2016
Jan 06
Benjamin David “Chex” Meier dec. 29 September 2015 On 3 December 2015 Warhawk alum Major Benjamin D. “Chex” Meier was interred at Arlington National Cemetery at 1100 hours. Please take a moment to remember Chex, Becky Diane, and their sons Logan and Gabriel, in your thoughts and prayers. On the morning of September 28th, Ben was hit by a car while running at Edwards AFB, CA. He sustained massive head injuries and was unconscious from the time of the accident until he passed in the evening of Friday, October 2nd. From Tom “Tweac” Hayes: “On Friday Chex made one final gesture of…
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2015
Mar 31
Thomas James “Divot” Smith September 30, 1963 – March 23, 2015 Tom “Divot” Smith passed peacefully into the hands of our Lord on March 23, 2015 after a courageous battle with brain cancer. Tom was an incredible husband, father, son, friend and fighter pilot brother. He left our lives far too early but for those of us who had the chance to know Tom, we are much richer for it. MEMORIALS: IN LIEU OF FLOWERS: Donate to ABTA.org American Brain Tumor Association. Research department only. Remember to write in the memo that the donation goes to research. Tom was born…
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Mar 26
Capt Eric Ziegler d. 28 June 2011 NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. (AFNS) — Air Force officials have identified the pilot involved in an aircraft mishap near Caliente, Nev., June 28 as Capt. Eric Ziegler, 30, an operational test and evaluation instructor pilot with the 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron here. Brig. Gen. Terrence O’Shaughnessy, commander of the 57th Wing, announced June 30 that search and rescue teams had found conclusive evidence that Captain Ziegler did not survive when his F-16C Fighting Falcon crashed during a combat training exercise. The mishap occurred on Bureau of Land Management property approximately 20…
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May 21
John Edward Dorrington F-4 Crew Chief, Spangdahlem, 1980-1983 d. June 25, 2013 John Edward Dorrington, 64, of Freeport, died Tuesday, June 25, 2013, at home. He was born on Nov. 15, 1948, in Freeport, the youngest of five sons, of Ethel (Renfrew) and Harold Arthur Dorrington. He enlisted in the US Air Force in 1968 and during his career he was stationed in Iceland, Germany, Chandler, Ariz. and finally at Luke Air Force Base in Glendale, Ariz. retiring in 1990, as a Master Sergeant. The family returned to Freeport and John was employed at L.L. Bean in the Davis Warehouse until…
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May 21
Kathryn “Kate” Horne-Keene F-4 Crew Chief, Spangdahlem, 1979-1983 d. December 16, 2010 Kathryn E. Horne-Keene, age 52, of Winter, WI passed away on Thursday, December 16, 2010 at her home. Kathryn was born November 12, 1958 in Milwaukee, WI the daughter of Wayne and Janis (Nelson) Horne. She was raised on the family farm in Sussex, WI and graduated from Arrowhead High School in Hartland, WI in 1977. Kathryn joined the U.S. Air Force and served for six years before being honorably discharged. During her time in the service of her country she worked as a Flight Crew Chief. After her…
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Mar 26
Pat Carroll Wife of Warhawk Jerry Carroll d. July 9, 2012 Patricia Kay (Jackson) Carroll, the love of his life, peacefully passed from the loving hands of her husband into the loving hands of her Lord and Savior on Monday evening, July 9, 2012, at 58 years of age. She was born on Aug. 8, 1953, in Detroit, Mich. A 1971 graduate of Edmunds High School in Sumter, S.C., she received her BSN from the Medical University of South Carolina in 1975 and pursued a career as a registered nurse and dental assistant for many years. She married the love…
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Mar 26
Sylvia Fairlamb Wife of former 23 TFS Commander Richard Fairlamb. If you have any more information to share about Sylvia Fairlamb please contact Pete Zimowski (Warhawk webmaster) at petezimo@me.com.
Mar 26
Lt. Col. Gail D. Walston Lt. Col. Gail D. Walston was killed on 13 November 1980 while flying a WTD range mission out of Zaragoza AB Spain. The accident board determined the turkey buzzard that shattered the windscreen of the F-4 most likely killed Lt. Col. Walston but he maintained consciousness long enough to eject the IP in pit and himself. He was the squadron CC of the 526 TFS of the 86TFW (Ramstein AB, GE). If you have any more information about or photos of Gail Walston please contact Pete Zimowski (Warhawk webmaster) at petezimo@me.com.
