Alton Whitley
Preferred Name: Al
Nickname/Call Sign: Al
Date Of Birth: November 27, 1945
Highest Military Grade Held: Colonel, O6
Hometown: Lancaster, SC
Biography
Col. Whitley served in Vietnam 1970, Thailand 1973, Desert/Desert Storm
I grew up in Lancaster, SC. which is now Clemson, SC. I retired from the U.S. Air Force after serving 26 years as a fighter pilot. My military service included two tours in Vietnam and combat action in Operation Desert Storm, where I served as the commander of the unit that flew the F-117A stealth fighter. After leaving active duty, I started (and taught) a high school Air Force Junior ROTC unit from July 1994 – December 2008, when I retired for good.
I remain indebted to, humbled by, and forever grateful to those of you who gave me insight, guidance, wisdom, and so many unique opportunities. I even appreciate the “fatherly advice” I often got (and needed) along the way. It was an honor to serve with such a special breed of men.
My only regret is I never told most of you how much I appreciated you, your friendship, and your help along the way. I’m proud that I served with so many who were not only the heart and soul of the Hun community but also the world’s greatest Air Force.
Units Assigned
6/1968-6/1969 Pilot Training, Webb AFB, TX (69-08)
7/1969-2/1970 4511th CCTS, Luke AFB, AZ (F-100C/F)
3/1970-7/1970 531st Tactical Fighter Squadron, Bien Hoa AB, RVN (F-100D/F)
7/1970-10/1970 309th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Tuy Hoa AB, RVN (F-100D/F)
11/1970-6/1972 431st Tactical Fighter Squadron/416th Tactical Fighter Squadron, England AFB, LA (F-100 D/F)
7/1972-1/1973 74th Tactical Fighter Squadron, England AFB, LA (A-7D)
2/1973-2/1974 3rd Tactical Fighter Squadron, Korat RTAFB, Thailand (A-7D)
3/1974-9/1975 422nd Fighter Wing Squadron (OT&E), Nellis AFB, NV (A-7D)
10/1975-1/1976 355th Tactical Fighter Wing, Wing Weapons and Tactics, Davis Monthan AFB, AZ (A-7D)
2/1976-3/1977 A-10 IOT&E Team, Davis Monthan AFB, AZ (A-10)
4/1977-3/1980 422nd Forward Wing Squadron (OT&E), Nellis AFB, NV (A-10)
4/1980-12/1980 66th FWS, (Fighter Weapons Instructor Course, first as a student and then as an instructor), Nellis AFB, NV (A-10)
1/1981-6/1985 4450th Tactical Group, Operations Officer and Squadron Commander, Nellis AFB, NV, Tonopah Test Range, NV (F-117, A-7D/K)
7/1985-5/1986 National War College, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, DC
6/1986-8/1987 Air Staff, (XOXFM, XOXFT, and WRM Panel Chairman), Pentagon
8/1987-7/1988 4440th TFTG (Red Flag) Commander, Nellis AFB, NV (F-5)
7/1988-6/1989 57th FWW Vice Commander, Nellis AFB, NV (A-10)
7/1989-8/1990 HQ TAC, Director, Fighter Training and Tactics (DOT), Langley AFB, VA
8/1990-7/1992 37th Tactical Fighter Wing Commander, Tonopah Test Range, NV (F-117, AT-38)
7/199-6/1994 Air Force ROTC Detachment 770 Commander, Clemson University, SC
Awards & Decorations
Legion of Merit (with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters)
Distinguished Flying Cross (with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters)
Meritorious Service Medal (with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters)
Air Medal (with 14 Oak Leaf Clusters)
Aerial Achievement Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal
Army Commendation Medal
Flight Info
F-100 C/D/F
A-7 D/K
A-10
F-117A
F-5
AT-38
Military Education
SOS
National War College
Civilian Education
1968 BA, Clemson University, SC
1975 MA, University of Northern Colorado, CO
- Biography
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Biography
Col. Whitley served in Vietnam 1970, Thailand 1973, Desert/Desert Storm
I grew up in Lancaster, SC. which is now Clemson, SC. I retired from the U.S. Air Force after serving 26 years as a fighter pilot. My military service included two tours in Vietnam and combat action in Operation Desert Storm, where I served as the commander of the unit that flew the F-117A stealth fighter. After leaving active duty, I started (and taught) a high school Air Force Junior ROTC unit from July 1994 – December 2008, when I retired for good.
I remain indebted to, humbled by, and forever grateful to those of you who gave me insight, guidance, wisdom, and so many unique opportunities. I even appreciate the “fatherly advice” I often got (and needed) along the way. It was an honor to serve with such a special breed of men.
My only regret is I never told most of you how much I appreciated you, your friendship, and your help along the way. I’m proud that I served with so many who were not only the heart and soul of the Hun community but also the world’s greatest Air Force. - Units - Education - Awards - Flight Info
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Units Assigned
6/1968-6/1969 Pilot Training, Webb AFB, TX (69-08)
7/1969-2/1970 4511th CCTS, Luke AFB, AZ (F-100C/F)
3/1970-7/1970 531st Tactical Fighter Squadron, Bien Hoa AB, RVN (F-100D/F)
7/1970-10/1970 309th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Tuy Hoa AB, RVN (F-100D/F)
11/1970-6/1972 431st Tactical Fighter Squadron/416th Tactical Fighter Squadron, England AFB, LA (F-100 D/F)
7/1972-1/1973 74th Tactical Fighter Squadron, England AFB, LA (A-7D)
2/1973-2/1974 3rd Tactical Fighter Squadron, Korat RTAFB, Thailand (A-7D)
3/1974-9/1975 422nd Fighter Wing Squadron (OT&E), Nellis AFB, NV (A-7D)
10/1975-1/1976 355th Tactical Fighter Wing, Wing Weapons and Tactics, Davis Monthan AFB, AZ (A-7D)
2/1976-3/1977 A-10 IOT&E Team, Davis Monthan AFB, AZ (A-10)
4/1977-3/1980 422nd Forward Wing Squadron (OT&E), Nellis AFB, NV (A-10)
4/1980-12/1980 66th FWS, (Fighter Weapons Instructor Course, first as a student and then as an instructor), Nellis AFB, NV (A-10)
1/1981-6/1985 4450th Tactical Group, Operations Officer and Squadron Commander, Nellis AFB, NV, Tonopah Test Range, NV (F-117, A-7D/K)
7/1985-5/1986 National War College, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, DC
6/1986-8/1987 Air Staff, (XOXFM, XOXFT, and WRM Panel Chairman), Pentagon
8/1987-7/1988 4440th TFTG (Red Flag) Commander, Nellis AFB, NV (F-5)
7/1988-6/1989 57th FWW Vice Commander, Nellis AFB, NV (A-10)
7/1989-8/1990 HQ TAC, Director, Fighter Training and Tactics (DOT), Langley AFB, VA
8/1990-7/1992 37th Tactical Fighter Wing Commander, Tonopah Test Range, NV (F-117, AT-38)
7/199-6/1994 Air Force ROTC Detachment 770 Commander, Clemson University, SCAwards & Decorations
Legion of Merit (with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters)
Distinguished Flying Cross (with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters)
Meritorious Service Medal (with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters)
Air Medal (with 14 Oak Leaf Clusters)
Aerial Achievement Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal
Army Commendation MedalFlight Info
F-100 C/D/F
A-7 D/K
A-10
F-117A
F-5
AT-38Military Education
SOS
National War CollegeCivilian Education
1968 BA, Clemson University, SC
1975 MA, University of Northern Colorado, CO - Images
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