The 55th Tactical Fighter Squadron / 55th Fighter Squadron

The 1970's

"Col. Walbridge and his 55 crew."
Submitted by Alfred Dowden, 55TFS.
"SSgt. Al Dowden, Lt. Colonel Jim Walbridge and Sgt. Schlautman."
Submitted by Alfred Dowden, 55TFS.

55th Tactical Fighter Squadron
Submitted by Lt. Col. Larry Carter, Commander, 79th Fighter Squadron, 1988-1990
Chief, Weapons and Tactics, 1987
Instructor Pilot, Flight Commander, 77TFS and Weapons and Tactics; 1977 - 1981

Capt Michael P. Nishimuta, Aircraft Commander, 55TFS
1Lt Glenn Harmon, WSO, 55TFS
"Myself and my WSO when we went TDY to Moron AB, Spain in November, 1979." Submitted by Mike Nishimuta, Aircraft Commander, 55TFS, Mar 1977 - May 1980.

"Over Jurby range (Isle of Man) where we used to go drop practice bombs on a floating target a few 1000 yards off the coast."
Submitted by Michael P. Nishimuta, Aircraft Commander, 55TFSMar 1977 - May 1980.

"...sent to me by folks in my newsgroup."
Kevin Burns, 20th SPS.

From page 1 of The Vanguard - August 8, 1975
Submitted by Earl Clark, 2168th Comm Squadron, Oct 1974 - Nov 1983.

The 1980's

55th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-111E Launch
Submitted by Kevin Olley, 20th TFW, 520th AGS, 55 AMU, blue section, 20 TFW, MAT DCC / ABDR training section, 1983 - 1986.

55th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-111E over Spain.
Submitted by Kevin Olley, 20th TFW, 520th AGS, 55 AMU, blue section, 20 TFW, MAT DCC / ABDR training section, 1983 - 1986.

55th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-111E; wings back.
Submitted by Kevin Olley, 20th TFW, 520th AGS, 55 AMU, blue section, 20 TFW, MAT DCC / ABDR training section, 1983 - 1986.

EF-111A in-flight refueling from a KC-135
Submitted by Kevin Olley, 20th TFW, 520th AGS, 55 AMU, blue section, 20 TFW, MAT DCC / ABDR training section, 1983 - 1986.

55th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-111E Recovery
Submitted by Kevin Olley, 20th TFW, 520th AGS, 55 AMU, blue section, 20 TFW, MAT DCC / ABDR training section, 1983 - 1986.

F-111E tail number 68-056 of the 55th TFS
Submitted by Kevin Olley, 20th TFW, 520th AGS, 55 AMU, blue section, 20 TFW, MAT DCC / ABDR training section, 1983 - 1986.

F and EF-111 in flight
Submitted by Kevin Olley, 20th TFW, 520th AGS, 55 AMU, blue section, 20 TFW, MAT DCC / ABDR training section, 1983 - 1986.

Mike Kaplan, 520th Aircraft Generation Squadron, 55th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, Jan 1986 - Jan 1988, 55th Fighter Squadron Flight Control and Instrument Systems Specialist, Aug 1990 - Jan 1994.

55th TFS Wife's Day
Submitted by Kevin Olley, 20th TFW, 520th AGS, 55 AMU, blue section, 20 TFW, MAT DCC / ABDR training section, 1983 - 1986.

Mrs. D. Thompson, Wing CO's wife with DCC SSgt. Olley
Submitted by Kevin Olley, 20th TFW, 520th AGS, 55 AMU, blue section, 20 TFW, MAT DCC / ABDR training section, 1983 - 1986.

55TFS F-111E
Aviano Air Base, Italy 1989
GLOBAL MEDIA IMAGE/ www.WingsWheelsandAnchors.com.

55TFS F-111E
Aviano Air Base, Italy 1989
GLOBAL MEDIA IMAGE/ www.WingsWheelsandAnchors.com.

