fers and global human rights. think that’s wonderful. Air Force officers As he completed his degrees, Denend “I ended up spending a lot of time on should be educated broadly for the kind was selected as a White House Fellow. refugees,” he says. “At the time, boat people of responsibilities you’re going to have,’” “As we drove across the country from were escaping from Vietnam and ending Denend remembers. California … President [Richard] Nixon up all along the Thai Peninsula. We were “Yes, sir, and thank you,” Denend re- resigned,” Denend recalls. “So, Gerald trying to figure out what to do.” calls responding. Ford became president of the United In 1981, Denend became the Air Force 34 · usafa.org COL. (RET.) LESLIE DENEND 1963 member of the Colonel’s Staff Group — the leader of almost any organization I ever Lessons Learned serving under Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair- joined,” he smiles. “Maybe I’m competitive Denend attributes much of the success he’s man General David Jones — working on to an extreme, but that’s been a character- enjoyed to his time at the Academy. the budget and intelligence matters. istic. If it’s out there and it’s challenging … The Cadet Honor Code helped him es- He then returned to the White House for then I wanted to do it.” tablish a professional code of ethics that a third tour to serve on President Ronald With every new career challenge, Denend stayed with him his entire life, Denend says. Reagan’s economic policy staff. says his ultimate goal has always been to help “Character is more than just the idea of the business or organization he was working not lying or cheating or stealing,” he ex- Transition Time for strive for excellence.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Air & Space Power Journal, Summer 2017, Volume 31, No. 2
    SUMMER 2017 Volume 31, No. 2 AFRP 10-1 Features Improving Resource Management in the Afghan Air Force ❙ 4 Lt Col Jonathan D. Ritschel, USAF Ms. Tamiko L. Ritschel The Coming Close Air Support Fly-Off ❙ 17 Lessons from AIMVAL–ACEVAL Lt Col Steven Fino, PhD, USAF Break the Paradigm ❙ 39 Prepare Airpower for Enemies’ “Most Likely Course of Action” H. Mark Clawson Critical Thinking Skills in USAF Developmental Education ❙ 52 Col Adam J. Stone, USAF Departments 68 ❙ Views Toward a US Air Force Arctic Strategy ❙ 68 Col John L. Conway III, USAF, Retired The Last Prop Fighter ❙ 82 Sandys, Hobos, Fireflies, Zorros, and Spads Maj Gen Randy Jayne, USAF, Retired Data You Can Trust ❙ 91 Blockchain Technology Col Vincent Alcazar, USAF, Retired Defeating Small Civilian Unmanned Aerial Systems to Maintain Air Superiority ❙ 102 Lt Col Thomas S. Palmer, USAF Dr. John P. Geis II, Colonel, USAF, Retired 78 ❙ Commentary Social Media and the DOD ❙ 119 Benefits, Risks, and Mitigation Lt Col Dieter A. Waldvogel, USAF, PhD Editorial Advisors Dale L. Hayden, Director, Air Force Research Institute Lt Gen Bradley C. Hosmer, USAF, Retired Prof. Thomas B. Grassey, US Naval Academy Lt Col Dave Mets, PhD, USAF, Retired, School of Advanced Air and Space Studies (professor emeritus) Reviewers Dr. Christian F. Anrig Col John Jogerst, USAF, Retired Swiss Air Force Navarre, Florida Dr. Bruce Bechtol Col Wray Johnson, USAF, Retired Angelo State University School of Advanced Warfighting Marine Corps University Dr. Kendall K. Brown NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Mr. Charles Tustin Kamps USAF Air Command and Staff College Col Steven E.
