On Thanksgiving Day 1943, he led a force of 12 B-25s, 10 P-38s, and 8 new P-51s from Saichwan, China, on the first strike against Formosa. Took part in a variety of operational exercises both in the United States and overseas, including tactical bombing competitions against the Royal Air Force at RAF Lossiemouth, Scotland, during October 1977 and July 1978. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Briana Beavers). Capt. [2], Hill made his first kills on January 3, 1942, when he downed two Nates over the Japanese airfield at Tak, Thailand. She and the A-10 may look the same as they did when she took off in 2020, and the resiliency and innovation from the maintainers and operators make it all possible. On 18 May 1972, the squadron was redesignated the 75th Tactical Fighter Squadron, and on 1 July 1972 was activated at England Air Force Base, Louisiana. Related: A-10 Pilot Awarded Distinguished Flying Cross for Landing Without Canopy, Landing Gear. Capt. once you become Fully Mission Qualified (FMQ) where our Aggressor Squadron looks to make you even better. Constituted as 75 Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) on 17 Dec 1941. To reduce her wind exposure without the canopy, Bye lowered her seat, but that made it difficult to see the runway below, she said. Another pilot, identified only as the 75th's director of operations, took off from Moody to act as Bye's "chase" aircraft, closely following her and monitoring the surrounding airspace while on approach. During World War II, the 75th Fighter Squadron was one of the three original squadrons (74th, 75th, 76th) of the 23rd Fighter Group. Constituted as the 75th Pursuit Squadron(Interceptor) on 17 December 1941 Redesignated 75th Fighter Squadronon 15 May 1942 Activated on 4 July 1942 Redesignated 75th Fighter Squadron, Single Engine on 28 February 1944 Inactivated on 5 January 1946 Activated on 10 October 1946 Redesignated 75th Fighter Squadron, Jet on 3 May 1949 Remained at Dow Air Force Base until 1968 when it was transferred to Wurtsmith Air Force Base, Michigan. There are some steps that were covered in the [safety] checklist the rest was just superb airmanship and decision-making.. Taylor Bye, 75th Fighter Squadron standardization and evaluation chief, prepares to enter the A-10C Thunderbolt II tail-995 cockpit at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, Nov. 3, 2021. The 80th Fighter Squadrons executes air combat operations in support of U.S. and ROK interests in the Pacific area of responsibility. Rachel Cohen joined Air Force Times as senior reporter in March 2021. Download Images of 75th fighter squadron - Free for commercial use, no attribution required. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Briana Beavers), U.S. Air Force Capt. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. condemned the mid-morning attack. During an in-flight emergency in April of 2020, Bye was forced to land the aircraft without landing gear or a canopy. This doesnt happen very often in the history of the A-10, Joca said of Byes incident. When we see them walking in uniform among us, we may thank our military men and women. Ryan Foltz, 75th AMU cann manager, pose for a photo in front of A-10C Thunderbolt II tail-995 at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, Nov. 4, 2021. Before returning to the states in late 1944, Hill and his P-51 downed another six Japanese aircraft. Taylor Bye, 75th Fighter Squadron standardization and evaluation chief, taxis to a canopy after her flight at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, Nov. 3, 2021. ", "This doesn't happen very often in the history of the A-10," said Lt. Col. Stephen Joca, 75th Fighter Squadron commander. [10] Received A/OA-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft transferred from the 353d Tactical Fighter Squadron at Myrtle Beach Air Force Base, South Carolina prior to the 353d's inactivation and the base's closure in January 1993. The 75th Fighter Squadron is a United States Air Force unit. Activated on 10 Oct 1946. [1] Tex then attended Texas A&M for two years before transferring to Austin College, from which he graduated in 1938. During his career he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, Distinguished Flying Cross with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Presidential Unit Citation with Oak Leaf Cluster, Chinese Order of the Cloud and Banner 4th, 5th and 6th grades, 2-Star Wing Decorations, Chinese Victory Medal, Legion of Merit, and British Distinguished Flying Cross. During the early days of its history, the 75th's mission was to attack and destroy the enemy by strafing airfields, troops, and supply depots, while maintaining air superiority so that the Japanese could not locate and bomb targets in China. During a surface attack ride, a key maneuver for swooping down to shoot at enemies on the ground, Bye tried to fire the A-10s gun but suffered severe failures, according to a May 7 Air Force release. At 17, he became a pilot in WWII, and was attached to the 75th Fighter Squadron in China, Burma, and India Theater. 