One Hundred Years of Flight USAF Chronology ... - The Air University
One Hundred Years of Flight USAF Chronology ... - The Air University
One Hundred Years of Flight USAF Chronology ... - The Air University
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1975–76<br />
May 15: Cambodia returned the Mayaguez crew after marines, supported by<br />
<strong>USAF</strong> helicopters and A–7 aircraft, captured the empty ship and<br />
assaulted Koh Tang Island, where the crew was mistakenly thought to<br />
have been taken. Maj. Robert W. Undorf received the Mackay Trophy for<br />
conspicuous gallantry, initiative, and resourcefulness during this military<br />
operation—the last major American military action in Southeast Asia.<br />
June 6: <strong>The</strong> last 16 B–52 Strat<strong>of</strong>ortress aircraft remaining at U-Tapao, Thailand,<br />
began redeploying to the United States.<br />
June 15: <strong>The</strong> last F–111 unit in Thailand began redeployment to the United<br />
States.<br />
July 1: For the first time, an <strong>Air</strong> National Guard air refueling squadron<br />
began supporting Strategic <strong>Air</strong> Command operations. <strong>Air</strong> Force<br />
Reserve and <strong>Air</strong> National Guard units received KC–135s over a fouryear<br />
period.<br />
July 15–24: Three U.S. astronauts and two Soviet cosmonauts rendezvoused<br />
and docked their space vehicles in orbit during the Apollo-Soyuz mission.<br />
August 8–15: Five <strong>Air</strong> Force Reserve and <strong>Air</strong> National Guard C–130s flew<br />
104 sorties to drop 1,400 tons <strong>of</strong> fire-retardant chemicals over forest<br />
fires in southern California.<br />
September 1: Gen. Daniel “Chappie” James, Jr., <strong>USAF</strong>, became the first<br />
black four-star general.<br />
October 29: <strong>The</strong> first F–5E Tiger II aircraft entered the <strong>Air</strong> Force’s inventory<br />
at Nellis <strong>Air</strong> Force Base, Nevada.<br />
November 29: <strong>The</strong> first annual RED FLAG exercise began at Nellis <strong>Air</strong><br />
Force Base, Nevada, ushering in a new era <strong>of</strong> highly realistic <strong>USAF</strong> air<br />
combat training for pilots and aircrews.<br />
1976<br />
January 9: <strong>The</strong> first operational F–15 Eagle, a new air-superiority fighter aircraft,<br />
arrived at the 1st Tactical Fighter Wing, Langley <strong>Air</strong> Force Base,<br />
Virginia. <strong>The</strong> F–15 was the first fighter to have a thrust greater than its<br />
weight, allowing it to accelerate while going straight up.<br />
January 19: <strong>The</strong> 180th Tactical Fighter GROUP became the first <strong>Air</strong> National<br />
Guard unit to participate in the RED FLAG training program at Nellis<br />
<strong>Air</strong> Force Base, Nevada.<br />
February 4–June 30: Using C–5s, C–141s, and C–130s, the <strong>Air</strong> Force airlifted<br />
927 tons <strong>of</strong> relief equipment and supplies to Guatemala after a severe<br />
116
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