A member of the 42nd Aircraft Maintenance Unit signals to the pilot of a 55th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-111E aircraft that is taxiing to launch position during the U.S. Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) exercise Display Determination '89 at Aviano Air Base, Pordenone Italy.
DoD photo taken by SSgt. David S. Nolan on 18 Sep 1989. (Released to Public)

55TFS F-111E
Aviano Air Base, Italy 1989
GLOBAL MEDIA IMAGE/ www.WingsWheelsandAnchors.com.

55TFS F-111E
Aviano Air Base, Italy 1989
GLOBAL MEDIA IMAGE/ www.WingsWheelsandAnchors.com.

55TFS F-111E
Aviano Air Base, Italy 1989
GLOBAL MEDIA IMAGE/ www.WingsWheelsandAnchors.com.

55TFS F-111E
Aviano Air Base, Italy 1989
GLOBAL MEDIA IMAGE/ www.WingsWheelsandAnchors.com.

From page 6 of the "Welcome To Britain '82 - '83" information packet.
Submitted by John Double, 20th CRS/Automatic Test Stations, Jul 1983 - Sep 1990.

A 55th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-111E aircraft rolls down a runway in the darkness as it departs on a mission during the U.S. Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) exercise Display Determination '89 at Aviano Air Base, Pordenone Italy.
DoD photo taken by SSgt. David S. Nolan on 18 Sep 1989. (Released to Public)

The 1990's

Photos from air shows dating from 1991 and 1992 by aviation photographer Anthony Noble.

Last Flight; all 4 Squadrons together.
"Here is a picture I was told was the last time all 4 squadrons flew together prior to the 42nd inactivation."
Submitted by Randy "Gr8 Randino" Stieb, 20 EMS Phase / 42 ECS Phase / 55 FS Phase, Oct 1990 - Nov 1993.

55th TFS/FS Commanders at RAF Upper Heyford

Rank (at that time) Name Dates Of Service at RAF Upper Heyford

Lt. Col. Kenneth D. Holder 15 Jul 1993 - 15 Oct 1993

Lt. Col. Daniel C. Clark 11 Sep 1992 - 15 Jul 1993

Lt. Col. Terry L. Simpson 2 Nov 1990 - 11 Sep 1992

Lt. Col. John W. Dorough, Jr. 25 Sep 1989 - 2 Nov 1990

Lt. Col. Robert D. Balph II 30 Sep 1988 - 25 Sep 1989

Lt. Col. James W. Savage 15 Nov 1986 - 30 Sep 1988

Lt. Col. Gary A. Voellger 22 Feb 1985 - 15 Nov 1986

Lt. Col. Danny D. Howard 24 Feb 1983 - 22 Feb 1985

Lt. Col. Donald D. Henry c. Oct 1981 - 24 Feb 1983

Lt. Col. John H. Wambough, Jr. 26 May 1981 - c. Oct 1981

Lt. Col. Albert S. Dodd III 12 Jun 1979 - 26 May 1981

Lt. Col. William E. Pickens III 29 Jun 1977 - 12 Jun 1979

Lt. Col. William K. James 1 Dec 1975 - 29 Jan 1977

Lt. Col. James S. Walbridge c. Jul 1973 - I Dec 1975

Lt. Col. Charles A. Herning 17 Sep 1972 - 29 Nov 1972

Lt. Col. George W. Kronsbei, Jr. 29 Nov 1972 - c. Jul 1973

Lt. Col. Harris J. Taylor 27 Aug 1971 - 17 Sep 1972

Lt. Col. Kenneth T. Blank c. Jan 1971 - 27 Aug 1971

Lt. Col. Elwood L. Sanders 30 Dec 1969 - c. Jan 1971

F-111E comes to roost at U.K. museum
From "The Stars And Stripes", October 21, 1993.
Submitted by Mike Kaplan, 520th Aircraft Generation Squadron, 55th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, Jan 1986 - Jan 1988, 55th Fighter Squadron Flight Control and Instrument Systems Specialist Aug 1990 - Jan 1994.