2023 SCI SHARED RESOURCES, LLC. Bye lowered her seat to shield herself from the wind blowing hard in her face at 350 mph, but that made it difficult to see the runway. Austin Duffey, 75th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron cann manager, left, and Tech. The 75th AMU repaired A-10C tail-995s damages from a gun malfunction and failed landing gear. Nearly 100 aircraft and 3,000 personnel have arrived at Nellis Air Force Base to participate in the first Red Flag exercise of 2022. . Bye received the ACC Airmanship Award for successfully recovering an A-10C Thunderbolt II during an in-flight emergency. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Rachel Perkinson), An A-10C Thunderbolt II sits on the runway after making an emergency landing April 7, 2020 at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia. "What's most important is preventing total loss of the A-10 or, even worse, her life.". Vincent De Groot U.S. Air National Guard photo: Senior Master Sgt. Get the best deals for 75th fighter squadron at eBay.com. There the squadron began flying the A-7D Corsair II ground attack aircraft. On a basic surface attack ride at Grand Bay Range, Bye's attempts to fire her gun were met with severe failures that prevented her landing gear from deploying, caused panels to fly off and sent . After the deactivation of the Flying Tigers in July 1942, Hill was one of only five Flying Tigers to join its United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) successor, the 23rd Fighter Group, with the rank of major. This was the first night interception ever attempted over the China theatre and gave the Japanese quite a shock. By his intrepid direction, heroic leadership, and superior professional ability, Major Hill set an inspiring example to his fellow aviators. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Daniel Snider) Lt. Col. Jeremy Johnston, 75th Fighter Squadron assistant director of operations, prepares to taxi an A-10C Thunderbolt II during a sortie surge exercise, July 24, 2019, at Moody Air Force. Activated on 4 Jul 1942. 9 (November 18, 2005), Last edited on 3 September 2022, at 14:27, "David Lee "Tex" Hill Composite Squadron", "World War II fighter ace 'Tex' Hill dies at 92", "Legendary Flying Tiger Tex Hill passes away", "Fredericksburg Museum to Honor 'Tex' Hill", "Board Names New School David Lee "Tex" Hill Middle School", "David Lee "Tex" Hill AVG Flying Tiger Ace, 18+ kills", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tex_Hill&oldid=1108279081, This page was last edited on 3 September 2022, at 14:27. During World War II, the 74th Fighter Squadron was one of the three original squadrons (74th, 75th, 76th) of the 23d Fighter Group . He was born and raised in South Bend, Indiana. Bye recalled in an Air Force statement that when things started going wrong, she pulled away from the ground and checked her engines, which were both working. The squadron moved to Moody AFB, Georgia in 2007 due to the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) panel recommendations. Despite these problems, DeVries got the plane back on the ground safely. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Briana Beavers), U.S. Air Force Capt. After graduating the Weapons Instructor Course, Paetzhold joined the Airmen who serve as tactical and operational advisors to military leaders at all levels. During the Korean War, he served with the Texas Air National Guard. He was born and raised in South Bend, Indiana. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Briana Beavers). Bye maintained control of the aircraft and safely landed the Warthog on its belly. [7] It took part in a variety of operational exercises both in the United States and overseas, including tactical bombing competitions against the Royal Air Force at RAF Lossiemouth, Scotland, during October 1977 and July 1978. And there to be recognized was actually one of the founding members, retired Air Force Col. Dale Hendry. [15], 75th Fighter Squadron, 23d Fighter Group, Tenth Air Force, Department of the Army, General Orders No. Evan Bergstrom talks about the upgraded controls in the aircraft with J.M. as well as other partner offers and accept our. There the squadron began flying the A-7D Corsair II ground attack aircraft. Box 758516 Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516, support.woundedwarriorproject.org. CANDLE HAS BEEN LIT CANDLES HAVE BEEN LIT, We are reviewing your submission. [2][3] This group of men, under the leadership of General Claire Lee Chennault, engaged in aerial . John R. Alison, center, in front of an Air Commando B-25. Tisha Yates, a spokeswoman for Air Combat Command, didn't rule out the possibility of Bye also receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross in the future. 141114-F-AV342-049. At 17, he became a pilot in WWII, and was attached to the "75th Fighter Squadron" in China, Burma, and India Theater. [1], The 75th Fighter Squadron's first assignment as an active unit was in the China-Burma-India theatre. A cann manager is in charge of keeping record of parts taken from a cannibalizing jet. The trust Bye has in a successful flight can be attributed to the hard work of the 75th AMU to restore tail-995. The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Major (Air Corps) David Lee "Tex" Hill, United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-40 Fighter Airplane in the 75th Fighter Squadron, 23d Fighter Group, Tenth Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on October 25, 1942, while performing bomber escort duty over enemy-held territory in the China Theatre. It is assigned to the 23d Fighter Group, Air Combat Command and stationed at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia. "I guess I was nervous the whole time, but I didn't have time to think about being nervous. While two situations may appear similar, leaders' perspective at different locations of what type of award an act of bravery merits can differ.". An F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 80th Fighter Squadron takes off from the flightline at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Nov. 18, 2022. 75th Fighter Squadron: 391st Bomb Squadron: 75th Troop Carrier Squadron: 391st Fighter Squadron: 760th Bomb Squadron: 392nd Bomb Group: 761st Bomb Squadron: . A pilot climbs into the cockpit of an aircraft, which looked much different than it did on the day a catastrophic gun malfunction stopped the landing gear from deploying and ripped off the canopy mid-flight. A typical training flight over Georgia last spring turned nightmarish for A-10C Thunderbolt II pilot Capt. Colonel Brandon Kelly is an A-10C instructor pilot and the Commander of the 476th Fighter Group, Moody AFB, GA which is a Geographically Separated Unit of the 442d Fighter Wing at Whiteman AFB, MO. Your entry has exceeded the maximum character limit. That incident is believed to be the first time in the four-decade history of the A-10 that a pilot landed with no canopy and with the landing gear up, the Air Force said in 2017. [7] More than 2,000 people attended his funeral. Another mishap in Arizona in March 2020 saw the A-10s engine compressor stall out; the engine was damaged and the pilot returned to base without injury. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Duffey, Foltz, and Master Sgt. On 18 May 1972, the squadron was redesignated the 75th Tactical Fighter Squadron, and on 1 July 1972 was activated at England Air Force Base, Louisiana. The family returned to the United States when he was 15 months old. Besides David, Mr. Alison is survived by his wife of 60 years, the former Kathleen Arcidiano; another son, John; and three grandchildren. Claire Chennault would later write of these critical missions, "The American Volunteer Group had staved off China's collapse on the Salween.". (U.S. Air Force photo by Cynthia Griggs) During World War II, the 75th Fighter Squadron was one of the three original squadrons (74th, 75th, 76th) of the 23d Fighter Group. "Where's the ground, where's the ground," Bye recalled thinking, adding, "I was holding my breath at that point. I think it will help build my continued confidence in learning how to fly the A-10 and mastery of it. It is assigned to the 23d Fighter Group, Air Combat Command and stationed at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia.The squadron is equipped with the Fairchild Republic A-10C Thunderbolt II attack fighter.