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Today in History – April 5, 1962 – 1962 Neil Armstrong takes X-15 to 54,600m

Neil Armstrong and the X-15 by Bob van der Linden, Posted on Tue, July 23, 2019, Aeronautics Department, Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum “Released from duty in mid-1952, Armstrong returned to Purdue where he earned his degree in aeronautical engineering in 1955. His love of flight and engineering drew him to the National Advisory

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Richards, Carl

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Carl Richards

Preferred Name: Rich
Date of Birth: October 27, 1929
Highest Military Grade: 0-5 – Lieutenant Colonel
Hometown: Pasadena, CA
Carl Richards - before
Biography
Pilot Information

Carl “Rich” Richards flew the F-100 D & F models from June 1958 through November 1958 with the 390th Fighter Bomber Squadron out of England AFB, LA. He flew the F-100 A & F models from November 1958 to March 1959 TDY of Class 59-J in an upgrade program at Nellis AFB, NV.

He says he had a “Great career – many wonderful friendships”.

Units Assigned

  • 1953 Preflight training, Lackland AFB, TX
  • 1953 Primary Pilot Training, Marana AB, AZ (PA-18, T-6)
  • 1954 Basic Pilot Training, Class 54-K, Williams AFB, AZ (T-28, T-33)
  • 1954 Gunnery Training, Laughlin AFB. TX (T-33)
  • 1954 Advanced Gunnery Training, Luke AFB, AZ (F-84 E/G)
  • 1954 – 1958 391st FBS and 390th FBS, England AFB, LA (F-86F, F-84F)
  • 6/1958-11/1958 390th FBS, England AFB, LA (F-100D/F)
  • 11/1958-3/1959 TDY, Class 59-J, Upgrade program, Nellis AFB, NV (F-100A/F)
  • 4/1959-1962 Dual qualified instructor, 4512th CCTS, Luke AFB, AZ (T-33,  F-84F)
  • 1962-1965 Flight Commander, 78th TFS, RAF Woodbridge, UK (F-101A/C)
  • 1965-1968 Instructor and Flight Commander, 4518th CCTS, Luke AFB, AZ (F-104G)
  • 1968-1969 Flight Commander, 6th SOS, Pleiku AB, RVN (A-1H – 253 Combat missions)
  • 1969-1971 Chief TCCP and Ops & Tng, 353rd TFS, Torrejon AB, Spain (F-4E)
  • 1971-1973 Base Commander, Director BRA, Berchtesgaden, Germany
  • 1973-1974 Chief, Test Control Division, Eglin AFB, FL (C-131B, T-39)
  • 6/1974 Retired USAF

Awards & Decorations

Flight Info

PA-18
T-6
T-28
T-33
F-84 E/F/G)
F-86F
F-100 A/D/F
F-101 A/C
F-104G
A-1H
F-4E)
C-131B
T-39

Military & Civilian Education

Military Education:

  • 1960 SOS

Civilian Education:

  • Pasadena City College
  • Modesto College
  • Arizona State University

Wall of Honor Location

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The mission of the Super Sabre Society is to preserve the history of the F-100 Super Sabre and the men who flew the aircraft.

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