    [Show full text]
  • 7/5/77 [1] Folder Citation: Collection
    7/5/77 [1] Folder Citation: Collection: Office of Staff Secretary; Series: Presidential Files; Folder: 7/5/77 [1]; Container 29 To See Complete Finding Aid: http://www.jimmycarterlibrary.gov/library/findingaids/Staff%20Secretary.pdf THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON July 1, 1977 MEMORANDUM TO THE PRESIDENT FROM: ACHSAH NESMITH SUBJECT: Presidential Medal of Freedom You made me very proud when you chose Dr. King for your first Medal of Freedom. Your choices this time return this award to its proper place as the highest civilian award this nation gives. When I wrote a memo suggesting Dr. King I was told he had died too long ago, but I'm glad in this case you decided not to let past oversights keep you from doing some­ thing that sould have been done long ago. Not long before Ralph McGill died he told me that he wished I had succeeded in persuading them in 1966 to go with you, that would have been the right thing to do. I don't thing he ever said that to many people because he was bound in that election by old loyalties and he was not a man to turn his back on people in hindsight. But it meant a lot that he said it to me, because he meant a lot to me. He was one of the recipients of this award who gave it honor in the past, I think, and I believe he would have been proud that a Georgia-born President gave it to a fellow-Georgian in this case. I was proud to have been able to write the draft citation.
    [Show full text]
  • Annual Information Form for FY11
    2011 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM (Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2011) CORPORATE OFFICE 8585 Chemin Côte-de-Liesse Saint-Laurent, Québec June 16, 2011 Canada H4T 1G6 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. CORPORATE STRUCTURE OF CAE ..................................................................................4 1.1 Name, Address and Incorporation ..................................................................................4 1.2 Inter-corporate Relationships..........................................................................................5 2. OVERVIEW OF CAE AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF ITS BUSINESS ...........................5 2.1 Overview.........................................................................................................................5 2.2 Geographic and Segment Revenues and Locations ........................................................7 2.3 CAE’s vision...................................................................................................................9 2.4 Our strategy and value proposition ...............................................................................10 2.5 Industry Overview and Trends......................................................................................16 2.6 Research and Development...........................................................................................17 2.7 Production and Services................................................................................................20 2.8 Specialized Skills and Knowledge................................................................................22
    [Show full text]
  • Endowment-2016-Annual-Report.Pdf
    2016 ANNUAL REPORT IMPACT Contents 5 Joint Letter from the Chairman of the Board and the President and CEO 6 Advancing the Long Blue Line 10 Developing Leaders of Character and Courage 12 Falcon Stadium Renovation 14 Graduate Support 17 Year in Review 20 Academic Support 22 Financial Summary 24 Board of Directors 3 Thousands of graduates, family and friends share a commitment to the Air Force Academy and its mission to shape and train officers of character whose lives reflect the Core Values of Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence in All We Do. Through generous, private philanthropy, Academy supporters like you have stood behind our cadets, increasing the margin of excellence that helps them become successful Air Force officers, joining the ranks of the Long Blue Line. 4 5 6 LETTER from the Board Chair & CEO The Air Force Academy is a unique proving ground for young men and women who aspire to serve as officers in the United States Air Force. It’s a first tier academic institution that challenges cadets to excel and prepares them to apply the knowledge they acquire in the modern profession of arms. The Academy is a cherished alma mater for thousands of graduates who endured to follow the Long Blue Line. The USAFA Endowment is proud to serve The Academy must always be as a conduit of support for many projects and programs that enhance the margin of ready to sharpen its academic focus excellence that keeps the Academy on top and change direction quickly to as a military training ground.
    [Show full text]
  • Early Warning Newsletter July 2019
    Early Warning July 2019 Taylor Fravel Named Director of the MIT Security Studies Program After 13 years as SSP Director, Barry Posen will be stepping down and Taylor Fravel, Arthur and Ruth Sloan Professor of Political Science, will be taking over the role. Fravel studies international relations, with a focus on international security, China, and East Asia. Posen will continue his research and teaching responsibilities at MIT, and he will continue leading the Grand Strategy, Security, and Statecraft Fellows Program. SSP Senior Congressional and Executive Branch Staff Seminar This year, the Security Studies Program hosted its 20th annual Senior Congressional and Executive Branch Staff Seminar from April 17-19, 2019. “Regions and Rivals: American Strategy in a Time of Uncertainty” marked this year’s theme, focusing on the current political and geographical unrest across the various hot spots across the globe. Outside experts, along with MIT faculty examined the nuclear and geographical threats affecting US interests. The seminar brought 25 staffers, representing the U.S. House and Senate, along with analysts from the Congressional Research Service, the Department of State, and the Department of Defense to MIT’s campus to take part in the intensive three-day seminar. Keynote speakers included Kathleen Hicks, Senior Vice President, Henry A. Kissinger Chair, Director, International Security Program, Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), and Karl Eikenberry, Director, U.S.-Asia Security Initiative, Stanford University. The group also visited Lincoln Lab for a tour and briefings on various initiatives. A more extensive report will be included in the upcoming SSP annual report which is expected to be published in early fall.
