417th TFS

CURRENT

I was a Crew-chief with the 417th TFS at Ramstein AB, Germany from 1966 to July 1968, and then for a short time at Mt. Home AFB, Idaho. We had F-100 Super Sabre's for the first 6 months and then we transioned to F-4D Phantoms. During that time, we periodically went to Wheelus AB, Libya for weapons training. Click on the red bars to learn more. Any additional information about the 417th that you might have will be greatly appreciated and can be sent via the E-mail link. Scroll down for a further look!!. Double clicking on the small images will give you a larger view!!! And.. follow the arrows for additional information. ...Terry L. Johnson

**Reunion**

Guesbook E-Mail me!!

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Roll Call (E-mail list)

An Invitation:                    A Christmas card from the 417th

   I would like to thank William Lace, a 417th Pilot, for providing this group photo of the 417th Pilots taken in 1967. The then Capt. Lace flew both the F-100 and the Phantoms for the Squadron. It is interesting to note that a large number of these Airman went on to become Generals, including Gen. Richard B. Meyers who was appointed by President Bush to the Top Military Post, Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staffs.



   During the F-4D era, it wasn't uncommon to see to a Danish F-100    parked in our area, especially since we were N.A.T.O. allies and had plenty of experience in dealing with 100's. I remember the special drop tank that was used to ferry booze back to Denmark. This photo shows some Danish and 417th pilots, Capt. Dick Hurst, pouring and Capt. Lace, enjoying a cup of coffee.

WHEELUS Paul, 2003

Barracks at Ramstein:

Seattle, 1989

PLANES OF THE 417TH

The 417th entered the "Jet-age" with then Major Chuck Yeager, the first man to break the sound barrier, as Commander from 1954 to 1956, flying the F-86F Sabrejet. I remember him visiting the 417th in 1967 I think it was, to fly one of our Phantoms, he flew an "A" flt bird and a bunch of us Crew Chiefs from other flights stood in awe of this the "fastest man alive". HERE,

"IN HIS OWN WORDS:"

Capt. Bill Yates has this explanation for the "Red Dorks": "The story I heard about the name "Red Dorks" is that when they were flying P-51's, they had red spindles on the props...and would often get into mock dogfights with the Brits.... where upon, one day over guard it was heard by one bloke to announce "Ok guys....lets go home; we've been dorked again by the Red dorks"!"

But, who knows????

Lt Col Chuck Yeager and members of the 50th Fighter Bomber Wing’s gunnery team after winning their second straight USAFE gunnery competition in 1956. Wing commander Col Fred J. Ascani, standing at left

Bob Thompson sent in this snapshot of his father Ben. It was taken from the group photo at right while the 417th was based at Toul-Rosieres, France in 1956, flying the F-86. Unfortunetly, Ben Thompson was killed in a training accident at the Red Rio Range outside of Alamogordo,NM 23 March 1967. A True American Hero

In 1958, the F-86 was phased out in favor of the F-100 Super Sabre: At Ramstein, the 417th area was located outside the mainbase in a wooded area, the aircraft sat two to a pad, with each flight having enough room for 6 planes. A, B, C, and D flight were all connected by a series of taxiways which was then connected by one long taxiway to the main runway of the mainbase. The photo below was taken on a B flight pad by Harold F. Landsperg III, a B flight Crew Chief. You can click on the red arrow to view more pictures from Harry and others. Click on the red Dork for images of the 417th area during the F4D era.

This miniature F-100 was located in front of the operations building. First Sergeant Ed Foulks supplied this photo with the following note:

Hello again,

The story of the miniature F-100 started at Hahn AB where Major Chapman had the model built by his Field Maintenance Squadron personnel. When he was transferred to the 417th TFS at Ramstein he asked permission to take it with him. After several months with no reply, several NCO's* checked out a Truck from Ramsteins motor pool. They drove through the main gate at Hahn, dismantled the bird, took it through the main gate, returning to Ramstein. After a few weeks and things had cooled down, they mounted it in front of operations. Hahns Base Commander couldn't believe it took place and how easy they did it. They threatened to steal it back but never did. Col. McBurney and Major Chapman were pretty proud of their accomplishment. Ed Foulks

* The Gang of Thieves!!

Ed, next to Msgt. Earl Clark on the left, outside of the orderly room, 1965.

The F-4D (McDonnell F-4D-29-MC Phantom) was assigned to the 417th in late 1966, it was an improved version of the F-4C, externally distinguished by a larger Radome. Later the search and track pod under the Radome was reinstalled making them look similar to the F-4C. The mighty Phantoms remained the jet of choice during my years with the 417th. Most of the pictures below were taken after I left the service in 1968 but were the planes that were assigned during my stay. A click on the small images will give a larger view!!

Tail # of phantoms assigned to the 417th

SSgt. B. Hart and I crewed 488. This photo was taken after I left the 417th. Note the change in the Radome configuration as compared to another 417th bird below, 66-0276

I was assigned as Crew Chief on 251 in 1968 and stayed with the plane as it re-deployed to Mt. Home AFB, Idaho as part of the "Crested Cap" project. Unfortunately, 251 was lost in a flying accident in June of 1980

That project provided for the redeployment of specified U.S. European Air Force units to the United States on a semi-permanent basis. Those units involved, however, were to remain an integral part of their respective USAFE "parent" wings, while operating under the temporary control of the CONUS wings to which they were assigned. Not long after leaving Europe, the 417th returned to Hahn in January 1969 to participate in exercise Crested Cap 1, , the first in a series of exercises designed to test the mobility of NATO-committed fighter squadrons based in the U.S. under simulated wartime conditions.

News article concerning re-deployment

and ..a little History!!!!

The following picture's are of 417th F-4's, some taken when they were part of the 417th and some in roles after leaving the "Red Dorks".

66-7498 Sgt. Poseys bird, taken later with the N. Dakota ANG.