Hillner, Joseph, Jr.

I received my wings at Luke AFB, NM in Class 53G, and went on to training in the F-84 D, E, and G.

In April of 1953 I was sent to Bergstrom AFB in Texas to fly the F-84F with the 27th Strategic Fighter Wing. However, the F was grounded most of the time, and we got our time as co-pilots in KB-29 Tankers.

After tours in Korea, Japan, and France, I went on rotation to Kelly AFB, TX with the 1708 Ferrying Wing Detachment 12, where I flew simultaneously in the T-6, T-28, T-33, F-86 A, E, & F, and the L-20. The Wing was deactivated in the Spring of 1958.

I ended up in Supply School in Cheyenne, WY then on Chaumont France with the 48th Tactical Fighter Group. Before signing in at Chaumont I ran into my first Squadron CO at Bergstrom, Lt Col Al Fell, who introduced me to Col Bruce Hinton, 48th DO. He got me released from the M&S Group CO and sent me to the 494th TFS, flying F-100 D, and F.

We transferred to RAF Lakenheath in January of 1960.  I rotated to Cannon AFB. NM, with the 523rd Tactical Fighter Squadron/27th Tactical Fighter Wing, for the second time (Austin and F-84F the first).

I went to US Army Parachute School while stationed at Cannon, then PCS to Ft. Riley, KS as a hardcore ALO/FAC. My tour in Viet Nam started via rail and water with the Big Red One from Ft. Riley, flying the O-1 Bird Dog.

I then returned temporarily to Ft. Riley, then PCS to TAC Headquarters and a tour with Fighter Ops.  In the Summer of 1969, PCS to Torrejon AB, Spain, and became CO of the F-4 E Fighter Squadron until promotion to full Colonel and subsequent PCS as Base Commander of Aviano AB, Italy.

After rotation back to ZI in 1972 and attendance in AWC, I retired in 1973 while attending AWC. It was a wonderful 20+ years in USAF.