Biography and other boring stuff

An AFROTC graduate from the University of Alabama Bob Hipps entered the Air Force in 1965. He was a member of the first class of navigators trained in the F-4 weapons system and checked out in the airplane at Nellis AFB in 1967. Following his checkout, he reported to the 8TFW at Ubon and flew a 100 mission tour in the F-4D with the 497TFS Night Owls. He was then assigned to the 347TFW at Yokota AB, Japan and flew F-4C's there from 1968 until 1971.   He reported to the 4TFW at Seymour Johnson AFB in mid 1971 and deployed to Ubon with the 334TFS in the fall of 1972. During his tour there, he volunteered for duty as a Wolf FAC and flew as a Wolf until his squadron returned to Seymour Johnson in March 1973. He subsequently served with the 3TFW at Clark AB, the 347TFW at Moody AFB, the 57FIS at Keflavik and flew a gray desk at HQ TAC from 1979 until his retirement in 1985. During his service in Southeast Asia, Bob flew 214 combat missions with 141 of them over North Vietnam. He participated in the Rolling Thunder, Linebacker I and Linebacker II aerial campaigns and amassed over 450 hours combat time in the F-4D and F-4E aircraft. For his service in SEA, Bob was awarded two Silver Stars, two Distinguished Flying Crosses and twenty one Air Medals. Bob and wife Phyllis currently reside in Toano, Virginia. Bob is a proud member of the American Legion, Virginia Aeronautical Historic Society,  Red River Valley Fighter Pilots' Association (River Rats) and the Casual Bar (CASBAR).