F-111 YouTube Video Links...

General Dynamics F-111 in Irak
The General Dynamics F-111 is a medium-range strategic bomber, reconnaissance, and tactical strike aircraft designed in the 1960s. The United States Air Force (USAF) variants were officially named Aardvark, their longtime nickname, at their ceremony of retirement from service in 1996. The only remaining operator of the F-111 is the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), and in Australian service the F-111 is known as the Pig.

F-111 WINGS Part 1/5
One of the most effective weapons in the US inventory.
Length: 10 minutes, 0 seconds.

F-111 WINGS Part 2/5
One of the most effective weapons in the US inventory.
Length: 10 minutes, 2 seconds.

F-111 WINGS Part 3/5
One of the most effective weapons in the US inventory.
Length: 10 minutes, 10 seconds.

F-111 WINGS Part 4/5
One of the most effective weapons in the US inventory.
Length: 10 minutes, 5 seconds.

F-111 WINGS Part 5/5
One of the most effective weapons in the US inventory.
Length: 5 minutes, 29 seconds.

F-111 In Profile
A look at the missions and role of the General Dynamics F-111 bomber.
Length: 4 minutes, 39 seconds.

F111 baby!!!!!!!!
No description.
Length: 3 minutes, 4 seconds.

F-111 capsule ejection
F-111 capsule ejection demonstration.
Length: 28 seconds.

F-111 Cockpit
F-111F Crew Escape Module- On Display at the Frontiers of Flight Museum in Dallas, Texas. Crew Module restored and able to power up.
Length: 35 seconds.

F-111 F Model Cockpit
A more detailed tour of the F-111F Crew Module on display at the Frontiers of Flight Museum in Dallas, Texas. After 8,000 hours of restoration this cockpit powers up with multiple systems working.
Length: 3 minutes, 13 seconds.

F111's display at Upper Heyford 92
4 x F111E and 2 x EF111A display at Sky Pagent 92.
Length: 3 minutes, 46 seconds.

Memorabilia

�FIGHTING FIFTY FIFTH - 55 - TACTICAL FIGHTER SQUADRON� PLAQUE
- Presented to (then) Colonel Merrill A. McPeak - ca. 1980-1981.
This attractive plaque measures 5.75� x 7.25� x 1� thick, and bears a large circular medallion with the caption in quotes above forming the design. The colors are gold lettering and silver numerals and dice, against a blue background outlined in silver and black. A gilt banner below briefly reiterates this information. These are mounted on a solid mahogany base.
Originally formed in 1917, and serving with distinction in WWI WWII and beyond, The 55th moved with the 20th Tactical Fighter Wing, to RAF Upper Heyford, England, in June 1970. The next April, the 55th received its first F-111E Aardvark, becoming fully operational in November. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, the 55th participated in countless North Atlantic Treaty Organization and U.S. exercises and operations, which directly contributed to containment of Soviet threats to Europe.
From February 1980 through June 1981, the 20th TFW was under the command of Col. Merriill A. McPeak. In June 1981, he was promoted to Brigadier General and assigned as chief of staff, Headquarters U.S. Air Forces Europe, Ramstein Air Base, West Germany.
WHAT�s THIS ABOUT?: This is one of hundreds of gifts, awards, etc. presented to General Merrill Anthony �Tony� McPeak, USAF Ret., over the course of his military career. Upon retirement to his home state of Oregon, he donated some 400 of these items to the Oregon Air & Space Museum (OASM) located at the Eugene airport... with the intent that at least some of them be sold to help support the museum�s programs and expansion plans. From this material, the museum has created a large display honoring Gen. McPeak and his career, including photos, uniforms, flight suit, and some of the donated awards and other items most pertinent to his career.

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This page was last updated on 11 September 2011.