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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1980<br />
locate Soviet naval vessels operating in the Arabian Sea. This accomplishment<br />
earned the aircrews the Mackay Trophy.<br />
April 6: A 443d Military <strong>Air</strong>lift Wing aircrew flew nonstop from Beale <strong>Air</strong><br />
Force Base, California, to Royal <strong>Air</strong> Force Mildenhall in the United<br />
Kingdom on the first C–141B operational mission. It refueled only<br />
once on the 11-hour, 12-minute flight.<br />
April 24: President James E. “Jimmy” Carter aborted Operation EAGLE<br />
CLAW, an elaborate attempt to rescue U.S. citizens being held since November<br />
4, 1979, as hostages in Tehran. Three <strong>of</strong> eight special-operations<br />
helicopters suffered mechanical problems and had to be abandoned<br />
or withdrawn. In the subsequent withdrawal operation, an RH–53 helicopter<br />
collided with an EC–130, resulting in an explosion that killed<br />
eight men and destroyed both aircraft. Hastily departing on C–130s,<br />
the mission team abandoned the remaining four helicopters in the<br />
Iranian desert.<br />
May 18–June 5: Following the eruption <strong>of</strong> Mount Saint Helens in northwest<br />
Washington State, the Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Service, Military<br />
<strong>Air</strong>lift Command, and the 9th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing<br />
conducted humanitarian-relief efforts. During the operation, helicopter<br />
crews lifted 61 people to safety, while SR–71 airplanes conducted<br />
aerial photographic reconnaissance to assist rescue-and-recovery<br />
efforts.<br />
July 10–October 3: During Operation PROUD PHANTOM, the <strong>Air</strong> Force<br />
deployed tactical fighters to Egypt for the first time. Twelve F–4Es flew<br />
from Moody <strong>Air</strong> Force Base, Georgia, to Cairo, Egypt, for tactical training<br />
exercises that benefited both the U.S. <strong>Air</strong> Force and the Egyptian<br />
air force, which was purchasing F–4s from the United States.<br />
September 18: An explosion destroyed the 308th Strategic Missile Wing’s<br />
Titan II launch complex 374-7 in Little Rock, Arkansas, killing one<br />
person.<br />
October 1: Operation ELF began with the deployment <strong>of</strong> four <strong>USAF</strong> E–3A<br />
airborne warning and control system aircraft to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia,<br />
to protect Saudi airspace during the Iran-Iraq War. Three KC–135s<br />
also deployed during the operation.<br />
October 3: Piloting an HH–3 Jolly Green Giant helicopter, Capt. John J.<br />
Walters, <strong>USAF</strong>, and his crew rescued 61 passengers and crewmen from<br />
the burning Dutch luxury liner Prinsendam in the Pacific Ocean, hoisting<br />
and airlifting them from lifeboats to a supertanker. For this rescue,<br />
Captain Walters earned the Mackay Trophy.<br />
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