Silence, Gary H.

After UPT, I trained in the F-100 at Luke AFB, AZ, (Jan to May 1968) before being assigned to the 77th TFS, 20th TFW, in June 1968 at RAF Wethersfield, UK.  Our primary mission was sitting Quick Reaction Alert as part of a nuclear deterrence role in three different locations around Europe, but we also trained in conventional gunnery, air-to-air, in-flight refueling, etc…

I had numerous TDY’s to Aviano AB, Italy, Izmir in Turkey, Wheelus AB in Libya (before we got kicked out), Spain, and Germany.  I moved with the Wing to RAF Upper Heyford about June 1970 for about 5 months as the Wing was converting to F-111s which were too big for RAF Wethersfield taxiways and runways.  That left the 48 TFW at RAF Lakenheath as the only F-100 Wing in Europe.

I ferried a Hun back to the states via Torrejon AB, Spain, and Myrtle Beach AFB to the New Orleans ANG in the fall of 1970.  After returning to England for my family, I went to Water Survival in Florida, got my family situated in the states and off to Jungle Survival at Clark AB, PI,  Then to Phan Rang AB, RVN in Jan 1971 where I was assigned to the 614 TFS (the Red Devils), 35th TFW.  There were four F-100 squadrons in the wing (612th, 614th, 615th, and 352nd) and they were the last wing of F-100s in the war.   The 35th TFW flew its last mission in June 1971 so I ferried a Hun back in July 1971 to the states via Guam, Hawaii, and Cannon AFB, NM, to the Terre Haute ANG, IN.

I still had almost 6 months remaining on my SEA year-long remote assignment and was selected to work on the 7th AF staff until Dec 1971.  I ended up with a total of about 900 hours in the Hun of which I flew 150 combat missions with 247 combat hours from Jan 1971 to July 1971.

I was awarded a Bronze Star, 8 Air Medals, and 2 Distinguished Flying Crosses.