Wenstrand, Arlo P.

Arlo Paul Wenstrand

Preferred Name: Arlo

Date of Birth: March 7, 1935

Highest Military Grade: 0-5 – Lieutenant Colonel

Hometown: Denair, CA

Headed West Date: March 8, 2016

Arlo joined the Air Force at a young age and retired after 24 years as a Lt. Col USAF Fighter Pilot. (1) After serving in the USAF, Arlo was employed as a contract instructor/course-ware developer in F-16 pilot training programs at Luke AFB and Tucson ANG from 1986-2000.

(1) Source: The Arizona Republic, Mar. 17, 2016.

Units Assigned

1958-1959 Pilot Training Class 60-C, 3303rd Plt Tng Gp, Bartow AB, FL (T-34, T-28)
1959 Pilot Training Class 60-C, 3561st Plt Tng Sq, Webb AFB, TX (T-33)
1959 USAF Survival Training School, Stead AFB, NV
1959-1960 4515th Combat Crew Training Squadron, Advanced Training Course Class 60-G-2, Luke AFB, AZ (F-100C/F)
1960 O4520th Combat Crew Training Group, Operation Training Course, Nellis AFB, NV (F-100C/D/F)
1960-1963 492nd Tactical Fighter Squadron/48th Tactical Fighter Wing, RAF Lakenheath, England (F-100D/F)
1963-1966 4511th Combat Crew Training Squadron, 4517th Combat Crew Training Squadron, 4514th Combat Crew Training Squadron, IP, Luke AFB, AZ (F-100C/D/F)
1966 4410th Combat Training Wing, FAC training/checkout, Hurlburt Field, FL (O-1)
1966-1967 21st TASS/4th Inf Div, FAC, Pleiku AB, RVN (O-1)
1967 612th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Phan Rang AB/PhuCat AB, RVN (F-100D/F)
1967-1970 Air Officer Commanding CS-06, USAF Academy, CO (T-33)
1970-1971 Student, ACSC, Maxwell AFB, AL (T-33)
1971 TAC Water Survival School, Homestead AFB, FL
1971 515th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron/58th Tactical Fighter Training Wing, Luke AFB, AZ (F-4 Cat IV checkout, F-4C)
1971 6200 ABW, Clark AB, PI, PACAF Jungle Survival Training
1971-1972 433rd Tactical Fighter Squadron/8th Tactical Fighter Wing, Ubon AB, Thailand (F-4D)
1972 HQ 7th AF, Tan Son Nut AB, RVN, Air Ops Center Ftr Duty Officer (F-4D/E)
1972-1974 311th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron, IP/Flt Cmdr/Asst Ops, 58th TFTW Chief, Stan/Eval (F-4C)
1974-1976 Faculty Advisor, Armed Forces Staff College, Norfolk, VA, USN (T-28)
1976-1979 12th Tactical Fighter Squadron/DO, 18th Tactical Fighter Wing DOT/Chief, 44th Tactical Fighter Squadron/CC, Kadena AB (F-4D)
1979-1982 HQ PACAF, Dir Aircrew Stan/Eval, Hickam AFB, HI (F-4C/D/E)
1982 Retired USAF

Awards & Decorations

Flight Info

T-34
T-28
T-33
T-28
F-100 C/D/F
O-1
F-4 C/D/E

Military & Civilian Education

Military Education:

1978 AFROTC DG, commissioned 2/Lt
1971 ACSC
1979 ICAF

Civilian Education:

1952 Denair High School
1954 Modesto Junior College
1958 Oregon State University
1982 Graduate work with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Arlo Paul Wenstrand (LtCol USAF, Ret) “Headed West” on March 8, 2016.

Arlo passed away in Phoenix, Arizona March 8, 2016, just one day after his 81st birthday. Arlo was born to Paul Wenstrand and Linda Wenell Wenstrand in Denair, California.

He joined the Air Force at a young age, flew trainers and fighter jets, and retired after 24 years retired as a Lt. Col USAF Fighter Pilot

He spent his last years with his bride of 27 years, Janet, in Surprise, Arizona where he was active at the Community of Grace Lutheran Church.

Arlo was predeceased by his mother, Linda Wenstrand; Dad Paul; and step-mom Doris Wenstrand; former wife Jean L’Esperance Wenstrand; and great-grandson Will Michael Zerbe.

Arlo will be missed by his wife Janet; children Linda (Rich) Wenstrand Griesser, Scott (Rachel) Wenstrand, Willie (Carin) Zerbe, Gail (Kyle Milne) Zerbe, Steve Zerbe, Jeff Zerbe, Mike (Rashell) Zerbe and Hugh (Yvonne) Zerbe; brother Don (Alison) Wenstrand, sister Mary (Bob) Moore, brother Gerald (Carol) Wenstrand, beloved brothers & sisters-in-law; grandchildren, Brenna Griesser, Jacob (Christy) Holmes, Lindsey (Nolan)Holmes Neill, Lucas Holmes, Hannah Milne, Morgan Zerbe, Joel (Amanda) Zerbe, Jaime (Randy Bray) Zerbe, Jessica (Grady Sandlin) Zerbe, Brennen Zerbe, Peyton Zerbe, Isabella Zerbe, Nathan Zerbe, Emily Zerbe, and Anthony Zucco; great-grandchildren, Abbie Zerbe, Aaron Zerbe, Ellie Zerbe, Aiden Neill, Kellan Neill, Emersynn Neill, Logynn Holmes, Londynn Holmes, Maliyah Holmes, Peasen Zerbe, and Willy Sandlin; beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Committal and Memorial Services were held with Air Force Honors at National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, Phoenix on March 18, 2016, for family and Fighter Pilots.

In Lieu of flowers, please send contributions to the Community of Grace Lutheran Church, 10561 W Pinnacle Peak Rd., Peoria, AZ 85383.

Source: edited from Arlo’s obituary published in The Arizona Republic on Mar. 17, 2016.

This Day in History – June 10, 1969 – The X-15 gets a place in history

Arlo Paul Wenstrand

Units Assigned

Awards & Decorations

Flight Info

Military & Civilian Education

Wall of Honor Location

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