Mar 26
LtCol Larry E. Bickel d. November 19, 2010 Former CINC Warhawk at Spang in the late 80’s. Passed away on November 19, 2010 after a two-year battje with cancer. From the Washington Post obituary: On of Burke, VA; beloved husband of 39 years of Christy P. Bickel; father of Stephen P. Bickel, Lauren E. Bickel and Dana C. Bickel and her fiancé Brian W. Maloney; grandfather of Brianna, Zachary and Jacob. He is also survived by his sister Debbie Consoli. A Memorial Service will be held at 3 p.m., Friday, December 3, at Burke United Methodist Church, 6200 Burke Center…
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Mar 26
480th Fighter Squadron
The 480th Fighter Squadron was reactivated on 13 Aug 2010, back at Spangdahlem AB, West Germany, with F-16CM Block-50 assets from the 22nd FS, which was inactivated. The 480th FS took the role of USAFE’s SEAD (Suppression of Enemy Air Defense) asset. The Warhawks have since continued to distinguish themselves in combat operations Operation Odyssey Dawn over Libya, Operation New Dawn in Iraq, and in Afghanistan.
480th Tactical Fighter Squadron (Spangdahlem)
In November of 1976 the 480th Tactical Fighter Squadron was reactivated at Spangdahlem AB, Germany, as part of the 52nd TFW (later the 52nd Fighter Wing). Flying the F-4D, the unit was tasked with maintaining an operationally ready nuclear strike capability, conventional attack, interdiction, armed reconnaissance, and close air support missions. Three years later, in 1979, the squadron gained additional capabilities by transitioning to the F-4E (outfitted with the ARN-101 Digital Modular Avionics System). The squadron earned an AF Outstanding Unit Award, 1 Jul 1978 – 30 Jun 1980.
480th Tactical Fighter Squadron (Southeast Asia)
The 480th TFS began operations from DaNang AB in February of 1966 as part of the 2nd Air Division, attached to the 6252nd Tactical Fighter Wing. In April 1966 the 480th and the 6252nd TFW became part of Seventh Air Force, and soon after joined the 480th joined the 35th Tactical Fighter Wing. On 1…
480th Tactical Fighter Squadron (France)
480TFS reactivated 30 Apr 1962, assigned to USAFE at Chaumont Air Base, France (8 May 1962), and later at Phalsbourg AB, France (20 Dec 1962), as part of the 366th TFW once again. Flew F-84s in training operations and participated in numerous USAFE exercises, including deployments back to Wheelus AB, Libya. During the Cuban Missile…
480th Fighter-Bomber Squadron
Constituted 30 Aug 1957. Activated 25 Sep 1957. Inactivated 30 Apr 1959. Flying F-84 “Thunder Jets” as part of 366th Fighter-Bomber Wing (renamed the 366th Tactical Fighter Wing in 1958) at England AFB, Louisiana. Became first tactical unit in the 366th to transition to the F-100 Super Sabre, as well as continued flying F-84s. Redesignated…
580th Aerial (then Air) Resupply Squadron
Activated 16 Apr 1951. Inactivated 18 Oct 1956. B-29s, C-119s, and SA-16s. Provided evacuation and supply support to Ranger-type personnel in enemy occupied territory. Conducted training in the delivery of psychological warfare propaganda. At Wheelus, the 580th trained extensively in preparation for the wartime mission of packaging and aerial delivery of supplies and equipment as…
480th Bombardment Squadron (Medium)
Constituted: 9 July 1942. Activated: 15 July 1942. Inactivated 1 May 1944
First constituted as the 480th Bombardment Squadron (Medium) as part of the 336th Bombardment Group (Medium). Served as a replacement training unit (RTU) for medium bomber crews in the B-26 Marauder.
Stations:
MacDill Field, FL (15 Jul 1942)
Ft. Myers, FL (10 Aug 1942)
Avon Park, FL (13 Dec 1942)
MacDill Field, FL (13 Oct 1943)
Lake Charles AAFld, LA (8 Nov 1943 to 1 May 1944).
Commanders:
Capt. Alfred D. Belsma, 15 Jul 1942.
Capt. Chesley I. Swann, 16 Jul 1943.
Maj. Gerald J. Crosson, 8 Sep 1943 – 1 May 1944.
Citations:
American Theater (WWII) Service Streamer