    [Show full text]
  • Johnny Doo, NASA Working Group #4 [email protected] [email protected] 260 494 0891
    Rex Alexander CC: Johnny Doo, NASA Working group #4 [email protected] [email protected] 260 494 0891 Again, I must say, I am jealous of what you have done, and will do, over the next 20 years. BUT… to help YOUR career, I offer the following for your consideration and benefit: 1) Regarding anything and everything VTOL… the highest, top-level issue is the bottom line COST of: development, acquisition, MAINTENANCE, guaranteed operation, piloting, insurance to cover failures, and PUBLIC OPINION. 2) The KEY point of this new tech, in this world run by President Trump (especially in his re-election… no matter what YOUR political orientation is) is: The key point is that anything (EVERYTHING) we must do has to be to generate massive, game changing, blue-collar/unionized-labor population employment increases (defining the world overpopulation), building stuff for EXPORT, going to places where “Global Warming” climate change will happen, but where they will not have the funds, or talents, to deal with all the problems it will certainly bring… E-VTOL is NOT for Billionaire executives in San Jose to move their bodies faster in their aero-taxicabs, jumping over all those who must drive to work… THAT is the worst form of “first mission” application of radical new tech and will guarantee the doom of the URBAN Mobility focus of all this stuff… THERE IS NO MARKET for the dreams of a few billionaires, who are funding this stuff to cover the first $100 billion needed to make that URBAN taxi stuff mentality (UAM) work… RATHER, there will be a trillion dollar/year market for the EXPORT of lots of CHEAP VTOL “vehicles” (not “commercial aircraft” for human mobility) to deal with: wildfires, hurricanes, tornados, earthquakes, tsunamis, jungles, floods, swamps, droughts, desert-sand- dune movements, mountain (land slide) avalanches, riots, famine, mass starvations, pandemics, massive unmanaged migrations of the poorest-of-the-poor, most of whom think dying in any war gets them to heaven faster.
    [Show full text]
  • 2015 Annual Donor Report
    2015 ANNUAL REPORT EXCELLENCE IN ALL WE DO 1 CONTENTS 04 A Letter from the Board Chair 05 A Message from the Superintendent 06 The Margin of Excellence 08 Honoring a Giant 12 Taking the Lead 16 New Board Directors Q&A 20 Year-In-Review 24 Sabre Society/USAFA Fund 25 Financial Summary 27 Board of Directors 2 “Excellence in all we do.” The third of the Air Force Core Values. It sets the bar for all of us. For country. For comrade. It bonds us in the endless pursuit of honor and greatness. This, is the Long Blue Line. 3 RANDY JAYNE ‘66 A LETTER FROM THE BOARD CHAIR Dear Academy Friends, the relationship between the programs that they deliver for our cadets on the one hand, and the As I begin my term as Board Chair of the USAFA remarkable generosity of our alumni and friends Endowment, I am deeply honored to have been that fund so many of those efforts on the other. As asked to serve in this role. The Academy has been the Endowment remains steadfast in its mission to a major force in my life, and I sincerely look forward provide transformative support to the Academy, we to giving back in a new capacity. I would like to do so knowing we would never be able to achieve express my heartfelt thanks to your Endowment’s this mission without the continued involvement, input, previous leadership, particularly Chairman Paul ideas, and commitment of our generous donors. Madera ‘78 and former President and CEO Steve Lorenz ‘73.
