29 January 1991 – An American F-15C shot down an IRAF MiG-23 fleeing to Iran with an AIM-7 missile. “During the Air War over Iraq, the mighty Eagle proved to be a very robust airframe, bringing back its pilots after suffering serious damages. After the first ten days of the first Gulf Air War, to
Gayle Gardner flew the F-100 with the 1738th Ferry Wing out of Kelly Field, TX; the 72nd Tactical Fighter Squadron out of Yakota AB, Japan; and the 510th Tactical Fighter Squadron out of Clark AB in the Philippines.
Gardner served as president of the U.S. War Veterans Foundation. “At 16, Gardner convinced a former World War II pilot to give him flying lessons after years of asking. He later joined the Air Force, working his way up as a commissioned officer. It took him only three years from being in a fighter squadron to being assigned to Headquarters United States Air Force. Following his career in the military, Gardner enjoyed success in the private sector; co-founding a no-load mutual fund in the U.S. and also co-founding a cargo airline company.”(1)
(1)Press Release — Hawaii Republican Assembly (HIRA) (hawaiideservesbetter.com)