The “Wiz” probably had as much fun flying the HUN as anyone.
“Thank you Bob Hoover for explaining a “racked slat” complicating recovery from inverted spins/spirals. Trying to recover upside down while contending with a compressor stall will definitely sharpen your concentration!
The wiz was fortunate to fly all theaters of the Vietnam War; north and south Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia–no rp6. He also flew the first F-100 back from Vietnam; Saigon, to Cannon AFB in July 1970. Wiz, or OZ, served as a composite Wing Commander under General Dixon, and as a fighter Wing Commander under General Creech.
What a change in philosophy! Jerry and Jody ended their AF careers as diplomats in Africa; great change of scenery!
Wiz was invited to fly the mirage F-1; but, diplomacy has its quirks.
As past commander of the last active duty A-7 Wing (23TFW) Flying Tigers, he still says an afterburner is a must!
Hun Drivers in the sky – makes one proud to have flown with such great aviators. Thanks for the memories!”
Jerry “Wiz” Osgood, Col USAF, Ret., “Headed West” on October 15, 2020.
Allen Lewis wrote to tell us of the passing of his friend, Jerry Osgood whom he says was he was “the youngest Colonel ever to command a fighter wing”.
Col. Jerry Wright Osgood 84 was born in Arkansas but grew up in Starkville, Mississippi where he went to college. After college, he joined the Us Air Force and flew planes in Vietnam, was Commander of the 507th TAIRCW in South Carolina, Wing Commander of the 23rd Tactical Fighter Wing in Louisiana, then as the head of the military attaches in South Africa.
After leaving the Air Force, he attended school to his Law Degree. After passing the Nevada bar he decided to move to Galt, California where he golfed, skied, and traveled.
He leaves behind his wife, Jo Ann ” Jody” Osgood, his son Capt. J. Chris Osgood MD, and his wife Lisa, grandsons, Eric Osgood his wife Julie, Brian Osgood, Stephen Osgood, his granddaughter Alyssa Linings and her husband, Ronald and his great-grandson Robert John Osgood.
Because of the coronavirus, there was no service.