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

10 June 1969: The U.S. Air Force donated the first North American Aviation X-15, serial number 56-6670, to the Smithsonian Institution for display at the National Air and Space Museum. The first of three X-15A hypersonic research rocketplanes built by North American for the Air Force and the National Advisory Committee (NACA, the predecessor of NASA), 56-6670 made the first glide flight and

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Bahling, Garry

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  • Bahling, Garry

Garry Bahling

Preferred Name: Garry
Nickname/Call Sign: Brass
Date of Birth: August 13, 1944
Highest Military Grade: 0-7 – Brigadier General
Hometown: Waterford, MI
Garry-Bahling-now
Biography
Pilot Information

Brigadier-General Garry S. Bahling is assigned as the chief of staff, Headquarters, Michigan Air National Guard. As the chief of staff, he directs the activities of the Headquarters, Michigan Air National Guard (ANG), located in Lansing, and assists in the administration of the ANG units located at Selfridge ANG Base near Mount Clemens, Battle Creek ANG Base, and the Combat Readiness Training Center in Alpena, Michigan.

General Bahling received his commission as a second lieutenant in July 1969. He was the commander of the 107th Fighter Squadron from 1986 to 1990, during which time he was the Fighter Squadron “Top Gun”. During his command, the 107thconverted from the A-7 aircraft to the F-16A. He attended F-16 school in April 1990 and was “Top Gun” in his class. General Bahling completed his career with the 127th Fighter Wing as director of operations in May of 1993. He was transferred to Headquarters, Michigan Air National Guard as director of operations, and was appointed to his current position as chief of staff in May 1996.

Next to my bride, the ANG was the best thing to happen to me. And the best part of the ANG was the HUN years! So very grateful to those who organized the SSS and publish the magnificent “Intake,” thus bringing back so many wonderful memories. Thank you!!

Units Assigned

  • 9/ 1969- 9/1970 UPT, 3561 Student Squadron, Webb AFB, TX (T-37, T-38)
  • 9/ 1970- 6/1972 107 Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, Selfridge ANG Base, MI. (RF-84)
  • 3/1972-8/1979 107 Tactical Fighter Squadron, Selfridge ANG Base, MI (F-100D, A-7)
  • 8/1979-10/1983 Flight leader, 107 Tactical Fighter Squadron, Selfridge AFB, MI (A-7D)
  • 10/1983-11/1986 Operations officer, 107 Tactical Fighter Squadron, Selfridge ANG Base, MI (A-7D)
  • 11/1986-3/1990 Commander, 107 Tactical Fighter Squadron, Selfridge AFB, MI (A-7D)
  • 3/1990-8/1990 Pilot, 107 Tactical Fighter Squadron, Selfridge AFB, MI (F-16 C/D)
  • 8/1990-5/1991 127 Tactical Fighter Wing, Assistant deputy commander for operations, Selfridge ANG Base, MI
  • 5/1991-5/1992 deputy commander for operations, 127 Tactical Fighter Wing, Selfridge ANG Base, MI
  • 5/1992-5/1993 Director of operations, 127 Fighter Wing, Selfridge ANG Base, MI
  • 5/1993-10/1995 Deputy commander, Headquarters, Michigan Air National Guard, Lansing, MI
  • 10/1995-5/1996 director of operations, Headquarters, Michigan Air National Guard, Lansing, MI
  • 5/1996-11/2000 Chief of staff, Headquarters, Michigan Air National Guard, Lansing, MI
  • 11/2000 Retired USAF

Awards & Decorations

Meritorious Service Award
Meritorious Service Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal
AF Outstanding Unit Award
Outstanding Unit Award
Combat Readiness Medal
Combat Readiness Award with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
National Defense Service Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Air Force Longevity Service Award (AFLSA)
Air Force Longevity Service Award with 5 Oak Leaf Clusters
Armed Forces Reserve Medal (AFResM)
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Hourglass Device
Small Arms Marksmanship Ribbon (SAEMR)
Small Arms Marksmanship Award
Air Force Training Ribbon (AFTR)
Air Force Training Ribbon

Flight Info

T-37
T-38
RF-84
F-100 D
A-7 D
F-16 C/D

Rating: Command pilot
Flight hours: More than 3,500
Pilot wings from Webb AFB, TX

Military & Civilian Education

Military Education:

  • 1971 Squadron Officer School (correspondence)
  • 1975 Air Command and Staff College (correspondence)
  • 1988 National Security Management Course, Distinguished Graduate (correspondence)

Civilian:

  • 1967 BS/Aerospace Engineering, University of Michigan, MI

 

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