    [Show full text]
  • Fall 2017 Flyer
    Daedalus DFC Finally Awarded page 6 History repeats itself? page 39 Fall 2017 flyer Sandys, Hobos, Fireflies, Zorros and Spads page 11 CONTENTS Fall 2017, Vol. LVIII No.2 Departments Features 04 06 Commander’s Perspective Long Due Tribute Rendered 05 10 From the Desk of the Meet the Board of Trustees Members... Executive Director 11 16 Sandys, Hobos, Fireflies, Zorros and Book Reviews Spads 19-23 17 The Indestructible Warrior Awards 29-36 28 Flightline B-52 IFE During Vietnam War 36 37 That Last Night Carrier Landing Reunions 40 38-39 New/Rejoining Daedalians From the Daedalian HQ Archives 41 Eagle Wing 42 In Memoriam 43 Flight Contacts THE ORDER OF DAEDALIANS was organized on 26 March 1934 by a representative group of American World War I pilots to perpetuate the spirit of pa- triotism, the love of country, and the high ideals of sacrifice which place service to nation above personal safety or position. The Order is dedicated to: insuring that America will always be preeminent in air and space—the encouragement of flight safety—fostering an esprit de corps in the military air forces—promoting the adoption of military service as a career—and aiding deserving young individuals in specialized higher education through the establishment of scholarships. THE DAEDALIAN FOUNDATION was incorporated in 1959 as a non-profit organization to carry on activities in furtherance of the ideals and purposes of the Order. The Foundation publishes the Daedalus Flyer and sponsors the Daedalian Scholarship Program. The Foundation is a GuideStar Exchange member. The Scholarship Program recognizes scholars who indicate a desire to become military pilots and pursue a career in the military.
    [Show full text]
  • Smithsonian Institution (SI) Meeting Minutes, National Air and Space Museum Board, 2006-2016
    Description of document: Smithsonian Institution (SI) Meeting minutes, National Air and Space Museum Board, 2006-2016 Requested date: 14-April-2016 Release date: 06-April-2021 Posted date: 23-August-2021 Source of document: Records Request Assistant General Counsel Smithsonian Institution Office of General Counsel MRC 012 P.O. Box 37012 Washington, DC 20013-7012 Fax: 202-357-4310 Preferred during COVID-19 pandemic: [email protected] The governmentattic.org web site (“the site”) is a First Amendment free speech web site and is noncommercial and free to the public. The site and materials made available on the site, such as this file, are for reference only. The governmentattic.org web site and its principals have made every effort to make this information as complete and as accurate as possible, however, there may be mistakes and omissions, both typographical and in content. The governmentattic.org web site and its principals shall have neither liability nor responsibility to any person or entity with respect to any loss or damage caused, or alleged to have been caused, directly or indirectly, by the information provided on the governmentattic.org web site or in this file. The public records published on the site were obtained from government agencies using proper legal channels. Each document is identified as to the source. Any concerns about the contents of the site should be directed to the agency originating the document in question. GovernmentAttic.org is not responsible for the contents of documents published on the website. Q Smithsonian Institution Office of General Counsel VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL April 6, 2021 RE: Your Request for Smithsonian Records (request number 46094) This responds to your request dated April 14, 2016, and received in this Office on April 20, 2016, for a copy of the meeting minutes of the National Air and Space Museum Board covering the time period January 1, 2006 to the present.
