2015
Mar 26
Mar 26
Mar 26
Mar 26
Colonel Richard E. Skelton d. 16 Nov 1977 Col. Skelton was the 52 TFW Commander from 10 JUN 77 to 16 NOV 77. He died from a heart attack during a mission in an F-4 after safely landing his plane at Spangdahlem. He was a highly-decorated combat veteran of the VietNam conflict. The Spangdahlem AB gymnasium was formally named the Skelton Memorial Field House Feb. 17, 1977. On Nov. 20, 1977, just four days after his death, the wing held a memorial service for Col. Skelton on Spangdahlem AB, attended by approximately 2,000 military and civilian mourners
Mar 26
Captain Mike A. Crandall d. 29 June 1988 Click HERE to go to testimonials to Mikey on F-16.net.
Mar 26
Colonel Paul N. Chase d. 10 July 2003 52 TFW Commander, Spangdahlem AB, GE. from 6 FEB 81 to 6 DEC 82.
Mar 26
Captain John M. Barelka d. 8 November 1993 Click HERE to read testimonials to John at F-16.net
Mar 26
Captain Wayne R. Larson 14 November 1952 – 24 March 1980 Died Monday 24 March 1980 in a crash in Bensfield, Germany. Captain Larson was born in Sioux City, Iowa. He was commissioned on 15 January 1976. Prior to his arrival at Spangdahlem AB, GE in December of 1977, Wayne served at Craig AFB, AL, and Luke AFB, AZ. Wayne was survived by his wife Sharon, his stepson Paul, his parents Axel and Phyllis, and his brother Larry.
Oct 24
Captain Gregory M. Torres d. 04 April 1978 Captain Gregory M Torres and 1st Lieutenant Ralph E. Bower III were killed when their F-4D crashed on a training mission. Both were charter members of the 480 TFS that was reactivated in 1976. He is buried in Fort Rosencrans National Cemetary in San Diego, CA. From his close personal friend Susan Losey Williams: “When Gregory Michael Torres was born on May 30, 1949, in San Diego, California, his father, Manuel, was 34 and his mother, Ellen, was 32. He had two older brothers, John and Peter. Greg had been and Eagle Scout and…
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Oct 24
1st Lieutenant Ralph E. Bower III d. 04 April 1978 Ralph and Captain Gregory M Torres were killed when their F-4D crashed on a training mission. Both were charter members of the 480 TFS that was reactivated in 1976. Remembrance from a classmate at West Point: “Ralph Emerson Bower III was born in Spokane, WA, to Ralph Emerson Bower, Jr, ex-Class of June ’43, and Margaret Jane Bower. Ralph’s dad served in the Air Force and became an Episcopal minister after retiring. Ralph attended Healdsburg (CA) High School, where he was on the wrestling team, played tennis, and was in the band.…
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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