    [Show full text]
  • The Point Was … That's the Way You're Supposed To
    "The point was … that’s the way you’re supposed to prepare — early, thoroughly, full ... I attribute a lot of the good things that happened to me in life was because I listened to that guidance." 28 · usafa.org 2018 DG Distinguished Graduate Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Edward “Randy” Jayne II Class of 1966 oth during his career and as an ac- fully,” Jayne recalls. “I attribute a lot of the complished sharpshooter, Maj. Gen. good things that happened to me in life was (Ret.) Edward “Randy” Jayne II nev- because I listened to that guidance.” Ber has had much difficulty hitting the target. Even as a cadet, Jayne would be in bed at As a high school scholar-athlete from a decent hour when roommates would be up Kirksville, Missouri, his target was to land until the wee hours of the morning studying. an appointment to the United States Air While serving at the White House, Jayne Force Academy. would almost always head home by 6 p.m. As an Air Force pilot, Jayne had his “Unless the president of the United States sights set on fighter aircraft and heart- said, ‘No, we need to talk,’” he clarifies. pounding missions. Many of his colleagues, however, would As an Air Force officer and a civil servant, stay at the office until midnight. he hit the bull’s-eye with leadership opportu- “They thought they were working harder nities that influenced public policy decisions than other people,” Jayne chuckles. “My at the highest levels of government. mother would tell you that’s most probably And later, as an executive in the aerospace not the case.” and defense industry, Jayne was fully engaged in helping guide the development of weapons Active Childhood platforms that would assure our nation’s supe- As a youngster, Jayne loved to hunt, fish, riority in the air and on the battlefield.
    [Show full text]
  • The Change in Naval Strategy from 1989-1994 A
    Replacing the Maritime Strategy: The Change in Naval Strategy from 1989-1994 A dissertation presented to the faculty of the College of Arts and Sciences of Ohio University In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Philosophy Steven T. Wills April 2017 ©2017 Steven T. Wills. All Rights Reserved. 2 This dissertation titled Replacing the Maritime Strategy: The Change in Naval Strategy from 1989-1994 by STEVEN T. WILLS has been approved for the Department of History and the College of Arts and Sciences by Ingo Trauschweizer Associate Professor of History Robert Frank Dean, College of Arts and Sciences 3 ABSTRACT WILLS, STEVEN T., Ph.D., April 2017, History Replacing the Maritime Strategy: The Change in Naval Strategy from 1989-1994 Director of Dissertation: Ingo Trauschweizer The change in U.S. naval strategy from 1989 to 1994 was the most significant of its kind since the end of the Second World War. The end of the Cold War, the provisions of the Goldwater Nichols Act of 1986 and the effects of the First Gulf War of 1991 combined to radically alter U.S. and naval strategic thinking. The end of the Cold War brought about a review of U.S. naval strategy, but the personalities involved created a new process that greatly hampered the re-creation of strategy designed to combat peer competitors. The provisions of the Goldwater Nichols Act of 1986 indirectly affected the Navy staff where strategy documents had heretofore been produced. Talented officers that had sought service on the Navy Staff gravitated instead toward the Joint Staff and regional Commander Staffs as these positions offered better chances for promotion and advancement.
    [Show full text]
  • The Last Prop Fighter: Sandys, Hobos, Fireflies, Zorros, and Spads
    The Last Prop Fighter Sandys, Hobos, Fireflies, Zorros, and Spads Maj Gen Randy Jayne, USAF, Retired Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed or implied in the Journal are those of the authors and should not be construed as carrying the official sanction of the Department of Defense, Air Force, Air Education and Training Command, Air University, or other agencies or departments of the US government. This article may be reproduced in whole or in part without permission. If it is reproduced, the Air and Space Power Journal requests a courtesy line. ur Air Force heritage in the pre-Vietnam days, from World War I and II, was the era of the prop-driven fighter. The Korean experience saw our then-relatively new USAF deploy a mix of legacy prop fighters like the P-51 Mustang, and O“brand new” jets, the F-80, F-84, and F-86. As the jet era blossomed in the late 1950s and early 1960s, the Air Force deployed F-100, F-101, F-104, F-105, and other second- generation jets. The transition of the Navy’s F-4 Phantom into the USAF occurred just as the Vietnam War began, and the first US fighters deployed to bases in South Vietnam and Thailand were all jets, with one notable exception. As F-4 Phantoms, F-100 Super Sabres, and F-105 Thunderchiefs began flying USAF combat missions in Southeast Asia, they were joined by a venerable prop-driven attack fighter, the Douglas A-1 Skyraider. For just more than nine years, Air Force pilots operated that one propeller-driven fighter, transferred from the US Navy (USN) inventory.
    [Show full text]